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 ⤵️

If you’ve ever wondered:• How to reconcile faith with self-defense• Why our culture is terrified of real conversations• What adoption looks like through the lens of sacrifice and grace• How to stay grounded in a chaotic, divided world• What character really means in a time of outrage and noise

…this episode will hit home.

Michael’s story is raw, humbling, and full of wisdom.

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In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with Michael Ware—craftsman, advocate, theologian at heart, and the man behind Controlled Chaos Arms and Iowa Firearms Coalition. What starts as a discussion about firearms and advocacy quickly becomes something deeper: a look at faith, calling, adoption, hardship, and what it really means to live what you teach.

Michael shares openly about his upbringing, the gritty parts of his early adulthood, the long and painful road to adoption, and the way God reshaped his identity through fatherhood and service. We explore how he balances faith with responsibility, why he refuses to shy away from hard conversations, and why he believes courage, character, and conviction matter now more than ever.

We also talk about the mission of the Iowa Firearms Coalition, the heart behind his men’s ministry, and the spiritual maturity required to navigate a chaotic and divided world with clarity and compassion.

If you value authenticity, truth, and living life with purpose—you’re going to love this one.

Watch more at Defenders-LIVE.com or subscribe for future conversations that challenge, encourage, and strengthen your walk.Learn more at:

www.IowaFC.org

www.ControlledChaosArms.com

www.CBFNewton.org

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 instruction. From building the RWT Pocket Kit to teaching trauma medicine and defensive shotgun, he’s bringing the lessons of the street to everyday citizens who refuse to rely on luck when seconds count.

We cover:🔥 A practical, everyday trauma kit that actually fits your pocket🔥 Why medical prep belongs right beside your firearm — and what most people still get wrong🔥 The truth about defensive shotguns (especially for women) and how training changes confidence🔥 Mentorship vs. coaching — why true guidance isn’t bought, it’s built through relationship and character

Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Jonathan doesn’t just train skill. He calls us back to responsibility — the duty to protect life, to be calm in chaos, and to lead with faith and humility.

If you’ve ever wondered how to bridge preparation with purpose, this conversation will challenge the way you think about training and community.

💡 Connect with Jonathan:👉 Learn more at www.trainwithwillis.com, www.gunset.us and www.tdiohio.com.

✦Stay sharp. Stay grounded. And keep leading with courage.— Lora ThorsonHost, Defenders LIVE

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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 chemical/biological hazards. We move past movie myths and into practical wisdom: how to shorten your OODA loop, choose immediate actions on demand, and see cover and concealment the way professionals do—like a shadow.

John lays out a simple five-step framework: identify realistic problems and solutions, pre-plan preferred actions (immediate action drills), build the right competencies through training-practice-testing, and make a commitment to act. We talk movement in large venues, how to think when you hear shots but can’t see the threat, and why preparation actually allows you to live more calmly with your family.

Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

When evil shows up, panic isn’t a plan. Preparation is peace.

• The 5-step framework to think clearly under pressure

• Immediate action drills to cut through the freeze

• Active shooter realities: see it, hear it, or hear of it—now what?

• “Cover as shadow” movement you’ll remember when it counts

• Why preparation kills paranoia and strengthens your family

Watch now on YouTube or Defenders-LIVE.com.

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 conversation, Paul and I talk about what happens when everything you’ve relied on—discipline, training, control—meets something bigger than you. His story is one of courage, humility, and faith forged under fire.

Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

What you’ll learn:

* How to think with a gun under extreme pressure — offset, target discrimination, and malfunction mindset.

* The difference between plainclothes and true undercover — and how to “play the long game” safely.

* Real team culture: trust, prayer, and the kind of camaraderie you can’t fake.

* Processing 2020’s riots, staying mission-focused, and keeping your soul intact.

* Identity shifts, retirement “doors,” and following God’s lead when you can’t see the next step.

Paul is the author of Ram One (Amazon bestseller, 2024) and lead instructor at RAM Master Training, where he teaches realism-driven tactics shaped by decades on the street.

This episode will sharpen your decision-making, strengthen your mindset, and remind you that even the strongest warriors find peace not by holding tighter—but by letting go.

—📘 Learn more: www.RamOneProductions.com | www.RamMasterTraining.com

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Join host Lora Thorson for an inspiring conversation with Randy Watt—retired police chief, Special Forces colonel, and founder of the Power of Awareness Institute. In this episode, Randy shares hard-won lessons from decades in law enforcement and the military, exploring the deeper meaning of situational awareness, the power of discipline, and the importance of self-awareness and faith.

Randy opens up about mental health, overcoming personal struggles, and how true strength is found in honesty and vulnerability. Whether you’re interested in personal safety, leadership, or personal growth, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and heartfelt stories.

Learn more about Randy’s work at mypoa.org, warriorcreed.us, and srwinc.us.

Subscribe for more powerful conversations on Defenders LIVE!

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Hey friends,

I wasn’t planning to relaunch Defenders LIVE until the end of the year — but I realized something: I miss it too much to wait.

I miss the conversations that challenge us to grow.I miss learning from incredible protectors and leaders.And I miss connecting with you — the people walking this same path of courage, faith, and personal defense.

So... we’re back.

🎙️ Coming up on Defenders LIVE:

* Randy Watt — leadership, mindset, and resilience in the life of a protector

* Paul Maloney — former Omaha PD SWAT officer and author of RAM One

* A special tribute episode honoring my friend John Holschen, featuring an unreleased conversation he was passionate about sharing before he passed.

These stories mean something — not just because of who they come from, but because of what they remind us: that protecting life starts from the inside out.

If you haven’t already, join my private Facebook group, Defenders LIVE with Lora Thorson, where I share more of my own journey — training, health, mindset, and the small daily choices that shape us as protectors.

Thank you for sticking with me. I can’t wait to bring you along for this next chapter.

With gratitude and purpose,Lora

If you noticed that there was not a show posted last week, here’s a video describing what’s going on right now.

There are about 160 episodes in the archive over the last 3 years. This should be enough to tide you over until the big launch!

This pause should be relatively short and I’ll keep in touch! Thank you for your continued support.

Warm regards,

Lora

In this episode of Defenders LIVE, veteran instructor Jim Shanahan breaks down why most training misses the mark—and how to raise your standard before it’s too late.

🔑 Learn what it means to be a Deliberate Responder, why hope is not a plan, and how to blend elite performance with real-world defense.

💥 Whether you're new to training or a seasoned protector, this conversation will redefine your mindset.

▶️ Watch now — your next level starts here.

Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Join host Lora Thorson in this gripping episode of Defenders LIVE as she welcomes Jim Shanahan, founder of Advanced Performance Shooting and a true pioneer in tactical firearms instruction. With 30+ years in the military, law enforcement, and elite training circles, Jim shares his no-nonsense philosophy on why hope is not a course of action, the science behind reaction times, and how real readiness blends performance and deliberate intent.

📚 Learn the origin of The Deliberate Responder, dive into data-backed training techniques, and hear powerful lessons in leadership that apply far beyond the gun range.

Notable Quotes:

“If you're not training people to replace you, you're not leading.”

“Shoot fast, but think faster.”

“Don’t teach techniques they’ll have to unlearn later.”

🔗 Connect with Jim:

https://advancedperformanceshooting.com 📖 Book: One of a Hundred: A Deliberate Responder (Available on Amazon)

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I am resharing this episode of Defenders LIVE because the first release had the wrong title and description. This conversation was with John Holschen—and it turned out to be one of the most meaningful episodes I recorded with him.

Many of you may already know: John recently passed away. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and all who trained with him. Our entire community is diminished by this loss. John wasn’t only a decorated veteran and master instructor—he was a man of kindness, clarity, and conviction. He had a gift for teaching in a way that made you feel seen, capable, and ready.

I want to honor him by sharing this corrected episode with you today. It captures so much of what made John special as a teacher and as a human being.

And there’s more: before he passed, John recorded a special conversation with me that he felt passionately about sharing. It has not yet been aired, but it will be released soon. He cared deeply about getting this information out, and I believe it will stand as part of his legacy.

For now, I invite you to listen again—or maybe for the first time—to this episode that reflects the heart and skill of a man we will not forget.

With respect and gratitude,Lora Thorson

Episode notes below:

Learn how to train like the fight will actually happen. Lora Thorson sits down with Special Operations veteran and master instructor John Holschen to unpack NeuroDrills, visual processing under stress, movement that matters, ready positions that work in the real world, and how great coaching turns shooters into thinking defenders.

What you will learn:

* How to stay visually aware while delivering accurate fire

* Movement that makes sense, when to sprint and when to plant

* Verbal commands and tape loops you can trust under pressure

* The difference between exposure, practice, and testing

* Building confidence through competence and why good curriculum always evolves

About John:John Holschen: U.S. Special Operations veteran, two-time National Tactical Invitational winner, and creator of NeuroDrills and Applied Defensive Handgun Skills. He was a certified master instructor who taught across the country, helping everyday people become thinking shooters.

Rest in peace, John. You will be missed.

#ThinkingShooter, #NeuroDrills, #DefensiveTraining, #UseOfForce, #SelfDefenseMindset

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This week on Defenders Live, host Lora Thorson interviews Mike Kinsey—firearms instructor, father, believer, and community leader—on how living with conviction changes everything. 💡

Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

🎯 Highlights include:

* Insights on aligning your training with your values

* How to build real community through preparedness

* The 52-Week Challenge that keeps shooters sharp all year

* Real talk on balancing strength, humility, and faith

* Why defending liberty starts at home

🎥 Watch now and get inspired to train smarter, live better, and lead with purpose.

Powerful Quotes

“If you're spending your hard‑earned time and energy and money to go get training, make sure the skills you're learning actually matter in your real life.”

“Joy is very different from happiness … I find joy in voluntarily shouldering responsibility that matters.”

“Surrendering requires strength. That strength comes through trusting God—not just using brute force.”

Visit traingunset.com for upcoming classes and events.

Follow on social media: Instagram @gunset_official | Facebook traingunset

Join the Gunset 52‑Week Challenge on Facebook and commit to consistent cold-draw training with a community of accountability.

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