Shielded Voices

In this midweek update, Mitch and Brian reconnect to reflect on the emotional impact of Part 3 of Leanne’s story — an episode that’s already resonating deeply with listeners across the country. From gut-punch feedback to moments that brought them to tears, they open up about what it’s like to relive these conversations as both hosts and fellow first responders. They also pull back the curtain on t...

In the final part of this powerful three-part series, Leanne shares the raw and emotional breaking point that forced everything into the light. What began as a slow unraveling reaches its peak as she confronts the internal betrayal, the silence from leadership, and the lasting impact it had on her family. This episode dives deep into the emotional toll of toxic leadership and the culture of fear t...

In this raw and powerful conversation, Leanne opens up about the realities she faced throughout her law enforcement career — from the lasting weight of traumatic calls to the invisible battles within her own department. She discusses the systemic challenges female officers often confront, the emotional toll of internal affairs investigations, and how workplace culture can undermine even the most w...

In this midweek update, Mitch and Brian unpack the highs, lows, and heatwaves of the week—literally and figuratively. Brian shares about the chaos of working HVAC in 90+ degree weather, while Mitch talks about the emotional weight of a recent fatal motorcycle crash and how it’s reignited his interest in crash reconstruction. The two reflect on how their perspectives have shifted—especially when it...

In the first installment of this three-part series, Leanne shares her powerful journey through law enforcement — beginning with her roots in a law enforcement family and continuing through her own path from personal trainer to officer. She opens up about the challenges of early training, the pressure of tough coaching, and the internal battles around identity and resilience. This episode also expl...

It’s been months since our last check-in, but a lot has changed. Mitch is back on the road with a renewed mindset and five months of sobriety under his belt. Brian’s thriving in a new career outside the badge—bringing leadership lessons from the field into the world of HVAC. This update is all about growth, healing, and the quiet power of choosing to keep going. We also give you a glimpse into wha...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Angela Graham, we pick up where we left off—crossing the border into Mexico for a psychedelic journey that would change everything. Angela shares what happened after she took that leap into the unknown: the inner battles, the healing breakthroughs, and the raw reckoning with pain she had spent years suppressing. This episode dives deep into her experience with al...

Before she co-founded The SIREN Project, Angela Graham was a firefighter, a medic, a mother—and completely falling apart. In Part One of this raw and honest two-part series, Angela opens up about the years of trauma, burnout, and breakdowns that nearly ended everything. From holding it together on the outside to crumbling behind closed doors, she shares what it looked like to lose herself in the j...

In this powerful follow-up, Jimmy Ward returns to Shielded Voices for a deep dive into the personal transformation that followed his career in law enforcement. Through open discussion with Brian and Mitch, Jimmy shares how hitting emotional walls led him toward coaching, leadership development, and a shift in perspective that changed his life. This conversation is about more than rank or recogniti...

In this solo episode, Mitch opens up about the personal side of wearing the badge—what the job takes from you, how the warning signs show up, and what it really means to hit a breaking point. This isn’t a story about heroism. It’s about honesty. About struggling silently with PTSD, depression, and alcoholism while still showing up to work. It’s about how the job changes you—and what recovery can l...

In Part Two of their conversation, Brian and Mitch move beyond the light-hearted banter and step into a raw, vulnerable space—one that explores trauma, addiction, recovery, and the mental health battles often faced in silence, especially within the first responder community. Mitch opens up about childhood trauma, the weight of vicarious pain passed down through family, and the internal battles he...

In this first part of a deeply personal two-part conversation, Mitch sits down with co-host Brian to begin opening up about his journey—both in life and in law enforcement. From childhood struggles to the early signs of emotional weight building behind the badge, Mitch starts to unpack the foundation of a story he’s kept private for far too long. This episode isn’t about rock bottom—it’s about wha...

In this episode of Shielded Voices , former Senior Trooper Jimmy Ward shares his journey through law enforcement—from rookie moments and narcotics work to the realities of addiction, drug enforcement, and personal growth. Jimmy and the hosts dive into the mental toll of the job, the importance of vulnerability, and the power of leadership through compassion. This conversation is raw, real, and ful...

In this midweek update of Shielded Voices , Brian shares the story of Gabe Monteiro, a fellow first responder courageously battling a brain tumor. Gabe’s determination reminds us of the strength it takes to keep moving forward. We also discuss the mix of excitement and anxiety when returning to work, how leadership impacts well-being, and the importance of open conversations about mental health. W...

After 16 years of dedicated service, Brian makes the difficult decision to resign from law enforcement. In this emotional episode of Shielded Voices , he shares his journey, the weight of this transition, and the challenges officers face when stepping away from the badge. Brian reflects on the emotional toll of leaving a career that became part of his identity, the complexities of dealing with law...

In this midweek update, we highlight the power of storytelling, the importance of humor in law enforcement, and the incredible support that makes all the difference. Returning to work after recovery is a huge milestone, and we take a moment to recognize the unwavering support from our agency—proof that when leadership and peers rally around you, it can make the road to recovery that much smoother....

In Part 2 of our conversation with Jess Flores, we dive deep into the power of physical health and personal transformation. Jess shares his journey of rebuilding both mind and body after leaving law enforcement, offering insights on the challenges and victories that come with transitioning into life beyond the badge. The biggest focus of this episode? The Next Shift Podcast —Jess’ mission to help...

In this mid-week update, Brian teases some exciting news he’ll be revealing in the coming weeks! We also hit a technical snag while recording with Angela, the founder of The SIREN Project , but we’re working on rescheduling. Plus, Part 2 of our conversation with Jess Flores from The Next Shift Podcast drops this Sunday! Stay tuned as we check in, share what’s ahead, and continue breaking the stigm...

In this episode of Shielded Voices , we sit down with Jess Flores, a former law enforcement officer and the host of The Next Shift Podcast . Jess is dedicated to helping current and former officers navigate life after law enforcement, sharing powerful stories of transition, personal growth, and rediscovering purpose beyond the badge. In Part 1 of our conversation, Jess opens up about her journey i...

This week, we dive into navigating personal emotions and parenting challenges, strengthening family connections while focusing on personal growth. We’ll quickly discuss the impact of the physical demands of the job on overall health and well-being. We also take a moment to acknowledge line-of-duty deaths. Plus, a sneak peek at our upcoming guest and their powerful story—don’t miss it!

In this powerful second episode with Janeen Baggette, we dive deeper into the incredible work of K9’s For Freedom & Independence , the non-profit she founded to train critical incident and detection dogs for first responders. Janeen shares the inspiring mission behind the organization, the life-changing impact of service dogs, and the specialized training that goes into preparing these K9s for...

It’s time for your midweek update! This week on Shielded Voices , we’re back with Part Two of our conversation with Janeen Baggette which comes out Sunday. We dive into her non-profit, K9s For Freedom & Independence , and the incredible work she’s doing to train service dogs for first responders and those in need. Stay tuned! We also continue to update you guys on upcoming guest and episodes t...

In Janeen Baggette’s first episode on Shielded Voices , we dive into her remarkable career as a retired law enforcement officer and expert K9 handler with over 27 years of experience. She shares her journey from working in detection K9 training—spanning search and rescue, cadaver detection, narcotics, explosives, and forensic evidence recovery—to founding K9’s For Freedom & Independence , a no...

This weeks Midweek update covers Janeen Bagette's two part episode dropping on Sunday. Janeen is a retired law enforcement officer, elite K9 trainer, and founder of K9’s For Freedom & Independence . Janeen's episode will be released this Sunday Feb. 16th, so stay tuned. Other announcements include future guest!

In part two of our conversation with Rob Poynter, we dive into his experience with the SIREN Project and how it played a pivotal role in his personal journey. Rob opens up about the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and the impact of finding a supportive community focused on healing and growth. His story sheds light on the importance of mental health resources for first responders and t...