Cleared Hot – Full Auto Friday (10/10/2025) with Andy Stumpf: Episode Summary

Overview

In this solo Full Auto Friday episode, Andy Stumpf fields listener questions on outdoor travel anxieties, marriage disagreements, law enforcement ethics, and personal safety for solo workers. Reflecting on his diverse life experiences and trademark candid style, Andy mixes humor with actionable advice, touching on core issues of fear, relationship health, ethical responsibility, and situational awareness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Managing Outdoor Anxiety and Grizzly Bear Fears

• Listener Context: A man planning a Montana hiking trip with his wife, who is anxious about grizzly bears; asks Andy for advice to help her enjoy herself.
• Advice & Insights:
  • Take Incremental Steps: Start with hikes that offer wide visibility and low bear risk to gradually ease into the experience.
  • Safety Measures: Bring bear spray, a 10mm sidearm (where legal), and be “smart” about food storage.
  • Avoid Edibles: Don’t use anxiety edibles on the trail; “I would want you to have 100% of your faculties available to you.” (16:22)
  • Other Options: If hiking isn’t in the cards, consider the scenic ski lift at Whitefish Mountain Resort, or dropping her at Andy’s coffee shop, where, “I’ll even give her a free latte. That’s the only drink I know how to make.” (19:14)
  • Don’t Force It: “Don’t push the issue until it causes a catastrophic issue between the two of you.” (21:05)
  • Memorable Moment: Andy’s initial, not-serious suggestion: “This is the best opportunity ever to take your wife on a hike... just yell ‘Oh my God, there’s a grizzly!’ and then run off the trail... for the content.” (11:22)
• Timestamps:
  • 09:55 – Listener question read
  • 15:36 – Core advice & alternatives
  • 21:05 – Relationship over recreation

2. Handling Disagreements & Arguments in Marriage

• Listener Question: How does Andy approach serious disagreements with his spouse, in his previous and current marriages?
• Andy’s Reflections:
  • Mistakes of the Past: In his previous marriage, arguments were emotionally charged, about deeper pain rather than the immediate topic.
  • Personal Growth: “I did not understand myself and had a lot of growing to do... I am a work in progress.” (29:10)
  • Better Communication: Open, honest communication “as early and often as possible” helps prevent escalation.
  • Don’t Attack the Person: “If you have a problem with a concept or idea, man, keep it on subject… Don’t attack the person.” (37:45)
  • Take Timeouts: If too emotional, be willing to say, “This is as far as I can take this right now. I need some time.” (38:12)
  • Actionable Suggestions:
    • Address issues at the “yellow light” phase, not when they’re “red light emergencies.” (33:16)
    • Give space when conversations are heated.
    • Never let issues fester out of hope they’ll improve with time; act directly.
  • Memorable Quotes:
    • “Some things get better with time, like red wine, supposedly. I don’t think arguments do.” (40:31)
    • Reflecting on his first marriage: “Don’t be like me in my first marriage. I could have done a lot better. And I’m trying to make sure... the marriage I have with Leah stays as healthy... as possible.” (41:30)
• Timestamps:
  • 22:48 – Listener question read
  • 29:10 – Personal growth comparison
  • 37:45 – Concrete conflict strategies

3. Ethics and Dilemmas in Law Enforcement

• Listener Context: A seasoned police officer voices concerns about unethical orders and headlines about misconduct, especially by federal agencies like ICE/DHS. How can officers know what's right without risking their career?
• Andy’s Approach:
  • Job Definitions: Law enforcement’s role is to enforce the law, not just “protect and serve.”
  • Media Coverage is Skewed: "What percentage of what you see reported about your job is accurate and reflective...?" (46:40) The negative is amplified, while daily good work goes unreported.
  • Bad Apples vs. Whole Barrel: Unethical acts should be swiftly punished, but shouldn’t color the whole profession.
  • Self-Policing: “You need to be the shepherds of what is going on in your own occupation and inside of your own house.” (54:00)
  • Stand for Ethics: “If you’re not hearing that voice, be the voice so other people hear it. You can lead up the chain of command just like you can lead down.” (57:47)
  • Navigating Orders: Stay strictly within the “letter of the law”; don’t follow orders that cross moral or legal boundaries, but don’t confuse personal disagreement with illegality.
  • Memorable Quotes:
    • “Nobody can force you to do something immoral or unethical…” (1:01:30)
    • “If you’re only willing to criticize and not take action ... you might be better off just shutting your mouth.” (59:45)
  • Societal Optics: Acknowledge different views but ask, “Is what bothers you truly illegal or just something you dislike?”
• Timestamps:
  • 43:25 – Listener question
  • 54:00 – Community self-policing
  • 57:47 – "Be the voice" of ethical leadership
  • 1:01:30 – Personal responsibility in ethical dilemmas

4. Personal Safety Tips for Solo Workers (Women in Service Roles)

• Listener Context: A 30-year-old female dog-care entrepreneur encounters unsettling situations when making house calls alone, especially at night. Asks Andy if she handled a recent tense encounter the right way, and what she can do better.
• Situation Recap:
  • While driving to a remote client’s home at night, a strange vehicle blocks the driveway. A man approaches her on foot; she confronts him, claiming to have a gun (though she doesn't), and he ultimately leaves.
• Andy’s Analysis & Advice:
  • Situational Awareness First: “Did saying you had a gun help? Yes – this time. Would it always? No.”
  • Avoid Isolated/After-dark Calls: Set strict business hours and charge more for after-hours service.
  • Don’t Go Alone: Whenever possible, bring another person; consider charging clients for security escort if it's part of service.
  • Stay in the Vehicle: Don’t get out unless you must--“Your car is your fastest avenue of getting the hell out… it's your mechanism for escape.” (1:09:43)
  • Be Equipped and Trained: Only carry self-defense tools (knife, taser, gun) you are trained to use; understand their limitations.
  • Proactive Communication: Always check in by phone with someone when arriving at and departing remote locations.
  • On Threats: If you must assert self-defense, be aware that “there are people out there who, even if you show them a gun, won’t stop.” (1:06:00)
  • Memorable Quotes:
    • “Manage your proximity to distance. Manage risk by the distance that you approach it.” (1:18:10)
    • “When you don't have a lot of experience, you're drawing heavily from the luck bucket. Now you have a real big scoop into your experience bucket. What can you learn from it?” (1:19:12)
• Timestamps:
  • 1:03:34 – Listener scenario read
  • 1:06:00 – Analyzing the decision to say “I have a gun”
  • 1:09:43 – Always stay in the vehicle
  • 1:18:10 – Closing advice on risk management

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “…the best opportunity ever to take your wife on a hike, get a camera up and running and just get into a slightly wooded area and just yell ‘Oh my God, there’s a grizzly!’ and then run off the trail...”
  — Andy (11:22); playful banter about practical jokes and maturity

• “Some things get better with time, like red wine, supposedly. I don’t think arguments do.”
  — Andy (40:31); on relationship communication

• “If you’re not hearing that voice, be the voice so other people hear it. You can lead up the chain of command just like you can lead down.”
  — Andy (57:47); on integrity in law enforcement

• “…there are people out there who, just because you say you have a gun, are not gonna stop their forward movement.”
  — Andy (1:06:00); regarding self-defense reality

• “When you don't have a lot of experience, you're drawing heavily from the luck bucket. Now you have a real big scoop into your experience bucket. What can you learn from it?”
  — Andy (1:19:12); on learning from close calls

Segment Timestamps

• 00:00-01:58 – Opening, setup, birthday reflection
• 02:00-08:30 – Ad read (skipped here)
• 09:55-21:05 – Outdoor travel/grizzly anxiety question
• 22:48-41:30 – Marriage conflict management question
• 43:25-1:01:30 – Law enforcement ethics question
• 1:03:34-1:21:38 – Personal safety for solo workers
• (Ad reads, outro skipped)

Tone and Delivery

Andy’s tone is candid, humorous, and supportive, blending practical experience, self-deprecation, and frank advice. He regularly acknowledges his own past mistakes, encourages self-knowledge, and urges listeners to choose self-awareness and preparation over bravado or avoidance.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Travel & Adventure: Ease anxieties by starting small and prioritizing safety; don’t be afraid to adapt plans for your loved ones’ comfort.
• Relationships: Proactive, open communication and emotional regulation are essential; personal growth is ongoing.
• Law Enforcement: Individual ethics matter; organizations must self-regulate and not let anomalies define the whole.
• Self-Protection: Situational awareness, preparation, and realistic strategies trump wishful thinking or reliance on untested tools.

For More

Listeners can visit Andy’s coffee shop in Kalispell, Montana, or write in to the show for future episodes of Full Auto Friday.