

Active Self Protection Podcast
John Correia and Mike Willever
Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting. Title music by Jorikbasov.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 19, 2025 • 37min
Sailor STABBED! -Murray
This week on the Active Self Protection Podcast we sit down with former sailor and self defender Murray and discuss an incident that occurred when he was a young sailor on liberty and the series of events that led to his friend being viciously assaulted and how he dealt with the situation. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting. Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

Sep 12, 2025 • 50min
Threat Gives Officer A Split Second To React! -Jeremy
Join a gripping discussion with a former police officer as he recounts a life-threatening encounter with a woman wielding a screwdriver. The intense moments at a gas station highlight the split-second decisions officers must make under pressure. Explore the psychological burden of using force and the ethics involved in protecting oneself and others. Insights into law enforcement training, personal journeys, and the challenges of emergency decision-making make for a compelling listen that emphasizes the importance of preparedness and resilience.

Sep 5, 2025 • 27min
Defender Steps Into A DV! -Thomas
This week on the Active Self Protection Podcast we sit down with self defender and security professional Thomas and discuss the day he was in town when he saw a man pounding on a car window and apparently trying to assault a woman and his decision to enter into a third party encounter.Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting. Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com Video Intro by Joe Russo

Sep 4, 2025 • 48min
Gutowski BTS: Getting To Know Stephen A Little Better
On this installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss Stephens personal history including how he came to be a reporter, how The Reload was started and what it's like to be a cable news contributor.Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting. Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

Aug 29, 2025 • 32min
Courthouse Chaos As Defender Steps In To Save 2 Women! -Scott
This week on the Active Self Protection Podcast we sit down with attorney and self defender Scott and discuss the day he was wrapping up business at a courthouse when suddenly a very large, violent attacker started beating and stomping the heads of two women and how he couldn't stand by and watch.Signup: https://fhftc.org/bullets-bibles-conference/More Info: https://fhftc.orgTo Donate: https://fhftc.org/donate/Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting. Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

Aug 28, 2025 • 28min
The Gutowski Files: Connecticut's AR-15 Ban UPHELD in Appeals Court Decision
On this installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss a recent 2nd Circuit three-judge panel decision upholding Connecticut's "assault weapons" and high capacity magazine bans and then we talk about the USAF reinstatement of the Sig M18 (P320) pistol to its ranges and personnel as well as details of a their investigation into the pistol.Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting. Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

Aug 22, 2025 • 26min
Who Is In The Lobby? -Eric
This week on the Active Self Protection Podcast we sit down with U.S. Army Lt. Col. and self defender Eric and discuss the day a strange man showed up at his government office possibly looking for trouble and what Eric did to defuse the situation. More Info: https://fhftc.orgTo Donate: https://fhftc.org/donate/Signup: https://fhftc.org/bullets-bibles-conference/Link to Video: https://youtu.be/vvG7tkJnL74?si=qSh9oOaJuz1WVlMVActive Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting. Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

Aug 21, 2025 • 31min
The Gutowski Files: DC LE Takeover and BIG NM Court Order
On this installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss a recent federal court injunction against New Mexico's firearms purchase waiting period and then we talk about the law enforcement and national guard deployment to Washington, DC and why some gun rights folks might be skeptical.Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting. Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

Aug 15, 2025 • 36min
POM OC Saves Two Defenders And Their Dogs! -Larry
This week on the Active Self Protection Podcast we sit down with self defender Larry and discuss the day he and his wife were walking their two dogs when a pair of angry pit bulls suddenly and brutally attacked them and how POM OC Spray saved them from a much worse encounter. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting. Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

Aug 13, 2025 • 25min
The Gutowski Files: USAF Sig M18/P320 Death Case Takes A Major Turn
On this installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss a recent arrest in the United States Air Force case involving the gunfire death of an Airman wherein the government is alleging false statements and involuntary manslaughter against another airman leading to speculation about the role of the Sig pistol model M18 (which is similar to the P320 in design).Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting. Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com


