Defenders LIVE Podcast

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 than protecting your home

* Steve’s life-changing moment: Jesus met him in a pickup truck off I-40

* How culture wins when we lose discernment and absolute truth

* Why the kitchen table is still America’s strongest defense

* What real strength looks like: conviction, discipline, love, and leadership

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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:• Why attacks unfold faster than your brain can process• How memory actually functions under stress• Why even justified defenders often face years of legal devastation• The role faith and humility play when everything is on the line• The practical tools every protector must carry every day

If you carry — or love someone who does — this conversation matters.

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Tonight on Defenders LIVE, we’re diving deep into the truth about self-defense — not the Hollywood version, not the social-media soundbites, but the real human, legal, and spiritual weight of what it means to protect innocent life. I’m joined by Kaery Dudenhofer, a respected firearms and self-defense instructor, longtime member of the Active Self-Protection teaching team, and a recent graduate of the Force Science Institute’s Advanced Specialist program.

Kaery brings decades of training, thousands of hours of research, and a heart for protecting everyday people. In this conversation, she breaks down how attacks actually unfold, why human performance matters in court, what most concealed carriers don’t understand about memory, perception, and reaction time, and why even a righteous defense can lead to years of devastating legal fallout. Her real-world case examples — including defenders attacked in their own homes — reveal truths every everyday carrier needs to understand before they ever carry a gun.

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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 between ending his life… or fighting for it• Experiencing emotional safety for the first time• Why men fear vulnerability — and why true masculinity requires it• How faith, wilderness, and brutal honesty brought him home

This one shook me.

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Tonight, we go deep. Former Australian soldier Lex Reilly—known as The Australian Viking—opens up about the battles he didn’t fight overseas, but within his own home, his mind, and his heart. After Afghanistan, Lex spiraled into violence, addiction, emotional numbness, and the eventual loss of his children. But rather than ending his life, he stepped into the wilderness… literally. From the mountains of New Zealand to the Arctic Circle to the Montana backcountry, Lex walked straight into the unknown in search of healing, hope, and God.

In this raw and powerful conversation, Lex shares how radical honesty, wilderness immersion, emotional surrender, and a growing faith in God brought him back from the brink. We talk about healthy masculinity, the truth about emotional safety, the courage required for transformation, and what it takes for a man to face himself without self-loathing or shame.

Lex now guides men through some of the harshest environments on earth to help them confront the chaos inside, reclaim their identity, and rediscover purpose. His story is a testament to the freedom that comes when you stop running from yourself and start walking with truth.

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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 with:• A fresh perspective on grief — and why healing isn’t about “getting over it”• Simple everyday safety habits every woman should know• How to turn fear into awareness and personal confidence• Why community matters when you’re carrying heavy things• The mindset shift that helped Heidi reclaim her health and purpose

If you need courage, clarity, or just someone who gets it, this one matters.

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Tonight I’m sitting down with longtime educator, mom, and everyday protector Heidi Tyner from Michigan. A drunk, angry parent at school and a dark walk to her car were the wake-up calls that pushed Heidi and her husband to get their CPLs and start training together. That “date night at the range” season turned into a lifelong commitment to learning, leading other women, and refusing to live in fear.

Heidi has walked through divorce, single parenthood, raising a medically complex son, and the sudden loss of her husband at just 52 years old. In this conversation we talk about grief that doesn’t magically go away, what it means to honor someone you love with how you live, practical ways to be safer before you ever touch a firearm, and why awareness is the first line of defense. Heidi shares her journey into A Girl & A Gun, becoming a Refuse To Be A Victim instructor, rebuilding her health through Made Mom Coaching, and choosing gratitude even on the hardest anniversaries.

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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

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe

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

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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.

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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.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe

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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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe

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

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe