Making Motivation with Dr. Drill

Denny Franklin grew up in nearby Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He is a former United States Marine, who served in the capacity of Small Arms Repairer/Technician (MOS 2111). In this podcast, Denny shares a bit about his troubled youth - getting expelled from school and tearing up the town in his hot rod. It was the positive influence of his brothers, who were all US Marines, which guided him to sign...

One family's account of a bucket list vacation interrupted by the violence of the October 7 attacks.

In October of 2024, my cousin and I went on a bucket-list journey to the high desert of Utah and Zion National Park. The experience was life-changing. Here is our official debrief, recorded while driving back from a day trip to the Catskills.

The play-by-play of my October 2024 trip to the beautiful, Zion National Park.

I have conducted many podcasts with Devildogs from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 6th Marines. When leadership comes up and I inevitably ask who was among the most influential and squared away individuals, a handful of names come up. Judd Baker is always at the top of the list. During my four year enlistment, I was fortunate to serve among some tremendous individuals but I must concur that then, S...

Jon Martin is a former US Marine and outdoors enthusiast. In this podcast, we discuss the similarities and differences between humping a pack in the Marine Corps and the civilian sector. There is a lot to discuss and we get quite philosophical in this podcast. Over the past several years, Jon has literally stepped up his game, to the point that he hits the trail as often as his schedule permits an...

Alfred Bari is a former Marine infantryman and native of New Hampshire. Bari was a radioman in 3rd platoon, C Company, 1st Bn 6th Marines between 1993-1997. Following honorable discharge, Bari spent 20 years working as a butcher and loved it. He has also been a pro wrestling fan forever and once aspired to join Killer Kowalski's wrestling school but was sidelined by injuries. His wrestling han...

Kris Giuranna is a former active duty Marine Sergeant (2003 - 2012). He served in the primary MOS of 0341, infantry mortarman and security forces. Sgt G deployed to Afghanistan 04-05, Iraq 06, Iraq 07-08: was awarded 2 combat action ribbons and myriad personal and unit citations including Joint Service Commendation Medal and Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Kris and I have discussed the “work...

Karen Carey is an accomplished interior designer, award winning photographer, and published author. She is the owner of Karen Carey Design Studio in Montgomery County PA. Prior to opening the design firm, Karen owned a portrait photography business for 20+ years. She's won several prestigious national photography awards, has been published in numerous magazines, created and launched a greeting...

Patrick McKernan grew up in Norristown, PA. His grandfather, father and uncle were all police officers. His father was also a United States Marine who served in WWII. Upon high school graduation, Pat enlisted in the Marines much to his father's chagrin, as the War in Vietnam was underway. Pat soon shipped down to Parris Island and completed his infantry training and then flew off to Danang, wh...

Joe Daly has served his country and community for 57 years! Born in West Philadelphia, Joe enlisted in the Marine Corps upon high school graduation and was soon on the ground in Vietnam, serving as a machine gunner with Echo Company 2/7. He served two tours in Vietnam, earning a battlefield promotion to Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and a Purple Heart. Upo...

Doug Ross is a Renaissance Man of sorts, boasting a variety of talents. He is a former collegiate wrestler and wrestling coach, teacher and now retiree. But at 76 years of age, the physical strength and spirit this man possesses exceeds that of most people half his age. Doug can perform pullups, pushups, squats and other bodyweight exercises with ease and was recently disciplined for knocking out...

Sgt. Rick Swehla was the Platoon Guide of 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 6th Marines between 1993-1995. He was squared away, stern but fair and the epitome of leadership-by-example - exemplifying the kind of Marine we all wanted to be. Under “Sgt. Swehla’s” leadership, along with SSgt Cobbs and Lt Cooper, our platoon trained our asses off, working up for a deployment to the Mediterran...

Joe McCarthy is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1957 at the age of 16, after being turned away from the Army for being too young. Joe served in 2nd Recon Battalion and later an artillery unit. In this episode of Making Motivation, PFC McCarthy tells his service story, which continues to the present. Semper Fi, Joe!

Making my motivational rounds, I invited West Virginia's, Shawn Gates onto the podcast to catch up on old times and discuss our service in the USMC. Thought it would be a nice touch to surprise Gates with our 1/6 brothers, Robert Nunn and Adron Presley. It was smiles all around, as we reminsiced. We enjoyed a great conversation today, as Gates shared his post-USMC service in the WV Nation Guar...

Rick grew up in Philadelphia native and enlisted in the Air Force, serving in Viet Nam at Phu Cat Air Base. This is his story.

My neighbor, Marcos Gonzalez has been collecting Transformers since the 80's when, as a little boy he stared into the television watching Optimus Prime and Megatron fight it out in an epic battle between good and evil! "Roll out" with us as Marcos gives us a personal tour of his vast collection. It truly is, more than meets the eye! Intro music: Transformers theme

An extraordinary account of a life well-lived, the bond between mother and son and how all the love comes back to us in the end. Rush, Time Stand Still "I turn my back to the windTo catch my breath before I start off againDriven on without a moment to spendTo pass an evening with a drink and a friend I let my skin get too thin I'd like to pause, no matter what I pretend Like some pilgrim...