Bonus Rebroadcast: Was Jeffrey Epstein an Intelligence Asset? (with Nick Bryant)

On this week's episode, Andy sits down with Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a leading expert on Iran sanctions and U.S. foreign policy. Dubowitz has advised multiple U.S. administrations and lawmakers on strategies to counter Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional activities. The conversation covers the evolution of U.S.-Iran relations, the effectiveness and limitations of sanctions, and the impact of domestic political divisions on international strategy. Dubowitz also examines the importance of historical context and discusses the potential role of supporting internal dissent within Iran as part of a broader policy approach. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors:  Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode originally aired on January 3, 2024. On today's episode, Andy sits down with Nick Bryant, an investigative journalist, podcaster, author, and expert on human trafficking who is credited with helping to expose the widespread abuse of Jeffrey Epstein and his criminal associates. He is also the author of the book The Franklin Scandal: A Story of Powerbrokers Child Abuse & Betrayal. His new book, The Truth About Watergate: A Tale of Extraordinary Lies and Liars, will be released on Jan. 15.  He is also the Director of the organization Epstein Justice. Learn more here ⁠https://epsteinjustice.com/⁠ Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Lou Ferrante—former mobster turned author and speaker—joins Andy to unpack his remarkable transformation from a life of organized crime to one of personal growth and social insight. Lou shares raw and unfiltered stories from his early years in the mafia, revealing the inner workings of criminal networks, the code of loyalty that binds them, and how evolving technology is reshaping the criminal landscape. Lou is best known as the host of Inside the Gangsters’ Code on Discovery. His books include his memoir Unlocked: The Life and Crimes of a Mafia Insider and Mob Rules Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared  Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with former CIA analyst Michael Shurkin to explore the agency’s post-9/11 focus on Africa and the emergence of jihadist movements in the Sahel. They unpack the rise of Al-Qaeda–linked groups in Mali, the regional dynamics that fueled instability, and how external actors like France and Russia shaped the conflict. The conversation highlights the day-to-day realities of intelligence work, the strategic blind spots of U.S. foreign policy, and why what’s happening in Africa could have consequences far beyond the continent. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker FarmUse code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy is joined by Bill Roggio—senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and editor of The Long War Journal—for a wide-ranging conversation on national security, starting with the complexities of firearm ownership in the U.S. and shifting into an in-depth analysis of the global jihadist threat. They trace the evolution of groups like the Taliban and al-Qaeda, examining how these networks have resurged in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The discussion dives into U.S. military strategy, missteps in the War on Terror, and the enduring ideological mindset of jihadist fighters. Together, they unpack what went wrong, what the media often overlooks, and why public awareness of these threats is more important than ever. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with geopolitical strategist and author Peter Zeihan, founder of Zeihan on Geopolitics. They discuss Taiwan’s role in the global semiconductor supply chain and its relationship with China. The conversation covers the challenges the U.S. faces in reshoring manufacturing, China’s demographic trends, and the potential consequences of a military conflict over Taiwan. They also address issues related to AI development, global food security, and the need for investment in U.S. industrial and energy infrastructure. Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit AmmoSquared.com today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with Brandon Fugal, chairman of Colliers International in Utah and owner of Skinwalker Ranch. They discuss his transition from real estate to leading scientific investigations at the ranch, the site's unusual history, its former owner Robert Bigelow, and the ongoing research into unexplained phenomena. The conversation also covers government secrecy around UFOs and the broader implications for science and society. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker FarmUse code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with former CIA officer John Kiriakou to discuss his path into the Agency, the unconventional recruitment process, and his firsthand experience with enhanced interrogation and rendition operations. Kiriakou shares the moral and ethical dilemmas he faced, what ultimately led him to speak out, and the personal consequences of becoming a whistleblower. The conversation also explores the political environment during the Bush administration, the evolution of U.S. counterterrorism strategies after 9/11, and Kiriakou’s perspective on the current crisis in Gaza and the broader implications of American foreign policy. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker FarmUse code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Change Agents, journalist Iona Craig shares her experience reporting from Yemen, one of the world’s most complex and dangerous conflict zones. With over a decade covering the Middle East, Iona offers firsthand insight into the origins and dynamics of the Houthi movement, the challenges of war reporting, and the impact of U.S. involvement in the conflict. She discusses the cultural and political nuances often overlooked in international coverage and advocates for locally led solutions rather than foreign military intervention. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original  Firecracker FarmUse code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy welcomes back investigative journalist Nick Bryant to examine the government’s refusal to release key information in the Jeffrey Epstein case. They discuss the broader implications of sealed files, political blackmail, and institutional silence, as well as the media’s selective coverage of the story. Bryant highlights the alarming scale of trafficking in the United States and shares the story of Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most well-known victims. Today, he serves as the Director of the organization Epstein Justice, which seeks justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and advocates for systemic reform and transparency. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors:  Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices