#268 Mike Waltz - Special Forces Green Beret Turned UN Ambassador Warns About China

January 5, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

🎙️ The Voices & The Context

The Format: This gripping interview between podcast host Sean Ryan and UN Ambassador Mike Waltz dives deep into Waltz's extraordinary life journey from poverty-stricken Jacksonville roots to elite Green Beret combat missions, congressional battles, and high-stakes diplomacy, blending raw personal reflection with unfiltered policy critique in a patriotic, no-holds-barred tone.
The Format: An interview.
The Key Players:
- Guest: Mike Waltz, retired Army Green Beret Colonel, first Green Beret elected to Congress, author of Warrior Diplomat and Hard Truths, co-founder of bipartisan Veterans Caucus, Trump administration National Security Advisor, and now U.S. Ambassador to the UN—famous for his combat heroism, policy expertise, and unapologetic America First stance.

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What you'll learn

1 Retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel, first Green Beret elected to Congress, former National Security Advisor, UN Ambassador, author of *Warrior Diplomat* and *Hard Truths*, combat veteran representing Florida on key committees including Armed Services, Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, and China Task Force; co-founded bipartisan Veterans Caucus.
2 Grew up on poor west side of Navy town; grandfather and father in Navy, defected to Army.
3 Absent father left when infant; first real meeting at VMI age 21-22, mixed emotions but closure before father's death.
4 Mother worked three jobs (security, hygienist, clerk), earned college degree alongside son's graduation; instilled self-motivation, independence.
5 Sought male role models via church Bible study, priest (VMI grad), generals like Marshall and Patton; no siblings except older half-sister.
6 Forced into gifted charter school despite resistance; graduated with 36 college credits.
7 Avoided victimhood mentality; highlights wife's family (Jordanian Christian immigrants raised by single mom, now professionals).

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Mike Waltz is an American politician, diplomat, author, businessman, and retired U.S. Army Colonel, a combat-decorated Green Beret with 27 years of military service and the first retired Special Forces officer elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Born in Florida, to a family steeped in military tradition as the son and grandson of Navy Chiefs, Waltz graduated from Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville, Florida, before attending Virginia Military Institute (VMI), earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in 1996. Commissioned as an Army lieutenant upon graduation, he excelled by graduating from elite Ranger School and selection for the Green Berets, deploying worldwide on multiple combat tours to Afghanistan (starting in 2000), the Middle East, and Africa, while serving in the Pentagon under Secretaries Rumsfeld and Gates and as a counterterrorism advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney.

Waltz served three terms as Republican Congressman from Florida’s 6th District (2019–2025), resigning to become National Security Advisor in President Trump’s second administration (January–May 2025) before his September 2025 Senate confirmation as the 32nd U.S. Representative to the United Nations, where he currently serves.

A successful business owner, he co-founded Metis Solutions, a strategy and intelligence firm that grew to hundreds of employees worldwide and was acquired for $92 million; he authored the bestseller Warrior Diplomat recounting his military and policy experiences, along with Hard Truths on Green Beret leadership, with proceeds benefiting veterans’ charities, and he continues media commentary on defense and foreign policy.

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Mike Waltz Links:

X - https://x.com/michaelgwaltz

IG - https://www.instagram.com/michaelgwaltz

Warrior Diplomat - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1612346316

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