She Shield

Biometric firearms have been talked about for decades, but are they finally ready for real-world use? In this episode of She Shield Podcast, Sofia sits down with Ginger Chandler, CEO and co-founder of Lodestar, to discuss the development of the LNK9, a biometric 9mm handgun designed to give firearm owners greater control over who can access their firearm. Drawing from decades of experience in engi...

In this episode of She Shield Podcast, Sofia is joined by David Hyman of Stay Safe Martial Arts for a real-world breakdown of viral self-defense videos. Instead of simply reacting to shocking clips online, Sofia and David analyze what is actually happening, what people often miss, and how real martial arts, grappling, verbal commands, pepper spray, medical training, and space management apply in h...

In this episode of She Shield, Sofia sits down with Samantha Borgos of Sovereign Self Defense for a conversation about the part of self-defense that goes far beyond simply owning a firearm. Samantha shares the origin of Sovereign Self Defense, how their training curriculum grew from one workshop into a multi-level program, and why personal protection has to include more than just technical shootin...

In this episode, Sofia sits down with Jackson Yeager, a graduate researcher in Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health at Miami University, to explore the connection between physical activity, long-term health, and personal capability. Working under Dr. Paul Reidy on research funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Jackson studies how physical inacti...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia interviews Matt Landfair. Matt has spent more than a decade behind the microphone as the host of Primary & Secondary, one of the longest-running podcasts in the firearms and training space. In this episode, Matt joins me to discuss what it's really like to be a podcast host, the evolution of the firearms industry over the year...

On this episode of She Shield, Lena and Sofia sit down in person with Bridget Brown, founder of Bullet Bloom Jewelry. Bridget happened to be passing through Ogden, Utah on her way to Arizona, which gave us the rare opportunity to record this conversation face-to-face. Bullet Bloom takes spent cartridge casings and transforms them into handcrafted jewelry, creating meaningful pieces that connect pe...

This week on the She Shield Podcast, Sofia and Lena Miculek switch things up for a more laid-back, reaction-style episode as they break down some of the most iconic female fight scenes in action movies and TV. From the brutal close-quarters fights of Atomic Blonde to the over-the-top gun handling in Resident Evil, the tactical chaos of Black Widow, and scenes from Ballerina, they dive into what ac...

On this episode of She Shield, Sofia sits down with Lena Miculek for Part 1 of a two-part conversation diving into the world of competitive shotgun shooting, preparation, and what it really takes to compete on the world stage. Lena shares her history with shotgun competition, how she developed as a shooter over the years, and what goes into qualifying for and preparing for the IPSC Shotgun World S...

This week on She Shield, Sofia sits down solo to talk about what it actually looks like to become a creator in the self-defense, competition, outdoor, and preparedness space, without losing yourself in the process. From figuring out whether content creation is simply a passion project or something you want to grow into a business, this episode breaks down the foundational steps creators often over...

In this episode of She Shield, Sofia sits down with David Heineman to break down a truth most people skip past: tools don’t replace skill. With nearly 30 years of experience across Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, David brings a layered perspective on what real self-defense actually looks like. From competing on major stages like IBJJF Pans and Worlds to building S...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia interviews Bethany Taylor, founder of Iron Soul Trailblazers. As an outdoor educator, adventure trip host, and safety and preparedness advocate, Bethany has built her life around helping women step confidently into the outdoors. In this episode, she and Sofia dive into the intersection of adventure and responsibility, covering everythi...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia sits down with Ryan Di Lello to explore a perspective most shooters overlook, movement as a true performance skill. Coming from a background as a professional dancer, Ryan brings a completely different lens to competitive shooting, one rooted in body awareness, timing, and intentional movement. What might look like speed on the surface...

In this episode of She Shield Podcast , Sofia sits down with Madison Thompson to dive into the world of archery from two very different, but equally valuable, perspectives. Madison, a competitive archer specializing in compound bows, shares her journey back into the competition space and how that transition has shaped her approach to both shooting and hunting. She breaks down how competitive arche...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia interviews Alastair Steward. Alastair shares a story that hits at the core of what it means to take ownership of personal safety and skill development. Originally from outside the United States, Alastair didn’t grow up around firearms or the culture that surrounds them. But after becoming a U.S. citizen, he made a conscious decision: i...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia interviews Michelle Waterson-Gomez, widely known as the Karate Hottie , steps into a completely different kind of conversation, one that goes far beyond the cage. She opens up about where she’s at now after her professional fighting career, and the identity shift that comes with stepping away from something that once defined everything...

In this episode of She Shield Podcast , Sofia sits down with Caleb Giddings to break down one of the most common questions in the shooting sports world: USPSA or IDPA… and which one is actually right for you? Caleb brings a no-BS perspective as they unpack the real differences between the two disciplines, beyond what you see on the surface. From stage design and scoring to gear choices and mindset...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! Sofia sits down with Jordynn of @Jordynnsoutside, a creator who documents life in a more secluded corner of the world while raising two kids and navigating the realities of rural living. What began as a practical need to protect her family quickly turned into a deeper journey into concealed carry, training, and taking responsibility for her own safety. Jordy...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode of She Shield Podcast , Sofia sits down with Chris Long of Walther Arms and Caleb Quanbeck, professional drift car driver and Walther-sponsored athlete, for a conversation that goes far beyond horsepower. Caleb shares his unconventional journey into the firearms world, one that wasn’t exactly welcomed with open arms by major social media plat...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia sits down with former Olympian and current world-level competitor Lanny Barnes . Known for her grit, discipline, and elite-level performance on the world stage, Lanny sits down to share the story behind the strength, starting with the woman who shaped it all: her mother. Lanny reflects on what it meant to be raised by a woman who embod...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia sits down with Jade Struck for a real, unfiltered discussion about growth, evolution, and having the courage to try something new. Known for her presence in the shooting sports world, Jade opens up about what it actually looks like to pivot, to step into unfamiliar territory, and to stay curious even after you’ve built a name for yours...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia sits down with Julie Golob for a conversation that went far beyond competition stats and industry accolades. Julie reflects on what it was like coming up as a shooter in the early days of the industry, before social media, before visibility looked the way it does now, and what it’s been like to watch the space evolve in real time. She...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, the conversation centers on Frank, President of Right To Bear , and the path that led him into leadership. Frank shares his personal story, how he came into the role, the experiences that shaped his perspective, and the responsibility he feels in leading an organization focused on legal preparedness. The discussion explores what people often...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, host Sofia Espina sits down with William Kirk of Washington Gun Law for a clear, fact-driven conversation on the legal realities of self-defense. Known for his apolitical, statute-based approach, William breaks down how use-of-force laws are actually evaluated, the most common legal misconceptions responsible individuals make, and why relyin...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia sits down with health and mindset coach Vicky DiSanto to explore the often-overlooked concept of the defense of self, the physical foundation that supports confidence, capability, and personal safety. With over a decade of experience in functional health and mindset coaching, Vicky has helped hundreds of clients work through complex ch...

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! This episode takes you inside a ShivWorks ECQC course through the voices of the people who lived it.  Recorded during my most recent Extreme Close Quarters Concepts (ECQC) course, this episode features interviews with Craig Douglas, founder of ShivWorks, alongside his assistant instructors and students from the class. You’ll hear from: Craig Douglas (ShivWor...