About this episode
Patrick Bet-David sits down one-on-one with Blackwater founder Erik Prince. Erik Dean Prince is an American businessman, former U.S. Navy SEAL officer, and the founder of the private military company Blackwater. He served as Blackwater's CEO until 2009 and as its chairman until its sale to a group of investors in 2010. Prince heads the private equity firm Frontier Resource Group and was chairman of the Hong Kong-listed Frontier Services Group until 2021. TIMESTAMPS 3:47 - Erik's background and his family's business success. 11:19 - Erik discusses why he founded Blackwater. 16:27 - Erik explains who Blackwater's first client was. 27:02 - How the United Nation's hypocrisy led to Blackwater's founding. 29:57 - How the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole led to Blackwater's landing a $7 million a year military contract. 34:27 - The difference between a country's nationals fighting for their countries vs hiring a Private Military Company. 41:26 - Was Blackwater better at training soldiers than the U.S. government? 54:27 - Is there an oath soldiers took to train with Blackwater. 55:16 - Erik discusses the CIA's role in the Ukraine vs Russia war. 1:05:18 - Erik explains why he left defense contracting. 1:14:32 - Was Blackwater hired to train soldiers for The Wagner Group? 1:22:52 - Erik claims a Chinese Cyber Attack was behind the AT&T outage. 1:34:31 - Did "Leave the World Behind" predict a future cyber attack on the U.S. electric grid? 1:41:07 - Erik discusses which social and political issues Americans are united on. 1:48:52 - Erik explains who was behind the Cinema Rex fire that started the Iranian revolution. MINNECT: Connect one-on-one with the right expert to get the answers you need with Minnect: https://bit.ly/3MC9IXE Connect with Patrick on Minnect: https://bit.ly/3OoiGIC Connect with Tom on Minnect: https://bit.ly/3UgJjmR Connect with Vincent on Minnect: https://bit.ly/47TFCXq Connect with Adam on Minnect: https://bit.ly/42mnnc4 CHOOSE YOUR ENEMIES WISELY: Purchase PBD's Book "Choose Your Enemies Wisely": https://bit.ly/41bTtGD BET-DAVID CONSULTING: Get best-in-class business advice with Bet-David Consulting: https://bit.ly/40oUafz' VT.COM: Visit VT.com for the latest news and insights from the world of politics, business and entertainment: https://bit.ly/472R3Mz VALUETAINMENT UNIVERSITY: Visit Valuetainment University for the best courses online for entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/47gKVA0 TEXT US: Text “PODCAST” to 310-340-1132 to get the latest updates in real-time! YOUR NEXT 5 MOVES: Want to be clear on your next 5 business moves? https://bit.ly/3Qzrj3m ABOUT US: Patrick Bet-David is the founder and CEO of Valuetainment Media. He is the author of the #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller “Your Next Five Moves” (Simon & Schuster) and a father of 2 boys and 2 girls. He currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.