# Build From Here Welcome to the BuildFromHere Podcast. A podcast for the hunter and sporting dog enthusiast alike. Join your host, Joshua Parvin, as he interviews retriever owners and discusses the trials and triumphs that lead to a great gundog. BuildFromHere is presented by Cornerstone Gundog Academy- Online resources to help you train your retriever.Learn more at https://www.cornerstonegundogacademy.com/podcast Page: Feed: --- ## You Don’t Need a Puppy to Start Over | Tom Sallows _2026-07-30_ Tom Sallows grew up hunting in northern Alberta and trained his first retriever at just 12 years old. Years later, he found himself struggling with an older dog that had lost interest in bumpers. In this episode, Tom shares how patience, shorter sessions, positive reinforcement, and learning to train the dog in front of him helped rebuild his dog's love for retrieving—and made Tom a better trainer… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1178504/episodes/19577300-you-don-t-need-a-puppy-to-start-over-tom-sallows.mp3) ## Why You Shouldn’t Train Your Retriever Alone | Ted Turner _2026-07-17_ In this episode of Build From Here, Josh sits down with Ted Turner to hear more about his journey with retrievers and the work he is doing through the Augusta CGA Chapter. Ted shares what he has learned from training alongside other dogs and handlers, hosting their first chapter event, and creating opportunities for members to connect, share, and grow together. It is a great conversation about… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1178504/episodes/19509941-why-you-shouldn-t-train-your-retriever-alone-ted-turner.mp3) ## When Water, Birds, and Gunfire Go Wrong | Brandon Balabus _2026-07-03_ What happens when the three things every duck dog owner worries about most all seem to go wrong? In this episode, Josh sits down with CGA member Brandon to talk through Luna’s training journey—from a surprise fireworks scare, to a bad pool experience, to chicken chaos in the backyard. At several points, Brandon wondered if he had ruined his future duck dog before she ever made it to the blind. But… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1178504/episodes/19424946-when-water-birds-and-gunfire-go-wrong-brandon-balabus.mp3) ## Focus on The Wins | Adam Goza _2026-06-26_ Training a retriever is full of challenges, but Adam Goza’s story is proof that one small win can change everything. In this episode, we talk Chessies, breakthrough moments, Member Weekend, and learning to build confidence one step at a time. Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence? Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1178504/episodes/19402292-focus-on-the-wins-adam-goza.mp3) ## From Train Wreck to 173 Retrieves: Kevin & Mabel’s Journey | Kevin Wright _2026-06-19_ In this episode, we talk about Mabel’s second full hunting season, her 173 retrieves, the lessons Kevin learned as a handler, the breakthrough moments on blinds, river retrieves, zombie geese, and why training with a community can change everything. This is a great episode for anyone who has ever wondered, “Is my dog going to turn out?” Because sometimes the dogs that struggle early become the… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1178504/episodes/19372948-from-train-wreck-to-173-retrieves-kevin-mabel-s-journey-kevin-wright.mp3) ## From ‘This Dog Won’t Make It’ to 1,000 Retrieves | Michael & Marley _2026-05-01_ He almost gave up on his dog… Now they’ve crossed 1,000 retrieves together. This is the story of what can happen when you stick with it—even when it’s not going how you planned. Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence? Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more? Visit: Retriever Training Supply… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1178504/episodes/19067051-from-this-dog-won-t-make-it-to-1-000-retrieves-michael-marley.mp3) ## From Gun Shy to Gun Dog… He Almost Made the Same Mistake Again | Terrance's Story _2026-04-01_ Terrance didn’t start with success. In fact, his first dog ended up gun shy—and he thought he might make the same mistakes again. But this time was different. In this episode of the Build From Here podcast, Terrance shares how he went from uncertainty and self-doubt to training a dog that’s already exceeding his expectations. From struggling through early training “dips” to experiencing the moment… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1178504/episodes/18944913-from-gun-shy-to-gun-dog-he-almost-made-the-same-mistake-again-terrance-s-story.mp3) ## When Training Goes Wrong- Gun Shy Scare | Jason Albano’s Story _2026-03-25_ Jason didn’t grow up hunting. He didn’t grow up training dogs either. Like a lot of people, he started with YouTube, piecing things together and hoping it would work. At first, it felt like progress… until one moment in the field changed everything. After a bad experience with gunfire, Jason was convinced he had ruined his dog. In this episode, he shares how he worked through that setback, what he… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1178504/episodes/18894501-when-training-goes-wrong-gun-shy-scare-jason-albano-s-story.mp3) ## How Building a Retriever Helped Matt Rebuild His Life _2026-03-18_ Matt didn’t set out to rebuild his life. He just wanted a dog. But somewhere between early morning training sessions, setbacks, and small wins… everything started to change. In this episode, Matt shares how training his golden retriever, Chief, became more than just a hobby—it became a turning point. From battling addiction and rebuilding relationships to finding purpose and stepping into a new… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1178504/episodes/18864024-how-building-a-retriever-helped-matt-rebuild-his-life.mp3) ## [Non-custodial Crypto Payments & Escrow (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/qNBJCE8jGnxZ) _2026-03-18 · **Sponsored**_ Accept multi-chain crypto with trustless escrow, instant confirmations, and no KYC ## Trust the Process: From Frustration to the Dog He Can Trust Anywhere | Chris Copeland _2026-03-11_ Training a retriever can feel overwhelming at times. You start with big hopes for your dog… but along the way, frustration, doubt, and mistakes are almost guaranteed. On this episode of the Build From Here Podcast , Josh sits down with CGA member Chris Copeland , whose journey with retrievers has been full of lessons, growth, and eventually — success. Chris shares how early trial-and-error… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1178504/episodes/18789068-trust-the-process-from-frustration-to-the-dog-he-can-trust-anywhere-chris-copeland.mp3)