This week on Bourbon & Ballistics, we raise a glass to 250 years of the United States Marine Corps — a legacy built on grit, honor, and brotherhood.

Host Joel Potter sits down with returning guests Destiny Strong and Jeff Herbert, two Marines whose stories of service, sacrifice, and resilience remind us what Veterans Day is truly about. From the battlefield to the bourbon glass, this conversation dives deep into healing, leadership, and carrying the fire long after the fight is over.

We’re pouring Koʻolau Distillery’s Old Pali Road Bourbon — a whiskey crafted by Marine veterans Eric Dill and Ian Brooks, who traded combat boots for barrels and built a distillery rooted in purpose, craftsmanship, and Aloha.

November is a time for gratitude — for our freedom, our families, and the warriors who protect both. This episode is our toast to them.

🥃 Raise one with us. Celebrate the Corps. Honor the fallen. Support the living.

🎧 Bourbon & Ballistics — where the pour and the people both tell a story.

#MarineCorps #USMC250 #VeteransDay #BourbonAndBallistics #KoOlauDistillery #OldPaliRoad #WhiskeyPodcast #VeteranStories #SemperFi #WhiskeyCulture #MilitaryPodcast #Brotherhood

In this episode of the Bourbon and Ballistics Podcast, we sit down with R.F. Morton, author of The Failed State Series, for a conversation that cuts through the noise.

Over a pour of Minden Mill’s Nevada Straight Bourbon Whiskey, R.F. shares what drives his writing — from the real-world events that inspire his stories to the discipline and perspective that keep him grounded.

This episode blends bourbon, storytelling, and straight talk.

If you appreciate authenticity, craftsmanship, and a conversation worth sipping on — this one’s for you.

In this episode of the Bourbon and Ballistics Podcast, we welcome back Jeff Herbert — veteran, entrepreneur, firearms instructor, and single father who’s doing whatever it takes to keep his family on track. Jeff shares his journey balancing two jobs, fatherhood, and running ODM Defense, where he provides top-notch firearms training, certifications, and real-world defensive tactics.

We dive into what sets ODM apart in the firearms training space, discuss common mistakes shooters make on the range, and highlight the importance of mindset, consistency, and preparation. Jeff also opens up about life as a single dad, veteran resilience, and the grit required to push forward no matter the odds.

Pour yourself a glass, sit back, and join us for an episode packed with whiskey, wisdom, and ballistics.

Join us on the Bourbon and Ballistics Podcast as we sit down with Vinny the Knife Guy — a 17-year veteran firefighter who turned his passion for sharpening into a thriving business. In this episode, Vinny shares his journey from the firehouse to the sharpening bench, the pivotal moments that sparked his love for knives, and how he built a reputation for precision, craftsmanship, and community connection.

We dive into:

How Vinny became a firefighter and built 17+ years of service

The story behind his knife sharpening passion

Tips for maintaining and sharpening your blades

Balancing a demanding career with running a small business

If you love firefighting stories, knife skills, entrepreneurship, or just good conversation over whiskey, this episode’s for you.

Follow Vinny the Knife Guy on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@theknifeguyreno

Follow Bourbon and Ballistics:

https://youtube.com/@Bourbonandballistics

#BourbonAndBallistics #KnifeSharpening #Firefighter #Entrepreneurship #Bladesmith #WhiskeyTalks

This week on the Bourbon and Ballistics Podcast, we sit down with Josh Huite, HVAC veteran, business coach, and host of The Tradesman Experience Podcast. From re-entering the HVAC world with a new mindset to building Blue Collar Insiders with Greg Giroux, Josh shares the raw truth about leadership, hard-earned growth, and the value of getting back up after failure.

We sip Knobel Rickhouse (a whiskey born from Mike Rowe’s tribute to hard work) and dive into the trades, team-building, and how podcasting became a platform for change.

In this episode:

- The lessons Josh learned from a failed HVAC business

- Why tradesmen need strong leadership now more than ever

- The power of real talk and real community

- Men’s mental health and the courage to reflect

- What makes The Tradesman Experience resonate

- How whiskey and leadership have more in common than you think

Whether you're on the jobsite, behind the wheel, or winding down with a pour—this one's for the builders, the leaders, and the ones who keep showing up.

Follow Josh:

The Tradesman Experience Podcast

Blue Collar Insiders

Collard Heating and Air – Herrin, IL

Connect with us

@bourbonandballistics on all social platforms

In this deeply moving episode, Marine Corps veteran Destiny Strong joins *Bourbon and Ballistics* to share her personal story of battling PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideation after leaving the service—and how she found healing through horses, meditation, and purpose.

Destiny walks us through her involvement with Healing Arenas, where retired racehorses help veterans reconnect with themselves and the world around them. We also discuss her mission with Patrol Base Abbate’s SAVE (Support-A-Vet) initiative, a powerful campaign to combat veteran suicide and bring resources directly to the warrior community.

This conversation is paired with a perfectly symbolic pour: Pinhook "Bourbon Resolve”, inspired by the same kind of horses helping Destiny and countless others find peace and purpose.

What You’ll Hear:

- A Marine’s real talk about trauma and transition

- The transformative impact of equine therapy

- Breathwork, meditation, and mental health practices for vets

- How PBA’s SAVE program is changing lives

- A toast to resilience, community, and second chances

Resources:

* Healing Arenas: http//:www.healingarenas.org

* Patrol Base Abbate: http://www.pbabbate.org

* Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1 or text 838255

If this episode speaks to you or someone you love, share it. And remember: You’re not alone.

🎙 Follow us @bourbonandballistics

🥃 Learn more about Pinhook https://www.pinhookbourbon.com