Evolution Security Podcast

Firearms & Defense Training for Everyone

In a community of likeminded individuals in the firearms, and self-protection industry, Evolution Security instructors Eric Davis, Brian Schilt and Aaron Davis believe in a renaissance approach and philosophy. Focusing on teaching, educating, and informing everyday people on the path of defense and health. You will hear case studies on the judicious use of force and statistics that are far too often ignored by the mainstream media. There will be a heavy emphasis on personal accountability, fitness and living a life style of the martial artist focusing on Jiu-Jitsu and awareness. The hosts discuss multiple angles of our Second Amendment history and culture. Books will be read and discussed. You will hear guest that are at the apex of the training community, military veterans, Law Enforcement professionals, and civilians whom getting better every day is their passion. Join us for an Evolution.

  1. 10h ago

    Ep. 193 - Cognitive Conclave 2026 with John Hearne, Lee Weems & Erick Gelhaus

    This episode we talk about the up coming Cognitive Conclave 2026 with John Hearne, Lee Weems & Erick Gelhaus Get Registered: https://twopillarstraining.com/conclave/ Eric sits down with the Rangemaster “Chess Club”—John Hearne (Two Pillars Training), Lee Weems (First Person Safety), and Erick Gelhaus (Cougar Mountain Solutions)—to talk about the missing piece in most firearms training: thinking with a gun in your hand, which is the focus of the Cognitive Conclave course. They remember John Holschen, then get into why typical range work often looks more like “firing squad training” than real problem-solving. Decisions get stripped out of the drill. Then people are shocked when those skills don’t transfer. Main points from the conversation: John’s “doorbell assignment” analogy — most training tells you exactly what to shoot, when, and how many timesLee on Claude Werner’s line that a lot of instruction is just firing-squad work, and why the four safety rules have to live inside the course of fireErick on Scotty Reitz’s “blue tape / judgmental prez” drill, visual processing vs. audio cues, Neuros, and Mirage targetsForce-on-force is still the gold standard for complex decisions, but logistics limit reps. Cognitive-load live fire gives far more decision cycles in a dayTechnical skill still matters. Multiple sources (including Adam Biggs’ research, plus high-level shooters like Frank Proctor and Matt Little) point to about USPSA B-class as the point of diminishing returns — after that, thinking and tactics matter more than chasing the next classificationThis work is a supplement to force-on-force, not a replacementCognitive Conclave 2026: October 24–25 Coming up from the guests: Lee – Rangemaster reunion in December, TACCON presentation work, Enhanced Coaching SkillsErick – Low-light pistol (Meridian, ID), shotgun (Piru, CA), Problem Solving Pistol at Mead Hall (OK), Red Dot Instructor (New Orleans area)John – Who Wins / Who Loses lecture with Karl Rehn, Northwest Law Conference (Seattle), class with Chuck Pressburg at Mead HallLinks John Hearne – Two Pillars Training: https://twopillarstraining.com/Lee Weems – First Person Safety: https://firstpersonsafety.com/Erick Gelhaus – Cougar Mountain Solutions: https://www.cougarmountainsolutions.com/Erick also writes at AmericanCop.com

  2. Aug 20

    Ep. 192 - Justin "Danger" Carroll - Competent & Dangerous

    In this episode of the EvoSec Podcast, Eric sits down with Justin “Danger” Carroll, a long-time friend of the American Warrior Society crew and someone Eric has wanted on the show for years. Justin shares his path from a small Southern Appalachian town through eight years in the Marine Corps, overseas contracting, instructing at the Marine Special Operations Schoolhouse, writing books on digital privacy, becoming a paramedic, and now serving as a full-time deputy sheriff while still teaching EMS and law enforcement academies. Justin's awesome blog: https://www.swiftsilentdeadly.com/ The conversation centers on his excellent book Competent and Dangerous: Master the Skills to be a Man Among Men. the guide he wished he’d had as a 16-year-old. Topics covered include: Building real-world competence across fitness, mindset, EDC, finances, vehicle readiness, medical skills, digital security, physical security, wilderness skills, and social/people skillsWhy general competence matters more than hyper-specializationPractical first-aid and CPR lessons (including personal experiences)Firearms recommendations for everyday people (compact 9mm options, AR platforms like BCM, and strong advocacy for the shotgun)The value of continuous learning and putting yourself in environments that force growthA practical, no-nonsense discussion about becoming more capable in the real world. Highly recommended listening, and definitely pick up Justin’s book.

  3. Jul 24

    Ep. 190 - Throwback episode - Craig Douglas 2 - Shivworks - Changing gears

    This is a throwback episode to our 2nd podcast # 49 with Craig Douglas back in July 2021.  Caveat:  Some of the topics in this show may or may not still be offered by Shivworks at this time, but suffice to say that Craig and his team are always innovating and are adaptive to their patrons.   Enjoy this fun episode, it is vastly different than most the interviews you will hear from Craig.  ////////////////////////////////.  This week we are extremely excited to have Craig Douglas of Shivworks back on the show. Craig is the father of the real life "Fight Club" with a gun or knife. His course work Extreme Close Quarters Concepts (ECQC) has changed the lives of countless people throughout the US and around the world. This show we change gears a bit and talk about Craig's newer Beta class Entangled Rifle Options (ERO), viability of the Carbine in Civilian defense, and the Rittenhouse shooting.  We also hit on Craig's love of clothes again and even get into some personal subjects as well.  . For more details on Craig's course work and his class schedule please visit his website at ⁠www.shivworks.com/⁠ Please subscribe and share our podcast with friends and family.  Visit our website for bios, future events and info at ⁠www.evosec.org⁠  Like, follow and share us on Facebook and Instagram @evosecusa Check out our awesome sponsors: Tenicor – ⁠www.tenicor.com⁠  they are educators, and innovators in the holster market.  They are firearms instructors themselves, pressure testing their gear in multiple force on force events every year.  We support those who do the work.

  4. Jul 16

    Ep. 189 - Lighter Carry Considerations – Cecil Burch and Chris Lapre -Mindset, Gear, and Real-World Tradeoffs

    Show Notes: Lighter Carry Considerations – Mindset, Gear, and Real-World Tradeoffs EvoSec Podcast In this episode, Eric Davis is joined by two of his most frequent and favorite guests: Chris Lapre of Asymmetrical Options and Cecil Burch of Immediate Action Combatives. The conversation dives deep into the realities of everyday carry, lighter loadouts, vehicle sustainment, rifle choices, and the critical importance of software over hardware. From undercover work and non-permissive environments to long-term sustainment and practical rifle marksmanship, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom from seasoned professionals who have trained, taught, and lived these principles for decades. Software First: Why mindset, fitness, empty-hand skills, and verbal de-escalation matter more than gearLighter Everyday Carry Options: What Chris and Cecil actually carry day-to-day and whyContext-Driven Gear Choices: How loadouts change based on environment, dress code, and missionThe Myth of the Hero Complex: Why running toward active shooter events with just a pistol is usually a bad ideaRifle Considerations: Scout rifles, SBRs, 300 BLK, and practical long-gun choices for the modern citizenVehicle Sustainment Bags: What to carry for 3–5 days of self-relianceTraining Mindset: Practicing kneeling/sitting positions, natural point of aim, and realistic marksmanship standardsChris LaPre – Asymmetric OptionsWebsite & BioRetired law enforcement, longtime instructor, host of numerous high-level training classes, and advocate for practical, context-aware carry solutions.Cecil Burch – Immediate Action CombativesWebsite & Bio48+ years in martial arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, instructor, seminar host, and author known for blending empty-hand skills with weapons-based reality.With Winning in Mind – Lanny Bassham (mental management)Gun Site Scout Rifle concept (Jeff Cooper)Cabin Fever Challenge (practical rifle marksmanship)British Muzzle Loaders & On The Scout YouTube channelsRuger Gunsite Scout RifleLeupold Scout scopes & Hilux optics00:00 – Introductions & History09:30 – Software vs Hardware Mindset22:00 – Active Shooter Realities & Hero Complex27:00 – Everyday Carry Choices (Chris & Cecil)48:00 – Non-Permissive Environments & Clandestine Carry57:00 – Vehicle Sustainment & Travel Considerations1:13:00 – Rifle Choices & Scout Rifle Discussion1:27:00 – Upcoming Scout Rifle World ChampionshipConnect with the guests: Chris Lapre → Asymmetric OptionsCecil Burch → Immediate Action CombativesKey Topics Covered:Guests:Resources Mentioned:Timestamps:

4.7
out of 5
59 Ratings

About

In a community of likeminded individuals in the firearms, and self-protection industry, Evolution Security instructors Eric Davis, Brian Schilt and Aaron Davis believe in a renaissance approach and philosophy. Focusing on teaching, educating, and informing everyday people on the path of defense and health. You will hear case studies on the judicious use of force and statistics that are far too often ignored by the mainstream media. There will be a heavy emphasis on personal accountability, fitness and living a life style of the martial artist focusing on Jiu-Jitsu and awareness. The hosts discuss multiple angles of our Second Amendment history and culture. Books will be read and discussed. You will hear guest that are at the apex of the training community, military veterans, Law Enforcement professionals, and civilians whom getting better every day is their passion. Join us for an Evolution.

You Might Also Like