PodcastsDocumentaryThe Team House

The Team House

dee takos
The Team House
Latest episode

599 episodes

  • The Team House

    Former CIA Targeter: Hunting Terrorists After 9/11 | Brittany Butler

    23/05/2026 | 1h 15 mins.
    Former CIA targeting officer Brittany Butler joins us to discuss her path from a small town in Georgia to the CIA, where she helped build target packages against extremist networks in Iraq and Afghanistan. She breaks down what targeting officers actually do, the realities of working with detainees and liaison partners, and how the fight evolved from AQI toward ISIS and Taliban senior leadership.
    Brittany also talks about burnout, leaving the agency to focus on family, her work supporting Afghan women, and how those experiences shaped her spy novels The Syndicate Spy and The Patriot’s Daughter.
    Grab Brittany's book here:
    https://a.co/d/0j2KhEeK
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    For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON! 
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    To help support the show and for all bonus content including:
    -live shows and asking guest questions 
    -ad free audio and video
    -early access to shows
    -Access to ALL bonus segments with our guests
    Subscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️
    https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse
    Support the show here:⬇️
    https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse
    ___________________________________________________
    PRE ORDER JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" 
    ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
    https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/
    Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️
    https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured
    __________________________________
    Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️
    https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/
    ——————————————————————
    Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️
    https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouse
    Social Media: ⬇️
    The Team House Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_link
    The Team House Twitter:
    https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePod
    Jack’s Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_link
    Jack’s Twitter:
     https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21
    Team House Discord: ⬇️
    https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6
    "Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"
    00:00 — Start / Britney Butler joins The Team House
    02:06 — Growing up in Georgia and wanting a life overseas
    02:39 — Embassy internship in Paris and first getting noticed by CIA
    07:57 — Applying to CIA and going through the recruitment process
    10:06 — Lifestyle polygraphs, clearance stress, and “confessing” too much
    14:15 — From case officer track to CIA targeting officer
    15:09 — The post-9/11 rise of targeting officers
    16:16 — Training as a targeter and learning the job under pressure
    19:09 — Iraq: building target packages against Sunni extremist networks
    21:21 — Sitting across from detainees and calling out their lies
    23:48 — Why people joined terrorist groups: coercion, money, and ideology
    27:19 — AQI, Iraq, and seeing the threat evolve toward ISIS
    28:22 — Moving to Afghanistan-Pakistan and targeting senior leadership
    32:46 — Taliban safe haven, Pakistan, and why the war wasn’t going away
    37:10 — Kill/capture, recruitment, drone strikes, and how targeting changed
    37:46 — Liaison missions and high-threat meetings without U.S. security
    41:44 — Marriage, family, and balancing CIA work with home life
    45:25 — Burnout, maternity leave, and deciding to leave the agency
    48:11 — Afghan women’s rights work and the start of her writing career
    52:24 — The Syndicate Spy and writing women into power in the Middle East
    55:46 — The Patriot’s Daughter, Russia, disinformation, and civil war fiction
    59:16 — CIA tradecraft in fiction and publication review
    01:01:00 — Book tour, where to find Britney, and closing questions
    01:02:20 — Khost, UBL, fallen CIA officers, and final reflections

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.
  • The Team House

    Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) in Vietnam | Gary Linderer (throwback ep)

    21/05/2026 | 1h 56 mins.
    Gary Linderer is the publisher of Behind the Lines, a magazine that specializes in US military special operations. He served in Vietnam with the LRPs of the 101st Airborne Division, earning two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star with V device (for valor), the Army Commendation Medal with V device, and two Purple Hearts.

    Gary's books :
    https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gary-A.-Linderer/author/B001KHOOIG?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=5aa1b86d-83f3-4258-adc1-41fa9c021663

    Support the show here:
    https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouse

    Grab Jack's new thriller "The Most Dangerous Man" here:
    https://a.co/d/05NN09wy

    00:00 — Start / Vietnam LRP veteran Gary Linderer joins The Team House
    01:05 — Growing up with a WWII pilot father and trying to become a military aviator
    03:46 — Arriving in Vietnam and volunteering for the 101st Airborne LRPs
    08:46 — What LRPs did: long-range recon, helicopter insertions, and working far beyond friendly lines
    12:41 — First patrol: immediate contact with a suspected Chinese communist fighter
    20:31 — Life inside the LRP company: small teams, stand-downs, and constant readiness
    23:37 — The Nui Ke mission: rocket belt patrols, mortars, and air support
    29:42 — Night insertion back into Nui Ke and escaping under heavy .51-caliber fire
    36:04 — November 20th heavy-team mission against the 2nd NVA Regiment
    43:30 — Claymore ambush, killing an NVA major, and recovering the map case
    49:53 — Enemy explosive wipes out the team and the fight to keep everyone alive
    55:27 — Medevac under fire and the reaction force rescue
    01:08:45 — Returning from the hospital as one of the “old guys” in the unit
    01:12:14 — Search-and-rescue mission for downed helicopters near Firebase Tomahawk
    01:26:36 — LRP weapons: M16s, CAR-15s, Swedish Ks, shotguns, and ammo loadouts
    01:29:59 — Coming home from Vietnam, getting married, and carrying the war back with him
    01:35:50 — LRPs becoming Rangers and fighting to preserve the LRP legacy
    01:38:22 — Writing the books: letters home, reunions, and documenting the LRP experience
    01:48:03 — Silver Star, Ranger legacy, helicopter pilots, books, and final thoughts

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.
  • The Team House

    The China Summit, & the Terrible New CT Strategy | EYES ON GEOPOLITICS

    19/05/2026 | 57 mins.
    In this episode, Dee and Marc Polymeropoulos analyze recent geopolitical events including the China Summit, Iran tensions, and the new US counterterrorism strategy. They explore the implications of diplomatic moves, military actions, and strategic failures, offering insights into current US foreign policy and military operations.
    GhostBed ⬇️
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    FOR 10% off! 
    Support the show on Patreon:⬇️
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    Subscribe to our newsletter!!!!
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    Jack's news outlet:
    https://thehighside.substack.com/
    Find Jon Hackett here:⬇️
    Jon's Twitter:
    https://x.com/jonathanhackett
    Jon's LinkedIn:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackett
    Jon's books:
    https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C5L659N5?ccs_id=e11a2062-f8d3-498e-bfd7-7d2f3869caf6
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackett
    Twitter: https://x.com/jonathanhackett
    Check out Mick's new podcast here:⬇️
    Apple Podcasts:
    https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/pub-and-porch-applied-stoicism/id1836955475
    Spotify:
    https://open.spotify.com/show/1k3QPmkAMwnGJxMLDwUSSd?si=n6piIu8XRcag1Z0K43A3bQ
    Youtube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@UCd0Hq6QFk8CoTu5j-VU0Ong 
    Find Mick Mulroy here: 
    Fogbow ⬇️
    https://fogbow.com/
    Lobo Institute ⬇️
    https://www.loboinstitute.org/
    Twitter ⬇️
    https://x.com/mickmulroy?s=21&t=-Ze3F_Ix2vlJ18KFvORTCA
    LinkedIn ⬇️
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-patrick-mulroy-31198b52/
    Bluesky ⬇️
    https://bsky.app/profile/mickmulroy.bsky.social
    Mick’s publications ⬇️
    https://www.loboinstitute.org/publications/publications-of-michael-mick-patrick-mulroy/
    Whitefish security summit ⬇️
    https://whitefishsecuritysummit.com
    Find Marc P here:
    https://x.com/Mpolymer
    Find Andy Milburn here: 
    Twitter ⬇️
    https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fandymilburn8
    LinkedIn ⬇️
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmilburn2023
    Substack ⬇️
    https://amilburn.substack.com/
    Andy’s book ⬇️
    https://www.amazon.com/When-Tempest-Gathers-Mogadishu-Operations
    Bluesky ⬇️
    https://bsky.app/profile/andy-milburn.bsky.social
    Find Jason Lyons here: 
    LinkedIn ⬇️
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lyons-666873316?u
    Bluesky ⬇️
    https://bsky.app/profile/bgsilverback73.bsky.social
    "Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
    00:00 Start
    00:30 China Summit
    07:05 Iran: The Looming Conflict
    13:58 Counterterrorism Strategy: A New Approach?
    27:06 The Flaws in Counterterrorism Strategy
    32:08 The Role of Soft Power in Counterterrorism
    38:02 Israeli National Security Post-October 7th
    44:58 Media Representation and Accountability
    51:08 Reflections on Military Ethics and Civilian Casualties

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.
  • The Team House

    WWII Navy Veteran on Secret Radar Work and the Pacific War | Arthur Lewis

    17/05/2026 | 1h 47 mins.
    World War II Pacific veteran Arthur Lewis joins us to look back on a remarkable life, from growing up in Brooklyn and training on classified Navy radar systems to serving aboard LSM-238 during the Iwo Jima campaign. He shares firsthand memories of the landing force, Japanese prisoners, ship damage, mine sweeping after the war, and the humanity he witnessed in the middle of combat.
    Arthur also discusses his postwar life at UCLA, working on early airborne radar at Hughes Aircraft, becoming a lawyer, arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court, and reflecting on it all at 100 years old.
    Today's Sponsors:
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    FOR 10% off! 
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    Get $25 off your first order with the code "HOUSE"
    For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON! 
    https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouse
    To help support the show and for all bonus content including:
    -live shows and asking guest questions 
    -ad free audio and video
    -early access to shows
    -Access to ALL bonus segments with our guests
    Subscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️
    https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse
    Support the show here:⬇️
    https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse
    ___________________________________________________
    PRE ORDER JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" 
    ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
    https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/
    Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️
    https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured
    __________________________________
    Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️
    https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/
    ——————————————————————
    Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️
    https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouse
    Social Media: ⬇️
    The Team House Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_link
    The Team House Twitter:
    https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePod
    Jack’s Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_link
    Jack’s Twitter:
     https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21
    Dave’s Twitter: 
    https://twitter.com/dave_parke?s=21
    Team House Discord: ⬇️
    https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6
    "Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"
    00:00 — Start 
    00:34 — Growing up in Brooklyn, adoption, and Brooklyn Tech before the war
    04:40 — Why Arthur joined the Navy instead of being drafted into the Army
    06:03 — Navy boot camp, electronics training, and learning secret radar systems
    12:34 — Classified radar work and waiting for a Pacific assignment
    16:22 — Assigned to LSM-238 and fixing radio gear before deployment
    21:05 — Pearl Harbor, landing training, and preparing for the invasion force
    28:54 — Marines, the armored bulldozer, and the tense trip toward Iwo Jima
    32:54 — Arriving off Iwo Jima: battleships, air attacks, and the landing
    37:00 — Taking Japanese prisoners and seeing humanity in the middle of war
    40:55 — Getting wounded, climbing aboard a transport, and finally getting a real meal
    47:36 — Ship damage, Pearl Harbor repairs, and mine sweeping after the war
    55:41 — UCLA, Hughes Aircraft, and working on early airborne radar systems
    01:09:04 — Becoming a lawyer and building a 50-year criminal defense career
    01:15:43 — Arguing a search-and-seizure case before the U.S. Supreme Court
    01:32:57 — The Whitey Bulger case, retiring from law, and reflections at 100 years old

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.
  • The Team House

    Former Green Beret and SMU Operator | David Carmichael | Ep. 412

    14/05/2026 | 59 mins.
    David Carmichael joins us to discuss his memoir Gray Man: A Life Lived Under the Radar, tracing his life from growing up in missionary communities across West Africa to surviving abusive boarding schools and eventually finding his way into the U.S. Army. He breaks down his path through 5th Special Forces Group, the old Q Course, Somalia, HUMINT work, Korea, and the mindset that shaped a career spent largely out of the spotlight.
    Grab David's book here:
    https://a.co/d/0aAJUNtF
    GhostBed ⬇️
    https://www.ghostbed.com/house
    FOR 10% off! 
    For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON! 
    https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouse
    To help support the show and for all bonus content including:
    -live shows and asking guest questions 
    -ad free audio and video
    -early access to shows
    -Access to ALL bonus segments with our guests
    Subscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️
    https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse
    Support the show here:⬇️
    https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse
    ___________________________________________________
    PRE ORDER JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" 
    ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
    https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/
    Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️
    https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured
    __________________________________
    Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️
    https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/
    ——————————————————————
    Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️
    https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouse
    Social Media: ⬇️
    The Team House Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_link
    The Team House Twitter:
    https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePod
    Jack’s Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_link
    Jack’s Twitter:
     https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21
    Dave’s Twitter: 
    https://twitter.com/dave_parke?s=21
    Team House Discord: ⬇️
    https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6
    "Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"
    00:00 — Start 
    00:51 — Growing up as a missionary kid in West Africa
    03:18 — Life near Timbuktu: mud huts, no electricity, and isolation
    04:17 — Sent to boarding school at six years old
    07:10 — Abuse, censorship, and surviving missionary boarding schools
    10:26 — Returning home, moving schools, and culture shock in America
    13:16 — Leaving strict religion behind and joining the Army
    15:01 — Chasing Special Forces and finding a path into 5th Group
    20:48 — The old Q Course, Camp Mackall, and earning the Green Beret
    24:09 — Somalia MTT: training local forces after the Soviets left
    28:29 — Selection, HUMINT training, and becoming a military “Grey Man”
    34:26 — Family life, Korea, Panmunjom, and dealing with North Koreans
    44:42 — DCI award, retirement, and choosing family over promotion
    48:27 — Building a scuba and military gear business after the Army
    52:03 — Reconnecting with family and lessons from his father
    54:31 — Writing Gray Man: A Life Lived Under the Radar
    58:15 — Business lessons, honesty, and closing thoughts

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.
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About The Team House
The Team House is a long-form, fiercely apolitical national security podcast hosted by Jack Murphy, featuring special operations veterans, intelligence professionals, frontline reporters, and guests who have never spoken publicly before. It delivers deep-dive conversations on conflict, tradecraft, and the forces shaping the world, alongside the sister show Eyes On Geopolitics hosted by Mick Mulroy, Andy Milburn, and Jason Lyons, focused on breaking down current geopolitical events and what they mean for national security.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.
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