Amateurs and Experts

Hosts Erica Chin and Maggie Reese broadcast live from the Otis Technology booth at SHOT Show 2026. They welcome Heather Eckhardt from OA Defense to discuss the company’s growth and their commitment to female shooters. The conversation centers on the new 2311 Pro pistol, which Maggie and Erica praise for its balance and exceptional trigger. Heather explains the technical aspects of the firearm, inc...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to go from being a wedding DJ to the CEO of a major technology company? In this episode, we talk to Brad McIntyre about his long career at Otis Technology. Brad has worked at the same company for twenty-five years and has done almost every job there. He started as a designer and worked his way up to the very top. Brad explains how the people he worked for taugh...

Season 4 kicks off with Erica Chin welcoming professional shooter Maggie Reese as the new official co-host. The duo reflects on their recent success filming at SHOT Show 2026 within the Otis Technology booth and the incredible quality of guests they’ve hosted. They announce a major milestone: the podcast will be heading to the NRA’s "Voices of 2A" Radio Row to capture new content. The co...

Have you ever met a person who changed your whole life? In this episode of Amateurs and Experts, Erica and Jessica talk to their mentor, Deb Ferns. Deb started a group called WOMA to help women learn about hunting, fishing, and shooting. She has been doing this for 16 years! She tells a funny story about climbing a tree to stay safe from a wild pig. The group talks about how important it is to be...

Have you ever wondered who makes the gear that police officers use to stay safe? In this episode of Amateurs and Experts, Erica and Jessica talk to Ryan Allen. Ryan used to be a police officer, but now he owns a company called Zero Nine Holsters. He makes special cases for radios and tools right here in the USA. He also helps run a big training group called the OTOA (Ohio Tactical Officers Associa...

ln this episode of Amateurs and Experts, Erica and Jess welcome Laura Evans of Silver Bullet Marketing to the Otis Technology booth at SHOT Show 2025. The group discusses the historical changes in the industry, noting how the presence of women has shifted from superficial roles to powerful professional positions. Laura shares her philosophy on boutique marketing, explaining how she helps small com...

Have you ever wondered how to hide a tool safely when your clothes don't have pockets? In this fun talk, Jess and Erica chat with Eric from Sticky Holsters. They talk about how their special holsters stay in place using just a little bit of pressure and a "sticky" outside. Erica shares a secret about how she hides hers in her bra so she can exercise without it moving! Eric explains...

The Amateurs and Experts podcast interviews Amanda and Alexa from AESIR Brands at the Otis Technology booth during SHOT Show 2025. The discussion focuses on the launch of the Stealth Mount , a new M-LOK compatible storage system that allows rifles to "float" on walls. Amanda explains how the business has grown from an online retailer to a brick-and-mortar store called Adventure Gear Sout...

This Amateurs and Experts podcast episode features a lively reunion between the hosts and the founders of Apex Mountain, a creative marketing agency, at SHOT Show 2025. The guests share their journey from owning a recording studio to launching a specialized agency focused on diversifying the outdoor industry. They discuss the professional dynamics of their partnership and their mission to increase...

This episode of the Amateurs and Experts podcast features an interview with RJ and Frank from Kick-Eez at SHOT Show 2025. The team discusses the company's 100% American-made recoil pads and their legacy of quality. They highlight new 2025 offerings, including pre-fit pads and a partnership with Chisel Machining and Pilla Performance Eyewear. The conversation shifts between technical product t...

Erica and Jessica interview the leadership of Open Doors for Future Possibilities (ODTFP). Dr. Simone Lundquist discusses her six-year journey of building a nonprofit that serves veterans and law enforcement with free, high-quality counseling. The conversation shifts to the unique philosophy of the organization, which prioritizes "post-traumatic growth" over traditional clinical diagnosi...

Have you ever wondered why it is so hard to find the perfect red dot sight for your favorite handgun? In this episode, Stephen from Primary Arms explains how his team spent three years building a brand-new optic right here in the United States. He tells funny stories about how much work it takes to test these tools, including shooting thousands of rounds of ammo until the guns get too hot to touch...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to run a famous family gun company? Lisa Tuason from Armscor joins the show to talk about their new American-made pistols. She shows off a brand-new gun called the RIA 4.0 that is small enough to carry for safety. The conversation delves into the culture of Armscor, which is a third-generation family business currently preparing the fourth generation for leader...

Charlie Cook, the host of "Riding Shotgun with Charlie," discusses the origin of his popular podcast and video series, which he created after being inspired by Carpool Karaoke and blending his passion for guns with a new focus on video content. He shares his background as a musician, including opening for artists like Dolly Parton, and his long-time profession as a band teacher. Charlie...

From the Otis Technology booth at Shot Show 2025, where the hosts, Jessica Adanich and Erica Chin, are joined by Dan Clayton from Henry Repeating Arms. They discuss the company's innovation, starting with the new Lever Action Supreme, which the host shot and praised for its smoothness and accuracy. Dan explains that the rifle, four to five years in the making, represents a new platform combin...

Two military veterans, Cece and Shannon, share their powerful stories of healing after service, explaining that the civilian world can be a difficult place to land. Shannon, a Marine veteran, explains that traditional therapies, like mindfulness, don't work well for those with PTSD from adrenaline-fueled experiences. For her and many others, hunting and outdoor trips provided a better way to...

Ever wondered how a passion for the outdoors can turn into a successful career? In this episode, the hosts chat with Julie McQueen from Carbon TV . They learn about her impressive journey, which started with her making simple gun cleaning videos in her kitchen and led to her becoming a leader in the outdoor media world. Julie shares that she's done almost everything in the industry, even star...

The Amateurs and Experts podcast hosts, Jessica Adanich and Erica Chin interviews Steve Fischer and Rob Chadwick from the USCCA at SHOT Show 2025. They discuss the USCCA's mission to empower citizens through self-defense training and liability insurance, highlighting the importance of preparedness in today's society. The conversation delves into the organization's history, its commi...

Have you ever wondered why women might learn to shoot differently than men? The "Amateurs and Experts" podcast hosts, Jessica Adanich and Erica Chin chat with firearms instructor Sheila Hoekstra about her career and the unique world of women in shooting. She explains that because men and women are built differently, having a female instructor can make a big difference. Sheila talks about...

Have you ever considered what it truly means to be a responsible gun owner? In a special episode recorded at SHOT Show 2025, the hosts of "Amateurs and Experts" sit down with CEO, Bill Kleftis, from Otis Technology. They learn about how Otis Technology has been making top-notch cleaning products for 40 years and how they're now offering a new, more affordable brand called Shooter&ap...

Fishing isn’t just a pastime—it’s a passion, a sport, and for some, a life-changing journey. Few people embody this transformation better than Rhonda Pitts, a casual fishing hobbyist turned Team USA Bass competitor. In the latest episode of Amateurs and Experts , hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich sit down with Rhonda to discuss her incredible rise in the fishing world. From her first casts as a...

In this episode of the Amateurs and Experts podcast, hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich highlighted the inspiring journey of their guest, Lanny Barnes. Lanny, with her extensive experience and achievements in shooting sports, offered valuable insights into the importance of quality equipment and the deep relationships she has built with companies like Staccato and Otis Technology. Her commitment...

In this episode of the Amateurs and Experts podcast, hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich broadcast live from SHOT Show 2024, with guest, Haley from Safariland, a company renowned for its law enforcement gear. Haley introduces their latest innovations, including a highly successful IWB (Inside the Waistband) holster in collaboration with Travis Haley, which has become their best-selling product. S...

In this lively episode of the Amateurs and Experts podcast, hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich have an insightful conversation with RJ from KICK-EEZ, we delve into the meticulous craftsmanship and the innovation that go into creating their premium recoil pads. RJ’s dedication to sourcing 100% US-made materials, even down to the petroleum, exemplifies a commitment to quality and support for local...

In this lively episode of the Amateurs and Experts podcast, hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich engage in a dynamic conversation with Christy Lee Cook at Shot Show 2024. Recorded from the Otis Technology podcast booth, the episode delves into Christy's multifaceted career journey, spanning from her American Idol days to becoming a prominent figure in both the music industry and the world of...