The Afterburn Podcast

John "Rain" Waters
  • 4.9 (904)
  • AVIATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Afterburn Podcast
"THERE I WAS..." STORIES

Exclusive "There I was stories..." from guests.

$4.99/mo or $49.99/yr after trial

Strap in the cockpit as we dive into the stories of the men and women who defend the freedoms we love. From the cockpit of military jets to boots on the ground. The Afterburn Podcast dives into their stories, the planes, and the missions. For Advertising Opportunities or more information visit: https://theafterburnpodcast.com/

  1. F-18 Journey Through TopGun and Beyond | Ep 135 Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello

    JUN 6

    F-18 Journey Through TopGun and Beyond | Ep 135 Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello

    In this episode of the Afterburn Podcast, host John “Rain” Waters sits down with Vincent “Jell-O” Aiello, former Navy fighter pilot and host of the  @FighterPilotPodcast  for a deep dive into the highs and hardships of naval aviation. From his first spark of inspiration at an airshow to flying over 700 successful carrier landings, Jell-O shares a candid and compelling journey through the world of military flight. They discuss the grit required to survive flight school, the evolution of airmanship and training, and the life-changing experience of attending Top Gun. J Jell-O recounts intense moments from deployments aboard the USS George Washington and John F. Kennedy, reflects on the emotional toll of military service, and gives insight into his time flying as an adversary pilot in the F-16. He also opens up about his book, Through the Yellow Visor, and how storytelling plays a crucial role in honoring those who serve. This episode is rich with wisdom on perseverance, mentorship, and what it truly means to be a fighter pilot.  Through the Yellow Visor: https://amzn.to/4jaAfc6  Get a signed copy: https://www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/product-page/through-the-yellow-visor 🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 : http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫 🔺 Aviation & Defense Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 ✈ Your Pilot Destination E3 Aviation Association: https://bit.ly/E3Aviation Become a Patron, Support the Show, & Gain Exclusive Benefits: https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcast Sponsors: 💉Take Control of Your Health with Whole Body Lab Testing: https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn 🩺 🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial

    1h 18m
  2. "There I was..." with "Jell-O"

    JUN 2 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    "There I was..." with "Jell-O"

    "There I was..." is a special segment where guests share unique, untold stories—moments you'd only hear in a squadron bar. Now available on Patreon, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and BogiDope Members, this exclusive Afterburn Podcast series delivers unparalleled insights into military aviation. https://www.patreon.com/theafterburnpodcast⁠ | http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast In this episode, "Jell-O" describes one of the many joys of landing on a boat.

    14 min
  3. #134 Vince "Snapper" Sherer | A-10 Fighter Pilot - Inside Close Air Support and Combat Operations

    MAY 23

    #134 Vince "Snapper" Sherer | A-10 Fighter Pilot - Inside Close Air Support and Combat Operations

    In this episode of the Afterburn Podcast, John “Rain” Waters is joined by Vince “Snapper” Sherer, a veteran A-10 pilot with 4,500 flight hours and 299 combat missions. Snapper breaks down his path from the Air Force Academy to deployments across Afghanistan flying the A-10A and A-10C, including time in the MC-12. He details the evolution of close air support, the integration of targeting pods, and the challenges of executing time-sensitive strikes in complex environments. Snapper also shares how personal events—including his brother’s career-ending accident and a high-casualty strike on a high-value target—shaped his approach to combat and leadership. The discussion covers training, weapons employment, A-10 capabilities, and the operational realities of supporting ground forces across multiple conflicts. Snapper YT: https://www.youtube.com/@snapperland Snapper IG: https://www.instagram.com/snapperland 🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 : http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫 🔺 Aviation & Defense Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 ✈ Your Pilot Destination E3 Aviation Association: https://bit.ly/E3Aviation Become a Patron, Support the Show, & Gain Exclusive Benefits: https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcast Sponsors: 💉Take Control of Your Health with Whole Body Lab Testing: https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn 🩺 🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial

    1h 34m
  4. Dos Gringos is Back! Live Concert 7 June 2025

    MAY 7 · BONUS

    Dos Gringos is Back! Live Concert 7 June 2025

    Before Netflix made their documentary, Dos Gringos captured the true spirit of the USAF Thunderbirds. Born in the trenches of a fighter squadron and fueled by the finest Jeremiah Weed, Dos Gringos turned the fighter pilot life into a soundtrack—raw, irreverent, and unapologetically real. On June 7th, "Trip" and "Snooze" reunite for a one-night-only gig that’ll rock your socks off in support of the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. They'll reflect on the wild ride that made their music legendary in ready rooms across the globe. The Event: DosGringosDenver.Com Listen to Dos Gringos on Spotify: Spotify Link FlyteCo Brewing Tennyson: Flyteco Tower Trip’s Spirits: Winglore Spirits Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 5:00–8:00 PM Location: FlyteCo Tower Brewery, 3120 Uinta St, Denver, CO 80238 (Note: Event is at an offsite location) What's going down: Dos Gringos, the iconic Fighter Pilot Band, is storming FlyteCo Tower to rock out and fuel a mission that’s as high-octane as their music: hauling a Thunderbirds F-16—painted in that classic red-white-and-blue—across state lines to land at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. This isn’t just a concert—it’s a full-throttle push to ship a 30,000-pound jet from Texas to Denver. Tickets: • $100 GA: Rock with Dos Gringos & help get the F-16 on its way. Open seating. • $250 VIP: Tower-top tour** + band meet-up + VIP seating overlooking the action + premium Winglore Spirits tasting. 🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 : http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫 🔺 Aviation & Defense Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 ✈ Your Pilot Destination E3 Aviation Association: https://bit.ly/E3Aviation Become a Patron, Support the Show, & Gain Exclusive Benefits: https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcast Sponsors: 💉Take Control of Your Health with Whole Body Lab Testing: https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn 🩺 🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial

    14 min
  5. #133 Trent “Teddy” Meisel | F-16 Fighter Pilot

    APR 27

    #133 Trent “Teddy” Meisel | F-16 Fighter Pilot

    In Episode 133, John “Rain” Waters sits down with F-16 pilot Trent “Teddy” Meisel for a gripping and emotional conversation. Teddy walks us through his journey from small-town Oklahoma to the cockpit of the Viper, including a traumatic ejection over South Korea that nearly cost him his life. "Teddy" is also the founder of  @4th_GenHuntingCo  This episode dives into the moment-by-moment chaos of that day in May 2023, when a systems failure during a combat exercise forced him to make the ultimate call—pulling the ejection handle. Teddy reflects on what went wrong, how his training kicked in, and what it’s like to come back from an ejection both physically and mentally.  Rain and Teddy also discuss the realities of Total Force Integration, life in a Guard unit, and the camaraderie forged through the crucible of flying fighters. Plus, hear how Teddy founded 4th Gen Hunting Co. and how the outdoors became part of his recovery journey. This is more than a story of survival—it’s a deep dive into resilience, pilot culture, and the unforgiving nature of modern air combat. 4th GenHuntingCo:  https://www.4thgenhuntingco.com/ 🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 : http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫 🔺 Aviation & Defense Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 ✈ Your Pilot Destination E3 Aviation Association: https://bit.ly/E3Aviation Become a Patron, Support the Show, & Gain Exclusive Benefits: https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcast Sponsors: 💉Take Control of Your Health with Whole Body Lab Testing: https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn 🩺 🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial

    1h 17m
  6. "There I was..." with "Teddy"

    APR 27 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    "There I was..." with "Teddy"

    "There I was..." is a special segment where guests share unique, untold stories—moments you'd only hear in a squadron bar. Now available on Patreon, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and BogiDope Members, this exclusive Afterburn Podcast series delivers unparalleled insights into military aviation. https://www.patreon.com/theafterburnpodcast⁠ | http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast In this episode, "Teddy" talks about his first flight back in the Viper after surviving an ejection.

    11 min
  7. #132 Denmark's F-16 Demo Pilot | Troels "TEO" VangTroels

    APR 18

    #132 Denmark's F-16 Demo Pilot | Troels "TEO" VangTroels

    In this episode, Captain Troels “TEO” Vang joins The Afterburn Podcast host, John “Rain” Waters. As one of the most experienced F-16 pilots in the Royal Danish Air Force, TEO offers an in-depth look into the life of a European Viper driver with more than two decades of combat aviation experience.  From missions over Libya, Iraq, Syria, and the Baltics to leading Denmark’s F-16 solo display team across Europe, TEO shares powerful insights into tactical flying, military leadership, and the future of fighter aviation. He and Rain discuss the cultural and structural contrasts between the U.S. and Danish Air Forces, and how Denmark’s 37-hour workweek model may be the secret to long-term pilot retention.  TEO also unpacks the evolution of the Danish demo jet—including the iconic “Dannebrog” paint scheme honoring the world’s oldest national flag and the F-16’s 50th anniversary. Whether he’s intercepting Russian aircraft or wowing crowds at international airshows, Captain TEO exemplifies the mindset and mission of the fighter pilot brotherhood. Subscribe for more veteran stories, tactical airpower insight, and global combat aviation perspectives. 🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 : http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫 🔺 Aviation & Defense Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 ✈ Your Pilot Destination E3 Aviation Association: https://bit.ly/E3Aviation Become a Patron, Support the Show, & Gain Exclusive Benefits: https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcast Sponsors: 💉Take Control of Your Health with Whole Body Lab Testing: https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn 🩺 🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial

    1h 4m
  8. "There I was..." with "TEO"

    APR 16 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    "There I was..." with "TEO"

    "There I was..." is a special segment where guests share unique, untold stories—moments you'd only hear in a squadron bar. Now available on Patreon, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and BogiDope Members, this exclusive Afterburn Podcast series delivers unparalleled insights into military aviation. https://www.patreon.com/theafterburnpodcast⁠ | http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast In this conversation, TEO shares his experiences during military operations, focusing on the challenges of dynamic targeting and communication in high-pressure situations. He discusses the initial confusion and learning curve associated with new operational methods, the difficulties of radio communication, and the impact of language barriers in multinational military environments. The conversation concludes with a light-hearted exchange about future collaborations and performances.

    10 min
See All (285)

4.9
out of 5
904 Ratings

About

Strap in the cockpit as we dive into the stories of the men and women who defend the freedoms we love. From the cockpit of military jets to boots on the ground. The Afterburn Podcast dives into their stories, the planes, and the missions. For Advertising Opportunities or more information visit: https://theafterburnpodcast.com/

Information

  • Creator
    John "Rain" Waters
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    285
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © John "Rain" Waters
  • Show Website
    The Afterburn Podcast
  • Provider
    John Waters

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada
OSZAR »