Ric Prado spent a 24-year career in the CIA, rising to lead counterterrorism operations during one of the most critical periods in modern history. In this episode, he shares his remarkable journey from a child refugee fleeing communist Cuba to standing at the forefront of America’s fight against global terrorism. But his perspective goes far beyond operations—it’s about leadership, grit, and navigating life-and-death decisions in the highest-stakes arena imaginable.

What does it really mean to be “in the arena”? For hosts John Ehrhard and Justin Dye, it means facing failure, endured criticism, and overcome immense challenges to pursue their calling.

In the first ever episode of the show, the two hosts and producer Leo Godoy go behind-the-scenes to lay out the vision behind Legends of the Arena, inspired by the legendary 'Man in the Arena' by Theodore Roosevelt, and discuss the beginning of a series exploring the stories of people who will do what it takes to keep fighting when the odds are stacked against you.

They also highlight the first two guests—Sean Foley, golf coach to Tiger Woods and Justin Rose, and Rick Prado, the Cuban refugee who rose to lead CIA counter-terrorism during the Bin Laden years.

A new episode every two weeks wherever you get your podcasts and the first two episodes are already out.  Listen now!