Please support IFC by joining! Petrolino's writing & journalism embrace the fundamental freedoms we are afforded in the United States. His creative writing is integrated with contemporary Americana, and his articles revolve mainly around the freedoms enumerated in the Bill of Rights.

Whether they are First Amendment Rights, Second Amendment Rights, or one of the other rights enshrined within the Constitution, Petrolino believes in maximizing individual liberties. Rights retention and expansion are integrated into his work and persona.

John has an eclectic canon of work ranging from poetry, creative writing pieces, essays, reviews, and journalistic articles. @JohnPetrolino

Support IFC by Joining Today! John Commerford, NRA-ILA's Executive Director, joins the IFC Warrior Wednesday program today. Joining the NRA as an intern in 2007, John Commerford worked his way up through the ranks at the Association. As NRA-ILA's Chief of Operations since 2019, he led the day-to-day management of the Institute. Previously, he helped oversee NRA-ILA's State & Local Affairs Division and took charge of the political strategy for some of NRA's most critical electoral races. Working with a limited budget for the 2024 presidential election, Commerford had one goal for NRA: to maximize every penny donated by NRA members to be as effective as possible. That meant leveraging every vendor, data set, and the talents of NRA staff to execute an incredibly effective election plan. @NRA @NRAILA

Support IFC by JOINING TODAY! As the granddaughter of shooting icon Jeff Cooper and an NRA Benefactor Life Member, Amy Lovato has dedicated herself to firearms advocacy and community involvement. A licensed gun owner and New Jersey resident for 19 years, she is a member of the ANJRPC and has served on numerous NRA committees, including Women's Programs, Sport Shooting, and Youth Programs. Her activism includes testifying twice before the New York City Council to oppose gun control measures. An avid sportswoman, she is a big game hunter who has hunted in South Africa and Botswana—earning an SCI Gold Medal for a Kudu—and is also an upland bird hunter. Her extensive firearms training includes courses at prestigious institutions like Gunsite/API and Thunder Ranch, and she is an NRA-certified instructor.

A passionate organizer, she founded the NYC Women's Shooting Sports League and served as the Director for Women in the Shooting Sports for the NYSRPA from 2001 to 2006. She has organized various clinics, including Women On Target, the National Wild Turkey Federation's "Women in the Outdoors," and "Refuse To Be A Victim" seminars. Her work, which has included serving on the Big Apple Friends of NRA Committee, has been featured in the New York Post, the New York Times, and on WABC-7.

Professionally, she has a varied background as a professional singer, former actress, and past USO New York Entertainment Coordinator, as well as an Associate Producer for the History Channel, A&E, and Biography. Currently a school teacher, she is married with two children. She remains active in her community as a Daughters of the American Revolution Member and as a Family Readiness Group Leader for D-Co, 250th BSB, in New Jersey.

Join IFC Today! @irreverentwarriors Olivia McBride of Irreverent Warriors joins IFC today to share. What a conversation! The Irreverent Warriors Mission - to bring veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and prevent veteran suicide. The IW Vision - Unite the veteran community and drive a healthy culture within its members. Through creative engagements, events, and strong veteran-based support networks, we are the catalyst for improving the veteran outlook.

The Irreverent Warriors Site. https://irreverentwarriors.com/

Support and Care - Irreverent Warriors knows that the best support network for veterans, is other veterans. We bring a community of warriors together through therapeutic events across the country. We also work with other veteran organizations who provide services such as job placement, training, housing, service dogs and more.

Connection and Bonds - The connections and bonds made at our events allow veterans to create their own support network, solving the most crucial issue contributing to veteran suicide: isolation.

Laughter and Experience - We have experienced pain, tragedy, and trauma – whether overseas or at home – and many of us have used humor as a coping mechanism. Finding humor in difficult situations sheds some light on the darkness and helps us maintain a positive mental attitude and continue our mission.

Join IFC Today! @listrak Listrak stands as the 2A industry's leading marketing automation platform, partnering with more than 100 of the most recognized brands: including Brownells, Guns.com, Magpul, GunBroker.com, Classic Firearms and Magpul. By delivering data-driven personalization and best-in-class customer experiences, Listrak continues to help power growth, loyalty, and innovation across the 2A industry.

Join IFC Today! Lora Thorson's journey into firearms training began with a moment she'll never forget—a close call in 2016 that left her completely helpless and without a way to call for help. That experience didn't just shake her; it woke her up. Determined to never feel that powerless again, she dove headfirst into training, developing the skills, mindset, and confidence needed to stand ready—both for herself and for those she loves.

What started as a personal pursuit quickly became a calling. With a relentless hunger to learn and a gift for connecting with others, Lora quickly earned recognition as an instructor who not only understands the technical side of self-defense but knows how to build people from the inside out. Her students trust her not just for her expertise, but for her ability to make them feel seen, capable, and equipped—no matter where they're starting from.

Lora brings over 650 hours of formal training to the range, and her resume reads like a who's-who of the self-defense world. She's trained with some of the nation's most respected instructors and institutions, including Gunsite Academy, Defenders USA, The Complete Combatant, West Coast Armory North, Citizen's Defense Research, and many more.

Lora is also the creator and host of Defenders LIVE, a weekly livestream and podcast where she brings raw truth, spiritual depth, and life-tested wisdom to conversations around faith, readiness, leadership, and personal growth. Since launching the show in 2022, she's interviewed over 120 guests—including Navy SEALs, Green Berets, financial experts, law enforcement professionals, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. Her listeners count on her for unfiltered insights and powerful encouragement—always delivered with grit, grace, and a grounded sense of purpose.

Lora's heart is for the protector—the mom, dad, leader, or citizen who refuses to stay unprepared. She believes the first steps matter most, and she's passionate about building solid foundations in both mindset and skill. Her goal? To help everyday people feel capable, confident, and composed—especially in moments that matter most.

Join IFC Today! I'm A Brownells Bureau of Propaganda Field Agent. Let's talk about Flashlights, Firearms, and Freedom! @glocktopusreviews

Join IFC Today! The NRA Whittington Center is unlike any place on earth. More than 33,300 acres and 25 ranges are devoted to shooting for any discipline. Plus, they offer exceptional guided and unguided hunts, expert firearms training, lodging, cabins and camping, youth programs, a museum, a Pro Shop, and much more. It's never been easier to plan your amazing outdoor adventure. The hardest part is finding the time to take in all the NRA Whittington Center has to offer. Participate in one of our exhilarating events, hunting excursions, youth camps, or self-paced historic site hikes. You'll find something for everyone at the NRA Whittington Center, which is open to all visitors.

Join IFC Today! We have on Rob Beckman from the Firearm Trainers Podcast today - A podcast dedicated to all firearm instructors in Military, Law Enforcement, and Civilian contexts. Content focuses on building a business as well as being a better instructor and helping more American Gun Owners become better prepared for active armed defense. Part of the ConcealedCarry.com network.

Join IFC and support us with your Membership! In this episode of Warrior Wednesday, we sit down with Firefighter Paramedic Tony Henry for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about service, legacy, and the outdoors. Tony reflects on the recent passing of his father and the profound role he played in shaping Tony's love for fishing, conservation, and time spent outdoors—values that continue to guide him today.

We also discuss Tony's career in the fire service, his work advancing medical education and emergency care for police K9s, and the shared understanding that injuries and trauma don't happen on a schedule. Whether in the field, on the range, or in everyday life, being prepared to care for yourself or the people around you is just as important as any other skill.

The conversation rounds out with a look at Iowa's incredible upland and recreational hunting opportunities, the importance of habitat conservation, and maintaining access to public land for future generations. This episode is a powerful reminder of how family, faith, service, personal responsibility, and the Second Amendment intersect in everyday life.