Eric Davis, Former Navy SEAL Sniper, Author and Leadership Trainer

Always a wide array of topics when former Marine and writer Alex Hollings joins the show, and you won't be disappointed by Episode 383. On here we discuss information operations, into how propaganda and urban legend can become cited as fact. We get into Europe, Asia, and The U.S. at length, as well as conflict in the Middle East. We hit on Russia's involvement in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, and their larger objective to create distrust among people in the U.S. with their own government. We then ask the question, in this day and age, can the average American truly one day become the President? Alex is in the process of releasing a book that dives into information operations more in-depth, it will be out September 10th, is self-published, and is titled "The Perception Wars." Alex also now has his own website with all of his work and everywhere else you can find him at AlexHollings.com.  Be sure to check it out, and if you've been enjoying our shows, leave us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts. It take less than a minute, helps our ranking, and keeps us going strong. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

31 Aug 20181h 17min

Luke Ryan is back on SOFREP Radio, and earlier this month he released a new science fiction book titled, "The First Marauder." It will be the first in a trilogy from the former Army Ranger. If you're a fan of shows like "The Walking Dead," or books and movies like "World War Z," it fits in with that same end of the world genre, but with Luke's personal take drawing from his own real life experiences that you'll hear him discuss on here. Luke has a love for creating new fictional universes and characters within that universe, and he hopes that you give "The First Marauder" a read. On this episode we discuss much more though, including our reflections on the death of Senator John McCain. We get an update on the war in Afghanistan from Luke. Also, Luke goes in-depth with what is now happening in Myanmar/Burma, and the most recent condemnations from the U.N. I read an email sent to sofrep.radio@sofrep.com, and also give you a quick update on the future home of SOFREP Radio. Don't miss this one! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Aug 201852min

Kurt Troter served as a Marine, and later went on to volunteer fighting with the Peshmerga in Kurdistan. He's a favorite of the show, and today I get him on to discuss two of his most recent articles. "The Crumbling Skeleton of the Islamic State rattles on for now" gets into the dwindling cash flow of ISIS after losing oil fields they controlled, and losing significant numbers particularly in Afghanistan and Libya. There are however still 20-30 thousand members in Iraq and Syria, along with reserves estimated in the low hundreds of millions in cash, so the fight is not over. "Turkish State run media leaks classified information on US military bases in Syria" discusses continued strained relations between the U.S. and Turkey, and Turkey's attempts to sabotage U.S. forces. As usual with Kurt Troter, we do get into some other fun topics as well. We also read a great and complimentary email sent to sofrep.radio@sofrep.com, keep the questions and comments there coming. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Aug 201847min

Three-Hundred and Eighty episodes deep? It's hard to believe myself! As always, I greatly appreciate you guys, the listeners, loyally checking out what we're up to week after week. Well, this is a good one, as promised, both Jim West and Ernie Emerson join me for an epic discussion. Both of these gentlemen, Ernest Emerson (the founder and CEO of Emerson Knives) and Army Green Beret and favorite of the show, Jim West, have an extensive background in martial arts dating back to the 1960's. They're also one year apart in age, so as you'll hear, there's a lot of overlap in their backgrounds. We dig into their introductions to fighting, through publications like Black Belt Magazine, and studying the greats like Bruce Lee and Joe Lewis. From there we also discuss knife fighting. Both guys are very candid and call out some of the bullshit in the industry. You don't want to miss this one. Emerson is currently doing his own podcast which we you hope you check out, simply titled The Ernest Emerson Podcast. Emerson Knives always has some excellent product, some of which has been featured in our premium tier Crate Club, and you can check them out at EmersonKnives.com. Jim's personal site is AmericanExtensionFighting.com. Enjoy, and we ask that you follow us to keep up with the latest through our feeds on Instagram and Twitter @SOFREPRadio. Ian is on Twitter @IanScotto. Also, be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Aug 20181h 22min

Every job in the military has it's negatives, but even with the high risk involved, many civilians look back on their lives wishing they'd served their country in some capacity. They often glamorize titles like Sniper or Medic, but I don't think anyone would envy the title of Mortuary Affairs Marine. However, that is the job that was given to L. Christian Bussler, and many of the horrors serving in that position followed him after his military career, leading him to drink, and desiring a permanent end to his life. Needing a therapeutic outlet, at the advice of an older combat veteran, Chris started writing, eventually leading to his self-published memoir last year, "No Tougher Duty, No Greater Honor." The book documents Chris being raised in a military household, pursuing a career in the Marines, and the unexpected turn of events when the country went to war during his service. A lot of tragedy endures as you could imagine, but as you hear him speak about in this interview, through the honor he had for the job, he finds a way to pay tribute to fellow service members that has continued to live on. A portion of the proceeds for the book and audio book go to benefit great charities like EOD Warrior Foundation, Semper Fi Fund, and WWIA. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Aug 20181h 8min

It would be a fair statement that there is no name more synonymous with mixed martial arts than Royce Gracie, and no family with the impact on the sport than the Gracie family. The Gracie family created Brazilian jiu-jitsu, were integral in starting the competition among different forms of self-defense now known as mixed martial arts, and Royce fought in all of the early major UFC events. The Gracie's continues to introduce fighters to the sport, now including a 4th generation member of the family, Neiman Gracie who is fighting in Bellator. Well, who better to conduct this interview with me than fan favorite Jim West? We get into Royce's thoughts on watching the sport evolve, and it's deep history including a challenge to Royce from kickboxer Benny "The Jet" Urquidez that never went down. We also hear about Royce's attendance at SHOT Show in recent years with the company Pack'n Heat Products. Gracie currently does a lot of events which you can keep up to date with at RoyceGracie.com. In addition to that we discuss the re-brand of SOFREP over to NEWSREP. Jim is working on a new book, and also still selling his signature weapons over at his website American Extension Fighting. These weapons include The Talon, and on that note, we have a great video up on Instagram of Jim demonstrating what it can do. We hope that you enjoy, and as always please leave a review at Apple Podcasts. We want to continue to raise our visibility and bring on A-list guests like Royce Gracie along with our kick ass staff of writers at NEWSREP. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 Aug 20181h 27min

CEO of Hurricane Group Brandon Webb has been long overdue for an appearance on the show. Now that's he's wrapped up The Power of Thought podcast, and is out promoting "Mastering Fear: A Navy SEAL's Guide," his latest book which came out this week, I was able to get some time out of him for us. We start off the show addressing a recent controversy with Navy SEAL Andy Stumpf, and why Webb declined an invitation on his podcast. We then talk the oncoming name change of SOFREP.com to NEWSREP, the reasoning behind it, and how it will impact SOFREP Radio. From there, we get into "Mastering Fear." You'll even hear a great excerpt from the book. "Mastering Fear" includes some excellent stories from interviews Brandon's conducted and stories of colleagues. Included in these stories are Kamal Ravikant, C.J. Ramone, James Powell, and Captain Jerry Yellin. If you are looking to conquer a challenge in your life and crush new goals, you need to pick up this latest work. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Aug 20181h 17min

CJ Woodruff is best known as a fitness content creator, and he has some impressive credentials at that. Between creating The Fitness Trainer Academy, being a personal trainer himself, competing as a bodybuilder, and most recently becoming a spokesman for supplement company Primeval Labs, he knows the industry well. Prior to that however, he served as a Marine in combat, and it was there that he discovered fitness as an outlet which kept him in a positive mind frame. He discusses all of this with me, as well as topics like which muscle building supplements are effective, and some more personal issues like his divorce and custody battle, and how this is rampant in the veteran community. Beyond fitness content however, he has a veteran podcast that is putting out some killer work. CJ along with G (G, best known for creating the popular veteran run apparel brand Zero Foxtrot,) host Zero Bunker. The guys have had some stellar guests on including our own John Stryker Meyer. Be sure to subscribe to CJ's own Youtube channel, and you can find all of his social media on his website, CJWoodruff.me. I also give an update on SOFREP's transition over to NEWSREP, and how it will effect the podcast, so don't miss it. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Aug 20181h 24min