Inside Cartel Operations in Arizona with Former SWAT Commander Matthew Thomas

On this episode of Change Agents, Andy Stumpf talks with Matthew Thomas about cartel operations in Arizona, how cartels recruit members in the U.S., the brutality of cartel operations and more. Matthew Thomas is a retired Chief Deputy at the Pinal County Sheriff's Office in Arizona, where he led the regional SWAT team for 18 years. He frequently went undercover during anti-cartel operations. He is the author of “Interceptors: The Untold Fight Against the Mexican Cartels.” Chapters: (01:29) The Operation to Take Out El Mencho (06:37) Pinal County’s Role in the Cartel Wars (12:02) The State of Border Security (16:43) Tunnel Systems Run by Cartels (22:38) Going Undercover to Fight Cartels (32:37) U.S. Citizens Working for Cartels (36:06) Sicario vs. Rip Team Battles (47:41) Cartel Members Getting Military Training (52:06) Cartel Human Trafficking Operations Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/IRONCLAD and use code IRONCLAD for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy travels to Austin to visit with Ways2Well founder Brigham Buhler at his Longevity Lab lab to discuss the search for the genetics secrets to eliminating chronic disease and how some species seem to live forever. They dig into why how the field is practiced today often leave patients without real answers, and why Buhler believes a more preventative, patient-focused approach could change that. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: (00:00) Intro (02:08) Redesigning the Clinic: Making Healthcare Fun (07:10) How Insurance & PBMs Broke the Medical System (14:42) Big Pharma’s War on Compounding & Telemedicine (18:22) Why Your Doctor Is Trapped in a Broken System (21:18) Ways2Well Tour: 80s Nostalgia & UV Murals (30:52) The Opioid Crisis & Brigham’s Origin Story (38:25) Fighting the FDA & The Illusion of Surgical Safety (43:47) What Are Peptides & Why Pharma Wants Them (48:22) ALLEN: The Ways2Well AI Health Assistant (52:14) Debunking Medical Myths: Testosterone & HRT (58:16) Wearables & The Future of Proactive Health (01:10:57) Inside the Lab: Stem Cells, Red Light, & Hyperbaric Oxygen (01:17:48) Next-Level Detox: Blood Filtration (IBU) & Ozone Saunas (01:20:25) Gene Editing & The Future of Human Evolution Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/IRONCLAD and use code IRONCLAD for an extra 15% off sitewide. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf/id1677415740 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SKmtN55V2AGbzHDo34DHI?si=5aefbba9abc844ed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy sits down with Jonathan Pullen, Assistant Chief of Operations for the South Central Region of the DEA. They discuss the logistics of the modern drug trade, the international supply chain of fentanyl precursor chemicals, and cartel operations along both the northern and southern U.S. borders. Chapters: (00:00) Cold Open & Introduction  (01:16) What is the DEA's True Role? (03:05) China's Involvement in the Fentanyl Crisis (08:15) Smuggling Rings Beyond the Major Cartels  (11:31) The Northern Border Threat & Montana Pipelines  (17:02) How Drugs Move Across the U.S. (The Denver Hub)  (20:32) Cartel Smuggling Tactics & Forced Labor  (24:43) Money Laundering: Cash, Crypto, & MSBs  (29:07) The Epidemic on Native American Reservations  (34:59) Why Fentanyl is Deadlier Than Previous Drug Crises  (42:05)  Raiding an Underground TdA Nightclub in Denver  (50:49)  The DEA's Biggest Hurdle Right Now  (55:03)  A Final Warning to Parents Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/IRONCLAD and use code IRONCLAD for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy welcomes back Nick Bryant, investigative journalist and Director of the Organization Epstein Justice, which seeks justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. They discuss the latest document releases related to Jeffrey Epstein, the political battles over transparency, and the unanswered questions surrounding Epstein’s network and influence. To find out more about Epstein Justice, visit: https://epsteinjustice.com/ Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:10) Why were so many documents released at once? (03:41) The legal battle to force disclosure (06:18) FBI and DOJ position on Epstein network (08:26) Was Epstein connected to intelligence operations? (10:18) The theory of Epstein as an intelligence asset (13:05) Media silence and institutional protection questions (16:40) Victims, credibility, and public perception (20:12) Power structures surrounding Epstein’s network (24:30) Why accountability has been so limited (29:10) The politics behind document withholding (34:45) What the remaining files could reveal (40:20) Names, reputations, and legal risk of disclosure (45:55) What happens next in the Epstein case (52:10) Final thoughts on transparency and justice Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/IRONCLAD and use code IRONCLAD for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Thompson is a retired Chief Warrant Officer 4. He is also a former Cyber Network Operations advisor and program evaluator at DARPA with experience in the fields of AI, Signals, and Human Intelligence. He is also the founder of the Spartan Forge hunting app: https://spartanforge.ai/ Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: (01:03) What Is DARPA? (05:58) Drone Warfare Ukraine (13:20) The Dangers of Terrorists Using Drones (16:50) Smartphone Surveillance in the Maduro Raid (26:00) Using the Internet in Authoritarian Countries (31:50) Spying on Cell Phones and Stealing Data (36:50) Choosing Targeted People to Spy On (39:35) The Vulnerability of Infrastructure to Cyberattacks (46:35) How Can You Protect Your Data? Subscribe: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf/id1677415740 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SKmtN55V2AGbzHDo34DHI?si=5aefbba9abc844ed Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/CHANGEAGENTS and use code CHANGEAGENTS for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad Meltzer is an author, TV personality, and comic book writer. He is known for his deep research into global issues and intelligence, and has even been part of a work group with the CIA, the FBI, and Department of Homeland Security officials to brainstorm new ways that terrorists might strike the U.S. In addition to creating shows for the History channel, Brad has written for the Batman/Superman, Green Lantern, Justice League and other hit comic book series. His non-fiction books include “The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington,” “The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy—and Why It Failed” biographies of Albert Einstein, Jackie Robinson and many others His latest novel, THE VIPER is out now  Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original  Chapters (01:14) How Conspiracy Theories Are Formed (07:26) Theories About the Death of Charlie Kirk (12:43) The Next Civil War? (19:46) Do Aliens Exists? (21:30) The Truth About the Witness Protection Program (34:19) Secret Tunnels Under the White House (38:58) George Washington’s Oath of Service  (41:20) What Happens at Dover Air Force Base (49:16) Perspectives on PTSD (52:49) Treating People with Respects and Gratitude  Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ GHOSTBED:  Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/CHANGEAGENTS and use code CHANGEAGENTS for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recently, Andy Stumpf visited Jesse James’ Austin shop, for a tour of where he custom makes award-winning motorcycles, muscle cars, firearms, and more. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:32) - Custom Bikes Tour (07:18) -Working as Concert Security (13:39) - The Decision to Start Building Bikes (16:00) - Custom Cars Tour (19:19) - Firearm Shop Tour (23:04) - Family Influence, Football, Work Ethic (28:30 )- First Job Building Bikes (29:40) - Custom Firearm Tour (38:48) - Working Through Anger Issues Growing Up (46:30) - Custom Engraving Craftsmanship (47:42) - Thoughts on Jesse's New Book (50:45) - Elon Musks's Custom Firearm/Custom Engraved Firearms (58:51) - Philosophy on Success Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/CHANGEAGENTS and use code CHANGEAGENTS for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy sits down with former CIA Targeter Sarah Adams to discuss modern media, misinformation, and the current threat landscape. They focus on the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, how these groups are funded, and how information about them is reported and interpreted. She also hosts the new podcast The Watch Floor where she breaks down global news and emerging threats, helping everyday people stay informed, prepared, and ready. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original More from Sarah: YouTube - The Watch Floor: https://www.youtube.com/@thewatchfloor X:  https://x.com/The_Watch_Floor https://x.com/sarahadams Chapters:  (00:00) - Introduction (01:20) - Overcoming Partisanship and New Podcast "The Watch Floor" (08:16) - Why the US is Funding the Taliban (13:58) - Politicians allowing the US to Fund the Taliban (20:30) - What Afghanistan Looks Like Now (27:34) - How Terror Organizations Recruit New Members (37:26) - The Rise of the Muslim Brotherhood (40:17) - The Next Attack (45:30) - Threats at the Northern Border Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ GHOSTBED:  Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/CHANGEAGENTS and use code CHANGEAGENTS for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy speaks with geopolitical analyst Peter Zeihan about current global developments. Their discussion covers civil unrest in Iran, U.S.–China relations and Taiwan, Germany’s military support for Ukraine, and the situation in Venezuela. They also address global oil transport, U.S.–Latin America relations, and strategic considerations involving Greenland. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD ORIGINAL Chapters: (00:00) Intro to Peter Zeihan (01:09) The Iranian Protest Response (08:15) Strikes on Iran (14:11) If China Invades Taiwan (17:52) Germany's role in the Ukraine War (26:19) The Future of Peace Talks in Ukraine (35:24) The Aftermath of the Venezuelan Op (48:24) Can These Global Changes Be Undone? (52:22) Will the US try to take Greenland? Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ GHOSTBED: Go to GhostBed.com/CHANGEAGENTS and use code CHANGEAGENTS for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at norwoodsawmills.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOTE: This interview was recorded a week prior to the U.S. operation to capture the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. Cillian Dunne is an author whose work looks at hidden worlds, from the political landscape of Central America to the streets of South Central Los Angeles. His latest book is called “The Right Hand Man: Noriega, Castro, CIA, DEA, MOSSAD: They Held the Power, He Held the Secrets. It tells the story of how Manuel Noriega rose to power in Panama while secretly working as a U.S. intelligence asset during the Cold War. . Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or scan the QR code Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices