Episodes
-
Ep. 206 | Could Your Dark Past Become A Gift To Others? | You Can Do Hard Things Series
What if the parts of your story you’re most ashamed of could actually help someone else? My guest on this episode of You Can Do Hard Things is Mike Romero, a new firearms instructor who reached out to me looking for some advice. He had questions about getting started, finding students, and…
more -
Ep. 205 | Could An Old Concussion Still Be Affecting You? w/ Mike Ox
I’ve had multiple concussions over the years, and there are still things I struggle with that I’ve pretty much learned to live with. So when my friend Mike Ox came back on Defenders LIVE to talk about concussions, sleep, and brain health, I was especially interested in what he had to say. Mike…
more -
Ep. 204 | The Four Words That Almost Broke Her w/ Bethel Wagner | You Can Do Hard Things Series
I’m kicking off a new series on Defenders LIVE called You Can Do Hard Things, and my first guest is my good friend Bethel Wagner. Bethel and I recently spent eight days training at Defenders University with Adam Winch. It was physically exhausting, mentally challenging, and full of lessons…
more -
Ep. 203 | What Happens When You Can't Get to Your Gun? w/ Cecil Burch
I recently spent some time at Defenders University, and one of the days we worked on combatives with Jeremy Horn. My husband was my training partner, and let me tell you, there is nothing quite like having a 200-plus-pound man laying on top of you to remind you how much you don’t know. 😂 He…
more -
Ep. 202 | The Biggest Thing Firearms Training Gets Wrong w/ Instructor and Writer, Kevin Creighton
As shooters, we spend a lot of time trying to become better shooters. We want to be faster, more accurate, improve our draw, get better at all the things we can measure. But how much of that actually prepares us for what we’re carrying a gun for in the first place? That’s a lot of what I talked...
-
Ep. 201 | Perfect or a Piece of Sh*t? | Lora Thorson, Defenders LIVE
Five oatmeal cream pies. In a couple of hours. Yep. I did that. And as ridiculous as that sounds, what happened in my head afterward is the reason I’m talking about it. One poor choice became another. Then another. And pretty soon I wasn’t simply thinking, “That was a bad decision.” I was in what…
more -
Ep. 200 | We Probably Shouldn't Have Recorded This | Adam Winch & Lora Thorson | Defenders LIVE
Apparently I “weenied down” a workout in Arizona, Adam cannot handle a computer without having a complete meltdown, and I hauled guns all the way to Arizona because HE begged me to bring them...only for us to never even use them. 😂 And that’s just where this conversation started. Adam Winch is…
more -
Ep. 199 | The Question I Couldn't Answer Until Everything Stopped w/ Lora Thorson
When is enough, enough? I had been wrestling with that question, and then just hours later I became so sick that almost everything I normally do came to a stop. No normal everyday life.No workouts.Almost no screens.Very little I could actually do. And in the stillness, God answered the question…
more -
Ep. 198 | The Threats You Never See Coming w/ Author, Liz Lazarus
As a college student, she woke to an attacker kicking through her bedroom door. Years later, she found herself in an entirely different fight, trying to protect her aging mother during a years-long guardianship battle. Those experiences taught her some hard lessons about what it really means to...
-
Ep. 197 | The Lies We Tell Ourselves That Keep Us Stuck w/ Matt Ware
What if the biggest thing keeping you stuck is a lie you don’t even realize you’re telling yourself? “I just need to get motivated.” “I’m waiting for the right time.” “I really want it.” “I’m just being nice.” Sometimes those things are true. And sometimes they’re the stories we tell ourselves...
-
Ep. 196 | Who Are You Without Your Accomplishments? w/ Adam Winch, Defenders USA
If everything you’ve accomplished disappeared tomorrow, would you still know who you are? That’s the question underneath this conversation with Defenders USA founder Adam Winch. What started as an off-the-cuff discussion turned into a surprisingly personal conversation about identity…
more -
Ep. 195 | The Training That Changes More Than Your Shooting w/ Adam Winch, Defenders USA
In this episode, Adam Winch shares the vision behind Defenders University and explains why the best training develops far more than technical skills. You’ll learn: * Why mindset matters more than gear * How training builds confidence and character * The legal and moral responsibility of carrying…
more -
Ep. 194 | The Leadership Shift Every Great Instructor Makes w/ Brent Hickmon, Haven Defense Co.
What separates a good instructor from a great leader? It’s not experience. It’s not talent. It’s the willingness to keep learning. In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Lora sits down with Brent Hickmon, founder of Haven Defense Company and Defenders USA instructor, to reflect on his first…
more -
Ep. 193 | The Leadership Mistake That's Quietly Destroying Marriages w/ Quentin Hafner
In this conversation, Quentin Hafner shares what nearly two decades of counseling and coaching have taught him about leadership, responsibility, and why so many good men struggle in marriage. You’ll learn: Why leadership begins with taking ownershipThe biggest mistake couples make when conflict...
-
Ep. 192 | More Than Shooting. A Community That Changes Lives w/ Robyn Sandoval
The gun is only part of the story. The real transformation happens when women discover they’re not walking alone. In this episode, Robyn Sandoval shares how A Girl & A Gun has grown into a nationwide community that’s helping women build confidence, resilience, leadership, and lasting friendships....
-
Ep. 191 | The Digital Battle Most Parents Don't See w/ Dr. DeAnn Regaisis
Your kids may be fighting battles you never see. Not on the playground. Behind a screen. In this conversation, Dr. DeeAnn Regaisis shares what years of research have revealed about cyberbullying, digital safety, and the growing emotional and spiritual challenges young people face online. We…
more -
Ep. 190 | The Difference Between Transactional and Transformational Living w/ Ryan Luchau
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...
-
Ep. 189 | The Psychology of Peak Performance w/ Green Beret Kirk Holmer
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…
more -
Ep. 188 | The Difference Between Heroes and Hollywood w/ NYT Bestselling Author John Gilstrap
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...
-
Ep. 187 | The Courage to Keep Showing Up | 2A Advocate & Instructor Dakota Adelphia
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...
-
Ep. 186 | He Lost Everything… Then God Told Him to Get Up | Tyler Tharp’s Story
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...
-
Ep. 185 | Why Everyday Americans Must Step Up Against Career Politicians | Daniel Keenan
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,...
-
Ep. 184 | Jacob Paulsen of ConcealedCarry.com Gets Real About Business, Branding, and Belief
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:•…
more -
Ep. 183 | Ride Along: Why I Choose Hard Things | Lora Thorson, Defenders USA
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...
-
Ep. 182 | You Know What to Do So Why Aren’t You Doing It? Discipline of a Defender w/ Jeff Dalzell
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...
-
Ep. 181 | Inside the NRA Turnaround - What Is Actually Changing Right Now | Amanda Suffecool
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...
-
Ep. 180 | Holsters 101: What Many Gun Owners Get Wrong | Brent Hickmon, Haven Defense Co.
Buying the gun is the easy part.Carrying it safely is where many people fall short. In this episode:What a holster is actually supposed to doThe biggest mistakes people make when choosing oneWhy “comfortable” can sometimes mean unsafeWhat to look for so your gear actually works when it mattersHow...
-
Ep. 179 | Calm Isn’t a Feeling, It’s a Skill You Have to Train | Lora Thorson
Most people think calm is something you either have… or you don’t. That’s not true. Calm is trained. And if you don’t train it, your reactions will control you when it matters most. In this episode, we break down: • What’s actually happening in your brain under stress• How to train your nervous...
-
Ep. 178 | Chris Wyllie, Navy SEAL (Ret.) on Developing a Warrior Mindset + What Freedom Really Costs
Many want a warrior mindset. Very few are willing to live it. And even fewer understand what freedom actually costs. This conversation with Navy SEAL Chris Wyllie connects both. Inside this episode: * What a warrior mindset really looks like in daily life * Why discipline matters more than...
-
Ep. 177 | Stop Playing Safe: Chase Greatness | Sheriff Mark Lamb (Ret.) on Courage & Calling
In this conversation with Mark Lamb, we go beyond politics and into the heart of what it means to live with courage, conviction, and faith. Here’s what you’ll take away:• Why comfort is the fastest way to bury your potential• How truth and authenticity build real leadership• What courage actually...
-
Ep. 176 | Health Is Your FIRST Line of Defense: Why “Eat Less, Move More” Can Be Dangerous with Allison Tharp
Most women aren’t failing their health… They were never given the right playbook. This conversation with Allison Tharp will challenge everything you thought you knew about health, fitness, and what it really means to take care of your body. You’ll learn: * Why “eat less, move more” is failing…
more -
Ep. 175 | Faith, Burnout, and Surrender: My Hardest Season Yet
Ever felt like your soul was just… tired? In this episode, I share a season that brought me to my knees—and what God did through it. What you’ll take away: • How to navigate emotional and spiritual burnout • Why resistance keeps you stuck—and surrender sets you free • The power of being honest...
-
Ep. 174 | Olympian Gabby Franco: Elite Mindset Lessons for Protectors, Parents, and Everyday Life
Fear isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like hesitation, self-doubt, or staying stuck. In this conversation with Gabby Franco, we talk about what it really takes to grow under pressure and lead with courage. * How fear quietly keeps people from progressing * Why mindset training matters just…
more -
Ep. 173 | From Elite Operator to Starting Over: Discipline of Reinvention w CSM (Ret.) Sean Keane
Some men don’t just “retire”… they reinvent. Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Sean Keene joins me to talk about what happens when you leave Special Operations and have to rebuild identity, purpose, and standards in the civilian world. What you’ll gain from this episode: * Why the 80% rule is the key...
-
Ep. 172 | The Truth About Crime in America: Targets, Myths, & Personal Responsibility w John Hearne
If you’re still trusting “the system” to keep you safe… this episode is a wake-up call. In this Defenders LIVE conversation, John Hearne breaks down what most people never hear because it’s not comfortable, and it’s not popular… but it’s real.You’ll learn: * Why crime data can be misleading (and...
-
Ep. 171 | Competition vs Real-World? Lee Weems & Tyler Tharp Debate Readiness
In this Defenders LIVE episode, Lee Weems and Tyler Tharp go head-to-head (with respect) on what training really matters and why nuance is important. What you’ll walk away with: * Why “good with a gun” is more than speed or groups * Where USPSA/competition helps and where it can hurt * The real…
more -
Ep. 170 | Unscripted: Brian Hill on Growth, Blind Spots, and Letting Go
I went off-script tonight… and it was scary, but it was real. In this episode with Brian Hill (The Complete Combatant), we talk about what happens when your training stops working and why the answer isn’t “try harder.” What you’ll get from this conversation: * How creativity fuels motivation when...
-
Ep. 169 | 5x World Champion on Mastery, Injustice, and Why She Refused to Quit | Molly Metz
Some battles don’t happen on a competition floor… they happen when life steals your breath and dares you to quit. In this Defenders LIVE episode, 5x world champion Molly Metz shares what mastery actually costs—and why she kept fighting when the system wasn’t fair. • What elite training teaches…
more -
Ep. 168 | From Agnostic to Jesus: The Unexpected Faith Journey of Christian Griffith
He didn’t find faith the way people expect.And that’s exactly why this story matters. Christian Griffith returns to Defenders LIVE to share the most unexpected chapter of his life, from lifelong agnostic to a faith journey that changed everything. In this episode, you’ll hear: * What finally…
more -
Ep. 167 | What Most People Get Wrong About Force, Judgment, and Training with Lee Weems
In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Lora Thorson sits down with Lee Weems—career peace officer, trainer, and adjunct professor—to talk about what most people miss when they judge high-stakes incidents from a single camera angle. Lee breaks down why “objectively reasonable” is the legal standard...
-
Ep. 166 | Fear of Failure Is Killing Your Performance (Here’s How to Break It)
Tyler Tharp doesn’t just teach shooting. He coaches people through pressure, plateaus, and the fear that keeps them stuck. In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Tyler shares how early experiences with being graded can shape a lifelong fear of failure, and why identity work and process-driven…
more -
You’re Not Standing Still
Lately, I have been sitting with the idea that we do not really stay the same. Even when nothing looks like it is changing on the outside, something is always happening underneath. Sometimes that movement feels like momentum. Other times it feels like uncertainty, quiet, or doubt. That tension...
-
The Hardest Self-Defense Battle: Guarding Your Mind & Heart | Steve Friskup
The hardest fight isn’t out there… it’s in your mind. In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Steve Friskup joins Lora Thorson for a no-fluff conversation about protecting what matters most—your faith, your family, and your future. What you’ll take away: * Why guarding your mind and heart is harder…
more -
Ep. 165 | The Hidden Cost of Defending Life: What Most Carriers Never Hear | Kaery Concealed
Most people think they know what a self-defense encounter looks like… until it actually happens.In this conversation, Force Science Specialist Kaery Dudenhofer breaks open the truth about human performance, legal realities, and the hidden cost of defending life. In this episode, you’ll learn:•…
more -
Ep. 164 | The Australian Viking: Violence, Healing & the Wilderness That Saved Him | Lex Reilly
Tonight’s Defenders LIVE conversation with Lex Reilly, a former soldier, wilderness guide, and a man who rebuilt his life from rock bottom — is one of the most honest we’ve had on Defenders LIVE. Lex opens up about:• Walking through PTSD, violence, addiction, and losing his children• Choosing...
-
Ep: 163 | Broken But Not Defeated: How Heidi Tyner Rebuilt Her Life with Purpose
If you’ve ever walked through something that felt too heavy to carry, this conversation is for you. In this episode, Heidi Tyner gets real about grief, fear, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild your life with intention — and she shares practical wisdom anyone can apply. You’ll walk away...
-
Ep. 162 | Guns, God & Real Life: A Conversation with Michael Ware, Iowa Firearms Coalition
If you’ve been craving a conversation that actually goes deeper than the headlines, this is it.Michael Ware doesn’t tiptoe around anything — faith, firearms, politics, fatherhood, adoption, character, ego, all of it. And he brings a level of honesty that is refreshing. Here’s why you should watch...
-
Ep. 161: Pocket Kit to Purpose: Real-World Trauma, Shotgun Confidence & Mentorship Redefined
In this week’s Defenders LIVE, I sat down again with Jonathan Willis — husband, father, veteran firefighter/paramedic, and lead instructor for Gunset Training Group — to talk about what real-world readiness looks like. Jonathan’s story bridges decades of trauma response, leadership, and...
-
Ep. 160 | Extreme Events: The 5-Step Framework Every Protector Needs | John Holschen
When life goes sideways, preparation isn’t paranoia—it’s peace. In this conversation, Special Operations veteran and two-time NTI winner John Holschen returns to Defenders LIVE to break down a clear, faith-grounded approach to extreme events—active shooters, coordinated attacks, explosives, even...
-
What a 25-Year SWAT Veteran Learned About Control, Courage, and Christ
He spent 25 years kicking in doors—until God opened one. SWAT officer Paul Milone has lived through more than 1,100 missions, 300 undercover buys, and moments that would shake most people to their core.But it wasn’t training that finally brought him peace—it was surrender. In this Defenders LIVE...
About this show
Welcome to the Defenders LIVE community! This is where you can find information and inspiration to grow as a defender both on and off the range.
www.defenders-live.com
Hosted by
Lora Thorson, Defenders USA
Categories