Is the Shawn Ryan Show a Deep-State “Mockingbird Media” Psyop?

February 24, 2025

Disclaimer: I think Mike Benz, Tucker Carlson, and many others are doing an incredible job exposing corruption and do not believe they are part of the deep state. Mike is only mentioned as a guest on the Shawn Ryan Show because of the title the show chose to give the episode and Tucker's dad was involved in Intelligence as spoken about on another podcast.

War stories sell. So do high-stakes warnings about imminent attacks, foreign infiltration, powerful new weapons, and looming doomsday scenarios. Over the last few years, the popular YouTube podcast The Shawn Ryan Show—hosted by former Navy SEAL and ex-CIA contractor Shawn Ryan—has rapidly grown an audience partly on the strength of these narratives. Inviting a variety of guests, often from the military or intelligence world, the show produces a steady diet of episodes discussing covert ops, counterterrorism, hidden threats, spectacular weaponry, or potential next wars.

In the eyes of some observers, this constant emphasis on “threat inflation” is suspicious. They wonder if The Shawn Ryan Show is functioning, knowingly or unknowingly, as an updated version of Operation Mockingbird—the Cold War–era CIA program that used journalists and media outlets to shape public opinion, promote pro-intelligence or pro-war narratives, and funnel propaganda under the guise of ordinary reporting.

Below, I'll provide:

Finally, we highlight a concern about the spiritual dimension—mentioning Azazel (an ancient fallen angel who taught mankind the art of forging weapons of war) and Jezebel (a biblical queen of manipulation and deception via mass murder and seduction through sexual immorality)—raising the specter that behind these modern media narratives lurks an age-old pattern: sowing fear and orchestrating violence for power and profit.

From a massive list of hundreds of Shawn Ryan Show uploads, we have isolated 36 that most directly reference foreign or domestic threats, infiltration, doomsday weapons, looming world war, or overt incitements that could bolster calls for an expanded military or intelligence budget. This is a judgment call: some episodes recount purely historical conflicts (for instance, the 2012 Benghazi attack or past wars). Others revolve around special operators describing personal stories of combat. The titles below stand out because they either imply an ongoing or imminent threat, or highlight advanced new forms of conflict, infiltration, or catastrophic scenarios.

In total, I list 36 unique uploads—episodes or official previews—that appear to push a present or future threat narrative (rather than simply recounting past events). These revolve around ideas like:

For critics, this repeated pattern is not necessarily wrong or fabricated. Some or all of these threats may be real. But it raises the possibility that the show’s guests or topics may exaggerate or foster a climate of near-constant fear and an implicit call for bigger defense or intelligence budgets—one hallmark of a “military-industrial complex” messaging campaign.

Internet Forum and Reddit Discussions

While there are no major mainstream investigative articles in The New York Times, The Washington Post, or top-tier independent websites explicitly “exposing” The Shawn Ryan Show as a CIA front, there are smaller online discussions where users raise that suspicion:

In these informal critiques, commenters often note that ex–CIA, ex–Delta Force, or ex–SEAL members continue to have close relationships with the government or contractors. “Once CIA, always CIA,” goes the suspicion. Many also reference Operation Mockingbird—the CIA’s historical infiltration of major newsrooms—and wonder whether new media platforms (podcasts) are the 21st-century iteration of that infiltration.

Individual Bloggers & Video Commentators

None of these online rumblings are from big media organizations or established investigative journalists who have published conclusive evidence. Instead, it’s a swirl of commentary on social media, in chat forums, or on small alternative news channels. The suspicion, though, remains: The Shawn Ryan Show very effectively packages a parade of intelligence and special ops voices who repeatedly push a “threat narrative.” That synergy could be—and historically has been—a central hallmark of intelligence-driven media influence.

In a more recent discussion on the Matt Kim Podcast, entitled "Is Shawn Ryan a CIA Tool of Narrative Control?", the hosts and their guests highlight an email allegedly provided by Sam Shoemate—an ex-Army intelligence officer who has appeared on The Shawn Ryan Show. This email claims advanced drones powered by zero-point energy or anti-gravity technology are surfacing from the Atlantic Ocean to pose a serious threat to the United States. Shawn Ryan received the email, and the Matt Kim panel questions whether it was genuine or potentially fabricated.

According to the conversation, Sam Shoemate was previously accused of forging or falsifying emails in other contexts, leaving some to wonder if he might be repeating the pattern with these extraordinary drone claims. They note that Shoemate’s evidence tends to be sensational—ranging from Iranian missiles smuggled into the U.S. to black-ops conspiracies—and yet, concrete proof remains elusive. Critics feel that while such topics generate buzz, they rarely end with verifiable documentation or clear confirmation.

Notably, the Matt Kim hosts also scrutinize Shawn Ryan’s role, suggesting that as a former CIA contractor he could—wittingly or otherwise—be serving a “narrative control” function in the alternative media space. Although one of the hosts personally trusts Ryan due to private interactions and shared family stories, another emphasizes that ex-intelligence training often involves the art of deception. As a result, they remain divided on whether Ryan is simply covering controversial whistleblower accounts or if he might be enabling unverified stories that keep the public in a state of alarm.

In a recent Grayzone segment titled “Ex-CIA hucksters spin pro-war lies on ‘America’s #1 podcast’”, journalist Max Blumenthal and 21st Century Wire’s Patrick Henningsen dissect the growing influence of The Shawn Ryan Show. They begin by highlighting a bizarre incident involving a so-called “Cyber Truck bomber” who allegedly targeted Trump Tower and left behind a “manifesto” that was funneled to host Shawn Ryan. According to Blumenthal and Henningsen, Ryan—an ex–Navy SEAL and former CIA contractor—then brought on another individual with intelligence credentials, Sam Shoemate, to discuss these revelations without offering the email’s full metadata or other verifiable evidence. The Grayzone hosts argue that such sensational stories feed into a climate of fear, nudging the public toward support for higher military budgets and greater surveillance.

Blumenthal and Henningsen emphasize that The Shawn Ryan Show seemingly propels unsubstantiated claims—like Iranian surface-to-air missiles crossing the U.S. border or zero-point energy drones launched from submarines—while rarely providing definitive proof. They note how a recurring “CIA targeter” also appears in Ryan’s lineup, echoing older War on Terror scripts about Al-Qaeda and Taliban resurging to strike U.S. soil. This content, The Grayzone journalists contend, is part of a “closed loop” of ex-intelligence voices hyping foreign threats, reminiscent of Operation Gladio–style fear campaigns designed to justify more security measures and military interventions.

Throughout the conversation, Blumenthal and Henningsen repeatedly question the veracity of the evidence presented on Ryan’s show. They highlight glaring inconsistencies: squiggly red underlines on allegedly “unedited” screenshots, references to “Apple notes redactions” instead of industry-standard email publishing, and contradictory claims about FBI involvement. From their perspective, this raises red flags about a deliberate attempt to control the narrative and stoke public alarm—particularly among law enforcement, veterans, and mainstream audiences who tune into “America’s #1 podcast.”

Finally, the Grayzone hosts argue that these alarmist tales pave the way for a new wave of War on Terror policies. They see Ryan’s repeated message—urging citizens to pressure Congress for heightened defenses and intelligence spending—as a key hallmark of “pro-war narrative control.” By linking sensational terrorist plots, shaky “whistleblower” emails, and emotional appeals to protect schools and communities, the show reinforces the notion that major threats loom—without producing conclusive evidence. Blumenthal and Henningsen worry that such output, aimed at an already traumatized post-9/11 public, can be exploited to resurrect broad military campaigns and expanded surveillance with minimal oversight.

In a recent online article, I detailed why I believe The Shawn Ryan Show might be a “Mockingbird media” platform.

IV. Why an Official Investigation Is Called For

In light of these claims—and the repeated presence of ex-CIA, ex–Special Operations, and intelligence-aligned guests on The Shawn Ryan Show—some people argue for a thorough, government-level inquiry. The main questions would be:

In a hypothetical scenario, if the Justice Department undertook an investigation in coordination with, say:

…they could examine banking records, interview CIA leadership, interview Shawn Ryan himself, Sarah Adams, Sam Shoemate, and others to determine if any covert money or directives have guided the show’s editorial choices. More importantly, they should all be subpoenaed to testify under oath before congress.

Finally, the concerns voiced in my article statement above also evoke a spiritual dimension:

To certain observers, these spiritual archetypes parallel what the modern “Deep State” or “Military-Industrial Complex” is accused of doing: sowing fear, engineering false flags, orchestrating regime change, and manipulating the media. Whether or not one views such references literally, the suggestion is that The Shawn Ryan Show might be one more channel for these dark forces to operate in plain sight—disguised as patriotic, pro-veteran content, but ultimately fueling a war machine.

Nonetheless, the call above—to trace finances, examine any relevant intelligence memoranda, and publicly question whether these “ex”-CIA figures are truly ex—would at least bring clarity. Were it determined that there is no direct or indirect intelligence money behind the scenes, critics might be reassured. On the other hand, if suspicious financial flows or ongoing CIA collaboration were uncovered, it would confirm that “Operation Mockingbird”–style infiltration of new media is alive and well on The Shawn Ryan Show, just as we have learned via the USAID Money laundering and media schemes.

Either outcome would benefit American citizens by shedding light on how narratives around war and threat are shaped. In an age when every new scare might be harnessed for budgets, expansions of state power, or distractive manipulations, transparency is critical when you have the cesspool of the "Global Engagement Center" being used on US Soil.. The full truth—whatever it may be—ought to be revealed, and if there is any infiltration, it should be stopped. First and foremost, as a 35 year biblical scholar, I am commanded by God to tell you, AZAZEL, is behind all war, and while God uses him, we are called not to worship it or fellowship with those who glorify being a war lord. It is a detestable jezebel spirit and an abomination to God. You can bury 100 bibles in the foundations of your house. That means nothing to God, when you participate in such wickedness. Have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness, rather expose them. Ephesians 5:11-14.

In sum, the fact is that The Shawn Ryan Show  frequently highlights major new threats, infiltration, or doomsday devices as a documented reality (as evidenced by the 36 “threat emphasis” titles listed here). Whether that is genuine vigilance or orchestrated propaganda can only be settled by a rigorous investigation—one that follows the money, questions all relevant parties, and tests the boundaries of plausible deniability about continuing CIA influence. And what ever you do, @realDonaldTrump and @dbonjino please do not hire @TPASarah. For those who see Azazel forging weapons through the MIC behind the scenes, or Jezebel manipulating narratives and for future events in the shadows, the question remains: Are we witnessing a new frontier in “Mockingbird Media”? Or are we simply seeing ex-intelligence veterans telling war stories and sounding alarms they believe are justified?

I have my opinion spiritually, but we need an official inquiry to find out if money has changed hands in exchange for this propaganda. A truly independent investigation that is not subverted by personal loyalties or camaraderie with popular hosts, can provide the definitive answer.

May God's Grace, Mercy, And Peace, Be With You All,

In His Love,

~WLBJ~