
Episode #423: The Armed Citizen's Reality Check (Bill Rapier, Ret. Navy SEAL)
2025/12/12 | 2h 6 mins.
Show Featured Sponsor: Werks Holsters "WE MAKE HOLSTERS FOR PISTOLS WITH LIGHTS"  On this episode of the American Warrior Show, Rich Brown sits down with retired Navy SEAL Bill Rapier, founder of AMTAC Shooting, for a no-nonsense discussion on real-world self-defense. He is the lead instructor of over 200 Amtac Shooting courses and has trained over 2500 students since 2020. Bill is retired after twenty years in the Navy, where his duty assignments included several years at SEAL Team 3 and over 14 years at Naval Special Warfare Development Group. Positions held include assaulter, breacher, sniper, team leader, troop chief, and military working dog department senior enlisted adviser. He has always been an avid shooter and is heavily involved in combatives. Bill brings decades of experience from Naval Special Warfare, including time at SEAL Team 3 and DEVGRU, where performance under pressure wasn't optional—it was survival. Why most self-defense conversations focus too heavily on the gun—and what happens when the fight starts inside arm's reach. The importance of a layered defensive approach: awareness, decision-making, combatives, and firearms—used in the correct order. How to train shooting skills that actually transfer to real life, not just the square range. Integrating fighting and shooting so skills don't collapse when stress, chaos, and violence show up fast. Common training blind spots among armed citizens—and how to fix them with smarter practice and higher standards. Why efficiency, simplicity, and pressure-tested fundamentals matter more than flashy techniques. Practical takeaways for warriors who want skills that work when it counts, not just look good on Instagram.

Episode #422: Gavin Glasenapp: From Special Operations Aviation to Defender Development
2025/12/09 | 1h 36 mins.
Featured Podcast Sponsor:  Precision Holsters holiday specials! Episode #422: Gavin Glasenapp: From Special Operations Aviation to Defender Development On today's American Warrior Show, we will be joined by former 160th Pilot and the current Training Operations Manager at Delta Defense, Gavin Glasenapp.  Gavin Glasenapp is the Training Operations Manager at Delta Defense, supporting the U.S. Concealed Carry Association's nationwide instructor network. He brings a deep operational background built over two decades in the U.S. Army, where he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer Four.  Gavin spent the first half of his career in the AH-64A and AH-64D Apache community, serving as both an Instructor Pilot and Standardization Instructor Pilot. He later assessed into the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), flying the MH-47G on heavy-assault missions in direct support of special mission units. Across twelve combat deployments flying both the Apache and Chinook, he gained extensive experience in complex, high-risk environments.  After the Army, Gavin served as a police officer in Southeastern Wisconsin, completing advanced LE training, including ALERRT and SWAT school. He now leverages his combined military, law-enforcement, and instructional expertise to strengthen USCCA training programs and enhance the readiness and capability of responsibly armed Americans. Gavin enjoys multiple hobbies and spending time, especially traveling, with his soon to be wife, Jessica. This episode gives listeners a rare look at the training, standards, and mission profiles of the legendary 160th SOAR. Gavin Glasenapp explains what sets these pilots apart and how their approach to risk, planning, and contingencies offers powerful lessons for everyday carry practitioners. Rich and Gavin connect SOF aviation principles to personal defense, instructor development, and decision-making under pressure. A fascinating mix of story and strategy.

Episode #421: Competent and Dangerous: The Modern Protector's Blueprint with Justin Carrol
2025/11/14 | 1h 25 mins.
Featured Product Sponsor: Werkz Light Bearing Holsters - "WE MAKE HOLSTERS FOR PISTOLS WITH LIGHTS" Episode 421: Justin Carroll & Rich Brown — Competent and Dangerous In this powerful conversation, Rich Brown sits down with author, Marine veteran, former intel professional, and long-time friend of AWS Justin Carroll to dive deep into his new book, Competent and Dangerous. This episode breaks down what it truly means to be a capable, prepared, and resilient protector in a world that is shifting faster than most realize. In this episode you'll hear: Why Justin wrote Competent and Dangerous and who the book is designed to serve. The gap between "owning a gun" and "being dangerous enough to win." Justin's model for developing well-rounded capability across shooting, fitness, medical, communication, and decision-making. The realities of modern threat environments and why most citizens dramatically underestimate them. Why competence must precede confidence — and how to build both through structured training. The role of mindset, deliberate practice, and environment design in building daily habits that stick. Justin's take on preparedness culture — what we're doing right, and where most people are failing. Rich and Justin's shared experiences training, carrying, and working with real-world protectors. How to turn information into action and begin closing capability gaps immediately. Who is Justin Carroll? U.S. Marine Corps veteran Former intelligence professional Security, preparedness, and communications expert Author of multiple well-regarded works on readiness Instructor and long-time AWS contributor Host of the "Across the Peak" podcast One of the clearest voices in the modern preparedness and training community Why this episode matters: Because being armed is not the same as being dangerous. Justin's book and this conversation outline the roadmap for the modern citizen-protector: capable, adaptable, trained, and mentally resilient. Get the Book here!

Episode #420: From Crisis to Command: Michael McNamara on Post-Traumatic Winning, Purpose & Performance
2025/10/25 | 1h 31 mins.
Show Featured Sponsor:  The Precision Holsters Vanquish! Learn more: Precision Holsters and use code "seekAWS" for a discount.​​ On today's episode of the American Warrior Show, Rich Brown is joined by Michael "Mac" McNamara, founder of Post-Traumatic Winning and ALL MARINE RADIO. Mac's story spans finance, combat, leadership, and a lifelong mission to help others thrive after trauma. About Michael McNamara: Began his career at Merrill Lynch in Los Angeles, first as a bookkeeper and later as an account executive. Enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in December 1983. Served in multiple assignments, including: 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion Marine Detachment, USS Ranger CV-61 The Basic School 3rd Light Armored Infantry Battalion Left active duty in 1994 after more than a decade of service. Post-Service Career & Return to Duty: Became Director of Sports for Special Olympics North Dakota in 1998. Launched his broadcasting career in 2000 as host of MacTalk, earning the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award (2007) for Small Market Personality of the Year. Returned to active duty in 2004, promoted to Major, and deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, with the 1st Marine Division. Mobilized again in 2006 for duty in Fallujah, Iraq, with the 5th Marine Regiment, while simultaneously serving on the Grand Forks City Council. Deployed once more in 2010 with the 1st Marine Regiment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, serving until his retirement in 2015. Post-Traumatic Winning & Advocacy: Founded The Post-Traumatic Winning Company, LLC and launched ALL MARINE RADIO, an online platform promoting mental fitness and reducing veteran suicide. Began presenting Post-Traumatic Winning in 2019, first at Camp Lejeune, NC. The presentation has since reached audiences across the U.S., Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe, impacting organizations of over 10,000 members with measurable results in combating destructive behaviors and suicide. Launched the Post-Traumatic Winning Weekly Seminar series in January 2021, expanding the program's reach and dialogue. Published his first book in March 2025, From Trauma to Joy: Life-Changing Lessons That Fellow U.S. Marines Taught Me After Traumatic Events Occurred in My Life — designed to share these universal lessons with a wider audience. In This Episode: How trauma can become a source of growth, not defeat. The creation and impact of Post-Traumatic Winning. Lessons learned from leading Marines and civilians through crisis. Building mental fitness and resilience in the face of adversity.

Episode #419: Protecting the Sacred: A Conversation with Tommy Sapp
2025/10/17 | 1h 9 mins.
 🎙 Episode Title: Protecting the Sacred: A Conversation with Tommy Sapp of Protect His House Description: Rich sits down with Tommy Sapp, founder of Protect His House, to explore the realities of church safety and what it truly means to defend faith in uncertain times. From threat assessment to team building, Tommy shares hard-earned lessons from his background in law enforcement and ministry leadership—offering insight that every protector can apply, both in and out of the sanctuary. Tommy Sapp has spent over 15 years in law enforcement, serving in roles ranging from detective to patrol sergeant. He went on to lead as Commander of a regional SWAT team for four years, overseeing hundreds of successful missions and directing high-stakes operations. Tommy also managed a multi-agency drug task force and worked extensively in schools, where he helped design active shooter response procedures and trained School Resource Deputies to respond effectively under pressure.  Today, Tommy is the founder of Protect His House, an organization dedicated to equipping churches and ministries to safeguard their congregations. For nearly a decade, he has trained thousands of church leaders and safety team members across the country, combining tactical expertise with a heart for ministry. His mission is clear: to empower churches to protect their people while staying focused on their greater calling. In This Episode: The story behind Protect His House and Tommy's mission to safeguard places of worship Common security gaps most churches overlook—and how to fix them Training principles every safety team should adopt before a crisis happens Balancing vigilance with faith: protecting without fear Real-world lessons from law enforcement applied to ministry environments How to build a "Protector Culture" within your congregation Why You Should Listen: This episode shines a light on a topic that's often ignored until it's too late. Whether you're a church leader, member of a safety ministry, or someone who simply believes in standing ready to defend what matters most, this conversation delivers wisdom you can act on immediately. Tommy's website is www.phhtraining.com Tommy's email is [email protected] Â



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