{"podcast":{"title":"Mike Drop","slug":"mike-drop-63606","podcast_index_feed_id":63606,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/WWO3543350987","website_url":"https://www.mike-drop.com/","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/6428200c-4cce-11ee-bee7-1fb18d3eed46/image/5031d65552d0de38a3dbff287a7dcf56.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"Mike Ritland","episode_count":390,"summary":"Mike Drop, hosted by former Navy SEAL and bestselling author Mike Ritland, is a no-holds-barred platform that dives deep into the stories and experiences of extraordinary individuals. Known for his candid and unfiltered approach, Mike interviews guests ranging from special operations veterans and elite athletes to renowned authors and thought leaders, offering listeners a exclusive glimpse into the human side of those who have excelled in their fields. Whether it's discussing the intense challenges of combat or the resilience required to overcome personal adversity, Mike Drop provides a space where real conversations happen.","last_synced_at":"2026-06-11T18:22:16.737810+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/mike-drop-63606"},"episode":{"title":"When Leadership Fails in Combat: Lessons from Helmand Province | Ep. 293 | Pt. 2","slug":"when-leadership-fails-in-combat-lessons-from-helmand-province-ep-293-pt-2","published_at":"2026-05-28T08:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/mike-drop-63606/when-leadership-fails-in-combat-lessons-from-helmand-province-ep-293-pt-2","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/mike-drop-63606","url":"https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/WWO3882517064.mp3?updated=1779776792","audio_url":"https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/WWO3882517064.mp3?updated=1779776792","summary":"Retired Marine Force Recon Gunnery Sergeant Ryan Kuperus returns for part two with some of the most harrowing combat accounts you'll hear. From a near-fatal friendly fire incident involving Cobra attack helicopters, to navigating an IED-saturated district center while rescuing a shattered sniper team, Kuperus pulls no punches on what it actually costs when leadership fails on the ground. He also recounts the operation that quietly identified a Taliban shadow governor in northern Helmand — the kind of mission that rarely gets told. The conversation shifts into a candid reckoning with the military's promotion system, the compounding damage of poor senior leadership, and why the men who fight hardest are often the ones the institution fails most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices","meta_description":"Retired Marine Force Recon Gunnery Sergeant Ryan Kuperus returns for part two with some of the most harrowing combat accounts you'll hear. From a near-fat…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":4378,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/mike-drop-63606/episodes/when-leadership-fails-in-combat-lessons-from-helmand-province-ep-293-pt-2/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/mike-drop-63606/when-leadership-fails-in-combat-lessons-from-helmand-province-ep-293-pt-2.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}