050 - Rachel Sanderson - Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
Release Date: 04/08/2025
076 - When You Need Security Now: Rapid Deployment Technology
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
Not every security challenge has time to wait for permanent infrastructure. In this episode, we're joined by Stephen Sutton of to explore how Rapid Deployment Units (RDUs) provide flexible, temporary security solutions wherever they're needed. We discuss how these mobile systems are used to protect events, critical assets, retail locations, logistics operations, and more, along with the technology that powers them, from solar and battery advancements to analytics like license plate recognition, people detection, and automated alerts. We also cover how organizations are using cameras for more...
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075 - The Old Dominion Shooting Through the D.E.F.E.N.D.® Lens
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
When a gunman entered an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University on March 12, 2026, students and faculty were forced to make life-or-death decisions in seconds. Their actions stopped the attacker, but the incident also revealed critical lessons about mindset, decisive action, leadership, and emergency medical care. In this episode, former Green Berets Adam McIntyre and Mike Bearden join Brink and Tom to break down the attack step by step, discuss what went right, what could have changed the outcome, and explain why this real-world incident closely mirrors the principles taught in Defend...
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074 - Foundations of Church Security Teams (Part 4)
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In Part 4 of our Church Security Teams series, guests Adam McIntyre and Michael Bearden discuss one of the most overlooked, and most important, aspects of church security: radio communication. Many teams focus heavily on firearms, medical training, and response tactics, but communication is what connects every part of an incident. From detection and decision-making to reunification, effective communication can make the difference between order and chaos. Drawing on decades of military and security experience, Adam, Mike, Brink, and Tom share practical lessons on radios, communication plans,...
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073 - What Keeps You Safe When Everything Goes Wrong?
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
What should you know before investing in a gun safe, vault door, safe room, or storm shelter? In this episode, Brink and Tom sit down with Mark Brasfield, founder of Nashville Safe House and one of the largest Browning safe dealers in the world. Mark shares his journey from the airline industry to entrepreneurship, explains common misconceptions about safe ratings and fire protection, and discusses how homeowners can think strategically about physical security. The conversation also explores storm shelters, vault doors, reputation in business, and the real-world stories that have shaped Mark's...
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072 - Foundations of Church Security Teams (Part 3)
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In Part 3 of our Foundations of Church Security Teams series, we move beyond the initial response and focus on one of the most critical, and often overlooked, parts of a church security incident: what happens after contact is made with the threat. This episode covers the realities of integrating with responding law enforcement, how to conduct effective handoffs during a critical incident, why communication failures create danger, and the importance of tracking personnel and cleared areas inside your facility. Adam McIntyre shares lessons from Special Operations leadership, practical guidance...
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071 - Getting to Know Michael Bearden | From Green Beret to Defend Systems
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with Michael Bearden, Defend Systems’ new VP of Strategy and a former U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret. Mike shares the story of his military career, from deploying to Iraq just months after graduating high school, to working in some of the most demanding environments in modern warfare, to eventually serving in 5th Special Forces Group. Along the way, he discusses Ranger School, combat deployments to the Middle East and Central Asia, the realities behind Special Operations missions, leadership under pressure, and the mindset required to operate in high-stakes...
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070 - Foundations of Church Security Teams (Part 2)
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this second part of Foundations of Church Security Teams, Brink and Tom sit down with Adam McIntyre, Director of Training at Defend Systems, to discuss building and developing an effective safety team through the right mindset, strong leadership, and practical training. We cover communication, de-escalation, realistic preparation, and why consistency and standards matter. The episode also emphasizes medical readiness, proper team structure, and preparing for real-world threats beyond the basics. Stay tuned for Part 3, where we discuss handoffs to law enforcement and post-incident recovery....
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069 - Foundations of Church Security Teams (Part 1)
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
What does it actually take to build an effective church security team? In Part 1 of this series, Brink and Tom sit down with Adam McIntyre, Director of Training at Defend Systems, to break down the foundations of church safety, from who should be on your team to why having any team is better than none. Adam shares practical insights on recruitment, roles, communication, and common mistakes churches make when getting started. Whether your church is just beginning to think about safety or looking to strengthen an existing team, this episode offers clear, experience-driven guidance to help you...
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068 - Empowered, Not Afraid: A Civilian Perspective on Active Shooter Training
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
What really changes after active shooter response training? In this episode, Mary Dexter, Facilities Manager at National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), shares her “before and after” perspective following Defend Systems training. Mary explains why she felt compelled to bring the training to her leadership team, and what shifted across her organization once employees experienced it. From facility walkthroughs to rapid response medical training, she discusses the practical value of preparation and why this training is about empowerment, not fear. If you’re a...
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067 - Inside the Investigations That Close the Case
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In his last appearance on the podcast, Bobby Young joined us to discuss the armed security side of Covert Results. This time, he returns alongside Olivia Wilson, who leads the private investigation division, to dive into the realities of PI work—far from what movies portray. They break down what private investigation actually looks like, from hours-long surveillance and due diligence to complex civil and custody cases, and share how their team helped bring the George Jones’ widow fraud case to completion through careful investigation and coordination with law enforcement. 2:35 Olivia’s...
info_outlineOn March 27, 2023, Rachel Sanderson walked onto The Covenant School campus for her first day as a substitute teacher there. It was a beautiful morning—calm, full of worship, and seemingly ordinary. Within hours, everything changed.
In this conversation, Rachel recounts what happened that day—from the moment the fire alarm went off to the terrifying minutes spent locked inside a classroom with students. With raw honesty, she shares how training kicked in and how faith held her steady.
Rachel reflects on the trauma, isolation, and the unexpected strength she found in processing it. She also speaks about how connecting with others—including mass shooting survivors—has been key to her healing. Through it all, her hope is clear: to help others feel less alone, to encourage preparation, and to point toward the God moments even in the darkest hour.
Rachel’s story is a reminder of what this series is about—naming the hard things, honoring the good that still breaks through, and not looking away. This episode reminds us why we keep listening: because light still shines in the darkness.
Highlights:
8:00 – March 27, 2023: Rachel's first day subbing at Covenant
18:25 – Fire alarm triggers confusion
19:30 – Rachel hears banging noises—normalcy bias sets in
25:50 – Rachel begins praying aloud
29:10 – The 911 call: confirmation of an active shooter
35:00 – Fire station, comforting children, and immediate aftermath
43:20 – “I’m glad I was the sub that day” – leaning on training
49:00 – Debriefing with Brink; importance of safe people to process with
53:40 – Balancing trauma and motherhood
59:40 – Frustration with media
1:06:00 – Facing evil in the flesh
1:13:05 – Healing through hearing others’ stories
1:14:30 – Purpose of this podcast series: “I didn’t know someone else felt that way too”
1:19:00 – Reaching out to other survivors
1:28:00 – “I want to help others—even if it’s just being prepared for an emergency situation”