T.REX TALK
233 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 691 ratingsThe official podcast of T.REX ARMS. Weekly thoughts and conversations between various team members discussing equipment, training, history, politics, and of course, the behind-the-scenes stuff regarding the business and technology of developing and making tactical gear. Produced by Isaac Botkin.
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Episodes
Why Big Government is the Danger
July 16, 2024 16:29 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBThis episode of T.Rex Talk was recorded on July 13th of 2024, just an hour before an attempted assassination of Donald Trump. And yet, it's almost exactly the the content that we would have released in response to the assassination attempt.
The TechPrepper's Project List
July 09, 2024 18:50 - 1 hour - 67.7 MBIf you are interested in targeted radio communication, you already know who TheTechPrepper is. In this episode he explains how he got into long-range decentralized communications, how his tool development process has changed, and why he is interested in other projects such as multi-spectral camouflage and wide band RF awareness. https://www.youtube.com/@TheTechPrepper https://www.thetechprepper.com
Book Review: Slaying Leviathan
July 02, 2024 15:57 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MB"Slaying Leviathan" was written by Dr. Glenn Sunshine in 2020, and it is a fantastic introduction to western political thought, and the different outcomes of different theories and experiments. Check out the book here
The Importance of Gunsmithing and Firearm Design
June 25, 2024 17:24 - 51 minutes - 47 MBAfter talking to Hoffman Tactical about their firearm projects, and doing some design work on a future fighting pistol ourselves, we wanted to dive a little bit deeper into firearm development. We review David S. Findlay's Firearm Anatomy series, talk about the different ways that physical constraints and political constraints affect how guns get designed and built, and do some Q&A with the comments on the last T-Rex Labs video.
3D Printing and Hot Air Balloons with Hoffman Tactical
June 18, 2024 18:57 - 1 hour - 67.2 MBTim Hoffman of Hoffman Tactical joins us to discuss how he got involved in 3D printed guns, the death of the maker space and the need for more tinkerers, builders and open source projects.
The Creepiest Dystopian Thriller You've Never Heard Of
June 11, 2024 16:02 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBThe early 21st Century is a good time to be thinking about cyberpunk dystopias. Fictional dystopian worlds (and attempted Utopian ones) are interesting thought experiments that have an effect on the populations that read them. 1984 and Brave New World have shaped political discourse in the real world to a substantial degree. But you probably want to be aware of one of the least known and least discussed dystopian novels in recent history. Its obscurity is almost as disturbing as its creepy, ...
Strange Night Vision Devices of the Present and Past with Nick Chen
June 04, 2024 20:54 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBNight vision has been one of the most magical and mysterious capabilities fielded by many militaries over many decades. However, times have changed, and Gen 3 night vision is now pretty commonplace for soldiers and civilians alike. PVS-14s and PVS-31s are the Glocks of night vision devices, and yet there are many more strange and esoteric ways to see in the dark then you can possibly imagine. Nick Chen both collects and documents the capabilities of some of the world's rarest goggles and obs...
Data Preservation to Battle Historic Revisionism
May 29, 2024 18:55 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBDavid Botkin gets on the podcast to talk about how history is being rewritten, and some of the books that he has collected to preserve esoteric military data that used to be common knowledge. We also go down a bit of a rabbits trail involving data preservation methods, personal servers, and AI-generated Muppet war. This episode is something of a follow-up to the T.Rex Labs video on digital libraries.
Fighting Anti-Gun Laws in Court with the Armed Scholar
May 22, 2024 21:27 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MBAnthony Miranda of the Armed Scholar YouTube channel joins us to talk about the current state of Second Amendment court cases. As an attorney, Anthony has been involved in many kinds of legal battles, served in many different roles, and is currently a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed against the state of California. What is going on during this election year, and what happens next?
True Greatness - with Dr. Ben Merkle
May 17, 2024 20:19 - 54 minutes - 49.8 MBThere are a few parallels between modern America and the kingdom inherited by Alfred the Great. It was crumbling from within, besieged from without, and poised at the crossroads between greatness and oblivion. How did this unexpected king build the foundations that England and the United States still rest on? And how does he stack up against the pantheon of other Great military leaders in history?
Book Review: "Gun Country: Gun Capitalism, Culture, and Control in Cold War America"
May 09, 2024 14:45 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MBAuthor Andrew McKevitt's book Gun Country posits that America's unique love for guns appeared in the late 20th century, growing out of a love of cheap WWII surplus arms, Cold War commie fear, and 1960s race riots. Is it this simple? And is his description of "gun capitalism" a helpful way to talk about the Citizen Defense Industry?
Gabe Rench's Legal Victory over Pandemic Restrictions
May 03, 2024 21:55 - 1 hour - 61.6 MBGabe Rench was one of the first guests on the T.Rex podcast, giving us an interview just days after he was arrested for challenging Moscow, ID's pandemic policies. Almost four years later, the court cases have been concluded, and we can finally wrap up the story. We also talk about his work in developing the Fight Laugh Feast podcast network, national conferences, and preparing for the massive changes that are already coming to politics, culture, and media in America. Links: https://flfnet...
Finding Purpose Beyond the Battlefield with Lance Captain, USMCR
April 25, 2024 18:00 - 1 hour - 54.3 MBToday's guest is the enigmatic Lance Captain, admin of the popular military meme page AND the writer of the deeply thoughtful substack of the same name. How does he balance humor and philosophy so well, and what advice does he have for soldiers who are transitioning back into civilian life, private sector work, and new communities? Links: https://www.instagram.com/lancecaptainusmcr/ https://lancecaptain.substack.com/
Building Community and Networks with Mike Shelby
April 16, 2024 21:00 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MBMike Shelby is a former intelligence analyst who joins us to talk about community networking and preparedness. His company Forward Observer (forwardobserver.com/) publishes reports, builds networks, and offers training. Check out his book on how to do and Area Study, and hear his thoughts on how to get started where you live.
Drone Wars 4.5 - Too Hot for YouTube
April 10, 2024 17:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBThe Drone Wars videos that we've been posting on the T.Rex Labs channel are valuable explorations of technology meeting combat, but there are certain things that we cannot show or talk about under Google's content rules. Those conversations will come here, to this podcast. Today we look closer at Ukraine's cheap suicide drones and what they mean in the context of just war theory, and the future of war in general. The grim and terrible videos of explosive attacks on defenseless footsoldiers ...
Drone Wars 4.5 - Too Hot for Youtube
April 10, 2024 17:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBThe Drone Wars videos that we've been posting on the T.Rex Labs channel are valuable explorations of technology meeting combat, but there are certain things that we cannot show or talk about under Google's content rules. Those conversations will come here, to this podcast. Today we look closer at Ukraine's cheap suicide drones and what they mean in the context of just war theory, and the future of war in general. The grim and terrible videos of explosive attacks on defenseless footsoldiers ...
Mother Jones Exposes T.Rex Arms!
April 01, 2024 23:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBA few months ago, the investigative news magazine Mother Jones turned its sights on T.Rex Arms and published an exposé on this Tennessee holster company. Was it a searing hit piece, or a thoughtful affirmation of our core values? Well, thanks to the high level of political division today, it can be both! www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/03/t-rex-arms-hardline-christian-nationalism-lucas-botkin/ How T.Rex Arms got Started: https://youtu.be/AU6iCA60Iyg
New Agencies, Zombie Guns, and ATF Raids - Triple Threat!
March 26, 2024 19:00 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MBThere are three grave threats to firearm freedoms: giant unaccountable government agencies, ignorant and emotionally-driven laws, and bad enforcement policies. Sometimes the stars align and you see perfect examples of all three pop up in a single weekend. Today we will look at the Department of Justice's brand new National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center (NERPORC for short), the even more hilariously named Destroy Zombie Guns Act, and the tragic ATF raid on the home of Bryan...
The Citizen Defense Industries Book Club, with Michael McMartin
March 18, 2024 22:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBIsaac Botkin and Michael McMartin sit down to talk about The Pub Club, a T.Rex Arms book club that reads military field manuals, and why a return to basic combat skills is need. In addition to fleshing out the "Citizen's Defense Industry," The conversation includes infantry roles, innovation, the future of T.Rex nylon gear, and the Band of Brothers Cinematic Universe. And as promised, here is a link to the first Marine Corp publication that we are reading: https://www.marines.mil/News/Pub...
Banning TikTok and Rewriting History
March 13, 2024 15:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBWe're as annoyed by TikTok as anyone, but the US Government's new plan to control it might be even more chilling than the last. Find out more about the Restrict Act in this YouTube video from last month: www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4o4LVBPMrw And learn more about the brand-new Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act in this podcast episode. And here are some examples of advanced AI-powered libel and defamation, complete with receipts. Rea...
The New Conservative Landscape with Dr. Steve Turley
March 04, 2024 23:00 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBIn the olden days, conservative media was simple. We had National Review for ideological discussion and Rush Limbaugh for political commentary. Today, things are a chaotic storm of pundits, personalities, and social media powerhouses battling the legacy media. How can Gun Culture 3.0 handle this, and what should we be doing? Dr. Steve Turley of TurleyTalks joins the podcast to discuss how things are going, and some of the deeper cultural shifts going on beneath our feet, and around the worl...
The Future of the NRA
February 26, 2024 18:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBWe finally have a ruling in NY's corruption case against the NRA, which presents them with a significant opportunity. Also, we let AI write a summary of this podcast in the style of other podcasts, and it turned out super overblown and melodramatic. Here it is: "Discover the seismic impact of the New York Attorney General's case against the National Rifle Association, where the powerful winds of justice have swept through the corridors of the NRA, leaving an uncertain future for Wayne La...
Impractical Lessons from Ukraine
February 13, 2024 22:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MBThe most popular episode of this podcast is Practical Lessons from Ukraine, which went over basic things to have and do if you are invaded. Almost two years later, we will discuss impractical lessons. Namely, how impractical and destructive it is in the long term to make purely pragmatic decisions in the short term... to move geopolitical goalposts to suit personal business opportunities... and to blur the lines of borders and treaties just to get media attention. That's right, we will be...
Introducing T.Rex Labs - A New Channel for New Tech
February 05, 2024 20:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBThis year, T.Rex Arms wants to do more with radio, maps, drones, and additional educational content on additional skills. To that end, we have just launched a new YouTube channel for this more technical material. T.Rex Labs, like the T.Rex Armory channel, will be a place for some more specific content, and will help us navigate the complexities of the YouTube algorithm a bit better. To start things off, we've uploaded three videos: The Best Radios at SHOT Show 2024 Drone Wars Part 2: The D...
Innovation, Civilian Impact, and the Future of SHOT Show
January 27, 2024 23:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBThe T.Rex Team navigated 14 miles of aisles between 2,600 booths alongside 55,000 other SHOT Show attendees this past week, and we're talking about what we saw, who we talked to, and a bit about what we expect for the rest of the year. For our 200th episode, we'll go over significant civilian-focused products from companies like PSA and Holosun, advancements in high-level drone and RF tech, and a massive trend towards thermal imaging. Brandon gives us his expertise in valuing product refin...
A TN Community's Stand Against FBI Activism
January 15, 2024 20:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MBOur latest podcast episode takes a look at the case of Paul Vaughn, whose recent FBI raid and subsequent legal struggle under conspiracy charges raise critical questions about the preservation of our First Amendment rights, and the overreach of law enforcement. Kyle, a pivotal member of the TN and T.REX community (and Paul Vaughn's son-in-law), joins Isaac to offer a deeply personal perspective on the chilling effects that this kind of judicial and prosecutorial activism can have. ...
Getting Ready for SHOT Show 2024!
January 08, 2024 14:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBAs we lock and load for yet another trip to yet another SHOT Show, we're discussing the slow but seismic shifts that we've seen across the firearm world; everything from ATF pressure, legal wins for firearm freedoms, the emerging Citizen Defense Industry, and just last week, a major leadership shakeup for the NRA. Last year was our best SHOT Show ever in terms of overall unity and practical conversations, and it introduced some new tools and suppliers for folks in the industry. As we prepa...
Why You Don't Need A Radio
January 01, 2024 21:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MBThis episode unpacks the necessity for a wide array of radios, tailored to your distinct communication demands. It's a new year, and time for a new focus on radio communications, from cheap FRS radios and simple plans for your local neighborhoods, to encrypted business band HTs for your more trusted circle, and the need for longer-range amateur HF networks that cover multiple states. Radios Mentioned: Yaesu VX-6 Hytera 70 series Anytone 878 Additional Resources: yo...
A Short Christmas Episode about Community
December 25, 2023 10:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBA few weeks ago, Matthew Nowlin and Shawn Graham interviewed Isaac Botkin on the Faith in Action radio show. Hopefully you have better things to do this Christmas than listen to podcasts, but here is that conversation, going from T.Rex's early goals to developments in the gun culture, but also spending a lot of time on plugging into community and building community.
How to Argue with Your Family over Christmas Dinner
December 19, 2023 23:00 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MBChristmas cheer is everywhere, raising sprits, stress, and sometimes uncomfortable topics of conversation. When you sit down with your family next week, is the turmoil of late-2023 America going to cause division? With Civil War Reconciliation statues being torn down, and Civil War provoking movies being marketed, it's a fractious start to an election year. You need to prepare yourself with grace and understanding, ready to seek peace and unity, without compromising your convictions. ...
Gun Culture, Wealth, and Education in Europe
December 12, 2023 23:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBWhen a Dutch conservative visits America, what are his main observations and takeaways? How is the USA different from Europe? Our guest Ricardo, a seasoned business and wealth consultant at Solari, joins us for an enlightening discussion on weapons and martial culture in the Netherlands, as well as land ownership, education, and a candid conversation around the American Dream, and the distinct mindset that it has created. We then switch gears, comparing and contrasting education and faith...
The Power of Persistence in the Face of Criticism
December 05, 2023 19:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBHave you ever wondered why the most productive people catch the most flak? Open your mind to fresh perspectives as we navigate through last week's headlines about controversial public figures like Elon Musk and Doug Wilson. We'll be dissecting the power of persistence, focus, and dedication towards work, shedding light on the types of people who orbit around effective doers - the posers, haters, and the fearful. We'll provide insights on the complex relationship between the mainstream worl...
2023 Black Friday Q&A
November 30, 2023 17:00 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MBWe had a great Black Friday sale, with the largest number of products discounted, and subsequently the largest number of products to make and ship! In this episode Isaac goes into the warehouse to take customer questions which range from camouflage, radios, thermal, and explains why body armor sales may be the best takeaway for the year. Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
How the ATF and California Lost Their Recent Court Cases
November 17, 2023 04:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBLast month, U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez of San Diego struck down California’s Assault Weapon Ban, for the second time. His decision is being appealed to the 9th Circuit, which will probably overturn his ruling, for the second time. While we wait to see if this thing makes it to the Supreme Court, let's go over some of the best arguments in his excellent ruling, the unhinged response to his ruling, and some other stuff going in in the gun rights space this month. Bonus Conten...
T.Rex Arms Tenth Anniversary Event!
November 11, 2023 18:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBTo celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we hosted an event for T-Rex customers. You can check out a YouTube video that gives you a visual look at how that went, but this podcast has some more conversations with attendees. We hope you enjoy, and we are grateful to you for 10 years of support. Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
How to Plug Into your Local Community
November 04, 2023 15:00 - 14 minutes - 9.81 MBIf you want one simple and quick tip on how to get more involved in your local community AND more aware of local politics, check out the political fundraisers of your local representatives. Fall is the time when a lot of those are happening, and to get you middle Tennessee listeners started, I'll just invite to one right here: John Rich and Jody Barrett Tuesday, November 7th. at the Greystone Golf Club in Dickson, TN Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/ ...
Can Neo-Paganism save the Second Amendment?
October 29, 2023 04:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBWe aren't the only folks who believe that political positions require firm foundation. Let's check in on some non-Christian right-wingers, see how they are coming on their new mythology, and talk about its serious implications for 2A advocates. Building a Mythos for the Non-Christian Right by Richard Hanania Technically, this might be Neo-Neo-Pagan-Nietzscheism... it's hard to keep track. Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
Firearms Tactics, Political Theory, and Tourism in Europe
October 20, 2023 16:00 - 49 minutes - 34.1 MBNoah Botkin just got back from a little light tourism in Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and the UK, so he's joining the podcast to discuss a few observations. Learn what Cambridge professors think of the American War for Independence, how the British Museum demonstrates power, and how a crazy Czech general invented tank warfare in the 1400s. Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
The Gun Control Industrial Complex
October 12, 2023 20:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBWe've had a bunch of episodes talking about folks involved in the Gun Freedom movement, so lets take some time to examine the Gun Control movement, thanks to sone interesting observations from a 2022 article by Micah L. Sifry, a gun control advocate who is frustrated by the forced uniformity of Everytown and its related organizations. Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
Hollywood Hates Anti-Communist Movies
October 06, 2023 19:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBWhy has Hollywood made so few movies that are critical of the Soviet Union? Western filmmakers pumped out mountains of anti-Nazi films during the few short years of WWII, but very few anti-USSR movies over the long Cold War. The reasons for this are fascinating, and so are these few films. In this episode we will discuss "White Nights," which pits the KGB against ballet and tap dancers, and still manages to one of the most realistic movies ever made. Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.co...
What Makes a Strong Community?
September 27, 2023 16:00 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBWe in the "Gun Community" talk about community a lot, and it's time to dig into that on this podcast once more! This episode compares on-line and real-life community groups, and discusses six community building blocks (in no particular order): Shared Mission Shared Experiences Shared Growth Shared Hardships Shared Resources Shared Proximity Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
The Statism Behind New Mexico's Gun Ban
September 18, 2023 23:00 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MBWhen New Mexico's Governor banned firearm carry in Albuquerque last week in a sweeping executive action, she admitted that crime would not be affected by it, she bragged that the constitution forbade it, and she complained that law enforcement wouldn't uphold it. So why do it? Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
How Political Tribalism Destroys Meaning
September 09, 2023 18:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MBDeeper analysis of the conflict in Tennessee over gun rights reveals some deeper problems. The ideological differences and separations between our different political tribes has made even basic conversations really difficult. Fortunately, there is a way out. Check out our final Special Session recap here: youtu.be/PoD0Xl3DsSE Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
Special Session's Anti-Gun Drama
August 25, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBTennessee's Special Session didn't have quite as many as protestors as planned, but there is still a lot of drama going on internally! We've got news, fun stories from behind the scenes, and lessons for other states who are going to experience this same drama soon. See the video here: youtube.com/watch?v=MmMmjjYW2Oo Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
Live Updates to TN's Gun Laws
August 24, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 45.6 MBThe Tennessee Special Session is just wrapping up its second day. We've got an interview with Jody Barrett, the infamous 7th courageous rep, clips of moral outrage from people who aren't into solutions, and more. See the video here: youtube.com/watch?v=W7Q4KeSY3es Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
The Future of Gun Control
August 23, 2023 01:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBWe're doing livestreams on YouTube again, because even as we speak, Tennessee Lawmakers are discussing various "public safety" measures that include various forms of gun control, including Red Flag Laws. We will be doing daily shows for a while to show you what is happening, and why you should pay attention, whether you live in Tennessee or not. See the video here: youtube.com/watch?v=e57e8Ivhhps Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
What Should This Podcast Be?
August 18, 2023 16:00 - 11 minutes - 8.08 MBWe are 178 episodes in, and it's time for you guys to chime in and let us know what YOU want from this podcast! Quick update on all the action that is unfolding here in Tennessee: Next week, gun control advocates from all over America will converge on Nashville to push for new weapon confiscation laws. We have a powerful new tool that will help you counteract legislators in just a couple of clicks. You should weigh in on this debate, regardless of where you live, because Tennessee...
Four Technologies that will Shape Your Future
August 11, 2023 16:00 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MBThe tech world is highly focused on "disruptive" technology, especially in places like Silicon Valley, where that focus is largely business. But technology has the ability to disrupt far more than just the economy, and there are four big technological advances on the horizon that you need to start thinking about right now. Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
What is happening with Red Flag Laws in TN
August 02, 2023 05:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBWith only a few weeks until the Governor of Tennessee calls a special session so he can try to pressure the legislators to pass a Red Flag law, you should check out our latest YouTube video "Everything Wrong with Red Flag Laws," sign up for the trex-arms.com/newsletter/ and watch what happens next. Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/
What Will Happen with Red Flag Laws in TN?
August 02, 2023 05:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBWith only a few weeks until the Governor of Tennessee calls a special session so he can try to pressure the legislators to pass a Red Flag law, you should check out our latest YouTube video "Everything Wrong with Red Flag Laws," sign up for the trex-arms.com/newsletter/ and watch what happens next. Stay connected to us here: trex-arms.com/newsletter/