In this episode, Brink and Tom break down recent events in the U.S., from the Ukrainian refugee stabbing on a train, to the Colorado school shooting, the Charlie Kirk attack, and a country club incident in New Hampshire. They discuss how these events reveal a troubling rise of evil in our country, shifts in societal behavior, and the importance of rapid response training. Learn practical ways to protect yourself and others.

3:05 – Ukrainian refugee stabbing incident on a train and lack of help

4:30 – Societal shift post-COVID: fewer people willing to protect others

6:25 – Social proof: one person taking action can inspire others

7:15 – Most people don’t know bleeding control; Defend Systems courses include rapid response medical training

9:30 – Learning from threats: e.g., sit with your back to the wall on trains

10:00 – The country has a heart problem; evil is present

16:20 – Mass gathering attacks: Annunciation Catholic Church shooting and lessons on meeting force with force

18:15 – Ballistic laminate is costly; human monitoring and armed response are key

23:20 – Layered mitigation strategies are the best defense

25:00 – Security directors need input on building and planning decisions

28:15 – Evergreen High School shooting

30:40 – Prevent crises by caring and noticing people’s needs early

34:05 – Technology like motion cameras can detect threats early (Charlie Kirk event example)

42:30 – Always know multiple exits, even at weddings (New Hampshire country club incident)

44:50 – Rapid response medical training should be widely available, including in schools

46:10 – Real-life example: a tourniquet saved a Defend Systems client’s life after a mitre saw accident

In this episode, host Brink Fidler is joined by Adam McIntyre, Director of Training at Defend Systems, to analyze the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. Together, they dissect the event security and broader implications for security moving forward.

From exterior security layers and high-ground threats to the emerging role of drones, Brink and Adam also examine normalcy bias and the risks of social media’s obsession with violent content. This conversation moves far beyond one incident, drawing lessons relevant to public venues and daily life.

Whether you’re a parent, student, security professional, or everyday civilian, this conversation pushes you to think critically about preparedness, personal responsibility, and the balance between freedom and safety in America.

(2:39) Pros and cons of the event security setup

(3:10) Quick reaction by local security forces

(4:15) Why high ground wins and how drones could change protocol

(6:00) The balance of security at open campus events

(6:40) How political events may adapt moving forward

(9:45) Why scanning 100s of yards matters, not just the immediate area

(14:01) Possibility of Charlie's choice to avoid a heavy security presence

(14:49) Normalcy bias and the danger of staying in the kill zone

(17:00) The importance of identifying exits at every event

(19:50) Teaching children about safety without instilling fear

(24:05) Why attendees, not police or fire, are the true first responders

(25:30) The harm of sharing violent videos online

(27:42) How social media influenced past shooters

(31:00) A wake-up call for political rhetoric in America

(32:20) Adjusting tactics as a society the same way the military adapts

Bart Holzer, cyber expert and founder of Overt Channel, shares his journey from FBI intern to tackling high-profile cybercrime cases. He recounts early days investigating online criminals, cases like Top 10 fugitive Charles Cobb and serial killer Maury Travis, and how the Patriot Act reshaped the landscape for cybersecurity experts.

Bart also breaks down what you should do if you become a victim of cybercrime, why recovery vs. prosecution is a constant trade-off, and why every business and family needs a cybersecurity plan. From multi-factor authentication to password managers and protecting elderly relatives from fraud, Bart offers practical steps anyone can take to stay secure in the digital world.

Notes:

2:40 – Bart’s start in cybersecurity through an FBI internship

3:55 – How early internet crime was tackled

8:05 – Early cases: child exploitation, white-collar crime, and more

14:15 – How the Patriot Act empowered cyber investigators

21:00 – Working alongside tech agents in the field

22:20 – Serial killer Maury Travis case (St. Louis)

23:53 – Charles Cobb, Top 10 fugitive case

26:48 – German child predator caught through internet data

30:20 – Steps to take if you’re a cybercrime victim

31:45 – Negotiating recovery vs. prosecution

42:00 – Bart’s top 3 cybersecurity tips

47:10 – Why Bart uses Keeper as his password manager

48:50 – Family uses for Keeper (even pool codes)

59:25 – Visit overtchannel.com