The Team House

Former Navy SEAL Joe Taverner joins us to discuss his career from joining the Navy before 9/11 to deployments in the Philippines, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the fight against ISIS. He breaks down hunting Abu Sayyaf in Zamboanga, working with Polish GROM in Baghdad, the Battle of Najaf, and the 2016 Battle of Tel Skuf where Charlie Keating was killed in action.
This episode also covers leadership after loss, how the SEAL Teams evolved during the GWOT, and Joe’s current work in directed energy weapons, laser defense, and counter-drone technology.
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"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"

00:00 — Start
01:08 — Joining the Navy in 1999 and choosing the SEAL Teams
03:31 — 9/11 during workups and the war becoming real
05:31 — First deployment: the Philippines, Zamboanga, and Abu Sayyaf
10:27 — Hunting Abu Sabaya and the boat interdiction mission
13:24 — From pre-9/11 FID missions to real combat deployments
16:41 — Iraq 2004: working with Polish GROM in Baghdad
19:46 — The Battle of Najaf and fighting through urban combat
24:04 — Iraq 2007: Haditha, partner forces, and the SEAL Teams evolving
31:10 — Afghanistan 2009: Khost, partner forces, and the CIA base attack
36:08 — Afghanistan 2014: the Tangi Valley, firefights, and tribal realities
40:12 — Iraq 2016: Mosul, ISIS, and the Battle of Tel Skuf
48:43 — Charlie Keating killed in action and the medevac under fire
51:13 — Leading after loss: keeping the platoon focused after Charlie’s death
01:04:52 — Transitioning out of the military and finding the next mission
01:07:13 — Directed energy weapons, laser defense, and the future of counter-drone warfare
01:20:31 — TBI, veteran recovery programs, Home Base, and closing thoughts

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Former NSA and CIA analyst Alma Katsu joins us to discuss her career in intelligence, from the analog era of NSA and early hacking programs to CIA work on social media, disinformation, and emerging technology. She also breaks down how real intelligence work differs from Hollywood spy fiction, and how her experiences shaped novels like Black Vault and her upcoming book on Havana Syndrome.
This episode also digs into Iraq War planning, the failure of Phase Four strategy, AI, propaganda, tech regulation, and the challenges women faced inside the intelligence community.
Check out Alma's books here:⬇️
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PRE ORDER JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" 
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__________________________________
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/
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"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"
00:00 — Start 
01:34 — Writing spy fiction after a career at NSA and CIA
05:02 — Real spies, “Slow Horses,” and the myth of James Bond
07:15 — From aspiring writer to accidentally joining NSA
10:56 — Starting as an NSA analyst and learning the intelligence world
13:51 — NSA before computers: analog intel, index cards, and the digital transition
16:53 — Inside one of NSA’s first hacking teams
22:13 — Building the CIA’s early social media intelligence program
31:08 — AI, propaganda, and the collapse of trust in open-source information
39:44 — Iraq War planning and the failure of Phase Four strategy
54:23 — Leaving NSA for CIA after the Patriot Act era
01:00:02 — Secret backchannels, Havana Syndrome, and real incidents behind the novels
01:21:19 — CIA publishing battles, pre-publication review, and returning to NSA
01:36:34 — Substack, viewer questions, NSA vs. CIA culture, and final thoughts

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This episode features a deep discussion on current geopolitical tensions, military strategies, and U.S. foreign policy, with insights from experts on Iran, NATO, and U.S. military operations. The conversation covers recent military actions, legislative challenges, and regional alliances, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of global security.
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"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
00:00 Start
05:54 Critique of Military Policy and Leadership
11:48 War Powers and Congressional Authority
17:58 Resumption of Military Activity and Regional Dynamics
23:54 Iran's Economic Resilience and Military Strategy
29:53 Influence of Think Tanks and Diplomatic Strategies
38:25 Understanding Iran's Strategic Position
40:59 Iran's Asymmetric Warfare Tactics
45:20 Potential Iranian Responses to US Military Actions
49:04 The Role of the National Security Council
52:58 US Military Presence in Europe and Its Implications

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Combat veteran Ryan O'Leary joins us to discuss his journey from the Army National Guard to fighting alongside Kurdish forces against ISIS in Iraq, working with Iranian Kurdish insurgent groups, and later experiencing the war in Ukraine firsthand. Ryan breaks down the realities of insurgency warfare, Kurdish resistance movements, and why modern conflicts are being transformed by drones, surveillance, and battlefield transparency.
This episode also dives into the future of warfare, the limits of regime change, corruption inside war zones, and what Western militaries still fail to understand about modern combat.

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___________________________________________________
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/
——————————————————————
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Intro music by https://www.youtube.com/user/RemixSample
"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"

00:00 — Start 
01:25 — Growing up in Iowa and joining the Army National Guard
03:25 — Iraq deployment: FOB security and disillusionment with the war
04:20 — Afghanistan in RC Pactia: first firefights and combat patrols
05:45 — Ambushed on day one and surviving RPG attacks
08:50 — Why Afghanistan felt minor compared to later wars in Kurdistan and Ukraine
09:35 — Going AWOL to fight ISIS with the Kurds in Iraq
11:40 — Watching U.S. airstrikes outside Erbil as ISIS closed in
13:20 — Joining the Peshmerga with almost no process or paperwork
15:00 — Fighting across Iraq with Kurdish and Iranian Kurdish units
16:20 — The Kurdish-Iraqi civil war around Kirkuk explained
18:40 — Taking tank fire from Iraqi Abrams tanks during the fighting
21:10 — Mortar teams, ATGMs, and chaos on the Kirkuk front
24:00 — Kurdish independence, Kirkuk oil, and Iran’s role in the conflict
27:00 — U.S. weapons ending up with Iranian-backed militias and PMUs
29:00 — Meeting Iranian Kurdish fighters and deciding to work with them
32:10 — Living in the Qandil Mountains with Kurdish insurgents
34:20 — Kurdish separatism, Mahabad, and dreams of independence
39:10 — Life with Iranian Kurds: morale, culture, and surviving in the mountains
41:45 — Learning insurgency warfare from the inside
43:20 — Why insurgencies are nearly impossible to defeat
47:55 — Could Iranian Kurds actually help overthrow Tehran?
53:20 — Why regime change in Iran was always unrealistic
01:02:00 — Early Ukraine war experiences and how drones changed everything
01:14:30 — FPV drones, trench warfare, and why modern combat is now transparent
01:28:00 — What Western militaries still don’t understand about drone warfare
01:40:30 — Surviving artillery, drone drops, and constant surveillance in Ukraine
01:55:00 — Why infantry movement is becoming nearly impossible on the modern battlefield
02:07:00 — Foreign fighters in Ukraine: motivations, strengths, and problems
02:18:00 — Corruption, logistics, and the reality behind the Ukrainian war effort
02:31:00 — Lessons from Iraq, Kurdistan, and Ukraine for future U.S. wars
02:42:30 — China, Taiwan, and how drones could reshape the Pacific battlefield
02:54:00 — Why small units and adaptability matter more than ever
03:05:00 — The psychological toll of nonstop drone surveillance and attrition warfare
03:15:30 — Final thoughts on the future of warfare and where conflict is heading

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original airdate 11/4/22

Chad McCoy served in the Air Force for over 22 years, 18 of which with the 24th STS. (24th Special Tactics Squadron). Chad has been on 17 deployments the majority of which with JSOC and earned the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. 

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00:00 — Start 
01:20 — Growing up in Hawaii and chasing the special operations dream
08:30 — Pararescue history: Korea, Vietnam, and saving pilots under fire
11:00 — CCTs, PJs, JTACs, and how Air Force Special Tactics works
14:30 — Inside 24th STS: JSOC support, combat rescue, and tier-one assets
21:00 — 9/11 in Okinawa and trying to get into the war
24:20 — Trying out for 24th STS and puking through selection
27:30 — U-2 pilot rescue in Korea and recovering classified gear
34:00 — PJ pipeline: water confidence, scuba, Airborne, SOCM, and Green Team
48:00 — First real gunfight and learning lethal decision-making
53:00 — Humanity in war: prisoners, ethics, and combat medicine
58:30 — Back-to-back Iraq and Afghanistan deployments
01:05:00 — Heavy casualties, compartmentalization, and refusing to process trauma
01:17:30 — Captain Phillips, Somali pirates, and maritime missions
01:25:00 — Safe houses, low-vis work, and the “non-sexy” side of SOF
01:35:00 — Tier-one medics, Navy vs. Army units, and staying sharp
01:44:30 — Running Green Team and learning a different kind of leadership
01:53:30 — How selection changed: diversity of thought and building better operators
01:56:00 — Losing GWOT experience and preparing for the next fight
02:00:00 — Innovation, failure, and why the military struggles to adapt
02:07:30 — Army vs. Navy tier-one culture and mission differences
02:10:00 — Special Reconnaissance, AFSOC’s future, and contested environments
02:16:00 — Retirement, depression, and losing purpose after the military
02:18:00 — Building a low-cost cruise missile after leaving SOF
02:25:00 — Life after combat and why conventional troops deserve more respect
02:34:45 — Veteran mental health, VA failures, and alternative treatments
02:38:00 — Closing thoughts

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