The LEO First Podcast

  In this episode of The LEO First Podcast , we feature Colin Whittington, whose life mission is to support America's Veterans and First Responders in their transition to fulfilling private-sector careers. After a distinguished career in law enforcement, including being named Virginia Deputy Sheriff of the Year in 2019, Colin founded Recruiting Heroes LLC in 2022. This employment agency focuses on...

  In this episode of The LEO First Podcast , we feature Chris Hoyer, a retired Arizona police officer with over 20 years of experience on the streets. Born and raised in New England, Chris has been a protector, survivor, and advocate for mental, physical, and emotional wellness throughout his career. Now, as an author and public speaker, Chris shares his experiences to help the law enforcement com...

Join us for an episode of the LEO First podcast as I sit down with Fred Stevens, the Sheriff of the Seneca County Sheriff's Office. With his wealth of experience and unwavering dedication to leadership, Sheriff Stevens offers invaluable insights into cultivating a culture of training, fostering authenticity without fear, and prioritizing the crucial balance between work, relaxation, and family. Fo...

In this solo episode of  The LEO First Podcast , hosted by Michael Laidler, we dive into the tragic case of Sonya Massey, who was fatally shot by Deputy Sean Grayson after she called 911 for help. We explore the stressors that law enforcement officers face and how these pressures can impact their decision-making in critical situations. Michael breaks down the incident and discusses the systemic is...

In part two of the LEO First Podcast, we continue our conversation with Sheriff Will Akin from the Clay County Sheriff's Office. Building on last week's episode, Sheriff Akin, a US Army veteran and former officer with the Phoenix Police and South Bend Police Departments, delves deeper into the critical topic of mental health in law enforcement. Discover how his family, role model mother, and educa...

In part one of the LEO First Podcast, join us for an eye-opening conversation with Sheriff Will Akin of the Clay County Sheriff's Office. A US Army veteran and former officer with the Phoenix Police and South Bend Police Departments, Sheriff Akin brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to mental health in law enforcement. Discover how his role model mother, family life, and college edu...

🚔 New Episode Alert: The LEO First Podcast 🚔 This week, we're honored to feature Christian Martinez AKA Kable, a retired law enforcement officer with 24 years of service. Chris' extensive career includes 8 years with Hialeah Police, 16 years with Miami Gardens Police, 4 years in the Army, and 2 years in the National Guard. Despite his professional success, Chris faced significant personal battle...

New Episode Alert! Join us on the LEO First Podcast as we sit down with Captain Kory Flowers, a 25-year veteran of the Greensboro Police Department. Captain Flowers is not just an expert in law enforcement but also a renowned trainer on subversive criminal groups, leadership, and tactical communication. His insights have been featured in top publications like Police One, Police Magazine, and the L...

Join us on The LEO First Podcast for a special "Trump" edition featuring Michael Sugrue. In this powerful episode, Michael shares his harrowing experiences from two critical incidents.  During the first shooting, his body broke down under immense stress, leaving a lasting impact on his mental health. The second shooting was fatal, where Michael had to make the life-altering decision to take anothe...

Welcome to the milestone 50th episode of the LEO First Podcast! I'm Michael Laidler, your host, and I couldn't be more excited to reach this significant point in our journey. We started this podcast back in 2019, took a necessary break from 2020 to 2023, and came back stronger than ever with 40 incredible episodes from May 2023 to June 2024. As we look ahead to episodes 51 through 100, I promise y...

Episode 49 of the LEO First Podcast features Mike Schentrup, a seasoned law enforcement officer with 25 years of service at Gainesville PD. As a dedicated father and husband of nearly three decades, Schentrup shares insights from his personal and professional journey. Amidst personal losses, including the passing of his wife's parents and brother due to COVID-19, Schentrup maintains a resilient, "...

In episode 48 of the LEO First Podcast, Keith Grounsell, Chief of Police at the Laurens Police Department, shares his inspiring journey balancing the responsibilities of law enforcement with the joys and challenges of family life. With four children, including a 6-year-old adopted from a troubled background, Keith emphasizes the importance of family values and staying mentally resilient in the fac...

In Episode 47 of the LEO First Podcast, we bring you the inspiring story of Lindsay McCall Long. Born in the Bay Area to parents deeply entrenched in the music industry, Lindsay's life took an unexpected turn after her father's passing at the age of 17. Retiring from Tempe PD three years ago, Lindsay shares her unique journey, having initially diverged from a musical path to embrace a career in la...

In Episode 46 of The LEO First Podcast, join us for a compelling conversation with Ray Beshirs, boasting 23 years of experience in law enforcement in the DFW area. Explore Ray's remarkable journey, from growing up in poverty to becoming a dedicated supervisor with a passion for training. Uncover the lessons he learned along the way, including the importance of quality control and the necessity of...

In Episode 45 of the LEO First Podcast, join us for an exclusive conversation with John Vik, a distinguished member of the Lancaster Sheriff Office. Discover the intricacies of professional standards, hiring and firing, and internal affairs as John shares his journey of starting professional standards from scratch. Gain valuable insights into the transformative effects of working in professional s...

Join us on Episode 44 of the LEO First Podcast as we sit down with Andrea Ballesteros, a seasoned psychologist who has risen to the role of Deputy Chief in the federal correctional setting system. Andrea, a dedicated mom and wife, opens up about her journey in law enforcement and her profound commitment to mental health. From her aspirations in 6th grade to her current leadership position, Andrea...

In the latest episode of the LEO First Podcast, we sit down with Burke Brownfeld, a former police officer with a unique journey that took him from dreaming of law enforcement in his hometown to serving in the Peace Corps in Latin America. Burke shares insights from his time in the private sector and introduces the Guardian Score, a revolutionary approach to police department collaboration. We expl...

In Episode 42 of the LEO First Podcast, join the riveting conversation with Jennie Hill, the dynamic Executive Director of Wounded Blue, who launched her impactful journey in 2019. Living in Buford, GA, Jennie shares her compelling story of eight years as a former officer, reflecting on a time when K9 wasn't part of her life. She introduces Barron, her canine companion acquired at 10 weeks old, no...

Tune in to Episode 41 of the LEO First Podcast for an illuminating conversation with the seasoned law enforcement veteran, Bob Stewart. With 28 years of active service and a wealth of experience, Bob takes us on a journey through the underbelly of policing, sharing insights from his fascinating career. Born and raised in Pittsburgh and an alum of Howard University, Bob's path into policing was any...

In our milestone 40th episode, we welcome Lyndsay Taylor, a dedicated officer with 5 years part-time and 2 years full-time experience at the Upper Uwchlan Township Police Department, starting in 2022. Lyndsay wears many hats as a daughter, sister, and someone juggling four jobs, shouldering the heavy responsibility of her badge while navigating the challenges of mental health within her community....

In Episode 39 of our podcast, we sit down with the incredible Pat McNamara, a true warrior with 22 years of experience in the Army. Owner of TMACS and the mastermind behind Invader Coffee, Pat holds a unique position on the internet with a massive following on LinkedIn (57k), Instagram (600k), and a thriving YouTube channel. Discover the man behind "Basic Dude Stuff," a platform he co-created at h...

Join us on the LEO First Podcast as we sit down with Randall Doizaki, a seasoned law enforcement professional with an impressive 23-year career at the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office. Randall brings a unique perspective, having also served four years as a sergeant in the Marines, and he currently coaches law enforcement personnel to reach their full potential. In this episode, Randall takes us on...

In this compelling episode of the LEO First Podcast, we are honored to host Dina Campbell, a dedicated NYPD police officer with 12 years of experience. Join us as we explore Dina's unique journey, navigating the challenges of a law enforcement career while balancing the roles of a mother, wife, and advocate for mental health. In this candid conversation, we explore the intricacies of Dina's daily...

In Episode 37 of our podcast, we welcomed Donn Bradley, a remarkable individual who transitioned from a career as a police officer to becoming a therapist. Donn's life journey is a testament to the power of personal growth and transformation. Born in Oregon and raised in Oklahoma, Donn reflects on the societal norms he grew up with, where men were often discouraged from showing their emotions. He...

In Episode 35 of our podcast, we had the privilege of hosting Deborah Green, who has dedicated three decades to the world of emergency dispatch. With an impressive 28 years of experience in this critical role, Deborah's insights into the challenges and triumphs of this demanding profession are invaluable. Hailing from El Dorado, California, Deborah's journey into dispatch began in 1986, a year mar...