#144 Erik Bethel - World Bank Director

Joe Lonsdale is a technology entrepreneur and investor known for advancing defense technologies and national security innovations. As a co-founder of Palantir Technologies, he helped develop powerful data platforms to address global threats. Through his venture firm, 8VC, he has supported startups in AI, cybersecurity and battlefield intelligence, driving innovation at the intersection of technology and defense. Lonsdale is a leading advocate for emerging military technologies, particularly directed energy weapons like high-energy lasers and microwave systems, which he sees as vital for missile defense and counter-drone operations. Committed to fostering public-private partnerships, he works to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of defense innovation while maintaining ethical oversight. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://patreon.com/vigilanceelite https://shawnryanshow.com/newsletter https://shawnryanshow.com/collections/shop Joe Lonsdale Links: X - https://x.com/jtlonsdale Website - blog.joelonsdale.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Joe_Lonsdale Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joe-lonsdale-american-optimist/id1573141757 Firm - 8vc.com Policy Group - ciceroinstitute.org University of Austin - uaustin.org Sesh - https://seshproducts.com/shawnryan Please leave us a review on Apple & Spotify Podcasts. Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links: Website | Patreon | TikTok | Instagram | Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rick Alan Ross is a leading expert on cults, authoritarian groups, and coercive persuasion. As the founder of the Cult Education Institute, he has provided resources and guidance to help individuals and families understand and recover from high-control groups. Ross has worked on over 500 deprogramming cases worldwide and frequently appears as an expert commentator on major media outlets. He is the author of Cults Inside Out: How People Get In and Can Get Out, a detailed guide to understanding and escaping cults. Known for his insightful analysis, Ross has advised law enforcement, governments, and organizations globally. Despite facing legal challenges from groups he critiques, he remains committed to educating the public and promoting critical thinking to combat manipulation. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://babbel.com/srs https://moinkbox.com/srs https://bubsnaturals.com/shawn https://blackbuffalo.com https://ShawnLikesGold.com | 855-936-GOLD #goldcopartner Rick Ross Links: Website - https://culteducation.com Cults Inside Out Book - https://cultsinsideout.com X - https://x.com/RickAlanRoss Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/culteducation YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheCultEducationInstitute Please leave us a review on Apple & Spotify Podcasts. Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links: Website | Patreon | TikTok | Instagram | Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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In this episode of SRS, Sarah Adams exposes the hidden realities behind global security threats and government inaction. She discusses alarming intelligence gaps, Taliban funding, Al Qaeda’s evolving strategies, and the unsettling roles of China and Russia in shaping terrorist activities. Drawing from historical events like Benghazi, the conversation challenges listeners to rethink what’s being overlooked in today’s geopolitical landscape. The discussion also highlights Hamza bin Laden’s influence, the challenges faced by abandoned allies, and the evolving nature of terrorist tactics. Through detailed analysis and candid reflections, Adams provides a nuanced perspective on the complexities of global and domestic security. Sign the Petition - https://change.org/shawnryanshow Subscribe to the Newsletter - https://shawnryanshow.com/newsletter Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://unplugged.com/shawnryan https://shopify.com/srs https://helixsleep.com/srs https://meetfabric.com/shawn https://ShawnLikesGold.com | 855-936-GOLD #goldcopartner Sarah Adams Links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahadams IG - https://www.instagram.com/askarimediagroup X - https://x.com/tpasarah Website - https://askarimediagroup.com Book - https://www.amazon.com/Benghazi-Know-Enemy-Sarah-Adams/dp/B0BHMV2Q8S Please leave us a review on Apple & Spotify Podcasts. Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links: Website | Patreon | TikTok | Instagram | Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alan C. Mack is a retired U.S. Army Master Aviator and veteran of over 35 years of service. He spent 17 years with the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the "Night Stalkers," flying MH-47 Chinook helicopters on missions such as the hunt for Osama bin Laden and the rescue of Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell during Operation Red Wings. Mack's career included roles as a Flight Lead, Instructor, and Commander at West Point, amassing over 6,700 flight hours and earning accolades like the Distinguished Flying Cross and Legion of Merit. In his book, Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars, Mack shares gripping accounts of his combat experiences and personal challenges, including the toll of frequent deployments on his family. Now serving as a Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Services in New York, he continues to inspire audiences with stories of resilience and leadership. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://shopify.com/srs https://helixsleep.com/srs https://betterhelp.com/srs https://hillsdale.edu/srs https://ShawnLikesGold.com | 855-936-GOLD #goldcopartner Alan C. Mack Links: Website - https://alancmack.com Book - https://alancmack.com/razor-03-a-night-stalkers-wars X - https://x.com/alancmack2015 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alancmack2015 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AlanCMackAuthor LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-c-mack Please leave us a review on Apple & Spotify Podcasts. Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links: Website | Patreon | TikTok | Instagram | Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the Department of Neurobiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. His research focuses on brain plasticity, vision, and the neural mechanisms underlying stress, sleep, and performance, earning him recognition through numerous peer-reviewed studies and awards like the McKnight Foundation Neuroscience Scholar Award. He is also the host of the Huberman Lab Podcast, where he shares neuroscience-based tools for improving mental and physical well-being. His episodes explore topics like sleep, focus, physical training, and emotional resilience, resonating with a global audience. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://meetfabric.com/shawn https://mypartriotsupply.com https://trueclassic.com/srs https://blackbuffalo.com https://ShawnLikesGold.com | 855-936-GOLD #goldcopartner Andrew Huberman Links: Website - https://www.hubermanlab.com Pre-order Protocols Book - https://www.hubermanlab.com/protocols-book YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@hubermanlab Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab X - https://x.com/hubermanlab TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Threads - https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab Premium Content with Andrew - https://www.hubermanlab.com/premium Please leave us a review on Apple & Spotify Podcasts. Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links: Website | Patreon | TikTok | Instagram | Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Blake Cook is a former U.S. Army infantryman (11 Bravo) who deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, where his bravery and sacrifice earned him the Purple Heart. Following his military career, Blake shifted to law enforcement with the Fayetteville Police Department in North Carolina, dedicating most of his eight-year tenure to the SWAT team. There, he developed expertise in high-pressure tactical operations and emergency response. Now serving as the Director of Law Enforcement Operations and Lead Instructor at Blu Bearing Solutions, Blake focuses on training individuals to handle crises with confidence and precision. His teaching emphasizes preparedness and the cultivation of a "Protector Mindset," drawing from his extensive background to help others safeguard what matters most. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://helixsleep.com/srs https://shopify.com/srs https://bunkr.life - USE CODE "SRS" https://blackbuffalo.com https://ShawnLikesGold.com | 855-936-GOLD #goldcopartner Blake Cook Links: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blakecookactual Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/blakenicole.cook LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-cook Blu Bearing: Website - https://blubearing.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blu_bearing Blu Bearing Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BluBearingSolutions Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/BluBearingSolutions YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BluBearingSolutions Blk & Blu Podcast:  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/45Ag3kHi8fcdNmSUDqqTQj?si=30d0f2ff99bb442a  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blkblupodcast Please leave us a review on Apple & Spotify Podcasts. Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links: Website | Patreon | TikTok | Instagram | Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode kicks off the Shawn Ryan Show's "Peak Points" series, where we highlight the most impactful moments from previous releases. We're starting at the very beginning with Episode #01, featuring former Green Beret and CIA contractor Mike Glover. For longtime listeners, this segment is a great way to revisit a Hall of Fame episode. And if you're new to the show, it's the perfect starting point to get a quick glimpse of this incredible story. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://patreon.com/vigilanceelite https://shawnryanshow.com/newsletter Please leave us a review on Apple & Spotify Podcasts. Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links: Website | Patreon | TikTok | Instagram | Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Angela Ford worked as a remote viewer in the CIA’s Project Stargate, a Cold War-era program focused on extrasensory perception (ESP) to gather intelligence on distant locations or individuals. She was among the select few trained in "remote viewing," a form of controlled clairvoyance, and applied this skill to support government intelligence efforts during her time with Stargate. Ford now shares her experiences and teaches remote-viewing techniques at the Monroe Institute, an organization known for exploring consciousness and advanced mind training methods. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://preparewithshawn.com https://hillsdale.edu/srs https://trueclassic.com/srs https://blackbuffalo.com https://ShawnLikesGold.com | 855-936-GOLD #goldcopartner Please leave us a review on Apple & Spotify Podcasts. Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links: Website | Patreon | TikTok | Instagram | Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Erik Bethel is a financier and diplomat with extensive experience in international finance, investment, and economic policy. As a former Director of the World Bank, he promoted sustainable development, transparency, and private-sector engagement in emerging economies. He emphasized data-driven solutions and strategic partnerships in infrastructure, healthcare, and education. With over two decades in private equity and investment banking, Bethel has specialized in cross-border transactions and infrastructure in Latin America and Asia. He has advised corporations and governments on investment strategy and economic policy, and continues to engage with issues at the intersection of finance, technology, and policy. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://helixsleep.com/srs https://shopify.com/srs https://meetfabric.com/shawn https://drinkhoist.com - USE CODE "SRS" https://ShawnLikesGold.com | 855-936-GOLD #goldcopartner Erik Bethel Links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-bethel Wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Bethel Please leave us a review on Apple & Spotify Podcasts. Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links: Website | Patreon | TikTok | Instagram | Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices