REDACTED Culture Cast

REDACTED
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Sep 4, 2025 • 1h 20min

283: Ghost Recon: Insurgency and Tragedy

Talk Back to MeAt its core, Ghost Recon Wildlands is a game about Insurgency. You, the player, engage in various forms of Unconventional Warfare, on a mission to take down a Drug Cartel set in a Fictional Bolivia. The Success of Wildlands rushed a sequel: Ghost Recon Breakpoint. Despite being set up for success, Breakpoint bombed, leaving the players that loved Wildlands disappointed and distrusting of the developers. This Ghost Recon Wildlands review covers 5 points of comparison between it and its sequel: Narrative, Interactions, Allies, Enemies, and Gameplay. Critics of Breakpoint often focus on predatory microtransactions which do come play. However, the failure of Breakpoint runs deeper. Not only does the mechanism of the game struggle to keep the player engaged, the content departs from the subtle hat tip of Wildlands, replacing the player with a hammer-looking-for-nails pawn of generically forgettable non-playable characters. Use Code 2025deaddrop10 for 10% off your order at obsidianarms.comThis episode has been sponsored by Obsidian Arms, a manufacturer of tools, parts and firearms, as well as operating as an OEM shop for those looking to bring excellence to the market. Their Minnesota-based shop builds and cuts parts out of U.S.-sourced materials. Their gunsmith tools, custom firearms, and capabilities can be found at www.obsidianarms.comSupport the REDACTED Culture Cast at redactedculture.locals.comSSP and boutique products at redactedllc.comFollow us on Instagram at @redactedllc
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Aug 28, 2025 • 57min

282: A Message to Church Security

Talk Back to MeOn August 27th, 2025, a school shooting took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The transgender shooter identified by authorities followed a pattern of recent mass shootings, paying homage to earlier murderers. Churches, facing violence against their congregations by ideologies supported by some state governments, are pressed with a moral question of what to do. Christians are in an asymmetrical conflict. On moral grounds. On Political grounds. And violence. We are held to a higher standard, not by dishonest men, but by God. And worse, our enemy knows about it and intentionally uses it to their advantage. As as result we must be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves. Church security is nothing new. And despite political backlash by dishonest actors, such men have a grave task ahead of them. One that requires discernment. In this episode we cover what is known about the Minneapolis shooter. His methods, goals, and ideology as displayed in his own manifesto. The consequences and warnings we face from scripture do not permit us to act in vengeance, but still we grieve the loss of life, not because it is ultimately an offense to ourselves, but an affront to God, as man is created in His image.Use Code 2025deaddrop10 for 10% off your order at obsidianarms.comThis episode has been sponsored by Obsidian Arms, a manufacturer of tools, parts and firearms, as well as operating as an OEM shop for those looking to bring excellence to the market. Their Minnesota-based shop builds and cuts parts out of U.S.-sourced materials. Their gunsmith tools, custom firearms, and capabilities can be found at www.obsidianarms.comSupport the REDACTED Culture Cast at redactedculture.locals.comSSP and boutique products at redactedllc.comFollow us on Instagram at @redactedllc
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Aug 25, 2025 • 1h 4min

281: We Are Not a Serious Peoples

Talk Back to MeFrom the Gun Culture to Americans, the West, or Mankind as a whole, we are not a serious peoples. We approach the world around us, following people more than truths. The questions flow:If we took Gun Control seriously, would be debate it? If we believed in the Deep State, would we talk about it?We watch the news, listen to people talk about grave realities, threats to our wellbeing, and carry on without a change. Maybe this is bad for us. Use Code 2025deaddrop10 for 10% off your order at obsidianarms.comThis episode has been sponsored by Obsidian Arms, a manufacturer of tools, parts and firearms, as well as operating as an OEM shop for those looking to bring excellence to the market. Their Minnesota-based shop builds and cuts parts out of U.S.-sourced materials. Their gunsmith tools, custom firearms, and capabilities can be found at www.obsidianarms.comSupport the REDACTED Culture Cast at redactedculture.locals.comSSP and boutique products at redactedllc.comFollow us on Instagram at @redactedllc
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Aug 4, 2025 • 44min

280: How Tim Kennedy Got Away with Stolen Valor

Talk Back to MeWhile the Antihero Podcast has gone through great journalistic lengths to investigate the claims made by Tim Kennedy in his book, this episode is to probe the question of how someone could have gotten so far without someone noticing. The Special Operations community is small, and everyone knows each other or at least has a pretty short chain of connection. When someone claims to have an award or to have graduated some prestigious course, it's relatively easy to verify if you know the right channels. With this being the case, one might wonder how Tim Kennedy got away with publishing a record in the form of a book of his exploits, which are easily verifiable, and no one noticed for years. But there's another side to this dark story, one where resentment is concealed as holding others accountable. And it begs the question of what to do with those who break the trust of their community. The Bible contains warnings against gloating over your enemy's downfall, and this lesson as well as others from the same book can be applied to this situation.  Use Code 2025deaddrop10 for 10% off your order at obsidianarms.comThis episode has been sponsored by Obsidian Arms, a manufacturer of tools, parts and firearms, as well as operating as an OEM shop for those looking to bring excellence to the market. Their Minnesota-based shop builds and cuts parts out of U.S.-sourced materials. Their gunsmith tools, custom firearms, and capabilities can be found at www.obsidianarms.comSupport the REDACTED Culture Cast at redactedculture.locals.comSSP and boutique products at redactedllc.comFollow us on Instagram at @redactedllc
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Jul 31, 2025 • 31min

279: A Brave Castle Chest Rig Goes to DARC

Talk Back to MeAfter some time away from the desk, the REDACTED Culture Cast returns with a review of the Brave Castle Chest Rig. Having an opportunity to attend a course at DARC that required a chest rig, this one was selected for its inherent "features." While others tend to silo into either the sewn together or modular categories, Brave Castle did something a little different with theirs. In the episode, we cover:A brief history of Chest RigsWhy this one was chosenTesting CriteriaLoadout for DARCPerformance ReviewBrave Castle can be found on instagram: @brave_castleBy fitting between different categories of Chest Rig, this one made a lasting impression as both capable out of the box and a good foundation for expansion to meet the end user's needs. Use Code 2025deaddrop10 for 10% off your order at obsidianarms.comThis episode has been sponsored by Obsidian Arms, a manufacturer of tools, parts and firearms, as well as operating as an OEM shop for those looking to bring excellence to the market. Their Minnesota-based shop builds and cuts parts out of U.S.-sourced materials. Their gunsmith tools, custom firearms, and capabilities can be found at www.obsidianarms.comSupport the REDACTED Culture Cast at redactedculture.locals.comSSP and boutique products at redactedllc.comFollow us on Instagram at @redactedllc
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Jun 30, 2025 • 28min

278: It Will Take Courage

Talk Back to MeThe first six months of 2025 have displayed a roller coaster of events, many of which presented as catastrophes, or great victories depending on political affiliation. At the same time, the Gun Culture has witnessed the end of an era, where names that once led companies and held the attention of millions slip away in disgrace. Not all kingdoms are built to last. Whether it's Military action in Iran, or Riots in LA, or Parliamentarians getting in the way of a long awaited curbing of the NFA, it's easy to look at what we're up against and throw up one's hands in lament. But that is not the path. Did we expect it to be so easy as an election? Did we expect that, with every step forward we would face less and less opposition? This isn't a problem that can be solved in the mind alone. Having the right answers is just the first step, one that must be followed with Courage. Use Code 2025deaddrop10 for 10% off your order at obsidianarms.comThis episode has been sponsored by Obsidian Arms, a manufacturer of tools, parts and firearms, as well as operating as an OEM shop for those looking to bring excellence to the market. Their Minnesota-based shop builds and cuts parts out of U.S.-sourced materials. Their gunsmith tools, custom firearms, and capabilities can be found at www.obsidianarms.comSupport the REDACTED Culture Cast at redactedculture.locals.comSSP and boutique products at redactedllc.comFollow us on Instagram at @redactedllc
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Jun 18, 2025 • 49min

277: Peacekeepers, Conscripts, and Incompetent Violence

Talk Back to MeThis weekend, a so-called Peacekeeper opened fire, shooting and killing a bystander at a No Kings protest this weekend. The presence of these armed individuals at left-wing protests has increased since the summer of love in 2020. Generally identifiable by loose, barely used gear, they present a specific type of danger to themselves and those present, similar to conscripted soldiers.In this episode we cover how to identify low-skill, low-intelligence threats in both a military and non-military setting, some of the history of these self-proclaimed peacekeepers, and the moral behind training that has caught the ire of tyrants. Use Code 2025deaddrop10 for 10% off your order at obsidianarms.comThis episode has been sponsored by Obsidian Arms, a manufacturer of tools, parts and firearms, as well as operating as an OEM shop for those looking to bring excellence to the market. Their Minnesota-based shop builds and cuts parts out of U.S.-sourced materials. Their gunsmith tools, custom firearms, and capabilities can be found at www.obsidianarms.comSupport the REDACTED Culture Cast at redactedculture.locals.comSSP and boutique products at redactedllc.comFollow us on Instagram at @redactedllc
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Jun 16, 2025 • 2h 8min

276: Grasping Adventure with Ivan Loomis of Kit Badger

Talk Back to MeAdventure, what a marketing term. We grew up on Lord of the Rings and watched as beloved characters embarked on a great journey. Ivan Loomis of Kit Badger joins the show to talk about spending a whole year shooting left handed, and balancing risk in thrill seeking. Join us in this episode as we talk about discerning good training, challenging the status quo on advanced skill, and turning to the mountains for a sense of adventure. Ivan Loomis can be found on Youtube at @kitbadgerInstagram: @kit_badgerWebsite: kitbadger.comUse Code 2025deaddrop10 for 10% off your order at obsidianarms.comThis episode has been sponsored by Obsidian Arms, a manufacturer of tools, parts and firearms, as well as operating as an OEM shop for those looking to bring excellence to the market. Their Minnesota-based shop builds and cuts parts out of U.S.-sourced materials. Their gunsmith tools, custom firearms, and capabilities can be found at www.obsidianarms.comSupport the REDACTED Culture Cast at redactedculture.locals.comSSP and boutique products at redactedllc.comFollow us on Instagram at @redactedllc
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Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 41min

275: Dehumanization of Enemies, of Heroes with John Soden

Talk Back to MeThe media will tell you that Soldiers are trained to dehumanize their enemy in order to become more efficient fighters. The propaganda sacrifices our own soldiers on the alter of efficiency, leaving them later to pay the price in the form of PTSD and trauma. And while we can be critical of the military, and of media, and of our politicians, none of this really matters if we don't take responsibility for our own thoughts and actions. Turns out, Dehumanization makes you Weak. Or at least that's my thoughts on the matter. John Soden, a former Ranger, instructor for Method Endeavors, and student of Psychology joins the show to talk about the aftereffects of dehumanization. This episode addresses the multiple layers of responsibility that comes with war fighting, and how those who have the least skin in the game are most likely to dehumanize the enemy. Use Code 2025deaddrop10 for 10% off your order at obsidianarms.comThis episode has been sponsored by Obsidian Arms, a manufacturer of tools, parts and firearms, as well as operating as an OEM shop for those looking to bring excellence to the market. Their Minnesota-based shop builds and cuts parts out of U.S.-sourced materials. Their gunsmith tools, custom firearms, and capabilities can be found at www.obsidianarms.comSupport the REDACTED Culture Cast at redactedculture.locals.comSSP and boutique products at redactedllc.comFollow us on Instagram at @redactedllc
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May 23, 2025 • 3h 4min

274: Zach Masek on the Tragedy of Robert Rogers

Talk Back to MeBoth Army Rangers and Special Forces call back to Robert Rogers in their lineage. Today, the missions of the Green Beret and the Tan Beret are vastly different, so who is right? Zach Masek joins the show again to go deep into the history of Robert Rogers starting with his rise to fame and his fall from grace. If you ask the soldiers of fortune, you'll find out they don't really do it for the money. This common thread was reflected in the life and tragedy of Robert Rogers. The man who is credited as being the founder of modern special operations set the mold in more ways than one, whether in standardization, or the sad but common trajectory of the special operations veteran without a war to fight. Follow Zach Masek on YouTube at the Dead Warrior Society. Use Code 2025deaddrop10 for 10% off your order at obsidianarms.comThis episode has been sponsored by Obsidian Arms, a manufacturer of tools, parts and firearms, as well as operating as an OEM shop for those looking to bring excellence to the market. Their Minnesota-based shop builds and cuts parts out of U.S.-sourced materials. Their gunsmith tools, custom firearms, and capabilities can be found at www.obsidianarms.comSupport the REDACTED Culture Cast at redactedculture.locals.comSSP and boutique products at redactedllc.comFollow us on Instagram at @redactedllc

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