Elevate Your Call To Service

Is self-doubt killing your law enforcement leadership potential?  Relentless pressures like community unrest, staffing shortages, and self-doubt can fracture teams and erode trust. In Episode 38 of Elevate Your Call to Service, we reveal how personal leadership conquers chaos.  Learn practical tools to overcome imposter syndrome, build trusted teams, and lead with resilience. This episode offers a...

Overwhelmed by agency chaos or self-doubt?  As a law enforcement executive, you face relentless pressures—protests, staffing shortages, and budget cuts that erode team morale and community trust. Episode 37 of Elevate Your Call to Service equips you with proven tools to conquer overwhelm and lead with confidence. Join hosts Mike and Cathy McIntosh as they share the CALM framework—a repeatable syst...

Exhausted from endless shifts? Can't shut off your brain after a high-stress call?  Discover why sleep deprivation is the silent epidemic plaguing law enforcement and how you can reclaim your health, resilience, and edge on the job. In Episode 36 of Elevate Your Call to Service, we dive deep into the critical role sleep plays in officer wellness with insights from Dr. Chris Winter’s The Sleep Solu...

Is your agency bleeding talent?  Stop toxic systems from sabotaging your team.  Toxic workplaces are crushing your best officers, and Episode 35 of the Elevate Your Call to Serve Podcast shows you how to fight back. We dive into the leadership traps—like vague directives, politics over people, and silenced voices—that fuel officer burnout and drive good cops away.  Our proven ASSESS framework give...

Why do 80% of leaders overestimate their self-awareness, burning bridges with their teams?  In Episode 34, we uncover the hidden test most leaders fail—and how to pass it by boosting self-awareness. With raw vulnerability, we share our own struggles and growth, revealing practical tools to overcome blind spots, build trust, and strengthen law enforcement teams.  This episode equips you to lead wit...

What does it take to lead when hope seems lost? In this gripping episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, we unravel the dramatic tale of Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition, where leadership defied impossible odds to save a stranded crew.  Paired with powerful law enforcement insights, you'll discover why trust and empathy outshine task-driven management. Unlock the LIFT framework (Listen, I...

Ever wonder why half your team stays silent while the other half won’t stop talking—and how that’s quietly sabotaging your leadership? Join us as MBTI expert Mary Thompson unpacks the introvert-extrovert divide, revealing why these misunderstandings derail communication, fracture trust, and leave your team running on half power—especially in high-stakes fields like law enforcement. Tune in to disc...

Feeling worn out, disconnected, or like emotional weight of the badge has drained you dry? You’re not alone—and this episode offers hope.  In this gripping episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, hosts Mike and Cathy McIntosh tackle the silent crisis of wellness in law enforcement. With nearly 40 years experience, Mike reveals how neglecting his wellness nearly broke him—and their marriage.  Cath...

What if your team’s mission wasn’t just a faded “Serve and Protect” mug—but a rallying cry that lit them up every shift? Former Sheriff Mike McIntosh digs into the playbook for crafting a mission that inspires, motivates, and unites law enforcement teams.  From a fractured agency finding “Unity through trust” to an SRO unit igniting over safer schools, they reveal how to make your “why” stick—in o...

Ever briefed your team only to find chaos later? Poor communication isn’t just frustrating—it’s a leadership killer.  In this episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, Mike and Cathy McIntosh tackle the hidden costs of unclear messages, from crumbling trust to life-or-death missteps.  Hear how calm clarity saved 155 lives and how a sergeant’s steady voice tamed pending chaos on a shooting scene.  W...

Are your officers disengaged, burned out, or drifting apart? The problem isn’t more schedules or checklists. It’s a leadership gap.  In this episode, we dive deep into the critical divide between managing tasks and leading people, revealing why law enforcement teams crumble under box-checking bosses but thrive with vision-driven leaders.  Join us as we unpack a gripping SWAT standoff that exposes...

Championship teams—whether on the field or in law enforcement—are built on one critical foundation: trust. Without trust, teams falter, relationships break down, and missions fail.  In this episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, Mike and Cathy McIntosh are joined by special guest Chris McIntosh to explore how leaders can build trust within their teams and create high-performing, championship-lev...

Your leadership reputation isn’t what you say it is—it’s what others say about you when you’re not in the room. In this episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, Mike and Cathy McIntosh dive into the often-overlooked concept of building your leadership reputation and why it’s critical for law enforcement leaders.  This episode is packed with insights for law enforcement leaders at every stage of th...

How you develop law enforcement leaders is pivotal in the success of your organization.  That’s why this episode of Elevate Your Call to Service dives into the challenges law enforcement leaders face in preparing the next generation of leadership.  Mike and Cathy McIntosh discuss why so many organizations struggle to develop internal leaders, the dangers of reactive leadership, and the importance...

Maximizing Officer Performance: Nutrition and Exercise Strategies by Corey Proulx Do you want to enhance your officer safety and performance through a comprehensive fitness program? Today, I'm with Corey Proulx, who will share keys to help you achieve peak physical fitness and improve your overall health. By implementing the recommended strategies, you can experience heightened officer safety and...

Strategic Ways of Developing Resilience in Law Enforcement   Do you want to develop the resilience needed to better respond to trauma in law enforcement? Are you seeking a solution to improve your well-being and ability to cope with the challenges of the job? By unlocking the power of resilience, you can enhance your ability to navigate the intense demands of law enforcement and effectively respon...

Preventing Officer Burnout: Essential Strategies for Law Enforcement Leaders Have you heard these myths about preventing officer burnout? Myth #1: Taking care of an officer's well-being is a sign of weakness. Myth #2: Burnout is just part of the job; you have to tough it out. Myth #3: There's nothing we can do to prevent officer burnout. What if I told you there's a proven strategy to protect the...

Boost Your Law Enforcement Career with Task Force Experience: Expert Tips from Joel White   Does this sound familiar? You've been told that in order to enhance your career prospects as a law enforcement officer, you should simply work hard and wait for opportunities to come your way. But let's face it - that approach isn't yielding the results you desire. Instead, you're feeling the pain of stagna...

The Way to Find Help in the Most Difficult of Days: Navigating a Line of Duty Death Do you want to ensure that law enforcement professionals and agencies are better prepared and supported in case the worst happens? Today, I will be sharing a solution that will help you find a way forward for both your agency and your personnel in the event of a tragic event. As I talk with my special guest, Stephe...

Building Trust Through Community Conversations   Tired of the disconnect between law enforcement and your community despite increased presence? Join us as we explore a fresh approach to crime prevention and community connection in this episode.   My guest, Scott Moore, a crime prevention specialist at the Louisville PD, shares insights on fostering trust and building authentic relationships within...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Elevate Your Call to Service Podcast!    In our first episode this season, you’ll discover how law enforcement leaders can transform their organizations and strengthen community relationships. Learn about the pivotal role leaders play in shaping a positive police culture and take actionable steps to create a more effective and trusted law enforcement agency.   In this ep...

We want to thank our listeners for making season 1 so special! Here is what to expect in season 2! 

In Episode 16, host Mike McIntosh sits down with Nick Metz, a retired police chief and advocate for strong mental health support for first responders. Together, they delve into the unique challenges faced by those on the frontlines and explore the vital importance of prioritizing mental health and wellness within the first responder community.   Nick Metz sheds light on the specific emotional and...

In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the delicate balancing act faced by those in law enforcement, shedding light on the struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Hear from seasoned law enforcement officer Derek Dummar and his wife Alicia as they candidly discuss the unique stresses of the job and the impact on their personal lives. Topics in this candid conversation include confrontin...

In today’s episode, Mike meets with Dr. Paul Taylor to talk about addressing and resolving the trust issues that exist within law enforcement organizations. It emphasizes that trust is a two-way street and is fundamental not only between the community and its police force but also within the force itself.     The discussion outlines a strategic plan to combat the trust deficit, which includes iden...