Beyond the Dispatch

Andrew Kolodziej is back on the podcast for a conversation about law enforcement, leadership, wellness, and the importance of intentionally building a healthy, fulfilling life beyond the badge. We talk about the recent classes we have had the opportunity to teach together, how our collaboration came about, and why creating space for these conversations is so important for those in public safety. A...

On episode 66 of Beyond the Dispatch. Psychic medium Catie Tinney joins the podcast to share how her abilities first began in childhood. She talks about the challenges of growing up with this gift, the impact it had on her mental health, and why she initially kept this part of herself private out of fear of being judged. Catie explains how her mediumship grew stronger after the birth of her child,...

Episode 65 is here, and we’re kicking off the first trip in the At Ease and Beyond the Dispatch series. We break down our experience working with the Double Rafter Ranch crew at their remote drop camp high in the mountains at 10,000 feet, assisting with high-altitude cattle vaccinations. From the demands of mountain ranch work to the lessons learned while operating a horse in rugged country, this...

Joe Phalen shares his journey from battling alcohol to finding purpose as an owner of Gregory Boxing in Addison, Illinois. He talks mental health, the power of boxing, and the community it creates for first responders, veterans, and clients—including those fighting Parkinson’s. Joe also highlights the America Remembers First Responders Amateur Boxing Showcase, honoring the heroes in and out of the...

Tony Cap, host of Dive Behind the Lines, joins Beyond The Dispatch to discuss his journey as a full-time firefighter and Air Force Reservist, the realities of balancing two careers rooted in service, and why he created a platform to tell the stories behind the badge and uniform Still Here 🤙🏻🌐 Website: www. BeyondtheDispatch.com🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2jRR6F6...⁠🎧 Subscribe...

In his mid-30s, Mikki Jones was told he only had months to live.  Within a short span of time, he lost his grandfather, his mother, and then his son’s mother. wWhile battling terminal cancer and raising two young kids. When doctors started planning for the end of his life, the only hope left was an experimental treatment.  In this episode, Mikki shares how he faced unimaginable loss, fought for mo...

Kevin Thielmann shares his path from West Point to U.S. Army missile defense and becoming a Chief Warrant Officer. We discuss training, leadership, deployments, and lessons from his military career.🌐 Website: www. BeyondtheDispatch.com🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2jRR6F6...⁠🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes that bring you inside the minds of America’s warriors, after the fight ends.

I flew out to Sheridan, Wyoming for over a week to spend 4 days on a drop camp in the Bighorn Mountains with Matson Tew and At Ease Horsemanship, along with four other men from across the country, along with the Dry Creek Wrangler School boys. What I experienced was truly unforgettable. The connection that developed between the horse, the land, and the men involved was something special to witness...

Founder and firefighter Dana Corriveau shares his journey from USAF Security Forces to launching Take Up Your Mantle Challenge Inc., a 501(c)(3) dedicated to raising funds for USAF Special Warfare veteran foundations and building more resilient families and communities. 🤙🏻Still Here Take Up Your Mantle: https://www.mantlechallenge.org/ 🌐 Website: www. BeyondtheDispatch.com 🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠https:/...

Hear from Donna Jahn, a 30+ year 911 dispatcher in Romeoville, IL, who shares powerful stories from the other side of emergency calls. Learn how she gives back through Thanksgiving meals and a golf outing honoring her late husband that has raised $128,000 for wrestling scholarships. Contact Donna at 630-291-8998 to support or attend.

A powerful conversation with Gia Washington and Jennifer Wojcikowski of Sertoma Star Services about mental health, suicide prevention, and first responder family wellness. Learn about their upcoming  Responding First to Each Other  event on  June 12th  at the  Bremen Township Senior Complex  from  8:30 AM to 1:30 PM . June 12th event link: https://sertomastar.org/wellness-event/ Sertoma Star Servi...

In this powerful Episode 56 of Beyond the Dispatch, I sit down with Andrew Kolodziej, founder of Turtle Hustle and longtime law enforcement professional, to unpack his journey from undercover work to impactful training and mentorship. Andrew shares candid stories from his time as a Special Agent on an undercover narcotics task force and as a DEA Task Force Officer, explaining the realities of work...

On this episode of Beyond The Dispatch, I sit down with Mike Alvis—Army veteran and Illinois police officer—to talk about a life shaped by service both overseas and here at home. Mike shares his experiences deploying to the Middle East, Korea, Poland, and Ukraine, giving a raw look at what it’s like operating in different parts of the world under constantly changing conditions. We get into the rea...

In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Galvan, owner of First Response Therapy in New Lenox and wife of a firefighter, to talk about mental health in the first responder world and beyond. We dive into childhood trauma, relationships, self-love, and how EMDR therapy can help process difficult experiences. Jessica also shares practical tools for navigating emotional struggles and highlights key wa...

In this episode, we sit down with retired Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Pat McCauley to explore a life dedicated to service, both on and off the fireground. Pat shares stories from his 30 plus year career in one of the busiest fire departments in the country, offering insight into the challenges, brotherhood, and defining moments that shaped him. We also dive into the McCarthy Brigade and wha...

Today’s short episode is a check‑in and a challenge: I update you on the show, talk about a sponsor opportunity, and dive into Epstein, civil unrest, and political corruption. Couldn’t do any of this without your support, comment or DM me after you listen. 🤙🏻Still Here 🌐 Website: www. BeyondtheDispatch.com 🎧 Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.c... 🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes that bring you in...

He was a South Side Chicago kid battling addiction and losing control of his life. Today, he’s Father Ryan Brady, a chaplain serving alongside the Chicago Fire Department and guiding others through their own moments of crisis. In this episode, we talk about hitting rock bottom, rediscovering faith, and what it means to find purpose on the other side of surrender. It’s a story of struggle, redempti...

In this episode, we sit down with Gerald “Gerry” Vetters, a Navy veteran and retired Division Chief of Investigations from the Oak Lawn Police Department.  Gerry opens up about his journey from part-time cop to leading major investigations, sharing wild K-9 stories, a near-death experience, and intense attempted murder cases along the way. We also get into what’s really going on in law enforcement...

Sat down with Jason Yerkovich, author of Carrying the Fire , for a real conversation about mental health, resilience, and what it takes to keep going when life hits hard. We dive into his book, the struggles behind it, and the mindset needed to push through adversity when everything in you wants to quit. This is an honest look at what it means to carry your past, face it, and still move forward. I...

In this episode of Beyond The Dispatch, I sit down with Ken Tworek — retired police officer, Medal of Valor recipient, licensed social worker, and founder of Three Block Solutions. Ken opens up about his experience surviving a life-threatening ambush in the line of duty and how that moment transformed his purpose. We talk about resilience, trauma, leadership, and the work he’s doing to support fir...

In this episode, we sit down with acclaimed filmmaker Charlie Minn to discuss the 2008 Lane Bryant shooting in Tinley Park, Illinois, where five women were tragically murdered in a suburban retail store — a case that remains officially unsolved. Charlie shares the story behind his latest documentary, Who Killed These Women? The Tinley Park 5. We also talk about his career and several of his other...

There was a blood trail from the ambulance bay into the ER. Tony Smith is a former firefighter/paramedic who transitioned into flight medicine — and he was the critical care medic responsible for transporting Dom after his line-of-duty shooting. Before anyone confirmed it, Tony knew it was a cop. The police presence was overwhelming. Drones overhead. Helicopters in the air. When they landed at Bol...

He saw Bin Laden before 9/11. He pulled the trigger on the first Hellfire ever fired from a drone in combat. Colonel Scott Swanson spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force — from flying Pave Hawks in Desert Storm to helping pioneer armed Predator drone operations in Afghanistan. In 2000, he watched Osama bin Laden walk out into the open. The strike never came. One year later, after 9/11, Scott and his...

We went live during the Project Fire Buddies Gala setup to capture the heart of the mission before the doors even opened. This episode features conversations with the people who help make Project Fire Buddies what it is today. We sat down with Kevyn Holdefer, Ryan Ballard, Kelly DeGroot, Kurt DeGroot, and actor Matthew Willig to talk about how Project Fire Buddies was built, why it matters, and th...

This wasn’t about starting a podcast. It was about helping people before it was too late. One year ago, two first responders sat down with no roadmap, no audience, and no sponsors — just a shared conviction that silence was killing their peers faster than the job ever did. This episode is where Beyond the Dispatch began. Not polished. Not perfect. Honest. In this first conversation, Cary and Dom l...