#110 Tu Lam - Call of Duty & The Way of Rōnin

Get an intimate perspective on the challenging journey to freedom on REAL ONES with Jon Bernthal. Join Jose Conejo Martin, Donte Johnson, and Jon Bernthal as they dive into the raw and brutal world of gang-infested neighborhoods and crime. From Martin's journey as a fugitive trapped in a continual state of flight after being wrongfully implicated in a murder to navigating the criminal underworld of Mexico's cartels, this podcast offers a compelling insight into the harsh realities and lesser-known aspects of lives lived on the edge.

Discover transformational experiences and the power of resilience as Martin shares his survival strategies and highlights the latent potential within everyone. Delve deeply into Martin's transition from imprisonment to freedom and his surprising foray into the film industry in this engrossing narrative. With this episode, REAL ONES with Jon Bernthal offers an unflinching look at survival, grit, and the journey to freedom from a life shrouded in systemic violence.

Join host Shawn Ryan on the "Shawn Ryan Show" as he delves into the remarkable and harrowing story of Tyler Vargas-Andrews, whose journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a proud Marine is a testament to the human spirit. Despite a background marred by familial abuse and systemic deceit, Tyler's resilience shines through as he shares how a passion for fitness and the mentorship of a high school teacher led him to the Marines, where his tenacity and desire to serve the abused and underserved came to the fore.

This gripping episode uncovers the chaos and heroism of Tyler's experiences during the disastrous evacuation from Kabul, offering an intimate glimpse into the valor that defines our service members. Tyler's vivid account of the evacuation's logistical failures, the Abbey Gate tragedy that left him severely injured, and the subsequent road to recovery cast a stark light on his disillusionment with leadership and the bureaucratic insensitivities of the recovery process. His candid conversation with Shawn Ryan is not just his personal narrative—it's a call to transparency and accountability that resonates deeply with anyone who values courage and the unyielding pursuit of truth.

Brace yourself for an intense and insightful episode of "The Shawn Ryan Show," where former CIA agent, Tony Cowden identifies the dynamics of a horrific incident—surviving a devastating IED blast—and the arduous, yet transformative healing journey that led him to a selfless and renewed outlook on life. Cowden's account sheds light on the potentialities of unconventional healing methods, including the seemingly bizarre, such as inhaling venom from a Sonoran Toad Frog and engaging in psychedelic therapy. Listeners will learn about the ensuing mental transformation that prompted him to approach life with generosity, despite seemingly insurmountable challenges.

The conversation with Tony Cowden doesn't end at personal recovery; it delves into his political aspirations, the current political landscape's inherent dishonesty, and societal trends. In their rigorous exchange, Cowden and Shawn Ryan discuss potential shifts towards digital currency, the alarming trend of minors making irreversible decisions like gender transitioning, and the hope lying in the strength and resilience witnessed in rural communities. As they share their perspectives on the socio-cultural landscape of America, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and future direction of society and politics.

If you suffer from persistent anxiety, depression, or illness, you might be playing out trauma from your family’s past. In this case, the question to ask is not “What’s wrong with me?” but “Where did this come from?”

In It Didn’t Start With You, Mark Wolynn says the source of your suffering may lie hidden in your unconscious, where traumas from your past—and your family’s past—are stopping you from being truly happy and free. Wolynn shares the latest research to reveal how traumas get passed biologically from one generation to the next. He also describes how you can uncover and resolve deeply-rooted trauma by applying his unique therapeutic approach. By doing so, he says, you can reprogram your body, stop suffering, and start living a life you love.

In this guide, we’ll examine research that expands upon Wolynn’s claims. We’ll also consider viewpoints that challenge some of his arguments, such as the importance of reconciling with our parents and the limited effectiveness of talk therapy in treating trauma.

What was the secret that kept ancient Greeks and early Christians from fearing death? In The Immortality Key, attorney and scholar Brian Muraresku argues that the origins of Christianity are rooted in the psychedelic rituals of ancient Greek life and that these rituals allowed people to embrace their mortality.

Presenting a decade’s worth of research and evidence, Muraresku delves into the origins of Christianity, its overlap with pre-existing pagan customs, and its eventual diversion. Along the way, he asks how we might glean some wisdom from those ancient traditions to reconsider the place of psychedelics in the modern world—can a transcendent experience provide a key to our immortality?

In this guide, we’ll discuss the evidence and arguments Muraresku presents about Christianity and its connection to Greek paganism, as well as his questions about what psychedelics have to offer humanity. We’ll also explore current research and varied viewpoints regarding the use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.

Currently, mental illness is a global health crisis with no signs of slowing down. However, researchers believe the solution may be psychedelic therapy, a new industry that’s focusing on once-villanized drugs such as ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin.

Dive into the awe-inspiring world of big wave surfing with the exceptional Laird Hamilton on the "Shawn Ryan Show." In this compelling episode, Shawn Ryan engages with the legendary surfer and innovator to explore the thrills and perils of carving through some of the most formidable waves on the planet, including the notorious JAWS. Hamilton shares how his pioneering of tow-in surfing has forever altered the sport, allowing surfers to chase waves that were once deemed impossible to ride.

Beyond the rush of giant swells, Hamilton and Ryan delve into pressing themes of mental resilience akin to that of military training, the importance of pushing industry barriers, and the necessities of environmental conservation. Honoring the interconnection between body, mind, and nature, Hamilton discusses his entrepreneurial journey with Laird Superfoods, rethinking dietary myths, and offers insight into holistic wellness practices. Join these two extraordinary individuals as they cover everything from the intricacies of controlled breathing and the holistic benefits of engaging with nature, to the personal challenges of parenthood and Hamilton's future aspirations in ocean exploration.

In The Art of Happiness, you’ll walk with the Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize winner and spiritual leader of Tibet, down the Buddhist path toward happiness. According to him, you have the power to bring more happiness into your life by simply training yourself to be happier. We’ll discuss his four forms of happiness training, which will improve your outlook on life, interpersonal relationships, resilience in the face of suffering, and everyday spirituality.

To help you absorb and apply the Dalai Lama’s advice, we’ve added key background information on Buddhism, as well as scientific evidence in support of his beliefs and concrete actions you can take. The Dalai Lama doesn’t promise that the path to happiness will be plain sailing—but he does believe that your effort will be worth it.

Stillness is not just the absence of motion—it’s a perceptible state of mind that’s been sought and recognized as valuable throughout all of history and across many belief systems. Ryan Holiday says stillness already exists in all of us, and with some intentional practice, we can reap its rewards. In Stillness Is the Key, Holiday takes us through the dimensions of the mind, soul, and body, explaining how to cultivate stillness in each area to enrich our lives, guide us to make better decisions, and encourage a sense of connectedness to everything around us.

In this guide, we’ll explain what Holiday means by stillness, and discuss how stilling your mind requires also stilling your body and soul. We’ll examine each of those domains in turn, and explore Holiday’s techniques for cultivating stillness in each. Along the way, we’ll draw connections to principles from Stoicism, Buddhism, and Taoism and expand on Holiday’s ideas by comparing them with other spiritual and self-help books.

Whether you're a man seeking to understand your partner better or a woman wanting to provide your partner with a resource for understanding you, The Man's Guide to Women is a practical guide to navigate the complexities of female psychology. Renowned relationship experts John Gottman and Julie Schwartz Gottman, together with Doug Abrams and Rachel Carlton Abrams, employ scientific research, real-life examples, and years of clinical experience to demystify the intricacies of women's inner world.

From dating to sex to marriage, this guide equips men with the tools to initiate, build, and sustain a successful and mutually fulfilling relationship. We’ll supplement the authors’ advice with a range of perspectives on psychology, gender, love, and marriage from authors like Esther Perel (Mating in Captivity), Ian Kerner (She Comes First), and Rollo Tomassi (The Rational Male).

Join Shawn Ryan, veteran Navy SEAL and host of the "Shawn Ryan Show," as he engages in a profound dialogue with John Lovell and Jason Redman, two distinguished military veterans. This episode offers a raw and illuminating look into the transformation from elite service members to influential civilians. Lovell discusses his tenure with the 75th Ranger Battalion and sheds light on the nuanced leadership techniques that he developed to inspire and elevate his team. Meanwhile, the poignant topic of loss in the line of duty and the solace found in faith paints a gripping picture of the emotional fortitude required of those who serve.

Beyond the battlefield, this installment delves into the veterans' return to civilian life and the ensuing quest for purpose. John Lovell takes us through his venture of transitioning military discipline and expertise into the entrepreneurship of tactical training, sparking the conception of the Warrior Poet Society—an endeavor that blends the art of combat with a poet's heart. The conversation also explores personal evolution, including how faith and marriage can flourish post-service. Touching on the challenges faced by today's youth and the vital role of education, Ryan and his guests underscore the responsibility of imparting wisdom to the next generation, inviting the community to join the journey of collective growth through the lens of their experiences.

In Dear Girls, Ali Wong invites readers into her life as a comedian, wife, and mother. She candidly shares her journey in stand-up comedy, detailing her transition from performing at amateur venues to achieving success through Netflix specials. Wong also offers an intimate look at her family dynamics, including navigating parenthood with her supportive husband and drawing inspiration from her immigrant parents' experiences.

Wong explores the challenges faced by Asian American women in the entertainment industry, and the importance of embracing her cultural heritage. From childbirth stories to reflections on marriage, she delivers an amusing yet thoughtful narrative about balancing personal and professional aspirations.