PitBull214 Podcast | Veteran Stories & Support

Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 6, Larry Draughn, Warrior Resilience

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Over the years, I've met a lot of veterans who have been through things most people can't even imagine.

What always amazes me isn't what happened to them.

It's what they did afterward.

In this episode, I sat down with Marine veteran Larry, who survived an IED blast in Afghanistan that changed his life forever.

We talked about service, loss, recovery, and the long road that comes after a traumatic injury.

What stuck with me was his mindset. Even after everything he went through, he found a way to keep moving forward.

That's not something you learn from a book.

That's the kind of perspective that only comes from living it.

I think every veteran has a story worth hearing. Larry's is one of those stories that reminds us what resilience really looks like.

I hope you'll take some time to listen to this one.

Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first.

If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member.

Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more people who need these stories and resources.

Website: https://www.pitbull214.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rckprls/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitbull214/

Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 5, Col (ret) Herman Cole, Vietnam Experience

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

One of the things I enjoy most about this podcast is getting the chance to sit down with veterans who helped shape the people around them.

Colonel Herman Cole is one of those people for me.

In this episode, we talked about his journey from Tuskegee University to serving as a combat engineer during Vietnam, the leadership lessons he learned along the way, and the challenges he faced during a very different time in our military's history.

What stood out to me wasn't just his military career.

It was his commitment to service long after the uniform came off.

The older I get, the more I appreciate veterans like Colonel Cole who took the time to mentor others, share their experiences, and help the next generation find their way.

There are a lot of lessons in this conversation. Not just for veterans, but for anyone who believes leadership is about serving others.

I think you'll enjoy this one.

Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first.

If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member.

Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 2, Cassie Barlow, Transition to Civilian Life

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

One thing I've learned from talking to veterans over the years:

Getting out of the military is rarely the hard part.

Figuring out what comes next is.

That's why I wanted to sit down with Dr. Cassie Barlow. She's a retired Air Force Colonel who has spent years helping service members navigate that transition.

We talked about starting early, translating military experience into something employers understand, and why finding the right fit matters just as much as finding a job.

A lot of veterans leave the military with leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and years of experience. The challenge isn't whether they have value.

The challenge is recognizing it and finding a place where those skills can continue to make a difference.

If you're getting ready to separate, retire, or you're helping someone who is, I think you'll get a lot out of this conversation.

Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first.

If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member.

Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 1, Joe Kennedy, Importance and Safeguarding of DD214

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Most veterans know what a DD-214 is.

What many don't realize is how much of a headache it can become if you can't find it when you need it.

I've talked to veterans and families over the years who suddenly needed a DD-214 for benefits, burial honors, healthcare, or other services, only to discover they had no idea where it was.

That's why I wanted to have Greene County Recorder Joe on the podcast.

We talked about why protecting these documents matters, how the Recorder's Office helps preserve them, and some simple steps veterans and their families can take now to avoid problems later.

It's not the most exciting topic in the world... until the day you need that paperwork.

Then it becomes one of the most important documents you own.

If you're a veteran, or you have a veteran in your family, this is one conversation worth listening to.

Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first.

If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member.

Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 4, Gil Esparza, Warriors on Wheels

Fri, 29 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Pitbull214 Podcast, host Rick “Pitbull” Perales sits down with veteran advocate Gil Esparza to discuss his lifelong commitment to serving fellow veterans both inside and outside the military.

Gil shares his personal journey of service and how that experience led him to become deeply involved in supporting veterans who find themselves navigating challenges after leaving the uniform behind. The conversation explores his work with Veteran Treatment Court, a program designed to help veterans address legal issues while receiving the support, accountability, and resources they need to move forward.

Rick and Gil also discuss the meaning behind Gil’s “Life Behind Bars” message, the importance of mentorship, and why second chances can make a life-changing difference for veterans struggling to find direction, purpose, or stability. Through lived experience and honest conversation, Gil explains how compassion, responsibility, and community partnerships can help veterans rebuild their lives and reconnect with their potential.

This episode highlights the power of service beyond the military, reminding us that some of the most important missions happen after the uniform comes off.

Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first.

If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member.

Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more people who need these stories and resources.

Website: https://www.pitbull214.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pitbull214podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rckprls/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitbull214/

Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first.

If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member.

Pitbull 214 Podcast | Ep. 3, PAWS 4 Abilities

Wed, 20 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Pitbull214 Podcast, host Rick “Pitbull” Perales records his first on-site episode from Four Paws for Ability, an organization dedicated to providing professionally trained service dogs to veterans and children with disabilities across the country.

Rick sits down with Devin Brown to discuss how the program works, including the application process, fundraising efforts, volunteer opportunities, and the importance of recognizing both visible and invisible disabilities. Devin explains that no veteran is “too disabled” or “not disabled enough” to qualify for support.

The episode also features Vietnam veteran John Ferguson, who shares the life-changing impact of his service dog, Porter. From medical alerts to mobility assistance and emotional support, John explains how Porter has become an essential part of his daily life.

This conversation highlights the compassion, care, and dedication behind the service dog matching process while encouraging veterans, families, and supporters to learn more, volunteer, donate, or help spread awareness about this incredible resource.

Thank you for listening to the Pitbull214 Podcast, where veterans, service, resilience, and real conversations come first.

If this episode helped you, inspired you, or made you think differently, please share it with another veteran, friend, or family member.