BYRNA BROS PODCAST WITH JOSH SCHIRARD

New York’s latest crime numbers may say one thing, but on the ground, Councilwoman Vickie Palladino says the reality is very different. If you care about public safety, self-defense, immigration enforcement, or what your vote can actually change in New York, this conversation is a must-listen.

Josh sits down with Palladino, the New York City Councilwoman representing District 19 in Northeast Queens, for a blunt breakdown of why so many New Yorkers still feel unsafe despite reports of falling shootings and murders.

She doesn’t hold back as she explains why “less crime” on paper can still mean more fear in real life, how policing has been constrained, and why she believes the city’s response to mental illness, homelessness, and repeat offenders is failing ordinary residents.

Kenneth Schrupp is an investigative reporter at City Journal and has released a scathing report about the state of California. He and two other colleagues investigated the underground process of the state that has created a shadow welfare system for illegal aliens. Free housing, cash, healthcare, food, phones, college tuition, even car insurance—costing taxpayers more than $10 billion per year.

You may know Israel “DT” Del Toro, Jr. as the veteran at the center of Del Toro v. Polis, a case challenging Colorado’s new permit-to-purchase law. But before DT became a plaintiff in the fight to protect the Second Amendment, he was a son who made a promise, a brother who refused to give up, and a soldier who nearly lost his life serving his country. 

Twenty-five years after 9/11, this conversation explores how airport security, counterterrorism, and personal safety have changed—and what risks still remain.

Patrick Sullivan, a former Secret Service and national security executive, shares his firsthand experience being at the same Dulles Airport checkpoint that one of the 9/11 hijackers passed through just minutes earlier. He reflects on his career in presidential protection, intelligence, undercover investigations, and federal security, revealing how seemingly small vulnerabilities can create enormous consequences.The discussion covers undercover operations that exposed weaknesses in identity verification and airport screening, the pre-9/11 policy of cooperating with hijackers, and Sullivan’s experience watching the World Trade Center collapse while stranded at Dulles Airport.

Sullivan also explains why insider threats may pose one of the greatest modern security risks and offers practical advice on situational awareness, personal safety, and recognizing when avoiding confrontation is the safest choice. The episode also highlights his continued work supporting Secret Service personnel and the families of agents who died in the line of duty.

This is essential listening for anyone interested in national security, law enforcement, personal safety, or the lasting lessons of 9/11.

This episode features host Josh Schirard and guest Michael McCoy, who is the Director of the Center to Keep & Bear Arms for Mountain States Legal Foundation, where they discuss school safety in the wake of a recent Idaho shooting. They focus on how armed school staff and school resource officers can help deter attacks and protect students. They debate the shortcomings of gun-free school zones, the role of school boards and state legislation, and practical ways parents and districts can push for stronger security measures.

This episode dives into a major Third Circuit ruling striking down New Jersey’s long-standing assault weapons and high-capacity magazine ban, and what that decision could mean for Second Amendment law nationwide.

Josh is joined by constitutional and civil rights attorney Will Trachman, who explains how recent Supreme Court cases like Heller and Bruen reshaped gun-rights litigation by shifting the burden onto the government to prove historical support for firearm restrictions.

Together, they discuss how appellate court decisions can ripple beyond one state, influencing challenges to waiting-period laws, permit-to-purchase regimes, and other firearm regulations across the country.

The conversation also highlights the practical stakes for Americans, the likelihood of Supreme Court review, and why activists and ordinary citizens alike are being urged to stay informed, engaged, and fearless in defending constitutional rights.

School supplies are important, but here’s what kids really need to stay safe this year — confidence, awareness, and a safety mindset. In this episode, we talk to James "Mo" Canady, executive director of the National Association of School Resource Officers. 

This episode is a hard-hitting conversation about school safety, parental involvement, and accountability in public education, centered on Geno Young’s experiences as a substitute teacher and his book on what he sees as deep systemic failures in Chicago schools. Josh and Geno discuss violence, low literacy, administrative cover-ups, and the lack of discipline in schools, then shift to practical advice for parents and students on staying informed, speaking up, and prioritizing safety.

This episode covers the controversy in Albemarle County schools after two elementary school staff members were arrested on child sex-crime-related charges, and it argues that the situation exposes deeper failures in school leadership and parent communication. Rob Schilling and Noah Coffin say the community is shocked, but not entirely surprised, pointing to what they describe as a long-running culture problem in the district. They criticize the superintendent and school board for not acting quickly enough, for mishandling communication with families, and for allowing policies they believe leave children vulnerable. They also discuss Turning Point USA’s role on campus, the pushback they say the chapter has faced, and how the controversy has intensified tensions in the district.

In this episode of "Byrna Bros," host Josh Schirard interviews John Kiriakou, a former CIA analyst and counterterrorism officer known for exposing the CIA's use of waterboarding.

The discussion centers on situational awareness, drawing from John's experiences in the CIA and his advocacy for government accountability. John shares gripping stories from his career, emphasizing the importance of being aware of one's surroundings to ensure personal safety.

He also discusses his upcoming podcast, "John Kiriakou's Briefing Room," and his current podcast, "Dead Drop," which ranks highly in the history category.

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