Ep. 117: From Cuba to CIA - Ric Prado on Service, Sacrifice, and Black Ops

On this edition of Passing the Torch, Martin Foster welcomes legendary CIA operations officer and bestselling author Ric Prado to the show. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes in clandestine operations, this episode is an absolute must-listen.

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Quick Episode Summary:

CIA legend Ric Prado shares life, service, sacrifice, and powerful lessons.

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SEO Description:

CIA veteran Ric Prado shares insights on covert operations, resilience, and life lessons with host Martin Foster on Passing The Torch podcast.

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🌟 Torch Takeaways and Key highlights:

You’ll hear Ric reflect on:

• The inspirations and the adversity that shaped him—from Cuba to clandestine combat.
• The real truth about life in the CIA, dispelling Hollywood myths about covert operations and the people behind them.
• Stories behind his book "Black Ops" and the movement to bring it to the screen as a TV series.
• Hard-won lessons about integrity, faith, service, and facing moral grey areas when the stakes are highest.
• His personal legacy, giving back by mentoring the next generation of special operators and intelligence officers.
• Fun anecdotes about baseball, collecting autographs, and memories from Miami to Japan.

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Chapters:

00:00 Victor Frankl: Choosing Growth

06:11 CIA's Stories and Misrepresentation

09:49 CIA Misconceptions and Hollywood

12:19 Flawed Characters Undermine Aspirations

16:59 Espionage Work Under Cover

20:31 Faith, Resilience, and Adversity

21:22 From Cuba to Resilience

24:48 Resilience and Mentorship Reflections

29:02 Friendship and Human Nature

32:53 Faith, Conviction, and Resilience

35:52 Insanely Tough and Polished

37:35 Honoring an Exceptional Connector

41:55 Baseball Memories and Connections

44:27 Baseball, Poverty, and Resilience

48:14 Faith, Gratitude, and Guidance

51:34 Keep Inspiring Positive Influence

53:46 Passing the Torch Impact

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Looking for someone to host your event, emcee, or conduct a live podcast, please email passingthetorchpod@gmail.com

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Episode Sponsor:

Are you retiring or separating from the military soon? Looking for an alternative to Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI)? Reach out to Dan Guzman Life Solutions, Dan is a 27-year United States Air Force veteran and retired Command Chief. 

If you want coverage that makes sense, reach out today at danguzmanlifesolutions.com

Transcript

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On this edition of Passing the Torch, Martin Foster welcomes legendary CIA operations officer and bestselling author Ric Prado to the show. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes in clandestine operations, this episode is an absolute must-listen.

-

Quick Episode Summary:

CIA legend Ric Prado shares life, service, sacrifice, and powerful lessons.

-

SEO Description:

CIA veteran Ric Prado shares insights on covert operations, resilience, and life lessons with host Martin Foster on Passing The Torch podcast.

-

🌟 Torch Takeaways and Key highlights:

You’ll hear Ric reflect on:

• The inspirations and the adversity that shaped him—from Cuba to clandestine combat.
• The real truth about life in the CIA, dispelling Hollywood myths about covert operations and the people behind them.
• Stories behind his book "Black Ops" and the movement to bring it to the screen as a TV series.
• Hard-won lessons about integrity, faith, service, and facing moral grey areas when the stakes are highest.
• His personal legacy, giving back by mentoring the next generation of special operators and intelligence officers.
• Fun anecdotes about baseball, collecting autographs, and memories from Miami to Japan.

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Ric's Resources:

➡︎ Website: https://ricprado.com/ 

➡︎ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enrique-ric-prado-052a11186/ 

➡︎ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prado_ric/?hl=en 

➡︎ Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior: https://amzn.to/4qvB3fT 

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Episode Mentions:

Annie Jacobsen

Robert Hamilton Owens

Scott MacGregor

Tony Perez

Luis Tiant

"Minnie" Miñoso

Orestes Destrade

Yogi Berra

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Quote to open episode:

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

– Viktor Frankl 

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Chapters:

00:00 Victor Frankl: Choosing Growth

06:11 CIA's Stories and Misrepresentation

09:49 CIA Misconceptions and Hollywood

12:19 Flawed Characters Undermine Aspirations

16:59 Espionage Work Under Cover

20:31 Faith, Resilience, and Adversity

21:22 From Cuba to Resilience

24:48 Resilience and Mentorship Reflections

29:02 Friendship and Human Nature

32:53 Faith, Conviction, and Resilience

35:52 Insanely Tough and Polished

37:35 Honoring an Exceptional Connector

41:55 Baseball Memories and Connections

44:27 Baseball, Poverty, and Resilience

48:14 Faith, Gratitude, and Guidance

51:34 Keep Inspiring Positive Influence

53:46 Passing the Torch Impact

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Podcast Summary: Passing The Torch – Ric Prado

In this episode of "Passing The Torch," host Martin Foster welcomes former CIA operations officer and Air Force veteran Ric Prado for a deep, inspiring conversation. The episode opens with thought-provoking words on the power of choice and growth, setting the tone for a discussion that dives into Ric Prado's remarkable 55-year career spanning military service, clandestine operations, and counterterrorism work—including his pivotal role during 9/11 and time as a founding member of the Bin Laden task force.

Throughout the conversation, Martin Foster and Ric Prado explore Ric Prado's journey from fleeing Cuba as a child—separated from his parents and sent to an orphanage in Colorado—through his demanding pararescue training, and eventually into the shadows of CIA covert work. Ric Prado sheds light on what motivated him to finally write his bestselling memoir, "Black Ops," revealing how encouragement from mentors and the desire to honor his colleagues and country compelled him to share his story.

The episode features candid reflections on misconceptions about CIA life, the moral and ethical tightropes walked in clandestine service, and the agency’s commitment to integrity despite popular media stereotypes. Ric Prado opens up about the emotional challenges of operating in silence, his pride in both his military and intelligence "alma maters," and his commitment to living and mentoring with honor and gratitude.

There are lighter moments too: the two discuss baseball, trading stories about autographs, Cuban heritage, and the role of friendships and mentorship in their lives. Ric Prado talks about maintaining his faith, the value of resilience, and the importance of "passing the torch" by paying forward the guidance he received.

To close, the conversation turns to legacy—what Ric Prado hopes to inspire in future generations through his book, his potential television series, and his ongoing efforts to support and guide those following in his footsteps.

Overall, the episode mixes vulnerable personal history, professional revelations, wisdom, and warmth. It gives listeners a rare look at the life and mindset of someone who lived—and shaped—history while operating in the shadows, and it celebrates the power of service, integrity, and connection.

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Looking for someone to host your event, emcee, or conduct a live podcast, please email passingthetorchpod@gmail.com

-

Episode Sponsor:

Are you retiring or separating from the military soon? Looking for an alternative to Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI)? Reach out to Dan Guzman Life Solutions, Dan is a 27-year United States Air Force veteran and retired Command Chief. 

If you want coverage that makes sense, reach out today at danguzmanlifesolutions.com

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I appreciate all of you. - MF