A Memoir of War, Leadership, and Redemption

Step into the mind of a modern American warrior. In Downriver: The Warrior Poet’s Journey, Ryan McDermott—combat veteran, father, and former Wall Street professional—shares his powerful story of leadership in the Iraq War, the emotional scars of battle, and the search for meaning in the aftermath.
From the chaos of the 2003 invasion and the Battle for Baghdad to the collapse of Lehman Brothers during the 2008 financial crisis, McDermott shares with Jerry and Rose his deeply personal path through trauma, reintegration, PTSD, and fatherhood. Told with poetic insight and raw honesty, this episode explores what it means to survive one war only to face another at home.
Each episode unpacks themes of resilience, identity, and the human cost of ambition—offering veterans, military families, and seekers of truth a rare look into the soul of a soldier-turned-writer.