In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Lora Thorson sits down with Lee Weems—career peace officer, trainer, and adjunct professor—to talk about what most people miss when they judge high-stakes incidents from a single camera angle. Lee breaks down why “objectively reasonable” is the legal standard (even when it’s emotionally unpopular), how media narratives form, and why good tactics don’t always look good on video.

They also go deeper into what makes training actually work: adult learning, asking better questions, and coaching the individual instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all method. Lee shares the moment bureaucracy rerouted his path, why he still can’t walk away from the profession, and how cognitive load exposes the gaps in our “square range” confidence. This is a conversation about truth, accountability, and becoming the kind of protector who can think clearly under pressure.

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In this Defenders LIVE conversation with Lee Weems, we go deep on what really matters when pressure is high:

Why video clips can distort the truth (and inflame the public)

What “objectively reasonable” actually means in use-of-force decisions

How bureaucracy reshaped his life—and pushed him toward purpose

Why coaching beats commanding when you’re training adults

The difference between technical skill… and real-world application

Learn more about Lee at: www.thatweemsguy.com and www.firstpersonsafety.com

Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Tyler Tharp doesn’t just teach shooting. He coaches people through pressure, plateaus, and the fear that keeps them stuck. In this episode of Defenders LIVE, Tyler shares how early experiences with being graded can shape a lifelong fear of failure, and why identity work and process-driven training can unlock real performance, both on the range and in everyday life.

Tyler is the lead instructor at Synergy Training Group, a competitive shooter across USPSA and IDPA at the Master level, and a mentor with a background in tutoring, leadership, and church security. We talk about building a make-ready process, learning to live in the moment, and how personal loss reshaped his faith, purpose, and mission to serve. We also get practical, covering how to evaluate training and gear marketing, what makes a quality holster, and why live fire combined with pressure testing matters if you want real growth.

Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this Defenders LIVE episode, you’ll learn:• Why fear-based ceilings form and how to dismantle them• How identity and mission clarity unlock performance under pressure• What actually builds skill versus what just feels productive• How to spot bad training and gear marketing before it costs you time or money• Why living in the moment changes both shooting and life performance• How faith, loss, and purpose shape resilience and growth

This isn’t just about shooting better. It’s about thinking clearer, training smarter, and showing up stronger when it matters most.

More about Tyler at www.synergyshooting.com.

Watch more at Defenders-LIVE.com or subscribe for future conversations.

Thanks for reading Defenders LIVE! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Lately, I have been sitting with the idea that we do not really stay the same.

Even when nothing looks like it is changing on the outside, something is always happening underneath. Sometimes that movement feels like momentum. Other times it feels like uncertainty, quiet, or doubt.

That tension between shrinking and growing is what this video touches on.

It is not a lesson or a breakdown. Just a real check-in and a bit of perspective on stepping into what comes next before you feel fully ready.

Defenders LIVE is supported by you. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

A few quick updates I share at the end of the video:

* Defenders LIVE has some excellent guests coming up over the next couple of months, starting next week

* I have been invited to speak at an online summit at the end of January and will share more details soon

* Paid subscribers will be receiving an email about an upcoming reflection and goal-setting group call

That is it. The rest is in the video.

Thanks for being here and for walking into this year with me.

Lora