This week on Liberty Risk, the crew sits down with Nik Hawks - former Navy SEAL, sailor, entrepreneur, and adventure connoisseur - for an absolutely WILD episode with story after story for almost 5 hours.

From bouncing between the U.S. and England as a kid, to questionable high school decisions, to chasing the idea of becoming a SEAL thanks to a larger-than-life uncle, Nik's path was anything but conventional. He breaks down the realities of BUD/S, platoon life, hilarious bar fights, practical jokes, and the kind of lessons you only learn the hard way inside the Teams.

And when the uniform came off, the adventures just became wilder. Nik walks us though his story of buying a small 22' sailboat and heading out solo from the West Coast, down through the Panama Canal, and across open ocean toward Florida, picking up hitchhiking deck hands along the way. No plan. No permenent crew. And sometimes no clothes. Just chaos, danger, and freedom in its purest form.

The conversation dives into life after the military - the lessons lerned from failed businesses, hard resets, humility, and eventually finding success and building Paleo Treats and other unique ventures alongside his wife, Lee.

Packed with wild side quests, near-disasters, legendary pranks, and moments of real reflection, this episode is classic Liberty Risk - raw, funny, and honest. If you're into SEAL stories, adventure, entrepreneurship, or just hearing how someone survives doing everything the hard way (and sometimes naked), this one's mandatory listening.

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands.

Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk

Get to know Nik and Paleo Treats at the following links:

✖️ Nik's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nikhawks

✖️ Paleo Treats Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paleotreats

✖️ Paleo Treats website - https://www.paleotreats.com Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

This week on Liberty Risk, the crew sits down with long time friend and fellow entrepreneur, Peter Lemke for a wide-open conversation about business, relationships, risk, and learning things the hard way.

Peter walks through his path from Arizona to Southern California, launching a limo bus business that came with equal parts cash flow and complete insanity - one employee even stole a party bus and some cash, they found the bus 24 hours later with the employee and a h00ker in the back. 😂

Between the party-bus chaos, unreliable employees, legal landmines, and the moment Uber and Lyft flipped the entire industry upside down, it was one helluva ride.

The lesson is clear: trust your gut, adapt fast, and understand that managing people is usually harder than the business itself.

From there, the conversation moves into Peter's later ventures, including marketing, the ups & downs of restaurant ownership, and his current focus, Dropkick Brew. He breaks down acquiring and rebranding a coffee company during the pandemic, navigating manufacturing and distribution headaches, and what it takes to land major partnerships with brands like Tito's and retailers like Costco.

Along the way, the crew dives into bigger questions: shifting work ethic across generations, how technology and social media are reshaping business and communication, and why adversity still matters. They also get real about relationships, therapy, and the unique pressure of working with a spouse or close friends in something as stressful as a business.

It's honest, funny, and unfiltered. If you've ever thought about starting a business, scaling one, or just want to hear how things actually go when the plan blows up, this episode delivers exactly what Liberty Risk is about: real stories, hard lessons, and plenty of laughs along the way.

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands.

Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk

Get to know Pete and DropKick Brew at the following links:

✖️ Pete's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/petelemke

✖️ DropKick Brew Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dropkickbrew

✖️ DropKick Brew website - https://dropkickbrew.com Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

This week on Liberty Risk, the crew sits down for what may be the biggest and most meaningful episode we've ever recorded - a roundtable with six guests bound by military service, Texas roots, and a deep commitment to showing up when it matters most.

The episode kicks off the only way Liberty Risk knows how: inside jokes, supporter gifts, custom knives, and the kind of ritualized chaos that comes from real friendships. But it doesn't take long before the conversation turns heavier. The group shares stories of brotherhood, loss, and remembrance, including a deeply personal account of honoring a fallen teammate in a way that blends humor, grief, and respect - the kind of goodbye only people who've lived it can understand. RIP Kyle Paulson.

As each guest introduces themselves, we hear backgrounds spanning Navy SEAL teams, business, and grassroots community organizations like 300 Justice Road - a foundation that started as a backyard barbecue crew and evolved into a force for good, raising money for scholarships and supporting military families across Texas.

A major portion of the episode centers on the response to the catastrophic flash floods in Hunt, Texas. The guests walk through the chaos of the early hours, the rapid mobilization of SEALs, volunteers, and first responders, and the emotional toll of search and recovery. From cadaver dogs and sonar to coordination challenges with local authorities, the stories reveal both the difficulty and the necessity of organized, skilled response - and the uniquely Texas spirit that brought civilians, law enforcement, and veterans together when things were at their worst.

Woven throughout are stories of culture and camaraderie - legendary bars, old-school rituals, and the bonds that tie military and first responder communities together. The conversation also highlights mentorship and giving back, with the guests sharing how they train and support underfunded law enforcement agencies, passing on tactical and medical knowledge to help prepare for real-world threats.

At its core, this episode is about purpose. The group speaks candidly about life after service, the ongoing crisis of veteran and first responder suicide, and the importance of community as a lifeline. The message is clear: you don't need a uniform to serve. Everyone has something to contribute - skills, time, resources, or simply showing up.

The episode closes with a simple call to action: check on your friends, find your people, and get involved. Because service doesn't end when the job does - and the strongest communities are built by those willing to step forward when it counts.

This is Liberty Risk at its most honest - heavy, hopeful, and rooted in the belief that purpose is found in standing shoulder to shoulder when things fall apart.

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands.

Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk

Get to know Greg, Brian, Mike, and the 300 Justice Road Mission at the following links:

✖️ Greg Froelick's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/odin_mulder_froelick

✖️ Brian Mannion Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bmanni0n

✖️ Colin Shelton Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/csato9

✖️ 300 Justice Road website - https://300justiceroad.com Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

This week on Liberty Risk, we sit down with Mike Mihalski - founder of Sons of Liberty 🔫 Works, underground-casino alumnus, walking Texas legend, and the only man we know who partied so hard he changed state law. 🤘🏼🤠🤘🏼

Mike & Ryan have a long history, from meeting in an internet chat room 20+ years ago because of a mutual love of talking shit, to being ghost roommates, to being the best man at Ryan's wedding - what follows is a fast-moving, unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, culture, luck, faith, chaos, and the strange places life takes you when you keep saying yes to opportunity.

Mike breaks down his insane Vegas gambling runs, including the time he flew home with a million dollars CASH in a backpack. We also dive into the story of the night he got arrested in a hotel lobby with no pants and a suppressed, full auto 🔫 - an incident so ridiculous it sparked a revision to Texas state law (because Mike was in the RIGHT). The crew also discusses Mike's underground-casino days working as a bookie, and the bizarre "birthday astrology book" incident at a strip club that could only be believed in person (good thing we have witnesses!).

The conversation goes deeper too: the realities of building a company from scratch into winning one of the most prestigious military contracts in the world, the weight of responsibility, the shifting landscape of American culture, and trying to make sense of a world that sometimes feels like it's glitching - including a crazy night in Austin that left everyone questioning reality. 👻

It's candid, it's sharp, it's wildly funny, and it's packed with the kind of hard-earned wisdom you only get from someone who's lived multiple lifetimes before lunch.

If you're here for big stories, big ideas, and a brutally honest look at the American experience, this is one of our best yet.

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands.

Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk

Get to know Mike and SOLGW at the following links:

✖️ Mike's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikemihalski

✖️ SOLGW Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sonsoflibertygw

✖️ SOLGW website - https://sonsoflibertygw.com Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

This week on Liberty Risk, it's just the crew - no guests, no filters, and nothing off-limits. The guys sit down for a full-send, behind-the-scenes session that feels more like a late-night team room hang than a podcast. From the chaos inside the Patreon chat to the origins of the infamous "bat signal" 🍆🪽🔦 meme, the episode kicks off with pure Liberty Risk energy.

The conversation rolls into what the veteran community looks like today: the good, the bad, the hilarious, and the downright weird. The hosts swap funny military stories, wild nights in Mexico, near disasters, and the kind of screwups that you can only joke about years later. They dive into leadership, legacy, and what's changed - and hasn't - in the brotherhood since their time in uniform.

Listeners also get answers to Patreon questions about some of the best/worst liberty risk moments, work-life balance, and the meanings behind certain questionable tattoos. And because it's Liberty Risk, things inevitably go off the rails into Bigfoot sightings, UFO encounters, and unexplained military weirdness that nobody can explain but everyone remembers.

It's unfiltered, honest, and always entertaining - the kind of episode that reminds you why the community around this show feels like a family. The crew closes out with gratitude for the listeners, a call to reconnect with old friends, and one more toast to the wild ride ahead.

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

Exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more.

Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

Some fun stories you might like from this episode!

00:00 - The Infamous "🍆🪽 Signal" and Patreon Chat Antics 03:13 - The Evolution of the Veteran Community & Podcasting Journey 04:14 - Vet TV, Donny O'Malley, and the Changing Face of Military Humor 10:31 - The Frogman Toast & Team Guy Traditions 13:25 - Fan Encounters & The Power of Community 15:23 - Why an Episode Was Pulled: Military Career Risks 24:06 - The Wild San Felipe, Mexico Adventure 55:46 - The Most Expensive "Liberty Risk" Event & Thailand Drug Scandal 57:30 - The Captain's Mast, Mistaken Identity, and Military Justice 2:32:08 - Bigfoot in Fort Lewis: The Night Watch Encounter 2:55:34 - UFOs, The Tic-Tac Incident, and Alien Theories 3:18:00 - A Shootout with Aliens in Tunnels Under Area 51

In this episode, the Liberty Risk crew sits down with Ernest Emerson, the legendary founder of Emerson Knives, for a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation about his life, career, and the evolution of the knife industry over the years. Ernest shares how his upbringing on a Wisconsin farm and his passion for martial arts led him to create his first knives out of necessity, eventually launching a career that would help define the tactical knife genre.

Ernest discusses his transition from working as a machinist at Hughes Aircraft to becoming a full-time knife maker, and how mentorship from industry icons and feedback from elite military units - especially the Navy SEALs - shaped his approach to design and innovation. He explains the origins of the iconic CQC-7 and the patented "Wave" feature, and reflects on the explosion of tactical knives in the 1990s and beyond.

The episode delves into the close relationship between Emerson Knives and the special operations community, the challenges of maintaining American manufacturing in the face of overseas competition, and the importance of integrity and legacy in a family business. Ernest is joined by his son Lucas, who shares his perspective as a new generation designer and talks about the company's expansion into kitchen knives and new manufacturing ventures.

The conversation is unflinchingly honest about the pressures facing American knife makers, the influx of high-quality but "soulless" imports from China, and the importance of supporting domestic craftsmanship.

Packed with technical insights, industry history, and candid stories - from working with rock stars to testifying as an expert witness - this episode offers a rare look at the philosophy, values, and enduring impact of one of the most influential figures in the knife world.

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands.

Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk

Get to know Ernest & his son Lucas more at the following links:

Ernest Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/realernestemerson

Lucas Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emerson_archetype

Emerson Knife Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emersonknivesinc

Emerson Knife website - https://www.emersonknives.com Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

In this episode of Liberty Risk, we sit down with a man who's lived multiple lives in one - Vietnam Veteran, Navy Seabee, cowboy, and one of Hollywood's original stunt legends: Jim Wilkey. If you've ever watched a truck flip end-over-end in The Dark Knight, seen Stallone crash through cars in Cobra, or watched Clint Eastwood & Charlie Sheen race through The Rookie, there's a good chance Jim Wilke was behind the wheel - or flying through the windshield.

We kick off with the whole Liberty Risk crew finally back together in the studio, and the energy is full send from the start. Jim takes us back to the beginning - growing up as a cowboy kid in Northern California, hauling hay, riding rodeo, and unknowingly training for a future he didn't even know existed. When Vietnam ramped up, he joined the Navy Seabees and found himself operating bulldozers in the jungle, building runways while taking fire, and navigating a war where half the people hated you and the other half pretended not to notice.

Jim shares raw stories from the Vietnam years - what it was like to return home from a war nobody wanted to talk about, go from hauling ammo to hauling stunt pads, and slowly carve out a name in a Hollywood world that didn't hand out second chances. He landed his first stunt jobs simply because he could ride, fall, crash, and get back up without complaining - and from there, his career became a highlight reel of chaos where he became known for daring stunts in movies like "Cobra" with Sylvester Stallone, "The Rookie," and "Transformers", especially one incredible scene where he flipped a semi-truck end over end across a Chicago street for "The Dark Knight".

He explains the stunt world's golden rule: if you did it right, nobody thought it was real - and if you did it wrong, everyone thought you died.

But the best stories aren't just about carnage - they're about the people. Jim talks about the old-school stunt crews who treated each other like family, the quiet pride of knowing your work helped define Hollywood's biggest films, and the moments that made it all worth it.

Between the chaos, we hit real conversations - aging, fatherhood, injuries, legacy, and knowing when to pass the torch. Jim talks about transitioning from full-throttle risk to teaching, mentoring, and preserving the old-school stunt craft before CGI makes it vanish completely. He and Kevin reflect on the weird emotional whiplash that comes from being fearless on set - but tearing up during Pixar movies with your kids.

This episode is pure Liberty Risk - equal parts history, humor, grit, gasoline, and real human insight. Whether you're into filmmaking, military life, story craft, or just good old-fashioned "how the hell did you survive that?" - this one's got it.

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk

Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

This week on Liberty Risk, we sit down with former SEAL BJ Welsh as he shares some WILD stories from 34 years of service - from operating with West Coast Teams to working narcotics cases for the DOJ, these are some adventures you won't want to miss! Chrome handguns, bar fights, meth chases, and the brotherhood that ties it all together… this one has everything.

BJ tells the real story behind the legendary El Centro Incident - SEAL Platoons, a "borrowed" pistol, a pissed off local, a tussle through saloon doors, off-duty officers who forgot they were on duty, and half of Imperial County law enforcement piling in the next day. It's a modern Western with more drama than Blazing Saddles and a legend that's only grown over 20 years.

From there, the stories only get more unhinged:

• The DUI that somehow made the admiral nostalgic
• The Ambien-and-airplane miscalculation that nearly ended in disaster
• Being "secured" to a Thailand hotel for going a little too hard on liberty 🍺
• An ex fiancée who "did" more platoons than BJ and Kevin combined
• The gun incident that ended with a girlfriend arrested in BJ's house 🔫
• BUD/S Instructor life and Team One's well deserved "No Fun One" reputation
• The old "surf & turf" uniforms that looked like you were "Porky Piggin' it" (shirt with no pants) 😂
• The meth chase up the 5 freeway with water-soaked narcotics flying out the window

Between the insanity, we also get to the real heart of BJ's story - a guy who served America for 34 years across multiple units, raised his kids, lost his father, built a second career in DOJ, and is now trying to age gracefully while still challenging himself and being dangerous when needed.

The boys dive into:

• The evolution of masculinity (why being aggressive 24/7 isn't maturity)
• Why warriors suddenly cry at Moana and the unique perspective of being a "girl dad"
• Learning to decompress after decades of hyper-vigilance
• Finding something that sharpens your edge after service ⚔️
• Domestic battles like dishwasher politics and the eternal toilet paper war
• Why how a person handles dog shit tells you everything you need to know about them 💩

BJ's honesty is unmatched. One minute he's sharing wild deployment stories, the next he's talking about breaking generational cycles or watching Golden Bachelor with his wife.

This is a three-hour masterclass in military humor, life after the Teams, total honesty, and the kind of brotherhood that goes beyond uniforms.

If you've ever wanted the actual story behind the El Centro incident, wondered what happens when SEALs discover a plane serves alcohol, or needed reassurance that crying during Disney movies is normal… this is your episode.

Listen now - and if you see a taco'd license plate outside a bar in El Centro, just keep driving. Trust us on this one.

Find out more about BJ and his adventures at the following links:

✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bj_welsh

Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

In this loud, unfiltered, and absolutely hysterical episode, the Liberty Risk crew sits down with "MC" - not his real name - an Australian military veteran, close friend of Nick's, and the first guest in show history who needed his face blurred and his name replaced to protect the guilty. What follows is a chaos-filled, cross-continental ride through military life, cultural whiplash, and stories that should never see daylight… yet somehow found their way here.

MC opens up about his background: born in the Philippines, raised in Australia from age 12, figuring out English the hard way, and eventually following his family's military legacy into the Australian Army. He walks through the injuries, setbacks, and career pivots that eventually landed him in a specialized aviation role working alongside elite units - including the U.S. Army's legendary 160th SOAR Night Stalkers.

The crew trades stories about airborne ops, wild training evolutions, and the kind of water jumps that make you question your life decisions - including one set in shark-infested waters and another involving Zodiacs being shoved out of aircraft in what can only be described as "organized aviation bullying."

The cultural differences between Australia and the U.S. take center stage too:

• Anzac Day traditions — dawn services, gunfire breakfasts, and "two-up"
• The very different flavors of American patriotism
• Drinking culture, cigars, dip, and why Australians seem genetically unable to take anything seriously
• The uniquely Australian term "mad c*nt," and why it's the highest compliment you can give someone

Between the chaos, MC and the guys hit real conversations about heritage, fatherhood, and what it means to break generational cycles. They talk about military coins, custom knives, capturing memories before they're gone, and the friendships that outlive uniforms, units, and miles.

This episode is everything Liberty Risk stands for: raw stories, real vulnerability, international shit-talking, and military humor at its absolute worst (which is to say, its best).

Topics include:

• Military screw-ups & group chat disasters
• Growing the Liberty Risk podcast & Patreon fam
• MC's journey from the Philippines → Australia → aviation support to SOF
• Injuries, pivots, and the realities of military careers
• Working with U.S. special operations & cross-cultural chaos
• Ridiculous stories from deployments, training, & bar crawls
• Anzac Day, tradition, and the meaning of service
• Cigar culture, whiskey nights & "mad c*nt" bonding
• Family, legacy, fatherhood & breaking the cycle
• Plans for future international meetups and mayhem

👉 Thank you for being a part of the Liberty Risk community! If you enjoyed the show please leave us a review on whatever platform you're listening on, and consider supporting the show by buying some Liberty Risk merch at www.Liberty-Risk.com!

Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

In this gripping and wide-ranging episode, the Liberty Risk crew sits down with two fascinating guests: Ed Calderon and Eddie Dennis, each bringing a unique perspective shaped by extraordinary life experiences on both sides of the US-Mexico border.

Ed Calderon is a well known former Mexican law enforcement officer (3 x guest on the Joe Rogan show) who spent over a decade working in some of the most dangerous and complex environments in Mexico. Growing up in Tijuana, Ed witnessed firsthand the transformation of his hometown from a party city to a battleground for cartels and organized crime. He joined an experimental paramilitary police force at a young age, where his career spanned operational work, investigations, and close protection for high-profile figures, including legendary military officers. After 12 years, political shifts and personal risk led him to immigrate to the US, where he now shares his hard-won knowledge through training, consulting, and public speaking.

Eddie Dennis is an entrepreneur, small business owner, and the founder of Tactical Outfitters. With a background in retail, EMS, and firefighting, Eddie's journey took a turn when he became a single father and began exploring the world of tactical gear and firearms.

Some of the highlights from the episode:

Ed's harrowing experiences in Mexican law enforcement, including undercover work, cartel confrontations, and the challenges of operating in a culture of corruption.

Candid discussions about the realities of life on the border, the complexities of Mexican and American cultures interplaying, and the impact of politics, crime, and social change on both sides of the border.

Practical advice for staying safe in Mexico, understnding and navigating corruption, and the nuances of travel and security south of the border.

Entertaining and outrageous stories, from the infamous and elusive "donkey shows" of TJ to midget bullfighting, the surprising world wide reach of cartel monkey patches, and the wild life behind the scenes of Mexican wrestling, we dive into it all.

Reflections on trauma, mental health, and the value of community, adaptability, but maybe most importantly, the ability to maintain humor in the face of adversity.

Whether you're interested in security, travel, culture, or just love a good story to pass a long journey, this episode offers a rare, unfiltered look at the lives of two men who have seen - and survived - it all.

Tune in for an unforgettable conversation packed with insight, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.

Find out more about Ed & Eddie at the following links:

✖️ Ed Calderon Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/manifestoradiopodcast

✖️ Ed Calderon website - https://www.edsmanifesto.com

✖️ Eddie Dennis Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesalesmansmanifesto

✖️ Eddie Dennis website - https://tacticaloutfitters.net

Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc