Kat on the Loose: AWARENESS IS POWER with Former FBI AGENT STEVE LAZARUS

Host: Kat Zammuto
Guest: Steve Lazarus, Former FBI Agent
Date: December 24, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Kat Zammuto sits down with former FBI agent Steve Lazarus to dive deep into practical, real-world safety strategies, especially for women. The conversation covers personal security at home, while traveling, in public spaces, on dates, and highlights the critical role of situational awareness. With humor and direct, no-nonsense advice, Steve offers insights from decades around "bad people," empowering listeners to take charge of their own safety without succumbing to paranoia. The episode is rich with actionable tips, memorable stories, and real talk about relationships, self-defense, and surviving in an unpredictable world.

Key Topics and Insights

The Power of Awareness

• Defining Awareness (03:50)

  • Steve emphasizes that awareness is the "number one thing" everyone should practice:

    "Awareness buys you time, and time buys you options. If you're aware, you're more likely to avoid a situation. And avoiding a situation is what we really want to do." (04:16, Steve)

  • He advocates for putting down your phone and "having your head on a swivel," not in paranoia, but in proactive consciousness.

• Zones of Awareness (06:41)

  • Steve outlines three "zones" of awareness:
    • White Zone: Oblivious, distracted, low attention to personal safety.
    • Yellow Zone: Heightened awareness, scanning surroundings, ready to identify threats.
    • Red Zone: Threat is present, fight/flight/freeze response kicks in.
  • Goal: Stay in the "high white, low yellow"—alert but not fearful.

    "See if you can identify a potential threat and see if you can put space between yourself and that threat." (08:05, Steve)

Travel & Hotel Safety (03:50–06:04)

• Steve's viral video on solo female travel inspired this discussion.
  • Don’t park in dimly-lit or isolated areas of hotels.
  • Request rooms closer to the front entrance for more visibility, staff presence, and cameras.

    “If you're traveling by yourself, especially, I can't imagine why you wouldn't just avail yourself of everything that the front entrance of that hotel offers." (05:22, Steve)

  • Always let hotel staff know, avoid isolated stairwells and entrances.

Is Awareness Paranoia? (09:32–10:44)

• Steve refutes the idea that situational awareness equals paranoia:

    > “We're not talking about really big major heavy muscle movement exercises here... Look around while you're getting your room key. Make sure somebody isn't scoping out. Treat it like the same as you would being at an ATM. Don't get on the elevator with strangers... This is not cutting edge 2025.” (09:32, Steve)  
  

Defensive Tools: Pepper Spray, Sirens, and Weapons

• Pepper Spray & Personal Sirens (12:53–17:13)

  • Kat shares her practice of carrying pepper spray with an integrated loud siren.
  • Steve details the “ABCs”: Awareness, Blaring noise, and Chemical defense.

    "I think it's important if you have an opportunity, if someone just comes rushing at you... let them have it with the pepper spray or the pepper gel right in the face. If you're getting the feeling that somebody is following you... I'd rather see blaring noise at that moment." (14:11, Steve)

  • Prefers tools with standoff distance (12-15 feet).
  • Bear spray/wasp spray discussed as overkill; practicality is key.

• Guns and Self-Defense Weapons (11:06–12:33)

  • Steve supports firearms for women only with proper training, legal knowledge, and the ability to maintain control of the weapon.
  • Training is critical; never carry unless you’re fully comfortable and capable.

Home Safety & Domestic Violence (18:04–21:03)

• Most Dangerous Place: Home

  • Statistical reality: More women are harmed by domestic partners at home than by strangers.
  • Steve's advice for women:

    "They're one strike, zero forgiveness. You're done." (18:58, Steve, on abuse)

  • Kat shares her personal experience with domestic abuse, highlighting how hard it can be to recognize and leave.

• Home Security Tips (21:43–25:37)

  • Install monitored alarm systems—unmonitored ones are practically useless.
  • Always have a plan: identify a safe room, keep tools/phones accessible.
  • If confronted by an intruder, ask: Do they want you, or do they want something? If it’s “something,” give it up.

Burglary Story – Lessons Learned (26:12–26:44)

• Steve recounts being robbed and finding that safes not bolted down and unmonitored alarms are useless.

Surviving an Armed Robbery (27:40–29:54)

• Kat relives a harrowing home invasion in Brazil: calm compliance saved lives.
  • Steve affirms: “If it's something you have, give it to them. If it's you, now you're in a fight for your life.” (24:34, Steve)

Dating and Meeting New People (30:34–35:57)

• Online Dating Safety

  • Always meet in public, drive yourself, don’t share your home address early.
  • Have a “wing girl” check in with a prearranged code.
  • Never get into a stranger’s car; “Way, way, way too soon for that” (32:52, Steve).
  • Story: Kat’s friend accepted a yacht trip from strangers—a prime example of how “people end up getting sex trafficked.”

• Let People Know Your Whereabouts

  • Share your location with someone you trust before a first meeting/date.

• If You Feel Unsafe During a Date (36:24–37:47)

  • Don’t worry about being polite:

    “You walk up to the bartender. You walk up to the manager... and say, hey, I need, I'm feeling really unsafe right now. ...Fuck his feelings." (36:47, Steve)

  • Enlist help from staff and leave assertively.

• Drink Safety

  • If your drink is out of sight, discard it—don't trust “drink condoms” or covers alone.

Bars, Parties, and Nightlife (41:08–42:05)

• Steve advises never going to bars alone—always bring a friend.
• Predators often assess vulnerability by observing behavior and intoxication level.
• “Just have you had enough to drink to where you’re a softer target for me if I approach you?”

Gas Station Safety (42:49–47:01)

• Choose well-lit, busy stations; avoid late-night stops in unsafe areas.
• Don’t be distracted by your phone or display expensive items.
• Lock your car while pumping gas.

  “If they try to take you to a second location... there's a 90% chance that you're not coming back... You need to start fighting like you're the third monkey on the ramp to Noah’s Ark and it’s starting to rain.” (44:04, Steve)

Final Thoughts: Trust Cautiously & Mind Your Own Business (47:22–48:51)

• Don’t assume everyone is good, even in “safe” environments.
• Avoid intervening in public disputes; don’t engage with troublemakers to minimize your risk.

  “Life's aggravation really can be avoided if you just kind of stay to yourself and mind your own damn business.” (48:51, Steve)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On awareness as a foundation:

  "Awareness buys you time, and time buys you options." (04:13, Steve)

• On victim selection:

  "When predators choose their targets, it's not random and it's not by accident. They're looking for people who are not paying attention." (11:06, Steve)

• On domestic violence:

  "Beating and cheating. And they're one strike, zero forgiveness. You're done." (18:58, Steve)

• On responding to threats:

  “At that point, you need to start fighting like you're the third monkey on the ramp to Noah’s Ark and it’s starting to rain.” (44:04, Steve)

• On minding your own business:

  “A lot of life's aggravation really can be avoided if you just kind of stay to yourself and mind your own damn business." (48:51, Steve)

• On dating safety:

  “You walk up to the bartender. You walk up to the manager. ... Fuck his feelings. ... Every single bartender out there, every single server out there, every single restaurant manager out there is going to be on your side.” (36:47, Steve)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Introduction & Importance of Safety (00:40–03:50)
• Travel, Hotel Safety, and Awareness Zones (03:50–08:37)
• Awareness vs. Paranoia and Simple Precautions (09:32–11:06)
• Weapons, Pepper Spray, and Defense Tools (11:58–17:37)
• Most Dangerous Place Is Often Your Home (18:04–21:03)
• Home Security and Planning (21:43–25:37)
• Burglary Stories and Lessons Learned (26:12–26:44)
• Surviving Armed Robbery (27:40–29:54)
• Dating, Online Safety, and Public Meetings (30:34–37:47)
• Drink Safety and Nightlife (38:23–42:05)
• Gas Station & Second Location Dangers (42:05–47:01)
• Final Thoughts & Staying Safe (47:22–end)

Conclusion

This episode provides a masterclass on practical personal safety, blending Steve's tactical law enforcement experience with Kat's empathetic, real-world perspective. Far from fearmongering, the discussion emphasizes empowerment through awareness, assertiveness, and simple, actionable steps. It’s a must-listen for anyone wanting to stay safe in a rapidly changing world—especially women navigating solo travel, dating, and everyday life.