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

I've been seeing something very disturbing in our circles of speakers, clinicians content generators... our "community."  In the wellness space for first responders, there is a disturbing trend: tribalism and negativity. This "cutting down culture" contradicts everything wellness is supposed to promote.  This person has the answer, these people certainly don't... thes...

This conversation delves into the critical intersections of training, leadership, and culture within policing. The panelists discuss the importance of professional development, the role of experience in decision-making, and the need for a supportive culture that encourages growth and mentorship. They also explore the concept of 'winning' in policing, emphasizing the need for officers to...

In this conversation, Eric and Julie discuss the evolution of law enforcement communication, emphasizing the importance of transparency, authenticity, and community engagement. Julie shares her journey from media to law enforcement and highlights the need for police departments to take control of their narratives through effective use of social media. They explore the challenges of communicating d...

Whether you are an entry level applicant, or a veteran officer seeking to get onto that high-speed unit, investigative team, or promote to the next rank, THIS quick episode is for you.  Even if you aren't.. it's still relevant! I start off sharing a necessary insight for ALL interviews that most people sleep on.  It goes far beyond showing up on time, having good posture, and a solid han...

(**Part 2**) In this conversation, Eric and Dylan Ignacio explore the critical importance of wellness in law enforcement. Dylan shares his personal journey into policing, highlighting the challenges he faced with mental health and the strategies he employed to overcome them. They discuss the significance of resilience, positivity, and building healthy habits, as well as the role of community outre...

In this conversation, Eric and Dylan Ignacio explore the critical importance of wellness in law enforcement. Dylan shares his personal journey into policing, highlighting the challenges he faced with mental health and the strategies he employed to overcome them. They discuss the significance of resilience, positivity, and building healthy habits, as well as the role of community outreach in foster...

In this engaging panel episode, Eric hosts Doug White and Greg Grogan, both seasoned veterans in policing and podcasting. They delve into the intricate balance between career and personal life, emphasizing the importance of wellness for first responders.  Doug shares his journey from a 25-year law enforcement career to retirement, highlighting the challenges of identity and the need for self-care....

This conversation features a wellness panel with industry leaders discussing the importance of peer support, mental health, and resilience in first responders. The panelists share their experiences and insights on how to effectively provide support during and after critical incidents, emphasizing the need for psychological safety, mindfulness, and community connection. They explore the role of ani...

In this episode, Eric delves into the concept of organizational wellness, drawing insights from Thomas Moore's book, "Soul Therapy." He emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional dynamics within workplaces, particularly in high-stress environments like first responder organizations.  Eric highlights how hierarchies can create anxiety and affect individuals' sense...

In this episode of Blue Grit Radio, Eric and Dr. Carolyn Van Der Meulen discuss the critical relationship between community wellness and the wellness of first responders. Dr. Carolyn shares her background in occupational therapy and her focus on performance, emphasizing the importance of day-to-day actions in maintaining health.  They explore the significance of cultural competence in clinical pra...

"Be forever a student." In this milestone episode 300, Eric reflects on his journey and shares ten valuable insights gained throughout his career, emphasizing the importance of self-leadership, resilience, and aligning values with actions. He encourages listeners to embrace continuous learning, define their identity beyond their job, and recognize the beauty in impermanence while cherish...

Pt 2! This conversation delves into the critical role of first-line leadership in law enforcement, featuring a panel of experienced sergeants who share their insights on mentorship, professional development, and the importance of adaptability in leadership.   The discussion emphasizes the need for servant leadership, building trust, and fostering relationships within teams to enhance performance a...

This conversation delves into the critical role of first-line leadership in law enforcement, featuring a panel of experienced sergeants who share their insights on mentorship, professional development, and the importance of adaptability in leadership.   The discussion emphasizes the need for servant leadership, building trust, and fostering relationships within teams to enhance performance and mor...

**Part 2** In this episode, Eric and Brian Willard discuss the critical importance of mental health in law enforcement, sharing personal stories and insights into the challenges officers face.  They explore the cultural shifts needed to support mental wellness, the significance of peer support, and the impact of identity on mental health. Brian shares the tragic story of his brother, Andy, a forme...

In this episode, Eric and Brian Willard discuss the critical importance of mental health in law enforcement, sharing personal stories and insights into the challenges officers face.  They explore the cultural shifts needed to support mental wellness, the significance of peer support, and the impact of identity on mental health. Brian shares the tragic story of his brother, Andy, a former police of...

Every team has rockstars. The hard chargers. The high producers. The ones who get recognized. And then there’s the GLUE. I recently saw a headline highlighting this concept in by the WSJ.  The glue employee isn’t always the loudest or flashiest. They don’t chase credit. But when they’re gone, everything feels harder. When they're around, they elevate cohesion; they elevate the team. In this e...

Part 2!  In this engaging conversation, Eric and Lieutenant David Smith explore the themes of leadership, wellness, and personal growth through stages of a police career. They discuss the importance of self-reflection, the challenges faced by applicants and rookies, and the significance of understanding one's identity and purpose in the profession. The dialogue emphasizes the need for continu...

 In this engaging conversation, Eric and Lieutenant David Smith explore the themes of leadership, wellness, and personal growth through stages of a police career. They discuss the importance of self-reflection, the challenges faced by applicants and rookies, and the significance of understanding one's identity and purpose in the profession. The dialogue emphasizes the need for continuous lear...

Many of you may have heard of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.  I heard about it for years, and finally dove into it.  Not only did I find it impactfully relevant for high-performance, but specific takeaways from how we may approach a first responder and police career - along with our live dynamics out uniform. I share and break down the 7 Habits as described by Covey, alo...

Effective leadership isn’t about one thing or the other; it’s about applying a multitude of skills, capacities, intentions and holding tension between them. In this episode I’m joined by two leaders who carry authenticity and astute operational insights.  Sgt. Siobhan McTighe and Police Services Manager Chela Cottrell help discuss leading with people in mind, sharing and curating meaningful vision...

The faster the world moves, the quicker we need to move with it… and that’s only feasible with emerging, effective technology.  Information is power… but only if we can actually compile, analyze, and apply it.   This is where information becomes actionable intelligence.  In this episode, I’m joined by Joel Ste. Marie and Paul Bailey with SoundThinking.  They help discuss how CrimeTracer helps agen...

In this cross-platform episode, Sgt. Nathan Romas (The Quiet Professional podcast) and I reconnect once again in this - on police leadership today.  We discuss some of the challenges and dynamics of learning a new leadership role, grappling with "I don't know" and how to manage that tension. Nathan asks about the state of things with Blue Grit, which brings us right to into ways to...

In this special edition episode we discuss trends, challenges, and dynamics that our first responder professions are facing. Jon Vargas, active firefighter and host of the Grab Lives podcast, and I compare and contrast the pressures we are seeing in real-time and how they have evolved in our careers. We discuss how the challenges and lessons learned shaped our resolve and approaches, not just to t...

We often talk about health and wellness and peak performance, but in those conversations, our brain health and optimization is often an afterthought. In this episode, Dr. Harp and I discuss this potential, I review some stand-out lessons from his book, and he details unique tips and strategies to prime and elevate our brain performance- thus our stress-reduction and a host of other benefits! -- Dr...

Cynicism is a slippery, tricky beast.  It sneaks in and suffocates our resolve, our purpose, our WHY.  When cops are complaining, we are playing the victim.  We feel like a meaningless cog, because the difference we can make isn't so easy to be seen. A key to effectiveness is ensuring we remember the real victims- those calling 911 for help and those who are too afraid to do so.  Joining me i...