The Junto Podcast

Host Edgar Mills breaks down the divisive world of firearms training across competition, tactical, and self‑defense camps and how social media fuels ego, misinformation, and debate.

He argues hours aren’t the same as experience, emphasizes fundamentals and measurable marksmanship, and advocates training skills in isolation then applying them under stress.

The episode closes with practical advice to train responsibly, understand different perspectives, and information about upcoming Osprey Shooting Solutions courses and matches. https://ospreyshootingsolutions.com/firearms-training

Host Edgar Mills critiques social media performative outrage over Shane Gillis' SNL monologue and a female armpit-hair 'bravery' trend, arguing both are low-stakes distractions. He contrasts these moral panics with urgent global problems like poverty and violence, defends free speech, and calls for refocusing attention on real policy solutions. The episode ends with announcements about upcoming firearms courses and events.

In this episode Edgar Mills examines a recent Cornell sexual-assault case to explore how rape is handled across different settings; from elite campuses and corporate power to immigration and homelessness. He outlines common traits of perpetrators, institutional failures, and the role of politics and privilege in shaping outcomes.

The host also addresses false allegations, emphasizes the need for consistent accountability, and calls on parents and communities to teach respect and protect victims while urging evidence-based responses.

Edgar Mills marks the two-year anniversary of the Junto podcast, tracing its roots to Ben Franklin's 1727 Junto Club and explaining the show's mission to promote practical critical thinking and bold creativity.

The episode outlines recurring themes, guest conversations, listener participation (essays and appearances), and a call to build community through mutual improvement and real-world application.

Host Edgar Mills examines how lying is learned and becomes a repeating pattern that damages families, relationships, work and health. He describes how children copy parental deception, how lying connects to personality issues like narcissism and antisocial behavior, and how repeated deceit destroys trust, intimacy, any love that may have ever existed.

The episode also outlines a path to repair: acknowledge the behavior, take accountability, choose truth consistently, and make honest effort to change so relationships can heal and genuine trust can be rebuilt.

Edgar Mills explores the rise and mechanics of modern cancel culture, tracing its tactics from historical propaganda to social media mobs. He explains how targeted accusations, viral labels, and media amplification silence dissent and punish individuals and institutions.

The episode uses real-world examples and argues for skeptical thinking, consistent standards, and resisting authoritarian mob tactics that stifle debate.

Host Edgar Mills explores abortion through history, science, and culture, tracing the issue from Margaret Sanger and early laws to Roe v. Wade and recent policy changes.

The episode examines embryology (the “zinc spark” and fertilization), statistical patterns and racial disparities, common reasons women seek abortions, and alternatives such as adoption.

Mills argues for consistent application of scientific evidence, greater personal and parental accountability, and clearer, more compassionate public conversations about new human life.

Host Edgar Mills examines the weight of the word “hate,” contrasting it with anger through Aristotle and modern psychology and warning against casual use that fuels dehumanization.

He distinguishes hating systems or ideologies from hating individuals, cites violent examples where reduction of people to symbols led to murder, and argues for empathy and individual discernment.

The episode closes with five practical steps to avoid destructive hate: name the feeling, research, separate person from proposition, refuse to pile on, and pause before acting. He finishes with a brief recap of the recent OSS Armed Self‑Defense course.

Host Edgar Mills answers a stir caused by a clip from his guest spot on A Better Way 2Apodcast. He challenges the idea that civilians need military-style kit and "truck guns" in their vehicles, arguing many are preparing for a fantasy fight instead of real risk. He challenges tired cliches: "better to have it and not need it", "two is one, one is none", "when the SHTF".

He discusses magazine malfunctions, equipment quality, maintenance, and real and concerning vehicle gun-theft statistics, and explains why carrying extra gear should follow an actual risk assessment, not Instagram hype.

Drawing on 30 years of experience and a high-profile case study, Mills urges legitimate training, critical thinking, and carrying equipment justified by your actual daily risks.

In this episode Edgar Mills shares thoughts on James Clear's book 'Atomic Habits' and connects its ideas to the Junto Club, tactical training method, and improving everyday life. He explains how small, consistent actions and systems matter more than will power alone or big goals.

The episode walks through Clear's four laws for good habit building: make them Obvious, Attractive, Easy, and Satisfying, plus practical tactics (the two‑minute rule, environment design, habit tracking, and accountability). Edgar offers up his own five reflection questions to get you thinking and to help you start building lasting good habits and defeating bad habits.

https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

Host Edgar Mills explores how poor decision-making and chaotic routines impact young parents, marriages, and children, and why decisions are never truly private.

He offers a simple, actionable system: a nightly 10-minute recap, a morning look-ahead, a top-three priorities rule, impact checks, and a weekly reset, along with tools for naming problems, generating options, and reviewing outcomes.

The episode focuses on building habits that reduce overwhelm, improve planning and prioritization, and create stability and trust in family life.

Host Edgar Mills recounts a recent mountain rescue on Mount Yonah where a stranded hiker was located by drone and safely recovered by a White County firefighter in 42 minutes. The episode highlights the efficient technical rescue, the value of cell coverage, and why staying on marked trails and using proper gear matters.

Mills connects the real incident to the joint OSS/Higher Ground USA Search and Rescue Mountaineer course, emphasizing hands-on team training, leadership under pressure, and practical safety tips for hikers and climbers.

Find course information at https://ospreyshootingsolutions.com/team-building and find information on Higher Ground at http://hgusa.org/

Host Edgar Mills sits down with Will Stephens for a wide-ranging conversation about intentional friendship and faith. They share personal stories from the range, the military, and family life while exploring how empathy, loyalty, and conviction shape meaningful relationships.

The episode also touches on business, firearms training, law enforcement skills, and political viewpoints, especially libertarian ideas about freedom and local impact. Key takeaway: be a good friend, act with integrity, and focus your influence where it matters.

Edgar Mills examines ICE, immigration law, and the controversy over militarized raids, arguing the issue is not whether to enforce immigration but how to do it legally, effectively, and with respect for human dignity.

He offers practical alternatives: prioritize high-risk targets, use low-visibility and intelligence-led operations, hold employers accountable, pursue tech-enabled monitoring within constitutional limits, and create clear, predictable legal pathways to citizenship, to reduce harm, increase legitimacy, and improve long-term enforcement.

Edgar Mills draws on 25 years of military experience and leadership experts like John C. Maxwell and Chris Schmitt to explain how trust, individual accountability, and mission buy-in create effective teams in both high-risk and business environments.

He offers practical advice for entry-level employees, small entrepreneurs, mid-level managers, and executives on building reliability, empowering others, and translating vision into clear commander's intent so organizations can act quickly and succeed.

https://www.azimuthleadership.com/genuineleadership

https://www.maxwellleadership.com/john-maxwell/

Host Edgar Mills explores how long‑held resentment toward parents, siblings, coworkers, and others, slowly damages your health, relationships, and ability to be present. He explains how resentment becomes part of identity, amplifies negativity, and shrinks your world.

The episode offers practical steps to move forward: self‑examination, clear boundaries, curiosity, and the power of forgiveness as self‑liberation. Real stories and examples illustrate the cost of holding on and the freedom gained by letting go.

This episode supports and supplements E70. Edgar further examines the corrosive effects of resentment within the immediate family, especially after unplanned or early parenthood, and how emotional immaturity, unmet expectations, and transactional affection erode bonds between partners and children. PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN.

The episode explores how resentment can lead to emotional or physical abuse, damaged self-worth in children, and repeating cycles across generations, while highlighting research-backed concepts like matrescence and the Gottman Method.

Practical solutions offered include personal accountability, therapy, communication tools, and deliberate acts of empathy and affection to rebuild trust and break the cycle.

Host Edgar Mills examines why marriages collapse, lack of respect, selfishness, addiction, infidelity and emotional neglect, and explores through three different lenses: hedonistic, faith-based, and psychological approaches.

The episode emphasizes individual responsibility, soft communication, therapy, sobriety, and humility as the proven steps to rebuild trust, protect children, and repair relationships. Recovery is possible with consistent work and accountability.

My analysis is not based on opinion or hyperbole, it's based on decades long research and case studies...and personal experience! The Gottman Institute

Host Edgar Mills dissects conservative contradictions between stated principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and free markets and real-world actions on surveillance, foreign policy, and economic protectionism.

The episode examines examples like FISA reauthorizations, 2024 campaign rhetoric versus governance, the rise of surveillance tools and data centers, and tensions between America-first protectionism and free-market claims.

Listeners get a concise critique of how political rhetoric always gives way to expanded power, spending, and influence-peddling, and are invited to engage with the conversation.

In episode 68 Edgar Mills continues his series on contradictions by examining today’s gender discourse. Using Ellen/Elliot Page’s recent documentary as a springboard, he questions tensions between calls for unconditional acceptance and the choice to medically alter the body, discusses mental-health comorbidities, and explores the role of social media, policy, and medical evidence, especially for young people.

With stated compassion for individuals, the episode urges clearer thinking, honest debate, and careful policy and medical decisions, and previews future episodes on related contradictions.