Defenders LIVE Podcast

Tyler Tharp doesn’t just teach shooting. He coaches people through pressure, plateaus, and the fear that keeps them stuck. In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Tyler shares how early experiences with being graded can shape a lifelong fear of failure, and why identity work and process-driven training can unlock real performance, both on the range and in everyday life. Tyler is the lead instructor at...

Lately, I have been sitting with the idea that we do not really stay the same. Even when nothing looks like it is changing on the outside, something is always happening underneath. Sometimes that movement feels like momentum. Other times it feels like uncertainty, quiet, or doubt. That tension between shrinking and growing is what this video touches on. It is not a lesson or a breakdown. Just a re...

The hardest fight isn’t out there… it’s in your mind. In this episode of Defenders LIVE , Steve Friskup joins Lora Thorson for a no-fluff conversation about protecting what matters most—your faith, your family, and your future. What you’ll take away: * Why guarding your mind and heart is harder than protecting your home * Steve’s life-changing moment: Jesus met him in a pickup truck off I-40 * How...

Most people think they know what a self-defense encounter looks like… until it actually happens. In this conversation, Force Science Specialist Kaery Dudenhofer breaks open the truth about human performance, legal realities, and the hidden cost of defending life. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why attacks unfold faster than your brain can process• How memory actually functions under stress• Why...

Tonight’s Defenders LIVE conversation with Lex Reilly, a former soldier, wilderness guide, and a man who rebuilt his life from rock bottom — is one of the most honest we’ve had on Defenders LIVE. Lex opens up about: • Walking through PTSD, violence, addiction, and losing his children • Choosing between ending his life… or fighting for it • Experiencing emotional safety for the first time • Why men...

If you’ve ever walked through something that felt too heavy to carry, this conversation is for you. In this episode, Heidi Tyner gets real about grief, fear, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild your life with intention — and she shares practical wisdom anyone can apply. You’ll walk away with: • A fresh perspective on grief — and why healing isn’t about “getting over it”• Simple everyday saf...

If you’ve been craving a conversation that actually goes deeper than the headlines, this is it. Michael Ware doesn’t tiptoe around anything — faith, firearms, politics, fatherhood, adoption, character, ego, all of it. And he brings a level of honesty that is refreshing. Here’s why you should watch ⤵️ If you’ve ever wondered: • How to reconcile faith with self-defense• Why our culture is terrified...

In this week’s Defenders LIVE, I sat down again with Jonathan Willis — husband, father, veteran firefighter/paramedic, and lead instructor for Gunset Training Group — to talk about what real-world readiness looks like. Jonathan’s story bridges decades of trauma response, leadership, and instruction. From building the RWT Pocket Kit to teaching trauma medicine and defensive shotgun, he’s bringing t...

When life goes sideways, preparation isn’t paranoia—it’s peace. In this conversation, Special Operations veteran and two-time NTI winner John Holschen returns to Defenders LIVE to break down a clear, faith-grounded approach to extreme events—active shooters, coordinated attacks, explosives, even chemical/biological hazards. We move past movie myths and into practical wisdom: how to shorten your OO...

He spent 25 years kicking in doors—until God opened one. SWAT officer Paul Milone has lived through more than 1,100 missions, 300 undercover buys, and moments that would shake most people to their core. But it wasn’t training that finally brought him peace—it was surrender. In this Defenders LIVE conversation, Paul and I talk about what happens when everything you’ve relied on—discipline, training...

Join host Lora Thorson for an inspiring conversation with Randy Watt—retired police chief, Special Forces colonel, and founder of the Power of Awareness Institute . In this episode, Randy shares hard-won lessons from decades in law enforcement and the military, exploring the deeper meaning of situational awareness, the power of discipline, and the importance of self-awareness and faith. Randy open...

Hey friends, I wasn’t planning to relaunch Defenders LIVE until the end of the year — but I realized something: I miss it too much to wait. I miss the conversations that challenge us to grow. I miss learning from incredible protectors and leaders. And I miss connecting with you — the people walking this same path of courage, faith, and personal defense. So... we’re back. 🎙️ Coming up on Defenders...

If you noticed that there was not a show posted last week, here’s a video describing what’s going on right now. There are about 160 episodes in the archive over the last 3 years. This should be enough to tide you over until the big launch! This pause should be relatively short and I’ll keep in touch! Thank you for your continued support. Warm regards, Lora This is a public episode. If you'd like t...

In this episode of Defenders LIVE, veteran instructor Jim Shanahan breaks down why most training misses the mark—and how to raise your standard before it’s too late. 🔑 Learn what it means to be a Deliberate Responder, why hope is not a plan , and how to blend elite performance with real-world defense. 💥 Whether you're new to training or a seasoned protector, this conversation will redefine your...

I am resharing this episode of Defenders LIVE because the first release had the wrong title and description. This conversation was with John Holschen —and it turned out to be one of the most meaningful episodes I recorded with him. Many of you may already know: John recently passed away. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and all who trained with him. Our entire community is diminished by t...

This week on Defenders Live , host Lora Thorson interviews Mike Kinsey—firearms instructor, father, believer, and community leader—on how living with conviction changes everything. 💡 Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. 🎯 Highlights include: * Insights on aligning your training with your values * How to build r...

🔥 Feeling stuck? This might be the breakthrough you didn’t know you needed. In this raw, deeply personal episode of Defenders LIVE , host Lora Thorson sits down with leadership coach and former pastor Matt Ware to uncover how leaders at every level — from business to family — can rise from failure, fear, and loss into greater strength, clarity, and courage. Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To...

Host Lora Thorson and Dr. Fuller, building on their previous conversation, dive deeper into what civil unrest looks like in practice—especially in the wake of recent events like the LA protests and escalating global conflict. This episode covers: * The anatomy of societal breakdown * Human behavior under stress and chaos * The moral and mental framework needed to prepare * Physical training as a c...

In this powerful, intimate episode of Defenders LIVE , Ross Hick flips the script by interviewing regular host Lora Thorson . This raw, transformative conversation delves into Lora’s emotional, spiritual, and physical evolution over the past few years. Together, they unpack: * What it really takes to change your life * The hidden weight of false humility * Faith as a foundation for real transforma...

In this deeply moving and vulnerable episode, we welcome Jeremy Morris—husband, father, business owner, and co-founder of Wild Courage. Jeremy shares his raw journey from rock bottom to redemption, shedding light on trauma, addiction, healing, and the profound transformation that comes from facing your truth. His story is one of pain and triumph, steeped in faith, humility, and a mission to help o...

In this powerful follow-up episode, host Lora Thorson sits down once again with John Hearne—a seasoned public safety professional, retired U.S. Park Ranger, and the brain behind Two Pillars Training. With over 30 years of experience, John delivers sobering truths and practical insights on how to train for violence, maintain emotional control, and truly understand human performance under stress. De...

Communicator & Protector: The Journey of Lora Thorson In this compelling episode of the Sling'N Lead Podcast, your hosts TJ and Kent sit down with the extraordinary Lora Thorson, host of Defenders LIVE . This is more than just a guest interview—it’s an exploration of mission, mindset, and personal transformation. Lora shares her evolution from a business-savvy photographer in the rodeo scene to a...

🎧 Episode Summary In this emotionally charged and deeply inspiring episode, host Lora Thorson welcomes Christian Griffith, a survivor of child sexual abuse turned extreme endurance athlete and vocal advocate for trauma survivors. From starring in the History Channel’s The Selection: Special Operations Experiment to running 3,142 miles across America, Christian shares his journey of healing, resil...

In this deeply insightful episode, Lora welcomes Shane Kerwin, a seasoned Special Forces Medical Sergeant and sniper with over two decades of military experience. Together, they explore the intricate journey of transitioning from elite military service to training everyday citizens in personal defense. Shane shares how his deep-rooted philosophy of teaching, patience, and mentorship transforms tra...

What you'll learn: * 🎯 Why confidence without training is dangerous * 🧠 How mindset beats gear every time * 🛠️ 3 common gun training myths — busted * 💬 The power of why in adult learning * 🤝 How real connection makes safer students Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this deeply reflective episode of Defe...