The Vanguard Wall Podcast

The Vanguard Wall Podcast
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The Vanguard Wall Podcast bridges the gap as a fortress of strength and resilience, where modern-day warriors—veterans, law enforcement, and those forged in adversity—share their untold stories of bravery, discipline, mental health, perserverance and personal triumph. Each episode is a shield wall, defending the spirit of honor, courage, and brotherhood that binds warriors across time.

  1. JAN 29

    Ep 28: Special Forces Officer Reveals Why He Chose Seminary Over the Military | Evan Perperis

    Send us a text What does it take to go from a self-described "nerdy drama club kid" to leading Green Beret teams in Iraq? And what kind of man walks away from a 20-year Special Forces career to pursue seminary? This is the story of Major Evan Perperis.Evan spent two decades in the US Army — Ranger School, SEER, Pathfinder, Special Forces Qualification Course, and four combat deployments to Iraq and the Middle East. As a Green Beret team leader with 5th Special Forces Group, he trained elite Iraqi Commandos in the heart of the War on Terror. He earned two Bronze Stars and four Meritorious Service Medals.But that's only half the story.When he wasn't downrange, Evan was running 24-hour obstacle course races, climbing the height of Mount Everest with obstacles for charity (raising over $25,000 for wounded warriors), competing as a professional OCR athlete with 100+ podium finishes, and authoring 10+ books on fitness and combatives.Then he made a decision that shocked everyone: he walked away from the military to become a Greek Orthodox priest.In this conversation, we cover: His childhood and the moment 9/11 changed everything Six months in Ranger School and refusing to quit Leading platoons and ODAs in combat The emotional toll of deployment on family His extreme endurance challenges and athletic career Why he chose Orthodoxy and the priesthood Balancing warrior mentality with faith This is a conversation about sacrifice, perseverance, faith, and what it means to truly live a life of purpose. Follow Evan Perperis: 🌐 Website: www.UltraOCRman.com 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ultraocrman 📸 Instagram: www.Instagram.com/ultraOCRman 💪 Patreon: www.patreon.com/GreekCombatives 📚 Books: www.TeamStrengthSpeed.com 📖 Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Evan-Perperis/author/B07R1R2J4B 🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com Major Evan Perperis served 20 years in the US Army as a Special Forces officer with 5th Special Forces Group, completing Ranger School, SEER, Pathfinder, and the Special Forces Qualification Course. With four combat deployments to Iraq and the Middle East, two Bronze Stars, and four Meritorious Service Medals, Evan led Green Beret teams training elite Iraqi Commandos during the War on Terror. Beyond military service, he competed as a professional obstacle course racer with over 100 podium finishes, authored more than 10 books on fitness and combatives, and raised over $25,000 for wounded warriors through extreme endurance challenges. After two decades of service, Evan made the extraordinary decision to pursue seminary and become a Greek Orthodox priest. This conversation explores his journey from combat to faith, the sacrifices of military life, the emotional toll of deployment on family, and what it means to live a life of true purpose. Follow Evan's journey at www.UltraOCRman.com and find his books at www.TeamStrengthSpeed.com. @TheVanguardWallPodcast

  2. JAN 19

    EP 27: Navy Veteran Opens Up About Depression, Faith & Hollywood | Cody Bobay

    Send us a text 🔥 This is the story Hollywood doesn't want you to hear. Cody Bobay went from being an alcoholic 13-year-old in a broken home to encountering God in a Navy barracks—and his entire life changed in ONE SECOND. Now he's fighting to take back Hollywood one film at a time. From nuclear warfare missions to battling depression, from marriage crisis to standing up against church criticism, from devastating rejection to launching a studio that refuses to bow to Hollywood's agenda—this conversation goes DEEP. If you're struggling with: Pornography addiction Depression or suicidal thoughts Marriage problems Feeling like a failure Finding your purpose Being a better father Fighting for biblical masculinity This episode is for you. 📍 CHAPTERS: 00:00:00 - Introduction: From Broken Home to Warrior 00:15:32 - Age 13: First Drink, Alcoholism & Chasing Acceptance 00:30:45 - The Dark Reality: Cheating, Fighting & Hating Himself 00:46:18 - Rock Bottom: Screaming at God in a Navy Barracks 00:51:03 - The Encounter: How God Changed Everything in One Moment 01:08:47 - Nuclear Warfare: Life on the E-6B Mercury Platform 01:28:15 - SERE School: Breaking His Neck & Cold Water Torture 01:42:33 - Blue Jacket of the Year: God Whispers the Answer 01:54:20 - Meeting His Wife: No Sex Until Marriage After That Past 02:08:44 - Year 7 Crisis: "You're Having an Emotional Affair with Work" 02:22:10 - Why Christian Men Stay Fat & Addicted (The Brutal Truth) 02:38:52 - Writing 700 Devotionals While Fighting Depression 02:51:16 - God's Call to Acting: "Would You Follow Me Into the Ocean?" 03:04:39 - Hollywood Rejection: 10 Final Callbacks, Zero Callbacks Back 03:18:24 - Fighting on Film: Breaking His Neck in the Ogden River 03:29:47 - Pastors Tried to Cancel Him: "You'll Never Speak Without Seminary" 03:44:11 - The Pornography Conversation Church Won't Have 03:58:35 - Raising Kids in Hollywood: Steak & Sex Dates with His Son 04:12:18 - I68 Studios: Taking Back Hollywood Without Asking Permission 04:26:40 - Final Word: Here I Am, Send Me 🎯 FOLLOW Cody Bobby: Instagram: @codybobay Website: www.codybobay.com Soulçon Instagram: @soulconseries Website: www.soulcon.com I68 Studios Instagram: @i68studios Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/I68Studios 🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com #CodyBobay #ChristianMasculinity #HollywoodTransformation #NavyVeteran #SoulConWarrior #BiblicalManhood #MarriageAdvice #Fatherhood #ActionFilms #I68Studios #OvercomingAddiction #MentalHealthRecovery #FaithJourney #MilitaryStories Navy veteran Cody Bobay discusses his military service, personal faith transformation, 19-year marriage, parenting philosophy, and career transitions into writing, speaking, and acting. Topics include military experiences, mental health, masculinity, family relationships, and creative pursuits. Long-form conversation covering service, personal growth, and life purpose. Interview by The Vanguard Wall podcast featuring veterans and their transformation stories. @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    4h 37m

  3. JAN 2

    Ep 26: Breaking Addiction & Building Desert Plunge: Matt Kuiper's Recovery Journey

    Send us a text What do you do when you've lost everything—your family, your future, your will to live? For Matt Kuiper, founder of Desert Plunge, the answer came in the form of 38-degree water. This is the story of a man who went from two DUIs and jail time to building one of the fastest-growing cold plunge companies in America—and how he discovered that our darkest moments can become our greatest purpose. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 4:00 - Early Childhood & Christian Reform Upbringing 15:10 - First Antidepressants at 15 17:20 - First Drink: "I Cannot Wait to Do This Again" 30:50 - First DUI at 16, Second at 21 37:40 - The Day I Almost Died: 220 BPM Heart Rate 47:30 - Green Oaks Ranch: 6-Month Rehab 53:00 - Meeting My Wife in Rehab 1:09:00 - Relapse: Wife Kicks Me Out 1:17:00 - Rock Bottom & 90 Meetings in 90 Days 1:27:00 - Why Marriage is Worth Fighting For 1:37:00 - Becoming an Electrician: The Trades vs College 1:48:00 - 2019 Mental Health Crisis in Ecuador 2:01:00 - Cold Plunge Changed Everything 2:07:00 - Building Desert Plunge from Garage to Business 2:34:00 - Customer Service & Business Philosophy 2:51:00 - Plant Medicine: 5-MEO, Kambo, Ketamine 3:04:00 - Faith, Fatherhood & Breaking Cycles 3:19:00 - SSRIs, Big Pharma & Alternative Medicine 3:27:00 - Final Message: You Can Change Your Story 🎯 FOLLOW Matt Kupier: Instagram: @Matt_Kuiper, @desertplunge Website: https://desertplunge.com/ 🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com #MattKuiper #DesertPlunge #ColdPlungeTherapy #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #SobrietyJourney #EntrepreneurStory #WimHofMethod #RecoveryIsPossible @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    3h 29m

  4. 12/17/2025

    EP 25 Part 2: CIA Operator: The Sacrifices Nobody Talks About | Bob "Ninja" Porras Interview

    Send us a text Bob Porras served 20 years in Delta Force before joining the CIA's Global Response Staff, where he spent another decade protecting intelligence operations in the world's most dangerous places. In this conversation, Bob shares the reality behind the headlines—from the Benghazi aftermath to evacuating the Tripoli embassy in 2014, earning the CIA's highest medal in the process. This interview covers the sacrifices that come with a life in service, the broken training pipelines that put operators at risk, and what it takes to lead teams when failure isn't an option. Bob discusses his transition out of the CIA, why he started teaching tactical skills, and the personal costs of three decades at the tip of the spear. Topics include: CIA Global Response Staff operations, leadership under fire, the Khost Bombings, Benghazi Attacks, faith and family through adversity, and building resilience after service. Content Advisory: This conversation contains discussions of combat operations, wartime casualties, and the psychological toll of sustained operational tempo. Presented in documentary/educational context. 🎯 FOLLOW Bob “Ninja” Porras: Instagram: @Ninjabobsolutions Tik Tok: ninjabobsolutions7 Facebook: Ninjabobsolutions Website: https://ninjabobsolutions This Episode is sponsored by Dr Taylor Bosley 🌐 Fuel Your Momentum and Get started Now → www.precisionwellnessgroup.com  📲 Follow → @precisionwellnessgroup  Because true strength starts from within — and optimal health is the edge you deserve.  🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com #BobPorras #CIA #DeltaForce #SpecialOperations #GRS #Benghazi #MilitaryVeterans #TacticalTraining #LeadershipLessons #WarriorMindset #VeteranPodcast #TheVanguardWall @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    4h 3m

  5. 12/15/2025

    EP 25 Part 1: From Engineer to Delta Force: The Untold Journey Nobody Expected | Bob "Ninja" Porras

    Send us a text Few operators earn the right to walk away from Delta Force on their own terms. Bob "Ninja" Porras did exactly that—after building a legendary career from nothing. This episode covers Bob's journey from Los Angeles to becoming one of Delta Force's most respected operators. Starting as an Army engineer, he battled bureaucracy, survived Panama combat operations, earned his Green Beret, and fought his way into the Unit—the most selective special operations force in the world. Bob shares what Delta selection really tests, the truth about peacetime military life in the 1980s, and the leadership lessons that carried him through two decades of combat rotations. From hostage rescue training to the opening chapters of the War on Terror, this is the story of a warrior who never stopped evolving. Content Advisory: This episode contains discussion of military combat operations, wartime experiences, and deployment stress. All content is presented in historical/educational context. If you're interested in military history, special operations, or leadership under pressure, this conversation delivers truth without the Hollywood filter. 🎯 FOLLOW Bob “Ninja” Porras: Instagram: @Ninjabobsolutions Tik Tok: ninjabobsolutions7 Facebook: Ninjabobsolutions Website: https://ninjabobsolutions This Episode is sponsored by Dr Taylor Bosley Grab your FREE Top 5 from Doctor Bosley PDF here → https://www.precisionwellnessgroup.com/ad-the-vanguard-wall-podcast 🌐 Fuel Your Momentum and Get started Now → www.precisionwellnessgroup.com  📲 Follow → @precisionwellnessgroup  Because true strength starts from within — and optimal health is the edge you deserve.  🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com 🔔 Subscribe for more stories from America's quiet professionals 👍 Like if you want to see Part 2 (CIA GRS career) 💬 Comment your questions for Bob #DeltaForce #SpecialOperations #BobPorras #MilitaryHistory #ArmyRanger #GreenBeret #Panama #DesertStorm #CombatVeteran #Leadership #MilitaryPodcast #TheVanguardWall @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    5h 33m

  6. 11/11/2025

    Ep 24 Part 2: There's People Who Need You That Haven't Met You Yet" - Ranger CSM Michael Burke on His Darkest Day & Recovery

    Send us a text From a 12-year-old kid in Montana wearing hand-me-downs to Command Sergeant Major—this is the story of what happens when you almost lose everything, and the fallen hero who saved you one last time. Command Sergeant Major Michael Burke (Ret.) served 14 deployments, completed 1,000+ combat operations, and rose from struggling private to the top enlisted ranks. But on October 22, 2015, when he learned his mentor MSG Joshua Wheeler was killed in action, everything came crashing down. WHO WAS MSG JOSHUA WHEELER? Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler was a Delta Force operator and Ranger Regiment legend with 11 deployments. On October 22, 2015, he was killed during a hostage rescue in Hawija, Iraq—the first American KIA against ISIS. Wheeler charged enemy positions to protect his team and 70 hostages, earning the Silver Star posthumously. For Burke, Wheeler was the man who believed in him when no one else did. The man who made him feel like he belonged. Because of Josh Wheeler, Burke served 22 more years. When Wheeler died, Burke reached his breaking point. THIS EPISODE: "I don't want to be on this earth anymore"—Burke's darkest momentThe therapy session that broke the dam"I kind of broke my brain"—TBI, trauma, and childhood woundsWhat would Josh do? The question that saved his life"There's people who need you that haven't met you yet""I quit in my mind a million times. Just not today."The Focus Framework: Leading with 3 prioritiesFrom lacking empathy to making it your superpowerVeterans got veterans: Why peer support saves livesMessage to 12-year-old Mike in Montana: "Everything is worth it"⚠️ Recorded on the 10-year anniversary of MSG Wheeler's death. Contains discussion of suicide ideation, PTSD, and trauma. Burke shares to save lives. 🆘 IF YOU'RE IN CRISIS: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call/Text)Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, Press 1🔗 Michael Burke: @mike_s._burke or www.legendsofthe75th.com "There's people that need you that don't even know you yet. You never go on a target alone. This is just a new mission—and we need you." — CSM Michael Burke This interview will save lives. Share it. @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    4h 12m

  7. 11/10/2025

    EP 24 Part 1: I Almost Quit Rangers... Until This Delta Operator Changed Everything | CSM Michael Burke

    Send us a text A 16-year-old mom. No father. A troubled Montana kid who didn't fit anywhere. Three days after graduation, he shipped out to become an Army Ranger—and almost quit before the war even started. Retired Command Sergeant Major Mike Burke takes us inside the pre-9/11 Ranger Regiment—when money was tight, morale was low, and the mission wasn't clear. He shares the brutal truth about toxic leadership, nearly throwing his rifle at his platoon leader, and the moment Delta Force legend Josh Wheeler kicked down his door at 4:30 AM and changed his trajectory forever. From that first chaotic Afghanistan deployment in 2002 to watching the Takur Ghar footage before shipping out, Mike pulls no punches about the fog of early GWOT operations, the Rangers who didn't want war, and what it really took to become the leader who would go on to command thousands across 14 deployments.This is the raw, unfiltered origin story of a warrior who survived bad leadership to become great leadership. 🎙️ Subscribe for untold special operations stories, leadership lessons, and the real cost of 24 years at war. ⚠️ Viewer discretion: Discussions of combat, trauma, profanity, and the realities of military service.#MichaelBurke  🎯 FOLLOW CSM(r) Michael Burke: Instagram @michael_s._burke @legendsofthe75th Website: https://legendsofthe75th.com This Episode is sponsored by Dr Taylor Bosley Grab your FREE Top 5 from Doctor Bosley PDF here → https://www.precisionwellnessgroup.com/ad-the-vanguard-wall-podcast 🌐 Fuel Your Momentum and Get started Now → www.precisionwellnessgroup.com  📲 Follow → @precisionwellnessgroup  Because true strength starts from within — and optimal health is the edge you deserve.  🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    4h 17m

  8. 11/04/2025

    7 of 7 | Kevin Robbins | From Detroit Streets to Green Beret: CSM Robbins Honors MSG Gregory Trent

    Send us a text The Vanguard Wall Podcast Presents: The Quiet Professional - The MSG Gregory Trent Series (Final Episode) In this emotional series finale, Command Sergeant Major Kevin Robbins (ODA 3422) shares his perspective as a member of the sister team that fought alongside MSG Gregory Trent's ODA 3424 during their 2012 deployment to Afghanistan's Herat Province. The Sister Team's Story: While MSG Trent's ODA 3424 conducted Village Stability Operations, Kevin Robbins' ODA 3422 ran Afghan Commando missions from the same area. These two teams from 3rd Special Forces Group weren't just co-located - they were brothers who trained together, laughed together, and ultimately faced the worst day of their lives together. This Final Episode Reveals: 🎖️ The unique perspective from the sister ODA during that fateful July 31, 2012 🎖️ Kevin's journey from Detroit poverty to Special Forces leadership 🎖️ The 24-hour retribution operation - what happens when you attack America's elite 🎖️ Why Greg could "defuse any situation" even during 18-hour training days 🎖️ The crushing weight of continuing the mission for months after loss 🎖️ Kevin's heartbreaking answer: What he'd say if he could sit with Greg one more time Most Powerful Moment: "I couldn't talk about myself. If I had any time with Greg, I'd want to hear everything that he used to say. I don't think I could ever look him in the face and say anything that's prideful to me, knowing that it's something that was taken away from him." - CSM Kevin Robbins The Complete Series Has Featured: Episode 1: Dave Coloumbe ODA 3424  Team Captain Episode 2: Tim Bostion ODA 3424 18C Episode 3: Karl Hoover ODA 3424 Team Sgt and Senior 18D Episode 4: CSM David Waldo, 1st Special Forces Command CSM Episode 5: Dovid Berg ODA 3424 18E Episode 6: Mike Swenson ODA 3424 Tm Warrant Officer Kevin's Final Thoughts on Greg: "He was everything you would expect from a Green Beret... but then there was so much more. A thirst for knowledge, sense of humor, approachable, easy to talk to. He was the guy who could get everybody to lighten up and relax when they were stressed out." MSG Gregory Trent made the ultimate sacrifice on August 8, 2012, succumbing to wounds received while protecting his brothers in Herat Province. His team and their sister ODA stayed in country until November, carrying his memory through every mission. This series celebrates not just how warriors die, but how they lived. 🎗️ Forever Remember: MSG Gregory Trent's legacy lives on through his daughter, his widow Beth, and every Green Beret who carries his example forward. ⏰ Watch the Complete Series: The Vanguard Wall Podcast has brought together the men of ODA 3424 and 3422 to ensure Greg's story - and the story of all quiet professionals - is never forgotten. This concludes The Quiet Professional: The MSG Gregory Trent Series. Thank you to all the warriors who shared their stories to honor their fallen brother. This Episode is sponsored by  Alpha Country Training + Nutrition Click the link for 20% off https://thealphacountry.com/discount/Vanguard20 Or Use Code Vanguard20  Instagram @alphacountrytrainingnutrition Titan SARMS https://www.titansarms.com/?via=vanguard10 Click the link for 10% off Or Use Code Vandguard10 Instagram @titan_performance_llc The Vanguard Wall Podcast Info Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    1h 43m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

The Vanguard Wall Podcast bridges the gap as a fortress of strength and resilience, where modern-day warriors—veterans, law enforcement, and those forged in adversity—share their untold stories of bravery, discipline, mental health, perserverance and personal triumph. Each episode is a shield wall, defending the spirit of honor, courage, and brotherhood that binds warriors across time.

Information

  • Creator
    The Vanguard Wall Podcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Vanguard Wall Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Vanguard Wall Podcast

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