Ep 28: Benjamin Reed- former Ukrainian Legionnaire, U.S. Army veteran, and writer

Ep 28: Benjamin Reed- former Ukrainian Legionnaire, U.S. Army veteran, and writer

In this episode, we sit down with Benjamin Reed — a former volunteer with the Ukrainian International Legion, U.S. Army Iraq veteran, private military contractor, mixed martial artist, and writer. Benjamin shares stories from his travels around the world, the struggles and challenges that shaped his life, and the path that ultimately led him to join the fight in Ukraine. Benjamin is currently working on and promoting his memoir titled, "War Tourist, a Reckoning with Dog." Contact us at Merc.works@proton.me IG: @merc_works_podcast X: @mercworkspod

Ep 27: "Postcards Through Hell" By Alan Chiasson and Edward Ford. The true story of the most remarkable U.S. Mail delivery service in Afghanistan, The Pony Express.

Today we are joined by Alan Chiasson and Edward Ford, co-authors of "Postcards Through Hell", which documents the exploits of a team of private security contractors who are recruited to Afghanistan, working high-risk contracts for SOC (Special Operations Consulting) delivering supplies and most importantly, the U.S. Mail. www.mercworkspodcast.creator-spring.com [www.mercworkspodcast.creator-spring.com] for Merc Works Podcast t-shirts.

Ep 26: Operation Gideon and a Venezuelan Coup Attempt. Where in the world is Jordan Goudreau?

Operation Gideon, a failed coup attempt that began on or around May 3, 2020, which consisted of an attempted seaborne insertion of foreign mercenaries near the city of Vargas to “capture/detain/remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.”   This is a wild story involving former USA Green Berets, Silvercorp USA, Colombian based  mercenary training camps, Venezuelan military and political exiles, and allegations of foreknowledge by theTrump administration. It’s a story straight out of a Fredrick Forsythe novel.

Ep 25: Tim Foley – Arizona Border Recon, Cartel Violence, and Drug/Human Smuggling Along The U.S.'s Southern Border

In this episode, we speak with Tim Foley, a U.S. Army veteran and the founder of Arizona Border Recon. Tim discusses how his team conducts intelligence gathering and reconnaissance on Mexican cartel activity along the United States–Mexico border, specifically in Arizona. Foley explains the origins of Arizona Border Recon, how the group monitors cartel movements in remote desert areas, and the challenges posed by smuggling routes used by criminal organizations. We also discuss what his team observes on the ground, how they document activity, and the broader debate around border security, citizen involvement, and cartel influence in the region.

Ep 24: The Story of Paul Le Roux: Arms Dealer, Drug Trafficker, and Murderer — Explained by Evan Ratliff

Today’s guest is Evan Ratliff, an American journalist, author, and podcast host known for his deep investigative reporting. Ratliff has contributed to major publications including Wired, Bloomberg Businessweek, and The New Yorker. He is the author of the nonfiction book The Mastermind and has hosted several podcasts, including Shell Game. His book explores the extraordinary story of Paul Calder Le Roux, born December 24, 1972—a former programmer who went on to become a powerful businessman and international criminal cartel boss before eventually becoming an informant for the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Show Sponsors: www.knuckledraggershair.com [www.knuckledraggershair.com] www.buckleytraditions.com [www.buckleytraditions.com] Contact us on IG @Merc_Works_Podcast and X @mercworkspod. Email: Merc.Works@proton.me Also available on YouTube @MercWorksPodcast.