Life or Death with Chris Ryan

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British SAS veteran Chris Ryan talks to people who have worked in some of the most extreme and dangerous conditions. Expect to hear from special forces veterans from around the world, undercover police officers and those who have served on the frontline.

11-29 Media


    • May 25, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 47m AVG DURATION
    • 50 EPISODES

    4.8 from 60 ratings Listeners of Life or Death with Chris Ryan that love the show mention: john.



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    Latest episodes from Life or Death with Chris Ryan

    Deep Cover: Shay Doyle Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2022 43:18


    Chris talks to former Soldier turned Undercover Policeman Shay Doyle about his life and career. Shay is the author of 'Deep Cover: How I took down Britain's most dangerous gangsters'which is avaliable to purchase here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deep-Cover-infiltrated-dangerous-gangsters/dp/152910940XPurchase the Chris Ryan Life or Death Rum from Curious Cat now: https://curiouscatdrinks.co.uk/

    Deep Cover: Shay Doyle Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2022 42:45


    Chris talks to former Soldier turned Undercover Policeman Shay Doyle about his life and career. Shay is the author of 'Deep Cover: How I took down Britain's most dangerous gangsters'which is avaliable to purchase here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deep-Cover-infiltrated-dangerous-gangsters/dp/152910940XPurchase the Chris Ryan Life or Death Rum from Curious Cat now: https://curiouscatdrinks.co.uk/

    The Damned: Susie Boniface

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2022 47:17


    Life or Death returns with Chris talking to Journalist Susie Boniface about her campaign for justice for the serviceman who who were impacted by the UK's Nuclear Testing programme.Further reading on the subject can be done here: https://damned.mirror.co.uk/Order Life or Death Rum here: https://curiouscatdrinks.co.uk/

    Podcast Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2022 0:59


    New episodes of the podcast will be arriving very soon. Chris has been working with The Curious Cat Distillery on a Life or Death Rum. Covertly imported direct from the Caribbean, re-distilled with botanicals and barrel aged to produce a distinct, mellow spiced flavour. Strong notes of vanilla overtones lead the flavour charge followed by an explosion of molasses and a mellow, warm spiced finish.This is a UK only soft launch for the product - the initial Special Edition batch will be sold on a first come, first served basis via Curious Cat Drinks online shopOrder your bottle of Life or Death Rum from the Curious Cat today: https://curiouscatdrinks.co.uk/shop

    Paralympic Paratrooper: Scott Meenagh Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2021 41:24


    In part two of this special with Scott Meenagh, there's a special comradery and solidarity shared as Scott tells Chris about working with his brother in the paratroopers, as well as what "puts the fear of God" into the Taliban."In order for me to do my job as effectively as possible I need to be not expecting to come home"These are the sacrifices service men and women make every day, particularly this former paratrooper AND Paralympian, Scott Meenagh.He and Chris Ryan share a bond over Chris's brother, who served alongside Scott in the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment. Scott lost both his legs in 2011 after stepping on an IED, but turned his life around to become a successful Paralympian.Twitter @ChrisRyanPod.

    Paralympic Paratrooper: Scott Meenagh Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2021 49:32


    "In order for me to do my job as effectively as possible I need to be not expecting to come home"These are the sacrifices service men and women make every day, particularly this former paratrooper AND Paralympian, Scott Meenagh.He and Chris Ryan share a bond over Chris's brother, who served alongside Scott in the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment. Scott lost both his legs in 2011 after stepping on an IED, but turned his life around to become a successful Paralympian.Twitter @ChrisRyanPod.

    The Translator: 'Johnny Walker' & Jason Tuschen Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2021 44:37


    This two-parter is also the first episode of 'Life or Death' where Chris Ryan has two guests on, and what a pair they are!It's legendary translator for the U.S. Navy SEALs, Iraqi-born 'Johnny Walker' and his friend, former Navy SEAL and Command Master Chief, Jason Tuschen.With the current abandonment of translators, allies and interpeters in Afghanistan, this episode feels of real importance and prevelance as we explore the brotherhood and friendship between two men of different nationalities both seeking the same goal - peace.@ChrisRyanPod on Twitter.

    The Translator: 'Johnny Walker' & Jason Tuschen Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2021 46:19


    This two-parter is also the first episode of 'Life or Death' where Chris Ryan has two guests on, and what a pair they are!It's legendary translator for the U.S. Navy SEALs, Iraqi-born 'Johnny Walker' and his friend, former Navy SEAL and Command Master Chief, Jason Tuschen.With the current abandonment of translators, allies and interpeters in Afghanistan, this episode feels of real importance and prevelance as we explore the brotherhood and friendship between two men of different nationalities both seeking the same goal - peace.@ChrisRyanPod on Twitter.

    MICKY YULE PART 2 AUDIO

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2021 43:09


    In 2010, Micky Yule was a Staff Sargent in the Royal Engineers in Afghanistan when he stood on an IED. The blast left him without his left leg and shattered his right leg completely, leaving him in hospital for months while he recovered from his injuries, receiving 46 operations.He's also a powerlifter who made his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 and will be competing in this year's Games! In an emotional episode, he tells Chris Ryan about his the IED explosive that left him without his legs, becoming a Paralympian and why a real warrior battles their mental health head on.Follow @ChrisRyanPod on Twitter.

    Paralympic Hero: Micky Yule Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2021 40:33


    In 2010, Micky Yule was a Staff Sargent in the Royal Engineers in Afghanistan when he stood on an IED. The blast left him without his left leg and shattered his right leg completely, leaving him in hospital for months while he recovered from his injuries, receiving 46 operations.He's also a powerlifter who made his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 and will be competing in this year's Games! He tells Chris Ryan about his childhood, why he joined the army, and the difference between serving in Ireland and Afghanistan!Follow @ChrisRyanPod on Twitter.

    Invictus Warrior: JJ Chalmers Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2021 31:00


    Part 3 of Chris' chat with JJ Chalmers. JJ was a marine who was injured in Helmand province before gold medalling at the Invictus Games and then becoming a TV Star including appearing on Strictly Come Dancing last year. In this episode JJ talks to Chris about winning gold at the Inviticus Games, becoming friends with Prince Harry and his Strictly Come Dancing and presenting fame!Follow us on Twitter @ChrisRyanPod.

    Invictus Warrior: JJ Chalmers Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2021 32:46


    Part 1 of Chris' chat with JJ Chalmers. JJ was a marine who was injured in Helmand province before gold medalling at the Invictus Games and then becoming a TV Star including appearing on Strictly Come Dancing last year. In this episode JJ talks to Chris about recovering from multiple injuries from an IED explosion in Afghanistan.Follow us on Twitter @ChrisRyanPod.

    Invictus Warrior: JJ Chalmers Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2021 43:58


    Part 1 of Chris' chat with JJ Chalmers. JJ was a marine who was injured in Helmand province before medalling at the Invictus Games and then becoming a TV Star including appearing on Strictly Come Dancing last year. In this episode JJ talks to Chris about his early life and serving in Afghanistan.

    Waco & Vietnam: Bill Buford Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2021 42:16


    Welcome back to part 2 of thisincredible chat with Vietnam veteran and ex-ATF agent, Bill Buford.If you've got a Netflix or BBC Sounds account you may recognise him from any Waco documentary, where agent Bill was on the frontline of the siege in 1993.The Texas siege was on the armed premisis that belonged to the religious sect Branch Davidians who were led by cult figure, David Koresh. Bill was shot by an AK47 during the siege, but lived to tell the tale today, to you!Find us on socials @ChrisRyanPod.

    Waco & Vietnam: Bill Buford Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2021 26:11


    Chris Ryan is BACK after a few weeks of well-deserved rest, and what an episode he's got for you!His guest is Bill Buford, an ex-ATF agent who was also a soldier in the Vietnam War, but if you've got a Netflix account you may recognise him from any Waco documentary, where agent Bill was on the frontline of the siege in 1993.The Texas siege was on the armed premisis that belonged to the religious sect Branch Davidians who were led by cult figure, David Koresh. Bill was shot by an AK47 during the siege, but lived to tell the tale today, to you!Find us on socials @ChrisRyanPod.

    Waco & Vietnam: Bill Buford Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2021 44:09


    Chris Ryan is BACK after a few weeks of well-deserved rest, and what an episode he's got for you!His guest is Bill Buford, an ex-ATF agent who was also a soldier in the Vietnam War, but if you've got a Netflix account you may recognise him from any Waco documentary, where agent Bill was on the frontline of the siege in 1993.The Texas siege was on the armed premisis that belonged to the religious sect Branch Davidians who were led by cult figure, David Koresh. Bill was shot by an AK47 during the siege, but lived to tell the tale today, to you!Find us on socials @ChrisRyanPod.

    The Best of Life or Death with Chris Ryan 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 46:29


    From our Kajaki specials to Call of Duty superstars, it's been a great year for 'Life or Death with Chris Ryan' so far!But, everyone needs a day off, including Chris and his team, so as it's a bank holiday we took this oppurtunity to have a rest.Never fear though, we've got a 'best of' compilation from this year's episodes, which includes interviews with Tug Hartley, Chantelle Taylor, Peter Bleksley, Tu Lam, Jon White, Stu Pearson and Jacquie Davis!Find us on socials @ChrisRyanPod

    Jon White: 'A True Hero'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2021 59:50


    "The adrenaline kicked in, I couldn't feel the pain. I woke up three days later with my Dad and sister at the end of my hospital bed."Mountain leader, liason officer and finally, reconnaissance troop - a true Royal Marine. It was on that final tour of Afghanistan with 40 Commando's where this week's guest on Life or Death, Jon White, lost his right arm and both legs after stepping on a improvised explosive device.This is Jon's epic and extremely emotional story, where he speaks of completing one of the toughest training courses the British Military has to offer, losing three limbs and overcoming these obstacles to become an inspirational speaker and leadership consultant.Visit his incredible website here www.thewhitehousefuture.co.uk.Follow @ChrisRyanPod on Twitter!

    Call of Duty: Tu Lam Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2021 68:03


    It's part two of Chris Ryan's epic chat with Tu Lam, or Daniel “Ronin” Shinoda as Call of Duty fans may know him as!Tu Lam was born "on the losing side of the war" on the streets of Saigon, Vietnam, which had been obliterated by American troops. His Mother and Father risked their lives to escape to America on a boat, where he eventually grew to become a Special Forces Operator who conducted numerous operations, as part of the United States Army.He's a retired Master Sergeant who shares his skillset with clients through his company, Ronin Tactics Inc. and you can play as his fictional "badass character" Daniel “Ronin” Shinoda on Call of Duty.This, is his incredible story.Follow @ChrisRyanPod on Twitter and Instagram and @ronintactics on socials.

    Call of Duty: Tu Lam Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2021 72:45


    Tu Lam was born "on the losing side of the war" on the streets of Saigon, Vietnam, which had been obliterated by American troops. His Mother and Father risked their lives to escape to America on a boat, where he eventually grew to become a Special Forces Operator whoconducted numerous operations, as part of the United States Army.He's a retired Master Sergeant who shares his skillset with clients through his company, Ronin Tactics Inc. and you can play as his fictional "badass character" Daniel “Ronin” Shinoda on Call of Duty.This, is his incredible story.Follow @ChrisRyanPod on Twitter and Instagram and @ronintactics on socials.

    Paul 'Tug' Hartley: Minefield Medic Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2021 33:12


    Following on from our Kajaki specials with Stuart Pearson, Chris Ryan is joined by the medic on that fateful day in Afghanistan, Paul 'Tug' Hartley, in the second of this epic two parter.Tug opens up to Chris about keeping people alive and in check by singing Happy Birthday and having to sell his medals to buy a house once he'd left the army.Follow @ChrisRyanPod on Twitter and Instagram.

    Paul 'Tug' Hartley: Minefield Medic Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2021 50:12


    Following on from our Kajaki specials with Stuart Pearson, Chris Ryan is joined by the medic on that fateful day in Afghanistan, Paul 'Tug' Hartley, who's played by Game of Thrones actor, Mark Stanley in the film based on those events.In a brutally honest account, he tells Chris about how he kept his friends alive that day, losing close friend Mark Wright, and the intensity of leapfrogging across the minefield to save others.Follow @ChrisRyanPod on Twitter and Instagram.

    The Real Kajaki: Stuart Pearson Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2021 44:20


    "I was straight into the operation theatre and my leg was taken off"In 2006, Corporal Stuart Pearson lost his left leg when the Parachute Regiment of the 3rd Battalion travelled to break up a Taliban checkpoint in Kajaki, Afghanistan.His best friend, Corporal Mark Wright was killed, and in 2014 one of the most realistic war films of all time (with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes!) was made... 'Kajaki'.Listen to him tell Chris Ryan about having his leg amputated, having to call his Dad to tell him, and what it's like having one of the all-time great war movies made about him and his mates.Follow @ChrisRyanPod on Twitter and Instagram.

    The Real Kajaki: Stuart Pearson Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2021 48:53


    In 2006, Corporal Stuart Pearson lost his left leg when the Parachute Regiment of the 3rd Battalion travelled to break up a Taliban checkpoint in Kajaki, Afghanistan.His best friend, Corporal Mark Wright was killed, and in 2014 one of the most realistic war films of all time was made... Kajaki.Listen to him tell Chris Ryan about those experiences, what it's like to be a hero, and the dark humour of the military.Follow @ChrisRyanPod on Twitter and Instagram.

    Medic on the frontline: Chantelle Taylor - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2021 43:57


    In part 2 of this interview with British Army combat medical technician, Chantelle Taylor, she explains some of the most dramatic and epic war stories you will have heard, including gunfire, helicopters and helping heavily injured soldiers on the frontline.She also tells Chris Ryan about brother and sisterhoods within the army, and how it helped her through the toughest times.Follow @ChrisRyanPod on Instagram and Twitter.

    Medic on the frontline: Chantelle Taylor - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2021 46:23


    Chantelle Taylor was a combat medical technician in the British Army who became the first female soldier to kill a Taliban fighter in close-quarter combat while on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.The author of 2014's Battleworn talks to Chris Ryan about working in the jungle, graphic battle injuries and how her brother's death shaped her career.Follow @ChrisRyanPod on Instagram and Twitter.

    A Female Bodyguard with Jacquie Davis

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2021 52:27


    Jacquie Davis, who was the first woman to become a bodyguard in the UK, has protected the Royal Family, JK Rowling and has been approached by celebrities like Ice Cube! She tells Chris Ryan about how she started off in the police force before starting her own security company, and how losing two husbands and battling cancer along the way shaped her career. @ChrisRyanPod on Instagram and Twitter.

    Nose for Crime: Peter Bleksley, Undercover Detective - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2021 43:23


    In part 2 of this epic interview, co-founding member of Scotland Yard's undercover unit in the 1980s, Peter Bleksley, tells Chris Ryan about his campaign to hunt down Kevin Parle, and his experiences with drugs as an undercover detective over the years.Twitter: @ChrisRyanPodComing Soon from the team behind 'Life or Death with Chris Ryan': https://podfollow.com/razorpod

    Nose for Crime: Peter Bleksley, Undercover Detective - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2021 46:20


    Co-founding member of Scotland Yard's undercover unit in the 1980s, Peter Bleksley, tells Chris Ryan about how his father's alcoholism impacted his early life before going on to have an incredible and terrifying career as an undercover police officer in the first part of this epic interview.Twitter: @ChrisRyanPodComing Soon from the team behind 'Life or Death with Chris Ryan': https://podfollow.com/razorpod

    Battle of Danny Boy: Brian Wood MC

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 70:33


    Brian Wood MC rejoins Chris to tell him about his role in the Battle of Danny Boy and the calamitous allegations which followed years later.

    Double Crossed: Brian Wood MC

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2021 54:21


    Born Fearless: Phil Campion, former SAS

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 60:04


    Former SAS trooper Phil Campion discusses his rough childhood, his part in Operation Barras in Sierra Leone and his current role as Champion of Army Cadet Force

    The Best of Life or Death with Chris Ryan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2021 78:38


    While we work on some exciting upcoming projects, here's a selection of Chris' best interviews over the past few months with some added extras too. Featuring: Colin MacLachlan, John Nichol, John McPhee, Clark Impastato and Mark Wallace.

    George Hodgin, former Navy SEAL Officer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2021 56:20


    Former US Navy SEAL Officer, George Hodgin, discusses his time in special forces.

    First Into Action: Duncan Falconer, former SBS

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2021 56:51


    Duncan Falconer, former SBS discusses how he fell into doing special forces selection, his time in the Falklands and Northern Ireland, and how he made his money in Hollywood.

    Tony Cowden, former USSF

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2020 59:06


    Former US Army Special Forces operator Tony Cowden describes his time in US Special Forces, a close quarters pistol fight in a hotel room, and how he's become a world leading authority on shooting.

    Ayahuasca: David Radband, former Paratrooper

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2020 48:07


    Chris Ryan speaks again with former Paratrooper and SFSG member David Radband about his recovery from PTSD and his use of the hallucinogenic drug 'ayahuasca'

    LIVE EVENT: Chris Ryan meets Robin Horsfall

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2020 0:51


    LIVE VIRTUAL EVENT: 7pm, Wednesday 16th DecemberChris Ryan meets Robin Horsfall to discuss the Iranian Embassy siege and operations never publicly discussed before.Get your tickets now ↓↓↓https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sas-legends-in-conversation-chris-ryan-meets-robin-horsfall-tickets-131199438051

    Surviving Hell: Nick Dunn, former Para and Chennai Six prisoner

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2020 63:59


    Former Paratrooper and SFSG member, Nick Dunn, discusses his time in the Regiment, making the transition to maritime security, and how he lost 4 years of his life imprisoned in India for a crime he did not commit.

    Armed Police: Tony Long, former SO19

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2020 58:48


    The Metropolitan Police’s most controversial officer, Tony Long, talks about his career in the firearms unit, his first two shootings and how he earned the nickname “The Met’s own serial killer”.

    Drop Zone: Jamie Flynn, former Paratrooper and BASE jumper

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2020 60:53


    Former Paratrooper and Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) member, Jamie Flynn, discusses his time in the Regiment, going to war aged 18 and his career as a professional wingsuit pilot, skydiver & BASE jumper.

    Who Dares Wins: Ollie Ollerton, former SBS

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2020 64:31


    Ollie Ollerton, former Special Forces soldier and one of the founding Directing Staff on Channel 4's hit show 'SAS: Who Dares Wins' joins Chris to discuss his time in the SBS, rescuing children from sex trafficking gangs in Thailand and his personal battles with alcohol.

    Remembrance Day: Alec Borrie, 1st SAS

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2020 23:41


    World War Two veteran and 1st SAS member Alec Borrie discusses the importance of marking Remembrance Day, his involvement fighting the Nazis behind enemy lines, and the true character of SAS founding member Paddy Mayne.

    Desert Storm: John Nichol, former RAF Navigator

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2020 42:43


    Former RAF Navigator John Nichol discusses his involvement in the First Gulf War, being shot down, captured, tortured and held as a POW by Iraqi forces. With Remembrance Day coming up, John also shares the stories of Spitfire pilots and Lancaster bomber servicemen who never made the journey home.

    Hunting bin Laden: John McPhee, former Delta Force

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 57:00


    Former Green Beret and Delta Force Sniper John McPhee talks about his time clearing the caves of Tora Bora in search of Osama bin Laden, a solo mission tracking down the last man who knew of his location, and what it's like going into combat sat on the edge of a MH-6 Little Bird helicopter.

    The Taliban: David Radband, former Paratrooper

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2020 56:46


    Former Paratrooper and member of the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG), David Radband describes his time in 'the factory', he explains how difficult the Taliban were to fight against, and candidly discusses what impact the extreme stress and pressure of the battlefield has had on his mental health since leaving the Army.As a Section Commander with responsibility of 8 Afghan Special Forces Soldiers, David was awarded the Mention in Dispatches for his leadership and gallantry on the battlefield.

    The Grey Man: Clark Impastato, former Undercover Cop

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2020 50:56


    Former undercover police officer Clark Impastato discusses his time working in law enforcement in the second most dangerous city in the world and describes how he got into a conflict on his third day in the job.

    Brothers In Arms: Clark Impastato, former Navy SEAL

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2020 53:56


    Former Navy SEAL and military contractor Clark Impastato discusses the extreme training required to become a SEAL, how the financial incentives of military contracting decimated American special forces, and training "tomorrow's terrorists today".

    Captured: Colin MacLachlan, former SAS

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2020 55:55


    Former SAS Sgt Colin MacLachlan describes his time in the Regiment, his role in Operation Certain Death, dealing with terrorists at Stansted Airport and being captured in Basra, Iraq.

    Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2020 1:17


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