Meet Paul Pantani | Podcast Host & Retired Police Officer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paul Pantani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After spending over 30 years in law enforcement, including leadership roles overseeing investigative units and mentoring others, I hit a natural point of transition. My pending retirement gave me the space to reflect on what I wanted to do next—not just professionally, but purposefully. I wasn’t interested in just filling time; I wanted to create something that allowed me to keep serving a community I care deeply about: veterans and first responders.

That’s what led to starting The Transition Drill Podcast. I understand how hard it can be to prepare for life after service. The identity shift, the uncertainty, the fear of starting over; it’s real. But I also knew that stories and shared experiences can light the path for others. So I leaned into my experience to create a platform where people can talk honestly about their transitions; the wins, the setbacks, and everything in between.

The podcast became more than just a project; it became a mission. And like any business, it involved building structure, primarily consistency, constant learning, marketing, and long-term goals. However, at its core, my thought process was simple: if I could use my voice, network, and experience to help even one person navigate their transition a little smoother, it is worth it. Almost 4 years later, with growing engagement and positive comments, I know I made the right decision.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Transition Drill Podcast was born out of a simple but powerful idea—helping veterans and first responders successfully transition out of service and into their next chapter. After over 30 years in law enforcement and teaching at the college level, I understood how much identity, structure, and purpose are tied to those roles. I also saw firsthand how difficult it can be to walk away from them without a clear roadmap. So I decided to create one through conversation.

What sets this podcast apart is its authenticity. These are real stories, from real people, having honest conversations about fear, failure, growth, and success. In every conversation, and we delve into their whole story, not just into what they did, but who they are, what they’ve learned, and what they’re doing now. I bring in my own experiences, but the goal is always the same: give the listener something valuable to take away—insight, inspiration, or even just the knowledge that they’re not alone.

Business-wise, it’s been a grind. I started from scratch learning audio and video production, editing, marketing, analytics, SEO, social media, the whole thing. I handle almost everything solo, except for the long-form video editing. In the early days, growth was slow, and there were moments where it felt like shouting into the void. But I committed to consistency, releasing a new episode every Monday, no matter what and now, over three years in, we’ve crossed 180+ episodes and have a loyal and growing audience.

I’m most proud of staying true to the mission. I never chased clicks or trendy topics. I stayed focused on telling stories that matter to our community, and the audience grew organically from there. I’m also proud that the podcast has become a platform to spotlight the resilience and adaptability of our people—showing the world that veterans and first responders are more than just their service.

The biggest lesson? Patience and persistence matter more than perfection. You don’t need to have it all figured out to start. Just start. Be consistent. Learn as you go. And always remember your why.

If there’s one thing I’d want the world to know, it’s this: transition is hard, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Whether you’re five days or fifteen years from retirement, your story is still being written and there’s strength in hearing how others wrote theirs. That’s what The Transition Drill Podcast is all about.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1 – We’d start slow with a relaxed welcome in Temecula. Dinner would be at the Great Oak Steakhouse—arguably one of the best meals in town.

Day 2 – After breakfast at the Brunch House, we’d head out for a day as wine country is right here, so we’d hit a few local standouts like Akash or Jordan Parker wineries. Hit Bottega Italia in Old Town for some great Italian food and people-watching.

Day 3 – We’d drive down the coast, stopping in La Jolla checking out the sea lions. Lunch at Duke’s for ocean views and island-inspired food. Spend the afternoon checking out Pacific and Ocean Beach, then dinner in Little Italy.

Day 4 – We’d kick off the day at the USS Midway Museum, especially meaningful for veterans or anyone into military history. Then check out the Gaslamp Quarter for lunch. Head back to Temecula to close out the evening with a low-key BBQ at home.

Day 5 – Staying local again in Temecula. Spend the day hitting a couple more wineries, like Europa or Doffo (great wines and a great motorcycle museum). Evening drinks at Corbeaux Wine and Tea House and dinner at the Goat and Vine.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
All of my success comes from the support of my wife, my family, and friends. Without their continuous support all of this would not be anything that it is today. Conversely, even with all of their support, the success of the podcast is also in large part to the wonderful guests who have shared their time and their stories.

Website: https://transitiondrillpodcast.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

Twitter: https://x.com/PaulPantani

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TransitionDrillPodcast