The Weight Of The Badge

Matt Harmatuk, has been on the Austin police force for almost 28 years. He is the highest ranking non-commissioning officer in the Air Force Security Forces and is over 43,000 Airmen. He is also involved with the Austin COPS 4 CHARITIES and the Austin Police Superheroes. Though Matt has functioned as a swat officer and is on the sniper team, he displays humility and thankfulness and gives us a goo...

Hope For Heroes welcomes Dan Gibson.  As a fire fighter for 31 years, Dan has endured the emotional trauma of many horrific accidents and helps us to understand just what a hero is really made of.  Dan has also honed his chef skills in his time in the fire house  and makes some of the best baked beans in Texas! 

We can never underestimate the mental strain our first responders and police officers are faced with as they carry the heavy "weight of the badge".  Join Brad as he visits with Psychologist Dr. David Duran, who is one of the most knowledgeable individuals concerning the emotional wellness of people who are "running in when we are running out"!

Join Brad Cornell, Founder and  CEO of Hope For Heroes, as he updates us with some important information about the mission and upcoming events in support of our first responders and police officers.

Trent Watts has served with the Austin Police Department 25 years.  After a terrible car accident that took a long time to recover from, Trent can look back and see how it fashioned who he is today.  As a detective and an officer good at interrogation, he has compassion for the victims of child crimes and human trafficking. Truly one of our heroes who we can be thankful is on our streets carrying...

Hope for Heroes welcomes Dave Sisler and Noel Alexander, founders of Texas Beef Initiative out of Dripping Springs, Texas. These gentlemen, in just a short time, have fed over 50,000 people all over the hill country, with donated beef. If you would like to donate or help, go to donatebeef.org and you can be a part of feeding local communities. 

Brad's guest today, Matt Harmatuk, has been on the Austin police force for almost 28 years. He is the highest ranking non-commissioning officer in the Air Force Security Forces and is over 43,000 Airmen. He is also involved with the Austin COPS 4 CHARITIES and the Austin Police Superheroes. Though Matt has functioned as a swat officer and is on the sniper team, he displays humility and thankf...

Join Brad as he visits with the man who helped him start Hope For Heroes, Ken Casaday. Ken, now being the President of the Austin Police Association, has been with the Austin Police Department for 25 years. Today they are discussing the toll being a police officer takes on their families and marriages. They're beginning  SALEM - "surviving a law enforcement marriage". These are conf...

Many times we don't realize what these "Superhero" wives deal with. In our podcast today, Brad speaks with Tami Baker, wife of Donald Baker, who after being in LA during the 1992 riots was ready to move anywhere but California. Tami has walked with her husband for the 32 years of their marriage through the difficulties that are often not recognized by those around them. Although her...

Today Brad is honored to talk with Shane Streepy. On his journey in police service for 20 years,  after a "mind shift" from the 9/11 tragedy, Shane determined to give his all in making a difference in this world. He has since worked fighting organized crime and has also become skilled in hostage negotiation and special investigations. 

What a riveting story, listening to Sergeant Jeff Dwyer of the Austin Police Bomb Squad. This is what we mean by "true heroes" who carry "The Weight of the Badge".  How many of us have the bravery to walk into an area were deadly bombs could go off at the slightest move? As you listen, you will be amazed at the lengths our officers go to in protecting us as citizens. That'...

We welcome  Austin PD, Chief of Staff, Robin Henderson. On the force for 25 years, Robin has such a passion and calling in serving the Austin community. You will notice right away how respectful and wise she has grown with her experience in the growing needs of the people and the cultural changes of the day. What an honor to have her with us today.

We are so honored to have with us Greg Abbott, governor of our great state of Texas. Governor Abbott has fought and passed law against "defunding of the police". He is actively continuing to secure our border and getting more people back into jobs since the pandemic. Voted the best governor in the nation in 2020, your'e going to love hearing him today!

We welcome again Ken Casaday, such a prime example of the dedicated service of our police officers and first responders. Ken has quite a story of his journey in police work and is currently transitioning into helping Brad as Vice President of Operations for Hope For Heroes. Brad and Ken also reflect on our recent Blue Line Gala, which was a huge success. 

Brad's guest today, David Satsky is a happy supporter of Hope for Heroes. Native to Boerne and a business owner of 30 employees, David has seen time and again the service rendered by our first responders and police and stands firmly behind them.

Tim Handren, native to Texas and the current mayor of Boerne, is also CEO of Santikos Theaters Ltd, with 800 employees.  His wisdom and experience as business owner has helped him lead the city through a difficult pandemic. Tim believes greatly in Hope for Heroes and what Brad is doing. He shares how the community is recovering and what kind of growth the city of Boerne and Kendall county has to l...

Today you hear a difficult story of what those who carry the weight of the badge endure. Julio Cavazos tells how he lost his long time friend and fellow officer, Miguel Moreno, when they approached two suspects who had broken into a car. This is a difficult story that really describes why these first responders and heroes need our support. Julio was brought in by a previous podcast guest, Michael...

Brad Cornell's guest today is Executive Director of San Antonio's Pregnancy Care Center, Dave McCall. We recognize Dave and his organization as heroes, "saving the lives of babies"! Join us as we get an inside look at how women, who are considering aborting their babies, are given new hope and theirs and their child's  futures are literally changed.

Join Brad as we listen to great stories in the journey of police officer Justin Berry.  He is a man who stands for good and is not afraid to suffer for it. His experience as an officer has prepared him well to serve as representative here in the Texas House. He is endorsed by Governor Greg Abbott and many others.    https://www.berryfortexas.com/

Joe Brown, Austin police officer for 16 years, is a major pier support in mental health for his fellow officers who carry "The Weight Of The Badge". He also works on the hostage negotiation team and has an over 95% success rate in helping people who are in dire situations.  Joe's belief in the mission and ministry of Hope For Heroes has led him to serve on the board of directors and...

Join Brad as he visits with the man who helped him start Hope For Heroes, Ken Casaday. Ken, now being the President of the Austin Police Association, has been with the Austin Police Department for 25 years. He is now working with Brad to expand their efforts in reaching more police officers and first responders with hope and encouragement.

Bob Newey is on the board of directors with Hope For Heroes.  As a retired judge from Houston, he knows what our first responders and police officers deal with each day. His gentle character and comforting voice speak of his wisdom and understanding of how much, not only our community but, our nation needs to be supportive and cheer on "those who serve us".

We are so honored to have with us Greg Abbott, governor of our great state of Texas. Governor Abbott has fought and passed law against "defunding of the police". He is actively continuing to secure our border and getting more people back into jobs since the pandemic. Voted the best governor in the nation in 2020, your'e going to love hearing him today!

Our guest today on The Weight of the Badge Podcast is first responder and business owner Paul Duran III. After a season of being a first responder and realizing the toll it would take on his family life, Paul started Apache Rifleworks in Comfort, Texas. He is a self-taught gunsmith and has earned a reputation in knowing firearms. He also continues his service as a volunteer fireman for the Boerne...

Rob Bohan is a board member for Hope For Heroes and has seen first hand how important it is to stand behind our first responders.  As a young man he had a close call and feels like if it wasn't for them, he might not even be here.  Later on, after many years in ranch management, Rob went into real estate with his wife. He shares how he made that career change and what it has meant to him.