Bourbon and Ballistics

Most people see a finished business and assume success happened quickly. What they don't see are the years of planning, setbacks, sacrifices, uncertainty, and persistence that happen behind the scenes. In this episode of the Bourbon & Ballistics Podcast, I sit down with Steve Johnston and Finn West, the team behind Nevada Shooting Sports. What began as two men pursuing similar visions even...

What started as a small apparel idea eventually became something much bigger. In this episode of Bourbon and Ballistics, we sit down with Kevin Stang, founder of Team Whiskey, to talk about the evolution of Team Whiskey — from clothing, to archery shoots, to bourbon, and the community that grew around it along the way. We discuss the origins of the brand, the mindset behind building community thro...

When the call comes in, there’s no hesitation... only action. In this episode of the Bourbon & Ballistics Podcast , we sit down with a Battalion Chief from the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District for a conversation that goes far beyond the fireground. This is a look inside the reality of leadership in the fire service—the responsibility of command, the pressure of making decisions when live...

What happens when the whiskey boom cools—and leadership is the only thing keeping the lights on? In this episode of Bourbon & Ballistics, host Joel Potter sits down with Wylie McDade, founder of Devil’s Due Distillery. After retiring from a 25-year career in the U.S. Navy, he decided to take on the challenge of building a craft distillery from the ground up. This conversation goes beyond bourb...

In this episode of Bourbon and Ballistics, host Joel Potter sits down with Ira LaBarge, a retired police Sergeant, Marine Corps combat veteran, and owner of BASE Firearms and Training. Ira completed two combat deployments to Iraq with the United States Marine Corps, serving as a squad leader, platoon sergeant, and crew-served weapons instructor. After transitioning to law enforcement, he served as...

On this episode of Bourbon & Ballistics, we’re taking a different kind of shot. Recorded in the morning and done remotely, this conversation trades the usual pour for clarity, focus, and insight. Brian Bailie — golf coach, whiskey writer, storyteller, and founder of GolfCask — joins the show to talk about performance, mindset, and the culture that surrounds the game. With 18 years of collegiat...

We kick off Season 4 of the Bourbon and Ballistics Podcast with Jason Tingle, founder of Paramount Defense, a Nevada firearms training company focused on fundamentals, safety, and responsible gun ownership. Jason talks about his path from enthusiast to instructor, why ego has no place on the range, and how disciplined training builds real confidence. As a father and grandfather, he also breaks dow...

In this episode, we sit down with Justin Schlag, one of the three primary founders of the Douglas County Rodeo and a major contributor to the Rowdy Revival Tour, a pop-up concert series highlighting locally rooted country artists. Justin shares the inside story of building a rodeo in Nevada, the challenges of promoting community-driven events, and what it takes to preserve Western culture in today...

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...

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 bo...

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 wh...

In this episode of the Bourbon and Ballistics Podcast, we’re hanging out with Nick Cataldo of Dovetail Distillery in Mound House, Nevada. We dive into his journey, from how he got started to the unique process behind the incredible whiskey. If you're into craft spirits or just love hearing stories about people turning their passion into something special, you're going to love this episode. So sit...

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 conn...

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 whisk...

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 an...

Today’s guest is Jake Jacobson, a rising star in country music with a sound rooted in tradition and fired up with modern edge. From small-town roots to a growing national presence, Jake joins us to talk about his musical journey, songwriting process, and what it means to stay real in an industry that’s always changing. We also sip through four killer pours from Silverbelly Whiskey, Alan Jackson’s...

New episode and this one’s truly special. I had the incredible opportunity to reconnect with an old friend I hadn’t spoken with in over twenty years. Watching him build his business and brand (via social media) from the ground up has been nothing short of inspiring, and I couldn’t be prouder to call this man my friend. To top it all off, we had the privilege of filming this episode in an absolutel...

Today’s guest is Nate Newton — partner at Battle Born Welding, high school football coach, whiskey and cigar enthusiast, and cohost of The Tradesman Experience podcast. Nate embodies true leadership in the trades, and in this episode, we dive deep into his journey from pipeline welding to business ownership, coaching the next generation, and building strong communities. We also crack open a bottle...

In the first episode of season three, we sit down with Dennis McDuffee of Intero Realty and had a Bourbon and Ballistics Podcast first... Oligarch Whisky was kind enough to send a bottle for us to try and review, which was super cool. So, sit back, relax, and pour yourself a glass while Dennis and I sit down and talk about real estate, firearms, and family and get super pumped for the @teamwhiskey...

We’re excited to have this amazing guest back on the show! He’s an Army veteran, the Storey County Assistant Sheriff, a successful excavation company owner, and a devoted father. His journey is filled with hard-earned lessons, inspiring moments, and plenty of grit. Fun fact: this is actually his second time joining us. The first interview didn’t quite work out thanks to some A/V hiccups (oops!), b...

In this week's episode, I sat down with award-winning published author and life coach Troy Fontana as we talk friends, family, and business.

This week, we sat down with retired action sports superstar, turned (kind of) professional golfer, Mike Mason. We uncorked a bottle of Five Trail from Coors Whiskey Co. and talked moto, golf, podcasting, and more

This week, I sat down with sommelier Troy Phillips, owner of Battle Born Wine. We drank some Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, and my personal favorite, Frey Ranch.

This week, I sat down with (soon to be) Captain John Wielkie of Central Lyon Fire and talked firefighting, paramedics, barrel racing, and football over some Broke Barrel cask strength Bourbon (which didn't disappoint).

This week, we sat down with Jen Nalder, Program Director for Main Street Gardnerville. We talk small town and zombies over some Traveller.