Bullets n Bourbon Podcast

In this episode of Bullets n Bourbon, host Matt Gundlach, joined by Brittany Long, welcomes back Adam Magers, author of Odysseus and the Oar, for a monthly discussion on key themes from the book and their connection to mental health in the military and law enforcement community. Adam introduces the concepts of Jungian psychology, particularly the analysis of dreams, and how they reflect unresolved conflicts veterans may face. He explores the archetypal image of the warrior, cautioning against its constant presence and its impact on transitioning to civilian or adjacent military roles. Adam also addresses ego inflation among veterans, emphasizing methods to “de-escalate” and reconnect with the present. Reflecting on historical attitudes toward veterans, Adam examines the shift in societal perceptions, such as the rise of “dysfunctional veteran” culture, and questions whether trends like VetTV, silkies hikes, and 22 push-up challenges honor veterans or exacerbate underlying issues. Through these discussions, Adam highlights the importance of meaningful conversations and trusted connections in supporting mental health.

In this episode of Bullets n Bourbon, host Matt Gundlach talks with Jason Byerly, the mastermind behind popular shooting matches like Fall Brawl and Battle for the South. Jason reflects on the recently completed Fall Brawl at Coleman’s Creek, sharing how he overcame challenges posed by the long-range shooting setup to create a balanced match for the 3-gun community. Looking ahead, Jason discusses his decision to transition Battle for the South to a 2-gun format, highlighting the new opportunities it brings for stage design, especially at the world-class Gryphon Group facility. He also touches on upcoming events, such as the Gauntlet Match, and shares his shoot-off idea. Jason gives shoutouts to those who supported Fall Brawl and leaves listeners with insights into what’s next for his exciting matches.

Karen Long shares her journey as a law enforcement officer, starting with her first role in corrections. As she advanced, Karen became a Deputy U.S. Marshal. She recalls the rigorous demands of the Marshal Service, the importance of resilience, and offers advice to those aspiring to join law enforcement. Karen also recounts her role in the 9/11 Pentagon investigation, sharing the emotional weight of the experience. Balancing her career with motherhood, she reflects on the complexities of family life and law enforcement. Now retired, she reflects back on how mental health wasn't as important and widely accepted as it is today. She encourages the next generation to embrace the challenges and rewards of a career in law enforcement.

Matt sits down with Darin from Red Stitch Targets and they conduct an after-action of the 2024 Red Stitch Targets Intergalactic Falling Steel Shootout Championship. Additionally, they put information out there for next years match which will be held on June 28th and 29th.

In this episode of Bullets n Bourbon, host Matt Gundlach, joined by guest co-host Brittany Long, takes a break from his usual podcasting schedule to welcome Adam Magers, author of Odysseus and the Oar. A U.S. Army combat veteran and psychotherapist, Adam delves into his book, which explores the ancient parallels between the journeys of warriors like Odysseus and modern-day soldiers returning from combat. Adam shares his motivation behind writing the book as a tool to assist veterans with the transition back to civilian life, drawing from Greek mythology. They discuss the psychological challenges veterans face when seeking therapy, particularly the difficulty many experience in trusting therapists unfamiliar with the unique struggles of combat vets. Adam also provides insights on how therapists can build better rapport with veterans by connecting on shared cultural and literary touchstones, making therapy a more relatable and impactful experience.

In this episode of Bullets n Bourbon, Matt Gundlach interviews Tes Salb, a competitive shooter and firearms instructor with a rich background in shooting sports and fitness. Tes shares her journey, from getting into competitive shooting at an early age to excelling in multiple disciplines such as 2/3-gun, USPSA, and the Tactical Games. They discuss her passion for getting more women involved in the 2A community and her experiences working in the firearms industry, particularly with Staccato and HIVIS Shooting Systems. Tes also talks about her time with CrossFit and offers insights into teaching and mentoring female students in shooting. T

In this episode of Bullets n Bourbon, Matt Gundlach is joined by co-host Greg Jones, now Chief Operations Officer at G-Code, and special guest Scott Evans, the owner of G-Code Holsters. The conversation begins with Scott’s military background as a Gulf War veteran and his transition from Marine Corps Cpl to founding a successful tactical holster company. Scott discusses the challenges of running a business in the firearms industry and shares his vision for G-Code's future. The episode delves into how G-Code differentiates itself in a competitive market, highlights their product lines for competition, duty, and concealed carry, and touches on exciting new developments expected at Shot Show.

In this episode of Bullets n Bourbon, the guest from Comanche Outdoors shares his journey from military service to becoming a passionate hunter and advocate for outdoor experiences. He discusses how hunting became an integral part of his identity as an American and emphasizes the importance of passing this tradition to future generations. The episode delves into the origins and mission of Comanche Outdoors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to organizing hunts and fostering a love for the outdoors for Law enforcement and military alike. The guest highlights the logistics of setting up hunts, memorable experiences, and how individuals can get involved either as participants, volunteers, or donors.

In this episode of Bullets n Bourbon, Scott Newnam discusses his lifelong passion for hunting, sharing how he first got into the sport and the role it plays in shaping his identity as both an individual and an American. He talks about the significance of raising his son in the hunting lifestyle, the lessons children can learn from it, and the importance of passing down these values. Scott also reflects on his experiences with hunting on private versus public land, emphasizing the extensive preparation required for land management and fostering a healthy deer population. Additionally, he offers advice to those interested in purchasing and managing land for hunting purposes, sharing his insights on the challenges and rewards involved.

In this episode, Darin and Matt discuss the final preparations for their upcoming match, now just six weeks away, while addressing recent leadership changes. Darin explains the reasons behind these shifts, while Matt shares his approach to taking on a lead role with limited time, detailing how he quickly organized and added value to the event. The duo dives into their philosophies on stage design, revealing whether they collaborated or worked individually on the layouts and providing insight into the round count. They also touch on their dynamic as a team, how they’ll measure success, and the departure of Hawks Nest Training from the event, and explaining who will take over the side stage. Lastly, they give shout-outs to key contributors to the match.