EPISODE · Mar 18, 2026 · 37 MIN
Episode 395: The Eleventh Gun
from The First Degree · host Alexis Linkletter, Jac Vanek
In early January 1985, a 20-year-old National Guardsman is on a training exercise in Henderson, Nevada. The ambitious and intelligent young man has a strong moral compass guiding him in his career. That is, until one day, when he’s confronted with a difficult choice and thrust into a situation out of his control. The cascade of choices he makes next change the course of his life in an entirely unanticipated way, altering his path forever. In episode 395, Jac and Alexis detail the intriguing story of Jerry Mathes, and how his journey through the criminal justice system and out the other side of incarceration forced him to mourn the kind of man he not only had been, but deep down face who he really wanted to be. This is a tale of the spiritually redemptive power of memoir and using one’s voice to reclaim both the truth and a new perspective on life-changing events. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree 📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What this episode covers
In early January 1985, a 20-year-old National Guardsman is on a training exercise in Henderson, Nevada. The ambitious and intelligent young man has a strong moral compass guiding him in his career. That is, until one day, when he’s confronted with a difficult choice and thrust into a situation out of his control. The cascade of choices he makes next change the course of his life in an entirely unanticipated way, altering his path forever. In episode 395, Jac and Alexis detail the intriguing story of Jerry Mathes, and how his journey through the criminal justice system and out the other side of incarceration forced him to mourn the kind of man he not only had been, but deep down face who he really wanted to be. This is a tale of the spiritually redemptive power of memoir and using one’s voice to reclaim both the truth and a new perspective on life-changing events. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree 📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Episode 395: The Eleventh Gun
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