Off the Beaten Path

Breaking Gun Culture Barriers: Pew Culture on Access, Influence & Changing the Industry

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459188/fan_mail/new] What happens when you stop asking for permission—and start building your own lane? In this episode of Off the Beaten Path, we sit down with Pew Culture to talk about how he went from a casual shooter to one of the most influential voices in modern gun culture. From breaking gatekeeping in the firearms industry to creating viral moments and building real community through events like Pew Party, this conversation dives into what it takes to shift culture from the inside out. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459188/support]

From Survival to Purpose: Kevin Dixie on Guns, Brotherhood & Civil Rights

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459188/fan_mail/new] Season 4 of Off the Beaten Path kicks off with a powerful conversation featuring Kevin “KD” Dixie—firearms coach, civil rights advocate, and founder of No Other Choice. From growing up in St. Louis to mentoring thousands of young men, KD breaks down the real meaning behind the Second Amendment, the importance of de-escalation, and how self-respect, community, and accountability shape the modern man. This episode dives deep into: * Firearms training and responsible gun ownership * De-escalation and conflict resolution in urban communities * Brotherhood, mentorship, and rebuilding broken environments * The intersection of gun culture and civil rights * Entrepreneurship and leadership in the outdoor industry If you’re interested in Second Amendment culture, personal development, urban leadership, and real conversations that matter, this is a must-watch. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459188/support]

Tyler of Tundra Tactical: No Filter, No In Between

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459188/fan_mail/new] We saved the best for last. On the final day of SHOT Show 2026, with the floor emptying out around us, we sat down with Tyler from Tundra Tactical — one of the most honest, unfiltered voices in the 2A content space. And the conversation did not disappoint. Tyler's story is not a straight line. It starts with walking out of audio school two months before graduation, surviving a season of homelessness in a Minnesota garage in the dead of winter, and finding his footing — and his future wife — before a friend with a gun belt and a Goldeneye session changed everything. We got into what it actually takes to build a sustainable channel in the 2A space, why he walked away from 124,000 YouTube subscribers to start over on Rumble, the Trump slump and what it means for creators and brands alike, and why the Second Amendment belongs to everyone — no exceptions. If you're a creator, a new gun owner, or just someone who appreciates someone keeping it all the way real, this one's for you. Off the Beaten Path — where every trail has a story. Show Notes: Guest: Tyler — Tundra Tactical Find Tyler: YouTube: Tundra Tactical | Rumble: Tundra Tactical | Instagram: Tundra Tactical MN Topics Covered: * Walking out of audio school two months before graduation * Homelessness, motor oil heat, and finding the one * How a Goldeneye session and an oversized gun belt launched Tundra Tactical * Building a sustainable 2A channel from scratch — 8 years of grinding * The Trump slump and what it means for the firearms industry * Why Tyler left 124,000 YouTube subscribers behind for Rumble * Rumble's conviction — walking away from state-level funding to stay uncensored * The 2A is for everyone — liberals buying ARs and what that means * What's coming from Tundra Tactical in 2026 Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459188/support]

Heather Pleskach: Built to Last, Built to Clean

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459188/fan_mail/new]  What happens when a 16-year-old girl trips in the mud on a deer hunt and comes home with an idea that changes an industry? You get Otis Technology — and one of the most inspiring origin stories in the entire 2A space. This episode, we sat down with Heather Pleskach, VP of Marketing at Otis, live from the last day of SHOT Show 2026. Heather didn't just tell us about gun care — she unpacked nearly 18 years of watching an industry evolve, a brand grow from a field kit to a household name, and what it really means to carry the torch for a company founded by a teenage girl who refused to quit. We got into Doreen's wild SHOT Show story (yes, the lipstick and heels are real), how Heather cold-submitted a resume with zero job openings available and somehow built a career, the growing presence of women in the 2A space, and why gun maintenance isn't optional — it's stewardship. Whether you just bought your first firearm or you've been in the field for decades, this one's got something for you. Off the Beaten Path — where every trail has a story. Show Notes: Guest: Heather Pleskach, VP of Marketing — Otis Technology Website: otistec.com | shooters-choice.com Topics Covered: * Doreen's origin story: mud, a stuck stick, and 500 units at SHOT Show 1985 * Sneaking into SHOT Show at 16 with heels and hairspray * Heather's 18-year journey from cold resume submission to VP * Women in the 2A space — then vs. now * Why gun care is stewardship, not a chore * Shooter's Choice acquisition and what brand legacy looks like * Otis's education-first YouTube content strategy * What's coming big from Otis later in 2026 (teaser only 👀) Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459188/support]

Nick Chan: Taurus, Tribe, and the Price of Entry

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459188/fan_mail/new] What happens when a young kid from Miami with no hunting background, no gun-owning family, and no real roadmap finds his way into the firearms industry anyway? Chan's story is one of hunger, mentorship, and the kind of loyalty that doesn't ask permission. From working security at a gun show to becoming Business Development Manager at Taurus USA — this one hits different. We sat down with Chan on the last day of SHOT Show, recorded live at the Otis booth, and the conversation went everywhere — the cultural barriers that keep people out of 2A spaces, why owning a firearm is evidence of personal responsibility, and why gatekeeping our own industry makes zero sense. Chan also gave us an early look at the TX9 series, Taurus's next move in the duty gun space. Plus — the reunion. If you've been riding with OTBP, you already know Chan was the first brother to put us on to the hunt.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459188/support]