What was it like to serve in combat during the Vietnam War—and find your way forward after returning home?

On the Elven Star Podcast, host Kevin Ferry speaks with Jerry Augustine, a Vietnam combat veteran who served as an M60 machine gunner with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade.

Jerry shares firsthand experiences of jungle combat, dangerous missions, the effects of Agent Orange, and the lasting emotional challenges of returning home with PTSD.

His story also reveals a remarkable journey of resilience. Through bodybuilding, competitive running, rowing, writing, and helping fellow veterans, Jerry found renewed purpose and continued challenging himself well into his 80s.

He also describes returning to Vietnam decades later and sharing his experiences through books and public presentations.

This is a powerful conversation about military service, the human cost of war, perseverance, and discovering purpose beyond adversity.

🎙️ Elven Star Podcast — Authentic People. Cool Conversations. Unexpected Ideas.

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0:00 Introduction to Jerry Augustine

1:08 Empire State Building Run-Up

3:37 Bodybuilding Roots and Combat Duty

5:24 Draft, Induction, and Basic Training

8:25 Winning Colonel's Orderly and Arriving in Vietnam

11:01 Combat Operations and Injuries

13:13 Bulking Up on Milk at Fort Drum

15:14 Near-Death Encounters and Surviving Point Duty

17:35 Personal Struggles and Coping in Combat

20:07 Returning Home and Winning Mr. New England

22:44 Father's Influence and Family History

25:21 Finding Healing Through Running

29:01 Revisiting Vietnam Decades Later

33:24 Writing His Life Story

36:04 Kayaking and World Championship Rowing

38:27 Issues with M16 Rifles and Agent Orange Exposure

42:09 Returning Soldiers' Reception and Community Service

44:48 Current Life and Closing Remarks

#VietnamWar #VietnamVeteran #ElvenStarPodcast

What was it like when women were just beginning to break into Connecticut’s legal profession?On the Elven Star Podcast, Kevin Ferry speaks with retired Connecticut Superior Court Judge A. Susan Peck, who spent 26 years on the bench following 18 years in private practice. Judge Peck has devoted decades to preserving the history of women in Connecticut law through an oral-history project that has recorded the stories of women lawyers and judges.They explore how women entered the profession, the pioneers who opened doors, the dramatic changes in law schools and the judiciary, and the challenges that still remain. Judge Peck also shares lessons from 50 years in the law—including why passion, hard work, and an openness to experience matter.From the early pioneers to today's legal profession, this is a fascinating look at Connecticut women in law and the history behind their progress.🎙️ Watch the full conversation and subscribe to Elven Star Podcast on YouTube.

0:00 Introduction of Judge Susan Peck1:39 Preserving the History of Women in Law7:55 Reflections on a 50-Year Legal Career10:04 The Evolution of Women in the Connecticut Legal Profession17:00 Progress & Persistent Challenges for Women21:11 Advice for Aspiring Lawyers & Becoming a Judge26:10 The Importance of the Jury System34:09 Final Reflections & Legal Resources

What can a prehistoric mammoth site reveal about the Ice Age—and about the world we live in today?

Kevin Ferry sits down with Dr. Christopher Jass, curator of Quaternary Paleontology at the Royal Alberta Museum, for a fascinating journey into the world of mammoths and Ice Age science.

At The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota, at least 60 mammoths were trapped in a natural sinkhole. What makes the site extraordinary is that many of the bones remain in situ—right where they were found—allowing researchers and visitors to experience a prehistoric world in a remarkably direct way.

Dr. Jass explains how new dating techniques have dramatically changed our understanding of the site, pushing its age from an earlier estimate of 26,000 years to roughly 160,000–232,000 years old. The conversation explores Colombian mammoths, their behavior, diet, predators, fossil preservation, human history, DNA, and even the possibility of bringing mammoths back from extinction.

It’s a fascinating look at what fossils can teach us about the past—and what the Ice Age may still have to teach us about the future.