Change Agents with Andy Stumpf

On today’s episode, Andy talks with journalist Brendan Koerner about the case of Sean Aaron Smith — a 27-year-old from Texas who set fire to 22 cell towers between 2021 and 2022. Believing 5G technology was part of a global mind-control plot, Smith’s actions were driven by conspiracy theories spread through podcasts, social media, and online communities. Brendan breaks down how misinformation and isolation led to one of the most unusual domestic terrorism cases in recent years, and what it reveals about the evolving nature of radicalization in the digital age. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or scan the QR code Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy welcomes back John Nores, a retired California game warden, author, and conservationist known for his frontline work combating cartel operations on U.S. soil. During his 28-year career with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nores helped pioneer the Marijuana Enforcement Team, targeting environmental crimes tied to drug trafficking on public lands. Together, Andy and John discuss the implications of the USDA’s proposal to eliminate the Roadless Rule—a policy that protects millions of acres of public land from logging and road building—and why its potential removal poses a serious threat to both ecosystems and national security. They explore how cartels exploit remote wilderness areas for illegal operations, the growing collaboration between cartels and foreign entities like China, and why both the southern and northern U.S. borders are increasingly vulnerable. Change Agent is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or scan the QR code Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Change Agents, Andy sits down with award-winning journalist Mariana van Zeller, host of National Geographic’s Trafficked, to explore cartels, black markets, and human trafficking in the U.S. and abroad. Mariana discusses how cartels operate in small American towns, use domestic flights for smuggling, and recruit American citizens as distributors. She also examines the trade of Vietnamese brides into China and the broader social and economic factors that enable these crimes. The conversation highlights the scale of drug trafficking and human exploitation and emphasizes the need for awareness and solutions that address the root causes. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with Bobbie Johnson, senior editor at Wired and an investigative journalist with deep experience covering technology, security, and digital culture. Bobbie unpacks a startling new investigation into how North Korea has infiltrated Western tech companies through remote work schemes. Using fake identities, stolen documents, and AI-powered tools to breeze through coding tests and interviews, North Korean operatives have managed to secure jobs at hundreds of U.S. companies. With the help of facilitators inside the United States, these workers receive laptops, funnel salaries back to Pyongyang, and generate millions for the regime’s weapons programs. The conversation explores how these tactics threaten both national security and private industry, why they’re so hard to detect, and what steps companies can take to guard against them. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with Winston Sterzel and Matthew Tye, creators and hosts of The China Show and two of the most well-known foreign commentators on modern China. Winston and Matthew both lived in China for over a decade, where they documented daily life, culture, and politics through their popular YouTube channels before turning their focus to uncovering how the Chinese Communist Party operates at home and abroad. Together, they break down the ways the CCP uses propaganda, censorship, and state narratives to influence its citizens and shape global perception, including how China’s growing hostility toward the United States fuels nationalism at home and poses new challenges and threats abroad. To watch the China Show, visit http://youtube.com/@thechinashow and their secret show on Patreon - http://patreon.com/advpodcasts Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf/id1677415740 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SKmtN55V2AGbzHDo34DHI?si=5aefbba9abc844ed Sponsors Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with Steven Dudley, an investigative journalist and expert on Latin American organized crime. Steven is the founder of InSight Crime, a leading organization dedicated to studying and reporting on criminal networks in the region. They discuss the structure and operations of cartels, recent U.S. maritime drug enforcement actions, and the use of terrorism designations in policy. Steven highlights the potential impact of these operations on international relations, particularly with countries like Venezuela, and shares insights into the challenges of targeting decentralized criminal networks. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf/id1677415740 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SKmtN55V2AGbzHDo34DHI?si=5aefbba9abc844ed Sponsors Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Andy welcomes back former CIA officer John Kiriakou for a wide-ranging conversation about intelligence and global power. They discuss Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged ties to Israeli intelligence and what those claims reveal about the overlap between private influence and state security. The conversation then turns to the rise of the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—and how their growing cooperation could shift the global balance. They also explore the importance of maintaining dialogue with adversaries, drawing on Trump’s meetings with Putin and Zelensky, and consider possible scenarios for Russia’s political future beyond Putin. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Andy sits down with Yaakov Katz, veteran journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post, to unpack the hard lessons of October 7th and the evolving threats in the Middle East. Katz draws on three decades of reporting on Israeli defense and military affairs to explain how Hamas transformed from a fringe insurgency into a formidable force, the blind spots within Israel’s defense establishment, and the unintended consequences of overreliance on the Iron Dome. He also examines Iran’s deepening ties to Hamas, the intelligence gaps inside Gaza, and the ethical dilemmas of modern warfare in urban environments. Katz’s forthcoming book, While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East, will be released on September 2, 2025 Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode , Andy talks with Jack Barsky, a former KGB spy, who lived undercover in the United States during the Cold War. Barsky details how the Soviet Union recruited and trained him, the high-stakes challenges of creating a new American identity, and the constant pressure of balancing a normal life with espionage. He recounts the dramatic moment the FBI caught up with him, the tactics he used to escape the KGB’s grip, and what his story reveals about the hidden world of Russian intelligence. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with Michael Schwirtz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and national security reporter for The New York Times. They discuss a recent investigation that uncovered a Russian “spy factory” in Brazil, where spies created credible long-term identities under the Illegals program. These operatives are trained to conduct deep-cover missions targeting countries including the U.S. Schwirtz also explains the challenges intelligence agencies face with modern technology, the role of Brazilian authorities in uncovering these spies, and the complexities of international spy swaps. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of Change Agents, Andy speaks with journalist Max Read about the evolution of rationalism and the emergence of the Zizians, a splinter group with radical beliefs. The conversation explores the origins of the group, the role of its central figure Ziz, and the intersection of technology, ideology, and identity. They also examine the dynamics of online communities, the influence of militant veganism within the group, and what the rise of the Zizians suggests about the broader rationalist movement and its place in Silicon Valley. To Visit Max’s substack: https://maxread.substack.com/ Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, Andy talks with Glenn Chafetz, former CIA analyst and expert on strategic culture and national security. They discuss the evolution of nuclear weapons policy, the role of trust and treaties in international relations, and how changing global alliances are affecting stability. Glenn draws on his experience to provide context on nuclear proliferation and its implications for the future of global security. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy speaks with national security expert Nicholas Eftimiades about the recent arrest of two Chinese nationals charged with acting as unregistered agents of China’s Ministry of State Security. The pair allegedly targeted U.S. Navy personnel and gathered intelligence on military sites across multiple states. Drawing from decades of experience in the CIA, DIA, and State Department, Eftimiades explains how China’s intelligence operations function, why the U.S. military is a key focus, and what this case signals about the broader landscape of Chinese espionage efforts inside the United States. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared (don’t put it on Youtube, megaphone only) Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy talks with Cory Gautereaux—Army veteran and founder of The G.O.A.T. Initiative—about what he’s uncovered along remote sections of the southern border. From finding discarded passports from countries like China and Venezuela, to accessing a smuggler’s Chinese phone, to identifying stretches of the border that remain completely unguarded, Cory shares raw details from the ground. To find out more about the GOAT Initiative, visit: https://thegoatinitiative.org/ Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, Andy sits down with Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a leading expert on Iran sanctions and U.S. foreign policy. Dubowitz has advised multiple U.S. administrations and lawmakers on strategies to counter Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional activities. The conversation covers the evolution of U.S.-Iran relations, the effectiveness and limitations of sanctions, and the impact of domestic political divisions on international strategy. Dubowitz also examines the importance of historical context and discusses the potential role of supporting internal dissent within Iran as part of a broader policy approach. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode originally aired on January 3, 2024. On today's episode, Andy sits down with Nick Bryant, an investigative journalist, podcaster, author, and expert on human trafficking who is credited with helping to expose the widespread abuse of Jeffrey Epstein and his criminal associates. He is also the author of the book The Franklin Scandal: A Story of Powerbrokers Child Abuse & Betrayal. His new book, The Truth About Watergate: A Tale of Extraordinary Lies and Liars, will be released on Jan. 15. He is also the Director of the organization Epstein Justice. Learn more here ⁠https://epsteinjustice.com/⁠ Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Lou Ferrante—former mobster turned author and speaker—joins Andy to unpack his remarkable transformation from a life of organized crime to one of personal growth and social insight. Lou shares raw and unfiltered stories from his early years in the mafia, revealing the inner workings of criminal networks, the code of loyalty that binds them, and how evolving technology is reshaping the criminal landscape. Lou is best known as the host of Inside the Gangsters’ Code on Discovery. His books include his memoir Unlocked: The Life and Crimes of a Mafia Insider and Mob Rules Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with former CIA analyst Michael Shurkin to explore the agency’s post-9/11 focus on Africa and the emergence of jihadist movements in the Sahel. They unpack the rise of Al-Qaeda–linked groups in Mali, the regional dynamics that fueled instability, and how external actors like France and Russia shaped the conflict. The conversation highlights the day-to-day realities of intelligence work, the strategic blind spots of U.S. foreign policy, and why what’s happening in Africa could have consequences far beyond the continent. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker FarmUse code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy is joined by Bill Roggio—senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and editor of The Long War Journal—for a wide-ranging conversation on national security, starting with the complexities of firearm ownership in the U.S. and shifting into an in-depth analysis of the global jihadist threat. They trace the evolution of groups like the Taliban and al-Qaeda, examining how these networks have resurged in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The discussion dives into U.S. military strategy, missteps in the War on Terror, and the enduring ideological mindset of jihadist fighters. Together, they unpack what went wrong, what the media often overlooks, and why public awareness of these threats is more important than ever. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with geopolitical strategist and author Peter Zeihan, founder of Zeihan on Geopolitics. They discuss Taiwan’s role in the global semiconductor supply chain and its relationship with China. The conversation covers the challenges the U.S. faces in reshoring manufacturing, China’s demographic trends, and the potential consequences of a military conflict over Taiwan. They also address issues related to AI development, global food security, and the need for investment in U.S. industrial and energy infrastructure. Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ AmmoSquared Visit AmmoSquared.com today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with Brandon Fugal, chairman of Colliers International in Utah and owner of Skinwalker Ranch. They discuss his transition from real estate to leading scientific investigations at the ranch, the site's unusual history, its former owner Robert Bigelow, and the ongoing research into unexplained phenomena. The conversation also covers government secrecy around UFOs and the broader implications for science and society. Watch Season 6 of “The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch” on Tuesdays at 8/7c only on The HISTORY Channel: https://www.history.com/shows/the-secret-of-skinwalker-ranch/season-6 Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker FarmUse code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with former CIA officer John Kiriakou to discuss his path into the Agency, the unconventional recruitment process, and his firsthand experience with enhanced interrogation and rendition operations. Kiriakou shares the moral and ethical dilemmas he faced, what ultimately led him to speak out, and the personal consequences of becoming a whistleblower. The conversation also explores the political environment during the Bush administration, the evolution of U.S. counterterrorism strategies after 9/11, and Kiriakou’s perspective on the current crisis in Gaza and the broader implications of American foreign policy. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker FarmUse code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Change Agents, journalist Iona Craig shares her experience reporting from Yemen, one of the world’s most complex and dangerous conflict zones. With over a decade covering the Middle East, Iona offers firsthand insight into the origins and dynamics of the Houthi movement, the challenges of war reporting, and the impact of U.S. involvement in the conflict. She discusses the cultural and political nuances often overlooked in international coverage and advocates for locally led solutions rather than foreign military intervention. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Firecracker FarmUse code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy welcomes back investigative journalist Nick Bryant to examine the government’s refusal to release key information in the Jeffrey Epstein case. They discuss the broader implications of sealed files, political blackmail, and institutional silence, as well as the media’s selective coverage of the story. Bryant highlights the alarming scale of trafficking in the United States and shares the story of Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most well-known victims. Today, he serves as the Director of the organization Epstein Justice, which seeks justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and advocates for systemic reform and transparency. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with retired Green Beret and former Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann, who served over 20 years in Army Special Forces conducting missions across Afghanistan, Iraq, and Latin America. After retiring, Scott founded The Hero’s Journey and became a leading advocate for veterans’ transition through storytelling. He and Andy discuss the origins of Operation Pineapple Express, a grassroots effort led by veterans to evacuate Afghan allies when official channels failed. They explore the lasting effects of trauma, the challenges of reintegration, and why veterans are often forced to lead long after their service ends. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker FarmUse code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy is joined by Mike Rowe, television host, narrator, and founder of the Mike RoweWORKS Foundation. Best known for his show Dirty Jobs, Mike has spent years spotlighting the essential workers who keep the country running and advocating for the skilled trades through scholarships and public outreach. In this conversation, Mike talks about the growing labor shortage in America and the cultural shift that led to the decline in respect for hands-on work. He and Andy explore how education, media, and policy have steered young people away from trades, the consequences of that shift, and what it will take to reverse the trend. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the finale of Black Project, a surprise visit from a CIA agent and an aerospace executive sets a Stanford professor on an unexpected journey. What begins as a cryptic request quickly draws one of the world’s leading scientists into the covert world of crash retrieval operations—and onto the trail of a possible UFO crash site. Change Agents: Black Project is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy sits down with Sarah Adams, a former CIA targeter, to discuss her journey from academia to the frontlines of counterterrorism. They unpack the complexities of intelligence work, the shifting dynamics of the Syrian conflict, and the influence of Iran and Russia in destabilizing the region. Sarah shares an unfiltered view on the current failures in intelligence gathering, the resurgence of terrorist threats like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, and the critical role local law enforcement must play in safeguarding American communities. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the third episode of Black Project, the mysterious world of special access programs is uncovered, shedding light on the covert work being done by entities like Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division, DARPA, and aerospace contractors. With questions mounting, the discussion turns to whether these organizations have developed UFO technology, and what might be hidden within these top-secret projects. Change Agents: Black Project is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy welcomes back investigative journalists Nathan Paul Southern and Lindsey Kennedy for a follow-up conversation on the rise of scam compounds in Southeast Asia. Nathan and Lindsey, involved with The Eyewitness Project, expose how these criminal networks exploit vulnerable people, launder money through legitimate industries like sports sponsorships, and use technology—including AI—to evolve their tactics. Together, they break down the global web of organized crime and corruption, the human cost behind the scams, and why empathy, awareness, and coordinated action are more important than ever. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf/id1677415740 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SKmtN55V2AGbzHDo34DHI?si=5aefbba9abc844ed Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Watch Change Agents: Black Project, a 4 part mini series, weekly on Tuesdays or Binge all 4 episodes of now by becoming a member on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join. Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the second episode of Black Project, strange and unexplainable encounters with mysterious orbs are explored, with reports coming from fighter pilots, Navy sailors, and backcountry hikers. These orbs, first seen in the combat zones of World War II, have now sparked growing interest among some of the most powerful members of Congress. The stories surrounding these phenomena raise questions that continue to captivate those in both military and political circles. Change Agents: Black Project is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with Thomas Drake—a former senior executive at the NSA, Air Force veteran, software expert, whistleblower. While at the NSA, Drake exposed serious issues including multi-billion-dollar fraud, intelligence failures, and a secret post-9/11 mass surveillance program. He supported the use of ThinThread, a cost-effective and privacy-protecting tool, but it was rejected in favor of Trailblazer—a more expensive program lacking privacy safeguards. In 2005, Drake anonymously shared unclassified information about NSA misconduct with a journalist. In 2010, he was charged with 10 felony counts under the Espionage Act but the case collapsed, and he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. That same year, he received the Ridenhour Prize for Truth-Telling. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Watch Change Agents: Black Project, a 4 part mini series, weekly on Tuesdays or Binge all 4 episodes of now by becoming a member on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join. Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the debut episode of Black Project, the untold story of the military’s secret pursuit of anti-gravitic craft is revealed. From the mysterious death of a Nazi weapons expert, to strange comments from aerospace executives, and the disappearance of a scientist on the brink of a groundbreaking discovery—this episode uncovers the high-stakes world of hidden programs and covert experiments. Are these technologies the result of extraterrestrial encounters, or are they the product of classified black projects kept hidden from the public for decades? Change Agents: Black Project is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's behind the UAP phenomenon, drone incursions, and UFO sightings? On the new Change Agents special four-episode docuseries Black Project, we talk with insiders, whistleblowers, and experts about special access programs, secretive aerospace industry breakthroughs, research into anti-gravity, and more. What if the technology isn't from another planet? What if it's ours? Black Project, hosted by Andy Stumpf, an IRONCLAD Original. Coming soon ... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with Annie Jacobsen, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and bestselling author known for her investigative work on government secrecy, military history, and national security. They dive into the stark realities of nuclear war, the differences between atomic and thermonuclear weapons, and the consequences of nuclear escalation. Jacobsen shares her research methods, insights on government transparency, and what she’s learned from those responsible for nuclear stewardship. They also explore Area 51, military technology, and the enduring fascination with UAPs. To read more from Annie, check out her newest novel Nuclear War Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Watch Change Agents: Black Project starting April 8th on Youtube @thisisironclad Sponsors: Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with Scott Payne, a former FBI agent who went undercover to infiltrate The Base, a neo-Nazi extremist group. Scott shares how he gained the trust of members, the group's structure and recruitment methods, and the challenges of maintaining his cover in a highly suspicious environment. He also discusses The Base’s ideology, its use of digital platforms for communication and propaganda, and the intelligence gathered during his operation. To learn more about Scott's undercover work on The Base, check out his book Code Name: Pale Horse Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Coming Soon - Change Agents: Black Project Follow @thisisironclad for updates! Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy sits down with Ryan McBeth, a former U.S. Army infantryman for 20 years, specializing in anti-armor and heavy weapons. After his military service, he transitioned into software development, working on C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems for Accenture Federal Services. They discuss how U.S. military strategies must evolve to adapt to shifting global dynamics, including a more aggressive stance in the Middle East, the prolonged Ukraine conflict, and China’s growing military threat by 2027. Ryan emphasizes the importance of maintaining military readiness, advancing technology, and collaborating with allies. He also touches on the rising significance of information warfare and the future of warfare blending traditional and unconventional tactics. To learn more about Ryan's work, visit his Youtube Channel: @RyanMcBethProgramming Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down investigative reporter based in Mexico, Katarina Szulc to discuss the entrenched presence of cartels in Mexico and their growing influence beyond its borders. With firsthand reporting from the front lines in both Mexico and Canada, she exposes how these criminal organizations have embedded themselves in daily life, corrupted institutions, and expanded into a powerful international network. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD ORIGINAL Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with ethical hacker Ryan Montgomery. Ryan is the founder of Montgomery Cybersecurity, a company focused on protecting individuals and organizations from online threats, and works with law enforcement agencies to track and expose online predators targeting children. Ryan also serves as a consultant for various tech companies, helping them strengthen their security systems. Through his work, he educates parents on the dangers of online exploitation and provides actionable solutions to protect children in the digital world. Ryan reveals the hidden dangers in kids’ favorite games like Minecraft and Roblox, and how predators exploit these platforms, along with smart devices, to access children. More on Ryan Montgomery: IG: @0day X: @0dayCTF Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy welcomes back Chris Dalby, an expert on human trafficking in sports, to uncover the alarming rise of fake agents exploiting young soccer players. Chris breaks down how these fraudulent agents, often connected to criminal syndicates, lure athletes with false promises of international contracts in Europe or the U.S. and ultimately trap them in human trafficking rings. To learn more about Chris's work, check out World of Crime Think Tank Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy speaks with Jenna Miscavige Hill, the niece of Scientology leader David Miscavige. Jenna discusses her experience growing up in the church, the abuse and control she endured, and her journey to leave Scientology. She shares her perspective on her uncle's leadership, the impact of the church's practices, and the challenges she faced in breaking free from the organization. To learn more about Jenna's story, check out her book: Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Change Agents, Andy speaks with documentary filmmaker Jenner Furst about his new documentary, Thank You, Dr. Fauci. The film investigates the origins of COVID-19, the controversies surrounding Dr. Anthony Fauci's role in bio-defense research, and the possibility of a bio-arms race with China. Furst unpacks what could be the largest cover-up in modern history, exploring gain-of-function research, government accountability, and the broader implications for global security. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. BetterHelp Visit betterhelp.com/Change to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Andy sits down with activist and founder of the #TraffickingHub movement, Laila Mickelwait, to expose the dark truth behind Pornhub. They discuss how the world’s largest porn site became a hub for child exploitation, rape videos, and sex trafficking, and the shocking ways it profited from criminal content. To learn more of Laila's work, check out her book: Takedown: Inside the Fight to Shut Down Pornhub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors : Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. BetterHelp Visit betterhelp.com/Change to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with investigative journalist Charlie Northcott to expose the Black Axe, a secretive Nigerian cult that has evolved into a powerful transnational criminal network. From ritualistic violence and political corruption to global fraud and organized crime, Charlie unpacks the inner workings of this dangerous group, revealing how it operates across continents. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Andy sits down with entrepreneur, author, and host of the PBD Podcast, Patrick Bet-David, to analyze the current state of the world in light of President Trump's inauguration. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original SPONSORS: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. UK Special Forces Benevolent Fund Go to SFCBF.org to learn more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Producer's note: This episode originally aired on March 27, 2023. Due to the ongoing California wildfires, our scheduled guest was unable to join us for their interview. In light of this, we are rebroadcasting Change Agents' very first episode. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to bringing you an all new episode next week! Glenn Devitt is an Army veteran, a former member of the Department of Homeland Security's H.E.R.O. (Human Exploitation Rescue Operative) program, and the founder of ⁠the Sentinel Foundation⁠. The organization exists for a single reason: to end underage children being exploited around the world. Today on Change Agents, Glenn and Andy Stumpf discuss Glenn's background, the origins of the Sentinel Foundations, the reality of child exploitation, and how Change Agents listeners can get involved in the fight. To learn more about the work of ⁠the Sentinel Foundation⁠⁠ go to ⁠https://www.foundationsentinel.org/ Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ MTNTOUGH: Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Betterhelp Visit Betterhelp.com/CHANGE today to get 10% off your first month. UK Special Forces Benevolent Fund Go to SFCBF.org to learn more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest is an expert on online censorship and threats to freedom of speech around the world. Mike Benz is the Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online. He is a former State Department official with responsibilities in formulating and negotiating US foreign policy on international communications and information technology matters. He is the author of the book, “Weapons Of Mass Deletion”. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original SPONSORS: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Allegiance Gold Go to https://ProtectWithAndy.com to get exclusive lowest pricing on the market for select gold bars or call (844) 790-9191 to talk to an account representative. MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code HALFOFF Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thisisironclad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest is Justin "Mooch" DeLoretto. Justin served as a chapter president of the Mongols Motorcycle Club for 15 years. He was also a key figure in the founding of one of the largest Australian chapters, which served as a base for expansion into Asia. He is now a social worker and a Mental Health Therapist who provides Multisystemic Therapy to At-Risk Youth and is the author of the book, “The Ride of My Life: From Street Gangs to Motorcycle Clubs to Social Worker”. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original. SPONSORS: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Allegiance Gold Go to https://ProtectWithAndy.com to get exclusive lowest pricing on the market for select gold bars or call (844) 790-9191 to talk to an account representative. MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code HALFOFF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is one of the corporate whistleblowers featured in the new Netflix documentary “Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy”. The film looks how companies leadership not only conspires to force consumers to buy and throw out more, but have been dishonest about their recycling and sustainability efforts Eric Liedtke is a former executive at Adidas. After leaving the company, he started “Unless Collective”, the world's first all-plant, zero-plastic regenerative fashion brand. Under Armour recently acquired Unless, and has installed Eric as the company’s new Executive Vice President of Brand Strategy, a move Eric says will help Unless scale Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thisisironclad Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf/id1677415740 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SKmtN55V2AGbzHDo34DHI?si=5aefbba9abc844ed Sponsors: SPONSORS: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Allegiance Gold Go to https://ProtectWithAndy.com to get exclusive lowest pricing on the market for select gold bars or call (844) 790-9191 to talk to an account representative. MTNTOUGH Use code CYBER50 at https://www.mtntough.com for a full year of the app for just $120 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Change Agents, Andy Stumpf is joined by Luis Elizondo, the former senior leader of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), the secretive Pentagon unit that studied UFOs. He’s also a Former U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent and author of the new book IMMINENT: INSIDE THE PENTAGON’S HUNT FOR UFOs Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original SPONSORS: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ Allegiance Gold Go to https://ProtectWithAndy.com to get exclusive lowest pricing on the market for select gold bars or call (844) 790-9191 to talk to an account representative. MTNTOUGH Go to ⁠https://mtntough.com⁠ and enter code CHANGEAGENTS to receive 40% OFF - a savings of about $100 off your MTNTOUGH+ annual subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices