How Men Can Better Support Women in Firearms Training | with Guest Amber G. Johnson

What makes women actually feel welcome and respected in the gun community—and what pushes them away before training even starts? In this episode, Shelton and the crew sit down with Amber G. Johnson to break down the real, practical ways men and instructors can create a better training environment for women—without being performative or awkward. This is a conversation about tone, ego, trauma-informed instruction, and cultural competency, and why those factors matter as much as marksmanship. We cover:

• Why instructors should check their motivations and ask women for honest feedback

• Common range turn-offs: yelling, embarrassment, over-correction, and “ego trips”

• How to build a welcoming brand that women actually trust

• The importance of trauma-informed training and avoiding “gun as savior” messaging

• How “standard curriculum” can unintentionally reinforce profiling and stereotypes

• Teaching situational awareness without labeling fashion, race, or “a hoodie” as a threat

• Why respect (including language and pronouns) is a business and leadership issue, not a trend

If you’re a firearms instructor, a training-minded shooter, or someone trying to bring more women into the range and self-defense space, this episode gives clear action items you can apply immediately. Like, comment, and subscribe for more real conversations in the firearms community. Tell us in the comments: What makes an instructor feel safe—or unsafe—to train with?