Nathan Apffel is a Christian, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and director of The Religion Business, a multi-part docuseries that exposes the financial practices and lack of accountability in Western religion, particularly Christianity. Drawing from personal experiences with church scandals and abuse, Apffel investigates how religious institutions accumulate vast wealth, estimated at $2 trillion in the U.S. alone, while often prioritizing internal spending over community impact, with 94 cents of every donated dollar staying within church walls. Co-produced with Chris Ayoub, the series features interviews with experts like Joel Osteen and highlights issues like the religious exemption from financial reporting.

Apffel is developing tech solutions to promote transparency and community-driven reform in religious organizations. He advocates for ethical governance, victim support, and redirecting resources to solve global issues like poverty and homelessness. Based in the U.S., Apffel blends storytelling, technology, and faith to challenge the status quo and foster meaningful change in the "nonprofit Goliath" of organized religion.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

⁠https://blackbuffalo.com⁠

⁠https://prizepicks.onelink.me/lmeo/srs⁠

⁠https://americanfinancing.net/srs⁠

NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-781-8900, for details about credit costs and terms.

⁠https://tryarmra.com/srs⁠

⁠https://betterhelp.com/srs⁠

This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self.

⁠https://bunkr.life⁠ – USE CODE SRS

Go to https://bunkr.life/SRS and use code “SRS” to get 25% off your family plan.

⁠https://shawnlikesgold.com⁠

⁠https://hillsdale.edu/srs⁠

⁠https://ketone.com/srs⁠

Visit https://ketone.com/srs for 30% OFF your subscription order.

⁠https://rocketmoney.com/srs⁠

⁠https://ROKA.com⁠ – USE CODE SRS

⁠https://simplisafe.com/srs

Nathan Apffel Links:

The Religion Business Website - https://www.thereligionbusiness.com

IG - https://www.instagram.com/nathan_apffel

IG - https://www.instagram.com/religionbusiness

YT - https://www.youtube.com/@thereligionbusiness

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Rich is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur. He first gained prominence as a bassist and vocalist in the band Lonestar from 1992 to 1998, contributing to hits like "Amazed." 

In 1998, he co-founded the duo Big & Rich with Big Kenny Alphin, achieving multi-platinum success with albums like Horse of a Different Color (2004) and singles such as "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," blending country with rock and rap influences. 

As a solo artist, Rich released tracks like "Shuttin' Detroit Down" (2009) and hosted CMT's Gone Country while winning Celebrity Apprentice in 2011, raising over $1.3 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

An entrepreneur, he launched Redneck Riviera whiskey and a Nashville bar, co-founded Old Glory Bank. Rich supports causes like veterans through the Return the Favor campaign with the VFW and online child safety, partnering with DHS for a 2025 livestream on protecting kids from predators. In 2025, he received the Bob Hope Award at the Patriot Gala for military advocacy.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

https://blackbuffalo.com

https://prizepicks.onelink.me/lmeo/srs

https://americanfinancing.net/srs

NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-781-8900, for details about credit costs and terms.

https://tryarmra.com/srs

https://betterhelp.com/srs

This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self.

https://bunkr.life – USE CODE SRS

Go to https://bunkr.life/SRS and use code “SRS” to get 25% off your family plan.

https://shawnlikesgold.com

https://hillsdale.edu/srs

https://ketone.com/srs

Visit https://ketone.com/srs for 30% OFF your subscription order.

https://rocketmoney.com/srs

https://ROKA.com – USE CODE SRS

https://simplisafe.com/srs

John Rich Links:

Website - https://www.johnrich.com

X - https://x.com/johnrich

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnrichofficial

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JohnRichMusic

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnrichofficial

Big & Rich - https://bigandrich.com

Redneck Riviera - https://redneckriviera.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gerard Barron, born in Queensland, Australia, is the Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of The Metals Company, a position he has held since 2017. A seasoned entrepreneur with a track record in battery technology, media, and future-oriented resource development, Barron leads the company's efforts to harvest polymetallic nodules from the deep ocean floor, providing sustainable sources of critical metals like nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese for electric vehicles and renewable energy. 

He previously co-founded DeepGreen in 2011 and assumed full control in 2017, guiding it through a public listing and partnerships to advance environmentally responsible deep-sea mining as an alternative to land-based extraction. 

Barron testified before the U.S. Congress in April 2025 on national security and critical minerals, emphasizing the strategic importance of ocean resources. He advocates for innovation in clean tech, reducing mining's ecological footprint, and securing supply chains for the global energy transition, often speaking at forums like the St. Gallen Symposium and GESDA. 

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

 ⁠https://americanfinancing.net/srs⁠

NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-781-8900, for details about credit costs and terms.

⁠https://betterhelp.com/srs⁠

This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self.

⁠https://bruntworkwear.com – USE CODE SRS⁠

⁠https://bunkr.life – USE CODE SRS⁠

Go to https://bunkr.life/SRS and use code “SRS” to get your 25% off your family plan.

⁠https://calderalab.com/srs⁠

Use code SRS for 20% off your first order.

⁠https://shawnlikesgold.com⁠

⁠https://helixsleep.com/srs⁠

⁠https://patriotmobile.com/srs⁠

⁠https://ROKA.com – USE CODE SRS⁠

⁠https://shopify.com/srs⁠

⁠https://simplisafe.com/srs⁠

Gerard Barron Links:

The Metals Company - ⁠https://metals.co⁠

X - ⁠https://x.com/gtbgtb⁠

LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerardbarron

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Keith Stansell is a former U.S. Marine and Northrop Grumman employee who was captured by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on February 13, 2003, after his surveillance plane crashed in the Colombian jungle during an anti-narcotics mission. Held hostage for 1,967 days alongside contractors Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes, Stansell endured harsh conditions in the jungle until their dramatic rescue by the Colombian military on July 2, 2008, during Operation Jaque. 

A recipient of the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom in 2009, he co-authored the bestselling memoir Out of Captivity: Surviving 1967 Days in the Colombian Jungle (2009) with Gonsalves and Howes, detailing their ordeal and resilience. 

Father to twin sons born during his captivity, he advocates for awareness of hostage situations and supports military and veteran communities, emphasizing survival, family, and the human spirit in overcoming adversity.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

https://americanfinancing.net/srs
NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-781-8900, for details about credit costs and terms.
https://betterhelp.com/srs
This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self.
https://bruntworkwear.com – USE CODE SRS
https://bunkr.life – USE CODE SRS
Go to https://bunkr.life/SRS and use code “SRS” to get your 25% off your family plan
https://calderalab.com/srs – USE CODE SRS

Use code SRS for 20% off your first order.
https://shawnlikesgold.com
https://helixsleep.com/srs
https://patriotmobile.com/srs
https://ROKA.com – USE CODE SRS
https://shopify.com/srs
https://simplisafe.com/srs

Keith Stansell Links:

Book (Out of Captivity) - https://www.amazon.com/OUT-CAPTIVITY-Surviving-Colombian-Jungle/dp/0061769525

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AJ Gentile is an American producer, writer, actor, and YouTube personality best known as the creator, host, and writer of "The Why Files," a channel that delves into conspiracy theories, mysteries, and unexplained phenomena with engaging storytelling and a skeptical lens. 

Before gaining fame on YouTube, Gentile worked in Hollywood as a producer and writer, contributing to projects like The Naughty Show (2011) and Stoned Science (2018), and provided voice-over work, including roles in The Legend of Korra. In 2011, he co-founded SpeedWeed, a cannabis delivery company, with his brother Gino and wife Jen. 

The Why Files has amassed a large following for its professional, encyclopedia-like analysis of conspiracies without interruptions.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

⁠https://betterhelp.com/srs⁠

This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self.

⁠https://americanfinancing.net/srs⁠

⁠https://tryarmra.com/srs⁠

⁠https://aura.com/srs⁠

⁠https://shawnlikesgold.com⁠

⁠https://ketone.com/srs⁠

⁠https://patriotmobile.com/srs⁠

⁠https://ROKA.com⁠

⁠https://USCCA.com/srs⁠

⁠https://ziprecruiter.com/srs

AJ Gentile Links:

The Why Files - https://www.thewhyfiles.com

YT (The Why Files) - https://www.youtube.com/@TheWhyFiles

X - https://x.com/ajgentile

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Rutherford is an internationally known motivational speaker, best-selling author, world-championship performance coach, and award-winning podcast host. He is also a former Navy SEAL Medic and Instructor who served for eight years in the NSW community. After his honorable discharge from the Teams, he went to work for Blackwater as an international curriculum development and training specialist.

In 2005, he launched his motivational performance company, Froglogic Concepts, to initially help children develop resilience and confidence. In 2008, David was recruited to work for the CIA as a curriculum and training specialist for two years. He then went on to become operational for the agency as a security threat and protection specialist. After hanging up his kit in 2011, he kick-started Froglogic Concepts again. For over a decade, David and his Froglogic message have reached over 50 million people worldwide as a top motivational speaker, performance coach, podcast host, and author. Some of his notable successes include his role as a motivational performance coach for the 2018 NCAA World Series champions, the Oregon State Beavers baseball team, and the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.

He is currently working with a top asset management firm with over $200 billion under management as part of their advisor consulting group. He also continues to work with top college and professional athletes and teams.

David’s passion to help people has also been focused on supporting veterans’ charities. For the past decade, he has assisted seven different veterans’ charities to raise awareness, money, and support for struggling vets. For the past two years, David, Jana, and Chris have been developing the Operator Syndrome Foundation. Due to the continued increase in SOF veteran suicides, they decided to start their own charity to target the specific needs of individuals and their unique medical and mental health issues.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

https://betterhelp.com/srs

This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self.

https://americanfinancing.net/srs

https://tryarmra.com/srs

https://aura.com/srs

https://shawnlikesgold.com

https://ketone.com/srs

https://patriotmobile.com/srs

https://ROKA.com

https://USCCA.com/srs

https://ziprecruiter.com/srs

David Rutherford Links:

Website - https://teamfroglogic.com | https://www.davidrutherford.com

X - https://x.com/teamfroglogic

IG - https://www.instagram.com/teamfroglogic

LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-rutherford-84256811

Froglogic Institute - https://www.froglogicinstitute.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Henry L. (Dick) Thompson, Ph.D., is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and legendary MACV-SOG operator known by the codename "Dynamite." Serving as a recon team leader from 1968 to 1970, he led over 20 high-risk black operations deep into enemy territory in Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam during the Vietnam War's secret campaigns, earning a reputation for bravery in brutal firefights and hand-to-hand combat. 

After 21 years of military service, including roles in Special Forces, Airborne, and Ranger units, Thompson founded High Performing Systems, Inc. in 1984, where he serves as President and CEO, providing leadership solutions, training, and assessments for corporate, military, law enforcement, and firefighters in high-stress decision-making. A psychologist, Mensa member, and Ironman triathlete, he authored, among other books, the bestselling "SOG Codename Dynamite" series, including "A MACV-SOG 1-0's Personal Journal" (2023), sharing firsthand accounts of combat psychology and spiritual warfare. 

Thompson advocates for mental resilience, veteran support, and applying combat lessons to everyday leadership.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

https://betterhelp.com/srs

This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self.

https://bruntworkwear.com – USE CODE SRS

https://bubsnaturals.com – USE CODE SHAWN

https://bunkr.life – USE CODE SRS

Go to https://bunkr.life/SRS and use code “SRS” to get your 25% off your family plan

https://shawnlikesgold.com

https://helixsleep.com/srs

https://moinkbox.com/srs

https://mypatriotsupply.com/srs

https://patriotmobile.com/srs

https://rocketmoney.com/srs

https://shopify.com/srs

https://simplisafe.com/srs

Henry Dick Thompson Links:

Website - http://www.hpsys.com

IG - https://www.instagram.com/hps_ceo

X - https://x.com/HPSys

SOG Codename Dynamite: A MACV-SOG 1-0's Personal Journal - https://www.amazon.com/SOG-Codename-Dynamite-MACV-SOG-Personal/dp/B0C9SB8JGP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Gialich is the Co-Founder and CEO of AstroForge, an asteroid mining company founded in 2022 that aims to extract platinum group metals from near-Earth asteroids to redefine sustainable mining practices. With over a decade of experience leading high-performing engineering teams, Gialich holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. 

His career began at Toyon Research Corporation as an analyst developing novel navigation algorithms, followed by key roles at Virgin Orbit, where he led the flight software and GNC teams and oversaw avionics development. He later served as Director of Vehicle Software at Bird, where he met co-founder Jose Acain, sparking the idea for AstroForge amid their shared passion for space. 

Previously, Gialich was co-founder and CEO of Ex Scientia Technologies. A Y Combinator alumnus, he has guided AstroForge to successful missions, including Mission 1's launch, and advocates for commercial space innovation to address resource scarcity on Earth.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

https://betterhelp.com/srs

This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self.

https://bruntworkwear.com – USE CODE SRS

https://bubsnaturals.com – USE CODE SHAWN

https://bunkr.life – USE CODE SRS

Go to https://bunkr.life/SRS and use code “SRS” to get your 25% off your family plan

https://shawnlikesgold.com

https://helixsleep.com/srs

https://moinkbox.com/srs

https://mypatriotsupply.com/srs

https://patriotmobile.com/srs

https://rocketmoney.com/srs

https://shopify.com/srs

https://simplisafe.com/srs

Matt Gialich Links:

X - https://x.com/MattGialich

LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gialich

AstroForge - https://www.astroforge.io

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Blake Scholl is the Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, a company he started in 2014 to revive commercial supersonic flight with the Overture airliner, designed to fly at Mach 1.7 and carry 64–80 passengers. 

A Carnegie Mellon University computer science graduate (BS, 2001), Scholl began his career as a software engineer at Amazon, later owning a $300 million P&L at age 24, and co-founded Kima Labs, acquired by Groupon in 2012. 

Inspired by seeing Concorde in a museum, he self-taught aerospace engineering to launch Boom, which achieved the first privately developed supersonic flight with the XB-1 demonstrator in January 2025. With orders from United, American, and Japan Airlines, Scholl aims to make sustainable supersonic travel mainstream using 100% sustainable aviation fuel, targeting passenger flights by 2030.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

https://americanfinancing.net/srs

NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org

https://tryarmra.com/srs

https://betterhelp.com/srs

This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self.

https://meetfabric.com/shawn

https://shawnlikesgold.com

https://hexclad.com/srs

https://hillsdale.edu/srs

https://ketone.com/srs

Visit https://ketone.com/srs for 30% OFF your subscription order

https://ROKA.com – USE CODE SRS

https://trueclassic.com/srs

https://USCCA.com/srs

https://blackbuffalo.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Dan Schneider is an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville and an Associate Staff Member at the St. John Henry Newman Research Centre for Theology at Maryvale Institute in Birmingham, England. A former U.S. Army attack helicopter pilot, Gulf War veteran, and amateur boxer, Schneider has nearly two decades of experience in Catholic evangelization and teaching. 

As a founding member of Liber Christo, a movement with Fr. Chad Ripperger, he provides resources for priests and laity in the apostolate of deliverance and exorcism. Schneider is the author of The Liber Christo Method: A Field Manual for Spiritual Combat (TAN Books, 2023), offering practical “guerrilla warfare” tactics for spiritual battles, including five key strategies: Renunciation of Evil Influences, Repentance, Examination of Conscience, Learning Power and Authority, and Prayer. A sought-after speaker, he advocates for sacramental living and spiritual discipline to combat diabolical influences, drawing on his military and theological expertise.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

https://americanfinancing.net/srs

NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org

https://tryarmra.com/srs

https://betterhelp.com/srs

This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self.

https://meetfabric.com/shawn

https://shawnlikesgold.com

https://hexclad.com/srs

https://hillsdale.edu/srs

https://ketone.com/srs

Visit https://ketone.com/srs for 30% OFF your subscription order

https://ROKA.com – USE CODE SRS

https://trueclassic.com/srs

https://USCCA.com/srs

https://blackbuffalo.com

Dr. Dan Schneider Links:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices