The Prepared Mindset Podcast

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comMF Precision Supply - www.mfprecisionsupply.com

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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/Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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! Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comRMA Defense - www.rmadefense.com code 'PreparedMindset5' to save 5%

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.comVisit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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,Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comBen Franklin Range - www.benfranklinrange.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comLarp Labs - www.larplabs.com discount code "preparedmindset" for 10% off!

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comLarp Labs - www.larplabs.com discount code "preparedmindset" for 10% off!

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=skedlinkVisit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comLarp Labs - www.larplabs.com discount code "preparedmindset" for 10% off!

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comLarp Labs - www.larplabs.com discount code "preparedmindset" for 10% off!