Urban Valor: the podcast

Meet Billey Dooley — Army veteran, former foster kid, survivor of toxic leadership, fire missions labeled “danger close,” and a system that failed those who needed it most.In this episode of Urban Valor, Billey opens up about nearly being killed by incoming fire, surviving chaos both at war and at home, and the pain of losing a soldier to suicide just hours after a life-altering conversation. From a chaotic childhood in Riverside to jumping out of planes and calling fire missions in Afghanistan, Billey’s story is as gritty as it gets.But this episode isn’t about just survival. It’s about truth. Leadership. And the weight we carry when we make it out, but others don’t.We get into:- A near-death moment during a morning run.- His experience with abusive training environments.- Fire missions that almost killed friendly forces.- How leadership missteps led to a tragic suicide.And what he believes MUST change in military culture.👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation.🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.

His friend took his spot. The convoy was hit. Only one came home.In this Urban Valor episode, Marine Veteran Travis Pinn shares a devastating Iraq War story that changed his life forever. As an 0311 Infantry Rifleman with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, Travis endured some of the war’s most brutal moments—multiple IED attacks, deadly ambushes, and the psychological trauma that followed him home.But the moment that haunts him most? The day a fellow Marine took his place in a convoy... and didn’t make it back.From surviving deadly routes in Iraq to battling PTSD and rebuilding after the war, Travis lays bare the truth of what it means to carry survivor’s guilt and live with invisible wounds.This episode is more than just a war story—it’s an honest look at what thousands of veterans face once the shooting stops.👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation.🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines  #warstories

He quit during Hell Week. Most don’t come back. Jovon Quarles did — and became a Navy SEAL Honor Graduate.Born into chaos in Washington D.C., Jovon grew up with a mom addicted to crack, no father, and violence all around. He became a dad before he graduated high school. Then he joined the Navy — not because he wanted to, but because he had no choice.He found the SEAL Teams by accident. But what followed wasn’t luck — it was pain, failure, and redemption.In this Urban Valor interview, Jovon walks us through:- Quitting his first Hell Week and what it did to his soul- Fighting to go back and earn the Trident- The mindset it takes to finish BUD/S- Real SEAL Team deployments in combat zones- Why he says pain is the path- And how he turned his lowest moment into a missionThis isn’t just a Navy SEAL story. This is what it looks like to lose everything… and choose to fight anyway. If you’re struggling, stuck, or feel like it’s too late — this one’s for you.👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation.🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.Video chapters: 00:00 – Hell Week: the rumor and initiation  01:14 – Jovon Quarles: early life & family background  02:45 – Growing up in DC → move to North Carolina  08:40 – Adolescence, school & teenage fatherhood  10:59 – Football ambition & first drive to join the Navy  13:26 – Family doubts, recruiter pitch, decision to enlist  18:47 – Navy Boot Camp: first impressions  20:36 – Meeting recruits from across the country  30:12 – Qualification test: swim, run, push‑ups — getting in  31:52 – Start of BUD/S: physical & mental grind begins  36:14 – The challenge of Hell Week prep & pressure intensifies  38:28 – Drown‑proofing: confronting fear underwater  40:19 – Mental toughness talk: “pain is the path” mindset  48:58 – Hell Week begins: day one with boats, cold water & chaos  53:36 – Quitting and ringing the bell — admitting defeat  56:52 – Decision to return — commitment to finish what he started  58:14 – Leadership role in second attempt at BUD/S  1:05:09 – Hospitalization & physical collapse — risk of quitting again  1:08:04 – Recovery, walk‑week and finishing BUD/S  1:10:10 – Graduation: Honor Graduate speech & recognition  1:12:13 – Moving onto SQT: real SEAL training begins  1:13:25 – Personal loss: grandmother passes — resolve tested  1:18:25 – Making history: first Black SEAL to graduate BUD/S & SQT as Honor Man  1:19:59 – First SEAL assignment: submarine‑based SEAL delivery team  1:20:22 – Deployments: Special missions & combat in Iraq  1:31:39 – Transition to instructor & recruiting duty — giving back  1:33:26 – Life after SEALs: depression, recovery & new path  1:39:27 – Why Not Me?: book vision & final message  #military #warstories #urbanvalor #navyseal  #warstories

This episode took the air out of the room.Jessica sits down with Urban Valor and walks us through the life most people never see behind the uniform. From a childhood surrounded by chaos and addiction… to stepping into a Marine Corps environment that felt more like danger than brotherhood… to losing herself inside a bottle just trying to cope with the weight of everything she’d carried since childhood.She gets real about the DUI that nearly ended her career, the harassment she endured, the blackmail that pushed her to the edge, and the moment she realized the system that was supposed to protect her was ready to burn her instead.And then — she takes us into the deep end.Her ibogaine journey.The pain.The hallucinations.The emotional rebirth.The moment she met the child version of herself and finally understood why she drank, why she ran, and why she hurt.This might be one of the most important conversations we’ve had with a veteran. Not because it’s dramatic — but because it’s honest.👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation.🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.Video chapters: 00:00 – Entering the Marine Corps & First Warning Signs02:00 – Childhood Trauma: Abuse, Neglect & Survival06:30 – Alcohol in the Marine Corps & Isolation Overseas11:00 – The DUI That Changed Everything15:45 – Harassment, Blackmail & a Broken System22:50 – Getting Demoted & Hitting Rock Bottom Again28:40 – Traveling to Colombia & Rediscovering Life34:00 – MSG Dreams Crushed & Another Setback38:30 – Testing Positive & Preparing for Discharge44:50 – Living in a Bus & Rebuilding Purpose49:00 – Starting Liberisk & Helping Veterans Heal53:00 – Entering Psychedelic Treatment (Ibogaine)55:15 – The Ibogaine Trip: Pain, Darkness & Revelation1:05:00 – Emotional Breakthrough & Rebirth1:12:00 – What She Learned & How It Changed Everything1:18:00 – The Bigger Message for Veterans & Humanity#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines  #warstories

This is the stuff they don’t put in documentaries.Seth Ryan’s first combat mission as an Army Ranger wasn’t just historic — it was horrifying. We’re talking chemical suits, pitch-black raids, gunships in the sky, and digging up decomposed soldiers with their bare hands. This is the real story behind the rescue of POW Jessica Lynch — told by the guy who lived it.And trust me... you’ve never heard it like this like you will on today's Urban Valor Episode!In this episode, Seth walks us through:- Growing up surrounded by drugs, prison-bound relatives, and trauma most kids never see.- The fire that burned down his home — and the weird, defining aftermath.- Getting mentally obliterated in Marine Corps boot camp... and reshaped into something tougher.- Switching to the Army Rangers and becoming a punching bag for hazing because of it.- Living in barracks filled with black mold, spitting blood from pneumonia — and not backing down.- Watching new guys break bones falling off rappel towers, or worse.- His first mission ever — a rescue op no one expected to survive.- Digging into a soccer field by hand to recover the rotting remains of American soldiers.The unspoken toll that moments like that leave behind… and why Rangers carry it alone.If you’re here for real special operations history, raw emotional storytelling, and a side of war that doesn’t make it into the headlines… you’re exactly where you need to be.👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation.🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.Video chapters: 00:00 – Growing Up in Chaos04:20 – Watching His Home Burn Down07:45 – Becoming a Marine13:05 – Marine Corps Boot Camp: Mental Breaking Point20:10 – 9/11 Changes Everything26:55 – Switching to the Army Rangers33:20 – Hazing, Black Mold, and Ranger Regiment Reality40:00 – Training Accidents and Broken Bodies48:00 – Jessica Lynch Rescue Mission Begins55:30 – Breaking Through the Hospital Wall58:00 – Rangers Dig for the Fallen01:03:45 – The Emotional Weight of Recovery01:10:00 – Reflections on Combat and Sacrifice#military #warstories #urbanvalor #usarmy  #warstories