Episodes
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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:
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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.
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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
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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?
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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 ...
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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
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Watch Change Agents: Black Project starting April 8th on Youtube @thisisironclad
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Sponsors:
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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
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