Clint Emerson joined The Protectors to talk about his book 100 DEADLY SKILLS COMBAT EDITION, “Apple Picking”, not standing out in the crowd (i.e. being gray), knowing when to escalate and de-escalate, and a ton of other topics.  Thanks to my great co-host Marcus Torgerson providing spot-on input.  

About the book:  Created by a retired Navy SEAL, this illustrated combat manual presents one hundred skills harvested from the world of special operations, outlaw bikers, lifelong martial artists, and professional fighters. Drawing on the unique skill sets of a carefully selected cadre of experts, each technique is carefully broken down to its component parts in order to radically improve your chances of coming out on top—whether you’re faced by an active shooter or coming toe to toe with a belligerent prick. Throughout, embedded step-by-step video content enables you to visualize the skills and practice them in real-time. 

Harrison Johnson joined The Protectors to talk about handling transition, the importance of finding a new mission post-service, and a ton of other topics.  Make sure to check out all that FitOps is doing to give back!  

About: Harrison is a recently separated, 10-year United States Army Infantryman. He is the Director of Operations for the FitOps Foundation and a mental health advocate for Veterans.
Over the last 2 years at FitOps, and during his time in service, Harrison discovered the reason for veterans’ struggle returning to civilian life is the lack of support through the transition process. He believes transition starts when you raise your right hand and are sworn into service, not when you decide to leave. Harrison believes that wearing the uniform creates a continuous struggle of identity between the Soldier version of one’s self and the civilian version. This conflict will continue through a veteran’s entire life and is the root cause of transition struggle. He witnessed and experienced firsthand the debilitating fear when a veteran realizes the skills, language and value they held and learned in service don’t translate to the real world. Harrison has now made it his mission through his work at FitOps Foundation, to help veterans find new purpose through a meaningful career in fitness, and provide them with the resources, tools and community to find success in business and in life.

Char Fontan Westfall joined The Protectors to discuss growing up in a Navy family, the sudden loss of her husband, finding the right help after loss, her faith, and a ton of other topics.  

About the book: A BEAUTIFUL TRAGEDY: A NAVY SEAL WIDOW'S PERMISSION TO GRIEVE AND A PRESCRIPTION FOR HOPE. On June 28, 2005, nineteen U.S. service members perished in the mountains of Afghanistan. The author’s husband, Navy SEAL Jacques Fontan, was one of those killed.

The mission, Operation Red Wings, has become one of the most well-known operations in contemporary warfare. Only one survivor lived to tell the harrowing story, resulting in books, speeches, and a blockbuster movie, Lone Survivor. Perhaps more importantly, the mission created much-needed public awareness and curiosity about the realities of war and survival. 

But there have been no books, speeches, or movies written about the other survivors: the women and children whose lives changed forever that summer day. While each widow and family processed the tragedy differently, Char became absorbed in anger and bitterness. Coping with grief was unfamiliar and scary to her. She hated God, whom she had trusted all her life, and blamed Him for losing her husband in such a violent manner. 

Before she knew it, she was on the front lines of a battle to regain her own life. When all seemed lost, the kindness and persistence of a neighbor brought renewed hope and restoration to her horribly broken heart in a surprising and refreshing way.

Gary Brugman joined The Protectors to talk about freedom, a pardon by POTUS, getting back on track, podcasting, faith, and bad a** 80’s bands from Nuclear Assault to Faster Pussycat to Metal Church.  Make sure to check out Gary’s podcast and IG.  https://www.garybrugman.com/

Pete DePrez joined the show to discuss what is going on within our LEO community with sleep, stigma, hormone imbalance, over-medication, and a ton of other topics.   The battle to save our brains has begun, the war will be won in our lifetimes.  It has to.  

Follow Pete on IG at @alpine.water.buffalo

Knocko Nolan joined the Protectors to talk recently.  We talk about his policing career, appearing on Netflix, podcasting, BJJ, from NYPD to LAPD and a ton of other topics

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theprotectors)

Dave Matheny, CEO & Founder, of the @silencershop. Dave stopped by the show to discuss the current state of silencers, how they developed their kiosk system, and a ton of other topics. Dave also walked me through how the kiosk and tax stamp process works. Very informative!! 

#deadairsilencer #silencers #silencershop #theprotectors #silencer #deadair

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theprotectors)

Jason Kasper stopped by The Protectors.  Jason transitioned from the Enlisted 75th to West Point to becoming a Green Beret Officer.  Jason is now a world-class author and most of all, a dad. 

About Jason: Jason Kasper enlisted in the US Army in June 2001. His first assignment was as a Ranger private, where he conducted operations in Afghanistan and Iraq before attending West Point. Jason then served as an Airborne Infantry and Special Forces officer, deploying multiple times to Afghanistan and Africa. 

During his off-duty time he began running marathons and ultramarathons, skydiving, BASE jumping, and writing fiction. His last Army assignment was as a Green Beret team commander. Upon returning from his final deployment in 2016, Jason began his second career as an author with the publication of his debut novel, Greatest Enemy.

Tim Cruickshank from BONEFROG CELLARS & BONEFROG COFFEE stopped by The Protectors to talk about transitioning from the Navy SEALS to opening up two businesses to a ton of other topics. BONEFROG was created to honor and remember the fallen, while shining a light on those that served and still serve our Nation here and abroad.  

Tim is a former Navy SEAL and has transitioned into the world of Wine & Coffee!  While the episode is getting ready to premiere, head over and check out their website, it really is one of the best sites I have ever seen.  Make sure to pick up some wine and/or coffee to get delivered right to your doorstep.  Use code PROTECTOR for a discount!!  

From the company: Bonefrog Coffee Company was created as a tribute to the "Brotherhood" of US Navy SEALs, the Naval Special Warfare community and to all Americans who have bravely served, or who are currently serving, in our United States Armed Forces. We are making a humble and heartfelt commitment to give a portion of all of our proceeds to benefit many of the US Navy SEAL Foundations annually.

Don Bentley stopped by The Protectors to talk about his new book OUTSIDE MAN.  Don is at the top of his game with this generation of authors in the thriller genre from Jack Carr to Andrews & Wilson.  Don is setting his own path with a different type of protagonist; one that can use HUMINT collection like a scalpel and use the tools of the combatant trade when needed, equally lethal in both spectrums.  

About Don: Don Bentley spent a decade as an Army Apache helicopter pilot during which time he was stationed in South Korea, Germany, and Texas.  While deployed to Afghanistan as a Troop Commander in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VI, Don was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal with “V” device for valor.  Following his time in the military Don worked as an FBI Special Agent and was a member of the Dallas Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.  Since leaving the FBI, Don has worked for a number of companies that develop technology for the U.S. Special Operations Community.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/theprotectors)