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Defenders LIVE Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Lora Thorson, Defenders USA
Welcome to the Defenders LIVE community! This is where you can find information and inspiration to grow as a defender both on and off the range.
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The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 5 days ago37 min
Ep. 200 | We Probably Shouldn't Have Recorded This | Adam Winch & Lora Thorson | Defenders LIVE
Apparently I “weenied down” a workout in Arizona, Adam cannot handle a computer without having a complete meltdown, and I hauled guns all the way to Arizona because HE begged me to bring them...only for us to never even use them. 😂And that’s just where this conversation started.Adam Winch is the founder and lead instructor of Defenders USA, but he’s also a good friend, and our conversations behind the scenes don’t usually look much like a formal interview.So we decided to let you guys in on one.We got into some ridiculous things we’ve seen online, bumper stickers and how much information we unknowingly give away about ourselves, some of the weirdest things students have brought to firearms classes, things Adam does that drive me crazy, things I do that drive him crazy, and why sometimes you can hear something 20 times before it finally clicks.I’ve done some pretty serious episodes of Defenders LIVE lately, and I wanted this one to just be fun. There’s no single big topic. It’s pretty much what it sounds like when Adam and I have a normal conversation and you guys get to listen in.Let me know what you think of this format and if we should do it again.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe
- 1 weeks ago11 min
Ep. 199 | The Question I Couldn't Answer Until Everything Stopped w/ Lora Thorson
When is enough, enough? I had been wrestling with that question, and then just hours later I became so sick that almost everything I normally do came to a stop.No normal everyday life.No workouts.Almost no screens.Very little I could actually do.And in the stillness, God answered the question in a way I wasn’t expecting.In this week’s Defenders LIVE, I’m sharing something different... a journal entry I wrote after a few difficult days and what they taught me about:* The difference between growth and constantly believing we need more* How internal chaos can exist even when we’re surrounded by peace* The ordinary blessings we stop noticing* What happens when all the “doing” gets stripped away* Pursuing goals from gratitude instead of believing we’re not enough* Recognizing what God has already given usI don’t want to have to get sick to notice my life.Maybe enough isn’t something we’re supposed to finally reach. Maybe we need to recognize how much we’ve already been given.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our live group calls, consider becoming a paid subscriber.Earlier this week, I was sitting with friends wrestling with a question: When is enough, enough? We were talking about my fitness goals, but I knew the question went much deeper than that. Hours later, I became incredibly sick, and for the next couple of days almost everything I normally do was taken away. I couldn’t work. I couldn’t train. I could barely read, write, or look at a screen. I was forced into stillness.And in that stillness, God showed me something I hadn’t been able to see while I was busy doing, striving, growing, and pursuing the next thing. The peace I was looking for was already around me. So were the blessings. My family, my home, my health, my freedom, the ability to move my body, food, safety, nature, and a life filled with more than I had stopped long enough to recognize.This episode is simply me sharing what I wrote in my journal after those few days and what I believe God was teaching me through them. I still believe in goals. I still believe in growth, discipline, and doing hard things. But I’m learning there is a difference between pursuing growth from a place of gratitude and pursuing it because we’ve convinced ourselves that who we are or what we have isn’t enough.Maybe the question isn’t, “When will I finally have enough?”Maybe it’s, “When will I recognize that I already do?”Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe
- 2 weeks ago54 min
Ep. 198 | The Threats You Never See Coming w/ Author, Liz Lazarus
As a college student, she woke to an attacker kicking through her bedroom door. Years later, she found herself in an entirely different fight, trying to protect her aging mother during a years-long guardianship battle.Those experiences taught her some hard lessons about what it really means to protect yourself and the people you love.In this episode, you’ll hear:* Why your instincts deserve your attention* How small actions can buy critical time when something goes wrong* Why women sometimes ignore red flags and what we need to do differently* What stalking victims taught Liz about documenting threatening behavior* Why every family should have important legal and healthcare decisions settled before a crisis* The difference between owning a firearm and actually being prepared* How to keep fighting while accepting that some things are simply outside our controlLiz turned some of the hardest experiences of her life into stories that now help other people become more aware and prepared.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our live group calls, consider becoming a paid subscriber.In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Lora sits down with engineer, firearms instructor, and thriller author Liz Lazarus, whose fiction is rooted in experiences she never expected to live through herself. As a college student, Liz woke in the middle of the night to an attacker kicking through her bedroom door. She fought back and survived, but the experience changed the way she thought about vulnerability, preparation, intuition, and self-protection. Years later, she faced a very different kind of fight when a guardianship battle left her struggling to protect her aging mother within a system she expected to help.Liz shares what both experiences taught her about listening to your instincts, recognizing red flags, documenting threatening behavior, preparing your family’s affairs before a crisis, and accepting that owning a firearm is not the same as being prepared to use one responsibly. Lora and Liz also talk about the helplessness that comes when you’ve done everything you can and still cannot control the outcome, and how faith, perseverance, and preparation help us navigate those moments.Being a defender isn’t about controlling everything that might happen. It’s about recognizing what is within your control and preparing before you’re forced to respond.Watch more at Defenders-LIVE.com or subscribe for future conversations.More at lizlazarus.com.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe
- 3 weeks ago1h 2m
Ep. 197 | The Lies We Tell Ourselves That Keep Us Stuck w/ Matt Ware
What if the biggest thing keeping you stuck is a lie you don’t even realize you’re telling yourself?“I just need to get motivated.”“I’m waiting for the right time.”“I really want it.”“I’m just being nice.”Sometimes those things are true. And sometimes they’re the stories we tell ourselves because the truth requires us to do something uncomfortable.In this episode, leadership coach Matt Ware and I get straight to the heart of it.We talk about:Why motivation may not be what you’re actually missingHow being “nice” can become a way of avoiding hard truthsWhy wanting something isn’t the same as being willing to work for itHow past failures AND past successes can keep you stuckWhy honesty and personal responsibility are essential for real growthWhat it means to stop waiting and play the shot that’s in front of youAt the heart of this conversation is something every defender needs: the courage to tell yourself the truth, take responsibility for what is yours, and act on the shot that’s in front of you.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our live group calls, consider becoming a paid subscriber.In this episode of Defenders LIVE, I sit down with leadership coach Matt Ware for a candid conversation about the lies we can tell ourselves without even realizing it, and how those beliefs can quietly keep us stuck. We talk about the tension between waiting and taking action, why motivation isn’t something you can rely on, and the difference between saying you want something and being willing to change your behavior to get it.We also dig into the cost of being “nice” when honesty is required, why keeping promises to yourself matters, and how both past failures AND past successes can keep you from moving forward. Matt challenges us to look honestly at what we’re holding onto, what we’re avoiding, and whether the life we’re living actually lines up with the life we say we want.Watch Ep. 197 of Defenders LIVE with Matt Ware at Defenders-LIVE.com.More about Matt at www.themattware.com.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe
- Aug 13, 202656 min
Ep. 196 | Who Are You Without Your Accomplishments? w/ Adam Winch, Defenders USA
If everything you’ve accomplished disappeared tomorrow, would you still know who you are?That’s the question underneath this conversation with Defenders USA founder Adam Winch.What started as an off-the-cuff discussion turned into a surprisingly personal conversation about identity, achievement, faith, and strength.You’ll hear:Why high achievers often struggle to recognize how far they’ve comeWhat happens when your career or accomplishments become your identityWhy the people you trust can sometimes see you more clearly than you see yourselfHow difficult seasons can challenge your faith and draw you closer to GodWhy true strength includes both toughness and tendernessHow the people around you can either limit you or call you higherDefenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our live group calls, consider becoming a paid subscriber.In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Lora sits down with Defenders USA founder Adam Winch for an unplanned conversation about identity, achievement, faith, and what real strength actually looks like. Adam shares his own struggle to recognize the level he has reached as a competitive shooter and instructor, and together they unpack something many high achievers wrestle with: the constant feeling that no matter how much you accomplish, you’re still not quite there.But the conversation goes much deeper. Adam reflects on seasons when being a soldier, police officer, SWAT officer, and firearms instructor became part of how he defined himself, and what happens when those roles eventually end. Lora and Adam also talk candidly about faith through suffering, wrestling with God, learning to receive truth from the people who know us best, and why real strength can look like courage and toughness in one moment, then humility, tenderness, and service in another.Being a defender isn’t about proving how strong you are. It’s about knowing who you are, who you belong to, and being willing to use whatever season, gifts, and opportunities God has given you in service to others.Watch more at Defenders-LIVE.com or subscribe for future conversations.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe
- Aug 6, 202651 min
Ep. 195 | The Training That Changes More Than Your Shooting w/ Adam Winch, Defenders USA
In this episode, Adam Winch shares the vision behind Defenders University and explains why the best training develops far more than technical skills.You’ll learn:* Why mindset matters more than gear* How training builds confidence and character* The legal and moral responsibility of carrying a firearm* Why preparation is rooted in purpose, not fear* How great defenders continue growing long after they leave the rangeThis conversation isn’t just for shooters. It’s for anyone who wants to become more capable, more thoughtful, and more prepared to protect the people they love.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our live group calls, consider becoming a paid subscriber.In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Lora sits down with Defenders USA founder Adam Winch to introduce Defenders University, an immersive eight-day training experience that goes far beyond marksmanship. From handgun and rifle skills to low-light tactics, combatives, force-on-force scenarios, and decision-making under pressure, Adam explains why the goal isn’t simply to create better shooters. It’s to develop thoughtful, capable defenders who are prepared mentally, physically, and morally for life’s hardest moments.Together, they discuss why mindset matters more than equipment, the responsibility that comes with carrying a firearm, and how meaningful training shapes confidence, character, and leadership. Adam also shares practical lessons on dry fire safety, legal decision-making, and why true preparation isn’t driven by fear. It’s driven by a commitment to protect what matters most.Whether you carry every day or simply want to grow as a leader in your home and community, this conversation will challenge the way you think about training.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe
- Jul 30, 202655 min
Ep. 194 | The Leadership Shift Every Great Instructor Makes w/ Brent Hickmon, Haven Defense Co.
What separates a good instructor from a great leader?It’s not experience. It’s not talent. It’s the willingness to keep learning.In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Lora sits down with Brent Hickmon, founder of Haven Defense Company and Defenders USA instructor, to reflect on his first experience teaching at the A Girl & A Gun National Conference. Together, they unpack one of the most important leadership lessons Brent learned: the best instructors aren’t focused on proving themselves. They’re focused on serving the people in front of them. That shift changes everything.Their conversation explores the role of humility, feedback, and continual growth in becoming an effective leader, whether you’re teaching on the range, leading a team, or raising a family. Brent also shares practical insights on firearm safety, preparing for training, and the exciting future of Haven Defense Company as it expands its business and training opportunities.Great leaders don’t stop learning.They stay coachable, serve others well, and continue refining their craft.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our live group calls, become a paid subscriber.The best leaders never stop learning.In this conversation with Brent Hickmon, we explore the leadership shift that separates good instructors from great ones. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about serving others, staying humble, and being willing to grow.You’ll learn:Why great leaders actively seek feedbackHow humility builds trust and influenceThe mindset that transforms instructors Practical advice for new shooters entering their first classBrent’s vision for the future of Haven Defense CompanyWhether you’re an instructor, business owner, parent, coach, or leader, this conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t about being the expert in the room. It’s about helping others become better.Watch more at Defenders-LIVE.com or subscribe for future conversations.More about Brent at HavenDefenseCo.com.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe
- Jul 23, 202641 min
Ep. 193 | The Leadership Mistake That's Quietly Destroying Marriages w/ Quentin Hafner
In this conversation, Quentin Hafner shares what nearly two decades of counseling and coaching have taught him about leadership, responsibility, and why so many good men struggle in marriage.You’ll learn:Why leadership begins with taking ownershipThe biggest mistake couples make when conflict arisesWhy emotional connection is a skill that can be learnedHow humility creates stronger relationshipsWhat it really means to become a Black Belt HusbandIf you’ve ever wondered how to become a stronger husband, father, or leader, this conversation will challenge the way you think about growth.Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To join our live group calls, consider becoming a paid subscriber.Strong marriages are not built by chance. They are built through leadership, humility, and the willingness to grow.In this episode, Lora sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist, high performance coach, and author Quentin Hafner to challenge some of the biggest misconceptions about relationships today. After nearly twenty years of helping individuals and couples, Quentin explains why so many good men struggle in marriage, why leadership has been misunderstood, and why becoming a great husband has far more to do with developing new skills than relying on natural ability.Together, they explore emotional connection, personal responsibility, healthy masculinity, and why waiting for your spouse to change is one of the fastest ways to stay stuck. Quentin also shares the philosophy behind his book Black Belt Husband and explains why marriage should be approached with the same discipline, humility, and commitment required to earn a black belt.Whether you’re married, engaged, or simply want to become a stronger leader in every area of your life, this conversation offers practical wisdom that extends far beyond relationships.Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.defenders-live.com/subscribe
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