Courageous Leadership with Travis Yates

Send us Fan Mail When Stephanie Kiesow hung up her badge and set her sights on academia, she carried with her the silent weight of a career in law enforcement, a weight many of her brothers and sisters in blue know all too well. In this episode, Stephanie, a former officer turned PhD student and author of "Workicide," offers an unguarded look into the mental health challenges that are al...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the essence of leadership with heartfelt reflections from the Eureka County Sheriff's Department Leadership Conference. This week, we wrap up our series with a special focus on day four, as leadership mavens John Kelly and Roland Clee take us through their experiences post-conference. They generously share their insights, painting a vivid picture of the event's po...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine stepping up to the leadership plate with the confidence of a seasoned sheriff who's faced down the wildest challenges of the digital age. That's the kind of transformative knowledge we're imparting as we sit down with Roland Clee, dissecting the invaluable lessons delivered by Sheriff Wayne Ivey during the Eureka County Sheriff's Department's Leade...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the essence of leadership that resonates beyond badges and ranks, as we unpack the learnings from the Eureka County Sheriff's Department Leadership Conference. With Roland Clee and John Kelly sharing their wisdom, we delve into how their insights that inspire officers to cultivate a culture of integrity and wellness within the force. The electrifying presentations of...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a transformative journey with Travis Yates, as he takes you behind the scenes of a profound week in Eureka, Nevada, at a leadership conference hosted by Sheriff Jesse Watts and Undersheriff Tyler Thomas. Te day one summary of this phenomenal gathering of law enforcement leaders is detailed by guest Roland Clee. Join us for an unguarded look at the trials and transformati...

Send us Fan Mail When Randy Sutton, founder of The Wounded Blue, takes the stage, you can't help but be moved by his stories of valor and sacrifice. Our latest leadership conference episode transports you to Eureka, Nevada, where Randy's powerful seminar addresses the alarming reality and challenges faced by our law enforcement heroes injured in the line of duty. Through the poignant tal...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what it takes to lead with valor in the complex world of law enforcement? Roland Clee, a retired non-sworn law enforcement professional with 26 years under his belt, joins us to share his transformative insights on leadership and innovation in the field. From defying conventional divides between civilian roles and sworn officers to the essence of proactive t...

Send us Fan Mail When the law falls heavy on those tasked with upholding it, what becomes of their hearts and minds? Jeremy Wade, a former Seattle police officer and now the guiding force behind Mission First Alliance , opens up about his transition from the front lines of law enforcement to leading an organization that heals and supports the spiritual needs of first responders. His experiences du...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to crack the code on law enforcement recruitment with our expert guest, Tom Sye, who brings two decades of police service and a mastery in marketing and recruiting to the table. Together, we dissect the symbiotic yet challenging relationship between police departments and marketing firms in the quest for qualified recruits. This episode is the guiding beacon for agencies...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the intricate balance between integrity and protocol in law enforcement as we welcome Kevin Davis to the show, a distinguished figure with 39 years experience in law enforcement and security along with an induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame. Kevin sheds light on the complexities officers grapple with in an era where actions are swiftly judged, with an...

Send us Fan Mail We're confronting the elephant in the room: the real crisis in police recruiting isn't about numbers; it's about leadership. Police departments often mistake flashy websites and costly videos as a quick fix to their recruitment woes, but we're here to tear down this facade and expose the truth. This episode pulls no punches in revealing the wasteful spending on...

Send us Fan Mail When the weight of the badge becomes a heavy burden, where do our law enforcement officers turn for support? Join us alongside Mark The Cop and Dr. David, esteemed voices from The Shield Within podcast, as we traverse the emotional and psychological landscape that officers navigate daily. Together, we delve into the harrowing personal stories of those behind the badge, dissect the...

Send us Fan Mail Every leader faces their own battleground, and who better to guide us through the trenches of leadership than Sergeant John Kelly, whose scars of experience shine as lessons in resilience. Our heart-to-heart with John is more than just a discussion; it's a journey through the valleys of failure that leads us to the peaks of exemplary leadership. His tales are not just recount...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a journey to the heart of law enforcement's high-stakes decision-making with retired police officer Danny King, as he lays bare the complexities of use of force and leadership. With a career spanning from the military to the streets of Las Vegas, Danny joins Dr. Travis Yates, to unravel the intricacies behind the thin blue line. Our candid conversation reveals how l...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever stood at the crossroads of your career, torn between the comfort of the familiar and the allure of the unknown? This is the tale of Tom Rink, whose pivot from a 25-year stretch as a Tulsa police officer to a librarian and educator proves it's never too late to rewrite your story. Our conversation with Tom unveils the remarkable way he discovered his true calling...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to lead with integrity behind the badge? Join us as we sit down with Steve Neal, a law enforcement veteran of nearly three decades, whose story of transformation from a young man on the wrong side of the law to a champion for respectful policing will leave you inspired. Steve doesn't just share his journey; he takes us through the murky waters of l...

Send us Fan Mail When life handed you a uniform and a badge, it didn't provide a manual on how to maintain health amidst the chaos. Today's episode is nothing short of a revelation, as Dr. Mark Sherwood, a retired police sergeant and beacon of wellness, joins us to discuss the seismic shift in his life's path. From the gritty streets of law enforcement to the holistic corridors of f...

Send us Fan Mail When courage under fire translates from the battlefield to the streets, retired police captain and U.S. Army veteran Michael Howell steps into our studio to talk life, leadership, and the split-second decisions that make all the difference. Michael takes us behind the scenes of the Lakewood church shooting with a critical eye on the response, the impact, and the courage it takes t...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever stood at a crossroads, principles in one hand, the easy path in the other? In this episode, we tackle the silent crisis afflicting today’s society: a dire need for courage among leaders. Courage that demands we stand grounded in our convictions, regardless of the tremors that threaten our professional and personal worlds. Through our journey, the spotlight falls on D...

Send us Fan Mail When the rules of engagement change on the streets, what happens to the guardians keeping the peace? Sean Willoughby, president of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association, steps into the spotlight to shed light on the stark realities of police reform under DOJ consent decrees. Through Sean's lens, we uncover the consequences these changes have wrought on the Albuquerque P...

Send us Fan Mail Join Travis Yates and his distinguished guest, retired assistant Chief Brian Baxter, for a deep and engaging discussion on the essence of leadership and trust within the law enforcement community. Brian, with over three decades at the Texas Department of Public Safety and founder of Performance Critical Inc., shares his invaluable insights and experiences that span from his initia...

Send us Fan Mail Discover a transformative perspective on leadership as former police officer Chad is trailblazing  path through his performance coaching and desire to see leadership in law enforcement improve.  Venturing beyond his book, "The Holy Trinity of Successful and Healthy Police Organizations," Chad illuminates the essence of profound leadership and personal growth, recounting...

Send us Fan Mail This episode has been removed by the host.  Our show sponsor, Telegenix , offers a 37% discount on all wellness resources for first responders and their spouses.  Join Our Tribe of Courageous Leaders: Get The Book Get Weekly Articles by Travis Yates Join Us At Our Website Get Our 'Courageous Leadership' Training Join The Courageous Police Leadership Alliance

Send us Fan Mail Hernando Arce brings more than just a keen eye for detail to our latest discussion; he carries the weight of truth from the frontlines of Texas border towns. As a citizen journalist, Hernando offers an unfiltered glimpse into the immigration crisis, painting a picture of leadership missteps and the real-world consequences for communities grappling with demographic upheaval. From t...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the timeless principles of Stoic philosophy as Air Force veteran and law enforcement professional Bryce Lee joins us to unveil the nexus between ancient wisdom and modern courage. Through the lens of his own experiences and the discipline of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Bryce illuminates the virtues of humility and emotional discipline – essential tools in the arsenal of any lead...