Amateurs and Experts

Are your iron sights starting to look a little blurry? In this episode recorded live at the 2026 SHOT Show, hosts Erica Chin and Maggie Reese sit down with Tes from HIVIZ Shooting Systems. Tes talks about returning to horseback riding after two decades away and how younger athletes keep her humble. Maggie shares a similar story about competing in world championships alongside talented teenager Morgan.

The group discusses how visual ...

Are you looking for ways to safely carry a firearm without changing your entire wardrobe? In this episode recorded live at the 2026 SHOT Show, hosts Erica Chin and Maggie Reese talk with firearms business owner and instructor Amber G. Johnson. Amber explains how she started creating content to show women that concealed carry can fit into everyday dresses and female fashion.

She shares her passion for mentoring new shooters as a "ran...

Are you looking for an easier, more organized way to clean and maintain your firearms? In this episode recorded live at the 2026 SHOT Show, hosts Erica Chin and Maggie Reese speak with Heather Pleskach of Otis Technology. Heather shares how Otis was started 41 years ago by a 16-year-old female hunter who needed a simple way to clear barrel obstructions in the field.

The conversation covers the growth of the shooting sports industry,...

How do Olympic athletes control their nerves when everything is on the line? In this episode recorded live at the 2026 SHOT Show, hosts Erica Chin and Maggie Reese interview Team USA Olympic pistol shooter Alexis Lagan. Alexis walks listeners through her journey from being a 2016 Olympic alternate to competing on the world stage in Tokyo and Paris. She breaks down her unique mental framing techniques, including a simple "doctor's o...

Are you curious about how women are finding community, building confidence, and stepping into leadership roles within the outdoor sports industry? In this episode recorded live at the 2026 SHOT Show, hosts Erica Chin and Maggie Reese sit down with WOMA board members Katie Healy and Katie Riley. The group shares behind-the-scenes stories about the year-long effort to host "She Never Quit," an annual retreat that introduces women to ...

How are women shaping the future of firearm storage and building supportive communities in the shooting industry? In this episode recorded live at SHOT Show 2026, hosts Erica Chin and Maggie Reese talk with Amanda and Alexa from Hang AR and Adventure Gear South. Amanda explains how her passion for shooting led her to leave corporate life, open a gun store in Florida, and engineer innovative firearm accessories. The group discusses ...

Hosts Erica Chin and Maggie Reese broadcast live from the Otis Technology booth at SHOT Show 2026. They welcome Heather Eckhardt from OA Defense to discuss the company’s growth and their commitment to female shooters.

The conversation centers on the new 2311 Pro pistol, which Maggie and Erica praise for its balance and exceptional trigger. Heather explains the technical aspects of the firearm, including its ported barrel and a...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to go from being a wedding DJ to the CEO of a major technology company? In this episode, we talk to Brad McIntyre about his long career at Otis Technology. Brad has worked at the same company for twenty-five years and has done almost every job there. He started as a designer and worked his way up to the very top.

Brad explains how the people he worked for taught him about money, building things, ...

Season 4 kicks off with Erica Chin welcoming professional shooter Maggie Reese as the new official co-host. The duo reflects on their recent success filming at SHOT Show 2026 within the Otis Technology booth and the incredible quality of guests they’ve hosted.

They announce a major milestone: the podcast will be heading to the NRA’s "Voices of 2A" Radio Row to capture new content. The conversation highlights upcoming WOM...

Have you ever met a person who changed your whole life? In this episode of Amateurs and Experts, Erica and Jessica talk to their mentor, Deb Ferns. Deb started a group called WOMA to help women learn about hunting, fishing, and shooting. She has been doing this for 16 years! She tells a funny story about climbing a tree to stay safe from a wild pig.

The group talks about how important it is to be a good friend and work hard. They do...

Have you ever wondered who makes the gear that police officers use to stay safe? In this episode of Amateurs and Experts, Erica and Jessica talk to Ryan Allen. Ryan used to be a police officer, but now he owns a company called Zero Nine Holsters. He makes special cases for radios and tools right here in the USA. He also helps run a big training group called the OTOA (Ohio Tactical Officers Association).

The conversation then shifts ...

ln this episode of Amateurs and Experts, Erica and Jess welcome Laura Evans of Silver Bullet Marketing to the Otis Technology booth at SHOT Show 2025.

The group discusses the historical changes in the industry, noting how the presence of women has shifted from superficial roles to powerful professional positions.

Laura shares her philosophy on boutique marketing, explaining how she helps small companies navigate distribution and medi...

Have you ever wondered how to hide a tool safely when your clothes don't have pockets? In this fun talk, Jess and Erica chat with Eric from Sticky Holsters. They talk about how their special holsters stay in place using just a little bit of pressure and a "sticky" outside. Erica shares a secret about how she hides hers in her bra so she can exercise without it moving!

Eric explains that his company makes everything in the USA. They ...

The Amateurs and Experts podcast interviews Amanda and Alexa from AESIR Brands at the Otis Technology booth during SHOT Show 2025.

The discussion focuses on the launch of the Stealth Mount, a new M-LOK compatible storage system that allows rifles to "float" on walls.

Amanda explains how the business has grown from an online retailer to a brick-and-mortar store called Adventure Gear South in Florida.

They also highlight the difficultie...

This Amateurs and Experts podcast episode features a lively reunion between the hosts and the founders of Apex Mountain, a creative marketing agency, at SHOT Show 2025.

The guests share their journey from owning a recording studio to launching a specialized agency focused on diversifying the outdoor industry. They discuss the professional dynamics of their partnership and their mission to increase minority representation.

A significa...

This episode of the Amateurs and Experts podcast features an interview with RJ and Frank from Kick-Eez at SHOT Show 2025.

The team discusses the company's 100% American-made recoil pads and their legacy of quality.

They highlight new 2025 offerings, including pre-fit pads and a partnership with Chisel Machining and Pilla Performance Eyewear.

The conversation shifts between technical product talk and personal banter about the SHOT Show...

Erica and Jessica interview the leadership of Open Doors for Future Possibilities (ODTFP). Dr. Simone Lundquist discusses her six-year journey of building a nonprofit that serves veterans and law enforcement with free, high-quality counseling.

The conversation shifts to the unique philosophy of the organization, which prioritizes "post-traumatic growth" over traditional clinical diagnosis. Dr. Clyde Horn shares his harrowing experie...

Have you ever wondered why it is so hard to find the perfect red dot sight for your favorite handgun? In this episode, Stephen from Primary Arms explains how his team spent three years building a brand-new optic right here in the United States. He tells funny stories about how much work it takes to test these tools, including shooting thousands of rounds of ammo until the guns get too hot to touch!

Primary Arms wanted to make sure t...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to run a famous family gun company? Lisa Tuason from Armscor joins the show to talk about their new American-made pistols. She shows off a brand-new gun called the RIA 4.0 that is small enough to carry for safety.

The conversation delves into the culture of Armscor, which is a third-generation family business currently preparing the fourth generation for leadership. Lisa highlights their strict ...