Ep 325 - Calm Under Detonation

Ep 325 - Calm Under Detonation

From The War Locker Show by The War Locker Show

April 25, 2026 · 1h 2m

About this episode

The episode features a discussion with former FBI bomb technician Barry Black about decision-making under pressure and his transition to being an author.

Marco and Chuck sit down with former FBI bomb technician and author Barry Black for a conversation about operating in environments where there is no margin for error. Barry pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to approach explosive threats for a living, where every decision carries weight and hesitation can cost more than action. The discussion goes beyond the mechanics of bomb disposal and into the mindset required to stay calm, think clearly, and act decisively when everything is designed to go wrong. They also dive into Barry’s transition from bomb tech to author, how real-world experience shapes storytelling, and what people consistently misunderstand about risk, preparation, and control in high-stakes situations. This episode isn’t just about explosives—it’s about judgment under pressure, disciplined thinking, and what it takes to make the right call when there are no second chances. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-war-locker-show--6767179/support . Join us for War Locker LIVE — formerly Locker Room Live! Stream (almost) every Thursday at 7:30 PM PST on YouTube , where we dive deep into current events, culture, and the real…

People in this episode

Hosts: Marco, Chuck

Guest: Barry Black

Topics covered

  • bomb disposal
  • high-stakes decision making
  • mindset under pressure
  • storytelling
  • risk management

Keywords

  • bomb technician
  • explosive threats
  • decision making
  • risk
  • preparation
  • storytelling

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FBI

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