Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary Training isn’t a checkbox—it’s your foundation. In this episode, we break down why tactical training is critical not just for performance in the field, but for legal accountability after the fact. Using key case law, including Graham v. Connor, City of Canton v. Harris, Popow v. City of Margate, and Zuchel v. City and County of Denver, we highlight how training—or the lack of it—has directly impacted outcomes for officers and agencies. We also take a hard look...
Apr 30
17 min
Send us Fan Mail Episode 63: From Alpine Warfare to Elite Footwear: Florian Oberst on Performance in the Mountains. In this episode, I sit down with Florian Oberst—a German Army Reserve Captain, former mountain infantry soldier, and Global Product Manager at LOWA. Florian’s background is rooted in high mountain military operations, where he trained and operated in extreme alpine environments, building a deep understanding of what true performance demands in the field. After his military servi...
Mar 25
43 min
Send us Fan Mail Episode 62: Elk, Elevation & Ethics: Inside the World of a Backcountry Hunting Guide with Lucas Bode In this episode, I sit down with Lucas Bode, a professional hunting guide with nearly 20 years of backcountry experience. Lucas started as a self-taught, DIY mountain hunter and built his career the old-fashioned way — through in-the-field experience and hard-earned lessons in unforgiving terrain. Now guiding for Montana Trophy Outfitters in southwest Montana, Lucas specia...
Feb 28
1 hr 9 min
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by James Fairfield, a retired police lieutenant with over 30 years in law enforcement and a deep operational background in SWAT, use-of-force instruction, and tactical leadership. James now serves as the Director of Training for the world’s largest body armor manufacturer, where he brings real-world experience to the development and delivery of protective solutions for those on the front lines. We dive into the realities behind soft and hard armor—...
Jan 30
46 min
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by Jason, a 13-year law enforcement veteran serving in the greater Atlanta area. With years of experience on one of Georgia’s busiest full-time SWAT teams, Jason has worked as both an assaulter and a sniper—taking part in high-risk search warrants, barricaded subjects, and hostage rescue operations. We dive into the mindset and tactics behind precision urban sniper work, plainclothes interdictions, and the realities of undercover support missions i...
Nov 7, 2025
1 hr 17 min
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by Paul Holle—a wilderness medicine instructor, mountain athlete, and the founder of Idaho Rescue Training. Paul’s work and passion have taken him to 18 countries, climbing some of the world’s most iconic peaks and leading wilderness medicine courses in remote, high-stakes environments. We dive into his journey from the Colorado Rockies to the mountains of Nepal, how he built a wilderness training company from the ground up, and what it takes to te...
Sep 30, 2025
56 min
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt sits down with Sheriff Chad Bianco, a 30-year law enforcement veteran and the current Sheriff of Riverside County—one of the largest sheriff’s departments in the nation. They explore his personal journey through the ranks, from patrol deputy to leading a department with over 3,600 personnel and a billion-dollar budget. Sheriff Bianco shares his unfiltered perspective on how policing in California has changed over the last two decades, the impact of state...
Aug 28, 2025
1 hr 20 min
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Like a Man, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk about a journey that’s shaped who I am today—starting with my time in the U.S. Marine Corps, through college, and into a career in law enforcement and SWAT operations. We covered a lot of ground, including: My path through military service and into police workWhat SWAT selection and training really looks likeLessons from leading in high-stakes tactical environmentsTools, mindset shifts, and habits that ...
Jul 31, 2025
45 min
Send us Fan Mail Success Strategies for the Academy and Beyond with Ryan Marion In this episode of the Harden Up Podcast, Matt sits down with longtime friend and former colleague Ryan Marion — a law enforcement veteran with over 17 years of experience. From patrol and school resource officer to SWAT team leader, FTO, and academy recruit training officer, Ryan has worn many hats in the profession. Together, they break down what it really takes to succeed in the police academy and sustain a hig...
Jul 1, 2025
58 min
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Vollbrecht, a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter crew chief and door gunner who has transformed her experience in the military into a thriving career in project leadership and consulting. As the President and CEO of J. Vollbrecht Consulting, she leads teams delivering high-impact projects for the Department of Defense and Department of Energy, with a strong presence at national laboratory facilities. Jennifer shares insights fro...
May 28, 2025
47 min
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