My name is Dustin Kelly, but everybody calls me DJ. I am former Army, serving as both a Forward Observer and a Military Police Officer. I have spent the last 16.5 years as a Police Officer and Detective in a large metropolitan Police Department. Throughout my career I have learned two things. 1. Everybody has a story to tell, and 2. The Best Stories Are True. This is the DTD Podcast.
What happens when the legend of “Wookie”—the 6’3” Green Beret who outworks everyone, jumps out of planes for fun, and lives hard on and off the battlefield—collides with reality, loss, and a broken body? In this episode, Travis “Wookie” Wilson sits down with DJ to unpack a 21-year Army career, including 13 years in Special Forces, and the moments that nearly destroyed him—and then remade him.We…
Byron Russell didn’t run from hard things—he ran toward them. Abused childhood. Infantry to Special Forces CIF in 5th Group. Afghanistan’s invasion, Iraq’s hardest nights, and the moral calculus of war. Then the toughest chapter: coming home, grieving, and unlearning the habits of combat to become a better dad, husband, and builder. Today he leads Black Armor Guns and Greybeard Syndicate, teaches…
When combat veteran and Marine officer Mike “Mac” McNamara came home from war, he faced a new battlefield — trauma, family tragedy, and the broken systems meant to help him heal. Through pain, he discovered purpose, creating the Post-Traumatic Winning program and authoring From Trauma to Joy. In this episode, Mac joins DJ to talk about the truth behind healing, survivor’s guilt, faith, leadership,…
What happens when the war never ends?Marine combat veteran Josh Shores sits down with us to share one of the rawest and most vulnerable conversations you’ll ever hear about mental health, survivor’s guilt, and the price of war. At 19 years old, Josh was thrown into Iraq’s deadliest battles in Ramadi. He came home alive, but not whole. Haunted by the men he lost, by the decisions he made, and by…
Chad White spent over a decade as a Green Beret medic, carrying the impossible dual burden of saving lives while taking them in combat. From failed attempts at BUD/S, to surviving an insider attack that claimed his brother Roberto “Tico” Skel, Chad’s story is one of sacrifice, resilience, and healing. In this raw conversation, he opens up about the cost of war, moral injury, and finding purpose…
Marine infantry veteran Dane “Dutch” Van Oosten unpacks first contact in Iraq, the numb years that followed, and the moment he chose life over darkness. Watch for hard-won tools to climb out: routine, gratitude, and killing the “negative me.”#USMC #Veterans #MentalHealth #Resilience #PTG #IraqWar #Brotherhood #Recovery #Leadership #DTDPodcastCHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS AT THE LINKS BELOWNOMADIC…
Nicholas Allen’s journey from aspiring Green Beret to navigating medical retirement is a story of resilience, sacrifice, and rebuilding life after the military. From the grueling challenges of Special Forces training to the lasting impact of traumatic brain injury, Nicholas shares the raw truth about military service, mental health, and finding purpose beyond the battlefield. 👉 In this…
In this conversation, Ivan Ingraham shares his journey from a military upbringing to becoming a Marine Raider, reflecting on the emotional weight of service, the impact of 9/11, and the complexities of war. He discusses the evolution of MARSOC, the challenges faced in combat, and the lessons learned from his experiences in Afghanistan. Ivan emphasizes the sacrifices made by service members and the…
In this conversation, Eric Gilmet shares his journey from a decorated military career to the legal battles he faced as part of the MarSoc 3. He discusses the importance of player safety in sports, reflects on his childhood influences, and the emotional toll of military service. Eric recounts his experiences in combat, the incident involving Rick Rodriguez, and the subsequent legal ramifications.…
In this conversation, Sean Murphy shares his incredible journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a Navy SEAL. He discusses the influence of his mother, the importance of resilience, and the sense of belonging he found in the military. Sean reflects on his experiences in BUD/S training, the grueling Hell Week, and the camaraderie among SEALs. He emphasizes the lessons learned from…
