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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!

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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 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]

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In this episode of the American Warrior Show, Rich Brown is joined by Andrew Frisbie (Practical Cyber Defense) to dig into the threats America faces in cyberspace—and how we must respond.

🔐 What we'll explore:

• The evolving landscape: how state and non-state cyber actors are targeting critical infrastructure, elections, financial systems, and private citizens

• The intersection between cyber threats and personal / national security

• Real-world incidents that should terrify us—and what they teach us

• How public, private, and individual defenders must step up: strategies, technologies, and mindsets

• What every citizen and warrior should know to protect themselves, their families, and their communities

This conversation isn't just about firewalls and data—it's about the survival of systems, institutions, and freedoms we often take for granted. Join us as we break it down, make it real, and plan how to fight back.

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On this special episode of the American Warrior Show, Mike Seeklander and Rich Brown, joined by Simon "SLG" Golob, take a hard look at the assassination of Charlie Kirk—and what it means for those who refuse to compromise their values.

Inside you'll hear:

• Why parts of society openly hate conservative voices

• The real threat of politically motivated violence

• How to prepare and protect yourself in chaotic times

• Self-defense strategies to safeguard your family and community

We aren't here to sensationalize—we're here to prepare you. In a divided America, protectors must stay sharp, stay trained, and stay ready.

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In this wide-ranging episode of the American Warrior Show, Rich Brown is joined by Cecil Burch—Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and expert in weaponized ground grappling. Together they explore not only the realities of surviving on the ground in a weapons-based environment, but also the bigger picture threats shaping our world today.

Topics include:

• The principles of ground survival when weapons are in play

• Why assassinations like that of Charlie Kirk shock and destabilize a nation

• What the recent train attack reveals about vulnerabilities in our infrastructure

• How individuals can prepare mentally, physically, and tactically for turbulent times

This conversation bridges the gap between technical skill on the mat and the broader issues of violence, resilience, and national security that every protector must understand.

Whether you're a martial artist, armed citizen, or tactical professional, this conversation will reshape how you think about fighting where most don't want to be—the ground.

Cecil Burch began training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 1989 and is currently a 3rd degree black belt. Cecil Burch has been a Martial Artist and Shooter for over forty years. He has studied many different arts and has held numerous teaching credentials in several of them. Cecil has travels extensively conducting seminars across the U.S. as well as internationally. He has been a featured presenter at many tactical/defense-oriented conferences and has worked extensively with Law Enforcement officers, Federal Air Marshals, military special operation troops, and private citizens.

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On this episode of the American Warrior Show, Rich Brown sits down with Taylor of Defenders and Disciples to discuss an innovative new training tool—the DAD BODD. Unlike traditional PACT-style timers that rely solely on audio response, the DAD BODD integrates a laser indicator system with precise timing functions to give shooters real-time, visual feedback on the range.

We dive into:

• How the DAD BODD improves on conventional shot timers

• The benefits of visual + audio cues for training under pressure

• Practical applications for defensive shooters, competitors, and instructors

• Where this tool fits in the future of firearms training

If you're serious about sharpening your performance and want to see what's next in training technology, this episode is a must-listen.

Taylor was an Infantry Marine assigned to Security forces where he was a member of the CQB Recapture Tactics Team (RTT). After the Marines Taylor went to school and got a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Then he did what all engineers do, he became a Cop? Taylor is now the founder of Defenders and Disciples. Defenders and Disciples: https://defendersanddisciples.com/ DAD BODD: https://shop.defendersanddisciples.com/.../dadbodd-vip...

Show Featured Sponsor: Werkz Holsters - "Dark times call for light-bearing holsters" Werkz owner Shan Hemphill has been on numerous episodes of the American Warrior Show. Shop his excellent Low Light Holsters here.

On this episode of the American Warrior Show, Rich Brown sits down with Dr. T.C. Fuller, retired FBI Special Agent, firearms instructor, and deep thinker on the intersection of technology and human behavior.

Together, they explore a bold question: What happens when we ask artificial intelligence about self-defense?

In this conversation you'll hear:

• The surprising answers AI gives when asked about defending yourself

• Where technology aligns (and clashes) with real-world experience

• Insights from Dr. Fuller's decades in federal law enforcement and training

• What this means for armed citizens, competitors, and protectors in the AI age

Whether you're curious about the future of self-defense, skeptical of AI, or just want to hear a seasoned expert break down myths and realities, this episode will challenge how you think about both machines and mindset.

The T.C. Fuller Series: Painting Over Rust and No Safe Alternative. Two fantastic Books written by our very own T.C. Fuller, retired FBI agent T.C.'s Books: Painting Over Rust and No Safe Alternative (winner of a 2023 Best Indie Book Award)

Episode # 413: From Trauma to Trust: Veterans and Horses at Warrior Ranch

In this episode of The American Warrior Show, host Rich Brown invites Eileen Shanahan, Founder and President of the Warrior Ranch Foundation, which brings veterans, first responders, and horses together for healing and hope.

Shanahan shares what inspired the foundation—blending her lifelong love of horses, her deep respect for service members, and her extensive background in natural horsemanship and media production.

Together, they discuss:

• How equine-assisted therapy builds trust, mindfulness, and emotional resilience in trauma-affected individuals.Fox News+10Newsday+10Guidestar+10Fox News+10Northforker+10The Suffolk Times+10warriorranchfoundation.orgFox News+1

• The dual mission—rehabilitating horses, granting them second chances, while providing veterans and first responders with purposeful healing environments.RiverheadLOCAL

• The creation and impact of Warrior: A Battle Against Trauma, a documentary exploring real stories of recovery and trust.RiverheadLOCAL

• The ranch's expansion into suicide-prevention training for caregivers and first responders through ASIST courses.The Suffolk Times

• Here is a link for our Annual Benefit - https://bit.ly/WRFBenefit2025

• Our website

  www.warriorranchfoundation.org

• Below are some links to videos that will show folks what we are about

• https://vimeo.com/1057661748 - :30 promo for "Warrior - A Battle Against Trauma: Learning to Love and Trust Again"

• https://vimeo.com/1015943779 - Our Ranch - 3 minutes

• https://vimeo.com/869111626 - Inner Cowboy - 3 minutes

• https://vimeo.com/925922868 - Make 22 Zero Again - :30 seconds

Join us for an honest, moving conversation on the power of partnership, both equine and human, to rebuild confidence and resilience.

In this episode of The American Warrior Show, host Rich Brown welcomes retired FBI Special Agent Dr. T.C. Fuller— decorated Army veteran, elite firearms instructor, award-winning author, and former Quantico instructor. He's the brains behind acclaimed books like Painting Over Rust: Stories From a 20 Year Odyssey in the FBI, No Safe Alternative: Improving How We Teach Cops to Kill, and his recently released memoir Empathy for the Devil: Interrogating Terrorists in Guantanamo Bay.

Together, Rich and Fuller tackle the complex world of carrying in non-permissive environments—such as private businesses that prohibit firearms even when the law allows carry.

From this rich body of experience, Fuller will guide listeners through:

• The fine line between legal rights and policy obligations

• Tactical considerations for navigating "gray zones" safely

• Maintaining readiness when faced with carry bans or unclear signage

• The mindset, responsibility, and proper response when laws and policies diverge

Whether you're a legally armed citizen or a firearms professional, this episode delivers practical wisdom—not hypothetical discussion—from a seasoned agent's real-world experiences.

T.C.'s Website: https://www.thehorusgroup.net/ T.C.'s recent article: https://americanwarriorsociety.com/may-you-live-in.../