Blue Grit Radio: the Police Performance Podcast: Mindset, Wellness, Leadership

I got turned onto Antonio Neves and his work years ago after hearing him speak on a major health and wellness podcast.  Themes critical to mindset, self-development and growth, and building community to discuss men’s issues and comradery were central. Since then, I’ve been following along through his blog, show, and have even set up a Man Morning group where we talk about LIFE, men’s topics like f...

I met (new LT!) Sarah Shendy at the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s 40 Under 40 Award ceremony Dallas back in 2022, where we were both recipients. It has been rewarding to be connected with other driven, engaged emerging police professionals.   Sarah has such a positive outlook and critical focus on doing the hard work, having the hard conversations, and driving forward perpetually...

Through getting connected to Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (check our prior ep. #85!!) I got to meet and learn about ret. Sgt. Mike Baldwin.   On this episode, he shares about his extensive assignments and law enforcement career and we take a dive into leadership tenets, personal values as they navigate policework, and serving those values in, out, and beyond the job. Mike Baldwin joined the Grossman tea...

When the gents at Level Up and Live connected with me, their name alone told me it was probably going to be a great conversation on shared values.  The name says it all!  They are all about how to go from “existing” to LIVING. Sean and Ewan are and were both traditionally successful, but something was calling them to push harder, think deeper, and elevate their being. We talk about: Following conv...

If you’re a first responder on social media, you NEED to be following Erica and TacMobility.  Not only will you see simple movements to fix and aid posture, mobility, chronic pain, but statements that buck the narratives that are keeping us down mentally, socially, emotionally.  Erica’s a straight shooter; she tells us how it is (and frankly that’s necessary at times if we are going to kill stigma...

Welcome back Johanna Wender, from Bravura Counseling (and Ep. 21, where we talk about Mental Health Musts.. so also download THAT one if you haven’t listened!) In this episode we focus on FEAR.  Fear limits our abilities- in wellness, teamwork, leadership.  As cops are grapple with what most civilians are afraid of- so let’s break down what WE are afraid of, as a means to grow. We talk about: How...

I had the distinct pleasure to see ret. Deputy Chief Jim Dudley’s work through Police 1’s Policing Matters podcast.  Fast forward to being invited to be a co-panelist with Jim in a round-table seminar on the state of police recruiting and what’s working- it was a distinct honor and experience. In our conversation, we talk about his various assignments and ascension in leadership with San Francisco...

As June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness month and PTSD/I Awareness Month, it is my honor to bring you my conversation with  Dr. Clarence (Lance) Cutsforth- a veteran, mental health advocate and functional medicine practitioner.   We discuss: - lessons and insights from his deployment - ways to look at mental health and healing - treating trauma and Post Traumatic Stress - risk-seeking behavior -...

When I first heard Jason speak on policing, drifting into the “gray area” and what it really means to him to connect with community, I knew I had to learn more. What I didn’t know was that I’d eventually come to meet him at an IACP conference, as well has have him on my own podcast! In order to elevate policing and be the best we can for the community and each other, we have to go under the micros...

It is my distinct pleasure to share the knowledge and experience that is James Brack. For years, I have personally benefited from the insight he has shared with the region with regards to departmental wellness efforts. Sergeant Brack was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. He graduated from the Bothell branch of the University of Washington with a Social Science degree. He completed one year...

Episode 100! Where has the time gone..?? With this, I bring you a very special guest, Scott Howell- multi-discipline trainer, gym owner, and advocate of not only first responders, but public safety. Blue Grit Wellness (and Radio) started through promoting themes of health, mindset, and community.  My conversation and connection with Scott was refreshing and very much in line with those pillars.  ...

Internal Affairs.. IAs.. there are many unsavory nicknames for such roles and units.. Many of us know WHY they are important, but it can be hard to separate the caution, emotions, and stress associated with the title.  Marlon Marrache worked for years in I.A., and helps us discuss not only why a strong I.A. process is critical for police accountability, but also in fair, objective process to exone...

A critical theme in discussion of first responder wellness is resilience.  When I look around at folks I work with in my department, it’s hard to find a better example of someone who embodies a resilient spirit than my teammate, Tessa Melville.   Tessa endured a host of critical incidents in the first few years of her policing career, both on and off duty. She was there when we lost Diego, helped...

I’m pleased to bring you more conversations about family dynamics as they relate to first responder life.  Marriage is hard. Parenting is hard. Balance is hard. These are all common adages and topics OUTSIDE of first responder life.  We dive into this with Hailey, a therapist and advocate for first responders.  As a relatively new first responder spouse herself, she shares what transition was like...

"Be as you are- as loud as you can- because you are enough." Such words are powerful, and they shaped young Earl toward a mindset that supported abundance, positive attitude and trajectory. In our conversation, I wonder where many of us would be with those types of relentlessly encouraging words, support and guidance at a young age. Earl Fields has devoted his life toward teaching others...

Vance first found yoga after a number of back injuries in 2008 and 2009. Vance quickly discovered that yoga practice is a powerful community of connection and challenges. Through his regular practice, Vance has found an incredible amount of physical and mental benefits including making him a far calmer person.  At the time, Vance was struggling with his own mental health issues which included a to...

B.C. Sanders is a recently retired homicide lieutenant, gang expert, and presenter. During his career, he served on various proactive units, to include Gang Suppression Unit, homicide unit as a detective and later as a sergeant, intel sergeant, and other units.  He is  known for developing sources, actionable gang intelligence, motivating others to learn and work gangs, and pushing disruption init...

Diane is a law enforcement wife and the Founder of Blue Hero Project, a nonprofit passionate about serving the law enforcement community in the NW.  The organization started as a one-time community project with her husband and has since grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. They now serve alongside an incredible team showing appreciation and support to law enforcement officers across the...

Mac Rollins began his law enforcement career in 2010 in Northern California. He is currently assigned to his agency’s detective bureau working sex crimes and child abuse.  After some personal experiences involving his own mental health, he became an advocate for mental health awareness within policing as well other issues currently facing law enforcement nationwide.  In this episode we talk about...

Agencies are still struggling with recruitment.  I know an area agency that spent upwards of $200K with a marketing agency to boost their efforts. Thing is- that might get you a video and some social media content. But it doesn’t get a SINGLE person hired. My experiences, mistakes, and successes in the recruiting game prompted me to record a down and dirty crash course for agency reps to consider....

It was quite a while ago that I came across then Sgt. Aram Choe's page and learned about his podcast.  He had quite the social media imprint, but beyond that, he presented as a humble, direct leader.  He balanced professional demeanor and personal insight. He appeared to be a perpetual learner and consummate teacher.  As I keep watching what he was up to, it resonated on many levels, way befo...

Bridget Truxillo is an attorney and former police deputy.  In our conversation, we span topics of health and wellness, stress, her desire to become a cop and what led to her exit. We discuss her road to practicing law and what cops need to be aware of and how to navigate difficult circumstances in the workplace.  - Bridget has firsthand experience with harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and...

Welcome to this special edition collaboration with Dr. Jason Piccolo from The Protectors Podcast.  Dr. Jason Piccolo is an author, professor, and  extensive subject matter expert on matters from Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Cyber Security and White Collar Crime. After his military service overseas, he spent over 23 years in the Department of Homeland Security, where he retired as an Associ...

What greater Legacy is there... Than being known and remembered for doing LEGIT police work, from proactive chases of epic proportions to the being the most attentive, passionate, caring officer… recently retired Detective Tom Riener. From community members to peers. From victims to suspects. No joke. All with a smile on his face for 3 decades (almost ever moment!  I chat with Tommy about his upst...

Katherine grew up in a law enforcement family, where her dad worked as LT of SVU for the Philadelphia Police Department.  Growing up, Katherine didn’t completely grasp the gravity of her dad’s job.  As she grew, she not only recognized how her father was always there for her family, but grew an understanding of the lifestyle and risks that come with being in law enforcement. The impacts personally...