Awake and Armed Podcast Launching
- Awake IL
- Dec 16, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 30, 2025
TEASER CLIP of our Awake and Armed video podcast launch: Shannon Adcock
sits down with retired Riverside PD Chief Tom Weitzel.
He pulls no punches on the SAFE-T Act, repeat offenders walking free, attacks on cops, democrat failures, and why law-abiding Illinoisans MUST take personal safety into their own hands. Straight talk from a Chief who's been shot in the line of duty and seen the system fail. Dropping January 1st, 2026 — subscribe now at http://awakeIL.com so you don't miss it.
No more victims. Only victors. Want to advertise/sponsor a video podcast episode in this series? Contact us today at info@awakeIL.com.
In a state where progressive policies continue to prioritize criminals over citizens, the need for personal empowerment has never been greater. Illinois residents—men and women alike—are facing escalating threats from random violence, domestic assaults, and a system that often releases offenders back into our communities.
Just look at the recent outrage over Judge Molina-Gonzalez's decision to release a violent criminal who was arrested more than 49 times, as highlighted in our X post below. It's stories like these that remind us: When the government hugs thugs, we must teach ourselves to fight back.
That's why Awake Illinois is proud to announce Awake and Armed, our new video podcast series launching in January 2026. This isn't just talk—it's actionable training for situational awareness, self-defense, and navigating Illinois' concealed carry laws. Whether you're a mom walking to your car after work, a dad protecting your family on the streets of Chicago, or a student traversing the state, this podcast is for you.
We've paired this announcement with the trailer video below that's already generating buzz across our social media platforms. It's a visual call to action: be uncancellable, be prepared.
Why this new series? You-our members and subscribers-have been asking us for tools and resources on personal safety in light of recent media stories. Is this unfounded? As it turns out, the stats don't lie. Illinois' safety crisis affects everyone, but the data reveals distinct patterns by sex.
Men are disproportionately victims of lethal street violence and homicides, often in random encounters, while women face heightened risks from assaults and domestic escalations that spill into public spaces.
These numbers underscore the importance of launching Awake and Armed: No one is immune, and everyone can benefit from the skills these episodes can teach.
Violence Against Women in Illinois
Women in Illinois are increasingly targeted in both domestic and non-domestic attacks, with public spaces like parking garages and transit becoming hotspots for random violence.
Here's a snapshot from recent reports:
Domestic violence deaths surged 110% in 2023, from 57 to 120 fatalities across 94 incidents. This trend continued, with 137 deaths in 97 incidents in 2024—a 14% increase from 2023.
Contacts to the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline rose 26% in 2024, reaching 59,704—a 140% jump since pre-2023 levels, reflecting growing demand for support.
In Chicago, assaults increased 7% year-over-year through March 2024, with Black women five times more likely to be assaulted than others, often in random public attacks.
These stats highlight why situational awareness is crucial for women: Random assaults, like the "Loop Puncher" series in Chicago (multiple unprovoked attacks on women in 2024-2025), erode everyday safety.
Violence Against Men in Illinois
Men bear the brunt of Illinois' homicide epidemic and stranger-initiated violence, often in public or gang-related contexts. While less likely to seek help for intimate partner violence, they face higher absolute risks in random encounters.
In Chicago, 95% of homicide victims from May 2023 to April 2024 were Black or Hispanic, with males dominating: 396 Black males and 110 Hispanic males slain, compared to far fewer female victims (e.g., 32 Black females).
Statewide, men are arrested more for violent crimes but are also primary victims: From 2005-2015 data (trends persist), male victims of intimate partner violence are less likely to use formal services than women.
Chicago's 2024 violent crimes totaled 28,443, with aggravated assaults at 20-year highs—men often targeted in random robberies and street fights. Homicides in 2025 stand at 392 so far, with ~80-90% typically male victims based on ongoing trends.
For men, random violence stats show higher exposure: Nationally aligned data indicates ~38% of nonfatal violent victimizations by strangers, with men more prone to aggravated assaults in public.
Sex | Key Stat (2023-2025) | Implication for Self-Defense |
Women | Domestic Violence deaths up 110-140% | Heightened risk in "safe" spaces; need for awareness in transitions like parking lots. |
Men | 80-95% of homicides | Greater exposure to street/random violence; concealed carry as a equalizer. |
These figures aren't just numbers—they're wake-up calls. In Pritzker's Illinois, where policies like the SAFE-T Act release repeat offenders, self-reliance is non-negotiable.
What to Expect from Awake and Armed
New episodes drop every week starting January 2026, featuring expert guests on:
Situational Awareness: Spot threats before they escalate.
Self-Defense: Empty-hand techniques to armed responses.
Illinois Carry: Step-by-step FOID to CCL guidance.
Prospective Awake and Armed events.
We'll dive into survivor stories, gear reviews, and legal insights—no fluff, just tools to turn victims into victors. Sponsorships are open! If you're a self-defense trainer, firearms dealer, or gear manufacturer wanting to reach thousands of ready-to-act Illinoisans--email us at info@awakeil.com.
Guest/speaker inquiries are also welcome at info@awakeil.com.
Subscribe to our newsletter here and follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Share this post—because knowledge is the ultimate force multiplier.
No more victims. Only victors. Be uncancellable.
See you in 2026!
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