Young Michael went deep on his internet research this Friday. We spent an hour discussing a variety of topics, and as usual, he did not disappoint:

-Venezuela

-How lethal are JSOC elements?

-Will the US take Greenland?

-The unstoppable rise of Ai photos

-Grok undressing everyone

And much more......

Enjoy-

Today's Sponsors:

Hollow Socks:

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Firecracker Farm:

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Andrew Child is the co-author of the Jack Reacher series, one of the most successful and recognizable modern thriller franchises in the world. Working alongside his brother Lee Child, Andrew became responsible for continuing and evolving a character known for discipline, restraint, moral clarity, and decisive action.

Before joining the Reacher universe, Andrew spent years developing his own voice as a novelist and journalist, with a background that shaped his approach to structure, clarity, and storytelling. Stepping into an already iconic series required understanding not just the character, but the values and principles that made Jack Reacher resonate with millions of readers globally.

Andrew now carries the responsibility of maintaining the integrity of a cultural archetype — a lone figure guided by competence, accountability, and an uncompromising sense of right and wrong. His work has helped ensure the Jack Reacher series remains relevant, grounded, and consistent while continuing to grow its audience across books, television, and film.

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Helix:

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This Episode was recorded 29 Dec 2025. I did not know, nor had no way of knowing that the upcoming Shawn Ryan interview was going to be cancelled the night before this episode aired.

We talked policy for nearly an hour before digging in to headline topics. If you are here just for the title topics, skip to around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Dan Crenshaw is the Republican Congressman from the 2nd District of Texas. Prior to his political career, he served as a United States Navy SEAL for 10 years. On his 3rd combat deployment, he was injured by an IED (improvised explosive device) which cost him his right eye and left him with substantial damage to his left. He was medically retired due to his injuries, and shortly thereafter began his career in politics.

Most recently Dan has been in the news for ACCUSATIONS of insider trading, drunken behavior in Mexico, threatening Tucker Carlson's life, and attempting to silence podcaster and former Navy SEAL Shawn Ryan.

Today's Sponsors:

Firecracker Farm:

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This episode focuses heavily on the massive risk facing children on many of the most popular games targeted and marketed towards their age group, and parents. Specifically, Roblox, Minecraft, and the communication platform Discord.

Nic McKinley is a former military special operator and ex-CIA operative who founded and led two multimillion-dollar tech companies. A pioneer in building technical solutions to protect society from predators, Nic is passionate about solving society's most pressing issues through cost-effective technical solutions.

Nic grew up in Montana but left to join US military special operations as a US Air Force Pararescueman. After more than a decade in Pararescue, Nic worked in private intelligence start-ups before being recruited into a specialized unit at the Central Intelligence Agency that provided unique capabilities and expertise in response to the critical operational needs of the Intelligence Community.

With 30 combat deployments under his belt in both Special Operations and the CIA, Nic experienced the power of technology during the Global War on Terror and set out to use his skills and training with that experience to combat modern slavery.

In 2014, Nic founded DeliverFund, the only donor-funded solution to human trafficking that delivers proprietary data and technology to law enforcement, allowing them to take down human traffickers effectively. Along with DeliverFund, Nic founded a venture capital-backed software company and has a technology leadership consulting practice.

Despite being dubbed "The Real Jack Ryan" by VICE Media, Nic's most important role is as a husband and father leading his family in a life of service and adventure in Montana. When he is not in his office, Nic can be found on a lake, on the ski slopes, camping, climbing vertical rock or ice in the mountains, with his nose in a book learning something new, or spending downtime with his extraordinary wife.

Deliverfund: https://deliverfund.org/

Today's Sponsors:

Montana Knife Company: https://www.montanaknifecompany.com

Shopify:

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Our Final Full Auto Friday for 2025!I'd like to say I went out with a bang, but instead I just tried to be consistent.

Thank you to everyone who submitted questions in 2025, I hope that my answers have helped someone out there. Don't forget, I'm an idiot, and my answers are only representative of my own experiences. See you all out there in 2026.

Today's questions:

-How do you deal with being hurt by those you love?

-How do you hold someone accountable without them being personally offended

-Are the SEAL Teams racist?

-Closing thoughts on 2025

Enjoy!

Today's Sponsors:

Brunt: Listeners get $10 off their entire order with code "clearedhot" at checkout.

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Pique:

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Born and raised in the mountains of rural northwest Georgia, Chadd grew up obsessed with becoming a SEAL, but when the Navy discovered a rare but asymptomatic cyst on his heart, he was disqualified from entering BUD/s. Chadd refused to give up, ultimately tracking down a surgeon willing to perform a procedure deemed too risky by every cardiologist he previously petitioned.

Cyst successfully removed, Chadd went on to realize his SEAL dream, serving over the next decade as a Team Leader on multiple deployments to conflict zones across the world. He became a SEAL instructor. A Master Training Specialist. Chadd even served a stint as President Obama’s bodyguard. Along the way, he battled PTSD and traumatic brain injury.

Now retired from the military, Chadd has found new life as an elite ultramarathoner — a spiritual quest for self-knowledge and mind-body mastery that has compelled him to tackle some of the world’s most insane endurance slogs like The Revenant — a 118-mile footrace across south New Zealand with over 52,000 feet of elevation gain that not one person has ever successfully completed.

The 3 of 7 Project: https://www.3of7project.com/

Today's Sponsors:

Black Rifle Coffee:

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David:

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Traditional and straightforward today, a simple Q and A to round out the week. Of course, I only picked controversial and divisive topics, oh wait, not even close.

I did actually cover:

- A law enforcement officer developing hate for those he interacts with

- Why are so many Special Operations Vets talking smack online?

- What was the point of the 20-year GWOT wars?

- Do I deserve to seek treatment from the VA?

Enjoy

Today's Sponsors:

AG1:

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Helix:

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Brent Tucker is a retired US Army Delta Force operator and Purple Heart recipient with a 20-year career in Special Ops. He served as both a Green Beret and a Delta Force operator, completing 13 combat deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and other undisclosed locations.

He is the host of the Tier 1 Podcast and the owner and founder of First Responder's Coffee, Cigar, & Cask Company.

Brent was recently sued by Rob O'Neill for 25 million dollars in a defamation lawsuit. Rob claims that Brent made false claims, stolen valor accusations, and conducted a "malicious and calculated smear campaign," claiming that Rob did not kill Osama Bin Laden.

Tier 1 Podcast: https://tier1podcast.com/

FRCC: https://frcc.shop/

Today's Sponsors:

Montana Knife Company-

https://www.montanaknifecompany.com

LMNT-

https://www.drinklmnt.com/clearedhot