STREET TALES

This episode is a compilation of some of the military veterans that have been guests on the Street Tales Podcast and provides highlights to some of their experiences and stories. We explore the overlap between military and law enforcement culture—why many Marines become cops, how infantry experience translates to intelligence and federal work, and the challenges of interagency cooperation. Guests...

In this episode of Street Tales, host sits down with Travis Lyons—husband of Catherine Boyle—to hear his journey from a difficult Bronx childhood to serving in the Army, surviving an IED blast and earning a Purple Heart. They talk about his struggle re-entering civilian life, finding purpose through fitness and training, working at Equinox and gritty gyms, and building a career as an outpatient co...

Back to another episode of Street Tales. In this episode, BJ and Tyler sit down with longtime coworker and mentor Andy Baxter (aka Drew Breasy). They discuss Andy’s path into law enforcement—from listening to scanners in childhood to serving as a dispatcher and rising through ranks—plus his leadership philosophies, experiences with internal politics, trauma in the communications center, and his po...

In this episode of Street Tales, host sits down with Don Shomette — a Marine Corps veteran, longtime law enforcement officer and school resource officer, father of eight, and a 30-year violence prevention specialist. Don shares his difficult childhood, early misdiagnosis due to a speech impediment, and the path that led him from combat to community policing. He discusses turning personal trauma in...

In this episode of Street Tales, host sits down with Don Shomette — a Marine Corps veteran, longtime law enforcement officer and school resource officer, father of eight, and a 30-year violence prevention specialist. Don shares his difficult childhood, early misdiagnosis due to a speech impediment, and the path that led him from combat to community policing. He discusses turning personal trauma in...

Hosts Tyler and Monique trace Street Tales’ journey from shaky phone recordings to a growing podcast and creative brand, explaining who they are, why they started, and the lessons they learned along the way. They cover the book project, apparel line that supports Blue Cancer Connect, production challenges, guest selection, and plans for future episodes, charity events, and continued growth. to con...

Mike Morgan, a 30-year law enforcement veteran from Atlanta to Suffolk County, shares his upbringing, long policing career, and the highs and lows of life on the job. He opens up about his opioid addiction (prescription-based), rehab, PTSD and recovery work — including ayahuasca, upcoming ibogaine therapy, and ETMS — and describes launching Resilient Warrior Nation to help fellow first responders...

In this episode, Mo and the host sit down with Jeremy Cormier, founder of V3 Gun Dogs and Canine Academy, to trace his path from volunteer EMT, police cadet and teen pilot to studying organized crime in Florence and serving ten years in law enforcement. After a personal crisis and attempted suicide, Jeremy rebuilt his life by turning a lifelong love of dogs into a rapidly growing training business...

In this episode, Vic Martinez and the host sit down with Lee Wittek, a retired NYPD detective known as "Stromboli" and the "barefoot professional." This lively, lighthearted conversation revisits Lee's global childhood travels, including visits to the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, and shares humorous and vivid stories from his NYPD career, from being the face of the department's suicide-preventio...

In this episode, Mo and I sit down with Mary McFarland, the wife of Tony McFarland—a Bronze Star recipient who returned from service with PTSD and profound changes. Mary shares how they met, the arc of Tony’s military career, and how they raised a family through deployments and difficult transitions. Mary also recounts her personal path: returning to school, earning her nursing degree and then a m...

This episode is an emotional tribute to Lucy Macaluso, with Marine Corp Lt. Col (retired) Adam Macaluso sharing memories of Lucy's childhood, the decision to become a father, and the everyday moments that made her unique. They discuss Lucy's Ewing sarcoma diagnosis, the family's experience with treatment and caregiving, how friends and colleagues reacted, and the lasting impact of grief, loss, and...

This episode is an emotional tribute to Lucy Macaluso, with Marine Corp Lt. Col (retired) Adam Macaluso sharing memories of Lucy's childhood, the decision to become a father, and the everyday moments that made her unique. They discuss Lucy's Ewing sarcoma diagnosis, the family's experience with treatment and caregiving, how friends and colleagues reacted, and the lasting impact of grief, loss, and...

In this episode, Lil Barcaski — CEO of Ghostwriters Network and GWN Publishing — shares her journey from theater and music to ghostwriting and publishing. Lil discusses editing and producing books, coaching writers and actors, running a playwriting festival, and launching the Newpreneurship program to help first responders and entrepreneurs start businesses. Listeners will learn about Lil’s publis...

In this episode, Mo and Tyler interview Katherine Boyle (the Lieutenant's Daughter), an advocate for law enforcement families. Katherine shares her upbringing in a Philadelphia police household, her journey from fashion in New York to founding Beyond the Uniform, and the lessons she learned about parenting, career choices, and family resilience. Through trainings, a workbook, and public speaking,...

In this episode, BJ and the host spend an hour with Marc Effron as he openly shares his journey from addiction and homelessness to sobriety, entrepreneurship, and community impact. Marc discusses his faith, family, and the intentional routines that sustain him, plus his work with Legacy Healing Center, the Marc Effron Foundation, and mentorship for young athletes. Through candid stories and practi...

In this episode Dr. Mike Simpson returns to the Street Tales podcast to dive deeper into tactical medicine and law enforcement training. He shares insights from a 32-year military career, his work as an emergency physician and SWAT physician, and the challenges of building realistic training programs for operators and medics. Dr. Simpson also discusses differences between military and civilian cas...

Veronica Palamara shares her journey from Southern California and a short stint in the Navy to life as the wife of an NYPD detective, mother of three, and partner in new ventures. This episode explores the challenges of supporting a law-enforcement spouse, the strain of shared sacrifices, the slow rebuilding of trust after retirement, and the transforming power of faith, community, and new project...

Retired L.A. County Sheriff Sergeant George Creamer recounts his 32-year career, from growing up in rural Wyoming to serving in county jails, patrolling Malibu and South Central, and joining the Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB/SWAT). He reflects on lessons learned—treating people with respect, continuous training, and teamwork—while sharing stories about full-time tactical operations, inter-agency...

Alyse Martinez, a mother, wife, and entrepreneur, shares her experience living with police officer Vic Martinez. She discusses their blended family, growing up in Paterson, and the choices they made to build a stable home while balancing demanding careers. The episode covers the challenges of being a law enforcement spouse: limited details about dangerous work, long hours, and the emotional weight...

Retired NYPD Intelligence/Counter Terrorism Detective Lee Wittek recounts his journey from a globe-trotting childhood and radio career to joining the NYPD at 28. Early frustrations in the academy turn into purpose after a dramatic on-scene discovery, launching a long career in housing, plainclothes anti-crime work, and specialized intelligence and counterterrorism. The episode covers gritty patrol...

Marine Corp Lt. Col Adam Macaluso (retired) and Tyler Martin interview Dr. Mike Simpson about his life from a Ranger in the 1980s to Special Forces (18D), med school, emergency medicine, and service with JSOC. He shares frontline stories, lessons from deployments, and his perspective on modern combat and medical care. Please tell people, I'm a soldier. I'm an 18 Delta. I'm a special forces medic t...

In this episode, Dr. Rahul Mehra and the Street Tales team discuss how disturbing, widely shared violence and relentless screen time affect children’s developing brains, emotions, and sense of safety. The episode covers vision and limbic responses, the importance of human interaction, sleep and routines, the 6D risk factors (discussion, despair, depression, disengagement, drugs, denial), and pract...

Marine Corp Lt. Col. (retired) Adam Macaluso interviews Tyler, creator of the Street Tales podcast, about his life from a military upbringing and college football to a long law enforcement career. Tyler recounts patrol work in Florida, Trooper life in Maine, an FBI academy setback, and years on Secret Service protection details. They explore mentorship, agency politics, the personal cost of the jo...

In this episode, Paterson New Jersey Police Sgt. Vic Martinez (retired) returns to discuss building an Emergency Response Team from scratch, the evolution of weapons, breaching and energetic (explosive) techniques, and integrating canine units into tactical operations. Vic and Adam also talk gear upgrades, leadership and training culture, callout intensity, and handling logistics and legalities fo...

In this episode two hosts sit down for a candid conversation about life after retirement, the choice to prioritize family, and how to separate personal identity from the badge. They share career lessons, advice for younger officers, and the realities of being a minority in law enforcement, plus surprising stories about bomb‑tech work and specialized roles. Practical takeaways include planning for...