American Warrior Show

What if one of the greatest threats to your safety isn't a lack of awareness—but the false belief that you're paying attention? In this episode of the American Warrior Show, Rich Brown sits down with cognitive scientist Dr. Paul Atchley to explore the science of attention, perception, and human performance. For decades, Dr. Atchley has studied how people process information, how distraction impacts performance, and why our brains often fail to detect important details even when they appear to be in plain sight. His work has influenced conversations surrounding driving safety, human attention, decision-making, and risk assessment. Dr. Atchley has been conducting research and teaching about cognitive factors related to hazard perception and inattention for over 30 years. He is currently on faculty at the University of South Florida. Dr. Atchley received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside in 1996 and completed postdoctoral training at the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois in 1998. Dr. Atchley has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and chapters on issues of vision and attention. He has also received awards for his research, teaching, service and student advising. Dr. Atchley's work has been highlighted by national and international press such as the BBC, NPR, and the New York Times. During this conversation, Rich and Dr. Atchley discuss: • The science of situational awareness • Why people miss obvious threats and critical information • Attention, distraction, and performance under stress • Human perception and its limitations • Decision-making in dynamic environments • What instructors, law enforcement officers, and armed citizens can learn from cognitive science • Practical ways to improve awareness and performance Whether you're a competitor, instructor, law enforcement officer, military professional, or armed citizen, this episode provides valuable insights into how your brain works - and how understanding those limitations can make you safer and more effective. Enjoy the show.

Show Featured Sponsor: The Precision Holsters Vanquish! Learn more: Precision Holsters and use code "seekAWS" for a discount.​​ On today's episode of the American Warrior Show, Rich Brown is joined by Michael "Mac" McNamara, founder of Post-Traumatic Winning and ALL MARINE RADIO. Mac's story spans finance, combat, leadership, and a lifelong mission to help others thrive after trauma. About Michael McNamara: Began his career at Merrill Lynch in Los Angeles, first as a bookkeeper and later as an account executive. Enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in December 1983. Served in multiple assignments, including: 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion Marine Detachment, USS Ranger CV-61 The Basic School 3rd Light Armored Infantry Battalion Left active duty in 1994 after more than a decade of service. Post-Service Career & Return to Duty: Became Director of Sports for Special Olympics North Dakota in 1998. Launched his broadcasting career in 2000 as host of MacTalk, earning the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award (2007) for Small Market Personality of the Year. Returned to active duty in 2004, promoted to Major, and deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, with the 1st Marine Division. Mobilized again in 2006 for duty in Fallujah, Iraq, with the 5th Marine Regiment, while simultaneously serving on the Grand Forks City Council. Deployed once more in 2010 with the 1st Marine Regiment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, serving until his retirement in 2015. Post-Traumatic Winning & Advocacy: Founded The Post-Traumatic Winning Company, LLC and launched ALL MARINE RADIO, an online platform promoting mental fitness and reducing veteran suicide. Began presenting Post-Traumatic Winning in 2019, first at Camp Lejeune, NC. The presentation has since reached audiences across the U.S., Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe, impacting organizations of over 10,000 members with measurable results in combating destructive behaviors and suicide. Launched the Post-Traumatic Winning Weekly Seminar series in January 2021, expanding the program's reach and dialogue. Published his first book in March 2025, From Trauma to Joy: Life-Changing Lessons That Fellow U.S. Marines Taught Me After Traumatic Events Occurred in My Life — designed to share these universal lessons with a wider audience. In This Episode: How trauma can become a source of growth, not defeat. The creation and impact of Post-Traumatic Winning. Lessons learned from leading Marines and civilians through crisis. Building mental fitness and resilience in the face of adversity.

Show Featured Sponsor: Precision Holsters:These guys have a lifetime, no questioned asked 100% guarantee. They are makers of high-quality holsters, belts, and magazine pouches. Visit them at: Precision Holsters and use code "seekAWS" for a discount.​​ In this episode of the American Warrior Show, Rich Brown is joined by Andrew Frisbie (Practical Cyber Defense) to dig into the threats America faces in cyberspace—and how we must respond. 🔐 What we'll explore: The evolving landscape: how state and non-state cyber actors are targeting critical infrastructure, elections, financial systems, and private citizens The intersection between cyber threats and personal / national security Real-world incidents that should terrify us—and what they teach us How public, private, and individual defenders must step up: strategies, technologies, and mindsets What every citizen and warrior should know to protect themselves, their families, and their communities This conversation isn't just about firewalls and data—it's about the survival of systems, institutions, and freedoms we often take for granted. Join us as we break it down, make it real, and plan how to fight back.

Show Featured Sponsor: High Risk Environment Course In this wide-ranging episode of the American Warrior Show, Rich Brown is joined by Cecil Burch—Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and expert in weaponized ground grappling. Together they explore not only the realities of surviving on the ground in a weapons-based environment, but also the bigger picture threats shaping our world today. Topics include: The principles of ground survival when weapons are in play Why assassinations like that of Charlie Kirk shock and destabilize a nation What the recent train attack reveals about vulnerabilities in our infrastructure How individuals can prepare mentally, physically, and tactically for turbulent times This conversation bridges the gap between technical skill on the mat and the broader issues of violence, resilience, and national security that every protector must understand. Whether you're a martial artist, armed citizen, or tactical professional, this conversation will reshape how you think about fighting where most don't want to be—the ground. Cecil Burch began training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 1989 and is currently a 3rd degree black belt. Cecil Burch has been a Martial Artist and Shooter for over forty years. He has studied many different arts and has held numerous teaching credentials in several of them. Cecil has travels extensively conducting seminars across the U.S. as well as internationally. He has been a featured presenter at many tactical/defense-oriented conferences and has worked extensively with Law Enforcement officers, Federal Air Marshals, military special operation troops, and private citizens.

Show Featured Sponsor: Werkz Holsters - "Dark times call for light-bearing holsters" Werkz owner Shan Hemphill has been on numerous episodes of the American Warrior Show. Shop his excellent Low Light Holsters here. On this episode of the American Warrior Show, Rich Brown sits down with Dr. T.C. Fuller, retired FBI Special Agent, firearms instructor, and deep thinker on the intersection of technology and human behavior. Together, they explore a bold question: What happens when we ask artificial intelligence about self-defense? In this conversation you'll hear: The surprising answers AI gives when asked about defending yourself Where technology aligns (and clashes) with real-world experience Insights from Dr. Fuller's decades in federal law enforcement and training What this means for armed citizens, competitors, and protectors in the AI age Whether you're curious about the future of self-defense, skeptical of AI, or just want to hear a seasoned expert break down myths and realities, this episode will challenge how you think about both machines and mindset. The T.C. Fuller Series: Painting Over Rust and No Safe Alternative. Two fantastic Books written by our very own T.C. Fuller, retired FBI agent T.C.'s Books: Painting Over Rust and No Safe Alternative (winner of a 2023 Best Indie Book Award)

In this episode of The American Warrior Show, host Rich Brown welcomes retired FBI Special Agent Dr. T.C. Fuller— decorated Army veteran, elite firearms instructor, award-winning author, and former Quantico instructor. He's the brains behind acclaimed books like Painting Over Rust: Stories From a 20 Year Odyssey in the FBI, No Safe Alternative: Improving How We Teach Cops to Kill, and his recently released memoir Empathy for the Devil: Interrogating Terrorists in Guantanamo Bay. Together, Rich and Fuller tackle the complex world of carrying in non-permissive environments—such as private businesses that prohibit firearms even when the law allows carry. From this rich body of experience, Fuller will guide listeners through: The fine line between legal rights and policy obligations Tactical considerations for navigating "gray zones" safely Maintaining readiness when faced with carry bans or unclear signage The mindset, responsibility, and proper response when laws and policies diverge Whether you're a legally armed citizen or a firearms professional, this episode delivers practical wisdom—not hypothetical discussion—from a seasoned agent's real-world experiences. T.C.'s Website: https://www.thehorusgroup.net/ T.C.'s recent article: https://americanwarriorsociety.com/may-you-live-in.../

On this episode of the American Warrior Show, we sit down with John Marques, the founder of Precision Holsters in California. Known for their innovative holster systems trusted by both competitors and concealed carriers, Precision Holsters has built a reputation on quality, performance, and relentless attention to detail. John shares the story behind Precision Holsters, how his background and experience shaped the company, and the principles that guide his designs. We dig into the evolution of holsters in both the law enforcement and civilian carry worlds, what makes a holster truly effective, and how the right gear can build confidence and performance on the range and in daily carry. Whether you're a competitive shooter, law enforcement professional, or armed citizen looking for reliable gear, this conversation will give you an inside look at what it takes to design equipment that stands up to real-world demands. In this episode, you'll learn: How Precision Holsters started and what sets them apart Key principles of holster design for comfort, speed, and concealment Lessons from competition shooting that apply to everyday carry The mindset John brings to building gear that protects lives

Episode 408: Cold Starts & Clean Hits — The Simon Golob (SLG) Approach to Pistol Mastery On today's American Warrior Show, I sit down with Simon Golob—better known as SLG— one of the most respected voices in the firearms training community. A former NYPD officer who went on to serve in federal law enforcement, Simon now carries forward the legacy of Pistol-Training.com, originally founded by the late Todd Green. We dive into his On-Demand Performance philosophy, the challenge of the FAST Coin, and what it really takes to deliver precise, cold-start performance under pressure. Whether you're a law enforcement professional, serious competitor, or dedicated armed citizen, this conversation will sharpen both your mindset and your training approach. About Simon Golob (SLG): Retired law enforcement officer (NYPD and federal service) Served as patrol cop, investigator, firearms instructor, assaulter, and sniper Multiple GWOT deployments across Africa, the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Iraq Developed firearm and CQB programs for a federal tactical team Instructor to law enforcement, military SOF, and top private schools Innovator in AIWB holster design and performance-oriented concealed carry Accomplished competition shooter — 1st place at Steel Nationals, 3rd place at Bianchi Cup (two consecutive years) In This Episode, You'll Learn: What "On-Demand Performance" really means in training and life Why the FAST Coin is one of the toughest standards in shooting Lessons Simon carried from law enforcement, federal service, and combat deployments How competitive shooting shaped his approach to concealed carry and performance American Warrior Show: https://americanwarriorshow.com/index.html