The Squad Room

Dr. John Delony is a New York Times bestselling author, mental health and wellness expert, and host of the very popular podcast The Dr. John Delony Show. What is not as well known about this famous figure is that his father was a cop – a homicide detective in fact and John knows first hand how a career in law enforcement can impact an entire family – particularly how our jobs often create anxiety in our loved ones. John holds two PhDs—one in counselor education and supervision, and another in higher education administration. John works with financial guru Dave Ramsey and before joining Ramsey Solution, John spent two decades working as a senior leader, researcher, and professor at multiple universities. He also spent years working in crisis and emergency response which he talks about during the interview. John has written extensively about anxiety and how to navigate our ever-increasingly anxious lives. His new book, Building a Non-Anxious Life is a fantastic read that I highly recommend to everyone listening or watching. In this book, he breaks down six choices we have to make in order to break free from anxiety. In the interview, we go through his six choices and how they relate to us as cops. As someone who has a constant low-hum of anxiety going on in my brain at all times, I found this book to be a huge resource for me and even if you feel like you’re not an anxious person, the book is full of actionable advice on how to create a mindset for success. If you’re familiar with John, you know that he’s funny, sharp-witted and a fan of punk rock and he absolutely delivers in this interview with us. You can follow him on Instagram @johndelony or follow his show on YouTube. If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up. TactiScan is a portable drug screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite with no officer exposure. TactiScan is a reusable pocket-sized narcotics screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite that connects by bluetooth and limits officer exposure to potentially dangerous substances. Learn more at tactiscan.com.

During his 29-year career, Jeff McGreevy was an early pioneer in the concept of peer support in Southern California, having been involved in officer wellness since 2004 when he was recruited to be a founding member of his department’s trauma support team which later evolved into peer support. Jeff has extensive training and experience in debriefing personnel after traumatic events, Critical Incident Stress Management, coordinating peer support response after critical incidents, and was an instructor for Tactical Decision Making Under Stress training. Jeff leads the Ventura County Peer Support Coalition which brings together all Police, Fire, and EMS agencies together quarterly Jeff has worked several challenging assignments including patrol, field training officer, community policing, Special Enforcement Unit, SWAT team member for 10 years, and he also worked as a K-9 handler with a cross-trained patrol/explosive detection K-9. He spent a short time on an FBI Gang Task Force and was a Detective working Gang investigations and Robbery & Violent crimes cases. Since retirement, Jeff worked for a nonprofit that provided confidential trauma-informed counseling for first responders and their families prior to joining the team at First Responder Wellness as a Public Safety Advocate. Jeff and his wife Andrea have been married for over 35-years and have 2 children, and 2 grandchildren. In 2012, their lives were turned upside down when Jeff was nearly paralyzed in an accident and Andrea was diagnosed with stage-3 breast cancer. After nearly 2-years of treatment, Andrea was finally cancer-free and they have found ways to give back to try and help others in need and honor fallen first responders. Follow him on Instagram @tombstonecourage and learn more about First Responder Wellness here. If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. TactiScan is a portable drug screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite with no officer exposure. TactiScan is a reusable pocket-sized narcotics screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite that connects by bluetooth and limits officer exposure to potentially dangerous substances. Learn more at tactiscan.com.

Shawn is the founder of 1st Responder Conferences and a retired deputy from the King County Sheriff’s Office in Seattle, WA. Shawn retired in 2022 after 25 years of service as a Wellness and Resiliency Detective and a therapy K9 handler. During her career, Shawn worked patrol, as an undercover detective, a detective in the warrant unit, transit patrol and as an explosive K9 handler. She was also on the peer support team for 16 years and was a team leader for several years At their conferences, they are dedicated to promoting awareness surrounding the difficulties of the profession and inspiring conversations that minimize the stigma associated with the layered stressors our first responders experience. They provide education, mental health tools, and resources for agencies, first responders, and their families. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for all who dedicate themselves to protecting and serving others. Follow them on Instagram at @1st_responder_conferences or visit their website here to see a calendar of their events. If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. TactiScan is a portable drug screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite with no officer exposure. TactiScan is a reusable pocket-sized narcotics screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite that connects by bluetooth and limits officer exposure to potentially dangerous substances. Learn more at tactiscan.com.

On April 10, 2012, United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol, losing portions of both legs and both arms. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries. Travis describes himself as a recalibrated warrior and he’s also a motivational speaker, actor, author and an advocate for veterans and amputees. Travis is also the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, Tough as They Come, and his new book Bounce Back: 12 Warrior Principles to Reclaim and Recalibrate Your Life. In September 2013, Travis and his wife Kelsey founded the Travis Mills Foundation, a nonprofit organization, formed to benefit and assist post 9/11 veterans who have been injured in active duty or as a result of their service to our nation. The veteran and their families receive an all-inclusive, all-expenses paid, barrier-free vacation to Maine where they participate in adaptive activities, bond with other veteran families, and enjoy much-needed rest and relaxation in Maine’s great outdoors. You can follow Travis on Instagram @ssgtravismills If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. TactiScan is a portable drug screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite with no officer exposure. TactiScan is a reusable pocket-sized narcotics screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite that connects by bluetooth and limits officer exposure to potentially dangerous substances. Learn more at tactiscan.com. If you’re looking for challenge coins for your agency or specialty unit, check them out at SignatureCoins.com. You can create a coin in as little as 24 hours and they offer free graphic design, free next day shipping in the US, and industry-leading turnaround times. That’s signaturecoins.com

Travis Gribble is a 24-year law enforcement veteran and founder of My Arena. Travis spent 11 years at a Sheriff’s Office in Michigan before lateralling to a large agency in Arizona where he worked as a patrol officer, patrol sergeant, and as a SWAT assistant team leader and SWAT sergeant. In 2016, Travis experienced a call that would change his life forever. He shares the story of that call with us today. In 2021, Travis sought and was awarded a Post-Traumatic Stress Injury medical retirement. A short time later, he was asked to share about his experience and he hasn’t stopped sharing it since. You can follow Travis on Instagram @my_.arena If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. TactiScan is a portable drug screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite with no officer exposure. TactiScan is a reusable pocket-sized narcotics screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite that connects by bluetooth and limits officer exposure to potentially dangerous substances. Learn more at tactiscan.com. If you’re looking for challenge coins for your agency or specialty unit, check them out at SignatureCoins.com. You can create a coin in as little as 24 hours and they offer free graphic design, free next day shipping in the US, and industry-leading turnaround times. That’s signaturecoins.com

Did you know that 15% of men say they have no close friends? None. 53% of women say they feel lonely at work. 17% of the general population say they routinely experience deep loneliness. What’s scary is loneliness is linked to our longevity and health. Going through life lonely is the equivalent of smoking nearly a pack a day. Now, that’s not specific to first responders. Add in rotating shifts, working weekends, the hypervigilance roller coaster, and our physiological reactions to job stress and I think it’s safe to say that many cops – whether they admit it or not – are very lonely. Dr. Jeremy Nobel, MD, MPH, is on the faculty of both the Harvard Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His new book, “Project Unlonely: Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection” explores how loneliness takes root in our lives, how we as social creatures require deeper human connections than we’re currently getting, and what we can do to create more meaningful relationships. As creator of The Foundation for Art & Healing, Dr. Nobel has become a prominent advocate for creative engagement and how it improves our lives, integrating that work into traditional medical care, as a path to healing as he has revealed that an important component of the healing process is engaging in creativity. Dr. Nobel graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University within the Science and Human Affairs program. He received his medical education at the University of Pennsylvania and completed his internal medicine residency at the Beth Israel Hospital, Boston. Board-certified in both Preventive Medicine and Internal Medicine, Dr. Nobel also holds Master’s Degrees in Epidemiology and Health Policy from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Loneliness seems to be an inevitable result of our modern world, and it is perhaps one of the harder things for us to admit we’re struggling with. If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up. TactiScan is a portable drug screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite with no officer exposure. TactiScan is a reusable pocket-sized narcotics screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite that connects by bluetooth and limits officer exposure to potentially dangerous substances. Learn more at tactiscan.com.  

Sabrina Reich is a 19-year police leader of a large university police department in California. She’s also a wife, and mom of two, focused on sharing leadership tips and lessons learned for a better life. Sabrina is building a movement of courageous leaders through enabling strong trust and partnerships because communities deserve to be safe. In this episode, Sabrina shares her journey towards becoming anti-fragile by facing fear head on in her own personal development. It began when she was 10 years old and her home was broken into while the family slept. As the catalyst towards her career in law enforcement, it began a journey for Sabrina as she’s learned to use the stressors of the job to create a more resilient person for herself and her family. That’s being anti-fragile. If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up. TactiScan is a portable drug screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite with no officer exposure. TactiScan is a reusable pocket-sized narcotics screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite that connects by bluetooth and limits officer exposure to potentially dangerous substances. Learn more at tactiscan.com.

On October 1, 2017, Sergeant Josh Bitsko found himself on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, about to confront the deadliest killer in U.S. history. Through a weird combination of fate and initiative, Josh found himself leading the assault team of only four officers against a heavily fortified and well-organized murderer. Only six weeks later, a suspect held a gun to his head during a fight. Soon after that, his wife told him she wanted a divorce, his brother committed suicide and he lost his dad to cancer. But Josh’s story isn’t a sob story. It isn’t a depressing story. It isn’t a trauma story. It’s a resilience story. On today’s episode, we’re fortunate enough to have Josh walk us through his early career up to that fateful night of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival and the aftermath of personal tragedy that awaited him. Josh shares how he mismanaged the trauma and stress, and how he was able to dig himself out of the rubble of his personal life and use the lessons he’s learned to help other cops avoid making the same mistakes. If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. TactiScan is a portable drug screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite with no officer exposure. TactiScan is a reusable pocket-sized narcotics screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite that connects by bluetooth and limits officer exposure to potentially dangerous substances. Learn more at tactiscan.com. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up.If you’re looking for a challenge coin to show your pride in a specialty unit, celebrate a retirement, or need something to give out to supporters, look no further than Signature Coins. Signature Coins has industry-leading turnaround times, free artwork design and free shipping inside the U.S. Visit signaturecoins.com and use the coupon code thesquadroom and you’ll get free sequential numbering on the coins in your order.

Zac Miller served a combined eight years as a firefighter/EMT, 911 dispatcher and a police officer. Zac is currently the Director of ManPower at UNcivilized Inc, a Certified UNcivilized Coach, and a Breathwork Facilitator. Zac is also a husband, and a dad to four kids. Since leaving public service, Zac completed a certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies – from the Trauma Research Foundation, founded by Bessel van der Kolk – and is dedicated to mentoring others on their path of Post Traumatic Growth. Through his continued self-excavation and exploration, he has collected a metaphorical backpack full of tools to continue serving others. Zac is also one of my co-facilitators for The Uncivilized Heroes Journey retreat we have coming up November 9 – 12th in the mountains outside Denver, Colorado. It’s a special four day men’s retreat for first responders and military personnel (active, former and retired). For four days ✅ You’ll have time to prioritize your personal growth so you can dive deep into the work we’ll be doing which means you’ll be ready to tackle 2024 and beyond. ✅ You’ll be invited to challenge yourself, your current beliefs and your habitual patterns so you can gain clarity about what’s holding you back, which means you’ll finally be able to make the progress you want but can’t seem to get. ✅ You’ll learn deep – even hidden – truths about how the job has affected your life so you can stop wondering if you’re the only one which means you can finally begin to make sense of it all. ✅ There won’t be any “civilians” attending so you can feel welcomed and amongst true brothers, safe from special interests and anti-cop attitudes which means you can relax and have fun while doing the work. ✅ You’ll learn strategies to reclaim your life outside of public service so you can reconnect with the people who are the most important to you. ✅ You’ll leave with new friends who are committed to their personal growth like you are. Men who are in your corner to cheer you on which means you’re not alone. If you have any questions, please let me know. I’m happy to jump on a call or simply answer questions by email. Just reply to this. You can learn more at manuncivilized.com/heroesjourney If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Signature Coins makes high-quality challenge coins with lightning fast turnaround times, free shipping in the USA and free artwork design. For our listeners, they’re offering free sequential numbering on all orders when you use the coupon code “thesquadroom” TactiScan is a portable drug screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite with no officer exposure. TactiScan is a reusable pocket-sized narcotics screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite that connects by bluetooth and limits officer exposure to potentially dangerous substances. Learn more at tactiscan.com.

Oftentimes, it’s the minor things that can set us off and send us spiraling out of control, handing over our sovereignty to anxiety and anger. Getting cut off in traffic, waiting in long lines… A bad haircut can be one of those things. In this episode I share the story of how a hair stylist (that’s being generous) took to my head as if storming the beaches of Normandy, and how it gave me the opportunity to practice the BADGES model of self-awareness to keep me calm, centered, and here laughing about it. Are you struggling with losing control over something as simple as a haircut? Have you been surprised by your emotional reactions to seemingly simple things in your life? Do you find that you’re struggling with feelings of being overwhelmed by daily life? Join us in the mountains outside Denver, Colorado November 9 – 12th for a special four day men’s retreat for first responders and veterans. Any current, former, or retired cop, firefighter, dispatcher, or custody professional can join us along with any current or former military personnel. For four days ✅ You’ll have time to prioritize your personal growth so you can dive deep into the work we’ll be doing which means you’ll be ready to tackle 2024 and beyond. ✅ You’ll be invited to challenge yourself, your current beliefs and your habitual patterns so you can gain clarity about what’s holding you back, which means you’ll finally be able to make the progress you want but can’t seem to get. ✅ You’ll learn deep – even hidden – truths about how the job has affected your life so you can stop wondering if you’re the only one which means you can finally begin to make sense of it all. ✅ There won’t be any “civilians” attending so you can feel welcomed and amongst true brothers, safe from special interests and anti-cop attitudes which means you can relax and have fun while doing the work. ✅ You’ll learn strategies to reclaim your life outside of public service so you can reconnect with the people who are the most important to you. ✅ You’ll leave with new friends who are committed to their personal growth like you are. Men who are in your corner to cheer you on which means you’re not alone. If you have any questions, please let me know. I’m happy to jump on a call or simply answer questions by email. Just reply to this. You can learn more at manuncivilized.com/heroesjourney If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays.

In this episode, I share the story of how I realized something was really wrong with me and how the job was changing me in all the wrong ways. Plus, I share details on our men’s retreat for current, former, and retired first responders and military veterans. Join us in the mountains outside Denver, Colorado November 9 – 12th for a special four days men’s retreat for first responders and veterans. Any current, former, or retired cop, firefighter, dispatcher, or custody professional can join us along with any current or former military personnel. Use the coupon code SQUADROOM to get $200 OFF your package for the event. You can learn more at manuncivilized.com/heroesjourney Why are retreats so powerful? When I surveyed my audience a while ago, one of the biggest requests I got was for a retreat. I was surprised: People were lacking purpose in their job and they wanted to reclaim it. Some were wondering if this was truly the calling they still wanted and if not, what was next for them? Men were feeling disconnected from their families and they wanted to reestablish connection. The mandatory overtime and staffing shortages put their health and wellness on the back-burner and suddenly, they found themselves burned out without a plan. They were so busy with just getting-by that they were missing out on enjoying life. Retirement was a tough transition and suddenly their friendships disappeared. …and much more. Here are my observations and experiences. Retreats give you dedicated time to focus. In our daily lives, we try to get a few minutes here or there to read, journal, plan or set goals but we need days and hours, not minutes to get clear on what we need. Distractions get taken away. Being away from the daily routine is a powerful provocation for insights as your body and brain have time to settle down. You connect with other people doing the same work. There’s an inherent loneliness in adulthood, especially for those wanting to improve. A retreat is like getting your own support system that stays with you after the weekend is over. Because you’re surrounded by others doing the work, you’ve got support when difficult emotions or past experiences come up. Join us for this powerful experience. We’d love to have you. Don’t forget the coupon code SQUADROOM is worth $200 off tuition. Grab your spot before it sells out.

Dave Boyd is the President of UNcivilized Inc, a men’s coach, a workshop facilitator, a husband, a father, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, an ex-MMA fighter, a CrossFit coach, and a former first responder who served as a firefighter, a 911 telecommunicator, and lastly as a local law enforcement officer with nearly 20 years of combined service. In this episode, we cover a wide variety of topics and you’ll learn: The crazy call that eventually caused him to hang up the gun belt. How we became friends years ago as a result of this podcast How Dave managed the stress of multiple challenging careers and what he’d do differently. … and much more. Including details of our first cohosted retreat! Join us in the mountains outside Denver, Colorado November 9 – 12th for a special four day men’s retreat for first responders and veterans. Any current, former, or retired cop, firefighter, dispatcher, or custody professional can join us along with any current or former military personnel. Use the coupon code SQUADROOM to get $200 OFF your package for the event. You can learn more at manuncivilized.com/heroesjourney You can find him on Instagram @uncivilized_dave. If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up. inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom.  

In this short episode I share the story of my chance to meet Eddie Van Halen…and how I screwed it up. But that screw up led to one of my favorite conversations ever – with a Rock God no less. If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you!

I recently passed the 18th anniversary of the day I entered the academy. The occasion provoked some introspection and on this episode I share 18 lessons I’ve learned throughout my career to this point – lessons often learned the hard way. It’s certainly not a comprehensive list but I incuded things that I think can help someone avoid some of the common mistakes I’ve made, and I’ve seen made by others. I’d love to hear what lessons you have for others, or things you’ve learned. Drop me a DM @thesquadroom or shoot me an email at [email protected]. Here’s a link to the original Instagram post that prompted this episode. If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays.  

Matthew Thomas is currently the Chief Deputy of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona. Matthew works for one of the most famous sheriffs in the county, Mark Lamb. Matthew has a long career in undercover work and fighting the ever-encroaching influence and the Mexican drug cartels. Matthew is also the author of the book Interceptors: The Untold Fight Against the Mexican Cartels. In this episode, we cover a wide variety of topics and get his advice on how to: Build a successful marriage in a law enforcement career Lead in any organization regardless of rank Deal with tough times based on his own experience. Be open to learning throughout your career. … and much more. You can find him on Instagram @deputy_onetime and his website is onetimenation.com As we talk about in this episode, new leader’s are often left without support or direction on how they can develop into their full potential. That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free. If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up. inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom. If you’re looking for a high quality challenge coin for your agency or special event, make sure you call signaturecoins.com. They’re made in the USA and they can deliver coins as quickly as 24 hours, plus they offer free graphic design, and free shipping in the U.S.

Dr. Rick Hanson is a renowned psychologist, New York Times best-selling author, and meditation teacher known for his expertise in the field of neuroscience and positive psychology. With a deep understanding of the brain and its capacity for change, he has dedicated his career to helping individuals cultivate happiness, resilience, and well-being. Dr. Hanson has authored several influential books, including his newest book “Making Great Relationships: Simple Practices for Solving Conflicts, Building Connection, and Fostering Love”, “Hardwiring Happiness” and “Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakeable Core of Calm, Strength and Happiness,” and his teachings and insights have inspired countless people around the world to transform their lives through mindfulness and self-empowerment. In this episode you’ll learn:  What the parable of The Two Wolves means to Rick, and how to use it in your own life.  How our bodies “negativity bias” sets us up for failure in high stress careers and how we can combat that with a simple exercise.  How neuroplasticity and mindfulness can actually rewire your brain and help resolve trauma.  How a gratitude practice is the fastest way towards changing a bad mood or attitude.  How to recover from big mistakes.  You can learn more about Dr. Rick Hanson at rickhanson.net and on Instagram at @rickhansonphd His podcast, which I highly recommend for anyone interested in psychology or personal development is Being Well and is available on all the podcast platforms.  In this episode, we talk about the parable of the two wolves. If this is an idea that interests you, I created The Good Wolf Journal, a FREE 7-day journal to help you learn a practice of gratitude, how to keep negativity at bay, and how you can serve others by helping them feed their own Good Wolf. It’s available at thesquadroom.net/thegoodwolfjournal for free.  If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. New leader’s are often left without support or an idea of how they can develop into their full potential. That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free.  Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up. inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom. 

SWAT Officer Brandon Griffith was in the best shape of his life at 26 years old when he collapsed dead in his living room from a sudden cardiac arrest.  His wife started CPR while calling 911 and he was eventually shocked back to life with a defibrillator.  In this episode you will learn:  Brandon’s description of what it was like to be shocked with an AED (he remembers the whole thing!). How he fought to come back to work, even with a defibrillator implanted in his chest.  Why Brandon believes it’s a moral imperative that law enforcement equip and train themselves to respond to cardiac events.  Brandon’s mindset about life and death after experiencing both! The story is bananas and you’ve got to listen to how he describes feeling the shock.  In the aftermath of his cardiac arrest, Brandon formed Griffith Blue Heart, a non-profit dedicated  to improving law enforcement’s ability to respond to cardiac arrests in the field. Brandon and his team help agencies raise funds, train employees, and create policies to deploy AEDs into the field.  You can learn more about his organization at griffithblueheart.com. If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. New leader’s are often left without support or an idea of how they can develop into their full potential. That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free.  Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up. inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom. 

Micromanagers usually lack trust in their coworkers so they feel they need to obsessively watch over them. What’s missing, is that the micromanagers also lack trust in themselves, and all that behavior is an outward expression of an inner turmoil. In this episode, I share some quick insights into how you can avoid becoming the dreaded micromanager no one wants to work with.  Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you!

Ryan Allen, a successful K9 handler for his department, didn’t think much about the bee sting he got on the way home from the gym. What happened next turned this small thing into a nightmare of panic, grief, guilt and difficult decisions.  Six months later, Ryan’s wife Whitney buried her young husband and was left to figure out how to parent two young boys by herself.  In the aftermath of Ryan’s death, Whitney pursued her own healing and eventually decided to become a grief counselor, helping other widows deal with the massive loss.  In this episode, Whitney shares ideas on how to find joy after loss, and how to navigate the feelings of guilt that come from being happy after someone is gone. She also shares strategies on how we can help our friends and partners when they’re faced with a sudden loss in the family.  You can learn more about Whitney at whitneylynallen.com or on Instagram @whitneylynallen. Her book, Running in Trauma Stilletos: A Raw Look at Grief and Life after Loss is available on Amazon.  Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up.inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom.

Have you just gotten promoted or looking to promote soon? This episode might save you a lot of heartache. 10 years ago this week I was promoted to sergeant. And then, just about a year ago I was promoted to lieutenant. In that time I’ve had some wins…and a whole lot of losses. I’ve also read a ton on leadership and been able to try out a lot of those academic theories in the real world. Then, I went back to academia and got my Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Sector Leadership and Management.  So suffice it to say, I’ve got some experience being a front line supervisor.  And here’s the biggest tip I didn’t even include on the list…that being a front line supervisor is much easier than being a front line leader.  When in doubt, be the leader.  In this episode, I share 11 tips for new supervisors that I think are important for you to know. It’s not a complete list – that would take many episodes and perhaps I’ll do more if you like these. But, this is 11 issues that I commonly see. Some are mistakes I made, some are common problems, and some might help you think about your role a little differently.  New leader’s are often left without support or an idea of how they can develop into their full potential. That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free.  Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up. inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom. 

In 2021 I was out on medical leave due to a back injury that had been misdiagnosed for years. What saved me from a potential career-ending surgery was a renewed practice of yoga.  Despite its long tradition in warrior communities, there are a lot of misconceptions and objections to yoga in the first responder communities that seem largely driven by the idea that it’s too feminine for such a male-dominated career. Can yoga make you a better cop? Absolutely, and it’s something you should really try if you haven’t already. In this episode, we explain why, and how.  My guest today is Olivia Mead, founder of YogaShield and the non-profit Yoga For First Responders. Olivia’s program is culturally-informed for our community and she specializes in working with populations susceptible to PTSD. Her program is now taught at the Los Angeles fire and police departments, Chicago Police Department, Denver Public Safety, Kansas City Police Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, Detroit Police Department, Tempe Police Department, Wichita Police Department, Seattle Fire Department and Des Moines Police Department among several others.  She has spoken at the International Association of Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association, FBI National Academy Associates, 1st Responder Conferences, International Association of Firefighters, EMS World, Iowa State Fire School, C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors), International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) National Convention and more. New leader’s are often left without support or an idea of how they can develop into their full potential. That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free.  Feeling angry, anxious, frustrated, confused or unmotivated? A lot of us are these days. Because of this, I created a FREE 7-day challenge journal to help you gain clarity on what you want, improve relationships with the people that matter to you, and recharge your energy. It’s called The Good Wolf Journal and it’s absolutely free. You can download it here.    Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up. inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom. 

Jason Piccolo is a newly retired federal agent and the host of The Protectors Podcast. Jason has nearly 30 years in service to his country as an agent, a U.S. Army infantry captain and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jason is a frequent guest on Fox News and Court TV and he’s the author of Unwavering: A Border Agent’s Journey. On this episode, we talk about his pending retirement, finding purpose in the later parts of your career and transitions that we go through in various parts of our lives. We also share info on how we got into the profession and what we hope to accomplish with our respective careers and platforms.  You can follow him on socials @drjasonpiccolo Jason is clearly a leader in the field and I appreciated his candor during our conversation. For many, it takes a long time to develop those leadership skills and it takes a lifetime of practicing them. New leaders are often left without support or an idea of how they can develop into their full potential.  That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free.  Feeling angry, anxious, frustrated, confused or unmotivated? A lot of us are these days. Because of this, I created a FREE 7-day challenge journal to help you gain clarity on what you want, improve relationships with the people that matter to you, and recharge your energy. It’s called The Good Wolf Journal and it’s absolutely free. You can download it here.    Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up. inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom. If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet.

As a leader, the conversations you have with the people around you will make or break your career.  Having the wrong conversations with the wrong people is the fastest way to lose the trust of your coworkers.  Conversely, having these 4 types of conversations with the people around you is the fastest way to building trust, creating an environment for growth, and establishing yourself as someone others are willing to follow.  In this episode, I share four types of conversations you should be having with your people, and four types of conversations you should never engage in (or at least try to limit them).  It’s hard sometimes. We’re all social creatures seeking participation and belonging with the “in” group but the irony is that pursuing those things is exactly what will keep us separated from our full potential.   New leader’s are often left without support or an idea of how they can develop into their full potential.  That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free.  Feeling angry, anxious, frustrated, confused or unmotivated? A lot of us are these days. Because of this, I created a FREE 7-day challenge journal to help you gain clarity on what you want, improve relationships with the people that matter to you, and recharge your energy. It’s called The Good Wolf Journal and it’s absolutely free. You can download it here.    Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. Want to make it difficult for criminals to discover your home address? I use OfficerPrivacy and you should, too. Check out the special deal at OfficerPrivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get two free months of monitoring and data removal plus a FREE Cell Phone Privacy Device when you sign up. inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

In 2022, a popular book came out that describes how the average human only has 4000 weeks in their entire lifetime. That’s it. Just 4000. For everything from birth, to your first day of school, to your first kiss, and on and on and on until death – only 4000 weeks.  So how are you going to spend those 4000 weeks?  In this episode, I give you some ideas that challenge the beliefs that we have to stay connected to work 24/7 – and that we’re actually paying our agency’s for the privilege. Yes, like, writing them a check for all the time we waste off-duty by focusing on work.  New leader’s are often left without support or an idea of how they can develop into their full potential. That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free.  If this episode resonated with you, I created a FREE 7-day journal that can help you get started on the path to more clarity with your goals, deeper meaning in your relationships, and renewed focus. It’s the same journal I use myself – that’s why I created it! You can get it here, no strings attached.  I have some FREE stuff I want to give you!  Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Feeling angry, anxious, frustrated, confused or unmotivated? A lot of us are these days. Because of this, I created a FREE 7-day challenge journal to help you gain clarity on what you want, improve relationships with the people that matter to you, and recharge your energy. It’s called The Good Wolf Journal and it’s absolutely free. You can download it here.    Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

Kyle Stubbs is a husband, father of two, and full time police officer with the RCMP. Prior to policing, Kyle worked as a primary care paramedic and also served with a volunteer fire department. Kyle is a certified holistic lifestyle coach, breathwork facilitator, and mindset coach. His mission is to transform first responder health and wellness from the current fear based and reactive approach, to one that is both empowered and proactive through his “Nine8” program During the episode, Kyle shares a simple but powerful exercise that can help you change your attitude and negative self-talk. It’s definitely worth trying out.  Follow him on Instagram @kyle.m.stubbs If this episode resonated with you, I created a FREE 7-day journal that can help you get started on the path to more clarity with your goals, deeper meaning in your relationships, and renewed focus. It’s the same journal I use myself – that’s why I created it! You can get it here, no strings attached.  I have even MORE FREE STUFF I want to give you!  Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Feeling angry, anxious, frustrated, confused or unmotivated? A lot of us are these days. Because of this, I created a FREE 7-day challenge journal to help you gain clarity on what you want, improve relationships with the people that matter to you, and recharge your energy. It’s called The Good Wolf Journal and it’s absolutely free. You can download it here.    Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet.

Errol Doebler is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and retired FBI Special Agent who now runs Leader193. Errol graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1991, first serving in the fleet before joining Seal Teams.  In this episode, we talk about 5 elements you need to consider about how you are leading yourself if you want to lead other people.  They are:  Cultivating self-awareness. Self-evaluation strategies. Goal setting. Eliminating negative people. Finding mentors in your life.  After spending some time in the private sector, Errol joined the FBI in the wake of 9-11 where he investigated International Terrorist Organizations out of the FBI’s flagship New York City office. He was also on the FBI SWAT team.  Because of his experience, Errol was attached to the 75th Ranger Regiment and was deployed to Afghanistan in that capacity where he participated in extensive combat operations that earned him the FBI’s second highest award for valor, the Shield of Bravery for his actions on the battlefield.  He’s also the author of the book The Process, Art, and Science of Leadership available now on Amazon.  Follow him on Instagram @leader_193 New leader’s are often left without support or an idea of how they can develop into their full potential. That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free.  I have some FREE stuff I want to give you!  Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Feeling angry, anxious, frustrated, confused or unmotivated? A lot of us are these days. Because of this, I created a FREE 7-day challenge journal to help you gain clarity on what you want, improve relationships with the people that matter to you, and recharge your energy. It’s called The Good Wolf Journal and it’s absolutely free. You can download it here.    Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

Did you know people are more scared of public speaking than dying?! Yes, the idea of getting up in front of a group of people and speaking is so terrifying to so many people that they’d rather cease to exist on this Earth.  That’s nuts!  Here’s the good news. You don’t have to be a naturally-gifted speaker to wow an audience…or at least prevent an unmitigated and embarrassing disaster. As you promote, you will be tasked with more and more public speaking assignments. From effective briefing training, to presenting to staff, or to a city council meeting or a public town hall, the demand for you to speak in front of others is only going to increase.  And that scares a lot of people!  My guest today is my own speaking coach, Kymberlee Weil. When I was prepping my TEDx talk, Kymberlee was with me every step of the way and she deserves all the credit for making ny talk a success. She coached me for a long time before and after that as well because it was something I wanted to get really good at. I think that I’m a pretty good presenter at this point, and I give all that credit to Kymberlee and her program.  In this episode, we talk about some simple things you can do to make your presentations go from bludgeoning your audience with PowerPoint to an engaging and dynamic experience. There are some simple things you can do to take your audience with you and raise your game when you step on stage, on Zoom, or in front of anyone that is important to you.  Make sure to follow Kymberlee @storytellingschool and check out her new interactive course that is only open for a few more days. You can learn more at storytellingschool.com. Her new course that we talked about in the show can be found at storytellingschool.com/isc I have some FREE stuff I want to give you!  Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Feeling angry, anxious, frustrated, confused or unmotivated? A lot of us are these days. Because of this, I created a FREE 7-day challenge journal to help you gain clarity on what you want, improve relationships with the people that matter to you, and recharge your energy. It’s called The Good Wolf Journal and it’s absolutely free. You can download it here.    New leader’s are often left without support or an idea of how they can develop into their full potential. That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free.  Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

There are three things you must understand if you are a leader in your organization, or you are looking to take a leadership role in the future.  They’re simple, but not always easy.  In this short episode, I tackle the 3 Universal Laws of Leadership – three things you absolutely need to know to succeed as a leader. New leader’s are often left without support or an idea of how they can develop into their full potential. That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free. I have some FREE stuff I want to give you!  Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Feeling angry, anxious, frustrated, confused or unmotivated? A lot of us are these days. Because of this, I created a FREE 7-day challenge journal to help you gain clarity on what you want, improve relationships with the people that matter to you, and recharge your energy. It’s called The Good Wolf Journal and it’s absolutely free. You can download it here. Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode.

Why do we suffer? Can it be avoided, or is life just really hard sometimes? How do we take control of things that are seemingly impossible to control, but have massive, sometimes lethal consequences in our lives?  In this episode, I share my experience of being diagnosed with a rare and incurable disease that forced me to confront some of those questions head-on. To help me navigate some of these questions, I asked my good friend and repeat guest Richard Goerling to join me for the discussion.  Richard is a retired police lieutenant, veteran, researcher, and training innovator in resiliency, humanity, and human performance. He founded Mindful Badge, a consulting firm that trains mindfulness and resilience skills across the U.S. and Canada. Richard is an affiliate professor and researcher within the Mindful Performance & Resilience Lab at the Graduate School of Psychology at Pacific University. He is trained and certified to teach mindfulness through the Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior at the University of California Los Angeles. Richard also holds an adjunct faculty appointment at the Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University, where he teaches an annual course on leadership ethics. He has participated in research projects with Pacific University, West Virginia University, Brown University, Oregon Health Science University, and others.   I have some FREE stuff I want to give you!  Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Feeling angry, anxious, frustrated, confused or unmotivated? A lot of us are these days. Because of this, I created a FREE 7-day challenge journal to help you gain clarity on what you want, improve relationships with the people that matter to you, and recharge your energy. It’s called The Good Wolf Journal and it’s absolutely free. You can download it here.    New leader’s are often left without support or an idea of how they can develop into their full potential. That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free.  Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

In this short episode, I share 7 things you can do to create more work/life balance in your life.  Do you have a technique I missed? Let us know what you do to create more balance in your life. Shoot me an email at [email protected] or drop us a line on social media @thesquadroom and let me know what’s working for you.  I have some FREE stuff I want to give you!  Sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays. Feeling angry, anxious, frustrated, confused or unmotivated? A lot of us are these days. Because of this, I created a FREE 7-day challenge journal to help you gain clarity on what you want, improve relationships with the people that matter to you, and recharge your energy. It’s called The Good Wolf Journal and it’s absolutely free. You can download it here.    New leader’s are often left without support or an idea of how they can develop into their full potential. That’s why I created The Leader’s Workbook, a FREE resource for anyone who is, or wants to be, a leader in their agency and wants to learn how to expand their influence and contribution. You can get it here, absolutely free.  Make sure to tag me on IG @thesquadroom so I can cheer you on and support you! A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode. OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  inTime is the leading schedule management system for public safety agencies. Their cloud-based system and app gives your agency control over overtime budgets, subpoena compliance, vacation requests and much more. Learn more at intime.com/thesquadroom.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

In this solo episode I share 15 SECRETS about leadership that they don’t tell you about. Maybe it’s because it’ll scare you away, or maybe they think misery loves company. Either way, we tackle 15 things about taking on a leadership role in your agency that are often overlooked, glossed over, or forgotten about.  Do you feel like you need a mindset reset? Something to help you get out of a funk, shift your attitude or create more balance in your life? I just released my absolutely FREE 7-day mindset reset journal called The Good Wolf Journal. It’s packed full of 7 days of questions, prompts, and instructions to help you disengage from negativity and connect with your true purpose. Get it for FREE here. Here are the book recommendations I discuss in this episode: The 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell The Courageous Follower by Ira Chaleff The Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership by Steven Sample Leadershift by John Maxwell Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s FREE – Tactical Tuesdays, a weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom 

Charlie (last name redacted) is the meme lord behind the very popular Instagram handle @teneight_memes. Although he’s known for his very funny and sarcastic sense of humor, Charlie has been put through the emotional ringer over the last year and we talk in-depth about how humor and music helped him through a very tough time. In this episode you’ll learn:  Why Charlie started a meme page that pokes fun at police work. What happened when Charlie responded to his friend Jason Raynor getting shot on duty and what happened when he later passed away. How Charlie made a big decision after another partner took their own life after Jason’s death. What Charlie has decided to do with all that trauma and stress to make cops healthier. How growing up as a punk rocker made him a better cop. How music and humor have gotten him through hard times.  You can visit his merch store at: https://ten-eight-memes.ecwid.com/ I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE – Tactical Tuesdays, a weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, inTime, the state of the art, easy to use, and incredibly simple way to schedule shifts, improve subpoena compliance, reduce officer fatigue and manage special events and much more. Make sure to check them out at intime.com/thesquadroom to learn more about their affordable and simple solutions for public safety.  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible. If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet.

It often seems that cops love nothing more than to complain. Sure, there are the normal gripes and injustices and we all have our moments but then there are those we work with who are on a whole other level of misery – cops who seem to make it their job to be negative about everything and everyone. We’ve all worked with those people and they can be very hard to deal with. But, the truth is, we have to deal with them. We have to learn to work with them and engage with them professionally, but at the same time, we have to be careful about managing our own mindset and maintaining our own outlook. In this episode, I share 5 ways you can deal with negative people without them pulling you down.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible. If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet.

Discipline is an often misunderstood – and misapplied – concept in leadership. Many supervisors think discipline and punishment are the same thing, and that the only way to get people to do what you need them to do is to hold the threat of punishment and negativity over them.  That’s negative discipline and the uneducated and ill-informed only know about this kind.  Discipline is simply developing behavior in your people that is consistent with the objectives of the organization.  Real leaders employ positive discipline far more often, and rarely have to resort to negative discipline.  If you’re a supervisor who wants to be a real leader, this episode is for you. If you’re somebody that wants to step into a leadership position in the future, this episode is also for you.  In this episode, I share 9 tactics you can use to get massive results from your people by using positive discipline to create powerful purpose and motivation in your employees.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

Nashville native and Army veteran Tyler Ashley came to Los Angeles like so many other people do, searching for his big break in acting and music. Along the was called back to service and is currently an officer with the LAPD. However, Tyler hasn’t given up on his goals of being on stage and he’s working hard on the streets and in the studio to make his dreams a reality.  In this episode, Tyler talks about his journey towards law enforcement and how he uses creativity in his singing and during his patrol shifts. Creativity comes in many forms and the wide array of talents that we all have as cops is really impressive. However, as the job begins to wear us down, we often discard creative endeavors, often dismissing them as childish or unsuitable for our Alpha warrior identities. I know I did that for a long time. I’ve always struggled with sharing my creative side and being comfortable with acknowledging my own talents so it was great to chat with Tyler who truly embraces his gifts and uses them to connect with others.  Follow him on Instagram @the_tylerashley Check out some of his music on his Spotify page.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE – Tactical Tuesdays, a weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, CommGear Supply. If you’re looking for the best prices and industry leading warranty coverage on your radio equipment, make sure you check them out and use the coupon code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order.  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

What’s the number one complaint you have about your agency? Chances are it’s something to do with the lack of communication. Jeff Halstead is my guest this week as we dive into the simple yet complicated topic of communication; how to make it better, how it changes as you promote, and how new technologies can help keep you safer, arrest the bad guys faster, and keep you out of court.  Jeff spent 29 years in law enforcement before retiring as the Chief of Police of Fort Worth, Texas. Before Fort Worth, Jeff spent his career at the Phoenix Police Department quickly promoting through the ranks. After retirement, Jeff became an entrepreneur and launched Evertel, a unique communication app designed for first responders that keeps your communications secure while also being compliant with state and federal laws.  Have you ever sent a work text from your personal phone, through FB messenger, or some other platform? There’s a good chance you’re violating laws around public records and if you’re sharing, documenting, or discussing evidence on your phones, there’s a chance your phone could be the subject of a subpoena or search warrant. You don’t want that, so listen to this episode to learn how to avoid that drama.   I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE – Tactical Tuesdays, a weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, CommGear Supply. If you’re looking for the best prices and industry leading warranty coverage on your radio equipment, make sure you check them out and use the coupon code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order.  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

Wendy Hummell, a seasoned law enforcement officer with over 24 years of experience.  Wendy started her career in 1996 as a Special Agent with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).  She retired at the rank of Detective after 21 years of service from the Wichita Police Department where she spent a majority of her career working Persons Crimes Investigations.  Wendy worked homicide, gang, and sex-crimes cases. She was also a member of her department’s CISM (Critical incident Stress Management) and Defense Tactics teams.  Wendy’s area of expertise is officer health and wellness, peer support, and resiliency and she is currently the Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.   Wendy holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. She is a certified yoga instructor and Yoga for First Responders (YFFR) Ambassador and she is also a trainer for the Pause First Academy which is run by our past guest Kim Colegrove.  Not one to sit still, Wendy is also an adjunct faculty member with the Criminal Justice Department at Wichita State University.   Wendy and her husband launched the “Guns and Yoga” podcast last year as a platform to provide support, add value, and share wellness resources with first responders and their families. Wendy facilitates a group health coaching program, offers free yoga, retreats and more.   You can get more information on her website at wendyhummell.com or on Instagram @guns_and_yoga_podcast.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE – Tactical Tuesdays, a weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, CommGear Supply. If you’re looking for the best prices and industry leading warranty coverage on your radio equipment, make sure you check them out and use the coupon code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order.  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

As cops, the last thing we want to do is bring home the drama, stress and trauma to our families.  But it’s hard, sometimes, to create some distance between who we are on the job and who we want to be when we’re at home.  In this episode, I share 8 simple things you can do to leave the drama at the station, create better connections with your family, and live a healthier life.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible. If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet.

Mike McGrew is the Co-Founder, CEO and Executive Director of the 911 At Ease Foundation.  Mike spent 31 years with the Santa Barbara Police Department where he recently retired as a sergeant. Mike held positions in major crimes, traffic, and POA president among many other assignments. Those assignments took a toll on Mike who struggled with self-destructive behavior as a poor coping mechanism for what he dealt with on the job.  But honestly, what he had to deal with at home was where he found the real test of his strength and character.  Mike has suffered the loss of two of his children, one to illness and one to addiction. He had his own struggles with addiction and multiple divorces as he tried to bury the effects of his career. Eventually, Mike received his own near-death diagnosis of cancer.  But this episode is not about what happened to Mike. It’s about what he used what happened to him to create something incredibly amazing for other first responders and their families so that others wouldn’t have to go through what he went through. That’s when he created 911 At Ease.  911 At Ease is a non-profit organization that provides free culturally-competent counseling for first responders and their families around the nation. Local donors provide the funding and treatment is received outside of the department E.A.P. or health insurance so confidentiality and discretion remain intact and the agency never knows about it. To learn more about them and their amazing work, visit them at 911aei.org.  Follow their work on Instagram @911ateaseinternational Check out the book, “A Higher Call to Duty: The Unimaginable True-Life Story of Sgt Mike McGrew.”  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

In this short Briefing Topic episode, we cover 7 discipline failures you might be making. Discipline can be elusive for many of us. It’s not as simple as just motivation, momentum, or commitment.  Hopefully these 7 topics give you something to think about that can help you every day.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We have launched Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, CommGear Supply. If you’re looking for the best prices and industry leading warranty coverage on your radio equipment, make sure you check them out and use the coupon code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order.  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from OfficerPrivacy.com, CommGear Supply, Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet.

Are you happy? Like, actually happy? For a lot of cops, that just seems like crazy talk. Afterall, what is happy, anyways? And why is it important to bring it back into our lives?  So many questions revolve around happiness.  Luckily, my guest today has some of the answers.  Bridget Truxillo is a former Deputy Sheriff with assignments in SWAT and undercover narcotics. Bridget left law enforcement and pursued a career as an attorney, but found that her real passion is helping cops who are overwhelmed and frustrated who need help feeling more comfort, ease and support so they can enjoy their life. Bridget is passionate about helping cops find happiness on a daily basis, regardless of the environment or circumstances surrounding them. Because of this, Bridget founded Protective Wellness In this episode you’ll learn:  How Bridget defines happiness for a first responder. Why she believes we have a negativity bias that is part of our evolution. Her process to let go of anger. Her recommendations for simple habits to make yourself happier.  Head to her website and get her FREE guide “How to Be a Cop and Be Happy.”  Follow her @protectivewellness I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We have launched Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, CommGear Supply. If you’re looking for the best prices and industry leading warranty coverage on your radio equipment, make sure you check them out and use the coupon code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order. There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

In this short episode I cover six ways that you can boost your resilience starting right now.  Learn more at thesquadroom.net  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We have launched Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of this, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom

Adam Kinakin is the Managing Director and founder of the International Law Enforcement Training Network (ILET), a community-based training platform designed for creating and facilitating international Law Enforcement training.  A former Infantry Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces, he held the role of Administration Officer, Platoon Commander, Acting Company 2I/C, and was the Training Officer for his regiment. Adam has many instructor qualifications from the Canadian Provincial Justice Departments and international organizations specializing in Use of Force, Defensive Tactics, CBRN, Instructional Design, Security Operations, and Security Management.   In July 2020 he created the International Law Enforcement Training Summit, one of the world’s largest online law enforcement training conferences with an annual attendance over 10,000 with attendance from over 75 countries. The ILET Network has created multiple partnerships with Federal, State/Provincial, and Municipal agencies, and NGOs worldwide which support the evolution of training for Law Enforcement and First Responders.  Prior to his service, Adam attended the University of Saskatchewan majoring in Psychology. He is currently beginning a Masters and Ph.D. program, specializing in Forensic Psychophysiology. In this episode you’ll learn:  How online training is a force multiplier for agencies but not a replacement for in-person training. Why Adam left the Armed Forces but never became a cop, and instead built the world’s largest network of law enforcement trainers. How you can implement the best practices of online training in your agency, or in your own practice.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We have launched Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, CommGear Supply. If you’re looking for the best prices and industry leading warranty coverage on your radio equipment, make sure you check them out and use the coupon code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order. There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “Squadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

Dustin Salomon is a former naval officer and the author of Hitting in Combat: The Brain Science of Training to Win Gunfights. Between the military and the private sector, he has conducted 20 overseas deployments.  In this episode, we talk about how you can make your firearms training more effective by considering how our brains learn best and how we build new patterns in our brains through a process of neuroplasticity. Dustin shares his methods for making the most out of your training, even on a limited budget, and how you can create good habits through good training.  Dustin is also a founding member and the former Director of Training for Defensive Mindset Training and has spoken on the application of brain science to firearms training design at both the FBI Firearms Instructor Conference and the Georgia Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (GALEFI) Conference. You can learn more at buildingshooters.com Dustin has a Bachelor’s of Science from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master’s Degree in Security Management, is an ASIS Certified Protection Professional, and is the author of seven books on firearms and tactical training: Building Shooters, Mentoring Shooters, On Training, Volume 1, On Training, Volume 2, Becoming Shooters, NURO, and Hitting in Combat. Dustin is also the primary inventor of the NURO(TM) Shooting System (Patent Pending). I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We have launched Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, CommGear Supply. If you’re looking for the best prices and industry leading warranty coverage on your radio equipment, make sure you check them out and use the coupon code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order.  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “Squadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

Jeff Smith spent 29 years working in law enforcement, most of it working undercover in the Narcotics Unit. Jeff has worked cases with DEA, FBI, HSI, US Customs, Maryland State Police, Delaware State Police, Virginia State Police and many other agencies all over the region. Jeff has participated in thousands of operations both as a detective and supervisor. In his 10 years as a drug enforcement supervisor, Jeff’s unit was responsible for 1,226 arrests. Jeff has helped design and implement numerous long-term undercover operations that have resulted in as many as 41 arrests in one operation. His unit ran an undercover taxi company in Ocean City for 2 ½ years resulting in dozens of indictments for felony drug distribution offenses.  The unit was often responsible for and regularly trained for their own tactical operations in open air buy bust operations, rolling buy bust operations, long term round-up operations, vehicle involved arrests and takedowns, officer and informant rescue and other tactical operations. They were the “go to” unit for the agency when there were special surveillance and non-traditional operational needs. Jeff also spent 10 years as a tactical officer with the department’s SWAT team and has been a Crisis Negotiator and Assistant CNT Commander for the department’s SWAT team for 12 years. Jeff Smith currently serves as a Street Cop Training Instructor and owner and Chief Instructor of Blackbird Training LLC.  In this episode you’ll learn:  How ego almost got him killed during a buy-bust. How he handled the stress of working such a dangerous assignment for so long. What he wants young aggressive cops to know about the job in this environment (hint: the job isn’t dead). Follow him on social media @streetcop_smitty and learn where you can catch his class at streetcoptraining.com I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We have launched Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, CommGear Supply. If you’re looking for the best prices and industry leading warranty coverage on your radio equipment, make sure you check them out and use the coupon code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order.  Also, a special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up. There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “Squadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

Dr. Trevor Wilkins is a former cop and current psychotherapist but if you’re on social media you might know him better as The Angry Viking. Trevor is a psychotherapist in private practice at Thin Line Counseling, LLC in Lexington, KY. Dr. Wilkins served 15-years in uniformed law enforcement, and the prior three years as a police dispatcher, firefighter, and emergency medical technician. Dr. Wilkins now combines his doctoral-level education in professional counseling with his experience of dealing with traumatic scenes to provide counseling services to the members of public safety, the military, and to the members of the public that deal with trauma. Dr. Wilkins possesses advanced training, experience, and consultant-in-training skills for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a leading treatment modality for stress and trauma according to the World Health Organization. Dr. Wilkins holds an advanced certification in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy from the Albert Ellis Institute in New York City. In 2015, Dr. Wilkins began the online program based on his social media brand The Angry Viking Therapist where he now treats thousands of individuals – particularly first responders – dealing with life stress. In this episode you’ll learn:  The call that pushed Trevor’s mental health over the edge. How his anger and stress forced him out of his law enforcement career. How he recovered and decided to help other cops avoid the mistakes he made. I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We have launched Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, CommGear Supply. If you’re looking for the best prices and industry leading warranty coverage on your radio equipment, make sure you check them out and use the coupon code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order. There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “Squadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

Scott Medlin, an active police officer and devout Catholic, was struggling with a secret. One that he felt he couldn’t even share with anyone — and certainly not with anyone at work. After years on patrol and two prior combat deployments with the United States Marine Corps, Scott’s mental attitude and coping skills were starting to slide, and he found himself in a dark and depressed state addicted to porn.  In this episode you’ll learn:  The moment he realized he had an addiction to pornography. How he lateralled into a toxic culture that sunk him into a deep depression. Why he gave up his dream of being a K9 officer to focus on his family. Scott Medlin is also an author and still works as a police officer and he is the founder of LEOmotivation.com. His newest book is “Truths Beyond the Police Academy: A Field Manual.” Scott has been featured in PoliceOne, LawOfficer, American Police Beat Magazine, and others.  Scott speaks nationally about leadership, teamwork, and how to build resilience as a first responder. Scott speaks from his own experience and you’ll hear his story plus some amazing lessons and insights into the struggles we all face.  Scott’s willingness to put himself out there with honesty was incredibly impressive and I can’t thank him enough for coming on the show. I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We have launched Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible. If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “Squadroom” to get $20 off your helmet.

Adam Haidary is a former training sergeant for an agency in South Carolina. Adam is the founder of the hugely popular and often controversial Instagram account @policeposts and is also the creator of Effective Fitness, which offers physical training templates and coaching for law enforcement personnel. On top of that he is the creator of the Be Effective Podcast.  PolicePosts deconstructs real world incidents using video to identify training opportunities or to reinforce good training habits. The posts include some thoughtful ideas and provide ways that cops can learn from these incidents to keep themselves safer.  So why is that so controversial?  Well, it turns out a lot of cops are a bit sensitive to criticism…even if it’s not about them.  There’s an old school mentality in policing that needs to die a quick death and it’s the belief that we shouldn’t review real world incidents because it invites scrutiny onto an officer, and sometimes the entire profession.  But here’s the news flash: with the proliferation of cell phone cameras, body cameras, and surveillance systems, we’re already open to scrutiny 24/7. Perhaps you haven’t watched the news in the past 24 months but we’re not the only one talking about these calls.  Adam is doing some very important work that is keeping officers safer and providing many with a forum to discuss these ideas when they work at an agency that’s chosen to keep their head in the sand when it comes to training their officers.  I highly encourage you to follow his various accounts including @policeposts, @policepoststraining, @effective.fitnesstraining, @beeffectivepodcast. I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We have launched Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you have a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, CommGear Supply. If you’re looking for the best prices and industry leading warranty coverage on your radio equipment, make sure you check them out and use the coupon code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order.  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “Squadroom” to get $20 off your helmet. 

Kim Colegrove was living a successful life as a corporate trainer looking forward to her husband’s retirement from federal law enforcement. He had big plans to finally launch his business – an idea he’d been working on for years.  Three months after his last day at work, he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  In the aftermath, Kim saw the warning signs that now seemed obvious but at the time were just little blips on the path towards his new career.  Kim’s work in the corporate world turned her towards a new purpose in life – building more resilient first responders.  In this episode you’ll learn:  How Kim’s childhood as the daughter of hippies set her on a path to help cops build resilience. How Kim handled the devastating news of her husband’s suicide. Why Kim chose to leave a successful career to teach mindfulness to cops. Kim’s top recommendations for how to start a mindfulness practice of your own.  You can learn more about Kim and her work at pausefirst.com.  If you’re struggling and need immediate help, try these resources. Safe Call Now 206-259-3020, Copline 1-800-267-5463, National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We launched Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you got a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, CommGear Supply. If you’re looking for the best prices and industry leading warranty coverage on your radio equipment, make sure you check them out and use the coupon code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order.

Jon Macaskill (@mindfulfrogman) is a retired Navy SEAL Commander turned consultant and mindfulness and meditation teacher. Jon was a lieutenant during the famous Operation Red Wings disaster made famous by Marcus Lutrell’s book and the related movie Lone Survivor. Jon was born in South Africa but grew up in Ruston, Louisiana. After graduating high school, he served briefly as an enlisted sailor in the US Navy before receiving an appointment to the US Naval Academy and graduating from there with a BS in mathematics 4 years later. Jon served in Iraq, Afghanistan, off the coast of Somalia, and in Panama.  He now co-hosts a great podcast called Men Talking Mindfulness (@mentalkingmindfulness) which I highly recommend. His goal is to improve cultures and individuals through mindfulness, meditation, vulnerability, and compassion. In this episode you’ll learn:  How Jon deal’s with significant survivor’s guilt from Operation Red Wings A simple breathing exercise Jon uses to calm and center his mind. How even a U.S. Navy SEAL Commander struggles with imposter syndrome.How cops and special operations personnel benefit from a mindfulness practice.   You can learn more about Jon at macaksillconsulting.com.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We launched Tactical Tuesdays – a free weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays or just text your email address to 805-364-2331. I promise we won’t sell or spam your email account.  If you want to know how you can support the show, there are a few ways to do that:  If you like what you heard today, if you got something out of the conversation, please consider leaving a review on the podcast player of your choice. If you got a few seconds, please leave a comment with your review.  Second, share this episode or any other episode you loved with people you know need to hear it. You can share episodes right from our webpage at thesquadroom.net and from most podcast players. Also, join our FB group and follow me on IG @thesquadroom  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode OfficerPrivacy.com. If cleaning up your name on the internet and making it harder for criminals to find you is important to you, check out the deal at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom where you’ll get a FREE USB data blocker and a one free month of monitoring when you sign up.  There are some great companies who support the podcast and support you as well. Go to thesquadroom.net/support to see exclusive deals from Signature Coins, Hard to Kill Fitness, Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible.  If you’re looking for the best fitting ballistic helmet that exceeds NIJ standards and won’t break the bank, check out Hardheadveterans.com and use the coupon code “Squadroom” to get $20 off your helmet.