Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast

Not every security challenge has time to wait for permanent infrastructure.

In this episode, we're joined by Stephen Sutton of Herring Technology to explore how Rapid Deployment Units (RDUs) provide flexible, temporary security solutions wherever they're needed. We discuss how these mobile systems are used to protect events, critical assets, retail locations, logistics operations, and more, along with the ...

When a gunman entered an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University on March 12, 2026, students and faculty were forced to make life-or-death decisions in seconds. Their actions stopped the attacker, but the incident also revealed critical lessons about mindset, decisive action, leadership, and emergency medical care.

In this episode, former Green Berets Adam McIntyre and Mike Bearden join Brink and Tom to ...

In Part 4 of our Church Security Teams series, guests Adam McIntyre and Michael Bearden discuss one of the most overlooked, and most important, aspects of church security: radio communication.

Many teams focus heavily on firearms, medical training, and response tactics, but communication is what connects every part of an incident. From detection and decision-making to reunification, effective communication...

What should you know before investing in a gun safe, vault door, safe room, or storm shelter?

In this episode, Brink and Tom sit down with Mark Brasfield, founder of Nashville Safe House and one of the largest Browning safe dealers in the world. Mark shares his journey from the airline industry to entrepreneurship, explains common misconceptions about safe ratings and fire protection, and discusses how hom...

In Part 3 of our Foundations of Church Security Teams series, we move beyond the initial response and focus on one of the most critical, and often overlooked, parts of a church security incident: what happens after contact is made with the threat.

This episode covers the realities of integrating with responding law enforcement, how to conduct effective handoffs during a critical incident, why communication...

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Bearden, Defend Systems' new VP of Strategy and a former U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret.

Mike shares the story of his military career, from deploying to Iraq just months after graduating high school, to working in some of the most demanding environments in modern warfare, to eventually serving in 5th Special Forces Group. Along the way, he discusses Ranger Sc...

In this second part of Foundations of Church Security Teams, Brink and Tom sit down with Adam McIntyre, Director of Training at Defend Systems, to discuss building and developing an effective safety team through the right mindset, strong leadership, and practical training. We cover communication, de-escalation, realistic preparation, and why consistency and standards matter. The episode also emphasizes medical readines...

What does it actually take to build an effective church security team?

In Part 1 of this series, Brink and Tom sit down with Adam McIntyre, Director of Training at Defend Systems, to break down the foundations of church safety, from who should be on your team to why having any team is better than none. Adam shares practical insights on recruitment, roles, communication, and common mistakes churches make wh...

What really changes after active shooter response training? In this episode, Mary Dexter, Facilities Manager at National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), shares her "before and after" perspective following Defend Systems training.

Mary explains why she felt compelled to bring the training to her leadership team, and what shifted across her organization once employees experienced it....

In his last appearance on the podcast, Bobby Young joined us to discuss the armed security side of Covert Results. This time, he returns alongside Olivia Wilson, who leads the private investigation division, to dive into the realities of PI work—far from what movies portray. They break down what private investigation actually looks like, from hours-long surveillance and due diligence to complex civil and custody ...

Bobby Young, Founder of Covert Results, shares his journey from Metro Nashville Police to building one of the region's most trusted security and investigative firms. Bobby explains why proactive security, relentless standards, and continuous training matter, and why real protection goes far beyond simply posting a guard. From schools and churches to high-profile events, this episode dives into what sets exceptional sec...

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Tracy, founder of Safe Social Network, a platform dedicated to helping people navigate life in the digital age. He's also the creator of Haven, a step-by-step online safety resource for parents.

Ben shares his unexpected origin story, how he was fired from his first job in politics after someone resurfaced his old tweets. That moment pushed him to start speaking to oth...

In this episode, we sit down with Brent Terry, one of the most trusted experts in vehicle barriers, perimeter protection, and critical-infrastructure security. Through his work with Security Solutions International, LLC, Titan Gate & Fence Company, and Nashville Commercial Fence, Brent has secured everything from storefronts and stadiums to embassies, military bases, and international facilities.

We br...

In this episode, we sit down with Dustin Brooks, Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer of ZeroEyes, to explore what inspired a mission to prevent future violence through AI-powered gun detection. A former Navy SEAL, Dustin shares how ZeroEyes combines cutting-edge technology with human verification to provide real-time situational awareness to schools, businesses, and communities. He discusses the evolution of camera s...

Former Chattanooga and Nashville Police Officer Steven Meador sits down with Brink and Adam to share what it's like to respond to two active shooter events during his law enforcement career, including the 2015 Chattanooga military recruiting center attack and the 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville.

Steven reflects on those days, brotherhood that forms in moments of danger, and the lasting impact of...

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 ot...

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...

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 cybercr...

In this episode, we explore CEIA's OPENGATE® system, sharing insights from hands-on testing. Unlike traditional metal detectors, OPENGATE® is wireless, portable, weather-resistant, and managed through a mobile app, making it faster to deploy and easier to use in dynamic school and event environments. Guest Matt Samels from CEIA USA breaks down what sets this system apart, and Tom highlights Herring Technology's experience field-tes...