Full Send Podcast Episode 152: An In-Depth Conversation with Sean Ryan

Host: Shots Podcast Network
Guest: Sean Ryan
Release Date: March 27, 2025
Episode Title: Shawn Ryan | Ep. 152
Podcast Description: Full Send Podcast brought to you by Happy Dad Hard Seltzer.

Introduction

In Episode 152 of the Full Send Podcast, host Ryan engages in a candid and compelling conversation with Sean Ryan, a decorated Navy SEAL and former CIA contractor. Sean shares his multifaceted journey from military service to overcoming personal struggles, offering listeners profound insights into resilience, addiction, and personal transformation.

Early Military Career and Experiences ([00:00] – [15:00])

Sean Ryan begins by detailing his early military career, enlisting in the Navy at 18 after feeling directionless and unsuccessful in traditional academic and athletic pursuits. He recounts the rigorous training he underwent, including boot camp, SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), and jump school, ultimately joining SEAL Team 8.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([11:50]): "I started looking at special operations stuff, Marine reconnaissance. Nobody would take me because I was little. Nobody really took me seriously."

Sean discusses his deployments to Germany, Afghanistan, and Iraq, highlighting both the camaraderie and the challenges faced during missions. He vividly describes operations aimed at disrupting insurgent activities, teaching local forces sniper and reconnaissance techniques, and the psychological toll of continuous combat.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([14:08]): "It was surreal. You land and, like, it's like another world over there. You see how people live and stuff."

Sean reflects on the purpose and effectiveness of these military interventions, expressing skepticism about the necessity of prolonged engagements in Iraq and the implications of policies implemented during the Obama administration that limited their operational effectiveness.

Transition to CIA Contracting ([26:08] – [37:00])

After six years in the Navy, Sean transitions to a career in private contracting, aspiring to leverage his military experience to build a business. He narrates the complexities of securing CIA contracts through private companies like Blackwater, detailing the vetting processes and the operational roles he undertook, primarily focusing on protective details for intelligence personnel.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([27:13]): "They would go to a company like Blackwater or SOC or mvm. And they'd say, 'Here’s what we need,' and they would recruit the best guys to do the job."

Sean shares an anecdote about being arrested in Miami for petty theft in 2012, a brush with law enforcement that ironically led to a direct contracting opportunity with the CIA. This incident underscores the unpredictable nature of his career path and the blurred lines between personal experiences and professional assignments.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([34:08]): "They don't Google my mug shot, even though it was a really good looking mug shot. So I got back from that trip and from that piracy thing and like, well, we're gonna need you to come in and, like, do an interview at headquarters."

Struggles with Addiction and Recovery ([37:00] – [52:34])

Sean delves into his personal battles with addiction following his intense military and contracting careers. He describes falling into substance abuse, particularly with alcohol and cocaine, as a means to cope with the adrenaline addiction stemming from his high-stress backgrounds.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([38:36]): "I was just trying to build, like, a cocaine network just to feed my adrenaline because I was so used to, like, being in combat."

His journey through addiction is marked by close calls, including overdoses and arrests in South and Central America. Sean candidly discusses the destructive patterns of seeking adrenaline highs through dangerous ventures and substance abuse, leading to numerous legal and personal crises.

A turning point in Sean's life comes with his decision to seek help through psychedelic therapy. He recounts his experiences with ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT in Mexico, which played a pivotal role in his recovery by providing profound psychological insights and healing.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([49:21]): "It was awesome. It was like you just had this intuition that clicked in my head and it was like all this that I'm doing is poison."

Sean emphasizes the transformative power of psychedelic therapy, recounting how it helped him overcome addiction, heal traumatic brain injuries, and find clarity in his life's purpose. He advocates for the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, sharing success stories of friends who have significantly improved their mental and physical health through similar treatments.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([61:36]): "They would do ibogaine. And then as soon as they're done doing ibogaine, they would fly back up to Stanford and they would do another brain scan. Time after time after time, again, those black spots had disappeared."

Views on Current Geopolitical Conflicts ([06:34] – [07:53])

The conversation shifts to Sean's perspectives on contemporary geopolitical issues, including the ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Gaza, Israel, and Ukraine. He expresses concern over the sustainability and moral implications of prolonged military engagements.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([07:53]): "I think it is, yeah. I mean, just Israel alone, you know, that's. Who knows how that's going to go."

Sean conjectures on the potential impact of Donald Trump rejoining the political arena, speculating on his negotiation skills and ability to de-escalate tensions, particularly regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([08:31]): "I think he's off to a good start, you know. What do you think?"

Ryan and Sean discuss the historical context of American involvement in conflicts like Vietnam and Iraq, with Sean questioning the necessity and ethical foundations of these wars.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([09:19]): "You look at Halliburton and Cheney, those ties, and he's part of the biggest logistics company in the war. The only logistics company."

Personal Transformation and Future Plans ([52:34] – [68:36])

Sean narrates his comprehensive recovery journey, highlighting how psychedelic therapy catalyzed his transformation from an adrenaline-addicted former soldier to a stable, purpose-driven individual. He discusses his current endeavors, including building a new podcast studio, expanding his team, and aspiring to create content that empowers youth by instilling traditional American values and confidence.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([66:06]): "There's going to be a shooting range. So I'm like, yeah, it's on a bunch of acreage. There's going to be a wellness center. It's going to be like the Google of podcasting."

He envisions launching a kids' network aimed at rebuilding confidence and patriotism among young Americans, addressing societal issues like the demonization of police and the erosion of traditional values.

Sean also touches on the broader implications of his experiences, advocating for the adoption of psychedelic therapies to aid veterans dealing with PTSD, addiction, and traumatic brain injuries. He underscores the necessity of finding new purposes post-military service to prevent veterans from falling into destructive patterns.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([65:57]): "The adrenaline addiction is going on. The, you know, the TBIs, the PTSD that a lot of their wives left them, infidelity, guilt, survivor's guilt, having to kill people. Like, there's like a heaviness that veterans have."

Conclusion and Closing Remarks ([68:36] – End)

As the episode draws to a close, Ryan and Sean discuss potential collaborations and future projects, emphasizing the synergy between Sean's transformative personal experiences and the podcast's mission to inspire and entertain. They also touch upon the idea of incorporating military training elements into future podcast content, aiming to provide audiences with authentic and engaging experiences.

Notable Quote:

Sean Ryan ([68:20]): "When you come out, I'll have you on my show, and then I have like a 500 yard range. So we'll go down, we'll set some stuff up and give you a bunch of guns and we'll put you at it."

Ryan commends Sean's journey and expresses optimism for his continued success, highlighting the inspirational nature of Sean's story for listeners facing their own challenges.

Notable Quote:

Ryan ([68:18]): "Your story is very inspiring. This, this combo is awesome. And yeah, you have one of the biggest podcasts in the world, so wish you nothing but great success."

Key Takeaways

• Resilience and Transformation: Sean Ryan's journey underscores the profound ability to overcome personal demons through self-awareness, professional help, and transformative therapies.

• The Hidden Costs of Service: The episode sheds light on the psychological and emotional toll of military and covert operations, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems for veterans.

• Innovative Therapies: Sean advocates for the therapeutic potential of psychedelics in treating addiction, PTSD, and traumatic brain injuries, presenting them as viable alternatives to traditional treatments.

• Geopolitical Skepticism: A critical examination of America's involvement in prolonged conflicts, questioning the ethical and strategic imperatives behind such engagements.

• Future Endeavors: Sean's plans to expand his podcasting empire and create content that empowers youth reflect a commitment to leveraging his experiences for broader societal impact.

Notable Highlights and Quotes

• Sean on Adrenaline Addiction:

  "The adrenaline addiction is going on. The, you know, the TBIs, the PTSD that a lot of their wives left them, infidelity, guilt, survivor's guilt, having to kill people. Like, there's like a heaviness that veterans have." ([65:57])

• Sean on Psychedelic Therapy:

  "They would do ibogaine. And then as soon as they're done doing ibogaine, they would fly back up to Stanford and they would do another brain scan." ([61:36])

• Sean on Purpose Post-Military:

  "I have to find a new purpose. It takes time, but you have to get out and get off your ass and go try things and figure out what you like, what you don't like. And like, clarity comes from that." ([65:14])

Conclusion

Episode 152 of the Full Send Podcast offers a riveting exploration of Sean Ryan's life, blending tales of military valor with intimate revelations of personal struggle and redemption. Through his honest storytelling, Sean provides valuable lessons on resilience, the complexities of service, and the transformative power of finding one's true purpose. Listeners are left inspired by his journey and motivated to seek their own paths to healing and fulfillment.