Duty Beyond Duty

In this powerful episode of  Duty Beyond Duty,  Chicago Police Commander  Joshua Wallace  joins host  Manny Guzman  to talk about leadership, vulnerability, and the humanity behind the badge. After listening to  Episode 2  of Wallace’s own podcast,  “The Badge Doesn’t Make You Bulletproof,”  Manny dives into a candid discussion about wellness, balance, and the reality of policing with purpose. Thi...

In this episode of  Duty Beyond Duty,  host  Manny Guzman  sits down with  Chief Melchor “Mel” Ortiz , a  U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Chief of Police for the Village of Summit, Illinois . From serving in  Operation Desert Storm (1988–1992)  to leading a modern police department, Chief Ortiz shares his story of resilience, discipline, and service. Hear how his military roots continue to shape his...

etired Sgt.  Glenn Topping  — U.S. Army Military Police veteran, 25-year member of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, and former SWAT Hostage Negotiator — joins  Sgt. Manny Guzman  on  Duty Beyond Duty . In this episode, Glenn shares his incredible journey from the front lines of crisis to the quiet strength of storytelling. From negotiating with armed suspects to writing novels that inspire, hi...

U.S. Navy Reserve Lieutenant Ed Earl brings the grit of service and the soul of classic country to every song he sings. In this episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , host Manny Guzman dives deep into Ed’s journey — from military life to the music stage — exploring how discipline, sacrifice, and small-town pride shape his storytelling and sound. Featuring his new single  “Honky Tonk Degree.”

In this powerful episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , we sit down with Air Force veteran Anthony Dyer—a combat special missions aviator who spent over a decade flying into the world’s most dangerous war zones. Born in the rugged Appalachian town of Sylva, North Carolina, Anthony’s journey took him from a life of resilience and adventure to the elite ranks of Special Operations Aviation. His career was d...

In this episode of Duty Beyond Duty, we sit down with Bronx-born poet, singer, and actor  Flaco Navaja . Known for his fiery performances at the Nuyorican Poets Café, his role on HBO’s  Def Poetry Jam , and his theatrical work  Evolution of a Sonero , Flaco embodies the soul of salsa and the spirit of Puerto Rican storytelling. We talk about his early life, the legacy of Rubén Blades, the power of...

In this powerful episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , Manny Guzman sits down with  Ken Tworek , former Oak Park Police Officer, founder of  Three Block Solutions , and a mental wellness speaker whose story is rooted in courage, survival, and purpose. Ken opens up about his journey in law enforcement, the realities of serving the community, and the life-changing moment when he was  shot in the line of du...

In this episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , Manny Guzman sits down with  Chicago Fire Department Captain Alfonso Ortiz , President of  Battle of the Badges Chicago , to talk about the powerful charity boxing tradition that unites  CPD and CFD . Ortiz shares the story behind the event, what it takes to train first responders for the ring, and how the mission supports the families of Chicago’s heroes. Th...

In this powerful episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , host  Manny Guzman  sits down with  Clarissa Flores  — a Chicago-born hospitality executive, former professional basketball player, and community builder who is changing the game both on and off the court. A proud alum of  Whitney Young High School  and a former  Northwestern University  Division I basketball standout, Clarissa went on to compete pro...

In this episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , we sit down with  Karen Bartuch , a Chicago-area professional whose career defies a single label. Karen began her journey in  law enforcement , serving nearly a decade as a Chicago Police Officer. From working the streets to advising leadership, her time in public service shaped her discipline, resilience, and commitment to excellence. But her story didn’t st...

Chicago Police Lieutenant Jermaine Harris is a 23-year CPD veteran, a U.S. Marine Corps alumnus, and the visionary co-founder of Chicago Westside Police & Youth Sports. Raised in Austin and now rooted in North Lawndale, Lt. Harris blends street-level experience with policy insight—serving on both Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s public-safety transition teams. In this 45-minute...

In this episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , we sit down with Chicago-based film director  Raul Colón III , a self-taught storyteller known for his raw, gritty, and emotionally driven films. Raul takes us behind the lens, sharing his journey growing up in Chicago, discovering filmmaking, and building a career in independent film without a traditional path. We talk about the creative grind, directing on...

Chicago isn’t just a city — it’s a community built on rhythm, culture, and connection. In this special episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , host  Manny Guzman  sits down with longtime Chicago radio voices  Luis Guillermo and César Osmar  to reflect on the  legacy of La X Tropical Chicago  and what it truly meant to serve the city through music, culture, and the airwaves. This conversation is about  impa...

Season Two. New voices. Deeper stories. Welcome back to  Duty Beyond Duty . If this is your first time here—welcome. And if you’ve been riding with us since Season One—thank you for believing in this journey. My name is Manny Guzman—Chicago police sergeant, Army veteran, husband, father—and like many of the people you’ll hear on this show, I wear more than one uniform in life. Duty Beyond Duty  is...

In this powerful Season 1 finale of  Duty Beyond Duty , the mic flips. Josiah Guzman returns as host , sitting down with his father,  Manny Guzman , to reflect on the journey of building  Duty Beyond Duty  from the ground up. Together, they look back on the stories that shaped Season 1—veterans, first responders, athletes, creatives, community leaders, and everyday heroes who shared their truth be...

In this deeply personal and emotional episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , host  Manny Guzman  sits down with his wife,  Jessica Guzman , for an honest conversation about resilience, love, and the unseen strength behind service. Jessica shares her journey as a wife, mother, and the backbone of a family shaped by military service, law enforcement, and profound loss. From navigating grief and uncertainty...

In this special episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , host Manny Guzman is joined by his son  Josiah  and his niece  Jade  to share a powerful and rarely heard perspective— growing up as children of first responders who also served in the U.S. military . They open up about childhood memories shaped by uniforms, deployments, late nights, and the emotional weight of having parents who protect and serve. Fr...

In this deeply personal and powerful episode, host  Manny Guzman  opens up about the battles many never see — the quiet wars fought in the mind and the heart. Manny shares his own journey with  PTSD, grief, trauma, and the demons that follow so many veterans and first responders long after the uniform comes off. This is not a story of weakness — it’s a message of  courage . A reminder that  asking...

Host Manny Guzman sits down with two of Chicago’s purpose-driven leaders:  Sendy Soto , the city’s first Chief Homelessness Officer, and  Kevin Barszcz , a U.S. Navy veteran and Director of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs. Together, they discuss equity, housing, veteran advocacy, and the importance of collaborative leadership. Learn how Sendy and Kevin are building a city where dignity, ser...

In this inspiring episode, host Manny Guzman celebrates the 25th anniversary of  Latin Rhythms Academy of Dance & Performance  with its founder,  Maricza Valentín . Together, they discuss the academy’s beginnings, its cultural impact in Chicago, and its youth company  Futuro , where Manny’s daughter  Alany  dances proudly. They also shine a light on  Bags of Hope  — Latin Rhythms’ annual outre...

In this powerful episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , host Manny Guzman sits down with  Elliot Cebollero  — a Chicago firefighter, former Cook County Sheriff, and former O’Hare Aviation Security officer. Elliot was a former proud member of Chicago’s police baseball legacy, having played with both Chicago Police Baseball Clubs , The Finest and The Knights before joining the  Chicago Fire Department Baseb...

In this powerful Veterans Day episode, three brothers-in-arms reunite to reflect on service, sacrifice, and lifelong friendship. Host  Manny Guzman , a 7-year U.S. Army veteran and 23-year Chicago Police Sergeant, sits down with  Jose “Berty” Pacheco , a 9-year U.S. Army veteran and Department of Defense contractor, and  Jose “Papito” Hernandez , a retired  U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel  with 26 ye...

In this episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , Manny Guzman sits down with  Nick Ramos , a proud Chicago native, entrepreneur, and 0wner of  Final Cuts , one of the city’s most respected grooming brands and creative hubs. From humble beginnings to building a business that blends  barbering, culture, and community , Nick shares his journey of hard work, faith, and purpose. Listen as Nick talks about the le...

In this inspiring episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , Manny Guzman sits down with  Gonzalo “Chalo” Pazmino  — a proud  U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Chicago firefighter, and founder of Firefighters Hearts United . Born in Ecuador and raised in Chicago, Chalo shares his journey from managing some of the city’s hottest Latino nightclubs to dedicating his life to saving lives at home and abroad. Hear how his...

In this powerful episode of  Duty Beyond Duty , host  Manny Guzman  sits down with  Carlos Javier Ortiz , an award-winning Chicago photographer and filmmaker known for capturing the realities of urban life, race, and community with raw honesty and depth. Carlos shares his journey from growing up in Chicago to documenting stories that challenge perceptions and inspire dialogue across the nation. Hi...