In this episode of Not Special, Karen (CIA) and John (Navy SEAL) share what it was really like inside the CIA, SEAL Team 6, Afghanistan, and the mission environment that led to the Osama bin Laden raid.

Karen spent 26 years serving as a CIA operations officer, deploying to some of the world’s most dangerous environments after 9/11 for CIA operations. John served as a Navy SEAL and later as deputy commander at SEAL Team 6 with powerful veteran stories. Together, they open up about leadership, sacrifice, intelligence work, combat operations, JSOC, and how America’s national security system evolved during two decades of war.

From the chaos of early Afghanistan deployments to the inner workings of the intelligence community, this conversation gives a rare behind-the-scenes look at the people, mindset, leadership, and relationships that shaped modern history.

🎙️ In this episode:

• Growing up in a CIA family

• Karen’s first deployment to Afghanistan after 9/11

• John’s unexpected path to becoming a Navy SEAL

• What SEAL Team culture was like before social media

• The reality of Hell Week and BUD/S

• CIA and military cooperation during the War on Terror

• Inside the environment surrounding the Osama bin Laden operation

• Leadership lessons from elite teams

• The future of national security and cyber warfare

• Why service, mentorship, and purpose still matter