Evolution Security Podcast

Firearms & Defense Training for Everyone
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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. 2d ago

    Ep. 195 - Jeremy Brast: SCOTUS AR-15 Cases, NFA Changes and Practical AI for Small Businesses

    Eric is joined by longtime friend and colleague Jeremy Brast of Chapter 2 Solutions. They cover shared Army and civilian work history, the Supreme Court taking up AR-15 ban cases, the ATF’s recent open letter on NFA items (SBRs, SBSs, and suppressors) following the tax reduction to zero, and Jeremy’s new AI consulting business aimed at small businesses. The episode also includes gear talk (Bone Frog 77gr 556 ammo, Glock 19 + Tenicor, compact mag pouch ARs) and plans for future training. Guest Jeremy Brast – Founder of Chapter 2 Solutions Website: www.chapter2solutions.ai (note: .ai, not .com)Email: jeremy@chapter2solutions.aiOffers a free 15-minute assessment for small business owners plus paid deeper assessments and implementation help for AI tools, workflow automation, AI receptionists, RAG knowledge bases, and more.Key Topics Jeremy’s background: Western New York, Army infantry to signal, deployments (including IED injury in 2005), contracting, and ~16 years in the same civilian job as EricShared work history, combat patches, and the current generation of soldiersShooting and training: Glock matches, canceled NRA ARC matches, and plans for joint trainingSCOTUS AR-15 cases: Virmonte v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins (combined). Narrow question on whether the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect ownership of AR-15-type rifles. Arguments scheduled for December 2; decision expected by June 2027. Discussion of “in common use,” Heller, and Bruen.ATF / NFA update (open letter dated ~October 9, 2026): Following the tax reduction to $0 on certain NFA items under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and related litigation, ATF is exercising enforcement discretion and will no longer require approval or registration for short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, silencers, and any other weapons. Strong caveats on state and local law (including North Carolina and Georgia).Chapter 2 Solutions: Practical AI for small businesses — free 15-minute assessments, social media automation, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) knowledge bases, AI receptionists, scheduling tools, and workflow builds. Emphasis on tools that save time and capture leads rather than replacing people.Gear: Bone Frog 5.56 77gr Barnes Match Burner (comparison to Black Hills Mk 262), Glock 19 Gen 5 with Ghost trigger and Tenicor Velo 4 holster, compact AR builds (including a 10.5" folder and 300 Blackout), and related accessories.Notable Mentions Tenicor (holsters and related gear) www.tenicor.com Bone Frog AmmunitionARC matches (NRA)Chapter 2 Solutions website and contact infoLinks & Resources Chapter 2 Solutions: www.chapter2solutions.aiContact: jeremy@chapter2solutions.aiShow Notes Notes This is a conversational episode mixing personal/military background, significant Second Amendment developments, and a practical look at AI tools for small businesses. As always, Eric and Jeremy are not lawyers — check your own state and local laws before acting on any NFA or firearms-related information discussed.

  2. Sep 29

    Ep. 194 - Justin “Danger” Carroll & Molly Johnson – GORUCK, Hard Things, and Real-World Competence

    Eric brings Justin “Danger” Carroll back on, this time with Molly Johnson. Justin is a Marine vet, deputy, part-time paramedic, volunteer SAR tech, and author of Competent and Dangerous.   Justin “Danger” Carroll  - Silent Swift Deadly Blog - ⁠https://www.swiftsilentdeadly.com/⁠ Molly is a paramedic (about five years), EMS for seven, and an Orangetheory coach. The conversation is about doing hard things on purpose—not talking about mindset, but building it. What they cover: What a GORUCK Tough actually is: rucksack (20- or 30-lb plate), “coupons” (sandbags, water, fire hose, beer cooler), 12 hours of team sufferingMolly’s first event: 70 burpees before they even started, then a 3.5-hour PT block on a Merrill’s Marauders themeTeam dynamics— how fast a group either comes together or doesn’tWhy the finish-line beer is the best beer you’ll ever drinkEMS/LE reality: compartmentalizing trauma, “feel-bad movies” as a pressure valve, and a pediatric arrest that turned into a later apology and hug with a civilianHelene response: water rescue, paper charts, downed comms, and why a simple AM/FM radio still matters when cell service is goneEric also talks about committing on air to a future GORUCK with them. Links / resources mentioned Justin’s book: Competent and Dangerous Justin’s first EvoSec episode (Competent & Dangerous)GORUCK events: https://www.goruck.com/Orangetheory FitnessJason McCarthy / GORUCK origin (SF background, pack company that became events)

  3. Sep 10

    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

  4. 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.

  5. Aug 7

    Ep. 191 - Sam Elam - Multi-Division Master Class IDPA Competitor - USPSA

    In this episode of the EvoSec Podcast, the Tactical Twins (Eric & Aaron) sit down with competitive shooter Sam Elam. Youtube: @ArmoredFlycatcher Sam shares his journey from a Kentucky tobacco farm and four years in the Marine Corps (early GWOT era) to becoming a multi-division IDPA Master and strong USPSA competitor in the competitive Oklahoma/Arkansas/Texas region. He discusses: Jumping into IDPA in March 2023 and rapidly shooting nearly 190 matchesThe high talent density in the Tulsa area and how local competition accelerates skillHis practical, sustainable training philosophy (short, consistent dry-fire, frequency over long sessions)Why he deliberately switched back to Glocks after running 2011s and Shadows—to expose and correct fundamental errors the heavier guns were maskingGear lessons, range culture, and balancing competition with family lifeA straightforward, no-BS conversation full of useful insights for anyone looking to improve at competition or practical pistol shooting. Support our sponsors: www.tenicor.com For more info on EvoSec: www.evosec.org/ Youtube @evosec2840 instagram and facebook @evosecusa

  6. 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.

  7. 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:

  8. Jul 1

    Ep. 188 - Cade Cole - The Roadhouse School for Hunters and Guides

    In Episode 188 of the EvoSec Podcast, Eric sits down with Cade Cole of Roadhouse School for Hunters & Guides. Cade shares his journey from Texas to becoming a seasoned mountain hunting guide and discusses the common deficiencies he sees in modern hunters — ego, unrealistic expectations, and over-reliance on gear. They dive deep into practical marksmanship, why mastering your current rifle beats buying new ones, the value of the Scout Rifle concept, fitness, self-reliance, and real-world field skills versus flat-range training. A must-listen for hunters, shooters, and anyone valuing self-sufficiency and the frontiersman spirit. Websites & Contact Info: Roadhouse School for Hunters & GuidesFacebook: Search “Cade Cole”Instagram: @cadecole888 Email: cadecole8@gmail.com

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4.7
out of 5
60 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.

Information

  • Creator
    Firearms & Defense Training for Everyone
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    180
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Firearms & Defense Training for Everyone
  • Show Website
    Evolution Security Podcast

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