Our guest today is Colonel Rob Maness. Rob is a retired Air Force Colonel, a former wing and squadron commander, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, a survivor of the 9/11 Pentagon Attack, a Graduate of the U.S. Navy War College and Harvard Kennedy School, a former U.S. Senate Candidate, the Chairman of GatorPAC, CEO and Owner of Iron Liberty Group LLC, and the Host of The Rob Maness Show on WorldViewTube.

1) In addition to all of the other amazing things on your resume, you also serve on the Board of the Second Amendment Institute, and SAI has a big annual event coming up. Can you tell us about that? (https://www.sainational.org/champion)

2) As someone who has served in the Air Force, you have a unique perspective on the President of the United States’ role as Commander-in-Chief. In that vein, how do you see the impact of former President Biden's mental health issues?

3) President Trump just made a trip to the Middle East. What are some of your major takeaways from that?

4) We are just past the first 100 days of the second Trump Administration, so is it too early to expect movement in accountability for some of the three-letter agencies, such as the FBI, etc?

Originally Aired 5.30.25

Our guest today is Daniel Corbett. Daniel has served as an elite Navy SEAL operator, as part of SEAL Teams 5, 6, and 17. He’s now an entrepreneur and the author of American Mercenary.

1) People really need to read your book to get the whole story, but in a nutshell, how did a nice mercenary like you end up in a prison in Serbia?

2) Your story has been picked up by a production company. What can you tell us about that?

3) Is there a significance to your choosing the word Mercenary as opposed to “Contractor,” as many others in your line of work have used?

4) Throughout the book, your connection and dedication to your parents, especially your mom, stand out. The dangerous and secretive work you do must be hard on the family waiting at home. How does your family handle the unknown aspects of your life?

5) Your bio mentions that you have become an entrepreneur. Tell us what business ventures, besides finding “Unique Solutions To Unique Problems,” you are engaged in?

6) It might surprise people to hear that American Mercenary is an endearing story. And for a guy whose nickname is “Dirty” you have a humble and humorous way of letting us know you. From the story about Kinder Eggs to being transparent about Lululemon being your favorite brand of workout clothes. The reader feels like they are walking beside you throughout your journey. What is your favorite story about deciding what to put in or leave out of your book?

Originally Aired 5.28.25

Our guest today is Zach Lauer. Zach is deeply committed to faith, family, and freedom, and believes the government should serve the people over special interests. He was actively involved in the RFK Jr. campaign and played a key role in the MAGA-MAHA alliance in Arizona during Donald Trump’s recent presidential campaign. He is running for Phoenix City Council in District 4 to Take Back Phoenix from out-of-touch politicians and special interests and return local government to the citizens it is supposed to serve.

1) Why did you decide to run for Phoenix City Council?

2) What is Take Back Phoenix's mission?

3) Where have we seen the biggest failures with the current council and mayor?

4) Why is the right to keep and bear arms important, and how can a City Councilperson impact that right (for better or for worse)?

5) How do you plan to be different and start serving the people?

Originally Aired 5.26.25

Our guest today is Shirley Watral. Shirley is the author of Amazon bestseller Heels to Holster, a motivational speaker, and a firearms instructor. She serves as the Women for Gun Rights Florida state director; member of the Florida Carry Board.

Heels to Holster is a memoir of how she discovered the warrior inside as she survived an abusive relationship and thrived in the aftermath. To reach more victims of domestic violence, she has written a movie script for Heels to Holster and has recently completed the filming of the movie.

1) Why did you to write and book Heels to Holster, and how did it become a film project?

2) Was there a difference in writing a movie script and a book?

3) What was it like watching actors act out your story?

4) What was it like being a part of making a movie of your story?

5) How involved were you in shaping the final product while the filming was being done?

6) Was any part of the filming emotional for you?

Originally Aired 5.23.25

Our guest today is Ocean Rasso. Ocean is a dynamic 14-year-old voice in the fight for liberty and conservative values. At just 14 years old, this passionate advocate has already made waves as a speaker and champion of freedom, faith, and community involvement. Ocean inspires others to engage in local governance and stand firm in their beliefs.

1) What inspired you to become such a passionate advocate for freedom and liberty, and how has your faith shaped your mission?

2) You seem to truly understand that, “Freedom is always at risk of extinction.” What are the biggest threats to liberty you see today, and how can people actively counter them?

3) You’ve publicly supported US Congressman Andy Biggs for Arizona’s governor. What qualities or policies make him the right leader for the state, in your view?

4) Apathy is truly our biggest hurdle: How do you approach motivating people who feel disconnected or apathetic about political or civic engagement?

5) How can younger generations be encouraged to embrace the fight for liberty and take an active role in their communities?

6) How do people follow you?

Originally Aired 5.21.25

Our guest today is Michael Anthony. Michael is an author, coach, entrepreneur, and full-time traveler on a mission to impact 100,00 lives! His new book, Life Is Dope: 15 Stories of Hard-Won Hope and the Power of Perseverance, is sparking a movement around resilience and real-world growth.

1) The title of this episode is from your book. Tell us why you say that “The Future Is a Fairy Tale”?

2) Many of our listeners invest time and money in preparedness, whether self-defense, bug-out bags, or growing their own food. But, you suggest that sometimes the real struggles to overcome and battles to win can be within ourselves.

3) What was the driving force for writing this book? Where does your passion to help others come from?

4) Being self-reliant and independent-minded resonates throughout your book. Tell us why you say that “Success Isn’t About Winning by Someone Else’s Rules”?

5) What do you say to people who feel like the success ship has sailed for them? They are too old or have made too many mis-steps or mistakes.

Originally Aired 5.19.25

Our guest today is Reverend Kenn Blanchard. Kenn was once known internationally as the Black Man With A Gun. Before Google and Facebook existed, he played a monumental role in laying the groundwork for national concealed carry, the Heller Decision, and HR 218, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.

Today, he is a musician and caregiver for his wife. He has a new book called Finding Joy in the Blues available on Amazon.

1) You were our very first guest on GFR, and much has happened in the past ten years since we first met. But, one thing hasn’t changed, and that is that you have been Serving others your entire life. From your time in the Military, law enforcement, 2A Advocacy, and now your wife in her time of health needs. What drives you to show up in all of these roles?

2) Your wife is still recovering from a brain tumor. Your retirement years have not worked out the way you planned. Yet, you write a book about joy. Tell us about that.

3) One of the chapters in your book is called “A Preacher and a Rabbi”. In a time when some are trying to sew division based on every conceivable metric – race, class, religion, political ideology, etc – you two found an amazing connection and friendship. What was your common bond?

4) Where does 2A Advocacy fit in your life nowadays?

5) Having already planned for a future that didn’t quite work out, how do you now make plans for what is next?

6) How do people follow you and buy your books?

Originally Aired 5.16.25

Our guest today is Daniel Butierez. Daniel Butierez is a Candidate for US Congress in AZ CD7 in the 2025 Special Election.

Dan is a lifelong Arizonan with deep roots stretching back over a century. He is a small business owner dedicated to creating opportunity and offering second chances. His businesses focus on employing individuals recovering from addiction or transitioning out of incarceration. In just one summer, Dan provided jobs to 63 people, many of them coming directly from halfway houses and working to overcome fentanyl addiction—a crisis driven by the challenges at the southern border.

1) You have a compelling personal story and personal battle for freedom. Tell us about that.

2) The Special Election has just been announced, and already there is an Election Integrity issue brewing. What is that all about?

3) The District you are running in has a major homeless issue. What are the reasons for this, and how will you fix the homeless problem in CD7?

4) Federal Legislation impacts us here in AZ. What do you think of about President Trump’s first 100 days? What are you hearing from your constituents?

5) CD7 covers a large and diverse land mass in AZ. Should you be elected, how will you serve your constituents who don’t always agree on issues such as gun rights?

6) What makes you uniquely qualified for this position?

7) How can people contribute to your campaign and volunteer?

Originally Aired 5.14.25

Our guest today is John Gilstrap. John is the New York Times bestselling author of award-winning action novels, including the Jonathan Grave and Victoria Emerson Thrillers. A master of action-driven suspense, former firefighter and EMT, and a nationally recognized weaponry and explosives safety expert, John is set to release his latest work titled, Burned Bridges.

What can weapons nerds expect to geek out about in your upcoming release, Burned Bridges? Any interesting weapons or compelling scenes that speak to marksmen that you can tease?

Most of your professional career, outside of being an author, has centered around weapons and explosives safety. How does someone first become interested in that kind of career? 

As a safety consultant in Washington DC, I’m sure many unique problems and solutions crossed your desk. Is there a particularly interesting job you’d be willing to talk about? What’s something the average person doesn’t expect that this job handles?   

Certainly, these experiences have informed your writing of action-packed thrillers. While many movies and books seemingly romanticize casual gun use, huge shoot outs, and unsafe carrying practices, how does Burned Bridges stand apart from that narrative? What tone around guns are you striving to achieve in your books? 

How do you pair your characters with their weapons? Do they tend to have a favorite they always use, or do you use creative freedom to write about a variety of weapons?

Your main character in Burned Bridges teaches her children safe gun handling from an early age. What do you have to say about familiarizing children with gun safety in the real world as well as in fiction?

Originally Aired 5.9.25

On-Location Interview with Bill Romanelli, NSSF's Project ChildSafe Program, from the 2025 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

Bill Romanelli is an outdoor writer and avid hunter, angler and ab diver. He is also a spokesperson on behalf of the NSSF National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Project ChildSafe Program, where he works with firearm manufacturers, law enforcement, conservation groups and gun owners to emphasize the sporting community’s commitment to safety and responsibility, and to promote storing firearms securely when not in use.

In his work with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and in particular, NSSF’s Project ChildSafe program, he helps show how the hunting and shooting sports community, together with firearms industry, is leading the way on genuine gun safety across the US.

SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show) is an annual event held in Las Vegas, primarily for professionals in the firearms, ammunition, and outdoor industries. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) hosts this event, which is one of the largest trade shows of its kind, where manufacturers, dealers, and enthusiasts gather to showcase new products, network, and discuss industry trends. The show features everything from firearms and accessories to outdoor gear and survival tools, drawing thousands of attendees from around the world.

Originally Aired 4.11.25