Bourbon and Ballistics

Joel Potter

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP
UPDATED MONTHLY

Here, we discuss whiskey and firearms, along with business, entrepreneurship, and family life. New episodes every other week, with special guests that also enjoy the finer things in life. Sit back, relax, and pour yourself a glass... Let's talk some Bourbon and Ballistics...

MAR 31

Tahoe Douglas Fire - Brandon Brady

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 lives are on the line, and the moments that stay with you long after the call is over. But behind the badge is a man balancing more than just the job. We talk about fatherhood, the transition from chaos to home life, and what it takes to be present for your family after carrying the weight of the day. We also get into Jiu Jitsu and the role it plays in building discipline, humility, and control under pressure—lessons that translate directly from the mat to the fire scene. Over a glass of Responder Bourbon, we take a moment to recognize something bigger than the drink itself—a mission rooted in honoring those who serve, supporting the first responder community, and bringing people together through shared experience and respect. This episode is about more than fire, more than bourbon, and more than titles. It’s about responsibility, identity, and showing up... no matter the cost. 🥃 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: * The real role of a Battalion Chief on scene * Leadership under pressure and decision-making in chaos * The unseen mental and emotional weight of the job * Fatherhood and finding balance after the shift ends * How Jiu Jitsu sharpens discipline and composure * The meaning behind Responder Bourbon and supporting those who serve If you respect first responders, leadership, and real conversations... this one’s for you.

1h 26m
MAR 9

Devil's Due Distillery - Wylie McDade

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 bourbon to explore: • Leadership in small business when markets tighten • The realities of entrepreneurship without a safety net • Lessons learned from military service and technical careers • Navigating a cooling whiskey market with discipline and patience • Building a family-driven brand rooted in Appalachian community Devil’s Due isn’t just a distillery—it’s a case study in earned success, long-term thinking, and paying the price to do things right. If you care about entrepreneurship, leadership, veterans in business, or the real story behind craft whiskey, this episode is for you. Pour a glass and join the conversation.

1h 23m
FEB 7

Base Firearms - Ira Labarge

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 a Patrol Sergeant, Field Training Officer, Range Officer, Firearms Instructor, School Resource Officer, and SWAT operator. Now, as the lead firearms instructor at BASE Firearms and Training, Ira focuses on responsible civilian firearms education built on real-world experience. He is an NRA Law Enforcement pistol and carbine instructor, has completed active shooter response training through the Alice Institute, and is also the owner and president of Bullseye USA Inc. This episode explores firearms responsibility, leadership under pressure, civilian preparedness, and the mindset required to train with purpose—without fear-mongering or hype.

1h 28m
JAN 24

GolfCask - Brian Bailie

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 collegiate coaching experience and a career now working with elite players, Brian shares why most golfers chase the wrong things, how the short game and mental discipline actually lower scores, and why rituals like bourbon and cigars still matter — even when they aren’t part of the moment. We also dive into what GolfCask really is: a community-driven platform blending golf, whiskey, cigars, travel, and storytelling through magazines, podcasts, video content, Whiskey Trails, and the 19th Hole forum. This episode is about feel over force, process over power, and the shots that matter most — on the course and in life. 🔗 Explore more at GolfCask.com

50 min
JAN 12

Paramount Defense - Jason Tingle

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 down family-first home defense, including preparedness, safe storage, and training with children in mind. 🥃 Bottle of the Episode: 4547 Freedom Edition Whiskey, a bold American whiskey that reflects the values of freedom, responsibility, and heritage discussed throughout the episode. This Season 4 premiere sets the foundation for what’s ahead: purpose, discipline, and doing things the right way. 🥃🇺🇸

1h 36m
12/09/2025

Douglas County Rodeo - Justin Schlag

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’s world. From the dirt of the arena to the heart of country music, this conversation is all about authenticity, leadership, and the passion behind the Golden West. You’ll hear: • The origin of the Douglas County Rodeo • How the Rowdy Revival Tour supports local artists • The realities of event promotion in the West • Leadership lessons from the rodeo & music world • What it means to build something for your community Perfect for fans of rodeo, country music, Western culture, and grassroots entrepreneurship.

1h 53m
11/09/2025

Birthday & Veterans Day Special | Bourbon & Ballistics Podcast

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 dives deep into healing, leadership, and carrying the fire long after the fight is over. We’re pouring Koʻolau Distillery’s Old Pali Road Bourbon — a whiskey crafted by Marine veterans Eric Dill and Ian Brooks, who traded combat boots for barrels and built a distillery rooted in purpose, craftsmanship, and Aloha. November is a time for gratitude — for our freedom, our families, and the warriors who protect both. This episode is our toast to them. 🥃 Raise one with us. Celebrate the Corps. Honor the fallen. Support the living. 🎧 Bourbon & Ballistics — where the pour and the people both tell a story. #MarineCorps #USMC250 #VeteransDay #BourbonAndBallistics #KoOlauDistillery #OldPaliRoad #WhiskeyPodcast #VeteranStories #SemperFi #WhiskeyCulture #MilitaryPodcast #Brotherhood

1h 59m
10/23/2025

The Edge of Chaos - R.F. Morton

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 bourbon, storytelling, and straight talk. If you appreciate authenticity, craftsmanship, and a conversation worth sipping on — this one’s for you.

1h 27m

Here, we discuss whiskey and firearms, along with business, entrepreneurship, and family life. New episodes every other week, with special guests that also enjoy the finer things in life. Sit back, relax, and pour yourself a glass... Let's talk some Bourbon and Ballistics...

Creator

Joel Potter
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

33
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Joel Potter
Show Website

Bourbon and Ballistics