The Prepared Mindset Podcast

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!Visit our sponsors!Our Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comAmerican Defense Manufacturing - www.admmfg.comOrion Training Group - www.oriontraininggroup.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Our Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comAmerican Defense Manufacturing - www.admmfg.comOrion Training Group - www.oriontraininggroup.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comAmerican Defense Manufacturing - www.admmfg.comOrion Training Group - www.oriontraininggroup.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comAmerican Defense Manufacturing - www.admmfg.comOrion Training Group - www.oriontraininggroup.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comAmerican Defense Manufacturing - www.admmfg.comOrion Training Group - www.oriontraininggroup.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comAmerican Defense Manufacturing - www.admmfg.comOrion Training Group - www.oriontraininggroup.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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. Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comAmerican Defense Manufacturing - www.admmfg.comOrion Training Group - www.oriontraininggroup.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comAmerican Defense Manufacturing - www.admmfg.comOrion Training Group - www.oriontraininggroup.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comAmerican Defense Manufacturing - www.admmfg.comOrion Training Group - www.oriontraininggroup.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comAmerican Defense Manufacturing - www.admmfg.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comMF Precision Supply - www.mfprecisionsupply.com 'Prepared10' to save!

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.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comAmerican Defense Manufacturing - www.admmfg.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comMF Precision Supply - www.mfprecisionsupply.com 'Prepared10' to save!

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!Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comAmerican Defense Manufacturing - www.admmfg.comOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.comMF Precision Supply - www.mfprecisionsupply.com 'Prepared10' to save!

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.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 'Prepared10' to save!

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.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 'Prepared10' to save!

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.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 'Prepared10' to save!

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!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 'Prepared10' to save!

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.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 'Prepared10' to save!

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.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 'Prepared10' to save!

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.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

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