EP 136 Bryan Pickens - Retired Army Special Forces Green Beret, Hollywood Consultant, and Founder of Gas & Garters Custom Hotrods and Motorcycles

In this episode, we sit down for a long awaited Part 2 with Bryan Pickens, a retired Army Special Forces veteran who after 20 years of service has transitioned from an elite military career to Hollywood consulting and building custom hot rods and motorcycles. As the founder of Gas & Garters, Bryan shares his journey from the battlefields of Iraq, Afghanistan, and most recently Ukraine to advising on major film productions, and finally, crafting some of the most jaw-dropping custom vehicles on the road. From combat to creativity, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and stories of resilience. Don’t miss it!

This week on Weapons Free Wednesday,  We return from Asia kick things off with a nod to Peanut and Harambe—two icons that made us pause, reflect, and laugh. From there, we dive into the general sense of disconnection that’s running through the U.S. right now and the personal sense of malaise caused by how we as Americans continue to fall behind in quality of life and global infrastructure.And we close it out with a simple, but crucial reminder: get out and vote—because it matters.

This week we had the pleasure of siting down with Mike Pappas in the Dead Air studio out in beautiful Heber, Utah. We get the origin story on one of the industries most prolific silencer companies. From redesigning products for the additive manufacturing space, to the current state of suppressor sound testing standards, we get info straight from the founder himself. We had a great time with the Dead Air team, more to follow in 2025.  Grab your favorite beverage and pull up a chair, this one you don't want to miss!

Fresh after the grand opening party at Piece Of Mind Guns, Kato is back! We break down some questions about ghost guns, drones and the evolution of warfare. Other topics include increased provocations by the PRC in the Pacific. 

WHAT IS UP. Its been a while friends. Summer of 24 has been a crazy whirlwind of movie sets and adventure. Here is a little channel update and wee rant about Gen Z for you.   

Our good friend Megan "MP" Recher substitutes for Kato and oh boy did we get a spicy one. Starting with the absolute failure on all parties involved in the Trump assassination attempt and ending with field expedient zombie weapons. We cover the gamut on fan submitted questions this week on WFW.  

We are back!  Here is a little channel and life update for you folks. After a month of travel between us, Kato and I get back together to do a Patreon Q&A for your weapons free enjoyment. Tune in for a spicy one. 

Nick Betts is back! He joins us to after action our Anzac Day celebrations in Sydney this past week. We discuss how travel gives you perspective and can make you more patriotic as an American and how some traditions are there to preserve history and teach lessons.  Its always a pleasure to have one of the hardest working creatives back on the cast. "Its like therapy at this point". Links: https://www.instagram.com/n_betts/ https://www.instagram.com/krupto_strategic/

This week we are joined by Brian Cook and Clark Curnutt from BC Precision Ballistics. They are the minds behinds the new 6MM Max cartridge, and if you're not familiar with it you've been living under a 6mm Arc rock. We cover everything from initial ideation to velocity testing and all the different payload options in between (Yes it defeats armor).  We get schooled on what it takes to develop a cartridge that just may well dethrone 60+ years of NATO standards. This one is for the nerds. Links: https://www.instagram.com/bcpb6mmmax/https://bcprecisionballistics.com/ 

Kate Mclaren joins us for the first time for the second time. A little life update and some patreon Q&A. From Governmental oversight to how she got into martial arts. Join us this episode to meet Brians other half.