Amateurs and Experts

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...

In this episode of the Amateurs and Experts podcast, hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich welcomed Ozge Cumberland of Primary Arms. Ozge’s journey through the firearm industry is a testament to transformation and dedication. From her initial skepticism towards firearms to becoming a pivotal figure at Primary Arms, her path is marked by continuous learning, growth, and a deep commitment to both the...

In this episode of the Amateurs and Experts podcast, hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich welcomed Lisa Tuason from Armscor and Rock Island Armory, diving deep into the story behind their latest masterpiece, the RIA 5.0 E. Lisa's passion and expertise shone through as she detailed the journey from design concept to production, highlighting innovations like the RVS Recoil System and meticulous...

In this episode of the Amateurs and Experts podcast, hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich broadcast live from the Otis Technologies booth at Shot Show 2024. They are joined by Chris Cheng, renowned as "Top Shot Chris." His journey from Silicon Valley to Top Shot champion and firearms advocate is nothing short of inspiring. Chris opens up about his surprising victory on Top Shot, his care...

In this exciting episode of "Amateurs and Experts," hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich take us live from the Otis Technology podcast booth at Shot Show 2024. Their special guest is the inspiring Tes Salb, a representative from HiViz Shooting Systems and an exceptional figure in the shooting sports industry. The conversation dives into Tess's involvement in the Tactical Games, a de...

In this episode of “Amateurs and Experts” podcast, hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich are joined by Kathy Meyers from Benelli at Shot Show 2024. The conversation spans a range of topics including the allure of Benelli firearms, hunting experiences, and the importance of team building within companies. She shares humorous and enlightening anecdotes from her hunts, including the challenges of earl...

In this episode of the "Amateurs and Experts" podcast, hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich broadcast from the Otis Technology podcast booth at Shot Show 2024. They welcome Kellye Dash, a content creator and advocate for self-defense and personal safety. Kelly shares insights about her brand, She Fires, 2A Rated Apparel, and her mission to empower women through self-defense, situational...

Welcome to the "Amateurs and Experts" podcast, where hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich explore the world of shooting, hunting, and fishing. In this episode, recorded at Shot Show 2024, they sit down with Deb Ferns and Kay Miculek, the remarkable women behind Babes with Bullets. Kay's initiative to gather female shooters for training and Deb’s enthusiasm to share the learning expe...

The "Amateurs and Experts" podcast episode features hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich recorded live from the Otis Technology booth at Shot Show 2024, joined by guest Maggie Reese. As a seasoned competitor and advocate for shooting sports, Maggie Reese regaled listeners with her journey from novice to pro, offering valuable insights and experiences along the way. The lively conversatio...

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Amateurs and Experts podcast! In this episode, hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich sit down with Kailey Nieman, the Director of Development at Gun Owners of America (GOA) recorded live from the Otis Technology booth at Shot Show 2024. They delve into her journey into the firearms industry and discuss important topics surrounding personal safety and emp...

This episode of “Amateurs and Experts” podcast features an engaging conversation between hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich and their guests, Joanna and Joe Wilson from Patriot Defense recorded live from the Otis Technology booth at Shot Show 2024. The Wilsons share insights into their journey with Patriot Defense, transitioning from a passion for shooting to building a successful business in th...

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Amateurs and Experts podcast! In this installment, hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich sit down with Connor Donahue from ACE recorded live from the Otis Technology booth at Shot Show 2024. Together, they explore the innovative world of virtual reality shooting and introduce ACE, a cutting-edge virtual reality shooting experience that's changing the...

In this episode of the "Amateurs and Experts" podcast, hosts Erica Chin and Jessica Adanich engage in a lively conversation with Eydin Hansen from Umarex recorded live from the Otis Technology booth at Shot Show 2024. The discussion covers various topics ranging from hunting experiences to firearm technology. Eydin shares insights into Umarex's products, including air guns and repli...