Beyond The Checklist

Today’s episode is a special one. We’re sharing a recorded conversation from a live training session held on February 26th titled The Quiet Strength of Emotionally Intelligent Leadership . Our guest is Chad Connelly from Peak Leadership, and this discussion dives deep into a truth many leaders overlook: technical competence may earn authority, but emotional intelligence sustains influence. In the...

Accreditation isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about what you learn along the way. In this episode, Joe Race of the Daigle Law Group challenges one of the most common traps in public safety accreditation: doing the work simply to satisfy a standard. From community surveys to use-of-force analysis, Joe breaks down why these processes lose their value when they’re treated as paperwork exercises—and h...

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist , we sit down with Joe Race—public safety attorney, former police captain, accreditation manager, and national assessor—to explore why “we don’t do it for accreditation.” Drawing on his experience as a Marine Corps veteran, FBI National Academy graduate, and CALEA accreditation leader, Joe challenges the compliance-only mindset and reframes accreditation as...

Beyond the Checklist: Wellness That Works with Dr. Kimberly Miller (Part 3) In this powerful third episode of our four-part series, host Kevin Rhea sits down once again with Dr. Kimberly Miller to tackle one of the most pervasive challenges in public safety and compliance work— burnout . High performers often drive the success of their organizations—but they’re also the ones most at risk of exhaus...

From Hurricanes to Leadership—The South Carolina Story 🌪️➡️👩‍💼 In this inspiring episode, host Kevin Rhea heads to the Palmetto State to spotlight one of the most active and collaborative accreditation coalitions in the nation—the South Carolina Police Accreditation Coalition (PAC) . Kevin sits down with Nancy Lundy , a longtime accreditation leader who turned a chance encounter during a hurrica...

Welcome back to Beyond the Checklist , the official podcast of the National Association for Accreditation Leadership — where we explore how accreditation drives reform, trust, and excellence in public safety. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Sonya Johnson from the Savannah Police Department — a dynamic leader and expert in organizational culture, higher education, and accreditation. Together, we...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Kimberly Miller, we dive into the art and challenge of having the hard conversations that leaders often avoid. From confronting toxic behaviors and burnout to delivering uncomfortable feedback across your organization, Dr. Miller provides practical insights for turning difficult discussions into meaningful opportunities for growth and culture change. Join us...

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist , host Kevin Rhea sits down with two legends in the world of accreditation and corrections — Lonnie Lemons and David Taylor . Together, they share over 60 years of experience in law enforcement, corrections, and accreditation leadership. From developing national standards and leading accreditation boards to training the next generation of public safety profe...

In this episode, we sit down with Halcyon from Under the Headset , a leader in public safety training who is redefining how agencies approach learning and development. Halcyon shares her journey into public safety, what inspired her to launch Under the Headset, and why she believes training must go beyond policies and checklists to truly connect with people. As she prepares to join NAAL on October...

This week on Beyond the Checklist , we’re doing something a little different. Instead of hosting a guest, our host Kevin Rhea takes the mic solo to share his own story, his passion for accreditation, and the vision behind the National Association for Accreditation Leadership (NAAL). Kevin’s journey in public safety began in 1993 as a 911 dispatcher in metro Detroit, eventually leading him into pat...

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist , NAAL Co-Founder and Executive Director Kevin Rhea sits down with Deputy Director Neal Rossow and newly appointed Advisory Board Member Stephanie Erb to reflect on NAAL’s first 120 days and look ahead to the future. Together, they discuss the progress the association has already made in uniting accreditation managers and assessors across all public safety d...

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist , host Kevin Rhea sits down with Sarah McEntee , Executive Director of the Commission on Accreditation for Ambulance Services (CAAS) . Together, they explore how CAAS has been shaping excellence in EMS for decades—helping agencies deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality care to communities across the country. Sarah shares her personal journey into leadershi...

Podcast Series: Leadership & Accreditation with Dr. Kimberly Miller Episode 1: Origins, Mission, and the Culture of Leadership & Accountability In the first episode of this four-part series, Dr. Kimberly Miller takes us to the intersection of leadership and accreditation—where culture sets the foundation for everything else. Over the course of 45 minutes, we unpack how origins, mission, an...

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist , we sit down with **Wendy Sellers—The HR Lady®—**to explore how people-centered leadership drives culture, compliance, and organizational success. With over 30 years of experience across industries, Wendy has helped leaders transform toxic workplaces, reduce turnover by up to 75%, and build healthier, more resilient teams. Though not an accreditation profes...

The Data Behind Accreditation: A Thought Leader Conversation with Dr. Gordon Abner In this episode of Beyond the Checklist , host Kevin Rhea , Co-Founder and Executive Director of the National Association for Accreditation Leadership (NAAL), sits down with Dr. Gordon Abner , Assistant Professor of Public Management at the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs — one of the fe...

Data-Driven Progress: Fire Accreditation & Innovation with Thomas Breyer In this episode of Beyond the Checklist , host Kevin Rhea sits down with Thomas Breyer —NAAL Advisory Board Member, former Commissioner with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), and a leading voice in fire service data modernization. From the fireground to the boardroom, Thomas shares his journey int...

Turning Standards into Strategy with EMAP Executive Director Nicole Ishmael-Livingston What if emergency management accreditation wasn’t just a checkbox—but a blueprint for transformation? In this episode of Beyond the Checklist , host Kevin Rhea sits down with Nicole Ishmael-Livingston, Executive Director of the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), for a candid and compelling conver...

What if accreditation wasn’t just about compliance—but about culture? In this episode of Beyond the Checklist , host Kevin Rhea sits down with Dr. Lynn Odenthal—a seasoned leader whose two decades of experience in law enforcement and corrections have made her a go-to expert in transforming accreditation from a checklist into a catalyst for real change. From overcoming resistance and building buy-i...

The Heart of Accreditation: A Conversation with Director Deann MacLeod In this inspiring episode of Beyond the Checklist , host Kevin Rhea sits down with Director Deann MacLeod—a dynamic leader who has championed accreditation across fire, and communications in Kingman, Arizona. From guiding the Kingman Fire Department through CFAI accreditation to achieving CALEA and ALEAP standards in the city’s...

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist , we’re joined by Areaka Jewell — a respected leader in public safety accreditation — for a conversation about what it means to go deeper than just compliance. Areaka shares real-world insights on leading with purpose, building sustainable systems, and how agencies can transform accreditation from a one-time event into a continuous culture of excellence. Whe...

In this episode, longtime friends and colleagues Kevin Rhea and Michael Warren reflect on over two decades of shared experience in public safety. Together, they explore how accreditation can serve as a powerful leadership tool to build healthy, high-performing agencies. With deep roots and a shared commitment to professional growth, this conversation blends practical insight, real-world experience...