Cain Velasquez is a former two-time UFC heavyweight champion, widely regarded as one of the best heavyweights in MMA history, who later competed in pro wrestling with AAA and WWE. After a 2022 legal case that led to time in prison, he was released in February 2026 and has since focused on rebuilding his life. Today he coaches fighters at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose and teaches Ascension Breath, a breathwork practice he credits with helping him process trauma and move forward.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

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Cain Velasquez Links:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialcainvelasquez

Ascension Breath - https://www.instagram.com/ascensionbreath

Ascension Breath Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ascensionbreath

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When I had Erin Brockovich on the Shawn Ryan Show, we took a deep dive into data centers and their impact on our water supply, power grid, and ecosystems. After watching that conversation, Baiju Bhatt, my guest on episode #223, reached out with a potential solution. What if we don’t need to build data centers on Earth at all? I joined Baiju for a live conversation about his latest venture, Cowboy Space, and his plan to put AI data centers in orbit. We explored the technology behind that vision, the challenges of making it a reality, and how moving computing infrastructure into space could help meet growing demand without putting more strain on the resources we depend on here at home.

Baiju Bhatt Links:

Website - https://www.cowboyspace.com/ X - https://x.com/BaijuBhatt IG - https://www.instagram.com/realbaijubhatt Robinhood - https://robinhood.com

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An award-winning investigative journalist best known for NBC’s To Catch a Predator and the recipient of 10 Emmy Awards, Chris Hansen has spent more than two decades investigating everything from terrorism and aviation security to child exploitation. He has worked alongside law enforcement agencies across the country to expose online predators and today continues that work as the host of Takedown with Chris Hansen and the driving force behind TruBlu. His latest investigations focus on the evolving threats facing children online, including the dangers surrounding platforms like Roblox and the growing crisis of sextortion.

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Chris Hansen Links:

Takedown predator stings drop - WatchTruBlu.com

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgKTJAN-IrVyX-jIJ5INEhA

X - https://x.com/chrishansen

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialchrishansen

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@haveaseatwithchrishansen

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Mike Hayes is a retired Navy SEAL commander, national security leader, and business executive. He spent 20 years in the SEALs, ultimately serving as commanding officer of SEAL Team TWO and leading a 2,000-person special operations task force in Afghanistan. He later served on the National Security Council for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama where he worked on the START Treaty and led the White House response to the Maersk Alabama hijacking. Today, he is a Managing Director at Insight Partners and the bestselling author of Never Enough and Mission Driven. Hayes draws on his experience across combat, government, and business to speak on leadership, decision-making, and purpose.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

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Mike Hayes Links:

Official Website - https://www.thisismikehayes.com

The 1162 Foundation - https://givebutter.com/1162foundation

Books:

Mission Driven - https://a.co/d/09BklBVU

Never Enough - https://a.co/d/0akzYknd

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thisis.mikehayes

X - https://x.com/thisismikehayes

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-hayes-733688

National Medal of Honor Museum - https://mohmuseum.org

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Leah, I chose not to release your episode because I personally had serious concerns about the truthfulness of your statements. I take what I put out on my platform seriously for myself and for my listeners. For the sake of transparency, here's the full interview so everyone can watch and draw their own conclusions.

As for my investments, I've intentionally made them public, as you see on my LinkedIn. I invest in Shield AI and Anduril for no other reason than I believe in their ability to develop technology that equips and protects the American warfighter. That's something deeply personal to me that I believe in.

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AJ Gentile is the creator and host of The Why Files, the hit series exploring mysteries, conspiracies, strange history, science, and the unexplained. Before launching the show, AJ worked in stand-up comedy and radio, including roles with MTV/VH1 and SiriusXM. The Why Files has since grown into a massive online community, known for presenting extraordinary stories and then breaking down what can - and can’t - be supported by the evidence. AJ has also expanded the brand with The Basement, where he sits down for longer-form conversations with researchers, witnesses, and others connected to the stories he covers.

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AJ Gentile Links:

The Why Files - https://www.thewhyfiles.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheWhyFiles

X - https://x.com/ajgentile

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Sergeant Frank S. Wright is a World War II Marine veteran who enlisted at just 16 years old following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served with the 4th Marine Raiders and fought in major Pacific campaigns including Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Guam, and Iwo Jima, where he was wounded in combat. He later served as a Marine Corps drill instructor and was promoted to Sergeant in 2025 in recognition of his lifelong service and commitment to the Marine Corps. Wright is also the author of Battles of the Pacific: World War II, My Personal War Causing PTSD and My 12 Days in Hell.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

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Frank Wright Links:

Purchase Battles in the Pacific - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WTR6X32

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Pierogi is the creator and host of Scammer Payback, one of the largest scam-baiting platforms online. After leaving a career in cybersecurity, he began exposing scam operations by infiltrating their systems, disrupting fraudulent networks, and educating the public on how scammers manipulate victims. Through his videos and investigations, Pierogi and his team have helped stop millions of dollars in fraud while giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how modern scam operations work.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

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Pierogi Links:

Website - https://www.scammerpayback.org

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/scammerpayback

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@scammerpayback

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pierogisp

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/scammerpayback

X - https://www.twitter.com/scammerpayback

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Lt. Col. James Lechner (Ret.) is a 27-year U.S. Army veteran and former Army Ranger whose deployments span Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. As a young Ranger officer, he fought with Task Force Ranger in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, where he was wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart. He later served as deputy brigade commander during the Battle of Ramadi and held assignments with SOCOM and the CIA. Most recently, Lechner traveled to Ukraine—first as a war correspondent and later training and advising Ukrainian forces, including service with the International Legion. Today, he works in the drone and counter-drone defense space, serves as an adjunct professor of American and Military History at Liberty University, and is the author of With My Shield.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

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James Lechner Links:

Book: With My Shield - https://a.co/d/06aHhXRe

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/James.lechner

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/james.lechner.2025

X - https://x.com/Lechner_jim

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Wynonna Judd is a five-time Grammy Award-winning country artist who rose to fame alongside her mother, Naomi, as The Judds, one of the most successful duos in country music history. After The Judds ended their original run, Wynonna launched a major solo career while navigating family challenges, personal loss, and the death of her mother in 2022. Now, more than four decades into her career, she is entering a new chapter with her upcoming album, The Hard Truth, out now.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

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Wynonna Judd Links:

Tour Dates - https://www.wynonna.com/tour

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wynonnajudd

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wynonnajudd

X - https://x.com/Wynonna

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxtzJkaJAbvEX52EaLMKicw

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Dusty Slay is a stand-up comedian known for his Southern, working-class observational humor and is currently touring nationwide on his Neighborhood Guy Tour. Raised in a trailer park in Opelika, Alabama, he went from working regular jobs to appearances on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Comedy Central, and Netflix. He is also a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry and the author of We’re Having a Good Time: And Other Stories.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

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Dusty Slay Links:

Purchase We're Having a Good Time: (And Other Stories...)

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1668087669?tag=simonsayscom

Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/were-having-a-good-time-dusty-slay/1149525866?ean=9781668087664

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dustyslaycomedy

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dustyslay

X - https://x.com/dustyslay

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@dustyslay

Website - www.dustyslay.com

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