Defenders LIVE Podcast

After returning from deployment and struggling with chronic fatigue, chronic pain, and nervous system dysregulation, Ryan began a journey that would change the course of his life. What started as a search for answers eventually led him into functional health, genetics, faith-based coaching, and a deeper understanding of what it means to steward the body, mind, and soul God has entrusted to us.In this conversation, we discuss temple optimization, nervous system regulation, genetics, identity, purpose, stewardship, and why so many people unknowingly live transactionally instead of transformationally. Ryan shares lessons from military service, leading Impact Montana, overcoming burnout, and launching Mission Mindset Solutions to help others pursue health through a faith-centered lens.Most people are trying to fix symptoms. Very few are asking better questions.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our live group calls, consider becoming a paid subscriber.In this episode, Ryan Luchau shares the lessons he learned through military service, chronic health challenges, burnout, faith, and years of helping veterans and first responders find a path forward.You’ll learn:• The difference between transactional and transformational living• Why identity and purpose matter more than outcomes• How small daily choices shape the person you become• Why stewardship matters in your life• How physical health impacts spiritual healthWatch more at Defenders-LIVE.com or subscribe for future conversations.Learn more at MissionMindsetSolutions.comThanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe

Most people think performance is determined in the moment. Kirk Holmer disagrees.A retired Army Special Forces Senior Sergeant, three-time Tactical Games National Champion, and student of human performance, Kirk has spent decades studying what separates those who perform under pressure from those who fall apart when the stakes are high.In this conversation, we explore the psychology of confidence, the power of self-talk, the role of identity in performance, and why the story you tell yourself may be shaping far more of your future than you realize. Kirk shares lessons from elite military training, competitive shooting, athletics, and life that challenge the way many of us think about success, resilience, and mental toughness.We also discuss grit, goal setting, pressure, failure, and why confidence is not something you’re born with. It’s something you build through preparation, repetition, and keeping promises to yourself.If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, performance anxiety, or the feeling that you’re capable of more than you’re currently achieving, this conversation will give you practical tools and a new perspective on what it takes to grow.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our live group calls, consider becoming a paid subscriber.You’ll learn:Why the story you tell yourself mattersHow confidence is built through actionWhat grit actually isHow to stay focused under pressureWhy process goals matter more than outcome goalsWatch more at Defenders-LIVE.com or subscribe for future conversations.Check out www.TotalOperatorChallenge.comThanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe

John Gilstrap has spent a lifetime studying courage from every angle.Before becoming a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 books to his name, John spent 15 years in fire and rescue, responding to some of the worst moments in people’s lives. Later, while researching real-world special operations missions, he earned rare access to Delta Force operators, military leaders, and the true story behind one of the most daring hostage rescues in modern history.In this conversation, we go far beyond books and movies. We talk about trust, leadership under pressure, what real violence looks like, and why the people most capable of protecting others are often the least interested in talking about themselves. John shares lessons from emergency response, special operations, marriage, storytelling, and a lifetime of walking toward difficult situations when others were running away.We also discuss the responsibility that comes with being prepared, the importance of strong teams, the dangers of Hollywood myths, and why leadership is often less about authority and more about earning trust.At its core, this conversation is about what it means to be a defender. Not someone who seeks attention or recognition, but someone who quietly accepts responsibility when the stakes are high.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our live group calls, consider becoming a paid subscriber.In this episode, bestselling author and former firefighter John Gilstrap shares lessons learned from emergency response, special operations, leadership, and a lifetime of serving others.You’ll learn:What real courage looks like under pressureWhy trust is earned one decision at a timeWhat Hollywood gets wrong about violence and preparednessHow great leaders inspire others to followWhy defenders accept responsibility before they feel readywww.johngilstrap.comWatch more at Defenders-LIVE.com and subscribe for future conversations.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe

Most people quit when things get hard.Dakota Adelphia chose a different path.From teaching herself through educational setbacks, to biking across America at fifteen, to becoming one of the leading voices in concealed carry education, Dakota’s story is a masterclass in grit, responsibility, and courage.In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why doing hard things builds confidence that can’t be faked• How personal responsibility creates real freedom• The mindset behind effective self-defense and preparedness• Why community matters when you’re standing for your convictionsDefenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our LIVE group calls and help continue this mission, become a paid subscriber.In this powerful conversation, Dakota Adelphia shares a remarkable journey of resilience, responsibility, and purpose. From overcoming an unconventional childhood education and biking across America at fifteen years old to becoming a respected firearms instructor, concealed carry educator, and Second Amendment advocate in California, Dakota’s story is a testament to grit, faith, and refusing to quit.Lora and Dakota dive into the mindset behind personal protection, the importance of doing hard things, and why confidence is built through preparation, not comfort. They also explore Dakota’s work with A Girl and a Gun, her mission to help women become capable defenders, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, community, and serving others without becoming bitter along the way.Watch more conversations that strengthen your mindset, deepen your faith, and challenge you to live boldly at Defenders LIVE. Subscribe for future episodes and visit Defenders-LIVE.com for more inspiring content.www.dakotaadelphia.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@GunOwnersRadiohttps://www.facebook.com/dakota.adelphiahttps://www.instagram.com/lifewithadelphia/Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe

What if the hardest battle you’ll ever fight is the one inside your own mind?In this powerful conversation, Tyler Tharp opens up about:Losing his father the night he came home from the ArmyBattling anger, hopelessness, and self-destructionThe moment God told him, “Get up. I’m not done with you yet.”Why discipline includes rest and recoveryHow faith transformed the way he sees purpose, love, and masculinityThis episode is real, raw, and full of hard-earned wisdom for anyone carrying heavy burdens or searching for deeper meaning in life.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our live group calls, become a paid subscriber.In this deeply honest conversation, Lora sits down with firearms instructor and coach Tyler Tharp to unpack the painful journey that shaped his faith, mindset, and purpose. Tyler shares the devastating losses that defined his early adulthood, including losing his father the night he returned home from the Army, battling anger and self-destruction, and ultimately reaching a breaking point that forced him to confront his mental and spiritual health head-on.Together, they explore the connection between discipline and rest, the trap of tying self-worth to achievement, and the healing that comes through surrendering control to God. This episode is raw, thoughtful, and deeply relatable for anyone who feels exhausted from trying to carry life on their own strength. It’s a conversation about resilience, purpose, forgiveness, and learning that true strength starts in the heart.Watch more conversations at Defenders-LIVE.com or subscribe for future episodes focused on courage, faith, mindset, and personal growth.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe

What happens when an everyday businessman decides he’s no longer willing to sit on the sidelines? In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Lora Thorson sits down with Arizona congressional candidate Daniel Keenan for a conversation that goes far beyond politics. Together, they explore leadership, personal responsibility, constitutional freedom, faith, and the growing hunger Americans have for authenticity in a world full of polished talking points.Daniel shares his journey from blue-collar work and homebuilding to stepping into the political arena, driven by a desire to protect faith, family, freedom, and the future of everyday Americans. They discuss border security, the Second Amendment, term limits, public safety, and why more ordinary citizens need to rise up and lead. This is a grounded, honest conversation about courage, conviction, and what it really means to serve others with integrity.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our group calls, consider becoming a paid subscriber.In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Lora sits down with Arizona congressional candidate Daniel Keenan for a raw and honest discussion about leadership, freedom, faith, and why everyday Americans can’t afford to stay silent anymore.In this conversation, you’ll hear:* Why more citizens need to step forward* The connection between freedom and personal responsibility* Thoughts on border security, the Second Amendment, and public safety* Why authenticity matters more than polished talking points* How faith and conviction shape true leadershipWatch more at Defenders-LIVE.com or subscribe for future episodes on Defenders LIVE.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe

People can tell when someone is real.That is one of the biggest takeaways from this conversation with Jacob Paulsen.We talked about leadership, faith, authenticity, business, personal growth, and why people are starving for honesty in a world that feels increasingly fake.In this episode:• Jacob shares how ConcealedCarry.com was built from the ground up• We talk about what actually makes a great instructor• Why authenticity matters more than image• The future of AI and how it is changing business• The vision behind Guardian University and Guardian Conference• How strong brands are built through trust and integrityDefenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our exclusive Defenders LIVE group calls, become a paid subscriber.What does it take to build trust in a world full of noise?In this conversation, Jacob Paulsen shares the real story behind building ConcealedCarry.com, creating one of the largest firearms training networks in the country, and learning what authentic leadership actually looks like along the way.Lora and Jacob talk about everything from business and branding to faith, mindset, personal growth, and the responsibility that comes with leading others. Jacob opens up about his early struggles as an instructor, why great teachers are always students first, and how authenticity has become one of the most important qualities in today’s world.They also dive into the future of AI, the mission behind Guardian Conference, and the launch of Guardian University, a growing platform designed to bring trusted training and meaningful conversations together in one place. Defenders LIVE is now featured inside Guardian University as part of that vision.This episode is thoughtful, honest, and full of practical wisdom for anyone trying to lead with courage and live with purpose.Watch more at Defenders LIVE and learn more at ConcealedCarry.com.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe

What if the thing that makes you “different” is actually the thing God wants to use most?In this solo Ride Along episode, Lora Thorson opens up about why she chooses hard things — from Tactical Games training and fitness to launching a podcast with no roadmap and stepping into uncomfortable growth. She shares how her personal self-defense journey began in 2017 with her very first firearms class, feeling overwhelmed, underprepared, and unsure of herself… and how that path eventually led her to become a firearms instructor and podcast host.But this conversation goes far beyond guns or self-defense.Lora shares how her pursuit of personal protection uncovered deeper battles involving fear, identity, self-worth, discipline, and people-pleasing. What began as a desire to feel safer and more capable eventually became a journey of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual transformation. Through fitness, faith, and learning to align her thoughts with Scripture, she began building true confidence from the inside out.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our group calls, become a paid subscriber.This is an honest conversation about courage, obedience, mindset, and refusing to live “normal” when God has called you to more.If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re capable, struggled with fear or insecurity, or felt called to something bigger than yourself, this episode will challenge and encourage you to step forward anyway.Correction: Philippians 4:6 reference is actually Philippians 4:8. :)Watch more at Defenders-LIVE.com or subscribe for future conversations.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe

If you are called to protect… you cannot afford to stay undisciplined.This episode is not about getting in shape for appearance.It is about becoming someone who can be counted on.In this conversation, we break down:• Why discipline is part of your responsibility as a defender• How neglecting your body limits your ability to lead and serve• The connection between physical health and spiritual drift• Why knowing what to do is not the problem• How to build systems that hold when life gets hardThis is not just about fitness. This is about responsibility.If you are called to protect, lead, and show up for the people around you, then discipline is not optional. It is part of the mission.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. Become a paid subscriber to join our group calls.In this episode, Lora sits down with Jeff Dalzell, a fitness and nutrition coach who works with parents and everyday men and women who are tired of starting over. What begins as a conversation about health quickly becomes something deeper. They unpack the connection between physical discipline and spiritual alignment, and why so many people know exactly what to do but still avoid doing it.Because the truth is this. When you neglect your body, you are not just making a personal choice. You are limiting your capacity to lead, to serve, and to step into the roles God has placed in your life.Jeff shares his journey from teacher to coach, navigating uncertainty, fatherhood, and faith while building something that actually lasts. This conversation challenges the all or nothing mindset and replaces it with something stronger. Systems. Identity. Ownership.If you want to live as a defender in your home, your community, and your faith, this is where it starts. Not with motivation, but with discipline.Watch more at Defenders-LIVE.com or subscribe for future conversations.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe

There comes a moment when you either stay quiet or step forward. Amanda Suffecool stepped forward.In this episode of Defenders LIVE, she shares what is happening inside the NRA and what she has seen firsthand during a critical season of change.Here is what you will gain:A clear look inside the NRA’s reform and future directionWhat real courage looks like in leadershipWhy speaking truth can cost you and why it still mattersThe growing influence of women in the Second Amendment spaceA deeper understanding of service, responsibility and convictionDefenders LIVE is supported by you. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Paid subscribers are invited to the live group calls.In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Lora sits down with Amanda Suffecool, firearms instructor, radio host, and NRA board member, for a real and unfiltered conversation about leadership, reform, and responsibility. Amanda shares her journey from engineer to national advocate.Amanda speaks openly about internal challenges, the rise of reform efforts, and the courage required to hold conviction under pressure. She also highlights the growing role of women in the Second Amendment community and why unity matters more than ever. Her perspective is rooted in service and driven by purpose, and serves as inspiration to others in the 2nd Amendment community.Watch more at Defenders-LIVE.com or subscribe for future conversations.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe