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

We talk about living outside of the blue world, over-identity and today we will talk about a huge practical application of that.  Frankly, we don’t get to choose how much time we have in this job: between injuries, burnout, family decisions, and other countless circumstances. Former officer Jess Flores of Next Shift joins me to discuss transitioning careers out of law enforcement: from her story,...

We talk about the importance of wellness in our first responder culture- and often times I wonder if employers lose sight of “the why” we should care. Listens and followers understand the impacts of supporting our front line workers in this critical work, but what information do we need to bring to the bosses and Lead UP effectively? In this episode, I am joined by Ethan Jule and Jason Drinkwater....

I found Jason's social media and it resonated with me- how he talked about mindset, ownership, and the importance of fitness for first responders.  He spoke about the sometimes uncomfortable truth that we in emergency services have trouble recognizing in ourselves and our peers: Many first responders are unfit (double entendre there) to actually perform their jobs to the level we ought to be...

In this solocast, I explore a "kind of" solo episode. Sure it's just me talking, the script and content was generated mostly by you! I have been asked several times lately, between followers and folks I'm coaching what they should focus on as new officers.  Surely, there is a HOST of things, from hard and soft skills, tactics, the BOOKS (case law, criminal law, and on and on......

If you didn't catch Ep. 98- download, listen, and promptly return to this one.  In that, I chat with my coworker, Detective Tessa Melville; we discuss her background, her growth through military service and lessons learned and resilience tested and solidified in her patrol work for years- and her recent entry into detective work with the Special Assault Unit. We hinted at a part two, and much...

Years ago, I had the privilege of hearing then active firefighter Mike Washington speak at wellness conferences.  He talked about his traumas through life- from childhood to his experience in the Marine Corps, at work in his life as a Seattle Firefighter, and losing his adult son in combat.   He talked about his downward spiral, self-destructive warpath, and coming to recognition that such a path,...

Here’s a solocast episode in follow up and coordination with my newest Police 1 article, where I answer the prompt on whether youth is a “problem” as a new cop. Yes and no… and all that comes with it. Beyond that factor, there’s every other thing. What about “being old” as a new guy or gal? What about being small, though fit and skilled? What about having no formal post high school education.. or...

As someone who has self-experimented with most very diet at least for some time, it’s always intriguing to talk to someone who found something that truly works for them!  Enter Eric (spelled the right way)!  Retired LEO, who, through keto/carnivore approach reversed his metabolic issues and is now thriving! We chat diet, but truly go much farther into lifestyle, service, trauma, and purpose - as h...

I am joined by Haley an active police officer, the founder of Never Forgotten Clothing Co., and host of the Five OOOH! podcast.   After connecting and being interview on her show, I knew I had to flip the script (oh how the turn-tables have turned) and share her passion, perspective and personality with more of our community.  I am moved and inspired by how Haley demonstrates modeling a positive a...

If the title doesn't say enough about the intriguing nature of Luke, his career, and his mindset, consider that he also does CRAZY EPIC swims to bring awareness to amazing causes.  I'm talking swimming to Alcatraz, towing boats to train, and other crazy stuff.  Luke talks about his entry into the Law Enforcement world starting at Chicago PD, moving to warmer CA Highway Patrol, then onto...

It was years of hearing about the true servant leader, Andy McCurdy, before I came to meet him. His reputation preceded him in all the great ways.  Like his brother, Pat, Andy was also known for leading with compassion, truly being there for his guys, and fostering wellness and peer support throughout the ranks. When I was starting to find my voice with Blue Grit, one of my officers turned me onto...

Many people credit the military for helping prepare them for their career, or frankly, life itself.  John McGlothlin would agree- to the point where he recognized and shares his experiences and insights from his military career - as it translates into prepping him for so many potentials and circumstances.   We discuss his path into the Army and then his academic career from undergrad into law scho...

In this episode, Dr. Medina Baumgart connects her experiences professionally as a psychologist supporting first responders and agencies and personally as a first responder spouse.   We go from her background from education to being an agency embedded mental health professional, and dive into the dynamics of adjusting back to home life for the first responder.  Dr. Baumgart covers tips and insights...

In this episode I’m joined by retired Chief Patrick Flannelly, who is the author/host of the Coptimizer blog and podcast respectively.  Anyone can recognize the value of this play on words- how do we optimize our cops? If you have been following my page, show, etc you’ll know my outline would consist of officer wellness and fitness, strong leadership at all levels, and continually fostering positi...

Scott has been doing the work: speaking, training, and providing content to help our first responders tackle the challenges that come alongside our careers. In our discussion we discuss: -if we are teaching resilience, mindset, and how to thrive -self awareness of mounting chronic stress - awareness of your family's status and skills to improve - healthy systems and support outside of work -...

When I connected with Jodie, learning quickly about her experiences with tragedy- losing her husband in the line of duty with their baby- I knew this would be an extremely impactful conversation for first responders, their spouses and families.    Beyond that, Jodie shares her insights from supporting her current husband, an LEO as well, with a PTSD diagnosis.  We discuss the dynamics of families...

Everyone has mentors that set them on course by virtue of providing example.  I have publicly credited Pat McCurdy multiple times as one of my shining models of how to approach agency peer support and culture.   Now, it is my distinct pleasure to get him behind a microphone on the show.  I talk about how Pat and his team with King County Sheriff's Office came in our time of need, following th...

Retired Chief Tim Eggebraaten brings a practical and uplifting message and attitude to our law enforcement professionals.  In our conversation, we talk about the difficult topics and aspects of the career: the real stressors, stigmas, cultural rivalries and animosities (within the culture and the building!)  Law enforcement and first responder communities drift toward many mal-adaptive behaviors:...

Following one of my articles on moral injury being featured in Police 1, Dr. Rachael reached out to me.  Her colleague had read the article and shared it with her.  Moral injury has been a focal point of her studies and work.  As a Marine Corps veteran, she recognized many needs to help her fellows through mental health work and awareness.  This ranged from transitioning into civilian life to guil...

The perils faced in this job claim far too many of our brothers and sisters.  Sometimes it seems like no less than a miracle that we have one of ours beat catastrophic injury in overwhelming odds. It is my privilege to bring you my conversation with a poignant example of resilience and an unwavering spirit. From my neck of the woods in western Washington, Officer Andrea "Drea" Moore shar...

Those who know... know.  There is nothing like losing your faithful furry companion.  The bonds we share with our pets can be quite different than those we share with humans.  Pets are sometimes a constant, through the tumultuous things- the highs and lows one experiences over the course of 10+ years.  How to process their loss, especially in untimely (don't they all feel that way??) adds ano...

Cops are getting charged.. arrested.. convicted.  No two situations are the same and this message as well as this episode's conversations are not offering opinions about the course, investigation, judicial processes or outcomes of any cases involving police officer criminal prosecution.  What this conversation IS doing, is bringing the fears, concerns, confusion, and discord within all office...

You can’t be in the first responder wellness space and not know about James and his work on Behind the Shield (podcast and IG).  James has a way of sharing a positive message with a dose of real talk which is very much needed in our lives. In our conversation we chat about his story and quickly get into all things health and exercise- from diet dogmas to societal health ills.  Unhealthy first resp...

Ana is a lot of things: military kid, ex collegiate athlete, paramedic and nutrition and exercise coach and tactical athlete. We talk about the simple yet profound things you can do to start, advance or cement your health progress, journey, and outcomes.  Positivity, identity mindset tools, hacks and tricks, how Ana got into nutrition, fitness and work ethic from her father’s Special Forces backgr...

Kurt Weinreich has been a fitness professional in Colorado for over 25 years and utilizes his experience in the industry as a trainer, manager, and educator as a former senior instructor at the National Personal Training Institute. Kurt was awarded the Academic Achievement Award from the International Sports and Sciences Association and was chosen to be Fitness Ambassador to work the High-Performa...