Whiskey and Warstories

This week, your Hosts Jaime and Ryan sit down with San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson, a man who has carried the immense emotional weight of the criminal justice system for decades. Having been a member of the California State Bar since 1997, Anderson cut his teeth as a deputy district attorney handling some of the most horrific cases imaginable, dedicating 13 years specificall...

This week, your Hosts Jaime and Ryan sit down with Chief Sam Gonzalez, who serves as the 23rd Chief of Police for the City of La Verne. Bringing nearly three decades of law enforcement experience to the table, he has built a career grounded in service, leadership, and a deep commitment to community policing. Before transitioning to a massive agency like the LAPD and eventually spending over 25 yea...

This season, your Hosts Jaime and Ryan sit down with legendary retired homicide detective Gil Carrillo, a trailblazer who broke barriers as the first Latino lieutenant in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau. Carrillo’s career is defined by some of the most high-profile investigations in California history, including the relentless pursuit and ultimate capture of the not...

This week, the boys sit down with Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Joseph Fitzgerald, a Marine Corps veteran turned lawman whose career spans the Marine Corps, the range, and the front lines of California policing. Fitzgerald began his adult life as a machine gunner with 2/4 Marines before earning a spot as a Pig in the Scout Sniper Platoon. After his first enlistment, he stepped a...

This week, the boys sit down with El Monte Police Department Sergeant Gary Gall, a 31‑year veteran who began his career after graduating from the LA County Sheriff’s Academy and spent more than three decades serving the citizens of El Monte. A longtime SWAT operator, range instructor, and frontline supervisor, Gall brings a rare blend of street‑level experience, tactical expertise, and hard‑won pe...

This week, the boys sit down with retired Tustin Police Chief Charles Celano, a 27-year veteran who rose through every rank of the department before retiring early after a life-altering heart condition. A graduate of the FBI National Academy (#258) and now founder of Chief Leadership, Celano brings a rare blend of street-level experience, executive insight, and personal resilience to the conversat...

This week, the boys sit down with Glendale Police Department Deputy Chief Robert William, an FBI National Academy graduate and a lifelong Glendale resident who started as a cadet and built a two-decade career across patrol, Special Enforcement Detail, detective, SWAT, before moving through the ranks earning his current rank of Deputy Chief. Robert shares the night he was shot during a chaotic foot...

This week, the boys sit down with Travis Tibbets, La Verne PD Captain, former West Covina SWAT sniper, and the department’s (West Covina) first second-generation officer, whose career has been shaped by legacy, precision, and the kind of high-stakes moments that leave no room for error. From two successful hostage rescues to training with Blackwater and Ron Avery, Travis opens up about the sniper’...

This week, the boys sit down with Willie Morataya, a Navy veteran, former Pomona PD Officer, and now hospital security director — whose career has been defined by service, split‑second decisions, and the kind of loss that leaves a permanent mark. From surviving two officer‑involved shootings to navigating the aftermath of losing his best friend and partner in blue to suicide, Willie opens up about...

In this deeply reflective episode, the boys sit down with Jason Astorga, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Navy submariner veteran, and founder of Astorga Counseling. As a Filipino immigrant and first-generation college graduate, Jason brings a rare blend of cultural insight, clinical expertise, and personal vulnerability to the conversation. Together, we explore:-The emotional co...

This week, the boys sit down with Jacquelyn Rodriguez, a proud Air Force veteran, Public Affairs Officer, certified leadership coach, and fighter in every sense of the word. Born into a lineage of service, Jacquelyn carries the weight of legacy with grace and grit. From capturing military narratives to coaching leaders and stepping into the ring for Battle of the Badges, her life is a testament to...

This week, the boys sit down with Jose Pila , a combat veteran, scholar, and founder of Warrior Dog Spirit —a man whose journey is stitched together by battle scars, heartbreak, and an unshakable sense of purpose. From surviving war zones to sleeping in his car, Jose opens up about the invisible wounds of PTSD, the bond with his service dog that saved his life, and the grief that nearly broke him...

This week, the boys sit down with retired Pomona Police Homicide Detective Danny Kono , a man whose name carries weight in the halls of justice and the streets he once patrolled. From investigating the tragic death of a Pomona Police Officer to working some of the city’s most high-profile murder cases, Danny shares the raw truth behind the badge—the sleepless nights, the gut-wrenching scenes, and...

This week, the boys sit down with Commander Mario Sergio, a seasoned police leader from São Paulo, Brazil, to dive deep into the realities of policing in one of the world’s most intense environments. From the frontlines of Brazil’s law enforcement, Commander Mario opens up about the unique police culture in Brazil and how it differs from the American system—from training and tactics to public perc...

Season 3 is here — and we’re coming in hot. In this premiere episode, we catch you up on everything that’s been going on behind the scenes, lay out what’s coming for the future of Whiskey and Warstories, and introduce our brand-new co-host, Ryan Rodriguez. We’re talking leadership, purpose, and how we’re leveling up the conversations this season. New energy, same raw truth.

On todays episode, the boys sit down with Chief Fabian Valdez. They go into Chief Valdez upbringing, his extensive background in law enforcement, being a family man while serving his community, and the wins and losses of taking over a police department as a lateral transfer.

On todays episode, the boys sit down with former LAPD officer and host of the IA Capers Podcast, Marlon Marrache. They dive into Marlon’s upbringing, what made him join law enforcement and his very extensive history with LAPD. They take a dive into Marlon’s podcast IA Capers and why he decided to start his own journey with podcasting. Take a listen and get the scoop of the guys behind IA. Thank yo...

On todays episode, the boys sit down with Marine Corps Veteran Marcos Villa. They go into Marcos’ upbringing, being raised in a tough part of town, and why he chose to go into the military. They also talk about Marcos’ struggles in the military, getting out, and learning how to readjust into civilian life. Marcos also speaks on the work he is doing for veterans by joining non-profit organizations...

On today’s episode, the boys sit down with owner/co-founder of Working Dogs for Warriors, Mike Welsh. A non-profit organization that helps to pair veterans/first responders who are suffering from PTSD and mental health issues with service dogs, at no cost to the veteran or first responder. They go into the reasons as to why Mike started this organization with his wife and how service dogs are help...

On today’s episode, the boys sit down with SoCal Police Officer Roxi. They dive into Roxis past, her decisions on becoming a police officer, the trials of being a female police officer and being a strong role model for her children.

On todays episode, they sit down with El Montes Police Chief Jake Fisher. They talk about Chief Fishers upbringing, being raised in the San Gabriel Valley, his choice to become an officer and what it was like being a young cop during a different time in police culture. They also go into the tragic events that shook the El Monte Police Department. First, the tragic passing of 2 officers, Sgt. Micha...

On today’s episode, the boys sit down with Air Force Veteran and retired law enforcement officer Ray Barba. They go into Rays childhood, why he chose the military, and getting into law enforcement. They touch on the terrorist attack that happened in San Bernardino, and Rays steps towards retirement. They go into Ray purchasing Pristine Uniforms and how he serves the first responder community now.

On today’s episode, the boys sit down with Marine Corps Veteran and owner/operator of After Action D’brief, Justin Tyler. They dive into Justin’s upbringing, being raised in a military family, joining the Marines, serving and his life now as a father, husband and business owner. They dive into the struggles of getting out of the military and finding a new purpose once you are out of the military....

On today’s episode, the boys sit down with Barstow PD office Jose Barrientos. They dive into Jose’s upbringing, becoming an officer, his experience going through the academy with Jaime, and a major incident that happened while he was on duty and the after math of the event.

On today’s episode, the boys sit down with former US Army Ranger Sergio Machado. They dive into Sergio’s childhood and how his upbringing paved his path into the military, as well as being a Jiu Jitsu black belt, and law enforcement officer. They go into the evils around the world and within neighborhoods. On how to become resilient through traumas and experience, and not letting those things make...