Semper Try

sempertrypodcast

Hosted by Marine veteran Bill Lowe, Semper Try celebrates the people who never quit — the veterans, volunteers, coaches, and everyday people who keep showing up when it matters most. Through honest conversations, laughter, and a few lessons learned the hard way, Bill shares stories of service, community, and good old-fashioned effort. Because trying beats quitting — every time.

  1. 5 天前 ·  影片

    029 P1: Stolen Childhood: Heinz Langbein's Journey into Hitler's Army

    At just 13 years old, Heinz Langbein was taken from his parents by the Nazi regime. What began as a promise of safety from Allied bombing quickly became a systematic effort to turn German boys into soldiers. Indoctrinated through the Hitler Youth, separated from his family, forced to endure starvation, and trained for war, Heinz watched his childhood disappear one day at a time. In Part 1 of this unforgettable conversation, author Heidi Langbein-Allen shares the incredible true story of her father's journey from an ordinary German schoolboy to a 14-year-old child soldier during the final months of World War II. This isn't a story about politics. It's a story about what war does to children. As America celebrates 250 years of freedom, stories like Heinz's remind us why freedom is precious—and why history must never be forgotten. Heidi's book, Save the Last Bullet: Memoir of a Boy Soldier in Hitler's Army, tells the complete story and is available here: 📖 Official Author Website: HeidiLangbeinAuthor.com 📚 Order the Book: Save the Last Bullet – Pen & Sword Military Thank you to the Brainerd American Legion Post 255 for supporting the Semper Try Podcast and helping preserve stories that deserve to be remembered. Because everyone has a story. Because Trying Beats Quitting.

    30 分鐘

  2. 6月22日 ·  影片

    028 P3: Service Over Self: John Pietruszewski: The Mission Continues

    n Part 3 of our conversation with John Pietruszewski, we explore a side of service that often goes unnoticed the service that continues long after the military career ends. From earning the Green Beret to mentoring young people through Scouting, coaching youth sports, serving in the American Legion, and honoring veterans through the Color Guard, John shares how purpose, leadership, and commitment don't end when the uniform comes off. This episode is about giving back, building future leaders, supporting fellow veterans, and answering the call to serve in new ways throughout life. Because the mission doesn't end at retirement. It continues. Topics include: 🇺🇸 Special Forces lessons that carried into civilian life 🇺🇸 Coaching and mentoring the next generation 🇺🇸 Boy Scouts and developing future leaders 🇺🇸 The American Legion and veteran service organizations 🇺🇸 Color Guard and military funeral honors 🇺🇸 Veteran pride, purpose, and continued service 🇺🇸 Why "Service Over Self" still matters today Because Trying Beats Quitting. #SemperTryPodcast #JohnPietruszewski #ServiceOverSelf #Veterans #AmericanLegion #ColorGuard #Scouting #Leadership #GreenBeret #VeteranStories #BecauseTryingBeatsQuitting #BrainerdMN #VeteransHelpingVeterans #TheMissionContinues

    31 分鐘

  3. 6月15日 ·  影片

    028 P2: John Pietruszewski: Almost a Golden Knight, Service Beyond the Uniform

    In Part 2 of my conversation with John Pietruszewski, we continue his incredible journey from Green Beret to community leader. John takes us inside life at Fort Bragg, shares what day-to-day service in Special Forces was really like, and tells the story of earning a chance to try out for the Army's elite Golden Knights parachute team. Competing for just five spots, John completed 50 jumps during the selection process and came remarkably close to making the team. But as John reflects, not every dream ends with selection. After active duty, he continued serving through the National Guard, built a successful engineering career, and eventually found a new mission through the American Legion, Honor Guard, and Color Guard. Today, he helps honor veterans, support military families, and ensure the stories of those who served are never forgotten. This episode is a powerful reminder that while the uniform may come off, the commitment to service can last a lifetime. Because Trying Beats Quitting.

    30 分鐘

  4. 6月8日 ·  影片

    028 P1: Draft # 26 and a Dream of the Green Beret: John Pietruszewski

    In 1971, John Pietruszewski faced a reality many young Americans knew all too well—the Vietnam draft. With a draft number of 26, he knew his chances of being called were high. Rather than wait, John made a decision that would change the course of his life: he enlisted in the Army with one goal in mind—earning the Green Beret. In Part 1 of this conversation, John shares his journey from growing up in Northeast Minneapolis to Basic Training at Fort Knox, Infantry School at Fort Ord, Airborne School at Fort Benning, and eventually the path that led him to Special Forces. Along the way, he talks about military life in the early 1970s, jump school, drill sergeants, KP duty, and the determination it took to chase a dream that few ever achieve. This is the beginning of an incredible story of service, perseverance, and a young man who refused to leave his future to chance. Semper Try Podcast Because Trying Beats Quitting. #SemperTry #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #ArmyVeteran #VietnamEra #Airborne #MilitaryHistory #VeteranStories #BecauseTryingBeatsQuitting #Podcast

    28 分鐘

  5. 6月1日 ·  影片

    027: A Voicemail Changed My Life Navy Veteran Julie Becker | USS Porter DDG-78

    At 19 years old, Julie Becker returned home from a trip to Mexico and found a voicemail waiting for her. It was from a Navy recruiter. What started as a simple phone call led Julie from Phoenix, Arizona, to boot camp in Great Lakes, intelligence training in Pensacola, and eventually aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG-78) as a Cryptologic Technician and plank owner. In this episode of Semper Try, Julie shares stories from life at sea, intelligence operations, counter-drug missions, the aftermath of the USS Cole attack, and what it was like serving in the Navy during the events surrounding 9/11. She also reflects on the friendships, challenges, and unexpected moments that shaped her military career. Today, Julie owns Better Days Acupuncture in Brainerd, Minnesota, where she helps people heal from pain, trauma, stress, and the challenges life throws their way. This conversation is filled with humor, military history, life lessons, and a reminder that sometimes one small decision can change the entire course of your life. And yes, you'll hear the story of how a handsome Navy recruiter and a voicemail helped launch it all.

    37 分鐘

  6. 5月25日 ·  影片

    026 P2: Source to Sea | More Stories with Ray Reynoso: US ARMY

    In Episode 026 Part 2 of the Semper Try Podcast, Bill Lowe continues walking and talking with Army veteran Ray Reynoso somewhere along the back roads of Minnesota as Ray hikes the entire Mississippi River Trail from source to sea. This episode is raw and real. The camera mount failed, the audio cuts out at times, traffic flies by, and nothing about it feels polished — but honestly, that’s what makes this one special. It’s two veterans sharing stories while walking down the road. Ray talks about his deployment to Iraq, injuries suffered during a rocket attack, life after the military, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail, setting world records, and turning outdoor adventure into a career. He also shares why he raises money for organizations like Team Rubicon and Hike for Mental Health. Along the way, the conversation turns into something bigger — purpose after service, mental toughness, travel, adventure, and learning how to keep moving forward one step at a time. Follow Ray and his journey at “Geared Up Adventures” on social media and support his fundraiser for Team Rubicon. This is Semper Try Podcast. Because trying beats quitting.

    39 分鐘

  7. 5月18日 ·  影片

    026 P1: Is Ray Reynoso Attempting a World Record?

    Episode 26 Part 1 of the Semper Try Podcast is unlike anything we’ve done before. At 7:00 AM on Saturday morning, May 16th, I caught up with Army veteran Ray Reynoso in North Prairie, Minnesota, where he had spent the night tenting behind a church along the Mississippi River Trail Road. Ray is currently attempting to walk the entire Mississippi River Trail from source to sea — over 2,400 miles — largely unsupported while raising money and awareness for Team Rubicon. No support vehicle. No crew following behind him. Most nights sleeping in a tent. Just Ray, his gear, and the road ahead. For this episode, I joined Ray and walked roughly 7 miles with him between Little Falls and Sartell, Minnesota while recording this podcast on the move. Along the way we talked about: • Growing up poor and joining the Army • Watching 9/11 happen in high school • Why he almost joined the Marines • Korea, Iraq, and Army life • Being recalled out of the IRR after already getting out • Team Rubicon and helping veterans continue serving after the military • What it’s really like walking thousands of miles alone Because we were actively walking during the recording, there are a few shaky camera moments, changing audio levels, and some signal issues throughout the episode — but honestly, that’s part of the experience. This is the real journey. Part 2 releases next week. Semper Try — Because Trying Beats Quitting. #GearedUpAdventures

    29 分鐘

  8. 5月11日 ·  影片

    025 P2:Two veterans. Two microphones. No script needed: Steve Mills USN

    What started as a podcast interview turned into one of those conversations veterans know well — the kind where one story triggers another, then another, and suddenly you’re talking about fighter jets, aircraft carriers, PTSD, teamwork, terrible military flights, stolen couches in squadron spaces, and the moments that stick with you 20 years later. Marine Corps aviation maintainer Bill sits down with Navy Chaplain Steve Mills for a conversation that’s funny, honest, raw at times, and packed with stories from military life most people never hear. From F/A-18 afterburners and C-130 drops… to hospice care, veteran healing, and why simply reaching out to one person matters more than most people realize. Because sometimes the best conversations happen after the “official interview” is already over.

    32 分鐘
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簡介

Hosted by Marine veteran Bill Lowe, Semper Try celebrates the people who never quit — the veterans, volunteers, coaches, and everyday people who keep showing up when it matters most. Through honest conversations, laughter, and a few lessons learned the hard way, Bill shares stories of service, community, and good old-fashioned effort. Because trying beats quitting — every time.

資訊

  • 創作者
    sempertrypodcast
  • 活躍年代
    2025年 - 2026年
  • 集數
    42
  • 年齡分級
    兒少不宜
  • 版權
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • 節目網站
    Semper Try