How Jihadist Movements Took Root in the Sahel—and Why the U.S. Should Care

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/ 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

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with retired Green Beret and former Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann, who served over 20 years in Army Special Forces conducting missions across Afghanistan, Iraq, and Latin America. After retiring, Scott founded The Hero’s Journey and became a leading advocate for veterans’ transition through storytelling. He and Andy discuss the origins of Operation Pineapple Express, a grassroots effort led by veterans to evacuate Afghan allies when official channels failed. They explore the lasting effects of trauma, the challenges of reintegration, and why veterans are often forced to lead long after their service ends. 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 is joined by Mike Rowe, television host, narrator, and founder of the Mike RoweWORKS Foundation. Best known for his show Dirty Jobs, Mike has spent years spotlighting the essential workers who keep the country running and advocating for the skilled trades through scholarships and public outreach. In this conversation, Mike talks about the growing labor shortage in America and the cultural shift that led to the decline in respect for hands-on work. He and Andy explore how education, media, and policy have steered young people away from trades, the consequences of that shift, and what it will take to reverse the trend. 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