Jarred Taylor from Black Rifle Coffee is the second guest to sit down in the new studio, and we kicked this one off by talking about branding—what it actually takes to build something real, why most brands fail, and how hard it is to grow without losing the core of what made it work in the first place.

From there, things went where they usually do. We broke down movies and TV through a tactical lens, talked about what Hollywood consistently gets wrong, and then spent some time on the "Wet Boys"—Jarred's online aviation squadron that flies simulated demos, builds digital airshows, and uses their downtime to antagonize the Air Force Thunderbirds on social media.

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Rob O'Neill is a retired Navy SEAL with more than 400 combat missions, deployments with SEAL Team Two and SEAL Team Six, and participation in some of the most high-profile special operations of the last two decades. He served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and has spent years navigating the complicated transition from service to public life. In this conversation, Rob joins me for an unfiltered, long-form discussion about his career, the brotherhood of the teams, and the personal cost that comes with telling parts of his story publicly.

We talk at length about Operation Neptune Spear, the mission to kill Osama bin Laden, and Rob's perspective on how the official debrief differs from his lived experience. Rob explains why he believes portions of the record are incomplete, discusses actions taken by members of the assault force after bin Laden was already dead, and why those details matter to him years later. These are Rob's firsthand accounts and interpretations, shared in full context and without editing for sound bites.

We also dig into Rob's ongoing $25 million defamation lawsuit, how it came about, and what it's like to defend your name after a lifetime spent operating in silence. This isn't a hit piece or a hero narrative—it's a three-hour conversation about memory, loyalty, accountability, and what happens when the story doesn't match the mission.

Today's Sponsors:

Montana Knife Company:

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David:

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In this episode, I sit down with Luke Urick, the Executive Director, and Bryon Gustafson, the Deputy Director of the Montana Veterans Project, a Great Falls–based nonprofit that helps veterans rediscover purpose, camaraderie, and resilience through veteran-led therapeutic adventure trips in the Montana backcountry. We explore how challenging wilderness experiences can help veterans reconnect with themselves, their fellow warriors, and the mission that doesn't simply end when military service does.

We dig into why traditional approaches sometimes fall short, and how shared physical challenge, communication, and hard work in nature can catalyze healing in ways that matter long after the trip ends. This is a conversation about more than PTSD or buzzwords — it's about purpose, belonging, and veterans building new life chapters with intention and grit.

Montana Vet Program - https://www.mtvetprogram.org

Today's Sponsors:

Betterwild:

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In this episode, I sit down with Caitlin V, a sex educator and author whose work focuses on intimacy, communication, and long-term relationship dynamics. Caitlin has spent years helping individuals and couples better understand desire, connection, and the often-unspoken issues that quietly erode relationships over time. We discussed how communication breaks down, why people struggle to ask for what they want, and how unspoken expectations erode connection over time.

We also talk about common misconceptions around sex, the real value of intimacy in long-term relationships, and what actually helps couples reconnect—not in theory, but in practice. This conversation isn't about shock value or trends; it's about understanding ourselves better, communicating more clearly, and building relationships that don't slowly decay in silence.

Caitlin's New Book - Harder, Better, Stronger, Longer - https://www.amazon.com/Harder-Better-Longer-Stronger-Science/dp/1401998038

Today's Sponsors:

Black Rifle Coffee:

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BetterHelp:

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In this episode I answer two listener-submitted questions that couldn't be more different. The first is a deep dive into immigration enforcement and the recent ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis. I break down what authorities ICE agents actually have (and don't have), what likely happened tactically, and why this issue continues to expose just how divided the country is. No hot takes—just context, law, and reality as I see it.

The second question shifts gears to mindset and self-confidence heading into a military selection process. We talk about preparation beyond physical training, how confidence is built (not imagined), and how to show up ready when it actually counts. As always, these are my perspectives based on experience—not hype, not shortcuts.

Enjoy!

Today's Sponsors:

Fabric By Gerber Life:

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In this episode, I sit down with former federal employee and rural Colorado Fire Chief Erik Holt, who says his career ended after he reported what he believed to be clear evidence of election misconduct.

After nearly two decades in federal service, he accepted a Fire Chief position in a small rural district, rebuilding the department from the ground up. Within a year, it grew from five personnel to more than sixty trained firefighters. By every measurable standard, the department was thriving.

Then came the May 2023 election.

Following complaints from citizens, he reviewed surveillance footage from polling locations and says what he found raised serious legal concerns. Acting as a private citizen, and believing he had both a moral and legal obligation, he reported the findings to the District Attorney's Office.

What followed, according to him, was retaliation.

The newly elected board—some of whom were allegedly implicated—ordered him to delete surveillance footage. He refused. Bank accounts were frozen. Emergency services and payroll were disrupted. Days later, he was fired.

He filed a federal lawsuit asserting First Amendment protections, arguing that reporting election fraud should not cost a public servant their livelihood. While the court acknowledged misconduct, his case was dismissed without ever reaching a jury.

During the process, he says he uncovered troubling conflicts of interest inside the District Attorney's Office itself—raising serious questions about accountability, due process, and whether constitutional protections truly apply to those who speak up from inside government institutions.

He is now appealing his case to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals after exhausting more than $150,000 of personal funds.

Erik's GoFundMe Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/free-speech-retaliation-and-the-cost-of-integrity

Today's Sponsors:

Montana Knife Company:

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David:

David is offering listeners a special deal - buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to https://www.davidprotein.com/CLEAREDHOT

Young Michael dove deep on his internet research for 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:

For a limited time, Hollow Socks is having a Buy 2, Get 2 Free Sale. Head to https://www.Hollowsocks.com today to check it out. After you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. You can support our show and tell them we sent you.

Firecracker Farms:

Go to https://www.firecracker.farm—that's DOT farm—and use code CLEAREDHOT for 10% off your first order. Your taste buds will thank me.

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.

Today's Sponsors:

Black Rifle Coffee:

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Helix:

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Brunt:

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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.

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.

Today's Sponsors:

Firecracker Farm:

Go to https://www.firecracker.farm and use code CLEAREDHOT for 10% off your first order. You'll thank me later.

LMNT:

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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:

Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at https://www.shopify.com/clearedhot

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. https://www.bruntworkwear.com

Pique:

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