Former DEA Agents Chris Feistl and Dave Mitchell + ‘Hawk Tuah Girl’ Haliey Welch

Jun 18, 2025

Guest

Haliey Welch

Guest

Chris Feistl and Dave Mitchell, former DEA agents and co-authors of 'After Escobar,' dive into the complexities of the drug trade and border security. They discuss how the Trump and Biden administrations differ in handling drug trafficking, the realities of cartel operations, and the severe fentanyl crisis. Joining them is social media star Haliey Welch, who shares her unexpected rise to fame as the 'Hawk Tuah' girl, reflecting on viral moments and brand opportunities. Comedian Rudy Pavich adds humor with commentary on current events and media biases.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Cartels Favor Open Borders

Cartels always seek the path of least resistance to maximize profits.
Changes in border policy directly impact their operations and money-making schemes.

INSIGHT

Synthetic Drugs Shift Production

Synthetic drugs like fentanyl allow cartels huge profit margins through small warehouse production.
They rely on precursor chemicals imported mainly from China to produce these drugs.

INSIGHT

Corruption Enables Cartels

Cartels rely heavily on systemic corruption to survive and operate.
Such extensive corruption prevalent in Colombia and Mexico is lacking in the U.S., preventing large cartels there.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In this episode of The Adam Carolla Show, Adam sits down with former DEA agents Chris Feistl and Dave Mitchell to discuss the inner workings of the drug trade and border security. They break down the differences between the Trump and Biden administrations' handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, how cartels launder money, and why they thrive in South America but not in the U.S. The conversation also covers the brutal legacy of Pablo Escobar, the severity of the fentanyl crisis, and whether cartels should be classified as terrorist organizations. Plus, the agents share wild stories from their time in the field and identify the countries hit hardest by drug and human trafficking.

In the news, comedian Rudy Pavich joins Adam to unpack current headlines, starting with a revealing media study showing how often CNN and MSNBC referred to the violent riots in Los Angeles as “peaceful protests.” They also cover Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s controversial attempt to link political violence to partisan narratives following the targeted shooting of two Democratic lawmakers. Finally, the team reacts to Barbra Streisand’s bizarre public comments about her unclear sexual history with actor Warren Beatty.

Then, social media star Haliey Welch—better known as the “Hawk Tuah” girl—stops by the studio to talk about her sudden rise to fame. She reflects on the viral moment that launched her into the spotlight, how her family reacted, and the wave of brand offers that came pouring in. Hailey and Adam rewatch the video that started it all, share a laugh, and talk about her working-class upbringing. She also recounts meeting Shaquille O’Neal and appearing onstage at a Zach Bryan concert—all within days of becoming an internet sensation. Get it on.

FOR MORE WITH CHRIS FEISTL & DAVE MITCHELL:

BOOK: After Escobar

FOR MORE WITH HALIEY WELCH:

PODCAST: Talk Tuah

CHARITY: Paws Across America

INSTAGRAM: @hay_welch

FOR MORE WITH RUDY PAVICH:

INSTAGRAM: @rudy_pavich

WEBSITE: www.rudypavichcomedy.com

Thank you for supporting our sponsors:

LIVE SHOWS:

June 19-21 - Las Vegas, NV (6 shows)
July 10 - Irvine, CA (Live Podcast)
July 11-12 - Covina, CA (4 shows)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.