Nearly five decades of firearms instruction have taught Wayne Dobbs that equipment can improve performance, but it cannot replace the fundamentals underneath it. In this episode of Making Shooters Better, Wayne joins Terry Vaughan to discuss grip, pistol-mounted optics, reloads, realistic defensive expectations, situational awareness, and why mental preparation may matter more than anything attached to your firearm. Read the highlights, then watch the full conversation.

Firearms training should evolve with your life. In this episode of Making Shooters Better, Tatiana Whitlock joins Terry Vaughan to explore training in context, why concealed carry can be a family skill, and how shooters can rebuild and adapt after physical changes, setbacks, or time away from training. Read the highlights, then watch the full conversation for Tatiana’s practical approach to becoming a more capable, thoughtful, and adaptable shooter.

What happens before first responders/police arrive during an active shooter attack? Ed Monk joins Making Shooters Better to examine the critical first 30 seconds, the limitations of conventional response plans, and the training, judgment, and shooting accountability required of people who may be in a position to respond. Read the key takeaways, then watch the full conversation for Ed’s detailed perspective.

Elite shooters know that getting faster involves much more than pulling the trigger quickly. Randi Rogers and Gordon Carrell share how efficient movement, deliberate practice, performance data, video analysis, and mental preparation can uncover the small details costing shooters time. Read the key lessons from their conversation, then watch the episode to hear how two champions with very different approaches continue working to improve.

Being accurate with a firearm is valuable, but what happens when the problem requires awareness, communication, movement, judgment, or another skill entirely? Retired police officer and veteran instructor Lou Ann Hamblin joins Making Shooters Better to discuss the broader skills responsible armed citizens should develop, how to identify meaningful training, and why even experienced instructors need to stay curious. Read the highlights, then watch the full conversation.

What makes a use-of-force decision "reasonable" under the law? In this episode of Making Shooters Better, Terry Vaughan speaks with Force Science's Lewis "Von" Kliem about how split-second decisions are judged in court, why perception matters, and what law enforcement officers and responsibly armed citizens should understand before they ever face a violent encounter.

Leaving the military often means leaving behind more than a career—it can mean losing a sense of purpose and community. In this episode, Army veteran and endurance athlete Viviana Morales Kolb shares how firearms training, fitness, and surrounding herself with experienced mentors helped her rebuild confidence, continue serving others, and discover that growth begins by being willing to learn.

Modern policing demands more than tactical skills—it requires sound judgment, effective leadership, and evidence-based training. In this episode of Making Shooters Better, Dr. Travis Yates shares decades of research into officer assaults, pre-attack indicators, and the FOCUS framework, offering valuable insights that can help improve decision-making and safety for both officers and the communities they serve. Watch the full conversation to learn how recognizing critical behavioral cues can make all the difference.

What can dangerous people teach us about staying safer? In this episode of Making Shooters Better, Dr. Mary Beth Wilkas Janke returns to discuss forensic psychology, criminal behavior, stalking, domestic violence, fear, deception, and the practical lessons that can help everyday people recognize risk, trust good judgment, and become harder to manipulate.

What really happens to your brain when everything happens at once? In this episode of Making Shooters Better, Brian Baxter from Force Science explains how stress changes perception, memory, and decision-making—and why understanding these human limitations can make you a better shooter, instructor, or prepared citizen. Watch the full conversation to discover how science can improve your training and your expectations during critical incidents.