Active Self Protection Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Bad Crash In The Middle Of Nowhere! -Jacob Nov 06, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Active Self Protection Podcast we sit down with self defender Jacob and discuss the day he was driving on a remote Texas road when he witnessed the immediate aftermath of a collision between an 18-wheeler and a small pickup truck. Jacob describes what responding to that scene taught him about his skills, the state of his first aid equipment and why spiritual fitness is so important.

Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting. Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

The Gutowski Files: ATF At The Polls And Everytown Sets A Record Nov 03, 2026

Show notes

On this installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss the record-setting amount of contributions to gun control group Everytown For Gun Safety's coffers ahead of the midterms and the recent story broken by The Reload about ATF employees being dispatched to monitor polling places at the November 3 elections.

The Gutowski Files: James Dean, Switchblades and SuperPACs Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

On this installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss the massive amount of SuperPAC money flowing into the election from gun control groups. Additionally we talk about a recent 5th Circuit decision where James Dean and the 1955 film Rebel Without A Cause were invoked regarding the federal ban on switchblade knives.

Honey Did You Lock The Door? -Paul Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Active Self Protection Podcast we sit down with Paul and discuss several short stories of self defense culminating in the night someone decided to borrow the master key to his apartment complex and let themself into his apartment and how close it came to a shooting.

The Gutowski Files: NRA Buys Ads In Texas Senate Race Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

On this installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss recent political advertisements purchased by the NRA in Texas attacking James Talarico's position on assault weapons bans and why the timing and location matter.

The Gutowski Files: ATF Director Cekada Sits Down With The Reload Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

On this installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss a recent interview that Stephen had with ATF Director Robert Cekada and Chief Counsel Robert Leider where they discussed changes to the enforcement of the National Firearms Act as it related to the purchase of certain items including short-barreled shotguns and rifles and suppressors.

Caught In The CROSSFIRE! -Elliot Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Active Self Protection Podcast we sit down with Elliot and discuss the night he was coming home late from grabbing some snacks and a couple Blockbuster videos when he stepped out of his car and into a hail of bullets.

The Gutowski Files: Use Of FLOCK Cameras Near Gun Ranges And Stores Raises Concerns Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

On this installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss an article at the Reload reporting the use of Flock license plate reading surveillance cameras near gun ranges and stores. We discuss how gun rights groups are raising concerns about why they have been placed in these types of locations and the possibility of the creation of a de facto gun registry as a result.

The Gutowski Files: NYT Gun Mistakes And Why They Matter Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

On this installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com (http://thereload.com/) and discuss a recent New York Times explainer article and an analysis piece that Stephen penned over at The Reload breaking down how mistakes that were made in that article are emblematic of some of the common misconceptions that plague second amendment and firearms reporting. Perhaps more importantly, we discuss why in a world where there is an ever-dwindling number of true news gathering organizations, these small distinctions and definitions matter more than ever to the average Americans perception of guns, gun ownership and gun policy.

STABBED By A Gangbanger And Left For DEAD! -Ricky Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Active Self Protection Podcast we sit down with Ricky and discuss the day he was wrapping up a day of entertainment work on a yacht out of San Diego bay when he observed departing female passengers being brutally assaulted by local gang members and when he went to intervene he was stabbed in the chest, beaten, thrown in the bay and left for dead. Hear his first hand account of the initial aftermath and the arduous legal and medical trauma that followed.

Check out Ricky's company here: https://glosilentdisco.com