State of the Second

State of The Second 127 – Tiny Footprint, Big Rifle Performance (ft. Reap Weaponries)

This week John and Kailey sit down with Colton, founder and CEO of Reap Weaponries, to talk about the bullpup conversion system that’s shaking up the AR space. Built around modularity and compatibility with mil-spec lowers, REAP’s design keeps the familiarity of the AR while offering a compact, balanced alternative. ———————–  Thanks to Palmetto State […]

State of The Second 126 – A Stylish Purse That’s Level 3A Ballistic (ft. urbnchc)

This week, John and Kailey sit down with Jennifer from Urbnchc, a company creating stylish everyday carry bags with integrated Level 3A ballistic protection. Using DuPont™ Kevlar and patented deployment technology, these luxury leather bags are designed to provide discreet personal protection without the tactical look. ———————–  Thanks to Palmetto State Armory for sponsoring our […]

State of The Second 125 – Off-Body Carry Done Right (ft. Cakes Concealed Carry)

This week, John sits down with Tamkin Collins, founder of Cakes Concealed Carry, a women-owned brand blending fashion and function for discreet everyday carry. After navigating California’s intense CCW process and being told off-body carry wasn’t viable, Tamkin set out to prove otherwise. One prototype turned into 6,000 bags sold in year one and an […]

State of The Second 124 – How he took a “Non-Gun” Audience to Guns (ft. Johnny Q)

This week, John and Kailey sit down with Johnny Q to break down how he went from viral spin art videos to full-time firearms content creator, why he built his platform around the phrase “Good question,” and how he’s helping new gun owners cut through internet myths without the ego or gatekeeping. ———————–  Thanks to […]

State of The Second 121 – Your Content Sucks, Here’s Why (ft. Ben Stacy)

This week, John and Kailey sit down with Ben Stacy of Forge Relations to break down how gun companies can adapt, reach new gun owners, and build trust in a changing market in 2026. From marketing to young families and first-time buyers to navigating TikTok, short-form content, and platform restrictions, this conversation focuses on why […]