DTD PODCAST

DJ KELLY

My name is Dustin Kelly, but everybody calls me DJ. I am former Army, serving as both a Forward Observer and a Military Police Officer. I have spent the last 16.5 years as a Police Officer and Detective in a large metropolitan Police Department. Throughout my career I have learned two things. 1. Everybody has a story to tell, and 2. The Best Stories Are True. This is the DTD Podcast.

  1. NOV 27

    Episode 217: From "Wookie" to Guardian: Green Beret Travis Wilson on Loss, Ego, and Healing the Brain

    What happens when the legend of “Wookie”—the 6’3” Green Beret who outworks everyone, jumps out of planes for fun, and lives hard on and off the battlefield—collides with reality, loss, and a broken body? In this episode, Travis “Wookie” Wilson sits down with DJ to unpack a 21-year Army career, including 13 years in Special Forces, and the moments that nearly destroyed him—and then remade him.We walk through:-Growing up the son of an Air Force pararescueman and an Air Force nurse-Being immature, selfish, and ego-driven as a young soldier “playing GI Joe” around the world-The death of his infant son and the collapse of his first marriage—and how he didn’t show up for her the way he now wishes he had-Choosing the enlisted Green Beret path and finding real brotherhood on an ODA-The firefight where a teammate was shot in the chest and Travis, an 18E—not a medic—slid in under fire and saved his life while doubting every move-The free-fall accident that broke his back, rattled his brain, and quietly pulled the pin on his identity-A divorce that left him staring down a shotgun, calling himself a “piece of shit” in the mirror, and wondering if it would be easier to end it-Wrestling with faith, ego, and Mr. Hyde—the guy who destroys everything while the hero part of you goes to war and plays guardian-How brain treatment, stem cells, and deliberate work on himself turned his stutter, tremor, anger, and shame into empathy, purpose, and a new mission-Why he believes some guys don’t ask for help—they just “ride the lightning”—and what he’s doing to stop that Today, Travis is:-Founder of Alpha Elite Performance (health, fitness, performance)-Founder of Project Recon, a nonprofit focused on regenerative healing, stem cells, and brain health for SOF and first responders-A man who openly calls himself a “different guy” than the ego-driven Wookie his mom once overheard girls talking about in the standsThis is a conversation about maturity, loss, faith, and becoming a guardian instead of a wrecking ball—for your team, your family, and yourself.Connect with Travis WilsonProject Recon: https://projectrecon.orgAlpha Elite Performance: https://alphaeliteperformance.comInstagram – Travis: @traviswilsongreenberetInstagram – Project Recon: @projectreconConnect with DJ & the DTD PodcastWebsite (One Stop Shop): https://dtdpodcast.netYouTube: Dynamic Tales Delivered Podcast – The DTD PodcastInstagram: @thedtd_podcastFacebook: The DTD PodcastPresented by Nomadic ResearchBig thanks to Hoot and the team at Nomadic Research. If you want to look squared away—from packs and travel gear to hats, shirts, and hoodies—check out: https://nomadicresearch.com Tell them DTD sent you.

    1h 51m
  2. OCT 24

    Episode 216: Byron Russell "From CIF Hits to Startup Grit"

    Byron Russell didn’t run from hard things—he ran toward them. Abused childhood. Infantry to Special Forces CIF in 5th Group. Afghanistan’s invasion, Iraq’s hardest nights, and the moral calculus of war. Then the toughest chapter: coming home, grieving, and unlearning the habits of combat to become a better dad, husband, and builder. Today he leads Black Armor Guns and Greybeard Syndicate, teaches drone defense and land navigation, and shares the lessons that kept him alive—and honest.We talk selection mindset and why Green Berets are teachers first, hearts and minds versus ideology, contractor friction, regret and family, starting a sub-MOA rifle company, and why staying busy is survival.Watch, share, and drop your takeaway in the comments. Your story might help someone else write their second chapter. Find ByronBlack Armor Guns site: blackarmorguns.us Instagram: black_armor_ Greybeard Syndicate YouTube Find DTD PodcastYouTube: Dynamic Tales Delivered Site: DTDpodcast.net Instagram: dtd_podcast Partner shout NomadicResearch.com — travel tough, live ready 00:00 Intro 03:44 Why he joined and escaping abuse 07:17 Finding the first real male role models 14:01 80s and 90s Army vs GWOT pivot 21:46 Green Berets are teachers first 26:09 The image from Afghanistan he can’t forget 33:59 Taliban control and ideology 44:34 Iraq reality and DA tempo 51:55 Coming home and choosing family 55:10 Civilian work and transition pain 1:30:11 Building Black Armor Guns and standards 1:42:41 Greybeard Syndicate and community 1:50:33 Stay busy or die inside 1:52:01 Advice to his 18-year-old self 1:55:24 Proudest moment and legacy 1:57:29 Where to find Byron #Veterans #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #GWOT #Afghanistan #IraqWar #DirectAction #Leadership #Transition #Entrepreneurship #Firearms #PrecisionRifle #SubMOA #DroneDefense #LandNav #GreybeardSyndicate #BlackArmorGuns #Resilience #MentalHealth #Family #Podcast #DTDpodcast #NomadicResearch #soft

    2h 3m
  3. SEP 4

    Episode 211: From Green Beret to Medical Retirement | Nicholas Allen’s Story of Resilience

    Nicholas Allen’s journey from aspiring Green Beret to navigating medical retirement is a story of resilience, sacrifice, and rebuilding life after the military. From the grueling challenges of Special Forces training to the lasting impact of traumatic brain injury, Nicholas shares the raw truth about military service, mental health, and finding purpose beyond the battlefield. 👉 In this episode:What it takes to be a Green Beret The realities of Special Forces training Overcoming traumatic brain injuryLife after medical retirement Finding purpose and leaving a legacy 00:00 The Journey of a Green Beret 06:14 The Drive to Serve 12:56 The Reality of Military Training 18:36 The Selection Process 22:31 The Transition from Military to Civilian Life 39:36 Navigating Memory and Trust 44:42 Transitioning to the Dive Team 50:20 Facing Fears in the Water 56:31 The Impact of Injuries 01:01:27 Coping with Medical Retirement 01:10:20 Lasting Effects of Head Injuries 01:18:31 Finding Purpose Beyond the Military 01:21:16 Embodying Identity and Purpose 01:24:29 The Pursuit of Contentment 01:27:17 Navigating Negativity in Social Media 01:30:20 Transformative Life Changes 01:36:39 Finding Purpose Through Service 01:42:29 The Impact of Loss and Legacy 01:49:12 Creating a Lasting Legacy 01:52:27 Embracing Uncertainty and Opportunity 📌 Full episodes & behind the scenes: DTDpodcast.net🔔 Subscribe for more veteran stories: YouTube.com/@DynamicTalesDelivered 🎙️ The Best Stories Are True | Dynamic Tales DeliveredCheck out our sponsors:🔗 Nomadic Research | 🔗 Hatchet Brewing 👉 Stay connected—subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform & hit the 🔔 so you never miss an episode! 🎥 Full interviews & exclusive behind-the-scenes: dtdpodcast.net📲 Follow us for updates, sneak peeks & more: Facebook LinkTree Instagram 💬 We want to hear from you—drop your thoughts in the comments, share your own story, and let us know who you’d like to see featured next! Your voice helps shape the conversation.

    1h 56m
  4. AUG 29

    Episode 210: Ivan F. Ingraham "MARSOC RAIDER"

    In this conversation, Ivan Ingraham shares his journey from a military upbringing to becoming a Marine Raider, reflecting on the emotional weight of service, the impact of 9/11, and the complexities of war. He discusses the evolution of MARSOC, the challenges faced in combat, and the lessons learned from his experiences in Afghanistan. Ivan emphasizes the sacrifices made by service members and the importance of understanding the realities of military service. In this conversation, Ivan F. Ingraham shares his experiences and insights from his time in combat and leadership roles within the military. He discusses the psychological toll of combat, the importance of treating each mission with seriousness, and the challenges of making quick decisions under pressure. Ingraham reflects on the emotional aftermath of losing comrades, the complexities of military leadership, and the need for authentic conversations about mental health and veteran suicide. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the sacrifices made by service members and the necessity of open dialogue to combat feelings of isolation and despair. 00:00 The Journey Begins: A Marine's Calling 12:51 Training and Transformation: The Making of a Leader 16:28 9/11: A Turning Point in Military Commitment 21:49 The Long War: Expectations vs. Reality 26:50 Defining Victory: The Challenge of Unclear Goals 31:25 Reflections on Service: Sacrifice and Meaning 36:13 The Burden of Service: Reflections on Military Commitment 39:11 Understanding the Global Military Presence 42:43 Cultural Challenges in Military Engagements 48:22 The Evolution of MARSOC: From Concept to Reality 01:02:33 First Combat Experiences: The Reality of War 01:13:21 The Surreal Nature of Combat Experiences 01:15:07 Maintaining Humanity in Warfare 01:17:27 The Weight of Leadership Decisions 01:20:09 The Burden of Command Scrutiny 01:22:34 Feeling Helpless in Complex Situations 01:25:50 Integrity in Leadership and Accountability 01:28:50 Careerism vs. Genuine Leadership 01:30:32 The Challenge of Leadership in Combat 01:33:30 Dealing with Loss and Grief as a Leader 01:35:36 The Impact of Combat Casualties 01:40:06 Channeling Emotions in Combat 01:41:55 The Futility of War and Its Aftermath 01:47:22 Reflections on Decision-Making and Responsibility 01:50:56 The Impact of Writing on Personal Experience 01:53:28 Exploring Veteran Suicide and Mental Health 02:00:10 The Need for Authentic Conversations 02:02:28 Veterans' Advocacy and Acknowledgment 02:06:08 Navigating Criticism in Writing 02:12:07 The Importance of Deep Discussions

    2h 17m
4.9
out of 5
51 Ratings

About

My name is Dustin Kelly, but everybody calls me DJ. I am former Army, serving as both a Forward Observer and a Military Police Officer. I have spent the last 16.5 years as a Police Officer and Detective in a large metropolitan Police Department. Throughout my career I have learned two things. 1. Everybody has a story to tell, and 2. The Best Stories Are True. This is the DTD Podcast.

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