The Ops Desk Podcast

Weekly Pod: A Conversation With Jack Carr

Friends, join us for a great conversation with author and former Navy SEAL Jack Carr. Here’s a guy who knows what he’s talking about. He was in-country overseas following 9/11 and at the height of the War on Terror, has been deployed on counter-insurgency missions as far afield as the Philippines, and has synthesized all that material into a series of highly successful books — including non-fiction studies like Targeted: Beirut and novels like Cry Havoc and The Terminal List (which became a huge streaming hit on Amazon Prime) (with a second season on the way). What does a guy with that much experience and expertise think of our current conflict with Iran? What does he see coming in Asia as China surges? What are the current threats here on the homefront? And: Why did he set his new novel of government corruption — The Fourth Option — in New Orleans? (We have a few guesses…). We all have our opinions — but few are as well-informed and articulated as Jack’s. He’s just a fascinating guy (and a guy we’re glad is on our side…). So join us for this week’s podcast — a conversation with writer and former Navy SEAL, Jack Carr. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit opsdesk.substack.com/subscribe [https://opsdesk.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Weekly Pod: Secret Service Boss Rich Staropoli

Gang, join us for a conversation with former Secret Service supervisor Rich Staropoli. Rich did his entire career with the Service, and he is not pulling any punches…. Frankly, brace yourselves. Much of this is shocking. We are putting this one out in front of the firewall, because we feel it’s that important — and deserves as wide a dissemination as possible. They’re going to keep coming for Donald Trump and others in this administration. Right now, our Secret Service doesn’t have to be the best in the world — it needs to be the best in history. The brave, selfless agents of the US Secret Service deserve better than what they are getting. Give a listen — we think you’ll agree. So join us for a wide-ranging conversation with former US Secret Service supervisor, Rich Staropoli. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit opsdesk.substack.com/subscribe [https://opsdesk.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Nightwatch April 29, 2026

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit opsdesk.substack.com/subscribe [https://opsdesk.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Check out my latest episode of Nightwatch for April 23rd. I break down the FBI's case against the SPLC and preview my podcast with NYC Councilwoman, Vickie Paladino, which will air in full on Sunday

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit opsdesk.substack.com/subscribe [https://opsdesk.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Podcast: A Conversation With An Iranian Dissident

So this writer was on The Five Wednesday, discussing the war in Iran and conditions on the ground there. I mentioned that some of what I said was informed by an interview I had done with an Iranian dissident — a young man who described Iranians as seeking a more secular society, post-mullahs. This young man in fact described the advent and growth of Islam in Iran as something imposed on Iranians, to the detriment of their 2500-year-old Persian culture. Whether you agree with that or not, it is certainly a viewpoint one doesn’t hear often. And considering the source… something to be taken seriously. Join me for a great conversation with Shay Khatiri, writer for The National Review and other publications, and a member of The Dissident Project [https://www.dissidentproject.org/], a group dedicated to giving a voice to those in America who have fled totalitarian regimes. There are academic experts — and then there are people who actually lived the experience. And all the analysis in the world can’t replace living under a regime that defines every aspect of your life. Think you understand what’s at stake with this war? Maybe think again. I know I did. Join us for a great conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit opsdesk.substack.com/subscribe [https://opsdesk.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]