Trainers and comments on my podcast

[Bob Mayne]

I would like to address a comment that has been made a few times about my podcast, recently.  Some folks think there's been too much emphasis on training.  First of all, I'm not sure what's wrong with that, since 95% of the people I've heard from, feel training is important.

I would like everyone to remember some things:

1.  The guests I've had on recently, are trainers!  Massad Ayoob, Jon Hodoway, Jack Rumbaugh, Ben Branam, etc.  Keep in mind these people give their time for FREE.  My podcast is FREE for you to download and always will be.  If a person is donating an hour of their time for free, I feel it's right to let them promote their offerings for a little bit, on the show.  Don't you agree?  If I was paying them for their time, then I would have the right to ask them not to mention it.  But I'm not paying them.

2.  Recently, I've had some non trainers on my show too, like Don from Speed Sights.  But he still donated his time for FREE.  So we discussed his product.

3.  My show is meant to be an information conduit.  If you gain one new idea or find out about one new product that helps you become a better shooter and better able to defend yourself, isn't that worth an hour of your time each week?

4.  The amount of time I mention my classes is less than 10% of the entire show.  I'd like to think the other 90% is of value to you, again...for FREE.

Next week Ben Branam and I will be talking about carrying more tactical stuff.  And we will talk a lot about the gear we carry and why we carry it.  Please remember I do not have paid sponsors on my show, so it's supported entirely by generous listeners.  My time is valuable too.  It takes me roughly 3-4 hours to produce a 1 hour show for you to listen to.  And all I ask is that you listen to me talk about a few training classes and allow my guests to do the same.  I sincerely hope that after 193 episodes you feel you've been given your money's worth.

Thanks for downloading and listening.

[andrsnsm]

Your show is fine just the way it is.

[PoliticsAndGuns]

Speaking as a podcaster (admittedly a new one) guests are a hard thing to come by, and those that have something interesting to say usually have something they want to sell. Whether it is that they want more viewers on their website or increased membership in their organization, or a book they want to move, or training classes they want to fill. I have only had 2 guests on my show that have had nothing to gain from being on, they were The Unnamed Trucker and Bob Mayne, both of whom probably felt pity for the newbie and came on the show to help out a bit.

That really is the dirty little secret of radio (which is what podcasting really is). If you aren't interesting, you do the radio show (or podcast) no good, and if you are interesting it is because you are involved in something that needs selling in one form or another.

Speaking for myself only I LOVE getting feedback about my show, but will never change the format of my show to suit a listener. I do what I do because I love to do it. God knows that it isn't for the money (there is none). I am sure the most of the rest of the podcasters are the same way. We talk about what we are passionate about, have knowledge in, and think will be interesting for others.

Bob, you are one of my podcasting heroes. Keep doing what you are doing, it truly is great radio (just don't forget your headset any more).    Everyone else, Podcasting and radio is a HUGE arena, if you don't like what Bob (or anyone else) is doing go on to another show and come back the next week, Bob will understand and will still be there when you get back.
 

OK... off my soap box and going back to editing this weeks show... Thanks for putting up with my rant.

[Bob Mayne]

I think some people think we make a bunch of money podcasting. Quite the contrary. I make a little, enough to pay the bills and I also get a few fringe benefits of free products and some free training (not all.)

But that's because of 3 years of very hard work. As long as my show stays relevant, educational and people keep listening, I will keep doing it, free of charge. Because I care.

But as many podcasters know, we don't do it for the money and in many cases, we come out of pocket with our own money to keep doing what we love.

I was listening to a podcast today that runs a commercial about every 20 minutes. If you want to listen to one like that there are plenty. Great info but the commercials get old after awhile.

I'm trying not to do that to my show.

[markthenewf]

Here's the thing: it's a podcast which means it follows the preferences and latest things the podcaster is into.  Currently, you're really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, into training.  Really.  So even though your main topic may be something like the speed sights, the talk always loops in and around training simply because it's your thing right now.

I tend to agree that there's not enough training going on, however I think that sometimes that item is (for lack of a better description) harped on and I think that this may be turning some folks off a bit.  Perhaps it's a perceived elitist attitude or perhaps trainsnobbery (try and use that in a game of scrabble!) that is rubbing some the wrong way but I don't think it's intentional on your part.  I'm an A/V guy, so whenever I walk into a room and see someone's TV way outta whak and their subwoofer sounds like it's got a pile of wet towels on it, I instantly try to.... errr... assist them in getting it better.  Of course I usually blurt out stuff like "you like sounding/looking like that?" or "did you read the manual?" and I commonly receive the typical 'WTF' look.  You know what I mean!  Anyways, it's not an intentional rub on my part, it's just me telling it like it is.  This is the same sorta thing when you imply that folks are dingy not to take training whenever they can as much as they can and then repeat that a number of times.  In reality you are correct, but I think the message is getting lost in the delivery.  Does that make sense? 

Also remember that by listening to your podcasts, we are already kinda/sorta students of the gun simply because we're taking the time to listen to you and the invited experts.  It's not real and complete training, but it's a start, and perhaps it'll pump someone up to go get some!  I'm kinda one of those.  Had one of your podcasts not noted it, I would have never even tried to learn to shoot with my 'other hand' nor would I even have known anything about local practical pistol courses.  So +2 for you on that. 

At the end of the day, it's your time, money, and efforts providing the podcast and if they don't want to listen to it, then they don't have to download it.  You can't please everyone all the time, Bob, so you just keep on doing what you're doing.  If someone else thinks they can do better then they're welcome to give it a go or offer their services to your podcast, right?

Now go turn down the brightness & turn off the dynamic contrast on your tv.  I know y'all haven't fixed it since it was brought home from the store.  Schmucks.....  and don't make me come over there with my SPL meter and test tones. 

[call-in]

I feel my $0.02 doesn't have as much value as it once had but here it is anyway. 

I don't mind advertisements on any program, what I do mind is when the content of the program doesn't go it's natural course because of them.  I guess it goes the same with with everything you put on your podcast, guests, free products, etc.  If you have to pull your punches fearing they might not return as guests or won't give you more free products, then I think you have crossed that line.  I'm not implying that you have, this is more of a self assessment type of thing, only you will know if you have.

Love the show by the way, and the reason why I listen is because I want to hear what YOU have to say, whether I agree or not.  For the record I agree with most (not all) of what you've said, and that's the way I like it.

More power to you and your show!

[Spinner]

Kudos to your show!  Training cannot be overemphasized.  If you are getting constructive feedback regarding this issue, file it in the circular file.  Just think, if you convince one person to get training that was on the fence, that is one more person who can be better prepared and one less person who will shoot their self in the a$$ in a movie theater.


Spinner

[Kwah]

Thank you Bob
As you know I am not afraid to talk about training
I enjoy your shows and I agree, if one person gets training because you talked about it then GREAT.
I think you said it awhile back   something like.......
"Those that need it the most will not get it...."   
 I would like to add to that...... and they will complain the loudest about someone talking about it.

Thank you for what you, Paul and the other podcasters do!!!

[Bob Mayne]

I'm glad I started this thread.  Thanks for the comments.  I'm always looking to improve in any way I can.  That's the way I'm wired.  Always trying to do just a little bit better and try something new.

[SirBrass]

I'm going to bring together some thoughts from both the FB thread and this thread and then I'm going to back Bob up a little.

One person on the FB thread hit upon what I think is central:  on this podcast and several others, there is just this constant drumbeat of "get training, get training, get training."  I agree.  People need training, but it's getting to the point where I'm forgetting which podcast I'm listening to.  They're having the same guests and co-interviewers and covering the same points.  The points are good and relevant, but it's getting into overkill.

This is much like a radio station which starts to play an absolute favorite song of mine.  And then they keep playing it.  And playing it.  And playing it.  Soon enough I've heard it so much that I've become sick and tired of hearing it.  I still like the song, but I need a break!

Or like a Leslie Nielson comedy where the jokes just do not stop and you wish the movie would give you a joke breather for about 5 minutes to let your mind rest and let the jokes become funny again.

The thing to remember is that your podcasts aren't isolated from one another.  Most likely if someone is listening, this isn't the first HGW episode they've listened to.  If you are continuing on something you covered last episode of several episodes back, instead of taking 5 minutes (which feels longer to those who already heard all of this already) to give a synopsis for the first time listener, perhaps just briefly mention the episode you covered the topic on, and then continue on  with the talk, building upon what you've talked about already.

I'm trying to frame this as positive suggestions instead of negative critiques, as there's nothing really wrong objectively, but collectively there's starting to be "drag."



And now to back you up.  I've been reading Paul Kirchner's book on Jim Cirillo, and just went back into the ProArms archives, thinking there was an interview somewhere between Mas & Jim before Jim's death.  I didn't find it, but found an interview with Jim's frequent partner on the NYPD SOU, Bill Allard.  And in the interview, Bill, who earned his spurs as an accomplished killer of bad guys with the gun, is talking about the necessity of training in regards to winning a gunfight, about how it isn't the fastest guy who wins, but the guy who gets in the first accurate shot and it comes back to training, training, training.  And in that training, it comes back to becoming a master of the fundamentals of marksmanship: grip, front sight focus, and trigger manipulation.  And that only comes with practice practice practice.

And that's something you have emphasized on your program, Bob.  So, take it as a compliment that you've zeroed in on the same thing that one of THE best gunfighters still alive in the US (if Bill is still alive... the interview I'm listening to was broadcast in 2009) says was important in him surviving and winning his many gunfights with armed recidivist scumbuckets who wanted to kill him.

[Spinner]

Bob, I'm sure you or one of your guests have said this on your show, or I've heard it on another show.  When someone is in a gunfight and they survive, I would bet my wife's car they will never say "I sure took way too much training!"

Training is important and it needs to be reiterated.  If you carry a gun, operator or "Joe Public" and you don't crave to train and learn more, your complacency may injure innocent people and cost lives, including your own. 

If you have taken the initiative to carry a gun for self defense and think your state mandated training course has fulfilled any training you'll ever need, I would challenge you to find your local IDPA or USPSA and go shoot a match.  You will be surprised at how slow, inaccurate and unprepared you are, and there wasn't even anyone trying to attack you.  Get training, and get more training.  Instructed training is the best, practical shooting competition is very helpful, dry fire is absolutely mandatory in my mind and square range if nothing else to work on marksmanship fundamentals.

Sorry for the rant and possibly paraphrasing your entire show, but the importance cannot be understated.  Your life and your loved ones' lives may depend on it someday.  The odds are very much in your favor that you won't need your gun, ever, but the price to pay is life.  Mine and my loved ones' life deserve my best effort.


Spinner

[Bob Mayne]

Good points.  It's like when someone wins a gunfight, you won't hear them say, "I wish I didn't have so much ammo."

[call-in]

Bob,

I've always wondered why martial arts students attend classes multiple times a week while there are no (that I know of) who teaches gun-fighting on a weekly schedule.  Gun-fighting needs repetition just like martial arts does, no? 

If I were to dream up of such a class, It would meet probably twice a week for some physical drills, drawing in different scenarios from carry position,  practice target acquisition, trigger control and manipulation, force-on-force, all of which are done "live fire" using airsoft, then possibly meet at a range once or twice a month.

I know, I probably should start a new thread about this, but if you know of anyone who is already doing this, then I think a lot of people would be interested in having him/her in your show.

[Bob Mayne]

Bob,

I've always wondered why martial arts students attend classes multiple times a week while there are no (that I know of) who teaches gun-fighting on a weekly schedule.  Gun-fighting needs repetition just like martial arts does, no? 

If I were to dream up of such a class, It would meet probably twice a week for some physical drills, drawing in different scenarios from carry position,  practice target acquisition, trigger control and manipulation, force-on-force, all of which are done "live fire" using airsoft, then possibly meet at a range once or twice a month.

I know, I probably should start a new thread about this, but if you know of anyone who is already doing this, then I think a lot of people would be interested in having him/her in your show.

Very good point!  At SI, we have regional training group meets, where graduates show up to brush up on skills.  Usually on a Saturday afternoon.  I'll be starting one of those in SA, probably early next year.  If you take an SI course, check your area for them.

I'm also going to float this idea to Ben, for the graduates of our classes here.  Thanks for the idea!

[Mikef]

Bob,

I think your show is fine just the way it is.  If people don't like the topic you're discussing then they don't have to listen to it.

One topic I am not interested in at this moment is when you talk about IDPA matches, and the only reason is because I'm not involved in them yet.  It's something I plan to do in the future but there are no immediate plans to because i just can't fit it into my schedule currently. I still listen to those episodes because I want to expand my knowledge. 

As far as the promoting companies and products I think you're right on there.  I'm a Internet marketing consultant for the dental industry and I teach my clients you want to give 90% value and 10% sales pitch.  You're spot on there!

I know you put in a lot of time and probably only make enough to cover the bills and even if you were making a full time income doing this so what?  You're providing a service and a lot of people are learning and getting good information. There are other podcasts on GRN that people can choose from if they don't resonate with your podcast. 

Thanks for all you do!

Mike

[kg4ghn]

I think your podcast is fine. If you do not get training then you don't know what you don't know. Quality training is more than just how to shoot a pistol.

And the regional training groups are one of the reasons I decided to train with SI. I have two of these groups within an easy drive of where I am.   That is several times a year I have the opportunity to train for not much money at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk