The Prepared Mindset Podcast: Recent Episodes
Austin Diehl
A podcast for the everyday person, interested in preparation, shooting, planning and gear related to those activities. Features a broad range of topics and discussion points, as well as current events pertaining to being prepared, and the world around you.
Over the past week, we've had a couple major events take place. Impactful enough in both instances to warrant a separate edition of the Sunday SITREP to give them the focus and time they deserve. In this iteration, I dive into the potentially dangerous outcome of some of the primary races here in Michigan, as well as other states, and share some good news on the legal front thanks to the amazing folks of the Silencer Shop Foundation who just won big against the ATF. Goods news, with some bad news, but all around worthwhile information, and discussion. As always, the SITREP is the opportunity to address a little politics, some current events, and talk about the importance of preserving your 2A rights!
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It's been several years, but I'm finally doing another grab bag episode! I get several questions a month from the audience, both here on the pod, on our YouTube, and on Instagram. While I do my best to get a complete answer to that individual, I don't always share those conversations. Not because I don't want to, but because I'm just busy. My new committment is to bring those questions forward in more regular "grab bag" episodes where I can take the time to more completely answer questions than in a DM, and can also share those questions for the benefit of the entire audience. It's been several years since the last one, and I've got a few good topics to jump in to!
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The August edition of the SITREP is here! In this episode, I share some of the lessons learned at our most recent night shoot. The importance of setting up your range or stage while you still have amount of daylight, as well as the realities of equipment failure on the range. While you can't always do a lot about it, it's a reality of using electronic optics, infrared aiming lasers, and of course, analog night vision devices. Additionally, I take the time to talk just a bit about the most recent events between congress and Dr. Fauci, as he invoked his fifth amendment rights a shocking one hundred and eleven times while being questioned. I'm sure we all have several strong feelings on that, and of course, I share mine.
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John Scheuermann is one half of Redline Consulting, the Media Manager for Modlite, and a dedicated student of performance shooting. Through hosting low-light workshops with Redline, his own personal training and learning, as well as obviously his role at Modlite, John has a lot of knowledge on not only white lights as tools, but around their applications within practical shooting, as well as self defense. We dive into lumens and candela, the conversation which still dominates many discussions, as well as light placement on the gun, understanding controls, and more. Having the tool alone, is not enough to make you successful. The end-user has to know how to apply the solution to achieve maximum benefits. This was a great conversation, and one that I think many need to hear, especially if they've purchased a light, but haven't taken the opportunity truly learn how to apply it.
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Jason Cheney is an Air Force Veteran, and former LE officer who now works with the night vision company, GPNVG. Jason and I were able to connect in person at SHOT show this year, and are finally sitting down for a conversation on the application of Night Vision devices in Law Enforcement, and some of the challenges that come with those tools for that job. While in a lot of cases there's ideas and assumptions on how different the use cases might be between civilian training or recreation, and law enforcement use, it's really a lot of the same practices, just applied a lot faster and at a higher standard. We get into device selection, mixed lighting environments, white light override, using a laser versus passive aiming, and more. I was thrilled to finally be able to sit down and catch up with Jason, it was a great conversation, I think you guys are gunna dig it!
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The 2A training community is one of diverse backgrouns, both from the trainers, as well as the students that attend their courses. As we've intermixed social media and influencers to that equation, the whole ecosystem that orbits firearms training, has only gotten more confusing. As we see more and more training companies in the community pop up, with AI created ads, and exciting social media content, I'm finding that there's less and less accountability amongs both students, and the trainers. For years we point the finger at students not spending enough, not taking enough courses, as if that was the biggest issue faced in the industry. Today though, we see borderline deceptive resumes from instructors, and deliberately vague backgrouns, making it difficult for consumers to understand who they're learning from, and why they should listen. Here's my observations on these developments over the last several years, and why I think we as consumers need to take greater accountability.
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Its been over two years, but I finally have a chance to sit down and talk nylon with Dan again! If you haven't heard of Dynamic Principles, they're an outstanding nylon company that makes belts, mag pouches, placards, plate carriers, and more. Dan and I talk about our shared experience at SHOT show this past year, and get into the impact of the new UCAS designs within the market, as well as the other trends driving the community and our gear over the past couple years. We also dug into the product lifecycle behind many of our favorite products like optics, night vision, handguns, and the development processes that go into making those all come to life. There's also a couple super interesting product teasers in here, so if you're a fan of the Dynamic Principles products, you'll definitely want to check this out!
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Happy 4th of July! With the holiday comes a new month, and another SITREP discussion. This time around, we're jumping into the wildly concerning, and somewhat fascinating conversation around public surveillance, the 4th amendment, and Flock cameras. With a recent 5-4 Supreme Court ruling it Chattree v. United States, there has been a pivotal change in how digital tools can be used against citizens, and we're here to talk about it. While we certainly aren't getting any less digitally enabled as a society, we are thankfully seeing some stronger adjustment to the risks that digital tools present. As always, I give you guys my perspective and concerns on the matter.
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As we approach the 4th of July, our Independence Day, I think it's an extremely appropriate time to have the discussion around the prepared citizen, why "staying in your lane" is a terrible idea, and the history of armed civilians and their impact. From the very inception of our great country, the capable citizen has been one of the most vital parts of our country, and our culture. In today's community, we're often looked down upon, and mostly for good reason. While we have a lot to offer, and own a tremendous piece of the battle for our independence, in recent times, we have allowed ego and weak confidence to validate poor performance and low standards. I dive into the opportunities presented to all of us as citizens of the United States, and highlight the importance of becoming more fit, more proficient, and more effective. For those of us without a uniform, I think this is a critical point of conversation, and one we hold ourselves accountable for.
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CQB and the arguments around it may never truly go away. As monotonous as they may seem, many will provide fantastic learning opportunities for those eager to understand. To dive into the concepts behind structure clearance, or as you may know it, combat clearance, i'm joined by Ben Wallick. Ben is a former SEAL and Contractor, and is also the owner of Vanilla Gorilla Security, a training company based in Illinois. We absolutely dive into the subject at hand, talk about the flexibility required between both dynamic and deliberate methodologies, the importance of asking the question "why do we do that?" as well as, potentially more importantly, being able to articulate this, and demonstrate a depth of understanding. With all the back and forth online about CQC, CQB, team clearance, whatever you call it, I think this will make for a fantastic listening experience!
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As we get older, as we all work harder on improving our health, our strength, our fitness, it seems like we get injured more and more. How to truly meet our fitness goals, and how we recover from those injuries, are where we see actual success and failure. After a couple years now, I finally catch up with Alex, and sit down to talk about his work with coach within the tactical space, recovering and coping with serious injuries, and get a healthy dose of perspective on personal fitness. As a former serviceman for over a decade, and now an instructor with Maneuver Training Solutions and Orion Training Group, Alex understands the demands on the body, under stress in combat, and how to build to be capable on the range. This was a great conversation for me, as I continue on my own fitness journey, and I have no doubt will be valuable for the many of you out there who are doing the same.
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It's been a few years since Austin was last on the pod, and a handful of months since we were able to connect at SHOT show this year. We finally have a break in our schedules to sit down, and dive into everything from Radios and Communications, to Night Vision, group based planning and training, overall preparedness, and more. Austin is certainly a subject expert when it comes to communications and is an instructor with Mojave Repeater, while also running his own business in the 2A community. There's a lot to unpack in this discussion, looking at GMRS radios compared to DMR and FRS setups, understanding signal intelligence and levels of sophistication, as well as obviously getting his best recommendation for a "middle of the road" unit for tactical comms. I always have a blast chatting with Austin, and this was no exception. I think you all are gunna enjoy this one!
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Gun violence prevention. Potentially the most over leverage political ideal in the history of modern politicking. It remains an omnipresent issue within every discussion, debate, and campaign, and certainly can be relied on for every election and midterm that rolls around. Unfortunately, as that time draws near, we here in Michigan are dealing with this once more as Governor Whitmer signed another executive order, to create another task force, to "address" the "ongoing crisis" of gun violence. There's always so much behind the scene that seems to motivate these moves and while it's hard to predict exactly why it's happening right now, you can anticipate that in the end, we'll likely have to endure more hardships as lawful gun owners here in Michigan. Give it a listen, share your thoughts.
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Are you really committed to living more prepared? Or is this simply something you take interest in as a hobby? While there are degress to both, I think most of us read those questions, and would like to be included among those counted as "committed" but in the back of our minds fear we are only truly interested. This is a interesting discussion, as I think it forces you to contemplate choices made, past, present, and of course, future. Our ecosystem is filled with influencers, trainers, students, all with varying backgrounds and goals. Regardless of which you are, I think taking an objective look at your own goals and choices from time to time is extremely helpful, and that's truly the goal of this conversation. If it means you change nothing, then so be it. However, if it even helps spur a bit of positive change, I think that that proves it to have been helpful. Give this a listen, which are you?
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If you've seen any action movie, ever, you love explosive breaching. There's something incredible about seeing a special forces soldier or SEAL place a charge, and blow a door. While most of us don't have the means or the access to try such things, we can always learn about them and position ourselves for greater success in our futures. To dive into this conversation, I'm catching up with Steve, owner of Chimera Concepts and breaching instructor for Core Vision. We spend some time touching on the logic and rationale behind shotgun breaching, but then dive all the way in, as we get into energetic breaching, and the science behind the skill. There's lots of legal considerations, and a absolute ton of fascinating science involved with using explosives to breach a door or structure; understanding over-pressure once inside a structure, the dangers involved with it. We got into so much, in a relatively short amount of time. An outstanding conversation, and one I'm sure you'll learn a ton from.
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Are we seeing Gun-tube die before our very eyes? This has become a wildy popular topic over the past week or two, and I thought it deserved its own conversation. For better or for worse, the community has been driven by digital content creators for the past decade, and in some cases longer. Information shared, inspiration sparked, goals set, myths disproven, and all because we had the tools available to connect to each other through the various platforms. However, taking an objective look at things in 2026, we've certainly fallen from grace, and definitely morphed into something uglier, and far less pure than it was originally imagined to be. No, I don't think it's dying, but I do think we're experiencing some uncomfortable but necessary changes. In this episode, I do my best to explain, and give some perspective.
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Gear. For better or worse, it drives a huge part of our community, and in many ways, are the tools that enable us for success, or failure. There's more and more options available to us every day, and while it definitely can be exhausting, it's certainly worth talking about the trends, the pitfalls, the truths, and the lies. In this episode, I catch up with Walsh, of Thin Line Defense, who has a depth of knowledge and lots of experience evaluating, testing, and reviewing gear. We dive into all sorts of stuff from the truth behind BARRY compliance, materials and the trends we're experiencing with them today, the difference between cost and value, and more. We even took some time to talk drones, and how it's the next iteration of civilian preparedness, and just how available it really is. Absolutely a fun conversation, and one you're all going to love.
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Buying NODs is probably one of the most confusing processes in our community. Understanding the new options that are available almost every month, as well as the plethora of secondhand devices, can be an almost impossible maze to navigate. To try and address what I think is the most critical part of a positive night vision purchase, intensifier tube selection, I'm sitting down once again with Shane Sharp and Ty Morgan of Terrace Unity Solutions. We get into the common myths behind the different tubes on the market and dig into why brand name alone will never be enough to guarantee your happiness as a end user. Further, we talk about dreaded "blemishes" in the tube image, and why it's the most misunderstood concern by new users, and even discuss the finer points behind reading a spec sheet, and the "death by spec sheet" paralysis that so many fall in to. If you're planning to get into Night Vision, this will definitely be a helpful discussion for you!
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The May SITREP is here, and with it the unfortunate news and impact to consumers, of the failure of Spirit Airlines. Additionally, we have the recent attempt on the President at the White House Correspondents dinner, and a very recent surge in gas prices. As civilians in the continental United States, we have been getting absolutely hammered the last several weeks with price increases at the gas pumps, and the last several years with post-pandemic price increases and supply decreases. Things are very tough for so many of us right now, and there's simply not much that can be done. As always, I do my best to talk about my feelings on these critical issues, and share the insight that I can.
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Priorities of Work. While this term/title gets applied most commonly to close quarters battle and structure clearance, I think it's a very appropriate lable for this weeks conversation. As men, as husbands, as heads of households, it is our responsbility to care for our home, our spouse, our children. The decisions we make, the positions we place our families in, are our primary responsibilities. While this isn't a new concept by any stretch, its one that's commonly forgotten. It's easily leveraged for justification for gear and training, however when it comes down to what we truly do to care for and support our homes, it's conveniently forgotten and ignored. In this discussion I call out some of this tragic behavior, and identify the opportunities we have to improve our lives, and care more completely for our families, and our homes.
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Many of us have grown up hunting. Some of us have learned it in pursuit of greater preparedness. Still, how to butcher and harvest eludes so many that it's its own industry in many parts of our country, during hunting seasons. I sit down with Jason Nauert, or "Jason the Butcher" as many of you may know him, to talk about his work with the military for combat sustainability, teaching butchering skills, and obviously, the importance of this all in the greater conversation of self sustainability. We get into the long-term effects of a M.R.E. heavy diet, we talk about understanding animal anatomy, water purification, and more. If you're a casual prepper, and avid hunter, or someone planning for the darker days ahead, this conversation is one that will give you a fantastic perspective into harvesting your own meat, for you, and potentially, your family.
Check out more about Jason at www.jtbmeat.com
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While the AR platform can be assembled easily, I think many of us know that while almost everyone can put it together, there's a different process all together, for truly building one. Matt Patruno is the owner and co-founder of Two Grunts Inc., a Michigan based rifle company. As a former Marine, and a former Police Officer, Matt knows the importance of a reliable work rifle. From material sciences, to metallurgy, to understanding what the label "mil-spec" really means, Matt and I get into a lot. There's truly a science and a detailed knowledge that he puts into every rifle her produces, and he shares an awful lot of it with us in this conversation. I was surprised to hear that many of the common beliefs that I personally held, weren't near as true as I had been led to believe. This entire chat serves to show you that while there's a ton of popular opinion out there, there sure isn't a lot of knowledge. If you run an AR, this is a MUST LISTEN for you!
Head over to https://twogruntsinc.com/ to learn more!
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Lantern Rescue is a Counter Human Trafficking organization, founded in 2020, that helps fight trafficking across the globe. From providing assistance to local law enforcement, to assisting with legislative and prosecutorial practices, Lantern is able to contribute by creating sustainable change in the constant battle against trafficking. In this discussion, I sit down with Lantern's founder, Korrin, a lawyer and former Marine, to talk about the mission behind all of the work, but also to dispell some myths and misconceptions, while bringing more visibility and reality to the conversation. As the world continues to change in an increasingly electronic age, the way we fight back against these practices also changes. We spent time talking about the cultural challenges that Lantern faces when assisting foreign agencies, and how they've been able to leave ego at the door, and create a remarkable impact.
To learn more about Lantern Rescue, and their mission, you can visit their website: https://lanternrescue.org/
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Happy Easter everyone! With the turn of the calendar into April, comes another edition of the SITREP. For the first time in a while I have some current developments to share with Prepared Mindset and our YouTube channel, as well as obviously taking the time to get into a few political happenings. Mostly notably, the very recent dismissal of Pam Bondi as the Attorney General of the United States. This comes just a handful of weeks after the dismissal of Kristi Noem, who was another prominent cabinet member in the media, and perceived to be a key part of the administration. I talk about my first strike on our YouTube channel, and the unfortunate reality that our community faces, and then pivot over to the Bondi firing and what it could potentially mean for us as a nation. I hope you all enjoy, and have a fantastic holiday with your loved ones.
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I catch up with Joe Fasanella, the owner and founder of Grayfighter Gear in this weeks conversation, to talk about the tools and solutions he produces to help modern law enforcement. Of course, as a retired federal agent, and former NYPD cop, Joe is able to speak to several of the unique needs that his gear has been able to address both here in the United States, but also around the globe. Past nylon, we also discuss the culture change that Joe is helping to bring about in New York City for private gun owners, and even got into some recent events. Seeing videos of the attempted bombing in NYC during the "mostly peaceful" protests, it led us into some valuable insight, and interesting stories from Joe's time in law enforcement, in the Big Apple. It's always a blast connecting with Joe, and I think you guys are going to love this one. Check it out!
You can check out everything Joe's been working on at https://www.grayfightergear.com/
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I'm catching up with John Ketteman, and in this week's discussion, we're talking about something unique that I haven't truly dove in to on the pod. The realities of applied and physical violence. While this at face value seems like something that applies to every conversation we've had on the pod previously, we've certainly never taken the time to dive into what it really means. While things like an aggressive nature, and a disposition for physical violence can help in a fight, they actually can put you in a worse position to win. Additionally, when we look objectively at the realities of sport shooting compared to defensive shooting, they do each bring different values to the conversation, while also carrying some detractors. This was a good conversation for those of you who might find yourself feeling like you've over-dedicated your time and focus to a particular discipline and may want a check, on how to circle back. I very much enjoyed this one, and I think it'll offer a lot for those of you out there, with a prepared mindset.
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Mark Smith is the owner/founder of JBS Training Group and has been shooting for over 15 years. JBS offers training all over the country to concerned and prepared citizens, law enforcement, and military who are seeking to improve their shooting abilities. Mark and I dive into a lot in our conversation together from the pitfalls of self-validation and accepting mediocrity, to the different ways of learning, and the importance of prinicple based techniques and training. The passion that Mark has for shooting at a high level, as well as for teaching and educating, comes through in the conversation. I personally connected with a lot of what Mark shared, and found our dialogue to be extremely insightful. I definitely recommend giving this one a listen if you're searching for more information on training, and performance based shooting.
You can learn more about Mark at jbstraininggroup.com
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After meeting up at SHOT show just a handful of weeks ago, I finally get to catch up with Jack, the owner and founder of Guerrilla Tactical. Guerrilla was founded, like many companies, during the abundance of free time during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns. Unlike many companies though, when we fast forward to 2026, they are thriving, growing, and expanding. Sitting down with Jack, we talk about the importance of a quality holster, share some experiences using sub-par gear, and hear a few first hand experiences from a customer service perspective that show us that while information on carrying is abundant in our community, we still have lots of work to do. From concealment, to comfort, and everything in between, there's a lot of thought, engineering, and testing that goes into modern solution for the problem set that we face as prepared citizens. Jack and Guerrilla Tactical have made it their mission to help us, solve those problems.
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As requested by our YouTube audience, here's a re-hashing of a very popular subject, and one that, given the climate of things, is probably of interest to many. Carbines, and how to build one or set one up in a way that will be most advantageous to the prepared end user. While there's some common themes present here, I think there's always room to make some adjustments or changes depending on your unique needs and goals. Throughout this discussion I make some recommendations, while trying them back to my use cases and my needs. When building out any solution set or platform, whether it's a plate carrier, chest rig, or weapon system, you need to always be able to tie the decisions back to your WHY. While this is all just my thoughts, feelings and certainly opinions, based only off of my own experience, I think it'll be helpful to some, and hopefully at least entertaining, to all. Check it out!
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Rolling into March we have a whole lot to talk about, as news breaks of the United States and partner nations launching attacks against Iran. While this has been something of much speculation over the past months, it has now become a reality, with impacts that I believe we are all to feel in more than one way. From the economic impacts, the influence to the country via media channels, and more, there is a lot that we can expect to see and experience. As always with the SITREP episodes, I do my best to try and connect the dots with a current event, and past events to create a more full pictures of what's going on, and share my predictions on what may be yet to come. Certainly a ton of speculation in this edition, as we can do little more but sit, and wait.
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I catch up with Kevin in this weeks episode, and given the rather unfortunate news delivered by that ridiculous rodent Punxsutawney Phil, it seems only appropriate that we talk about the harsh winter we've been experiencing. Specifically, given the severity of the weather across the nation, we take the opportunity to dive into survival skills that specifically apply to the winter, the harsh cold, and some of the considerations that need to be at the top of your list when planning for what could happen. We talk in detail about clothing choices and layers, but more importantly Kevin get's into the why behind this and explains the importance of choosing certain materials over others. Additionally, we get into the types of heat loss and how your clothing helps to combat that, water collection and storage, creating makeshift shelter, food, and more. This was a real learning opportunity for me, and I'm sure you're bound to pick a few things up as well!
Kevin's book is also out, titled "Beyond the Field" and is available now!: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Field-Taking-Wilderness-Skills/dp/B0F47J3QZW/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0
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Ken Decker is a former 3/75 Ranger, and the current head of Long Range Training for Core Vision Training. As a subject expert, Kenny was one of the guest instructors at a charity event I attended a couple years ago and I've been working to get him on for a conversation ever since. Sitting down together this week, we took the opportunity to of course talk about scoped carbines, but also about some of the more interesting experiences he had with military recruiters, what led Ken to joining the Army, as well as obviously the desire to train and attain at higher levels. As with many of our guests, the conversation took some kooky left turns, hitting on social media, cartoon network, and plenty more. This was a terrifically fun conversation, and I'm looking forward to having Ken back on again soon!
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Dogs are fantastic. They are a strong and spirited companion, and a total force multiplier in the field, whether that's Law Enforcement or Military applications. To dive into this, I finally am able to sit down with my friend Tommy Marchitto and ask many of the questions I've had about working with dogs in tactical applications. Tommy is a Law Enforcement veteran of 13 years, spending a large portion of that working SWAT, and as a K9 handler. Having great experiences with a working dog earlier in life led to a career path partnering him with "Otto", his dog. We dig into all of the training that goes into making these four legged beasts into the partners they are, and spend plenty of time getting into how they're able to be use to solve problems, as well as how to take care of them so they have good productive careers of their own, in ways that they're able to be effective and successful. This is a discussion I've been looking forward to for a long time, and one I think you'll all really enjoy!
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John Ketteman served 11 years in the U.S. Army were he had the opportunity to train alongside many talented men and women, and attend the legendary Q course. From his experiences in the military, he's become an outstanding professional shooter, as well as educator, sharing his lessons learned in both the tactical and competitive realms. We dive into the overlapping concepts that exist between these two ideas of what shooting is, and bridge the gap, getting into things like "getting off the X", practical tools you can use to solve problems in stressful situations, discuss how to prioritize your own development and learning, and more. This was a great opportunity to highlight what we as prepared civilians can do to maximize our own opportunities, and challenge ourselves to grow. Check it out!
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January has flown by and brought with it some record setting weather, as well as a few unfortunate events in Minnesota. In this episode of The Sunday SITREP, we examine the rising tensions between ICE and protestors, and talk about two fatal incidents which could possibly have been avoided, but may possibly have been justified as well. With so much internet speculation and media input on both, it's becoming harder and harder to see the situations objectively. Further, we're witnessing our own "community" turn on itself and speak out against the very 2A rights that so many of us would normally champion, for the sake of supporting an administration that has not supported those same rights as promised on the campaign trail. As always, a lot of to talk about, as we dive into current events from the past month.
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The sports, hunting, and outdoor trade show, better known as SHOT show, takes place every year in Las Vegas, and for the first time, The Prepared Mindset was able to attend. This is something that I've been working towards and very much anticipating, as many do, for a long time, and was every bit the learning and networking opportunity that I had hoped it would be. Lexy and I sit down and recap the trip, talk about what we did, who we saw, and what we learned. Truly, if you've never attended, I'm just not sure that there are words that can sufficiently explain to you the sheer amount of "stuff" that you'll find throughout the show floor. From nylon gear to night vision, from ammo to armor, and obviously firearms galore, there's a ton to see out in the desert. I loved the trip, and loved the experience, and am already looking forward to next years event!
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For years, the phrase "Modern Minuteman" has been latched on to by those of us in the preparedness community as a way to self identify, and to a extent, justify our efforts. While it's a nifty idea and catchy label, I personally think that it's become one of the more detrimental ideologies in todays community. There's a certain amount of personal awareness, and accountability that is required when discussing the idea of a truly capable man, and prepared civilian. What many do seem to forget is that in the days of the original minuteman, the lack of training and false belief in ones skills, almost led us to certain defeat. If that had happened, our country, our culture, would never have even existed. I dive into my own experiences, and I do share some insight related to current events and community, that I think can help us steer out of those age-old bad habits.
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As a follow up from our previous discussion with Irish from Almost Covert, in this week's episode I sit down with the "other half" of the founders of A/C, the man called Bully. With a conventional background, one outside of military and law enforcement, this isn't exactly the kind of individual you would expect to find coordinating counter trafficking operations and devoting his life to helping save children. Our conversation started with personal fitness, training on and off the range, mindset, and accountability, and ended diving into the work that Tether Group is doing overseas in South Africa. This was truly a fantastic discussion on some of the absolute most horrific, yet real, topics in our world. I'm appreciative of the time away from this work, to be able to share the story of what Tether was formed for, as well as the insight into just how bad this issue is across the world. I urge you to give this episode a listen, and consider what you can do, to aid in the fight.
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With SHOT show just over a week away, it's only fitting that we have a discussion around the unique animal, which is the city of Las Vegas. More specifically, how the various impressive properties up and down the strip approach security, manage risk, and protect guests. I sit down with Gabe this week, who has had a relatively short but impressive career working in Vegas in multiple capacities, to unpack the many facets of securing some of the most well known casinos in the world. From SRT and ERT teams, to Cash Transport, to customer service and all of the various teaching and training that Gabe has done, we cover a lot of ground. These roles are very unique and provide many challenges that you may not typically find in standard security or law enforcement work. I'm looking forward to connecting with Gabe on my trip, and having him back on the pod in the future, as well.
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The official first episode AND first SITREP of the 2026 calendar year! While I initially didn't think there would be a whole lot to talk about when planning this a couple weeks ago, there's been a few developments as of late that really worked themselves up the list. As always, these discussions are the monthly opportunity to talk about current events both in the United States, as well as abroad, and give lots of opinion and a little context to help keep our audience informed. Certainly, getting into the new changes the NFA, diving into the fraud scandals with daycare centers throughout the country, and reacting to the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro, this SITREP is not short on that, at all. Happy to have you aboard as well roll full steam ahead, into the new year!
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The end of 2025 is here! Hard to believe as it may be, this is the last episode/discussion of the calendar, as we get ready to turn over, and dive head first into 2026. This past year been one of intense growth for me personally, and certainly for Prepared Mindset. The changes that came about this year in many cases were extremely challenging but in some ways very rewarding too. As with the other years gone by, I take this opportunity to walk through the highlights, and unfortunately some lowlights of this year, and talk about them. From the classes, to the range days, to some of the key developments that have contributed in shaping PMP into what it is today. I appreciate everyone who has contributed throughout the year and helped us find our successes, both large and small. I am eagerly looking forward to what's coming next!
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If you've been searching for information on breaching - how it's done, why one tool is used over another, considerations and constraints - this is the one guys. This week, I sit down with Steve, of Core Vision Training and dive into the topic and skillset of breaching. Steve is former Army, and currently active on what I would consider a pretty high volume SWAT team. Throughout our discussion we hit on various tools, including Rams, Halligans, Shotguns, torches and saws, we even spend time talking about the benefits that Hydraulic breaching tools bring into the discussion. From weight and length, to pro's and con's and risk considerations when using something like a shotgun. Steve is truly passionate about this work and shares a ton of information throughout the conversation. If you're aspiring to learn more about the skillset, I guarantee this will be a great starting point for you.
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Go Take a Class! While you can certain do a lot of self study in today's day and age, with the access to articles and videos we have, instructor led courses are still the best source of information and learning available. While they alone won't magically make you better, getting the hands-on opportunity is invaluable in your personal journey of preparedness. Unfortunately, this concept is still one that is widely unadopted, leaving us with a community full of overly-empowered individuals, who parrot the opinions of strangers online, or worse, draw vast assumptions based on personal emotion. In this discussion I dive into how shallow the knowledge and understanding in our community really is, and why we haven't grown more as a whole, over the past several years.
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Not having a personal background in military or law enforcement, I wasn't sure I would ever actually have the chance to teach in the 2A space. Sure, I have a lot of years under my belt as an educator, teaching music and marching band, but is that really relevant in the context of shooting, self defense, tactics, etc.? Well, I finally had a opportunity presented to me to give it a go, and I spend this weeks episode talking all about it. From my apprehension about the outward appearance of someone with no operational background teaching, to the excitement of being able to revisit something that was previously a huge part of my life, and my personality. This ended up being an incredible experience, and I'm very happy to share it all with you!
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We roll through Thanksgiving, officially into the last month of the Calendar, and lots of strong economic indicators as things politically heat up across the country. In this installment of the Sunday SITREP, I talk about some crucial current events, talking about tensions across the country as religious protests increase and the friction heats up between protestors and residents in key cities across the U.S. With things become so tense, especially in the wake of the murder of two National Guardsmen in D.C., there's a lot to consider, and a lot to evaluate. Additionally, I talk about the retail spike from Black Friday, my observations on our culture throughout the largest shopping day of the year, and also how to take advantage of the sales and opportunities. Lots of opinion, and lots of entertainment, as always!
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Fresh off Black Friday weekend, I sit down with Kevin Holland of Custom Night Vision to catch up and talk about night vision, lasers, comedy, and more. It's always interseting to me when I get to chat with industry experts, some of the surprising stories and details their able to share. Being that devices like NODs are so prohibitively expensive for many folks, my assumption would be that when people are able to purchase finally, they've done a lot of research on basic use and common experiences. Kevin and I talk about end users, and how in fact, that assumption is incorrect. We touch, additionally, on IR lasers in the market today, what he recommends (and doesn't) while somehow also managing to get into public education, livestock shows, getting kicked out of school, and how to build a quality rifle. There's a lot packed into this discussion, you're definitely going to like it!
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Almost Cover is a social media presence that many of us may know, and many more of us may relate with. They started as a page, or rather a pseudo "art project" sharing good photos and funny video clips. Rather quickly however, this team of former veterans has turned into something else entirely, changing the world in ways that I think few realize. In this episode, I sit with Irish, one of the team members and founders of Almost Covert. We talk about his beginnings in the Airforce, touch on his time after service working with charity organizations, and end up at the work he and his colleagues do today, fighting human trafficking overseas. Throughout the conversation we touch on the evolution of the team, the evolution of gear and tactics, and even take time to speak on the importance of evolving leadership. This was a outstanding discussion, and one that I hope speaks to you all. Check it out.
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I finally have the opportunity to sit down with Rick of SSV Concepts, catch up, and have a great discussion. Just as the title says, we get into dogs as a low tech early warning system and the realities of dealing with them, combatting drug operations and how the landscape has changed, and general dumb ideas, that may not be so dumb. We spent time talking about utilizing data and personal outputs to track and maximize your own performance, and that of your team. We even took a moment to touch on the idiocy of public perception, and legacy media. I love being able to connect with Rick, and get his no nonsense opinions. As a police officer in Iowa and member of a SRT team, as well as an instructor and competitive shooter, there's not shortage of insight or information in this discussion!
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Breaching has long been one of the most valuable skillsets in our community. To defeat our enemy, to eliminate the threat, we must be able to access that threat, access the hold of our enemy. While there's been so many advancements in breaching technology, the core concepts always remain. In this episode, I sit down with Chris Kuras of Good Dude Concepts to talk about breaching work as a part of a SWAT team in Florida, as well as what he's been able to bring to the conversation with the invention of his Breaching Rescue Bar, or B.R.B. As a tool that is accessible to all walks of life, with intentional design to lend itself to numerous needs, it fills a gap that many professionals and civilians alike have had to work around for years. We got into a lot in this discussion, and if you're interested in learning the skillset, this may be a great starting point for you!
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While we call this all a community, with the social media platforms, the training events, the video content, the knowledge transfer, and everything in between, we really love to argue amongst ourselves on what's right and what's wrong. Some of these debates have been repeated thousands of times over, with different folks each claiming to have "the right answer" and feeling emboldened and empowered to tell their peers why what they're doing is wrong, and unnecessary. I'm not sure if this episode will make the problem any better, or simply add to the issue. Regardless, I share my thoughts on common opinions to key discussions within the community, as it particularly relates to general preparedness. While any one of these can be argued from multiple different angles, here's how I see it, and hopefully it can help you make sense of it all as well.
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We're approaching the one month mark, and the U.S. government remains in shutdown. As we come upon the Novermber 4th election day, many wonder if we'll see a resolution. Additionally, news has broken of a suspected terror attack here in Michigan, planned to take place on Halloween. As always, the Sunday SITREP is the opportunity for me to share my thoughts and insights on current events, and provide some commentary that may help you fill in the gaps on what's going on, what's already happened, and what we may see next. Theres a whole lot going on in the world, and the SITREP is my way of bringing some critical events to the forefront of the discussion. Check it out, and as always, don't forget to like, and subscribe!
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Garrett is back, and this time, we're deep diving into the Carbine platform and everything that goes with it. From competition to practical shooting, we found a way to touch on a whole heck of a lot in this discussion. There's so much detail and nuance when talking about performance shooting, from optic height to grips, to muzzle devices and more. We found opportunities to talk about almost all of it in this conversation. Both myself and Garrett shared lots of personal experiences and opinions on some of the hotly contested ideas in our community, like optic risers, and found that we also had some surprising disagreements on things like how to go about zeroing your platform. Lots of great content and conversation here, and if you've been looking for some ideas on how to up your personal development, this may just be the ticket. Check it out!
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Brandon Wombough is a former Marine, and currently the armorer at T-Rex Arms. Following up our discussion last month in the wake of the Kirk assassination, I wanted to take the opportunity to sit down with Brandon for a conversation. We touched on many different topics including personal accountability and prioritization of efforts, to how you can test yourself and your own capability, and talking the realities of pride and ego. Of course, we had to spend some time getting into the community, talking about drones, talking about the ergonomics of some laser aiming modules and how many of us focus on the wrong aspects of the gear and the training. All around, this was a fantastic discussion and I think if you're looking for more information, as well as a unique way to tie your faith into your life and your endeavors, this would be a great listen for you!
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While many of us are still reeling from the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, many more of us have responded to the tragedy with righteous action. It's often unfortunate that we must see evil to know its existence, and adjust our preparation. Being reactive, rather than proactive is never preferable. Perhaps one of the most affected populations in this turbulent time, are faith based institutions and organizations. I sit down this week with Jonah Norman to talk about not only Executive Protection, but about the work being done at multiple levels to make centers of worship more safe, and the importance of carrying that work out for the right reasons. There's a awful lot packed into this discussion, including the importance of advance work and intelligence gathering, understanding the reality and perceptions of good versus evil, penalties for lack or preparation and more. I truly believe this conversation provides some critical insight for many of us, seeking to do more.
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Fresh off of our group training trip to Ben Franklin Range in Pennsylvania, I sit down with Blake Flannery of Orion Training Group and Maneuver Training Solutions, to talk about the work we did in the shoot house. Additionally, we dig into some of the concepts, as well as context, to structure clearance work and CQB in general. There's so much information and opinion floating around within the training community on this subject, it's hard to really grasp what can truly be called right and what really is wrong. To this end, we talked about some of the different and outdated systems and styles of CQB, the importance of initiative driven tactics, and make some parallel connections between infantry tactics, and structure clearance. This was a great opportunity to debrief after the trip, but also a fantastic discussion for those of you looking to learn and understand group clearance work.
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Unfortunately, as the time has gone on over the past few years, it seems the world around us has only gotten more violent. While we at one point all wanted to believe it was a question, a discussion of right versus left, this religion versus that religion, it's becoming more and more obviously that the lines that are being drawn, aren't as clear and convenient as we would like them to be. In this iteration of the SITREP I talk about a handful of recent events, attacks on houses of worship that are a powerful illustration of the danger we all face as a culture. Additionally, I share my thoughts and some feelings and insight on how we got here. What led us to this point, and more importantly, how can we walk this back? What does the process of healing look like, and how can escape from what has started to feel like inevitable and consistent chaos in our day to day lives.
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Personal Accountability. In my experience, it is the single greatest characteristic that I've seen in high performing individuals. While many folks claim they desire to be a highly capable individual with a high level of preparedness, the truth is that many simply fall flat. Accountability is at the crux of that issue more often than not. In a discussion that hits very close to home for me personally, I dig in to why it's so important and I add color and context to the situations that I think many of us run in to, while trying desperately to be better prepared, and more dangerous individuals. At the end of the day, we have to prioritize ourselves, our happiness, our families, and our own interests above those of peers who may not share the same drive, determination, and ambition that we have for ourselves. My hope is that this insight is helpful for some of you who may be having similar struggles, and are trying to find a way to break free of some of the weight that's holding you down.
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Understanding your tools and how to use them to solve problems effectively is probably the best way to summarize much of what our training is about. Just as with any skillset or trade, if you don't know to use those tools, or understand the entire purpose of having them, you're going to run into issues, and certainly will be less effective. This is why it becomes so frustrating for many, seeing the emulation and "copy-catting" that is triggered by influencers, when it comes to equipment and supporting gear. Everything from optics and lights, to plate carriers, armor, and belts then becomes the constant focus and concern, rather than the hard skills that should instead by our pursuit. In this episode, I dive into this, and offer up some helpful tips and strategies for how to be more thoughtful, and certainly more effective, in this journey.
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The fallout from the assassination of Charlie Kirk has weighed heavily on everyone's minds. What is next? What will we do? Why do we feel this way? To do my best to tackle those questions as well as bring insight on how to honor his memory, I sit down with Jeremiah and Brandon to break apart everything that's gone on over the last several days. Specifically we talk about faith, and the inherent morality that comes with it, and how it must be our guiding principle as we push forward in a world that seems to feel more and more dangerous and uncertain. As someone who isn't very far along in their personal faith journey, it was fantastic to hear both of these men speak with conviction, and share their thoughts on what's going on, and how we can all contribute in a positive way.
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Unfortunately, I'm releasing this SITREP out of cadence, but in light of these events it's something that is needed. Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA and a major political voice in our country, has been assassinated. During his stop at Utah Valley University to kick off a public speaking tour, he was shot. This comes as a major blow to many, and serves at least as a shocking reminder of how far our society has fallen in these turbulent times. As always, I share my thoughts, my feelings, and do my best to speak on why this is so impactful, regardless of if you agreed with Charlie and his opinions or disagreed.
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Night Vision. The super power that we all want, and the only capability which can be purchased. Unfortunately, to many, it's perceived to be unattainable due to the financial constraints which surround it. What many folks don't realize though, is that you have more options available than what you might think. To explore the options, and talk in depth on used and surplus options, I'm sitting down with Shane Sharp and Ty Morgan from Terrace Unity Solutions. TUS is a Michigan based night vision company just a few minutes from me, and a resource I only recently realized I had access to. We get into the comparisons and benefits between surplus and new devices, as well as some common questions like L3 versus Elbit versus Photonis, and do our best to fill in the gaps and add some much needed context to the common concerns that folks have. If you've been chasing the dream of owning NODs and haven't been able to make it happen, give this one a listen. I think you may learn a few things.
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Watches are an essential piece of field kit, and something that many of us take great pride and interest in. Understanding what goes into making a quality watch, what to look for, as well as why it's important, is critical in making a good selection. It's even more important if this is a functional tool that you'll depend on in either the military or law enforcement, out in the field. To discuss these details, and how Brigade Watch Co. is facing the challenges head on, I sit down with one of the founders of Brigade, Kevin Ding. As a former Marine, Kevin first-hand knows the challenges of the field and training, and as a watch enthusiast, he knows what makes the difference in a quality time piece. As someone who enjoys watches but doesn't know a lot, I really enjoyed the time with Kevin and being able to soak up his knowledge, and hear about how uncompromising values and dedication to quality, drive Brigade Watch Co.
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Kevin Estela is a former History teacher and life-long outdoorsman, as well as an author, and talented educator. For me, Kevin was one of my earliest inspirations as a podcaster, and I couldn't be more excited to have the opportunity to sit down with him. We dive into history and fieldcraft, his transition from public school educator to full time instructor, as well as the importance of mindset in your individual training journey. Kevin shared a lot in this conversation, including the three essential elements to achieving success: awareness, preparedness, and willingness. We talked at length about how those three characteristics together will lead you to the places you want to be, and how their absence can lead to failure. Further we talk firearms for wildlife encounters as well as self defense, and even got into a little bit of tactical shotgun. Absolutely, an outstanding and entertaining conversation, and I'm sincerely looking forward to connecting with Kevin again in the future.
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As long as we've been chasing self-improvement and trying to run a gun faster and more accurately, there have been men trying to develop ways and means in which to do so with less effort, and more quickly. Certainly at the top of that list is the handgun compensator. A device which when attached to the end of the barrel, vents the gasses in various directions, helping to mitigate felt recoil to the shooter, and muzzle rise. Having just jumped into this myself, I reached out to our good friend Jake from Herrington Arms, to talk about it. As a instructor, LEO, and competitive shooter, Jake has tens of thousands of rounds behind a plethora of different setups and compensators. We get into some of the testing and the science behind these devices, talk about lightweight triggers, reference plenty of the core principles of performance shooting, and also, at the very end, get a sneak peak at a new development from the team at Herrington. It's always good catching up with Jake, and I enjoyed getting to pick his brain for this one. Check it out!
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I think it's a safe statement to make, that we all are, or have at least at some point, struggled to understand the balance that exists between the three pillars of overall preparedness. Heck, at some points, I'm sure many of us didn't even realize that they existed. That's alright, it's part of the journey, and to a large degree, that journey never stops. You simply have many encounters along the way that shape your mission and your goals. While it can be confusing, once you're able to make sense of what you need to spend money on, what you need to spend time on, and what's actually worth spending your energy on, the picture does become a lot more clear. You can out run budget end tools and equipment with enough training, however no amount of high end kit will ever compensate enough to make up your training deficit. In the same token, neither of those things matter if your mind isn't right and you're pursuing these things for the wrong reasons. So lets talk about it.
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Chris Costa is a man who truly needs no introduction. His early work with Magpul Dynamics helped to inspire thousands of us to pick up the rifle and start training, and his continued influence on the community is at best, difficult to measure. This week, I have the opportunity to sit down with Chris, one of my earliest influences in training, and pick his brain. We started by getting into Chris' experience in the Coast Guard, traveling the world on Counter-Drug operations, how that led to not only his career in teaching but also what sparked his passion for performance shooting. Of course, this conversation wouldn't have been complete without talking about the fabled Magpul DVD series, and even got into talking about long range precision shooting, handgun work, and a lot more. This was a spectacular conversation, and one I hope to be repeat soon, in the near future.
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August is here, and we're two-thirds of the way through the year. For this iteration of the SITREP, rather than stepping into political news, or global developments, I have a update on our own training here in Michigan to share with you. Pulling together a diverse group from across our state, with backgrounds in Military, Law Enforcement, and obviously trained Civilians, we are fresh off our first "CQB Workshop" training session. This was a targeted exercise put together and planned to "pressure test" and validate the practices and procedures that we use in our own training, and find the gaps, and as a group, get better. In this episode I share a behind the scenes on the planning work, but also the rationale behind building the event so hopefully, you all can do the same.
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In 2025, let's be honest, there's threats that we face in our daily lives that we can realistically prepare for. However, in the same token, there's a limit to how far that preparation can carry us. From emerging technologies, geopolitical turmoil, to the potential for civil unrest growing seemingly by the day, there's a lot out there. Far more to account for than certainly any one of us can alone, and even in a group limits to what can be accomplished. In this discussion I do my best to shine a light on what truly "being prepared" means, and I don't even get to everything. My goal was to draw connections between our daily lives and concerns, the training interests which fuel many of our passions, and the real world threats that exist, which many of us miss, or have as a gap in our planning.
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While it's pretty well noted that I don't have a ton of knowledge or experience out in the wilderness or in the survival community, my guest this week, has more than enough to make up for what I lack. Craig Caudill is the owner and founder of Nature Reliance School, and has dedicated his life not only to teaching survival, bushcraft, and sustainment, but to continuously seeking out individuals who know more, and finding ways to learn new things in areas he's spent his whole life studying. This was a fascinating conversation for me, and we were able to get into all sorts of interesting topics from beginner courses of instruction, to advanced training, to escape and resisting human trafficking. Craig has done a lot, and has a lot to share. This is certainly a discussion tailored to those of you more comfortable in the woods, than in your own home.
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The Red Letter Project is a unique company that takes the traditional approaches we see to skills like firearms safety and proficiency, force on force training, and individual capability, and builds on them through personal focus, and faith based principles. Maddy Scholar is the owner and founder of The Red Letter Project, as well as a avid shooter, as well as a student of business and faith. We sit down in this discussion, starting with Maddy's story of what led her to such an impactful life mission, and spend a lot of time talking not only about the benefits of the training, but the importance of being an invested coach and educator, as well as constantly looking for ways to improve yourself so that you may more positive improve your students. I found this conversation to be very interesting, and was blown away by the work that Maddy and Red Letter are doing to change the world.
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The first major piece of legislation for the new Trump Administration has passed, and it's been dubbed "The Big Beautiful Bill" by many. For me, I think it's more cheeky to simply refer to it as the "T Triple B" for reasons only a few of you will understand (but shouldn't). In this bill, which numbers somewhere between 1,000 and 1,1000 pages approximately, are a number of very impactful changes to the country. Chief among those is the removal of the unconstitutional two hundred dollar tax attached to NFA items like suppressors and short-barrel rifles, as well as hefty budgets allotted to border security efforts. There's a lot to unpack, and as always I have a lot to say about several pieces of this and how I see it impacting normal American's, as well as the downstream impacts that they could trigger. While I usually try to stay away from the politics in our weekly episodes, I think this one is justified. Check it out, and like always, drop us a email, a message, or a comment and let me know what you're thinking!
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We're officially kicking off the second half of 2025 with the July SITREP! It's Fourth of July weekend, and with that, comes obviously the fantastic celebration by all Americans (mostly) of our fight as armed and well regulated civilians fighting for independence and to defeat tyranny. Now, in the last several decades, that notion does seem to have faded a bit over time, but it's an ideal that is uniquely American, and one that holds more value than many realize. I do my best to articulate my own thoughts and feelings around the holiday and why it's so important that we celebrate it now, and for many years to come. Additionally, we have terrible flooding in parts of Texas impacting thousands of families and once more, we as a community are called on for help and support. There's some information on who to reach out to as well as a brief update on the information that I've been able to gather over just these last few days. Hope everyone has enjoyed the holiday weekend, and God Bless America!
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A discussion many of you have asked for, I finally had the opportunity to sit down with Kevin, of Custom Night Vision fame, and cut it up. While our time together was shorter than I would have liked, we were able to dig in to a whole lot. From hearing the story of how Custom came to be what we know it to be today, to discussing the mindless postings and arguments on reddit, and beyond. Kevin has always been someone who's willing to share with folks his own thoughts and opinions, and has been a resource to the community. In a segment of the industry where there's constantly evolving options, developments, changes, and enhancements, it can be difficult for folks to stay informed and in the loop. The content that the team at Custom and Kevin put out helps to close the gap, while also keeping us all well entertained. I enjoyed the discussion a lot, and am looking forward to the next one!
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In a carry on discussion from Episode 313, JT and I sit down to get his perspectives and opinions on the question at hand. What really, if anything, is the difference between teaching, and sharing knowledge? Right off the rip we dive in, talking about the relevance of prior service, both in the Military and Law Enforcement, as well as what the expectations for maintaining that relevance could be, within the context of this question. This brings up a lot of points, including the passive and active "gatekeeping" we experience within the community around not only the information itself, but who is "allowed" to spread this message, and share these lessons. There's a degree of danger and concern when we only allow the spread of institutional knowledge without outside input, and impose unnecessary limitations. I really enjoyed the discussion, and I think this will be a value packed conversation for you all.
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We have some very strict, and oddly defined "rules" within our community around who is allowed to "teach" a skill, and even further, what skills they're "allowed" to instruct. However, in the scope of simply sharing what one has learned, regardless of who you are and what you've done, that's deemed as acceptable. In the context of this conversation, it does appear that to most folks, the line of delineation between these two concepts, is financial compensation. My thought behind this is, that this seems a flimsy way to articulate the two, and a very much unreliable way to qualify information and what is shared within the community. I dig into this, and of course get deep into the finer points behind communication, being effective, the illogical social constructs around this all, and as usual, much more. I think this is a worthy listen for those of you tied into the community, and training scene.
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Drones. They've become a fascinating and popular topic as more and more battlefield video leaks out of the conflict in Ukraine. Over the past several years, this has taken a strong interest in the community, and helped it grow exponentially. To get a perspective on what we're seeing not only on the military front, but the civilian space as well, I'm sitting down in this episode with Rob from Constellation Response. We had a great conversation, and touched on everything from unconventional applications, to the high tech developments that are on the horizon for drones. Some of which already exist in the military capacity, and are being leveraged in various capacities within our armed services. These devices are a complete step up in capability, and if you're looking for a multiplier that has the capacity to potentially tie in to things like your mesh network, communications, and more, this is the next stage in the evolution.
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This community, our way of life, the goals and missions we have for ourselves, can be all consuming. So many of us define our entire personality and daily life around training, and developing our skills. However, there's a huge miss in the one-dimensional nature of this over-dedication. It can lead to rifts, it can trigger failures in relationships, and cause waves of adverse impacts all around you. In this weeks discussion, I share my thoughts, insights, and personal experiences around this all. Having a personal outlet for your emotional and physical energy, aside from the range and your tribe, can be extremely beneficial. In some instances, even including those closest to you in these outlets can create stronger bonds, and a more robust group of like-minded men. I get into all of this and more. If you're feeling the burn out, and find yourself perhaps losing a little of your motivation, this one's for you.
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Hard to believe that June is already here, and summer is in full swing. But with the new month, comes a new SITREP. There's only a couple topics in this edition, but both I think are very impactful to those of us in the Second Amendment community. We have some community developments to discuss, involving one of the most influential brands and individuals of the last decade or so, and some changes that might see a different community in the coming months, and maybe even years. Additionally, there's some pivotal legislation that has managed to make its way through the U.S. House of Representatives, and now is headed to the Senate. As always, I give my opinion, and share some insight on both of these points.
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Night vision for years was considered to be one of, if not the greatest, capabilities that the modern American warfighter had at their disposal. Having the tool however, is only part of the discussion. To dive further into this, I'm joined once again by Rick Hogg of War Hogg Tactical, to talk about Operating behind the tubes. While there's certainly been leaps and bounds of technical development over the past two to three decades, in the end, the experience of the user consistently comes through in the conversation as the real differentiator. We spend time talking on training applications under NODs, including your dry fire, and Rick provides insight on battlefield force multipliers, as well as the environment wildcards that can take all the advantages that a good set of tubes can offer, and take it away. Another great conversation, give it a listen, and enjoy!
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Fresh out of the two day CQB Fundamentals course here in Michigan, I share my debrief on the class, what I learned, what I liked, and why it's all so important. As civilians, we're constantly told and reinforced that we can't or shouldn't learn skillsets like structure clearance, or CQB. Either we'll never use it, other than as a singleton, or that knowledge in the hands of "folks like us" is a unnecessary danger to law enforcement. Ironically, whenever we're told we can't or shouldn't have things for almost any other part of the 2A space, we push against that narrative. Regardless, this was an incredible experience, and it was wonderful being able to help facilitate this kind of valuable learning to the folks in my local community. If you're looking into learning these skills for yourself, or perhaps interested in Orion Training Group and what they offer, give this a listen, and see for yourself what you've been missing out on.
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Joe Dawson is the owner/founder of Bruiser Industries, and a former Navy SEAL who has made it his life's work to teach and mentor others. Going back even to his time prior to serving in the Navy, from a young age, Joe had a interesting in counseling and helping others learned. Progressing through his military career, additional opportunities for instructing and educating others helped bring about what we all know today, as Bruiser Industries. Joe and I talked about the principles to teaching. Not only the what you're teaching, but how you do it, and why it should be done. It's very easy in our community to present yourself as a subject expert, and feign a desire to "teach" those around you. In reality, it requires a good amount of work and dedication. We got into the details of how the military approaches teaching, and also talked about the 2A community and the teaching problem many of us experience on a sometimes, daily basis. This was a fantastic conversation, and one that I think many of you are going to really enjoy.
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Perception. The state of being or process of becoming aware of something through the senses. In 2025, this often means, believing what you see and hear. Regardless of accuracy and fact, we as a society build "our truth" off of our perceptions. For those of us trying to build support, to correct misinformation, about our 2A community, it means fighting the colossal battle against public perception. As the adage goes, perception is reality. Whether things heard in the news or seen on social media are indeed true, they are believed by the public masses just as if they were. This means, for those of us trying to better the community and build support from unlikely places, having honest conversations. Sometimes even with ourselves. I dive into this and explore why this is so essential, and how we can be successful.
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Spring is here, and it's time for the May SITREP. This time, I actually have some PMP news to share, with the upcoming structure clearance course with Orion Training Group, here in Michigan, as well a teaching opportunity for me. Additionally, I dive into the news of the recent raid in Colorado Springs that resulted in the arrests of a hundred illegal immigrants with ties to various known criminal and terrorist organizations. As the reality of this problem continues to set in, we as prepared individuals need to stay informed and stay vigilant. The better information we have available to us, the safer we and our families can be.
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Community First Project is a unique effort, created and headed by Andrew Sullivan. A former Navy SEAL, Sully brings almost two decades of military experiences and lessons with him as he carries out his mission to better train and enable law enforcement around the country. However, this isn't your average training company. C1P is actually a non-profit organization, fueled through fundraisers and grant funds, to bring training and knowledge to departments and agencies that couldn't otherwise afford it in their budget. I sit down with Sully, and dive in to how this all got started, what the goals and efforts behind Community First are, and why the work he and his team are doing is so important not just to those of us in a police uniform, but all of us and our communities. A unique approach to say the very least, and a conversation that I think will carry a massive benefit to those of you operating in the law enforcement space.
You can learn more about Sully and his mission at the Community First Project website, C1P.org
Additionally, you can check @community_first_project and @sully_c1p on Instagram for more!
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In the greater pursuit of personal capability and skill, many of us get distracted by the bright, shiny new things that are constantly dangled in front of us. Our community, or more properly identified, industry, has a vast array of solutions available for any of the challenges we may face, regardless of our path of life. While this is a tremendous advantage, it also becomes the downfall of many. In the grand scheme, your ability to problem solve, the strength of your skill sets is what really carries you through the difficult situations to succeed, and complete your mission. Why then, do we focus so much on our tools? In this episode, I do my best to explore this question, talk about what you need, why you might need less than you think, as well as offering some personal insight behind why in some cases, more is actually better. If you're a chronic shopper, and have a closet full of unused equipment, this might be for you.
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Hunter Freeland is a former National Guardsmen, Contractor, and Law Enforcement Officer. He's also the owner of Hunter Freeland Shooting, and is regarded by many as one of the top firearms instructors in the country. We spend our time talking about the reality and relevancy of performance based shooting, and separate out some of the community propaganda that promotes a dichotomy between competition and tactical applications. Additionally, we really spend time talking about the mindset and attitude that will take you, as a shooter, but also as a human, further in your journey. From accountability to work ethic and personality, all of it plays a role in how, when, and why some folks will end up excelling at this skills, and others won't. The obsession over the minutia carries a value with it that is often spoken of, but rarely embraced. If you're wanting insight on how Hunter teaches, as well as how you can improve not only your abilities, but your mindset, this is a fantastic conversation for you to check out.
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As we charge past our 300th discussion, it's time for another SITREP. As a community, we have to work harder than ever it seems, to stretch our dollars to make every purchase count, and put ourselves, and our families in the best positions we can. With some of the recent events, and decisions made by our current administration, we could potentially see some much needed relief on the horizon. To provide context, I dive into some of the recent news revolving around the DOGE effort, and yes, I get into my thoughts on what is happening with tariff's and the impact to the world market, and ultimately bring both those ideas back to why it matters for folks like you and I. Additionally, I give a brief recap on some of our more impactful recent discussions, for those of you who may not have checked them out yet.
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As another benchmark passes, I feel it important to take a look at what's led to some successes and how the future will look. The mission here has always been to share information, and provide a common learning experience. As a concerned citizen and prepared civilian, this journey has been one of tremendous trial, and outstanding reward. To me, it's important to occasionally, stop and reflect on things. In this very important episode, I share a lot about the past, as well as the future, and what is coming next. There's a few changes coming in the immediate future and several things that will remain as firm and steadfast as ever. We do this for the community, and for the good that it brings to the world, and that's exactly what this three hundredth episode is all about.
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Making better information, more consistently accessible is a huge hurdle in the training community. What's even more difficult, is having a space to practice that information, and the associated skillsets. Checkmate Group in Texas has brought a unique spin to the effort, but building their own facility, and granting access to their students to continue their training and growth. Forrest Dohrmann, one of the owners is a dedicated civilian, like many of us, and has invested in his own personal preparedness and the growth of his community. To really get into this and break down why it's important, we sit down and talk about the evolution of the community, the value of an aggressive mindset, and the capacity to be a protector. For as common as being a prepared civilian is, it's still something we don't have nearly enough of, especially when it comes to sharing knowledge and experience. This is a great discussion, and one that I think we'll all relate to.
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Night Vision is one of the most popular ways for those invested in their personal capability, to "level up" by simply adding a device to their gear. As civilians, this is even more true, as while it's more accessible now, perhaps more than at any other time in history, it is still very expensive and out of reach for many. To dive into the reality that many of us face in affording such tools, I sit back down with Duncan Greene. Duncan and I have gotten into a pair of previous discussions on the Night Vision market, the realities of the devices, and their financial requirements. However, as the world changes, and the economics of the market come into play, it has a direct impact on what we as prepared civilians can do for ourselves. If you're someone who's on the fence about getting a device, don't be, just do it. However, you should also give this discussion a listen, you may learn a few things and be surprised on what you're able to do for yourself!
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Sometimes, we can be our own worst enemy. We can simultaneously have a burning desire to improve ourselves and develop greater individual capability, while being the single greatest blocker on our own road to achievement. All of us, regardless of skill, regardless of experience, will find ourselves in a rut. Finding ways out of those slumps, persevering and overcoming those challenges, can be somewhat difficult as they often manifest themselves in abstract ways. In this episode, I dive in and share some stories and experiences behind how I've been able within my own training to keep things fresh, and mix up the approaches to some of the core concepts and principles that we all train on regularly. If you're working your way out of the winter blues, and want a fresh perspective on how to get back on track, give this a listen!
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Precision shooting has become a recent interest of mine, and as I get deeper and deeper into the subject matter, I'm realizing that while it's the same as all other shooting, it's also very different. More so in the precision application than most others, your rifle's makeup and construction can have tremendous impact on your relative level of success. So, to truly dissect this issue, I've invited J.T. back to sit down and talk about what a good blaster should or shouldn't include. The internet has taken quite a liking to ideas like SPR's and GPR's and so with that, there's a tremendous about of "fluff" out there to deal with. We wade through the garbage, and bring to you all the valuable information that will aid you in your own build. It's never that you're able to buy true capability, but often enough, you can buy yourself better support. Give this one a listen if you've been pondering that new build for the year!
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Rick Hogg is a 29 year Army Veteran, having spent most of that time in Special Operations. Since leaving our military, Rick has dedicated himself to sharing the lessons he learned, with those seeking to improve themselves. As owner of War Hogg Tactical, Rick has platform he's able to use to train both Law Enforcement and Civilians alike, who desire a higher level of personal capability, and accountability. In our conversation with Rick, we deep dive into training approach, mindset, and address many of the fundamental "why's" behind training methodology and how it impacts success. Using data to form complete goals and drive personal performance through dry fire and flat range sessions, Rick has found a unique way of sharing his knowledge in perhaps one of the most constructive and repeatable ways in our community. If you're looking for insight to help shape your practice, or perhaps just a fresh perspective, this is a episode you'll absolutely geek out for.
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March is upon us, the weather is warming up, and we have a new Director of the FBI. With all of this, and even more going on, it's obviously time for another SITREP to bring current events and awesome opinions to all of you. In this iteration, we of course take time to talk about Director Patel being confirmed as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and also as the acting Director of the ATF. Both of these carry significant importance and impact, and we take time to talk about what has led us to this, and what it may mean in the long term for Americans. Additionally, I give insight into the recent visit to the White House by Zelenskyy as he swings through town to beg for money (again) and also some notes on most recent developments on the Israeli front, in their fight with Hamas. As usual, lots of info, and even more opinion.
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Artificial Limitations. False Confidence. Self Imposed Barriers. These are all issues that plague many of us in the preparedness community, and too often they can be easily traced back to the quality of our mindset, and the caliber of our individual training. Being more adaptive, or perhaps even simply willing to adapt, can have exponential impacts on our individual growth and development. In this episode, I dive into the idea of moving beyond the fundamentals, past the basics, and talk about how we build beyond the core concepts in ways that will make us more capable, more effective individuals. Both on and off the flat range, there are plenty of opportunities that we all can take advantage of to be better prepared. Simply thinking one step past our initial response/reaction, or taking the time to ask "what if" can lead us to some advantageous training ideas, that yield worthwhile benefits.
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Garrett Neel is one of the founders and co-owners of RAS Training Group. In addition to RAS, Garrett also has a decade of experience in Law Enforcement, which is oddly, where his inspiration for higher standards and execution came from. Having a realization that his own qualifications for work didn't meet the imagined expectations he had for himself, Garrett has since dedicated himself to become not only a better, more proficient shooter, but a stronger teacher. We were able to get in to several different topics throughout our conversation including confirmation levels, predictive versus reactive shooting, and even into some of the subconscious barriers we create for ourselves before ever setting foot on the range. There's a lot of insight in our conversation, born from a plethora of personal experience, putting time in to understand the what, the why, and the how behind fundamentals and mechanics. For those of you aspiring to understand your limitations and opportunities for improvement better, you'll take away some great information from this episode.
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Its been years since I sat down and re-hashed the significance and execution behind building, and training with, a carbine. As the most common platform of the day, its critical that we as prepared citizens know not only to set up a proper blaster for our own success, whatever that may be, but more importantly, how to use it. Everyone's needs and use cases will likely be different, but there are some omnipresent similarities, and fundamental concepts behind this that I dig back in to, and bring back to the front of mind. From lights, to lasers, to calibers, to optics and all of their appropriate applications, and limitations, and more, I break it down. There's plenty of myths and questions behind the modern carbine, most notably being "why do you need that?" or even better, "nobody needs that" and we dispel those incorrect theories too. Been a while since I did one of these, but happy to get back to it!
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It's Super Bowl Sunday, and I'm back already, with an impromptu SITREP to discuss some vitally important news around President Trump's most recent Executive Order. Just a couple days ago, on February 7th, 2025, President Trump issued potentially one of his most impactful orders to date, and what you potentially lead to the largest 2A victory since the very inception of the Second Amendment itself. The order, issued directly to the Attorney General, is essentially to launch an exploratory effort to identify all infringements against the right to keep and bear arms for American citizens. While nothing has been done yet, the way this order is written, it shows a very broad scope and seeks to avoid all of the political tactics by those who may seek to oppose this effort. I have a lot to share on this one, so give it a listen, and hear how bright our future may be!
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This week, I get an opportunity to sit down and talk with someone who's own journey closely parallel's my own, coming from a musical background, being now, immersed in the training community. Cam Perry is the bass guitarist for the band Attack Attack, and has become an avid shooter, training and growing his own capability. Sharing a lot of common experiences in our background, we were able to talk about the similarities we've each been able to find in our individual practice and development musically, and making connections to our growth as shooters. Cam shared some stories on his life experience, that led to his decision to not only own firearms but to ultimately pursue the skillset and capabilities to protect himself, and those around him from the evil in the world. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and I think those of you familiar with the band and its music, may really get a kick out of our conversation. I'm looking forward to connecting again in the near future, and hopefully, even being able to attend a training even with Cam.
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As we roll into February, we have our latest SITREP for you, and no shortage of interesting news and on goings to discuss. From a somewhat humorous Bill being introduced to add Trump to the Mt. Rushmore monument, to the equally laughable idea of granting a third Presidential term, there's a lot to talk about. The big item in this months report though, comes from a very recent interview with Erik Prince, formerly of Blackwater. As the Trump administration has recently declared Mexican Cartel organizations as terrorist groups, there's a interesting opportunity to leverage the centuries old practice of granting letters of marque and reprisal. If pursued by our government, we could soon see PMC firms deploying contractors on American soil to aid in the fight against the Cartels, and securing our border. As usual, I have a lot to say on all of this, share a good bit of both history, and perspective.
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Hard to believe it's already been three months (and then some) since I first sat down with Jake, but he's back, and we're picking up where we left off. Since the first conversation we had together, Jake has migrated to a new role with Herrington Arms working in sales, marketing, and even helping in customer service. Beyond that, in his role in law enforcement, Jake is currently going through the state approved instructor course for Ohio, to allow him to teach and qualify other officers. Throughout this whole discussion, we talk about some of the in's and out's, the challenges and rewards if you will, of the growth and development that he's experiencing. As always, we offer plenty of opinion, and insight into different ways of doing things, especially when it comes to training and performance. We also spend just a little time hearing about the trip out to Las Vegas for SHOT Show 2025, and the work Jake and Redline Consulting are putting in to their Night Vision events this winter.
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It's 2025, and after reviewing the way the year started, as well as obviously some of the lingering fears and concerns we've all formed over the past two to four years, it's well worth the time to re-evaluate ourselves. As prepared citizens, we're only as good as our level of training. We will inevitably fall back to our lowest level of individual preparation. How do we define that though? What does it look like to you? Further, how do we know, if we know enough to fairly and accurately make that definition? In this weeks discussion, Jon, Josh, and myself sit down and cut it up and get into some of the details behind these questions. There's plenty of comparisons, and maybe even some hurt feelings. At the end of it all though, we get down the what we see as critical, and add context and definition around several common tropes tied to preparedness and training. If you're looking for insight on "what does good look like?" then this is one for you.
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Inauguration Day is here, and with it, we hope a sweeping wave of changes for the better to the United States. While politics, regardless of country, can be confusing and frustrating to say the very least, they are the driver behind so many of the key impacts to daily life. As this change holds the potential, as well as the hope for so many of us, I felt it only appropriate to share my thoughts and my feelings on what we may expect to see as the nation transitions from one President to the next. Obviously, with historically low approval ratings for the outgoing Biden administration, there's plenty of room for improvement across multiple fronts. Additionally, with the last minute move of the ceremony to a indoor venue, we have to bring up the safety concerns after a pair of disastrous situations over the summer. I get into all of this, and more, in this edition of the Sunday SITREP.
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Carrying on from last weeks discussion I take away several of the points the Joe was able to make, and much of the information he provided. In the moment, when we may find ourselves in the midst of one of these "events", we truly do have to be our own first responder, and rely solely on ourselves to get through that experience. There's many misconceptions and outright poor habits that align us for failure, both as prepared individuals and as a society. I compare the New Orleans attack and skills one would potentially carry into such an occurrence, and contrast it to the 2015 attack in Paris and dissect how those two may differ. This is a problem that we all face, and that surely isn't going away any time soon.
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Joe Fasanella returns, to sit down with me and tackle a subject that I've wanted to explore for a few months now. Terrorism. Specifically, Terrorism and it's impacts on you and I as Americans, along with how it affects our day to day lives. In the wake of the shocking attack on New Years Eve in New Orleans, this topic and its many concerns, are once again at the forefront of many minds. Having spent two decades in multiple capacities fighting terror, Joe is able to share a lot of insight around the trends we're seeing in current events, dig into both concepts of counter terrorism, as well as anti-terrorism, and relate that to what we're experience in todays geopolitical climate. We talked a lot of realities in this discussion. None of this was great to hear, and it certainly isn't convenient. As we've always preached here, preparation is key, and we all are accountable for being ready for what may come to pass.
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The year 2025 has arrived, and with it, so too comes our January SITREP discussion. Unfortunately, there is sour news to dig in to, as a terror attack has rocked the heart of New Orleans on Bourbon street. We bring this forward for discussion, as it is a sobering reminder that even though we in the continental United States enjoy a relative amount of safety and security in our day-to-day lives, there is a constant threat that exists amongst us. The more information that we all have, the better prepared we can be, both as individuals and as a community to address these horrific situations. I share as much as I absolutely can on this awful and senseless act of violence, and discuss the importance of having access to a network of intelligence that can support you and your community with gathering relevant data which to act on. Further, I talk about perspective around events like these and what it potentially can point to in the future.
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The year 2024 is rolling to a close, and there's been a lot that's happened in these past twelve months. Josh and I sit down to talk through the calendar, and give a summary of this calendars events, as well as some behind the scenes details and stories. We, as a team, have been fortunate to experience some fantastic growth and learn some truly valuable lessons. From different training opportunities, to community experiences and deepening relationships, there's a lot to get into, and much to be thankful for. From the very beginning, the mission has been to share our learning experiences, regardless of successes or failures, so that others may benefit from them. Further, our goals have been to grow, while investing in the community around us so that we all may thrive. The past year has brought all of that, and more. In this final episode of 2024, we share it all. We're greatful for everything these experiences have brought us, and look forward to what the future holds for us all. Thank you all for listening, and we hope you enjoy!
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As we all have our unique differences, we do all certainly have struggles that we face day in and day out. In addition to striving to improve ourselves on the flat range, in the shoot house, in the field, often the more pressing and daunting of battles is the one we all fight internally. Constantly working on yourself, and finding ways to progress further down the road of righteousness, being a better man, is the effort we should all undertake. In this community, we find ourselves surrounded by a variety of lifestyles and perspectives, but this should be something that exists within us all, in some way, shape, or fashion. Jon, Josh, and I sit down, and open up about the mental struggles many of us face, and the difficulties we sometimes face. This was a deep conversation, that ended up taking some unplanned turns, to some unexpected places, but ultimately, is a message we believe is really worth sharing.
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If you've been hanging around the Night Vision scene the past five or so years, you know the name Low Light Innovations. Over the past few years they've brought forward a small handful of unique market offerings, to provide consumers with night vision housings that meet their various needs and demands. In this weeks episode, I sit down with Claude, one of the owners of LLI, and dig into the history of the company and the development that has brought them to where they are today. We spent time talking about the challenges faced not only by LLI, but by the industry at large, and why creating a "do everything" housing is such a challenge. From feature ideation and product development, to technical limitations and community engagement, we hit on a lot of the important points that impact the night vision industry and their consumer base. If you're looking to grab a LLI LLU-21 or MH-1, I highly recommend giving this discussion a listen!
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It's been less than ninety days since Hurricane Helene decimated the Southeastern United States. The aftermath, is no longer in the headlines, but is very much still a day to day effort for so many impacted and left without support. As a community, many of us rallied together to support those in their great need, even at times from many states away. Folks like Tyler, my guest this week, made the trek into western North Carolina to contribute to the relief efforts, in any way he could. He shares with me, his story and his experiences on his multiple journeys to help provide aid to his neighbors. Throughout the conversation, we touch on the impact of social media as an alternative form of communication, the constant pace of change to situations, the value of accurate intelligence, and in it all, the capability of prepared civilians working together. One of the most sobering conversations we've had thus far, and one I encourage you to listen to.
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Josh Nelson is the owner of Force Frontier, a tactical training company in southern Ohio, and also a veteran law enforcement officer, as well as SWAT team member. Josh joins me as we sit down and get into a rather philosophical conversation around the importance not only of training, but quality training, and effective learning. We discuss ideas like balance, communication, preparation, and how impactful they all can be when planning a training day or a open enrollment course. Additionally, we pivot our conversation, talk a little bit about tactics, but more to the point, the value and difficulty that tactics bring to the table. There's a large importance tied to the concepts of understanding and introspection for skills and tactics, and we dedicated a good portion of our chat to that as well. There's a lot to pull out of this one, and I think it'll be a great listen, for many of you seeking to understand your own learning process, but also the ideas behind group instruction and development.
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December is here, the final month of 2024, and with the start of a new sheet on the calendar, so too comes another SITREP. As we exit election season, and roll into the holidays, there's plenty to talk about. Thanksgiving has obviously come and gone, and interestingly enough, this year it brought some protests at the annual Macys parade, followed by a day of large protests in major cities. I dive into the motive behind these, why black Friday of 2024 was actually not randomly chosen as a day of mass protest, and share some history behind the significance of November 29th. Further, we have another instance of a foreign gang apartment takeover, this time in a major U.S. city, and we connect the string of behavior to previous discussion, while getting into some predictions on what is to come. We do these discussions on current events every month, and bring forward insight and opinions on select current events to help keep you all, better informed.
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After better than two years, I sit down with Jared Arceneaux of Orion Training Group, and catch up on the growth behind OTG. Now, having had the opportunity to be taught by Jared in multiple classes, I have a much better understanding of so much of what I had questions about in our original sit down. Personally, I've thoroughly enjoyed my experiences learning from Jared and have been looking forward to being able to catch up and hear about the growth that Orion has experienced over the past two years, and what lessons have been learned during that time. Lots of folks have the idea of wanting to teach, wanting to train others, and further, make a business of it. Few though, truly understand what goes into not only the business, but more importantly, the teaching and communication. Throughout the conversation we talk obviously about CQB, but also move to the concept and importance of creating buy-in amongst students, the pitfalls of institutional training, and even masculinity and faith. This was a very entertaining conversation for me, and I think that all of you will enjoy it as well!
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Had some early audio issues in the first few minutes of the interview this week, but worked through it. If you've been running NODs for any amount of time, you know how essential having a good laser module is to being effective. As civilians though, we've been restricted to lower power devices, that make our capability and overall experience, less than desirable. Over the past few years however, we've seen the emergence and popularization of VSCEL technology on devices, that allow normal folks to access far superior performance. The Penumbra, from AMMJ Solutions, is the latest development in the industry that brings this capability to folks like you and I. It's a uniquely designed unit that brings a lot of thought, and even more performance to the table, at a cost that most of us can realistically entertain. I sit down with Marvin, the creator of the Penumbra, and we get into product design, feature development, price to performance ratio, and more. Being a Detroit-based business, I was happy to sit and chat with Marvin, hear his story, and learn all about the Penumbra.
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Many of us, find ourselves making turns in our journey, that bring us to places we didn't ever think we would end up. This is exactly the case for Jeremiah August, the owner and founder of Teardown Systems. In 2020, when the world shut down for all of us, he decided to take a chance combining a childhood passion for sewing, and drive to be a more prepared, and more capable individual, and launch a nylon company, Teardown Systems. This discussion takes us into research and development work, time management and the importance of balancing yourself with family, ethical business practices, communication and more. We spend a good amount of time talking about both the 2A as a industry, and also as a community, and the various ways we can all find different degrees of success for ourselves, in it. I enjoyed talking with Jeremiah very much, and I believe many of you will find inspiration and solid takeaways from our chat.
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Personal Security, Personal Protection, Executive Protection, we hear these terms used almost completely interchangeably, and all generally referring to the role of a bodyguard. For better or for worse, it's something we see overly glamourized by Hollywood and media, In reality however, this is a real job, a real career path, and it involves a lot of training, and a unique mindset. Jonah Norman returns, and is kind enough to sit down with me, as we tackle this subject for the first time on the pod, and get into the nuance and details behind what he has encountered working in this sector of the industry. I was quite surprised at several points in the discussion, regarding background, communications, valuable skillsets, and just how important and impactful the planning can be behind a contract. Additionally, Jonah and I had a fantastic dialogue around being a better man, and the true importance of being a husband, and filling that real role of protector.
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As we are running out of days before the 2024 Presidential Election, we have arrived at our November SITREP. It seems like this has been all we've been able to talk about for the last few months, and there have been some very serious events that have led us all to arrive at this point. Given the almost certain impacts the outcome of the polling carries with it, I find it extremely important to review some key parts of the last three and a half years, as well as talk about some of my feelings and predictions of what may come to pass. This, for many of us, may end up being remembered as one of, if not the most, important geopolitical events of our lives. There is so much that hangs in the balance, and I share my thoughts around a whole lot of it. Give it a listen, and don't forget to get out, and cast your vote.
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Jake Hocevar is a former 12B in the Army National Guard, works as a part-time LEO, and also is one of the cadre at Defender Series Training Group while running his own endeavor, Redline Consulting. More specifically, Jake is a firearms trainer, who has a passion for learning, as well as teaching. While continuing to teach, he keeps a ever-present mindset of "staying a student" and striving to learn new and better ways to help train those who seek him out. We sit down for this weeks episode, and dive into everything from flaws in the law enforcement training realm, as well as their unfortunate impacts, to fundamental shooting in issued gear and the realistic expectations of performance. I was also shocked to learn Jake is a fellow Michigander, which is extremely important, since he now resides in Ohio. I had a ton of fun talking with Jake, and we're already working on getting a second discussion on the books. Give this one a listen, and check out dstgtraining.com for more information on Jake and his classes!
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Being a contributing member of our community is something I believe many yearn for, but very few ever really attain. I say this, not to indicate that it can't be had by anyone who wants it, but to point out rather than we are typically very closed off when we think of how we can help the larger community around us. As we all have different life experiences, and have taken unique paths to arrive at our individual points in life, we have varying skills we can leverage. Too often we look at pulling triggers and creating edgy content as the only way we can create a impact and help those around us seeking information. So, to combat this perspective, this week I share my experiences on how I've been able to find a way to fit in, and how you can do exactly the same. If anything, communication skills and a willingness to support your neighbor can take you so much further in this industry and community, than anything you'll ever do on a flat range. There's a lot of opinion, and emotion in this one, but I genuinely hope it leaves some of you inspired to do greater things. Give it a listen, and let's find out.
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As the 2024 Presidential Election grows closer, so builds the concerns that many of us have for what may come to pass. We've all now seen and potentially experienced the chaos that can be triggered by politically motivated events across the continental U.S. None of us are eager to put ourselves, or our loved ones through any more of that than is absolutely necessary. To this point, Jon and I sit down and talk about some of the concerns that we have as we near Election Day. There are a variety of omnipresent concerns which we should all account for, but also a handful of unfortunate truths that many of us push to the back of our minds that we should be cognizant of too. Beyond just what kind of blaster you carry, we get into supplies, communications, P.A.C.E. planning and more. If you're concerned about whether you're in good shape for the next few months, this discussion is for you.
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In this installment, I have the opportunity to sit down with Collin Underdahl, whom some of you may know from his appearances with Dirty Civilian, or his work with Modlite. Collin is also a former Marine. We sit down, and have a very satisfying discussion around cultural misperceptions, self awareness, mental health, education, and a lot more. Many of our conversations on this podcast take us to some fascinating topics around the preparedness community and the online 2A ecosystem. This, however, was a very different experience, and one I think that many, if not all of you, will be able to relate to in numerous ways. I very much enjoyed the chat, and I'm looking forward to being able to pick this one up with Collin in the near future.
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We roll into October, and there world is spinning. We're a day away from the anniversary of the October 7th massacre, Hurricane Helene has decimated the Southeastern United State, specifically in North Carolina, and we have our election approaching in just four weeks time. There's so much going on, inside and outside of our country and oddly, almost all of it is tied together through strange connections and coincidence. As I break down these current events, I also share my thoughts around some of these odd "threads" connecting incident to incident and the impacts which many of us have suffered because of them all.
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Hard to believe it's already been eight months since I was able to first sit down with Rob and get to pick his brain on performance pistol shooting. Back in February, we had an outstanding conversation about training, competition shooting, and self improvement through self diagnosis and dedicated practice. Fast forward now to October, and here we are once more. We pick right up where we were last time, and get into shot calling, building a good grip and presentation, mental perspective and more. If you haven't checked out our first discussion with Rob, it's full of fantastic information that we take and build on in this episode. Personally, his content and information have helped me fix several issues and push my own performance to places I didn't think I'd be able to go. His website is linked here as well, so you can see for yourself!
https://www.robepifania.net/
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Culture can be defined as the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group. We, within our unique ecosystem, have a wide array of cultural beliefs and interpretations. Many are good, and all can be embraced, however some do carry negative connotations and hurt our community. In this episode, I talk about the different cultural sects which we can observe both in-person, taking classes, and taking part in community events like the HTA Range Day, but especially so in our online interactions through various social media platforms. I also tie a lot of the points back to the overarching issue of public perception and vast impacts that that perception, correct or otherwise, can have on many of the goals and efforts of our greater community. This discussion applies to everyone, and will hopefully trigger introspection and some realizations among the masses, which I do hope leads to better, healthier choices, and more capable men.
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We made the trek out to Templeton, Pennsylvania, for our second Human Trafficking Awareness Range Day event. If you've been listening for a while, you've no doubt heard us rave about the experiences we had last year, both good and bad. We doubled down on the experience this year and got a AirBnB and added two dudes to our crew. We split ourselves up and took even more individual courses than last year, and have a ton to speak on in this debrief conversation. From Breaching, to pistol grip and vision. to 2-Man CQB and precision carbine, there was so much we were able to learn and experience this year. All of that, coupled with getting to connect with, and meet, some truly stellar and exception people in our community, made this an incredible trip. Give this one a listen, see what you missed out on, and keep your eye on the HTA social media so you can make it out and join us next year!
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In the realm of training and preparedness, until relatively recently, civilian has been a dirty word. Many of us have been through a poor experience, where we're talked down to, or treated poorly simply for a lack of service. This ties back to the assumption that no time of service, correlates directly to no time training. That however, in 2024, is simply no longer the case. In this weeks episode I talk about the value of determined, passionate learning and development, and the knowledge and proficiency that can be attained without a specific resume, or pedigree. I also take the time to talk about the responsibilities involved for those who seek to be seen and recognized as such experts, and the enormous amount of work that must be put in to arrive at that goal. Many of you, I'm sure will relate to the experiences I share, and my thoughts on this subject. A few may disagree based on their own history and experience, and the discussions that follow this, I truly look forward to. The collaboration and combined efforts, together, are what will make us all successful.
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Randy is back, joining me for another discussion, as we take a more philosophical look at training and self improvement. We talk about the important of defining not just why you're doing the things you're dong, but evaluating what you're doing, and what you're trying to achieve. Throughout the conversation, we talk on some very important ideas, like personal accountability and its importance, the constant battle against confirmation bias, the toxic nature of comparison, and more. Keeping things like like focus, and personal attention to detail constantly present in both your practice and training, but in the planning for that practice, additionally is brought up and spoken on. Just as before, this was a very enjoyable learning experience for me, and I think this conversation will provide you will a lot of value, especially if you've found yourself or your training group to be in a rut of forward progress. Give it a listen, and see for yourself!
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September is upon us and it is "unofficially" the beginning of fall! As we do every month, I bring you my thoughts and beliefs around key current events, and the potential impacts they carry to you and I. In this installment of the SITREP series, we get into a critical legal decision by a three judge panel in the 5th circuit court, reversing a critical previous ruling that illegal immigrants have rights and protections under our Second Amendment. Not only do we talk about the ruling, but we tie this issue back, once again, to the profound importance of voting, and participating in our elections. Additionally, I spend a good bit of time talking about the stories coming out of Aurora, Colorado, and speak on why this form of "invasion" may be just what so many of us have been concerned about. There's a lot here, so jump in, give it a listen, and as always, reach out to us to share your thoughts and feelings.
While we don't talk a lot about homesteading on the pod, it's got to be one of the humbling and valuable endeavors that one can undertake for themselves. To that end, I sit down in this weeks episode with Mark Bonnalie, who runs the Modern Rural Civilian channel, and dive into his journey of moving off the grid. Greater self sustainment is a responsibility taken by less and less folks these days, and it makes Mark's knowledge and story all the more valuable for those of us looking to grow in those same aspects of life. We talk at good length about working with what you find, the true importance of sustainable potable water, grid power versus alternatives, food production and preservation, and a heck of a lot more. There's so much information and experience packed into this chat, I know you will all pull something out of it. Enjoy!
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As hard as it is to believe, its been just over three months since Josh has been on for a conversation, but he's finally back, and we have a lot to catch up on. From a training rotation to the dirty south, to our upcoming trip back to Ben Franklin Range for the annual HTA range day event, we get into what we've been doing both with the podcast, as well as the community, and what we have in store for some of our next steps. The last time we heard from Josh, we had just completed the three day Orion Training Group Flexible search course, and were in the first week of May. Fast forward to no the end of August, and we've had so much happen. Jumping from talking about a training rotation in Louisiana and the poison ivy that came with it, to talking night vision housings, personal preparation for the election, and rising global tensions, Josh and I get into a whole lot while catching up. If you've been listening for a while now, and been wondering what happened to him, wonder no more!
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Doctrine. We rely on it for many things both inside and outside of our training sphere. Sometimes it's called by a different name, but it's there, behind the scenes. Sometimes, we latch on to doctrine and adhere to it so literally that we actually do more harm than good. To dig into this, and hash out this topic, I also get to catch up and sit down with Blake Flannery. As a Recon Marine with a twenty year career, as well as a successful instructor outside the military, Blake has a lot of experience to draw from for this conversation. From his own unique learning experiences, to his observations as an educator, and more, we dig into quite a bit. We talk about the importance of principles, techniques, and fundamental understanding rather than specific skills or practices. We talk about the importance of constant improvement, as well as the dangers of institutional knowledge and the eroding effect it can have on a culture. We even get into personal reflection, and introspection, while talking about the importance of being able to articulate perspective and opinion when collaborating with your peers to define your own "best way" of doing things. As always, a great time getting to hear from Blake, and I think you all are going to get a lot out of this one. Enjoy!
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It's been a few weeks, and we've settled down a bit from the initial shock and awe of the attempt on the life of former President Trump. Now that some of the odd internet drama has subsided, and we have at least some degree of confirmed information and reports to go off of, we sit down and take the time to examine more closely, what happened, and where things went wrong. I'm joined for this discussion, by J.T. who has over a decode of experience in law enforcement, with most of it being spent specifically in a sniper role. Together, we sit down and have a discussion around what some standard practices and expectations are for a scenario like this, and as always, share thoughts and opinions around what could have gone wrong and why. We will likely never know all of the facts of this incident, but this is a rare learning opportunity of both what to do, and not to do. Happy to be able to sit down and chop this one up, and hope you all enjoy it!
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Situation Report for August, and we have a few really critical items to touch on. Venezuela is experiencing their fallout from what appears to be an attempt at a rigged election to ensure victory for the incumbent. Protestors took to the streets and have clashed with law enforcement over the alleged results. Clearly, there are some parallels with what many of us experienced four years ago, and still more expect to experience in just a few short months. Additionally, I share my thoughts and my feelings around the absolutely atrocious attempt to provide the individuals behind the September 11th terror attacks with a plea deal. Thankfully, common sense and public outcry prevails and those deals were rescinded. However, many questions remain and there's definitely a lot to unpack with that. As always, these are our opportunities to talk some politics, current events, and most importantly, how they impact you!
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Building a tribe, assembling a team, finding a network, it's something we have either all been chasing, or chased at one point in our individual journeys. However, once we find our group, we locate this tribe, where do we go from there? There's a large effort that comes with trying to bring together a band of talented individuals, and get them all reading off the same sheet of music. Many folks underestimate this endeavor and become easily discouraged. In this weeks episode, I talk about my own experiences, and hopefully share some knowledge that will help you all avoid some common pitfalls, and have a positive experience within your own journey. From how to communicate, to defining training practices and SOPs, there's a lot packed into this, and certainly some things I believe anyone can benefit from.
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Rick Largesse has spent over twenty years building a career in law enforcement, and is the owner of SSV Concepts. With his passion for teaching and his extensive experience in multiple roles from patrol to investigations to SWAT and more, Rick has years of knowledge he shares. He joins me in this weeks discussion and we definitely touch on a lot of different subjects. From discussing the great opportunities that internships provide in the realm of prospective young officers, to the budgetary constraints that most agencies have to struggle through today. As the head of training at his department, in addition to his efforts with SSV, Rick has unique opportunities to learn and experience the trends in both LE and Civilian communities and be able to adapt his teaching and philosophies to keep up with the demands of both officers and citizens. Surely one of the more entertaining chats I've been fortunate to have, while we touch on training, gear, optics, and social media, I'm sure you'll all get a kick out of this!
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With a combination of recent events which have no doubt shaken the entire United States, it's only right that I drop a SITREP to talk about them both. Between the recent attempt on the life of former President Donald Trump, and the announcement by President Biden that he will not seek re-election, we as a nation are left asking what will come next. In this iteration of the Sunday SITREP, I share my thoughts on both of these events, now that we have a bit more information to go off of, at least around the assassination attempt. Further, I talk about some of the implications of this decision by the Biden campaign, the difficulties it creates for the Democratic Party as we look ahead at the November election, and more.
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Priorities. We all have them, however far too often, they're not properly ordered, supported, or executed. Our community has grown increasingly dependent on the approval of others, even of strangers whom we hardly know, or don't know at all. We let these desires and wishes drive our behaviors, even at the expense of things which are actually important, and should actually be our priorities. Further, we let the toxic behavior of those around us, inside and outside the community, push us in directions we normally would not go, or not feel comfortable. In this weeks episode, I break this down and talk about where we're losing our focus, how and why its critical that we adjust course, and where we can start. This episode will fully upset at least a few folks, and that's part of the game plan. Sometimes our truths hurt, and are simply less convenient than we would like them to be. Give this a listen, and see which side of this all you fall on, and if you're own behavior, truly aligns with your personal goals.
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Randy Turner is the owner of Direct Action Combat Performance, a Canada based tactical training company. Randy also happens to be a former member of JTF2, Canada's tier 1 Special Operations force. While Canada is our close neighbor to the north, especially so for me here in Michigan, they have a entirely different set of firearms laws, and a different type of gun culture. In this weeks discussion, Randy and I get into his story and what led him to starting his company, as well as talk about the differences between some of the freedoms you and I may take for granted, and what's available to the citizens North of us. I'm excited for this discussion, as it's our first international guest on the pod, and a great opportunity to broaden my understanding of the firearms and tactical community beyond the continental United State. This was a great conversation, and one I think you're all really going to enjoy!
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We've had a few major events since our last SITREP, and as always I'm here to give some insight and a heaping helping of opinion on the matters. In this months iteration, I spend quite a bit of time talking about the debate between the two assumed nominations from the Republican and Democrat parties, and the fallout that came afterward. I also touch on quite a landmark decision from the Supreme Court, limiting the powers and oversight of some regulatory bodies, and talk about what that could mean for you and I. As always, a lot of passion, a fair amount of insight, and always more information to make you more away and better prepared for what's around the corner. Check it out!
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Combatives and personal combat capabilities, are something that we haven't had a lot of opportunity to dig into here on the podcast. Yes, we've talked briefly on jiu-jitsu and martial arts training, the value it can bring to an individual, but we've not truly talked about a physical altercation and the ability to fight for ones life. In this weeks episode, I'm joined by Jonah Norman, and we do just that. Jonah and I talk briefly about his work in executive protection, but more to the point, talk at length about the teaching he does in combatives and with bladed weapons. We touch on the comparison between traditional martial arts, and competition fighting, versus some of the realities of a fight for ones life, and how one may not always necessarily prepare you for the other. Additionally we talk about unconventional weapons, and even some unconventional sources of information to draw data and inspiration from when researching combative methods. This was a really cool opportunity for me, and I think if you're someone wanting to look into ways to grow and develop your physical capability, this is a wonderful listen for you.
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Marketing is tied in to almost every single piece of information and content that we ingest in the firearms industry. It seems that you can't watch your favorite influencer, or favorite instructor without actually touching some piece of promotion or subliminal marketing. To get into this, and of course, talk about our industry and community, I'm joined by Jason Demo. Jason is a former law enforcement officer in Florida, and has a interesting story that landed him in his role today, working as a marketing and media professional in the firearms industry. Currently, Jason works with Langdon Tactical, as well as running his own business providing media within the community, as well as offering some charity work in his field, to businesses and organizations in need. We touch on photography, jobs in the industry and connections via LinkedIn, Innovation within the market, and a lot more. This was a outstanding discussion, and I'm sincerely looking forward to being able to have Jason back on in the future.
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Whenever someone starts down this road, this path to personal accountability, and general preparedness, it seems like staring at a mountain. There's so many different variables you need to account for, so much to learn, so much to buy, the list goes on. For many, it leads to a first round knockout, and a generally ignorant perspective on the whole matter. To address this, and help put some sort of quantification or metric around what a reasonable expectation of preparedness might be, I share some thoughts and helpful strategies I have picked up in both my personal experiences as well as oddly, my corporate career. I talk in depth about planning, goal setting, and being able to effectively contribute over time, rather than negatively impacting your life and livelihood in the name of "what if" and "could be." This is something I think that may help many who are concerned with recent developments, and have a fear of being able to address behaviors beyond their control in the coming months. This isn't a one-stop guide that will spell out what you need, and when you need it. Rather, this is a discussion around how you can rationally define for yourself, those things.
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Dynamic Principles is a small shop, producing high quality nylon gear, based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In this episode, I have the chance to sit and talk with the owner and company founder, Dan Pod. Getting a glimpse into the nylon industries is always one of my favorite opportunities, and this conversation is no different than any we've had in the past. Dan and I touch on a number of different topics, from business strategy and marketing models, to sustainability and being able to meet customer demand. We got into government contracts, supply chain management, and we even touch on how his carrier ended up in the video game Ready or Not, which we all know and love. This was a tremendously fun interaction, and one I enjoyed very much. I'm sincerely looking forward to our next!
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Joe Fasanella is a former NYPD officer, former Marine, and owner of the Trinity Training facility in New York. Having spent over a decade with NYPD, mostly working in various roles within their counter terrorism team, as well as deploying to Fallujah as a Marine, Joe has scene and experienced a whole lot within the Global War on Terror. This conversation is one I have been looking forward to, as I had some idea about Joe's breadth of knowledge, but certainly wasn't expecting everything that we were able to touch on in this conversation. As a proud New Yorker, Joe was one of the many whos life was never the same after September 11th, and those events are what inevitably took him down the path to where he is today. From carrying over what he learned in his military service to law enforcement, to shaping and defining what became common practice for local law enforcement counter terror efforts, Joe shares much more than I was expecting. There's one heck of a story packed into this episode, and I highly recommend giving it a listen!
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June is here, and what else would we be talking about in this SITREP installment, but Donald Trump and the history making conviction that has come out of his trial in New York. Beyond setting historical and legal precedent in what can almost only be referred to as a complete sham of a trial, these events have some far reaching impacts and consequences. We're just over a month from the Republican National Convention, and this outcome all but assures that Trump will once again secure the nomination. Additionally, the optics behind how this whole situation has been handled, from judge, to jurors, to prosecutors, has created a huge amount of distrust in the integrity of the legal system. As always, I share my thoughts and feelings on all of this and why we should be concerned with what may be to come over the next several months.
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Leadership. We too often associate this word with a supervisory role, a title, or a rank. We let these constructs shape our understanding and definition of what it is to be a leader. Truthfully, leadership can, and should be, a quality that is present in all of us, at least to some degree. Jon sits down with me, and we do our best to dissect the virtues of leadership, while sharing our own opinions, as well as some of our own experiences. As a former Infantryman and current member of the Michigan National Guard, Jon has his own past encounters he draws from, and myself, my experiences in the corporate workforce. Between us, we draw from some common outside sources and talk about how we define being a leader, not just a boss. We get into the value of transparency and communication, we talk about accountability and the critical importance of investment and mentorship. This was a deeply insightful discussion, and one that I think we all, be it civilian, military, or law enforcement, can take something away from.
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In this weeks discussion, we tackle a ultra- common, but very difficult topic; The Media and the constant effort to socially engineer America. We all absorb media, whether it's our local news broadcast, perhaps a popular television show, or even a movie. The difficult part to sometimes see and understand, is that almost everything that we consume today, has a degree of social engineering baked into it. Storylines on our most popular television depict stories of racism and police brutality, infringement on the rights of minority populations. A large portion of all our media, even the "unbiased news broadcast" from your favorite station, shares stories and updates through a biased lens of racism and bigotry. We're constantly told these stories with the same recurring themes, building distrust in law enforcement, and working to convince average folks that gun ownership and firearms in general are the largest issues in our society. We largely ignore the immigration crisis, we ignore human trafficking, or the fentanyl problem we face today. Because politically, there isn't much to gain behind those points. Definitely a difficult point to talk on, and a certain a fine line as I dissect the issue, but a topic I think everyone will take something away from. Give it a listen, and see what you think.
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To round out our "series" discussing the 3-day Orion Training Group Flexible Search course that we recently completed, I have the opportunity to catch up with one of our class instructors, Jason. This is actually Jason's second appearance on the pod, but this time, I actually have some idea what I'm talking about! Coming just a week or so after we've wrapped class, and had time for the students to decompress, and the instructors actually to teach an additional two classes at the annual MTOA conference, this is a great opportunity for us to sit, and discuss some of the class experiences, and why OTG and their staff do what they do. Jason brings a lot of knowledge and practical experience, not only with his law enforcement experience, but also as a former Marine. Having both he and Jared up here to run class, was a opportunity many of us were really excited about, and our expectations where definitely exceeded. Jason and I share a lot of thoughts about the class, and he also provides insight on a lot of the what and why behind the curriculum for Flexible Search. This was a great way to round out our series, and I think you'll really enjoy giving this a listen.
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The moment we have waited many months for has finally come, and now gone. Going through the three day Flexible Search course with Jared and Jason was an outstanding learning experience and both Josh and I walked away with a lot of information. Beyond our own experiences, this was a great win for our local community, as we were able to bring in a fantastic company, to a local venue, and get sixteen great folks together for a weekend of training. Josh and I break it down for you all, from the day one events and feelings, up to the end of day three and all that we were able to accomplish. Paying for training has become a hot button issue in the online community, and it's become popular to encourage completely virtual learning. Our hope is that from sharing our own experiences with you all, we can help to shine a light on the importance of physical training, and learning from multiple sources. Give this a listen, and see if you agree.
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May is here, summer is creeping up, and as the new season comes upon us, old familiar thoughts and flashbacks are everywhere. Looking at the news, reviewing the output of the media, we see lots of stories that are too familiar of years past. Violent protesting across the country, tied to an agenda which doesn't help or improve our own home, as well as mass coverage of Donald Trump. We certainly can think back to the year 2020 and say that much of what we're seeing now, is reminiscent of what we all saw then. However, this time, we're wiser, we're smarter, and we've experienced a lot of disappointment over the past four years that have shaped and changed our feelings and perception. In this SITREP installment I share my thoughts, and get into the similarities we're watching unfold, and what it might mean for the months and years that we have ahead of us.
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As Josh and I head into the much anticipated 3-day Orion Training Group course we're attending, we talk about our experiences and try to compare them to some of the value that is gotten through organized instruction. Just as there is with most things in our community, there are a lot of ideas around if you need to pay for knowledge, if you should pay for training, and how much you should invest. This is still, after many years of deliberation, a hotly debated topic, and so we do our best to weigh in on the matter. Additionally we talk about some of our own expectations, and speak on the value of learning in the civilian space compared to the traditional doctrine which many have absorbed either during their military service, or through videos and text. Not everyone learns the same way, but it's fair to say that everyone benefits from multiple learning opportunities. Go ahead and give this one a listen, and see if what we're saying, aligns with what you're thinking.
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Duncan Greene joins me once again, almost fifteen months later, as we sit down, and check the pulse on the night vision industry. If you've recently purchased night vision, or are currently in the market for a set of tubes and have been paying close attention, you know there's a lot going on. We're seeing some drastic changes in the market, and Duncan provides insight and his opinion on all of it. As what I would consider to be a subject matter expert, Duncan is able to shine a light on some nuance and details around these topics that many of us are simply unaware of. Some of them are extremely impactful, and others may not move the needle at all for you. Together, we talk about the price increases we've been seeing and how the world economy has impacted night vision, we spend plenty of time talking about the introduction of some noticeable Chinese made products, briefly get into the pros and cons of the second hand market, and so much more. If you're in the market for night vision, or curious about the market at all, this will be a great episode for you.
Duncan was also kind enough to set up discount code 'PMP' for 3% off at usnightvision.com
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Nick Shepherd is a former soldier and active law enforcement officer, who is also the Director of Training for Jawless Hog Tactical. Through his experiences in the Army, as well as in Law Enforcement, Nick and his partners at JHT set out to provide civilians and law enforcement alike with training that answered the "why" behind modern practices and methods. We spent a good amount of time in our discussion talking about how important it is to have a depth of understanding, to be able to more effectively respond to situations and scenarios, as well as the value behind data processing when presented with those. As an instructor, Nick and the team at JHT are constantly looking to evolve their teaching, and provide better options to their students, and guide learning through a curriculum that has been tested and is constantly vetted. We touched on a awful lot, and there feels like we still have so much more to dig into together. I look forward to being able to bring Nick back, but for now, I hope you all enjoy our conversation!
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In a unexpected, and out of schedule release, we have a SITREP to dive into, talking about the April 13th attack by Iran, on the country of Israel, and its ramifications. This is a historic move, as missiles and drones were deployed against Israel in response to an April 1st attack that killed multiple IRGC targets in Damascus. As the ongoing conflict in Israel has had impact on the United States, as well as the long history of partnership between our two countries, this move raises much concern and many questions. There have been media releases made by all three governments, and all of them lead to more uncertainty about what is to come next. This is a precarious situation to say the least, and it's important to bring these events with our thoughts and research to you all, as they happen.
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This week, I'm joined by Will, the owner and founder of CAATail Antennas. If you haven't heard of CAATail, there's a good chance that you've definitely seen Will's work, as his wearable antenna's have become a very common solution across the community. As a former Marine, Will was fortunate in his experience as a radio operator to learn the in's and out's of communications, and the value and impact that a good antenna brings to any team. We talk at length about this, along with how to create and tune improvised antennas to be effective in the field. Additionally, Will is a part time law enforcement officer, and we got into a good deal of that conversation, talking about qualifications, standards, culture, and more. It was great for me, being able to connect with a fellow Michigander and have a insightful conversation about all of this, and a lot more,
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As we welcome in April, we're seeing a turning of the tide in public support, some new ideas that could really change the conversation around school security, and potentially a legal situation that could shake several popular arguments to their very core. In this months SITREP, I share my thoughts and my feelings around the rapidly diminishing support for the current President from some very large names in media. Typically, these talking heads throw their support without question behind the party on the left, but some rather noticeable comments as of late, have turned some heads, to say the least. There's also a very interesting bill being proposed in Tennessee that potentially could allow for the arming of school teachers and staff, and could possibly bring about a drastic change in how we see school security. I wrap, but touching on the hot topic, of a Illinois court ruling that illegal aliens are constitutionally protected by the second amendment. There's a lot to dig into in this one folks, give it a listen!
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J.T joins me once again, and we dive into a discussion around one of the most contentious topics in our community. Equipment and Gear. More specifically, we talk about how to leverage your kit to maximize your success, while minimizing any negative side effects. Having spent time on both a full-time SWAT team, with a high volume, as well as currently working in a capacity to operate with a special investigations team, J.T. has unique insights around gear, and how you can make a little, go a long way.. This is a opportunity to connect the law enforcement world, with some of the same challenges and questions that we as prepared civilians face, and learn how we can possibly overcome them. We touched on having multiple gear setups, the importance behind knowing and testing your gear, benefits and impacts of ancillary items like gas masks and NODs, and a lot more. Give this one a listen, I think you'll be surprised at some of what we unpack in this discussion.
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Jason "Jabo" Long is a twenty-five year veteran of law enforcement, and a current cadre member with Guild Solutions Group. During his years as an officer, Jabo had the opportunity to serve seventeen years as a full time member of his agencies SWAT team, working in a variety of capacities including as a sniper, breacher, dog handler, and bomb technician. Jabo and I get into his experiences and some of the observations he took away from his time in uniform. We talk about changes in weapons and gear, the challenges that law enforcement face both within society, as well as within their own infrastructure, and more. As a active instructor with Guild, he constantly helps his students overcome their challenges and share the benefits of the lessons he has learned. We even spend time talking about qualities of a good teachers, and the true importance of facilitating learning for pupils. Truthfully, we didn't even get into everything I had wanted to touch on, and I'm certainly looking forward to our follow on conversations. Give this one a listen, I'm sure you're going to enjoy it.
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Two of the most dominant and followed disciplines within our community are that of Close Quarters Battle, or CQB, and Small Unit Tactics, or SUT. Both of these have skillsets have their benefits, and many individuals develop a deep passion for one or the other. This sort of "this or that" mentality has led, as I'm sure many have you have seen, to one side decrying the other, pointing to how obviously nonsensical it is. In this weeks episode, Josh and I fight this out, and sort out what actually makes more sense for the prepared civilian, and why a lot of the rest is just plain garbage. We talk past conflicts, we talk practicality, and we get into impacts of this dilemma on our culture, and how we can best address it. This was definitely one of the more passionate episodes that Josh and I have done together, and I'm interested to hear what you all think as well. Give this one a listen, and see what you think!
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By the week, more and more people are making the choice to be more aware, be more accountable, be more prepared. It's as if before our eyes, whether we see it or realize it, our community is growing by leaps and bounds. For the first time in a very long while, we're seeing citizens start to question the own stability, security, and safety, and asking what to do to fix it. In this weeks episode, Josh and I talk about how we all can help mentor those willing to make the lifestyle changes and who are seeking out both knowledge, and guidance. As a community, we often preach against ideas like gatekeeping, but we're notoriously bad at actually enforcing the ideals which condemn that behavior. Bringing new folks into the fold through skills like land navigation, or hiking, and activities like working out, and yes, hitting the range, are essential steps in helping to show the uninformed, a better way of being. We talk about all of this, and also share our opinions on some of the largest missteps, and how to best help your fellow man.
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Emergency Management, as a phrase, usually triggers thoughts of Hurricane Katrina, flash flooding, and natural disasters. In general, it's still a relatively young discipline, with new ways of thinking and more importantly planning, being developed. To dig into this, I sit down with Chris Downs, owner of Gray Tusk Emergency Management, and jump down the rabbit hole into a number of different concerns and considerations that should be included when trying to prepare and plan for worst-case-scenario type situations. Chris and I together get into evacuation planning, the importance of maps and navigation, bio and cyber terrorism implications, the impact of artificial intelligence, preservation of critical infrastructure, and more. This was an extremely insightful and thought provoking discussion that highlighted a lot of gaps in my own plans, and I'm sure will for yours as well. I encourage everyone who's pursuing general preparedness and overall capability planning to give this a listen, and reach out to Chris for his expertise!
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Another month, and more to unpack in the March SITREP discussion. We're currently experiencing one of the most turbulent political times in recent memory, with both the pending election this year, as well as news of Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell announcing that he will be stepping down later this year. Unfortunately, since politics and politicians so heavily influence much of our daily lives and our lifestyle, this has the volatile potential to have a tremendous impact in more ways than we can probably imagine, when combined with the fallout of our next presidential election. I dig into this a bit, and as always I provide you with commentary around my concerns, as well as a few predictions for the months ahead. We also talk about Canada's latest contribution to the ever-present conflict in Ukraine, and find time to hit on the ongoing Supreme Court case regarding the Trump-era bump stock ban. There's a lot to chew through on this one, so give it a listen, and as always, feel free to reach out with your thoughts and comments!
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Its 2024, and the primary election here in Michigan. It appears, that just as we were four short years ago, we're likely to be faced with a Trump v. Biden election. Looking back, 2020 was a year of outrageous violence and tremendous change in our country. Many of us were left to watch as cities burned and lives were shattered, clinging only to the fact that we weren't the ones whos lives were torn apart. In this discussion, Josh and I beg to question what we can do today, to further protect ourselves and our families from that which may come. Since we've all seen it come to past relatively recently, it's no longer simply an idea. It's now a memory, with lasting impacts, and it's real to us. When we talk about a "modern minuteman" we talk a lot about rifles, but beyond that, what does it truly mean? Both of us share our thoughts and some of our unique feelings on the subject and hope that it will move you to take steps to better enable yourself, and better protect your families.
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Content reviews and advertising are an almost integral part of our community in 2024. The latest and greatest optic, pistol, carrier, or whatever have you drops, and you're not only inundated with reviews, but you have a vast library of content to consume and compare it to, should you wish. It's how many, if not all of us, shape our purchasing decisions. In this weeks episode, I'm joined by Elliot Delp, who is a YouTube personality who's got a lot of experience in the industry, building a presence from nothing, to something. Elliot makes some great video content, and was even nominated for some awards for his videos this past year. Together, we had a great discussion and dive into not only some of the lessons Elliot has learned while growing, but we spend quite a bit of time talking about monetary exchanges behind content, as well as the stigmas that can accompany some of those transactions. I found our chat to be very insightful, and I think ya'll will enjoy it too. Give it a listen!
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If you've been working to hone and refine your skills, push your limits and improve your performance, but have hit the plateau, this may be just the episode for you. This week, I'm joined by Rob Epifania, a USPSA Grand Master, Orion Training Group Cadre member, and owner of Systematic Performance Concepts, to talk all about getting better. As a competitive shooter as well as an athlete, Rob has a deep passion and drive for performing and excelling at high levels of competition. Throughout our talk, we dig into Rob's experience and growth not only as a shooter, but as a teacher, touching on things like not only what you're training, but how you train it. We talk quite a bit about the importance of details and deliberate evaluation, as well as the value in introspection. I personally had a lot of fantastic takeaways from our chat, and look forward to bringing Rob back on in the future to expand on this conversation.
You can find Rob on Instagram at @robepifania as well as more information and free lessons at https://www.robepifania.net/free-drills?utm_campaign=skedlink&utm_medium=button&utm_source=skedlink
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Many of us carry a firearm when we leave our homes every day. It's as much a part of our routine as is putting on shoes. While it's great to talk about training, and proficiency, performance, and culture, there's one very vital part of the discussion that seems to constantly take the back seat. The legal impact of employing that tool, and the profound life change you may experience the day you have to reach for it. For some of us, and I pray all of us, that day may never arrive. However, hope, isn't a plan, and therefor we must understand the position we put both ourselves and our families in when taking on the responsibility of carrying a firearm. I'm joined in this weeks discussion by Jason, or as you may know him on Instagram, @Beardmohawk, who is an attorney and part time law enforcement agent. We get deep in the weeds on laws, gun control, why your personal awareness matters, and a ton more that I can't share here. It's important to hear this one, and I implore you all to take the time to get this information, and make some changes accordingly.
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As it is the beginning of February, it's time for yet another iteration of our SITREP series. In this months episode, we get into the ongoing and constantly evolving situation in Texas, as Governor Abbott works to secure the southern border while pulling in support from half the union. As the border security concern has only gotten worse over the past few years, this because a hot button issue and will likely be incredibly impactful on the outcome of the election later this year. I also share my thoughts on California and the storms threatening the state as their infrastructure continues to fail, along with thoughts and opinions around some of the new laws coming into effect here in the state of Michigan this month. There's a whole lot that we share in this episode, check it out for yourself!
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When most of us think of comm's, we think of all those scenes from movies like Navy SEALs and The Rock with dudes magically having their radio's pre configured, running throat mic's and push-to-talk devices. Behind the scenes though, is a whole world of tech wizardly and understanding that has to be well understood to culminate in that level of effectiveness and capability. To dive into some of the finer points to this. I'm joined by returning guest, Lyndsey Do of LKD communications and Orion Training Group, as well as Austin Joe Miller, who is one of the instructors for Mojave Repeater. This was a dynamic conversation, and the three of us got into a whole mess of different topics. We talking about the importance of fundamental skills and understanding, we talked about radio selection and equipment standardization, as well as inter-operability of your equipment and the impact it can have on your performance. So much good information is packed into this discussion. If you're needing to take serious steps in your COMSEC planning, or are even a newcomer and trying to figure out what you don't know, this is a great episode to check out. Give it a listen!
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You've more than likely been told, by more than one person who claims to be an expert, that as a civilian, you shouldn't be learning C.Q.B. It's not something that the average joe will find themselves needing, and therefor learning it is a fantasy. Until the day that comes to pass where it isn't, and you find yourself needing those skills. To dig into this point, and many others, I sit down once more with Troy, of Defender Series Training Group. We chat about the importance of not only training law enforcement, but also civilians how to search and clear a structure. We also get into the psychology behind training, and the importance of effective communication. I had a great time catching up with Troy, and the conversation was top notch. If you're someone on the fence about committing the time and resources to any of this, I encourage you to give this episode a listen first, and then make up your mind.
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Its been forever and a day since the last time we had a grab bag episode, to answer or share answers to questions from all of you, our listeners. This week, Josh and I sit down to go through a handful of questions submitted to us over social media throughout the past several weeks. We get into a few different things, including clothing, cold weather advice, night vision, and more. This was honestly a ton of fun for the two of us to sit down and put together, and we're both looking forward to being able to do this again in a few months. Feel free to send us a message on any of our platforms, to have your question or topic featured in the next Grab Bag episode!
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You all may know her as Amy.556 on social media, but Amy Abbott is a nineteen year law enforcement veteran with a passion for teaching. Amy joins me in this weeks episode for a fantastic discussion around law enforcement, training, standards and a bunch more. We talk living and working in Alaska, the average range session and how the climate plays a role in how you have to prepare and carry out practice. From cold weather preparedness to optic and flashlight durability, we absolutely crammed a ton into this discussion. Amy's teaching focuses on the importance of solid fundamentals and reinforcing good habits, as well as teaching shooters how to read their own output for great understanding of concepts on the range. I really enjoyed this discussion, and I think you all will find it interesting as well!
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The first SITREP of the 2024 calendar year! We're only a handful of days into the new year, and already have a lot to discuss and talk about. It was announced Friday that Wayne LaPierre, the long sitting CEO of the National Rifle Association, is officially resigning, effective at the end of January. What makes this even more interesting, is that this comes amidst the civil suit against the NRA in New York. I share my thoughts and a little history around the thirty-three year tenure of LaPierre and talk about what we hope will come from this. Additionally, we get into the soon to be official gun control legislation that's becoming active here in Michigan, and how it will likely impact lawful ownership, and largely have none of the intended effects. We wrap this week with a mention of some mischievous behavior, and words of caution around how we as a community present ourselves out to the world. A lot crammed into this SITREP, I hope you enjoy it!
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To kick off 2024 with a bang, I'm joined by Walsh, of Thin Line Defense Co. If you haven't checked out one of their many reviews, TLDC is a group of guys from various backgrounds, who review, analyze, and critique products within our 2A industry. Anything ranging from nylon gear, to optics, to lights, and more - they will put it through their comprehensive evaluation process and provide consumers like you and I with both the good and bad behind it. This was a great discussion that actually ended up getting into some of the "behind the curtain" that comes with our industry. Additionally, we talked a good deal about shooting, developing skills through dry fire, the applications of various reticles at distances, and a whole lot more. I had a great time with this one, and ya'll are gunna love it!
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As the year comes to a close, it's important to take a look back, and have a moment to reflect on all that's passed in twelve months. Josh and I share some stories, thoughts, and feelings about everything we've experienced in 2023, as well as some hopes and goals for 2024. From night vision, to personal connections, to everyday carry, we get into quite a bit. Our training group found each other this year, and has thus far been some of the most impactful training, and experiences, we've ever had. Both good and bad, this has been an eventful year for us both, as well as the pod. If you've been following us for a long time, you know we like to wrap up the calendar this way, and do our best to put everything in perspective. Check it out, and get ready to head into 2024 with us!
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We talk often, but not much, about being fit, or failing. In any number of ways, our physical capability and fitness is tied directly to our survivability. However, we don't often in our community offer depth to the discussion or solutions to remedy it. I'm joined this week by Dan Minnicks, owner of Apex Performance Integration to have just that discussion and hopefully help some of you out there searching for answers, or maybe even simply a starting point in your wellness journey. Apex is a company founded to provide solutions to individuals who want to be healthier, stronger and more capable. In his work with Apex, Dan trains a number of exception individuals, ranging from athletes to law enforcement. We talk at length about things like stress management, personal accountability and consistency, determination and more. If you're looking for guidance in your own wellness journey, this is a great discussion for you. You can contact Dan at info@trainatapi.com or check out trainatapi.com for more information.
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Having been at this a while, it's not often anymore I have the opportunity to sit down and talk about completely knew subjects. In this weeks episode, I sit with J.T. and we dive into his work and experience with Urban Sniper applications, as well as Undercover rescue operations. Throughout our conversation, we talked about the challenges that have come within both of these roles, as well as sharing some success stories and also some considerations that most of us might not think of. This was a very interesting exchange, and one that I think all of us, both law enforcement and civilian alike, can take something away from. I look forward to having J.T. back on in the near future for a round two, to get into even more of this!
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This week, I get to grab some time with Mr. Chris Poindexter of H.R.T. Tactical Gear. H.R.T. is a tactical gear company that produces top quality plate carriers, belts and more. The company actually began back in 2007 as a training company and has transitioned into a role developing and selling gear built to suit all sorts of demands and situations. Chris and I talk about not just some of the things that H.R.T. has going, but about training opportunities and the importance of those experiences when building shooters. We touched on the changes and developments Chris has witnessed in practical law enforcement training, as well as how those changes impact the gear that H.R.T. designs produces. This was a outstanding conversation that touched on much more than simply shooting, and nylon. I highly recommend giving this a listen!
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Hard to believe we're into December, but here we are. With the arrival of the holiday season, we're on to our final SITREP of the 2023 calendar year, and there's plenty to talk about. In this installment, I share my thoughts and feelings around a number of current events, including the election in Argentina, the new ruling around the pistol brace ban, and even talk about the impact of the auto workers strike. Several different topics, and all worth your time. I think you'll find quite of bit of interesting information in this one all. Give it a listen, and as always, feel free to reach out to us with your comments and questions!
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Hard to believe it's already been a year and a half since the last time I was able to connect with Ian Strimbeck. If any of you have been keeping up with Ian and his work with Rune Nation, you know that he's a dedicated dude, with a strong mindset and a determined attitude. That's exactly why, in this weeks discussion, he and I sit down to talk about our opinions and feelings on our community, self development, and personal accountability. We talk at length about discomfort, complacency, self-reliance, dedication, and desire. Certainly one of the deeper conversations I've been fortunate to have here on the pod, but there's a lot to take away from this discussion. Give it a listen, and see for yourself!
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As we're growing closer to the Thanksgiving holiday, so too are we approaching the greatest shopping day of the year. Black Friday. The opportunity every twelve months for all of us to change, upgrade, and add that one elusive and expensive piece of gear/equipment to our setup. While we certainly try to highlight how to be best take advantage of black Friday, this year I wanted to have a discussion to give some context and some detail around why, and bring in an outside perspective. Both Josh and I share our thoughts and logic around what you should purchase first, what should be some of the last things you consider for yourself, as well as more than a couple stories to go along with it all. We both had a lot of fun putting this together, and sincerely hope that it helps a few of you make some great decisions this holiday season. Hope you enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving from the PMP team to you and your families!
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With Thanksgiving around the corner, this time of year is about giving thanks, and along with that, reflection. As we look back, it's often surprising and humbling to see how our individual and unique perspectives have changed. Josh and I sit down and talk about what's brought us to where we are today, what lessons we've learned, and share major points of growth, as well as truly impactful moments in our lives. From historical events that triggered a change in mindset and demeanor, to large purchases that reshape our view on capability, we touch on quite a bit. This was a really insightful and open discussion, and I'm sure many of you can related to lots of what we have to say.
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Communication. It's part of almost everything we do. Somehow though, in the tactical space, it has become one thing so many of us miss. For this weeks discussion, I sit down with Lyndsey Do, owner of LKD Communications and Cadre at Orion Training Group, to talk about just that. Lyndsey spent ten years in the Army National Guard working specifically as a radio specialist, and has a passion for brining this information to her students. We talk quite a bit about radios and the capabilities they offer, as well as the under appreciated value of local ham radio organizations that the plethora of information they offer. Further, we talk about a lot of things folks have common questions on like budget, tactical setups, encryption, and more. This conversation was a lot of fun, and I think you will enjoy it as well!
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November's SITREP is here, and as usual, I dive into a few select pieces of current affairs, and give my thoughts and opinions. This month, as usually, unfortunately, we are talking about more suggested gun control, as well as the flaws that accompany those suggestions. I talk about responsibly armed and prepared citizens, and give a few insights around why we're seeing these steps in D.C. to try and reshape American rights.
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Fresh off several back to back night vision courses, Jon Dufresne joins me once again on the pod. This time, I have the chance to pick Duffy's brain on getting into night vision, and the learning curve that comes with these tools. While's there certainly several barriers, including price, which can make access to these kind of tools difficult, it's important we continue to make ownership and usage more normal. We get into talking about single versus dual tube setups, and if there's really a true down-side to owning one over the other. Past that, we get into housings, features, helmets, mounts, and more. This definitely isn't even close to everything we could talk about with NODs, but it will hopefully answer many questions, and give you a push in the right direction if you're still on the fence about buying a tube.
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For many of us, buying a large piece of land, with some place to shoot, is a goal and a dream. For others, potentially even the faint idea of opening our own range or training facility as a side job is a fond concept we think about in our free time. In this weeks episode, I sit with Ryan, one of the owners of Ben Franklin Range, who's brought both of those ideas together, and more to provide everyone from average citizens to law enforcement and military personnel a outstanding place to train. We get a true, behind the scenes look at what it's like owning and maintaining a training facility, how this all came to be for Ryan, and even a few sneak peeks at what is coming in the near future for BFR. If you visited the site for the HTA Range Day event in September, or any other classes, you know this is a top tier facility. If you haven't yet made the trip out, give this episode a listen, and hear what you're missing out on!
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Chance is back! After having the opportunity to finally meet Chance at last months HTA Range Day event, and hearing the rave reviews on his vehicle combatives class he gave, I wanted to catch up with him and hear his take on what's otherwise a very popular topic in the shooting space. We've all seen videos of dudes blasting out ports in windshields and fighting out of a vehicle to their trunk to retrieve their carbine. Chance however, offers a different take and perspective on this topic, for the daily carry civilian. As always, this was a really insightful and fun conversation, and I really did enjoy hearing the explanations behind what Chance teaches and why. If you're someone who's out and about commuting, or simply just worried about your and your families safety in public settings, you'll get a lot out of this. Check it out!
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With everything that is quickly developing with the conflict in Israel, I thought it important to share the facts and some of the research I conducted. As the United States has become a strong international partner with Israel, the implications of this situation could have effects on much more than just that country. I give a high level timeline of what's been going on, talk a bit about gorilla fighting and why the moves you're seeing are so effective, and go on to share ideas around what might be coming in the next few days and weeks. This is certainly a shocking and horrific scenario that is playing out in front of us, and while much of the world will simply share social media banners with support for one side or another, I thought it critical to give a more informed perspective.
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Success is something we all strive for, and simultaneously the one thing many of us feel like we never quite achieve. With this being our two hundredth episode, I wanted to take the opportunity to share how we found our success, and how The Prepared Mindset has gotten to where it is today. I spend a good amount of time talking about how and why this project was started, but I also give a rare look into behind the scenes and what has made it work this long. There's definitely been a fair bit of adversity and more than one occasion where we almost called it quits. Through everything, we have persevered and this, more than ever, is a successful endeavor. Plenty of laughs, a ton of thank you messages, and a lot more in this episode. If you've made it this far with us, I encourage you to give this a listen, and see if you know as much about Prepared Mindset, as you think you do!
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Josh is in, and we finally have the opportunity to sit down together to recap for all of you, our group trip out to Pennsylvania. The HTA Range Day is a charity event to benefit Human Trafficking Awareness by sending all the proceeds of the weekend to Deliver Fund. Aside from this being a fantastic experience, it obviously supports a tremendous cause. Josh and I share the details around how this trip came to be for us, and we get into everything that went on over the weekend. A large point of discussion was the outstanding class Josh was a part of with Blake Flannery and Alex Manor, learning their approach to Small Unit Maneuver. There was a whole lot we did on this trip, and we get into pretty much all of it here. If you weren't able to make it out this year, but want to next year, give this a listen, and see what you missed out on!
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As we jump in to October, we have a lot of news to discuss, and talk about how it impacts our community. In this SITREP installment, I talk about the passing of Senator Feinstein, and what implications it could carry with it, as well as looking into the creation of yet another anti-2A office. We also unpack the recent court ruling in California, regarding the ban of detachable magazines over ten rounds, and what this decision could mean for the future of states with similar legislation. All of this, and more, on this months SITREP!
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Joe Pistone is a former Marine, current Law Enforcement, and a member of the cadre at Orion Training Group. When I traveled to the HTA Range Day event, Joe was one of the instructors running my class, and I had the privilege of learning from him throughout my day and half spent at the event. As someone who's been involved on the learning side and done a good amount of development in the realm of CQB both in and out of military, Joe has a lot of knowledge and insight not only around teaching, but designing a curriculum. We spend time in our conversation talking about principle based teaching, information processing, the challenge of working behind the power curve, and a lot more. I was very much looking forward to this discussion, especially coming out of the class, and getting to pick Joe's brain. This was a awesome discussion, and I'm very much looking forward to being able to have Joe back on for more!
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This week, I have a very unique conversation with Mr. Sam Boyer Groff, or as many of you probably know him, Prep Medic. Sam is a flight medic and also works with a local sheriff's department as a SWAT medic. As such, he has a lot of experience dealing with a variety of medical emergencies that many of us could hardly ever dream of encountering. We spend time talking first about what brought him into his current career position, what it takes to get there for folks aspiring to do it, as well as the very specific role that he fills in his day to day on the flight crew and SWAT team. I've been personally following Sam online for several years, so getting to sit down and pick his brain was a great opportunity. If you're considering a career as a Paramedic, or already are one and working towards your next step, this is a great discussion that might help you.
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Matt Thomas is a Arizona native who has spent the last 30 years working as a Pinal County Sheriff's deputy, and currently holds the role of Chief Deputy. Over the course of his career, he has worked in Detention, Patrol, Narcotics, S.W.A.T., Undercover, and more. Given his position, and experience combating the cartel activity that comes through his jurisdiction, I took the opportunity to pick Matt's brain on many of the issues involving the U.S. southern border. We talk at length about human trafficking, drug and weapons smuggling, the impacts on our countries infrastructure, and also how we're fighting back. Certainly, Matt has no shortage of experience, and was able to explain a lot of how local LE agencies as well as Federal agencies like Border Patrol are trying to address the crisis at the border. I learned a lot, and I encourage anyone concerned with the status of our illegal immigration problem to give this one a listen.
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Josh and I sit down for a discussion around the importance of discomfort, and mental toughness when evaluating your personal growth. One of the biggest setbacks we all face with our individual development is one we are least likely to acknowledge, and can be the most difficult to face. Our own individual aptitude for overcoming the adversity which we encounter. We talk at length about how placing yourself in specific situations to spur growth, while acknowledging an overall lack of personal comfort, is often times the largest step that can be taken when trying to further oneself. In today's day and age, with technology and instant gratification everywhere, this is becoming more and more uncommon in our society.
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Hard to believe we're already in September, as the summer continues to wind down for 2023. Since it's a new month, it's time for another SITREP as we bring you current events and political news, while sharing thoughts and feelings around their impacts. In this installment, we talk again about the growing concern with the southern border of the United States, the health status of our country, our expectations of our aging leadership, and more. There's a lot to dive into with this, and we waste no time getting started. Give it a listen, and don't forget to share your thoughts with us!
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Trey Rosenbaum joins me again for this weeks episode as we dive into one of his life's great passions, Disaster Relief work. Like myself, Trey's first experience with relief work, similar to myself, was assisting with the nation wide effort to send supplies to Hurricane Katrina victims. Living in Arkansas, Trey has experienced a lot of Tornadoes, flooding, deep freezes, and as a result devoted a lot of time to getting certifications for relief work, and helping people. We spend a lot of time in our discussion talking about the training and certification process, who sponsors the groups that provide the relief to impacted communities, and crisis management. A lot of good dialogue here around the importance of a strong network, and a devoted community, as well as security and communication within the community during times of chaos. This was a tremendous conversation, and one I think you'll really enjoy.
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I am joined this week by Chris Dwulet, who is a writer for ammo.com. Chris and I get into several points of discussion, but primarily focus on prepping in a suburban setting versus rural, and his personal experience of helping his mother-in-law flee Ukraine and escorting her safely to the United States. Many pieces of prior guest conversations can be found in our chat, but the story itself is incredible. Things like reliable communication, planning and contingency planning and more are highlighted. We talked about prepping in your community, as well as the next steps that can be taken to further position you and your family for success. Absolutely one of the most interesting and captivating guests that I've had on the pod thus far, and I highly encourage everyone to give this a listen.
Chris also share this link for everyone to save on their next ammo order as you continue to stock up! https://ammo.com/chris
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As I find myself amidst another year of getting off the grid, and heading out to teach camp, and shape the minds of future musicians, I thought it a great opportunity to talk about teaching. It's a interesting relationship between teacher and student, and one that I think is often misunderstood. Personally, I've spent a immense amount of time trying to deepen my understanding, in order to be a better instructor. In this episode, I share my experiences and feelings around the importance of communication within this relationship, Specifically, I talk at length about the separate, but connected, responsibilities that are part of effective learning, and training. If you're someone who's looking for ways to grow your training group, or maybe just a better handle on why you're not getting better faster, this should a great episode to check out!
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It's been a hot minute, and then some, since we had a dedicated discussion to everyday carry. As a prepared community, this concept is baked into our daily lives. The tools and gear that we carry with us to enhance our capabilities, it what makes up our E.D.C. With that said, I share thoughts around what your should carry, provide some caution when selecting holsters, talk medical, carry bags, knives, and watches. Truly a departure for the discussions we've gotten used to here, but a fun one none the less! Give it a listen, and see how you stack up with what you carry out of the house every day!
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Another month, and another round of updates, as we jump into current events, and some good ole fashioned political commentary. We have the ongoing investigation into the current president's possibly illicit business dealings, another arraignment of our former president, the vice president serves up another word salad, and more. We try and release these at least once a month, to bring you all our thoughts and our feelings around the world we live in, what it could possibly mean, and even what we think may come next. Check it out, and feel free to reach out and share your thoughts as well!
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Human trafficking is probably one of the most well known, and least acknowledged problems that plagues society today. It exists globally and is an industry that generates revenue beyond what most markets can achieve in their greatest of years. To bring awareness and education to this cause, I sit down with Kara Smith, a consultant and Air Force veteran to talk about this. As someone who has spent time working with multiple government agencies, supported law enforcement in their efforts to combat trafficking and increase training, Kara has a wealth of knowledge to help inform us. During this week's discussion we get into different types of trafficking, their impacts and causes, as well as what some agencies in the U.S. are doing to collaborate and combat the issue, and how we all can contribute as prepared civilians, to prevent this heinous activity. This is a deep, heavy conversation, but one I was very happy to have with Kara, and am proud to bring to you all.
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I'm joined this week, by former Marine, and Air Force veteran, Alex Manor. Alex is one of the instructors at Maneuver Training Solutions, as well as the face of both Leaderless Gentlemen and Tactical Lifters Guild on Instagram. We have the opportunity to sit down and have a deep conversation about life, balance, fitness, nutrition, personal accountability, raising children, and more. This was one of the more surprising discussions I've had the privelage to host, and definitely one of the most enjoyable. For any of you out there chasing your purpose, on the journey to self recovery or self improvement, this chat is a manifestation of many of the struggles we all battle in our day-to-day. Truly an exception experience, and one that I believe you will all enjoy.
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Bryan Veliz is the owner and founder of Slytac Training. In addition to that, he's spent years instructing as a full time LE officer and working with Centrifuge Training. As a result, Bryan brings a unique combination of experience from both the training/teaching forefront, and the real world participation as a police officer. We sit down, and chat about what got Bryan started, how he got where he's at today, and what drives his training philosophy. Subjects like low-light engagements, white light manipulation, vehicle combatives, and injured shooter considerations make up the core of what Slytac and Bryan bring to their students. If you're a current officer, looking for a strong resource for well informed training, this will be a great listen. And, if you're a prepared civilian looking to grow your capabilities within your daily life, this is for you too. Check it out folks!
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White Lights. We all carry them, either on a firearm, on our person, or ideally, both. It's hard today to have a discussion around the flashlight game and not have the name Cloud Defensive brought into the conversation. Cloud has been around for about a decade and has turned heads with its products, pushing the limits of what's on the market. In this weeks episode, I have the chance to chat with Sean McCauley, one of the two founds and owners of Cloud, and talk all about flashlight innovation, and what's make the team at Cloud Defensive so successful. We talk about manufacturing, customer service, technology, and a lot more. If you're a fan like I am, you'll love this discussion. If you've never heard of these guys, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!
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In this latest installment of our SITREP series, I talk about some of the geo-political crisis that are happening over in Europe. There are several strong parallels to be drawn between some of our own experiences here in the U.S. and what we're seeing in the news in both France, as well as the Netherlands. Greater understanding of these overall issues is indicative of many underlying and symptomatic problems that our society across the globe is facing in 2023. Additionally, we spend time discussing the importance of border security and it's impact on human trafficking, in reference to the file Sound of Freedom.
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As we celebrate the fourth of July, I thought it important to talk about not only why it's a true holiday worthy of our celebration, but the responsibility we as American's we have to uphold it's meaning. I talk about current events and the erosion of the Second Amendment community, and how the behaviors that allowed for that same damage can further lead to dramatic swings in our country. Everyone should absolutely take full advantage of the opportunity celebrate the liberties and freedoms that our home affords us, and take it up on themselves to protect and grow those same ideals within our communities. Happy Fourth of July all!
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We talk a lot about physical capability and personal health in our community, as they directly correlate with ones survivability. If you can't run long distances with good stamina, carry large quantities of weight, or lift heavy objects as needed, it raises questions. The flip side of this discussion, is how we fuel our bodies and how we care and maintain our bodies. Jayme Galash joins me in this weeks episode as we get into nutrition and understanding how to care for our bodies. The correct behaviors in the gym are only completely effective when paired with a effective diet. Further, being able to understand and address lingering health issues that could impact your overall effectiveness. We talk nutritional therapy, effective nourishment, dieting, and more. Definitely a insightful conversation, especially if you're looking to maximize your training and personal capability.
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Fresh off of our introductory range session for Fathers Day, Josh, Trevor and I go over the experience and how sobering it was. Having spent so many years shooting, learning, and training, we easily forget the fundamentals involved with getting started down the road of tactical training. Administrative tasks like just walking down the range and how to handle the weapon platform all the way to safety procedures are all learning opportunities for the uninitiated. We dive into all of this and more as we share stories from the weekend, as well as our personal learning over the years. As focus on growing the community and building a training group of well prepared individuals.
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In this latest situation report, as always, I share my thoughts and feelings around current events, what's led us to them, what we can expect going forward, and more. With the passing of the June 1st brace ban amnesty deadline we dive into all of that nonsense, as well as my personal thoughts and feelings around the investigation to the bribery allegations related to our presidents family. As it's fathers day, I also take a few moments to thank all the father's out there, and share with you why it's so important to have a positive male figure in our children's lives.
If you're a fan of performance based pistol training, you've no doubt heard of Scott Jedlinski, a.k.a. Jedi, and his company, Modern Samurai Project. Scott's teaching and knowledge has become well known, and well respected within our community for its effectiveness and it's proven results. In this week's discussion, I get to sit with Jedi for a few moments and talk to him about what led him to start teaching, why the focus on red dot optics and appendix carry performance, and more. The recurring themes in what has driven much of Scott's success come out in the discussion as we get into martial arts, controlling fights, building consistency, as well as having a aggressive and accountable mindset. If you're a fan of Scott's teaching, or just looking into pistol optics for the first time, I think you're really gunna dig this!
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Something that gets a lot of buzz, and a lot of discussion today, is the concept of getting off the grid, away from civilization, and homesteading. It's a great idea that affords you a lot of additional freedom and benefits. I'm joined this week by Trey Rosenbaum, a Horticulturalist, as we talk about some of the foundational pieces of starting yourself down the road of greater sustainment, and a stronger community. We go beyond just food storage and sourcing nourishment locally, and talk at length about disaster relief, as well as mutual assistance networking. This was a really insightful discussion for me, and I think that if you're someone interested in growing your network, building your own sustainment, or looking for ways to be more prepared, you'll enjoy this!
As we continue to work toward growing our community and our groups, we reach out and make connections to expand our reach. We often preach to each other about the value of capable and valuable gear. However, we don't often consider the quality of the individuals we connect with, their morality, or their true value to our overall goals. Trevor, Josh, and I sit down to talk about our thoughts on morality in modern days, and the impact that character and mindset can have on all of us as we strive for greater things. This can be a startling discover for many of us when we find that the individuals we surround ourselves with, may not be the caliber of company we plan to keep around us.
Joining me in this weeks episode, is Matt Pranka, owner of X-Ray Alpha, LLC. Having spent several years in Special Operations as well as becoming a USPSA Grand Master, Matt has a lot of experience and first hand knowledge in shooting and training. In our discussion we took a deep dive into a lot of the cultural issues within our community that correlate with a lack of, or improper training. Things like fundamentals, appropriate training progressions, standards, and training paradigms are all a part of this weeks conversation. If you're a shooter, and have thoughts, opinions, or questions around your personal training methodology, or even simply question the relevance of your existing training resources, this discussion will be a great listen for you.
Jon Dufresne is a former Army Ranger, and the owner/founder of Kinetic Consulting, teaching various forms of shooting, marksmanship, and night vision training. Duffy joins me this week as we sit down and talk about his perspective on providing not only quality training, but a quality learning environment to allow students to grow and develop. Throughout our conversation we talk about time management, personal help, development and dedication, as well as night vision and lasers. I had a blast with this conversation, and I know you'll enjoy listening to it as well.
Derek Frymire and I catch up on this weeks episode, as we jump into another discussion around gear. As the owner of Drop 6 and a expert in materials and sewing, Derek is an awesome resource to help shine some light not only on costs, but why costs go up or down, and what quality really means. As usual, there's plenty that I don't know that Derek is able to fill me in on, and we touch on materials, manufacturing, talk about the secondary market for used goods, and more. Happy to be able to grab a bit of time and get this one out to you all. If you're just stepping into the community and looking to understand more about all of your kit, this is a great resource for you!
Another great SITREP coming at you as Trevor and I dive into current events and their impact on our community. I this installment, we talk about the coming expiration of Title 42, the ongoing crisis at our southern border, and it's impact on the country. We also spend time talking about the ongoing review of the pistol brace opinion, the end of the amnesty period, and what implications this all carriers with it.
Jonah Tyree is one of the owners/founders of One Hundred Concepts, a company that develops solutions for common problems many of us face in the tactical community. Their light caps and scope caps feature a unique and simplistic design that many of us have come to love and appreciate. Jonah and I sit down, and talk about not only what lead to the creation of One Hundred Concepts, but why these solutions and products are necessary. We discuss the seven S's of camouflage, talk about the firearms community, discuss our favorite camo patterns, and more. Always a great conversation when I'm able to connect with Jonah, and I'm very happy to be able to share this one with you all!
Camouflage is a critical, yet often misunderstood part of our community. Whether you're talking hunting, tactical shooting, or just plain fashion, it has its place. To talk about this, I'm joined this week by Curt Liddle, the owner and founder of Relv camo. Curt started Relv back in 2017 and has since found great success in his unique and innovative designs, and strong industry partnerships. We have the opportunity to talk about the technological side of the camo development space, and his time as a art director, as well as pattern break-up, industry and material limitations, and more. There's so much to get into, and we touch on a awful lot of it, and even share some stories and thoughts around starting a business, mindset, and attitude. I truly enjoyed this episode, and I believe you will as well!
Josh and I sit down in this weeks episode and talk about some of the things you hear on the range, how it impacts your growth, and why it's important to see past the commentary for what's really useful. As we've seen more new shooters in the past few years than probably at any point in the last hundred years, helping to provide quality information, as well as providing the understanding that needs to come with that information, is absolutely critical. Josh shares some of the feedback from his recent qualification, and we both talk about our earliest influences that helped us learn, and grow.
Scott Dunham of Nocturnality Gear is my guest this episode as we dive back into the world of night vision. Nocturnality is a custom night vision shop, and Scott has is a wealth of knowledge on not only the industry, but a lot of the recent history of night vision technology and its applications. During our conversation, we get into the different generations of tubes, the details behind building your first setup, manufacturing standards and the specifications we look at while purchasing, and more. This was a lot of fun, and certainly will be a great help to anyone looking to grab their first tube!
Another SITREP dropping for you all, as we celebrate the Easter holiday. I take just a few moments on this episode to talk about being thankful, social media, and the importance of building relationships. As we all work to strengthen ourselves and those around us, building a better rapport with our neighbors, it's important to take a bigger picture look at how we handle our interactions, and work to react accordingly. Through more steadfast friendships and relationships, we will all grow and prosper, together.
In this week's episode, I'm joined by Mike and Keith, the hosts of The Gun Experiment Podcast. As native New Yorkers, these gentleman are civilians living "behind enemy lines" and have persevered and found success in the 2A community, despite their legal conditions. We dive into gun control, the community, training, experiences with law enforcement, and so much more. This is a great discussion, and a fantastic example of the wide diversity and circumstances that makes up our collective community!
As we continue to grow and evolve, our team here at P.M.P. must also grow. This episode I welcome Josh, who will be joining me on a more regular basis as we continue to bring information and discussion to you all. Josh is a local Michigander, and a former soldier. Aside for his deep passion for training, shooting, and learning, we both share a love for music that greatly shaped our lives in our early years. We take this opportunity to hear a bit of Josh's story, as well as have some in-depth discussion around various topics within our community.
One of the questions I get the most from folks, is around what to buy for their first firearm, what's a good belt, can I recommend a plate carrier. I get asked almost these same questions every time a friend approaches me about wanting to get into preparedness. As such, this is something I've been collecting several thoughts around, and wanting to do a episode on for a while. I get into the thought process that should go into your very first firearm purchase, all the way down to what you shouldn't buy and don't need, and why. With so many new shooters entering the space in the last few years, this topic is more important than ever.
In this months SITREP, I talk about the ever-present fight for what is deemed as "common sense" gun control, and the legislation currently being pushed here in Michigan. I share my feelings around the trickle down impacts, as well as how the desired outcomes may be the furthest thing from the observed outcomes, as well as how these efforts are built and driven off of poor data, and motivations. I dig into quite a bit here and encourage you to give this a listen, and react or respond accordingly, in your own state.
Bill Blowers is the owner and founder of Tap Rack Tactical, and also a industry leading expert on ballistic shields, and shield training. As former Army and Law Enforcement, Bill draws on a lot of experience with his teaching and has helped to define and grow many of the common practices and techniques used by SWAT teams around the country. In our discussion we talk about the evolution of technology and training from the mid nineties to today, we get into shield application, armor standards, and a lot more. Definitely a interesting discussion for anyone in law enforcement that finds themselves working with, or around shields and ballistic cover.
To many of us in the training community, we've become so inundated and overwhelmed with the use of the term "recce" that I don't know if we even still know what it means. It's something I have a idea about, and see a lot of information thrown around about, but haven't deeply addressed personally. I'm joined this week, by my friend Adrian, owner of Sidewinder Concepts, to do just that. We take a deep dive into the mindset and skillsets that build recce concepts. Plenty of misunderstandings are corrected, and information gaps are filled throughout our discussion. If you're some who's looking to take your training to new places, or simply have no clue if you really understand reconnaissance, you'll likely learn a few things here!
Self defense has been the gateway concept for millions and millions of American gun owners. Inevitably for many of us, that concept grows and grows, until you end up with folks like myself, infatuated with the preparedness and survival community. My guest this week, Mr. Chris Cook, owner and founder of Odyssey Training & Consulting, has devoted himself and his work to self defense training and education. In our discussion this week, we take a deep dive into the practical training and mindset that comes with defending yourself, both with a firearm, and without. This was a thoroughly enjoyable discussion, and I know you're all going to enjoy it as well. Check it out!
I'm joined this week by Justin Day, the owner and founder of Finest Hour LLC, a training company based here in Michigan. Justin is a former Paramedic and SWAT Paramedic prior to entering the world of coaching and instruction, additionally having spent several years with Haley Strategic. We spend time talking about the state of training opportunities in Michigan, setting realistic expectations, culture and more. Additionally we touch on social media, mindset, dry fire versus live fire, and a even more than I can mention. This was a jam packed conversation worth checking out!
Optics. We all love them, we run them on our rifles, our pistols, even our crossbows. They've become a staple of preparedness in many ways, and the innovation behind them has skyrocketed over the past several years. To talk about this, i'm joined this episode by Ahmad Aboukar, the owner and CEO of Lead & Steel, a company who has created, designed, and launched their own optic from the ground up. We touch on a lot of the science behind optic design, as well as get into some of the specifics behind what makes their optic, the Promethean LP-1, stand out in the crowd.
Time for another Sunday SITREP as I share my thoughts and feelings around current events. In the past several weeks we've experienced everything from a state of the union address to a spy balloon that nobody could figure out how to get rid of. Plenty to unpack in this one, and I hit it all.
Something we've not talked nearly enough about, is survival skills, their applications, and the context in which they are deployed. I'm joined this week by Mitch, a former Air Force S.E.R.E. instructor, as well as Baer Solutions instructor, and co-owner of Agonic, LLC. We talk about fundamental skills, tools, the principles of camouflage and concealment, mental strength, personal will, and more. Tons to unpack here, check it out!
Early on, one of the most ridiculous criticisms I ever received, was that "Mindset doesn't matter in any of this, you should change the name of your podcast", and I still remember the feeling of disbelief. Mindset is the foundation and core of everything we collectively pursue, and ultimately will be the thing that makes us or breaks us. This week, I open up, and share my feelings about mindset, the reality of it, and how it can be your guiding principle to success.
I am joined once again by Chance, of Holistic Solutions Group to have a discussion around Vehicle Interdiction work, and the impact of tech resources within a unit. HSG has recently rolled out their "Tech Operator" course, which helps teams and agencies augment their existing TTP's and enhance capabilities using throw bots, drones, pole cameras and more. Really fascinating hearing about the application of these tools and why it's so impactful that they be utilized. Additionally, we talk about fighting around vehicles, interdictions, and the importance of applying CQB principles around a vehicle to increase safety, and effectiveness. Always learn something new when I sit with Chance, and I think you will as well.
In this episode, I take another dive into the world of long range, precision shooting, with Adrian, the owner and founder of Sidewinder Concepts LLC. As a former Army Sniper, and self taught shooter, Adrian has a lot of time behind a scope, and offers a ton of insight into things like setting up the weapon not just correctly, but how to correctly fit you, for maximum success. We touch on things like eye relief and eye box, reticles, shooting positions, and a lot more. Already looking forward to getting back together for our follow on discussion and learn even more. If you're somebody who wants to get into PSR this year, or maximize your carbine and LPVO, you definitely need to head over to sidewinderconcepts.com and find a class!
We've had a development, and another opinion, which impacts all of us as lawful gun owners. As usual, I share my thoughts, and my feelings, along with some predictions on what is coming down the road for our 2A community. I speak on the importance of understanding the issue and its impacts, and taking steps to push back through our elected leadership to have our rights protected, and our due process followed.
One of our earliests guests here at PMP was Dameon Houser, and at the time his company was called The Concealed Journey. Fast forward to today, they've had a change of name, and new direction in their mission. I sit and talk with Dameon about what it's been like re-focusing their mission plan and goals, as well as accountability, community, and more. There's so much we get into while looking not only at what GRG is doing to improve the capabilities of it's students, but how to expand that same mindset across our community to help everyone achieve more, through collaboration. Certainly enjoyed being able to catch up and have this discussion, hope you enjoy!
As we jump into 2023, we're kicking things off with a bang, as I have the chance to talk with Duncan Greene, from Steele Industries. I wrapped up 2022 by making my first night vision purchase, as did many folks. Night Vision, for being based in old, analog technology, is still largely a mystery to many of us. There are lots of questions around specs, manufacturers, generations, the list goes on and on. Luckily, Duncan is a bit of a expert in this realm, and sits with me to share his thoughts and knowledge around not only Night Vision as a whole, but the first-time buyer experience, and what Steele is doing to help the community become better informed and better equipped. If you've been on the fence around buying some NODs, check this episode out, and get some of that much needed research taken care of!
Christmas has passed, and the turn of the calendar is officially upon us. Hard to believe that we're at our last episode of the year. Lexy and I sit down and go over some of the biggest events from the last twelve months, share some insight and short stories, and even drop some clues for what we have coming in 2023! From Lexy getting into her first class, the arrival of the first NFA item, all the way to purchasing night vision. It's been a year of growth and exciting experiences, and we cannot wait for what the future holds!
Defender Series Training Group was formed and launched by Troy Vanoostendorp as a means of helping to bridge the gaps in law enforcement training that existed between academy basics, and the real world experiences. In this week's episode I'm fortunate enough to sit down with Troy and discuss how he got to where he is today, and what he saw, and continues to see, that led him to creating Defender Series. Throughout the conversation we touch a lot on mindset and attitude, but also get into training standards, fitness, medical preparedness, stress exposure and management, and more. This was a fantastic opportunity for me to learn more about how the Law Enforcement piece of our community functions, and correct some additional information too. If you're a active duty officer, or aspiring to be one, I think you'll really like this one!
In 2019, Core Vision Training was founded to provide a training outlet for Core Vision Industries, a new company providing night vision. Jump forward to 2022, and Core Vision is now one of the most recognized training companies in the community and growing to address more and more training needs. I sit down with Kyle, the company founder, to discuss not only the founding process, but a myriad of other topics like mindset, training perspective, accountability, training standards, and more!
This week I get to talk with Chance, one of the three cadre members of Holistic Solutions Group, a training company built and dedicated towards defeating what they call "gas station tactics". Throughout our chat, we talk about some of Chance's experiences in his Law Enforcement capacity that led to where he's at today with H.S.G., as well as try and unpack issues within our social media community. Additionally, we talk about growth through differing ideas, we talk about books, tactics, techniques, procedures, and more. I had a stellar time chatting, and certainly look forward to more discussion of this sort, in the near future!
It's December, and time for another SITREP to talk on some of our current events. With a recent prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia, gun control amidst the release of international arms dealer, and a floundering economy heading into Christmas, there's certainly much to talk about. As always, I share my thoughts, and my feelings about all these issues, as well as some past events that tie into these conversations.
Drew Hopkins was another of my earliest inspirations, and someone who's content and information left a very large impression on me when I first entered this community. As a media specialist, his ability to draw attention to crucial topics within our culture have helped to spur valuable growth and discussion throughout social media. Much of this effort has been a catalyst for changes within the community, as well as being a shining example of how you can attract new people into the culture by showing how "cool" these things can be. Drew and I sit down and have a outstanding conversation around social media, shooting & training obviously, home life, accountability to ones self, and a whole lot more. Quite possibly once of the most enjoyable conversations I've had to date. Check it out!
Bob Keller is a 24 year vet of the United State Army, having spent time in the Ranger Regiment, and as a part of Special Operations. During his time with 1st Ranger battalion, and with Delta, he saw 14 deployments and numerous raids/gunfights. Today, he owns/operates Gamut Resolutions, a training company built and based around the idea that there is brilliance in the basics. In our conversation, we take a dive into training concepts and how fundamental skills are the key components to building success, proficiency and accountability. We talk about the 2A community, misconceptions around training idea. basic skills, evolutions in training over time, gear, and more!
Thanksgiving is here, and with it, brings the full swing of the holiday season! As Christmas brings with it the custom of gift giving, it also provides us the opportunity to help our fellow man, as well as support some amazing small businesses. To share some of our thoughts, as well as some great ideas from fantastic businesses in the community, Lexy and I sit down and go through 10 of our favorite gifts under a hundred dollars. If you're still scratching your head for that stocking stuffer, gift for a range buddy, or may just trying to pick up a little something for yourself, you may find an idea or two here!
We've made it through the mid-term elections, and have a whole new political landscape ahead of us, and a whole new set of questions. As always on our SITREP episodes, I share my thoughts, my opinions, and my insights on the recent developments and how they relate to some prior developments, what I think it will do to impact the future, and more. Additionally, I share some feelings about the upcoming holidays, and spending time with your loved ones.
While much of our community and admittedly this podcast has been around firearms training, and the importance of those skills, lifesaving abilities taught through medical instruction are just as important. These life changing skillsets are coming more and more into the public scope and being focused on more than probably ever before. I sit down with Josh, or as you may know him online as nomadic.clinician, and talk about his work as a paramedic, along with teaching as a member of the Orion Training Group cadre. We go through some of the essential pieces of a standard IFAK, the theory and use behind these kits, talk about fundamental skills, and more. If you're someone who carries this gear with them, but hasn't dove into really knowing the WHY behind it all, give this episode a listen.
Nic Kytlica is the marketing manager at Leupold optics and a competitive precision shooter. We sit down in this episode to have Nic share his experience and knowledge with me, around the fundamental pieces and concepts that go into shooting at a distance. As someone who has a very small amount of experience in this realm, I learned a lot in our brief discussion. We touched on topics like reticle styles, their benefits, D.O.P.E., ammo quality and tolerances, ammo tuning as well as rifle tuning, and a heck of a lot more I can't list here. If you're a hunter, or someone just genuinely interested at being able to reach out further with your weapon system, this is a great episode for you.
Green Beret Range Day is a fundraising event started by my friend Dillon, back in 2020 to bring folks together to shoot and train, while supporting The Green Beret Foundation. Fast forward a few years, and the event is going strong, and growing without signs of stalling or slowing. Dillon has created a unique experience based around bringing very skilled teachers and instructors together with folks who want to learn, and all to support this wonderful cause. The 2022 edition has just recently passed, so I jumped at the opportunity to grab Dillon's time, and get the low down on what all was offered and what plans are in the works for the future. Certainly a opportunity and experience unlike anything I've heard of, and something I implore everyone to look into. Give this one a listen, and then go sign up!
Small Unit Tactics. This concept has become increasingly popular and more prevalent within our community over the past several months. As we as a whole, continue to migrate and shift away from a singular focus on flat range training, this has become one of the predominant areas of focus and interest. To dive deeper into this, Blake Flannery joins me once again this week to share his knowledge on the subject. We have the added benefit of this discussion coming just a few weeks after the first few SUT classes for Orion Training Group, where Blake is a member of the cadre. We hit on things like parade commands, dry fire practice, shooting and moving, group dynamics, grenades, gear usage, and of course, dump pouches! Certainly a fun and educational chat, I think this is a very good starting point for some of you who have lots of questions around Small Unit Maneuvering.
I can't believe its already almost November, and time for the mid-term elections. With this big event just about a week away, it's the perfect opportunity to give another SITREP and share my opinion on some current events. As the election grows closer, we should all have a heightened awareness of current events and be putting in some time to research the issues. After all, in our democratic republic, voting is how our input and our voice is heard. This is an essential part of being a citizen, and something we should feel strongly about. Give this episode a listen, and hear my thoughts on some of the most recent developments, and ideas heading into next weeks mid-term.
Very rarely in life do you build the sort of friendships where you can not speak with someone for weeks or months, and be able to pick things up in your next conversation like it's barely been a day. Chris is a great friend of mine, and one such true example of friendship. This week, we sit down and chat about life, travel, night vision, suppressors of course, tuning rifles and some of the many projects that Chris has been working on with 1911 Syndicate. Hard to believe, but its been just over six months since the last time we were able to connect for a chat. As this opportunity arose, I wasn't going to miss the chance to hear about the adventures and escapades. Definitely a great, down to earth conversation, and I really think you'll all enjoy it as much as I did.
I've been searching for the right way to articulate this thought for a while, and finally decided it would be something great to discuss on the pod rather than in written word. For years we have seen different ideas and issues within our community from a certain "side" of the argument. However, I think over the past five to seven years we've seen that rift start to close up. As a culture, we've come together and shared our ideas, discussed our opinions, and deliberated our beliefs to reach today's state. No longer does "military grade" rule the day, and thankfully gone is the idea that anything military must mean durable and outdated. Our mission scope has shifted and we've started to come together. This week I share my observations on this communal growth and what it's looked like getting to this point.
Host of The Longhouse Podcast, and my friend, Tyler, joins me this week as we talk about all variety of topics. We spend some time sharing out experiences behind launching podcasts and some of the struggles that came with that process. Additionally we spend a greater portion of this episode talking communications. Something that's often overlooked, or simply seen as a box to check when building kit, it's crucial and can be a great tool, or an even greater hinderance. We talk budget versus quality radio/comm. setups, as well as some non-verbal communication skills like hand signals. There's a lot to unpack in this one, and I think you're going to enjoy it. Check it out!
Discussions, and often arguments around gear and kit are one of the great cornerstones that our 2A community is based off of. For better or worse, the conversations around these things has built and broken dozens of friendships and helped thousands of shooters learn and grow. This week, Burke and I take some time and examine this piece of the community and share our thoughts and opinions around why healthy discussion is essential to development. Burke is active duty Law Enforcement and has spent time in a multitude of areas ranging from Dignitary Protection and Tasks Forces, to basic patrol and investigation. Surely a unique conversation that provides plenty of insight into some common questions and societal norms we all see and experience. Check this out and see if we can't change your mind on a few things!
Since starting this podcast, some of the biggest questions and comments we get are how to get a spouse involved, what brought the partner into the situation, and is there a way to get your significant other more interested. This week, Lexy and I sit down, and discuss our own personal experiences and how we've been able to work together to be successful. We each have a unique set of skills and interests, that we've been able to combine to be more successful. If you've found yourself wishing your wife, husband, partner, etc. was more engaged, this episode is for you!
I am joined this week by Devin Soto, my good friend, and owner of The Tactical Cowboy LLC. As a former Army Ranger Devin has a lot of first hand experience with Close Quarters Battle. As a Ranger he trained to a high level of proficiency in a multitude of skills and situations. We sit down and we talk about fundamental skills and ideas that can might make you more proficient in that realm. Things like ballistic penetration, team work versus solo work, mitigating angles, and even more are all discussed. It's always a great time when I have the opportunity to catch up with Devin, but this was a truly educational discussion driven by opinions, thoughts, and context. Give it a listen, and see if it spurs any ideas for you!
My friend Josh Diringer joins me once again, as we dive into the concepts and ideas behind mission planning and contingency planning. During his time as a Green Beret, Josh had numerous opportunities to plan and prepare for all manner of operations. In some instances the first degree of planning was enough, and the mission was a success. In many instances, there was a need for additional plans to be in place. This is exactly what we dive into in this episode. The how's and the why's behind planning considerations and how to be more successful in the event you have to activate one of your contingencies. A learning discussion to be sure, and one that we'll all benefit from. Head over to survivefirstcontact.com for more info on Josh and how he can improve your level of preparedness!
Social media has been at the core of much of the rapid growth our community has seen over the last several years. The speed and ease at which we're able to share information has helped to usher in the newest generation of prepared individuals, and continues to do so. Unfortunately with that comes the speculation of personal opinions, and more often now, the criticism of those opinions. More often than not, incorrectly criticizing those individuals over a basic disagreement. This week, I take the opportunity to share my thoughts around this subject and how we can all ask more questions, to hear better answers. Check it out!
After over twenty years in the Air Force, and multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, Fred has moved into the civilian world as the head of research and development at Spiritus Systems working on some of the best gear you can get your hands on. I was fortunate enough to get some of Fred's time to sit down and talk about his experiences, but also some of his observations around our community today. As a man who's seen plenty, and done plenty more, his perspective on things like armor, shooting, communication, kit selection, and training are unique and valuable. This was a outstanding conversation, and I know that you'll enjoy it.
A couple questions I get a heck of a lot, is how did I get involved with shooting and training, and how I ended up running my own podcast. Well this week, given that I'm taking time out to break contact for a bit, and spend some time off teaching, I thought it would be a great opportunity to talk about my life before shooting, and how it shaped where I'm at today. As a musician, I learned a lot of skills that have lent themselves to my personal training and development. Honestly, likely a lot more than people realize, and even more-so when you hear some of the similarities between what many folks consider to be too very different fields of study. This one comes straight from the heart, and the memory banks, so I hope you enjoy it!
I'm joined this week by Blake Flannery, owner of Maneuver Training Solutions, LLC, as well as cadre at Orion Training Group. Blake is a former Force Recon Marine, having spent twenty years in the corps. Throughout our discussion, we talk about a plethora of different topics ranging from standard types of gear like plate carriers, chest rigs, belts, and rucks, as well as getting into the viability and effectiveness of different colors and camouflages. We discuss social media trends, the development of different fads in gear selection in usage, and ultimately how none of it will matter without adequate tactics, techniques, and training. A heck of a lot of information, and so much to unpack in this episode, you're bound to learn a few things from Blake.
It doesn't matter if you're a hunter, a sport shooter, competitive shooter, law enforcement, or military. If you run a gun, you have an optic. This week, that's exactly what we talk about! For my guest this episode, I'm joined by Nic Kytlica as we dive into red dots and scopes and get a first hand look at the processes that go into making these incredible devices. Nic is the Marketing Manager at Leupold Optics, and has been involved with the company in multiple capacities for over 15 years! The first-hand knowledge shared was super insightful, and I learned a heck of a lot. Check this one out, and I'm sure you'll learn a few things as well!
Time for another SITREP as the U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 1808 and is working to enact a "assault weapons" ban that will have a far and wide reaching impact on gun owners across the country. With something so impactful looming over the country and our 2A community, I share my thoughts and feelings, as well as some context on the situation. Additionally, I have an announcement around what's next for The Prepared Mindset and how it will impact our future.
On this weeks episode of The Prepared Mindset, I am joined by Derek Frymire, owner and founder of Drop 6. Derek does design and consulting work of nylon goods, or as we call it in the community, gear. We spent time diving into not only what led Derek down this path to learning his unique skillset, but to shaping it into a successful career. We even get into some industry discussion and shine the light on some manufacturing norms that may explain to a lot of you why some kit stands the test of time, and why some fails in just a few weeks. I certainly learned a lot from Derek, and you will too! Check it out!
It has been said that accountability is the glue which ties commitment to the result. With our pursuits of being more prepared, accountability is a all encompassing term that truly does tie everything together. This week, as I return from vacation, I share my thoughts on some recent events and how through accountability, we all, both as individuals and as a community, will find greater success.
Josh Diringer is my guest this week, and is also the owner of Survive First Contact LLC. As a former Green Beret, Josh has had a lot of unique experiences, and certainly many unique skills that he's learned and is passionate about sharing with students. During our conversation we touched on topics like Reconnaissance, Long distance shooting, as well as the adjacent skills, Fieldcraft, Urban Warfare, Attitude, and more. I learned a heck of a lot talking with Josh and I bet you will too. Go ahead, and give this one a listen!
On this weeks edition of Prepared Mindset, I had the opportunity to talk with Devin Soto. Devin is a former Army Ranger with multiple deployments, and also the owner/found of Tactical Cowboy Training Solutions. As a educator Devin and his team have had the opportunity to train civilians, law enforcement, and even children. Tactical Cowboy's mantra of measure twice, cut once, preaches above all else, personal accountability and is present in everything they do. Accountability is just one of the many, many topics we discuss this week, so check it out!
Have you ever wondered how a rifle is made? Not just built, but really made? This week, I get a in-depth look into that world, and some of the nuance behind manufacturing a firearm. Steve Winenger is the CEO of Ripcord Industries, a Tennessee based company that is designing parts, manufacturing quality rifles, as well as providing training too. Our discussion brought me a new level of understanding and clarity around building a blaster, as well as further illuminated the difficulties that accompany owning and operating your own business. This chat was extremely enjoyable for me, and I know you'll all like it as well. Check it out!
The past week has yielded landmark Supreme Court decisions around the right to concealed carry as well as the overturn of Roe v. Wade, and also seen the signing of additional federal gun control legislation. All three of these are critically impactful to our country and in many ways controversial. I sit down, I share my thoughts and my feelings around each of these and how they all impact each other.
Ian Strimbeck is the owner and founder of Rune Nation LLC. In this episode, Ian and I sit down and discuss the training mindset, and why it's so important that we not only protect it, but share it and teach it to those within our community. We had a fascinating philosophical discussion about things like failure, personal limits, resiliency, endurance, education, culture and even more. Rune Nations motto is, "No one is coming to save you" and it's in pursuit of that personal accountability and survivability that they instruct others, and share their knowledge. This was certainly a deeply enlightening and enjoyable discussion for myself, and I'm sure you're all going to enjoy it as well!
Josh Lowry is 2A enthusiast, outdoorsman, and armorer for T-Rex Arms. This week, he and I sit down and talk not only about his time spent working at T-Rex, but about the community that he has helped to strengthen in his social media contributions and personal convictions. We talk about discovering and learning your personal limits, and then finding ways to push them. We spent time talking about community, mentorship, politics, and how each of those things has been fundamental in building our culture we experience today. This was indeed a very enjoyable conversation for me, and one that I think you'll all enjoy too.
In much of the recent media coverage, we have seen politicians, leaders, celebrities, all railing for gun-control. We're told that in the wake of great tragedy, that the problem lies solely with guns, and gun ownership. "Facts" are thrown around imploring the general public to vote for anti-2A politicians. Lobby groups launch mass campaigns to convince the country that the root of all evil, and all our problems for that matter, lies with the second amendment, and those that support it. This week I take a deep dive into this issue and provide some facts of my own around this particular discussion.
Nine years ago, Jessica Hazelaar founded Eclipse Holsters after making her own holster and discovering that many others like her were in a need for a safe, quality way to carry. Fast forward today, and they're setting the bar in customer experience and customer service, expanding their footprint, and building some of the best holsters in the market. Jessica and I talked about how she got her start, some of the difficulties around holster making, the importance of education in our community, and more. If you haven't already, head on over to Eclipseholsters.com and check out the amazing work Jess and her team are doing! Use code 'PREPAREDMINDSET' and you'll even save 20% off!
Drew Estell is a former Army Special Operations soldier with 5th group, founder of Baer Solutions LLC, as well as author of Process and Progress Pistol Training. This week I had the opportunity to catch Drew between classes and sit down to chat about training, and his book on pistol methods and practice structures. We hit on a lot of key topics for developing skill sets and also discussed a number of other concepts, such as vision, and its importance to shooting performance. Simply an outstanding conversation, and one I'm sure you'll all enjoy!
For this SITREP I share my thoughts and feelings around the newly developing Monkeypox crisis, and compare it to the last global illness we all dealt with. What will the Biden administration push next via executive order? Also, I share my experience finally being able to get my suppressor approval and first time hitting the range. There's a lot going on to keep a eye on, so this is one you won't want to miss.
When most of us hear the term "intel" or "intelligence gathering" we automatically jump to spy movies and ideas of military genius. At some levels, that's definitely the case, but the truth is that we all are involved with all sorts of intelligence gathering on a daily basis. This week I talk about how we encounter this "intel" daily, and more importantly, how we can and should leverage it towards our planning, and our preparedness. Useful for all levels of preppers, this is definitely one you'll want to hear!
This week I take a break from interviewing awesome guests to talk something that's been very close to my heart lately. Self care and my personal health. We see a lot of talk in the media and especially on social media about why this is important. Because it really is. However, I had some of my own thoughts I wanted to share, as well as a update on my own situation and what I've been battling through the past few months.
Jason Ransome spent 4 years in the Marine Corps, and 18 in Law Enforcement. He's had the opportunity to work as a volunteer officer, a K-9 handler, a SWAT officer, and a bunch more. I had the privilege of chatting with Jason and hearing about his past, how he got to run his own training company, as well as trends in the community, as well as the how/why citizens have the right to be well educated, and well prepared. Another awesome episode, comin' at ya!
Chris "Dutch" Moyer spent 31 years in the military, with 26 of those being in JSOC. To say he's been around the block, and seen a lot, would be a major understatement! I had the opportunity this week to sit down and chat with Dutch about a plethora of topics. We touch on off-road racing, shooting, training, politics, and more. It was a truly fantastic conversation, that I know you will all enjoy. Check it out. To learn more about Dutch, head over to dutchchrismoyer.com or check him out on Instagram at@dutchchrismoyeractual.
When we here the word "terrorism" we often think of the middle east, and the groups which have defined the era of the Global War on Terror. What many of us don't often recall, is that not so long ago, revolutionary groups, in fact domestic terrorists, were present here in our own continental United States. I share my recent research and pseudo-education on this subject. There's a startling number of connections and parallels that are able to be drawn between these oft-forgotten groups of the 1960's and 1970's, to the movements we're all living through in today's America.
Chris is back, and this week we're taking a deep dive into suppressors! We talk about the 4 main characteristics observed when looking at suppressors, we argue over quick attach versus direct thread, and a whole lot more. This was a great and very enlightening discussion that I'm positive will be educational and beneficial if you're on the fence about buying a can, or possibly just a bit curious around the science and technology. Enjoy!
Certainly a bit sooner than I would have thought, but with the rapid rate of change lately in the world, there's some major developments taking place. We have a new sitting Supreme Court Justice that made it through nomination by the Biden Administration, there's been several developments and changes in Ukraine with the conflict against Russia, and the Secret Service even made it into the news. I share my thoughts, feelings and opinions on it all.
I have been following Orion Training Group online, and on social media for quite a while now. This week I had the fantastic opportunity to connect and chat with Jared Arceneaux, the founder of OTG. We talk about training, teaching, how to communicate effectively, and the importance of quality information. Jared and his team have been making great strides in the community and industry. This was a outstanding conversation, and one I'm sure you'll enjoy!
Trevor and I go through more of your questions this week, and share our insight to some of your most pressing inquiries. We're all over the board as we hit on things from home defense to Will Smith, and a bunch more. Check it out!
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Another SITREP as I talk through just a few key items that are happening in the world recently. World events, a little politics, an ATF opinion, it's all here for this one.
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When this project started 2 years ago, we really weren't sure that we'd see 50 episodes, let alone 100. In recognition of this milestone, Trevor and I talk about what's happened these past 2 crazy years. We've seen tons of growth and change here at PMP, but the world has become a vastly different place as well. Join us for this episode as we talk about everything we knew then, to all that we've seen and know now.
Finally this week, I have a chance to catch up with Tim Brum, and hear what he's been up to these past many months. Tim was one of my first guests and many of you know him as @concept_grey on Instagram. Fantastic conversation and probably one of the longest episodes we've done, if not, the actual longest. We touched on civilian training, social media, a little politics, and even got into the lumber industry! One of my most unique encounters to date, and one you're sure to enjoy. Check it out!
Trevor is on with me this week and we catch up on some of his recent gear upgrades and decisions. We also pontificate about the gas prices here in the U.S., how it relates to the growing issues overseas, and why the social media virtue signaling by the liberal masses here in CONUS don't actually help or support the people of Ukraine. He shares some insight on the economic impacts of recent evens and what we can even expect to see out of some bank account rates and the housing market too. A unique perspective to be sure!
This week, to kick off Women's History Month, Lexy hosts her first episode! Lexy sits down with Kim and they talk the female perspective of the 2A and prepper communities. As we continue to see growth within our society and culture, statistically, it's still predominantly male, and very critical that you welcome your wives, sisters, daughters, and friends into this world and help them embrace their right to self defense. No man-splaining here, it's just the girls this week!
This week, Lexy and I discuss the current events surrounding the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. At the time of our recording we're at the first day of what's been over 160 missile attacks, and military action by land, sea, and air. We discuss what we both know so far, and also talk about why what we do here, being prepared and well educated, can be so important when put in such a context. Citizens in Ukraine are now being called upon to take up arms, and defend their home. Such a situation is something that can still happen, even in 2022, and it's important we all take steps to be prepared.
This week, I had the chance to sit down and chat with Dillon Ruth, or as he's better known on social media, student_operator. We had an outstanding discussion around civilian preparedness, mindset, attitude and more. Also was fascinated to hear about his extensive work running a annual range day fundraiser that supports the Green Beret Foundation. Definitely one you won't want to skip, give it a listen!
This week, I talk about the Freedom Convoy that's been moving across Canada, and gaining plenty of momentum with our neighbors to the North. Locally, this convoy has now blocked the Ambassador Bridge and caused a major commotion and corruption to trade and commerce routes. I share my thoughts on everything that has led to this, as well as what this potentially means for the near future.
Its been waaaay too long since I've sat down and done a SITREP and talked about some key current events. So today, I briefly share my thoughts and feelings around some new court decisions, some new proposed legislation by our current administration, and more.
Winter is in full effect here in Michigan, and the "snow-mageddon" panic has set in for this season as folks flock to the stores to buy all the milk, eggs, and bread. As life-long mid-westerners, we have some experience living through these conditions. Lexy and I sit down and share some of stories and experiences, and talk about how most of them could have been avoided with a little preparation, and a touch of common sense.
Rob is back with me, and we're talking rifles! We do some comparing and contrasting around different optics, barrel lengths, which things lend themselves to which situations, and what just plain doesn't make sense. It's great getting Rob's opinion and experiences on the subject, and a discussion you'll definitely want to check out!
The new year is in full swing, and so is our calendar! I wanted to take a moment to sit and share with everyone our goals for the 2022 year, and what we have coming down the road over the next several months. Goals are a important part to sustained success and we have plenty set up for this year, and beyond. I talk about guests, gear, topics, and even in some areas shifting our focus and development. We plan to have even more success in 2022 than we did last year!
This past weekend, Lexy and I had the opportunity to take our first training class together. We headed out to Ann Arbor Arms once again, and participated in their Concealed Carry Tactics course. This was my 2nd class and Lexy's first ever! It was a fantastic overall experience and we both learned so much in just 4 hours. We talk about what we learned, Lexy's experience for her first time, our take-away's and observations, and much more.
We kick off 2022 talking with Conan Kilgore, and discuss the popular "recce" or "recon" concept. This is something that has grown and grown in popularity within the past few years but few people truly dive into to understand. Conan has devoted a large amount of his time, energy, and passion to developing these skills and is a wealth of knowledge. We talk rifles, we talk gear, we even talk hygiene. A great conversation, lots to learn, check it out!
2021 is almost at it's close, and what a year it's been. Our first full year up and running has brought about some unbelievable experiences and more than some unseen changes in our lives. I take the time this week to talk about the last 12 months, say some much deserved thank you's, and even offer a little insight on what the next 12 months might bring.
We've been saving and storing up questions that you all have sent and emailed in to us. This week, we get to a handful of those, as Lexy and I discuss some of your inquiries. Topics range from terrifying range experiences, to stress management. Check it out!
Winter is officially upon us. The days are short, and it seems like night time lasts forever these days. So, I thought it would be a great opportunity to talk about some of the light choices that are out there, why you should carry a flashlight probably more than anything else, what to buy, what to avoid, and a bunch more!
The right to free speech has long been a guaranteed right by our American First Amendment. Since the development of social media, having a individual thought, or unpopular opinion has been discouraged and often attacked. This week, through the lens and context of some truly terrible and tragic current events, I share my thoughts on why it's so important to not only have an opinion, but to voice it often.
As it the eve of December 1st, and of course bourbon being our drink of choice here at PMP, it only felt right to sit down and go over some of our absolute favorites. Trevor sheds some light on common misconceptions, as well as as shares his knowledge on all things bourbon and whiskey. A fun discussion to kick us off into the end of the year!!
I had the opportunity this week to sit and talk with Chris Blau of 1911 Syndicate. Chris works in real estate by trade, and also is part of the YouTube channel "1911 Syndicate" that provides informational firearms content. We talk real estate, we talk finances, we talk rifles, we talk about a whole bunch. One of the best conversations I've had so far, and not one you'll want to miss!
A few days early, I felt that in the wake of the verdict that came down today in the case of Kyle Rittenhouse, it was only appropriate to take the time to share my thoughts and feelings on this situation. Obviously this has been a closely watched trial, and the verdict carries large implications on both sides of the political aisle. Take a listen!
This week, I sit down and catch up with my good friend Spencer. We talk more about medical prepping, the importance of proper training, how to react in emergency situations, and a whole lot more. A great conversation, and one I'm sure you'll all enjoy!
Jumping off of last weeks discussion on the holidays, I take the time this week to explain my favorite kit. I go back from the beginning and talk about the mistakes I made, the money I wasted, and how I ultimately decided to carry what I carry, and why. Everything from belts, to shoes, to headsets, I touch on everything.
Halloween has officially passed, and we're officially in Christmas shopping season! We were a bit late to the party on this topic last year, and wanted to make sure we got out ahead this time. Lexy and I sit down and talk about some best practices to balance your budget while shopping, as well as discuss some great gift ideas for the prepared individual in your life.
This week, I take a moment to talk about where I've been the past week, the upcoming Halloween holiday, and how music shapes a stronger attitude. Specifically, I talk about some situational awareness and considerations for the one day every year everyone runs amok with masks and "weapons", as well as how my time spent studying music ended up shaping my work ethic and my mindset.
This week, I share my thoughts on the idea of "buy once, cry once" and why exactly it really is so important. Sam and I both had some separate interactions on a very popular online commerce site that left us a bit upset, and honestly more than a little confused. Buying quality gear is and investment in yourself, and ensuring you'll be ready when murphy's law enters the game. Enjoy!
This week, Lexy joins me, and we discuss the a situation she endured in the workplace, and why it's important to have plans established outside the home, in the event something happens. We take a lot of time planning for our home, but we spend as much, if not more time, in the office. Take a listen as we discuss workplace plans and strategies around being prepared.
Finally had a opportunity to catch up with my friend Dameon, from The Concealed Journey. We take the time to sit and chat, and catch up on what we've both been doing this summer. Both of us have been through our first formalized class experiences, and we compare some notes and experiences, as well as talk about a ton of other topics too!
In the prepping and 2A communities, it's easy to get carried away with our vernaculars and acronyms that exist, seemingly, for every little thing. After realizing in some recent conversations that not everyone understands what we're saying sometimes, I thought it would be great to talk through some of the most commonly used and heard terms and acronyms in the military/shooting/prepping community, and how they're all applied.
This week, Sam, Ryan, and myself sit down and talk bugging out. It gets a lot of hype in the prepping community for being the best laid plan, and the only course of action when the world starts to fall apart. But is it really your best option? We talk the pro's and con's of each, and hit on some of the finer points of what it really might look like to "bug in" or "bug out".
This week, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down, talking with Pat Watson, of Uncensored Tactical. We hit on everything from CQB, to force on force, to training mindset and vetting instructors. Pat and Uncensored are growing rapidly and have a ton of great things going on. We highly recommend you check out his website and his courses. You can find more information at https://uncensoredtactical.com/
It's been a hot minute and then some since our last SITREP, and given recent events, we felt this would be a fitting day for one! Lexy and I sit down and discuss the 20th anniversary of September 11th, 2001, how we spent the day, as well as hit a few current events involving recent announcements by the President.
Had the exciting opportunity to sit down this week with family friend and 36 year Marine Corps vet, Thomas Baker. Tom's career spanned the cold war on through the war on terror having only recently retired, and was able to share a lot about his vast experiences with me. Now that he's out, he is also the owner of Crossed Rifles Ranch in Wyoming, offering training and learning opportunities in everything from firearms to livestock and agriculture. Head to Crossedriflesranch.com to get more info!
Accountability should be what steers us, and helps guide us through our goal to be more prepared, and solidify our survival mindset. This week, I share my personal thoughts on what that means. How should we hold ourselves more accountable, and what does that really look like. I talk about some current events, share a few stories, and provide my opinion on why personal accountability is paramount when building a prepared mindset.
August 26th 2021, the largest lost of American life in a decade occurred in Afghanistan as two bombs went off and a gunfight ensued at Kabul Airport. I share with you my feelings first, and then my thoughts on what's lead to this so far, and what we need to do going forward.
This past weekend, I traveled out to Ann Arbor, MI to attend the Carbine 2 course at Ann Arbor Arms. Had a absolutely fantastic experience in my first structured course and I take the time this week to sit down and share my thoughts and experiences. I definitely recommend the amazing facilities and staff, head over to annarborarms.com and schedule your next class!
Trevor and I sit down this week and talk about some experiences we've had ourselves, learning about concealed carrying a firearm, as well as introducing others to it as well. We talk about some common misconceptions, hit on a need for greater education, and even share some of our favorite resources.
I have the opportunity to sit down and talk with my friend Jake, who is freshly out of the Marine Corps. He shares some stories and experiences throughout his time of service and talks about what it was like for him, how it helped him, and how it changed him.
This week, I have the privilege of sitting down with Yousef Badou. Yousef is a expert in situational awareness and pre-event threat detection. He runs Emergence, a company dedicated to sharing this information and training, with the mission of increasing safety and building proactive mindsets. You can find Yousef's training and more at: Free.EmergenceDisrupt.com. We highly recommend this to anyone concerned with safety, awareness, and preparation at any and all levels.
This week, I was able to return to my local gun range for the first time since lockdown in March of last year. As such, I spend some time talking about my visit, some of my observations, and sharing my insights on what to do or not do when at the range.
I share some thoughts this week, on tracking goals, maintaining a positive and tenacious attitude, and pushing through life with a consistent momentum. As we work towards a better equipped and more prepared lifestyle, these are things we all must have, if we want to find our own success.
This week, I'm joined by Zeff, from our partner MyMedic.com. We sit down this week and talk about how MyMedic got started, what their mission is, and how they're working every day to positively impact our world by preparing ordinary people to deal with extraordinary situations. We get into lots of great stuff, so check it out!
This week, Sam is back and we take our first step into the wide world of radio and communications. Sam shares his experience while working with multiple radio platforms during his time as a TACP. We take a high level look into how helpful these are, and how they can aid civilians in being prepared.
I'm joined this week by Tim, also known as concept_grey on instagram. We battle through some connection issues, but have a outstanding conversation about some little known government firearm programs, cloning GWOT mk12's and a bunch more. Great chat with a great guy, check it out!
This week, I take a look at the current hot-button issue with the ATF, pistol braces. Most American's and admittedly many gun owners don't fully understand how they fit into the law. I discuss their benefits, how they work with our current system of laws, why they're such a target today, and more.
Been a while since we had a SITREP so I thought after running into a couple particularly pertinent issues yesterday, this would be a good time. I talk briefly on my thoughts about 2A sanctuaries, legislation, and as always, doing research through reliable and credible sources!
Joining me this week, is Dameon Houser from The Concealed Journey. We take a bit of time on this weeks episode to discuss the 2A culture, mentoring new shooters, being prepared and what that means for well-rounded Americans, and so much more!
This week I share my thoughts and feelings on the growing amount of support of the 2A on various social media platforms. Looking specifically at the advancement and development of both shooter capability and competence, as well as technology. Without the specific work and support of those of us in the civilian sector, we would not be seeing the developments and advancements in gear and training that we are today.
Here in Michigan, we recently found out that restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be lifting. We will be able to put the last 16 months in our rear view. I sit down this week and talk about what we've seen and learned throughout the pandemic and how it's forever changed the way we'll live our lives.
For a bit of a different vibe this week, I sit down with Trevor, and we compare lists of our favorite and least favorite movie gats. Certainly no shortage of useless information and colorful commentary this week!
This week Sam and I are on with Rob Hull, a friend of ours who works in Law Enforcement. We sit down, and discuss how training impacts us from a civilian, military, and LE mindset. The ups, the downs, the in-betweens, we hit on a lot of the big issues in modern training, as well as how it most commonly impacts our daily lives.
Our fiftieth episode! I share my thoughts on work ethic, personal attitude, and determination. Reflecting back on the journey to get PMP to this point, I offer some of my own experiences, feelings, and failures that helped me and the team find our success.
After my conversation with Ryan on last weeks episode, I've got Sam back with me this week to review our recent trip. Sam shares his input on the trip, as well as a few stories and experiences of his own. We're looking forward to getting back out soon to do it again!
Ryan joins me again and we break down the weekend that Sam and I spent in Atlanta, MI at the Canada Creek Ranch. A weekend full of land nav, scouting, turkey hunting, and more. We talk about the ranch community, hunting turkeys, ducks, deer, and even get into a discussion on clear cutting forests.
As the 2A is under consistent attack in the media lately, I felt this a great opportunity to discuss the latest book got through "Mentoring Shooters" by Dustin Salomon. More specifically, talking about how to welcome new and curious shooters into the pro-2A community. We highlight topics, communication types, and a whole heck of a bunch more!
In the wake of this weeks major announcements from the Biden administration, calling for action by the Justice Department and the nomination for a new ATF director, we take a look at the proposed action. How does this impact you, is this all correct, how does this trickle down, and a lot more.
This week, I take a light-hearted look at the stimulus/relief funds that most American's have received in recent weeks, and appropriately, discuss the best 2A ways to spend that stimulus. We touch on all sorts of gear and I share my thoughts and feelings on various brands and options as well.
I welcome my friend Kori onto the pod this week, and take some time to answer her questions as someone "on the outside looking in". We discuss the current climate as it relates to gun control, what that means for most pro-2A Americans, and share all sorts of information that might not be general knowledge for someone outside the prepared community.
In the wake of the tragic incident in Boulder this week, and the growing demands from liberal legislators to enact even more gun control, I look at the current bills sitting in the House and Senate and how they will impact our lives as pro-2A individuals, as well as share my thoughts and feelings on them.
Sam and I make our long awaited announcement, reflect on the year past, our first full year of running the Prepared Mindset podcast together, talk about our successes, plans for the future, and a whole bunch more!
As states open back up, and we start the great American migration back into our respective offices and workplaces, we take the opportunity to discuss the restrictions we face around the office, and how we can operate within those confines, to still lead a prepared and safe workday.
This week, Lexy and I sit down to talk about our much loved four legged friends! After touching briefly on our pets and how they impact our plans in cold weather situations, it spurred me to do some research and really discuss how deeply embedded they are into plans for prepping and bugging out!
We've seen record winter weather emergencies across the United States the past few weeks. Many regions were ill prepared to face this kind of weather and as a result thousands suffered. So this week, I share some prepping tips and advice I've gathered living in Michigan my whole life, were this kind of cold and snowy weather is quite typical.
I take a chance this Sunday to catch up on some recent political events, and discuss the growing push by legislators for more firearms laws and gun control. I also touch on some of the developments around censoring conservative individuals and how it's impacting us as prepared individuals.
Instagram has become the focal point of much of the 2A community. Sam and I sit down this week and go through our top 10 internet fallacies as they pertain to the shooting community, and share our personal feelings on them all.
There's a lot of thought, and research, that should go into making your first several purchases for your defensive preparations. This week, I deep dive into many of the "missed" steps in this process, and provide my input, and personal experiences on each of them.
As we have more and more new gun owners, more concerned Americans taking a more considerable look at their safety, it's important to evaluate what "responsible ownership" really means. I take time this week to share my thoughts on ownership, and the training that should always come along with it.
Trevor and I follow up a dry-fire session with some shop talk. We hit on MK18's, SBR's, recommendations for friends, and even touch a bit on some bourbon.
This week, in lieu of all the changes politically, looking at the opposition we face as a 2A community, I talk about, what we do next. How can we, as a community, help ensure the safety and survival of what you hold dear. How can we help our fellow citizen see and understand what see, and the why, to why we do what we do.
I take some time to share my personal feelings, some experiences, and even a little history, discussing what the world looks like in 2021. With the ever changing political climate more turbulent than ever, there's lots to consider, and lots to prepare for. We talk history, we talk politics, current events, and how to bridge the gap with your neighbor.
Sam is back, and we tackle a topic we've all touched on at some point or another; Being a better shooter. We look at a bit of the science behind, a bit of the practical application, and exchange thoughts and ideas back and forth on how skills in both music and martial arts have lent themselves towards our shooting skills.
For our 30th episode, Trevor and I sit down and talk all the essentials. Everything from guns to watches, to quality blades, and of course, our favorite picks of bourbon.
Staying focused on your goals, is 100% essential. Especially, if you may not know where to start, or what your next step is, or where to look for support. I take some time this week to discuss my personal experiences with teaching, with learning, with how to digest information, and how to stay mission focused.
After having spent time the last few weeks diving down the "edc rabbit hole", I take some time to admit I was narrow on my scope of the subject originally. I've learned and found some pretty cool stuff out there, as well as a ultra support community of really cool folks dedicated to helping everyone learn and grow!
As a companion/continuation to our discussion on attention in episode 24, this week I talk about protection through inaction. We examine the concept of the gray man, and blending in, disappearing in plan sight. This is an idea that's gained a lot of traction and become much more mainstream in the 2A community within the last several years, and for good reason.
The holidays are a stressful time for us all, especially now during the pandemic. Let's take some time and talk about personal happiness, and personal health, to focus on getting to our goals, and enjoying our holiday season. We hit on friends, family, toxic relationships, and how your mental health and care can lead you to a healthier mindset.
I dish about the media, talk about the rising crime in major cities, and rant a bit about personal accountability.
As the holidays approach, I take time to talk about situational awareness, and where your personal attention falls. Things like trips to the mall for holiday shopping, out the grocery store, or friendly outings to the bar or a dinner are all situations that we take for granted. I look at things like exit strategies, what to do and how to prepare for what you might come across, and share a couple personal experiences too.
This week, we get back to it, and talk about building your own rifle. From tip to butt, we talk about the thought process, the available options, the uses for each, their pro's and con's, and much much more!!
In the wake of election day, I discuss what we've seen in just the few hours past the polls closing. We talk what has happened in the swing states, what is yet to come, and a bunch more.
This week I discuss so more prepping, and we talk about the situation we as Americans are facing, in regards to the possible fallout from the Election. Rioting and Looting have almost become "normalized" and the public is quickly losing it's outrage over this behavior. Will we see something similar after the results of the presidential election are announced?
My wife Lexy joins me this week, to discuss with me the growing number of new female firearms owners. More specifically, we talk about her experiences, what led her to buying his first gun, the concerns and considerations that women face in everyday carry that most men don't know or have to think about.
With gun purchases at all time highs, and so many Americans out buying their first firearms, we're taking a look at my purchases, the what's, and the why's. I walk through my various purchases, talk about my reasons and rationale behind each purchase at the time, and hopefully help some of you with your first purchases!
A topic and word thrown around a lot today, is Fascism. Sam and I sit down and talk about the origin of the term, what it really means, how it truly applies to "today" and how people around us apply it to the world they're living in today.
This week, I talk about the start of hunting season, my first delve into the "other side" of the firearms world, and how much i learned in my short time spent in Northern Michigan this past weekend with my friends Jake and Ryan, getting prepared for the opening of Hunting season here in the Mitten.
Another SITREP coming at you, discussing a few BIG occurrences that have happened over the past two weeks, approximately. I talk about the open supreme court seat, the decision in the Breonna Taylor case, and a bit more.
With hunting season officially starting here in Michigan next weekend, i brought my friend Jake on to talk, well.... Hunting! We talk bows, rifles, deer, elk, and a ton more!!
This week, we take a look at what should go into your thinking, planning, and prep, for heading out on the open road, now that restrictions and lockdowns are being lifted across the country. We look at a few scenarios, and touch on everything from a modified EDC to how your situational awareness will change.
This week, i have my good friend Spencer on, to discuss being prepared medically, the supplies he carries, what I carry, and what you as a concerned individual should have. We also touch on training, and resources to be ready when you may find yourself in a unfortunate situation.
The first of our SITREP segments we're rolling out. We discuss major current events, specifically around some interpretation of legal/illegal militia, the 2nd amendment, as well as some perception of the pro-2A community by the general public.
Sam is back, and we spend time this week talking about supporting kit and gear to go along with your firearm and survival setup. Everything from slings to helmets, we touch on it all, and dish on our own setups and rationale.
We take a turn from some of the more serious topics lately, to enjoy discussing some of our favorite movies and tv shows that got us going down this path as kids, and that we still enjoy now as adults!
On this episode, we discuss the recent reversal of the capacity ban in California, and take a trip through time discussion american gun control legislation while sharing some thoughts and opinions on how those have impacted our world.
This week, we have my good friend Ryan on, joining me to discuss hunting and fishing, and how the outdoorsman lifestyle overlaps with the defense shooting lifestyle i lead. We discuss all sorts of great topics this week. Ryan also runs JREShirts.com so head over to his site for all your printing and apparel!
This week, i discuss what we can do off the range to be prepared. Dry firing, weapon manipulation, online resources, offline resources more, covered in this weeks pod!
We talk about what it means to be "radical" in today's world, and if it really applies to the prepared mindset. Is it really radical, or is it just a misused term by today's media to classify those who think differently than the mainstream?
We discuss the social and societal stigmas, and myths, that surround the prepared and pro-2A lifestyle. Examining things like the media, institutionalized beliefs, and out and out myths regarding firearm ownership, and being prepared to defend yourself.
Lexy joins me this week, as we discuss the lockdown, panic buying of homegoods, and how you can best be prepared utilizing some less conventional items and cleaners, as well as talking food prep and storage.
On this weeks pod, we discuss the concept of everyday carry, and the "EDC community", what it means for us, what it means for you, and share some thoughts and insight regarding lights, phones, holsters, and everything in between.
Introduce another member of the team, Sam! We talk Sam's experiences, as well as share some of insights on home preparation, lifestyle, and mindset.
Our first episode! We discuss the reason for the pod, why we chose to launch now, get into some basic discussion on the mindset, and what we can look forward to in coming episodes.