The Squad Room

Cyndi Doyle is a licensed professional counselor and Nationally Board Certified Counselor. She is also certified in Critical Incident Stress Management and serves the Dallas/Fort Worth area on several response teams. Cyndi is also a LEO wife so her work with cops and family members is very relevant to our talk today. She’s a 3 time presenter at the IACP and the host of the Code 4 Couples Podcast, which I highly recommend for you cops out there who are married or are in a serious relationship. You can learn more at code4couples.com or cyndidoyle.com. In this episode, we talk about how couples can build better communication skills so that the bad stuff we see at work doesn’t get stuffed down, but also doesn’t spill over onto the family. We talk about how to create gratitude for your spouse, and why emotions are neither good or bad and how we can use our emotions to develop better self-awareness. I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We are launching 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 sponsors for today’s episode: Hard to Kill Fitness. If you’re looking for an effective and challenging at-home workout program that can get you results and get you back in shape, check them out at hardtokillfitness.co. 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. 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 other 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. 

Nick Metz is the retired chief of police of Aurora, Colorado, the 3rd largest city in the state. Before coming to Aurora as the new chief, Nick spent over 30 years with the Seattle Police Department where he rose to the rank of deputy chief — before being demoted — and we talk about that demotion in this conversation. During his time in Aurora, Nick made international headlines when one of his uniformed, on-duty officers, was found driving drunk on-duty. You’ve probably seen the video, and it’s awful. But Nick stood by his officer and refused to fire him despite the public outcry and heat he got from the media and politicians. Nick saw that this officer was hurting and he knew that firing him would not be the solution. Nick was also chief when Aurora officers shot and killed Richard Gary Black which lead to widespread protests and media attention.  And that’s just when he was at Aurora! With over 30 years in Seattle, he saw it all there too.  Nick is now working with his wife Sarah Metz at Code 4 Counseling where he teaches wellness and peer support programs around Colorado. He’s also a board member of the Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation which supports agencies and families in the immediate aftermath of losing an officer. It’s an amazing organization. Nick is also pursuing a Master’s Degree in Military and Emergency Responder Psychology, a brand new field of graduate study at Colorado State University.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We are launching 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, Hard to Kill Fitness. If you’re looking for an effective and challenging at-home workout program that can get you results and get you back in shape, check them out at hardtokillfitness.co.  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. 

Lorenzo Glenn is active lieutenant for the Anaheim Police Department in California. If you’re not familiar with Anaheim, it’s the epicenter of Disneyland, Angels Stadium, and the Honda Arena. Lorenzo is currently in charge of the Air Operations Unit and the Peer Support Team. He is also the current president of the Public Safety Peer Support Association. Lorenzo has over 30 years in law enforcement experience and we got connected through Nick Wilson of The Resiliency Project (check him out on episode 130)– and here’s where the story gets interesting.  When Nick was a cop, he was best friends with Anaheim PD Officer Derek Trusk. On October 8, 2017, Officer Trusk took his own life, one of hundreds of officers to do so that year. At the time he committed suicide, Lorenzo Glenn was his supervisor.  On this episode, Lorenzo talks openly and honestly about the warning signs they missed, what more could have been done to save Derek Trusk, and how you can implement some of his lessons to prevent a tragedy from occuring at your own department. Lorenzo is a fantastic law enforcement leader and his honesty and willingness to come on this show and talk about the lessons he learned is a testament to his character.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We are launching 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.  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, Hard to Kill Fitness. If you’re looking for an effective and challenging at-home workout program that can get you results and get you back in shape, check them out at hardtokillfitness.co.

Robb Wolf is a former research biochemist and the 2X New York Times/WSJ Best Selling author of The Paleo Solution and Wired To Eat. Robb has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world via his top ranked iTunes podcast, books and seminars. Robb also has extensive experience working with first responders. In this episode, we talk about the paleo diet which he is famous for helping launch into the mainstream, intermittent fasting, sleep disturbances and how to control them, dealing with bad leadership, supplements vs. whole foods and if adrenal fatigue is a real thing (hint: it is but your doctor probably doesn’t know any better). Robb has functioned as a review editor for the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism (Biomed Central) and as a consultant for the Naval Special Warfare Resiliency program. He serves on the board of Directors/Advisors for: Specialty Health Inc, The Chickasaw Nation’s “Unconquered Life” initiative and a number of innovative start ups with a focus on health and sustainability. Robb holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and is a former California State Powerlifting Champion (565 lb. Squat, 345 lb. Bench, 565 lb. Dead Lift) and a 6-0 amateur kickboxer. Wolf has provided seminars in nutrition and strength & conditioning to a number of entities including NASA, Naval Special Warfare, the Canadian Light Infantry and the United States Marine Corps.He is also the co-founder of CrossFit Norcal, the 4th CrossFit affiliate in the world. I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We are launching 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 Signature Coins. If you’re looking for challenge coins for your agency or specialty unit, check them out at SignatureCoins.com and use the coupon code TheSquadRoom for $50 off.  A special thanks to our sponsor for today’s episode, Hard to Kill Fitness. If you’re looking for an effective and challenging at-home workout program that can get you results and get you back in shape, check them out at hardtokillfitness.co. 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. 

Bruce Valles is the Founder and CEO of Mindbase, a Seattle startup aimed at solving the mental health crisis within public safety. Bruce was motivated to start Mindbase after seeing his uncle’s struggles with mental illness while he was a cop and corrections officer in Arizona.  Bruce has spent the last 12 years in tech, from startups to fortune 500 companies on revenue and operations teams. As an advocate for mental health within the LatinX Community, Bruce has turned his passion and experience on the underserved population of first responders by creating the first and only CAD/RMS integrated detection and intervention platform. His focus comes at a time during one of the deadliest times of self-inflicted mortality within law enforcement, an epidemic that has outweighed line of duty deaths for the past three years in a row and has been triple digits for over a decade. In this episode, we talk about how technology is becoming integrated into peer support programs, and how statistics and algorithms are being used by departments to take care of their people to prevent major problems.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We are launching 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

Jen Satterly is an author, speaker and wife to Command Sergeant Major (ret.) Tom Satterly who appeared on episode 138. With Tom, she is the co-founder of the All Secure Foundation.  When Jen met Tom, his second marriage was about to implode due to his unresolved trauma and severe PTSD. Eventually, they married and Jen realized she was in for the ride of her life as she tried to wrestle with Tom’s demons, while discovering her own unresolved trauma from a sexual assault as a young woman.  Jen’s book Arsenal of Hope: Tactics for Taking on PTSD, Together is a fantastic read from the perspective of a spouse who wants to help, but isn’t a push over, but also doesn’t know where to begin. Through their journey, Jen discovers a healing path for them both that she now shares through her work.  You can learn more at allsecurefoundation.org and on social media @allsecurefoundation and @tomsatterly If you need immediate help, call the Veteran’s Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or for first responders, call Safe Call Now at 206-459-3020. I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We are launching 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 

Command Sergeant Major (ret.) Tom Satterly spent 20 years in the U.S. Army’s secretive and elite Delta Force. Tom’s first deployment with The Unit was the infamous 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, made famous by the book and movie Black Hawk Down. Over the next 20 years, Tom deployed all around the world and was on the mission that captured Saddam Hussein.  But all of that came at a cost. Two broken marriages, and crippling anxiety, depression and alcoholism began to follow Tom soon after Mogadishu. It would stay with him for his entire military career and nearly cost him everything.  Ashamed and embarrassed, but at the end of his rope, Tom slowly began to get help. It came in the form of his new wife, Jen Satterly. But of course, it wasn’t that simple. Because trauma loves trauma, the two nearly ended their marriage on their wedding night.  Tom’s auto-biography All Secure: A Special Operations Soldier’s Fight to Survive on the Battlefield and the Homefront tells his story in raw and honest detail. Since then, Tom and his wife Jen have formed the All Secure Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting veterans with post-traumatic growth through online programs, couples retreats and counseling support.  On this episode, Tom and I talk about how he had to overcome the fear of being judged by his friends, some of the most elite warriors in the world, and how shame kept him from getting help for so long.  You can learn more at allsecurefoundation.org and on social media @allsecurefoundation and @tomsatterly If you need immediate help, call the Veteran’s Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or for first responders, call Safe Call Now at 206-459-3020. We also talk about the importance of building a team around you to support you during your career but also to be there for those times off-duty when you need someone to listen.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We are launching 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  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, CommGear Supply, OfficerPrivacy.com Onnit, RangerUp, Hard Head Veterans, and Audible. 

Victoria Newman is the president of How2LoveOurCops.org. She’s the author of “A CHiP on My Shoulder – How to Love Your Cop with Attitude” and “A Marriage in Progress: Tactical Support for Law Enforcement Relationships.” She’s a national speaker and contributing writer for Law Officer among many many other pursuits. Victoria’s husband is Chief Brent Newman of the California Highway Patrol who recently retired after a 31-year career.  Victoria’s introduction to law enforcement life was like jumping right in the deep end. Within weeks of their wedding, Brent was in the academy and a move to Los Angeles was ahead of them. Multiple moves, untold critical incidents, too many LODDs and officer suicides later, they have kept their marriage.  But sometimes, just barely.  In this episode, Victoria tells the story of why she was ready for a divorce and was preparing to leave.  But she stuck with it and the payoff is heard as we talk about it in this episode.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We are launching 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  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, CommGear Supply, and OfficerPrivacy.com. 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. 

Pete James is a forensic and online database expert. After he retired as a lieutenant from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office in California, he formed OfficerPrivacy.com to help officers and other first responders protect themselves and their families by limiting the amount of information that’s out there on the internet.  And trust me, there’s a lot! In this episode with Pete, you will learn:  Why it’s impossible to completely erase yourself from the internet. What you can do by yourself to limit the type of information that is available on the internet. How online people search databases work and why vigilance is required to maintain your privacy. Learn more at officerprivacy.com/thesquadroom. 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.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We are launching 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 

Bill Mauro is the author of The Stoic Cop: Policing Through Stoic Virtue. Bill is also a deputy sheriff in Florida with a family in law enforcement. A few years ago, Bill found himself struggling with a deep depression and thoughts of suicide. A miraculous intervention with a stranger changed his life and he eventually found his strength and guidance in Stoicism. I can’t overstate how important Stoicism has become to my own mindset and personal pursuit of my own virtue. To say it is my religion might be a stretch but not by much. But what is Stoicism? It’s probably not what you think it is. Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy which teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. Think of it like an operating system for your life. This isn’t philosophy about the purpose of our existence. This is about how to handle anger, ego, fear, discipline, humility and internal peace. Seems worth it, right? You’ve heard me say, “control what you can control.” That’s a piece of Stoicism. Here are the books we talk about in this episode and that I recommend to anyone interested in learning more: The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday Meditations by Marcus Aurelius The Art of Living by Epictetus Letters from a Stoic by Seneca I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We are launching 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 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, CommGear Supply, OfficerPrivacy.com, 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.

James Geering is a firefighter, professional stuntman, published author and host of the Behind the Shield Podcast. James has been in the fire service on both coasts of the United States and shares his incredible story about how he was driven to become a firefighter from an early age – and it provokes some reflection in Garrett about a formative event in his childhood that he shares on the show.  In this episode you’ll learn about:  James’ mission to bring wellness and self-care to first responders after burying 6 of his friends due to duty-related illnesses. Why James thinks that drug decriminalization may be the way to solve many of our problems. How a doctor misdiagnosed James with a medical condition that prevented him from becoming a firefighter in his homeland of England.  Listen to the Behind the Shield Podcast on all the major players.  Follow James on social media @behindtheshield911. Check out his book One More Light: Life, Death and Humanity Through the Eyes of a Firefighter available on Amazon.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We are launching 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 

Pete Havel is the author of The Arsonist in the Office: Fireproofing Your Life Against Toxic Coworkers, Bosses, Employees and Cultures, was named Amazon’s #1 Hot New Release for Management Books and has reached #2 on Amazon’s bestseller list in multiple categories. Pete is a speaker, trainer, and consultant for organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to churches to nonprofits to law enforcement and first responder associations and departments. He focuses his attention on helping organizations fix “people problems”, build stronger leadership, and create or strengthen productive and healthy workplace cultures.  You can check out more about Pete at www.petehavel.com In this episode, we talk about how to deal with toxic employees and co-workers – something that I know every cop deals with. We cover the 10 types of toxic people and how to identify them, work with them, and hopefully lead them.  But perhaps most importantly, we talk about how easy it is to become one of these toxic people without evening knowing about it!  It’s a great episode chock full of advice on how to lead with purpose and Be the One.  I want to offer you something that I’m very excited about, and it’s absolutely FREE. We are launching 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. That’s 805-364-2331 – and I promise we won’t sell or spam your email address.  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

Mike Doyle of the Tactical Tangents Podcast joins me on this episode of The Squad Room. Mike is a K9 handler for a large urban police department in Arizona, a new father, a podcaster, and dare I say renaissance man — whatever that means these days.  In this episode you’ll learn how Mike and I have done some of the gritty work of asking for feedback from others and how early missteps in our careers negatively impacted us for sometime. Mike also tells a funny story about how a snarky comment on the radio can come back to bite you – even if you aren’t a K9 officer.  Make sure to check out his podcast Tactical Tangents.  Join our Facebook Group to stay up to date and get content not available on the podcast and follow us @thesquadroom A special thanks to Signature Coins for sponsoring this episode. If you’re in the market for a great challenge coin like these. Use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $50 off your first order.  Check out our store! Go to thesquadroom.net by selecting “shop” or going straight to aworthycauselife.com In fact, our best seller this week is a shirt I call “Greater than the Critic” and it is inspired by the work we’re doing in the midst of this challenging time. 

Dennis Benigno is the founder and owner of Street Cop Training, perhaps the largest privately-held law enforcement organization in the country, and they’re growing quickly.  Dennis joins us to talk about his career and how he navigated through a start in corrections, to federal law enforcement and eventually, back home working in the New Jersey town he grew up in. In 2015, Dennis was injured on the job and had to medically retire.  When he was on the road, Dennis noticed he had a gift for criminal interdiction so he began teaching what he’d learned to other cops and Street Cop Training was born. Dennis and his growing company now travel all around the country bringing some of the most dynamic content available to active cops looking to make the most of their shift.  In this episode, Dennis and I talk about growing up in New Jersey, what’s made him successful as a cop and an entrepreneur, how he chooses mentors, why he meditates every day and much more.   Learn more at streetcoptraining.com and @streetcoptraining on Instagram.  Don’t forget to follow us @thesquadroom and leave a review with a comment if you enjoyed this episode!  ************************************************************ A special thanks to CommGrearSupply.com for their support of the show. If you’re looking for radio and headset accessories to help you stay safe, use “thesquadroom” to get 10% off your order.  A special thanks to OfficerPrivacy.com for sponsoring this episode. Don’t let the bad guys find your personal information on the internet. Get help from retired cops who can protect you. Check out our store! Go to thesquadroom.net by selecting “shop” or going straight to aworthycauselife.com In fact, our best seller this week is a shirt I call “Greater than the Critic” and it is inspired by the work we’re doing in the midst of this challenging time.

One day not too long ago, Officer Nick Wilson was on his way to jail. But there was a problem.  The problem was that despite countless trips to county before, this time he was riding in the backseat.  He had just been arrested for DUI. But the problem was actually bigger than that. Nick was suffering from a dangerous combination of physical injuries from his career and emotional and mental injuries as well. Doctors prescribed Nick a cocktail of opiates, benzodiazepines and sleeping pills.  Nick has done something amazing with such a horrible experience. Nick turned his life around and has become an advocate for mental health treatment and resiliency training for police officers. He is the founder of The Resiliency Project (@the_resiliencyproject).  In this episode, you’ll hear how he caught the early warning signs but still didn’t know what to do, how he reacted poorly to the anxiety he felt as a result of his work and how he suffered from crippling anxiety. Nick also shares the story of his arrest and how the sergeant on-scene had a massive effect on him, helped him shift his mindset, and is now a board member of Nick’s non-profit. Nick travels around California teaching about his experiences in the hopes that other cops can avoid the pits of despair he fell into. He’s a leader and truly an example of someone willing to Be the One by sharing their story. Learn more about Nick and his class at theresiliencyproject.info If you or someone you love is struggling right now, please reach out. The Squad Room supports the fantastic work at Copline, staffed 24/7 by trained officers who are able to help you right away. Call them at 1-800-COPLINE. Special thanks to our episode’s sponsor, Signature Coins for their support of the show. If you’re looking for high-quality challenge coins, visit their site. Use the coupon code “thesquadroom” for $50 off your first order.

On October 9, 2017, Carmen East’s life changed forever.  Her husband, Texas Tech University Police Officer Floyd East Jr. was shot and killed on duty.  Carmen joins me on The Squad Room to tell the heart-wrenching story of losing her high-school sweetheart in the line of duty. Her story, and her relationship with Floyd is an absolute must-hear episode.  Carmen shares how Floyd’s life-long dream was to become a police officer. It was a goal he worked hard to achieve later in life than most. He was so committed to the cause that he commuted nearly 12 hours roundtrip from his home in El Paso to the campus in Lubbock because they were willing to give him a shot.  In this episode you’ll learn:  How Carmen and Floyd fell in love in high school but ended up married to other people. How they reconnected and supported each other to pursue their dreams. How Carmen and her daughters learned of Floyd’s death. How grief and heartache cannot stop a noble spirit committed to a cause.  Carmen is the founder of Texas635 (Floyd’s badge number). This wonderful non-profit seeks to offset the sudden expenses incurred by families in the wake of a line-of-duty death. They also provide scholarships to officers to attend first responder trauma retreats. They’re doing wonderful work.  Please take the time to listen to this episode.  Take care of each other, and stay safe. A special thanks to Hard to Kill Fitness for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for help getting or staying in shape during these difficult times, check out their wide variety of programs that you can use at-home or in the gym.  Check out our store! Go to thesquadroom.net by selecting “shop” or going straight to aworthycauselife.com In fact, our best seller this week is a shirt I call “Greater than the Critic” and it is inspired by the work we’re doing in the midst of this challenging time.  Thanks for listening and supporting the show.  

I often get asked how to build resilience quickly. You just have to answer one important question. And then you answer that question over and over and over again. On this episode, my guest Brian Willis helps us learn how to apply a simple acronym – W.I.N. – to create resilience, improve focus, and become better leaders. We also talk about how leadership is a choice, not a rank, and what you can do to create a culture of leadership within your agency, regardless of Brian is a 25-year veteran of the Calgary Police Service and for the last 15 years he has traveled North America teaching cops how to improve their mindset and their leadership skills through his company Winning Mind Training. Brian is also the Deputy Executive Director of ILEETA (International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association). Watch Brian’s TEDx Talk here Or this other great talk here. Learn more about his work at Winning Mind Training. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @thesquadroom. Please “like” our Facebook page for updates and join our Facebook group of LEO professionals. Special thanks to Signature Coins for their support of the show. If you’re looking for a high-quality challenge coin for your agency or specialty unit, give them a call and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $50 off your order. 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.

Tony Blauer is the founder of Blauer Tactical and the S.P.E.A.R. System of self-defense. A world-renowned self-defense expert and law enforcement trainer, Tony has studied fear and how our bodies use fear to keep us safe. In this episode, Tony and I cover a wide range of topics including:  To be the best version of yourself, you need self-awareness. To make good decisions, you need to manage your fear.How fear can become fuel for growth. Why we often outsource our safety in ways that aren’t so obvious. How to be the one, you must practice courage and you can’t be courageous without being afraid.  It’s a great episode full of solid advice from an industry leader.  Follow Tony on IG at @tonyblauer and learn more at blauerspear.com and knowfearnow.com Don’t forget to follow me on IG @thesquadroom and please consider leaving a review if you enjoyed this episode.  A special thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Hard to Kill Fitness. With gyms still closed in  many areas, at home body weight workouts have become the norm for many. Check out their wide variety of weight training and bodyweight programs that will get you in the hardest shape of your life. Learn more at hardtokillfitness.co Check out our store! Go to thesquadroom.net by selecting “shop” or going straight to aworthycauselife.com In fact, our best seller this week is a shirt I call “Greater than the Critic” and it is inspired by the work we’re doing in the midst of this challenging time.

Dakota Meyer knows a thing or two about how to move forward and overcoming adversity. That’s why it was a great experience to have him on the newest episode of The Squad Room. A short review of Dakota’s life shows you some of the major obstacles he has confronted and overcome by accepting his reality:  The Battle of Ganjgal where he lost four friends and earned the Medal of Honor. Feeling listless and without purpose after leaving the military. Being awarded the Medal of Honor for what he feels is his biggest failure. Accepting help after pulling the trigger on a suicide attempt. Dealing with a high-profile divorce filmed for a reality TV show. His diagnosis with PTSD.  In this episode you’ll learn:  Why it’s important to shed the deadweight of meaningless friendships. How he pushes himself mentally into new territory. Why he decided to go back into public service by becoming a firefighter. Why negativity has no place in your future plans.  In this episode, Dakota lays out his prescription for leading a meaningful life, while also throwing down some hard truths about what it means to be a public servant and why you and I need to do better. Dakota is a huge supporter of law enforcement but he’s also a critical thinker who makes some valid points. If you’re the kind of cop that gets defensive at any criticism, let this be your trigger warning.  But he’s not wrong.  Check out the episode at any of the links below.  Follow him on Instagram @dakotameyer0317 Check out Flipside Canvas for some cool wall art.  Dakota’s Front Toward Enemy Podcast on Apple   A special thanks to Signature Coins for sponsoring this episode. If you’re in the market for a great challenge coin like these. Use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get $50 off your first order.  Check out our store! Go to thesquadroom.net by selecting “shop” or going straight to aworthycauselife.com In fact, our best seller this week is a shirt I call “Greater than the Critic” and it is inspired by the work we’re doing in the midst of this challenging time.

Jonathan Montgomery used to be fat firefighter. Before that, he was a roadie for some of the biggest pop punk bands of the 90s. Several years ago, Jonathan got his act together and lost a ton of weight and is now a ripped former firefighter who owns First In Nutrition along with his wife Anne, also a former firefighter.  Jonathan loved working as a firefighter but saw his bigger calling was helping other first responders navigate weight loss and the often tricky relationship we develop with food. He used to get stopped around the firehouse and bombarded with questions about how he did it. Then he took on a few clients Eventually, the work became a full-time job.  In fact, he’s currently my nutrition coach helping me work through some of these things as I try, yet again, to lose more weight.  In this episode, Jonathan and I reminisce about our shared days in the music industry, the challenges of eating healthy as a first responder, how stress affects our diet, and the simple things we can do to start taking more control of our calories and our lives.  Make sure to give him a follow @firstinnurtition Find out more at firstinnutrition.com A special thanks to Hard to Kill Fitness for their support of the show. Check them out for in-home workout programs that can help you get and stay in shape during this pandemic that seems to be like the Energizer Bunny (it just keeps going, and going, and going…)Check out our store! Go to thesquadroom.net by selecting “shop” or going straight to aworthycauselife.com In fact, our best seller this week is a shirt I call “Greater than the Critic” and it is inspired by the work we’re doing in the midst of this challenging time.

Man, and I thought 2019 was rough…2020 isn’t just a dumpster fire, it’s a full-on landfill burning out of control.  My wife and I couldn’t stand staring at the same four walls anymore so we decided on a last minute road-trip to Colorado…and now I’m sitting in the waiting room of Urgent Care waiting for my son to get tested for COVID.  That escalated quickly.  And still, so many of you are pulling long shifts on skirmish lines facing off against people who hate you just because of your uniform.  It’s exhausting. It’s stressful. It’s infuriating. It’s scary. All of it. And yet its exactly for those reasons that it’s also an opportunity. But we must be resilient and practice emotional intelligence if we want to be effective.  Our guest this week knows a thing or two about resilience. JP Dinnell is a Navy SEAL veteran of Jocko Willink’s famous Task Unit Bruise. Chris Kyle was his friend and partner. JP now works with Jocko at Echelon Front teaching front-line leadership to business and public servants. This is JP’s second time on the show and he delivers as well as he did on his first appearance.  In this episode, we talk about building relationships up and down the chain of command, knowing when to adjust your approach and priorities, the importance of making people feel valuable, how he compartmentalizes his objectives to give his best, and so much more. Follow him @jpdinnell And just a reminder, if you want to support the show and rock some cool gear, check out our store. Special thanks to our sponsors, Signature Coins. If you’re looking for a quality challenge coin, use our coupon code thesquadroom to get $50 off your first order!

This episode of The Squad Room was a recent favorite. I sit down (socially distanced via Zoom of course) with Justin Walker. Justin is a full-time officer at a major metropolitan department and a full-time SWAT officer. He’s also the owner of MilMak Blades and even a podcaster! (seriously, check out his show The Man Minutes, it’s really good). We talk about a wide variety of topics on the show. It’s like a lot of conversations that happen when two veteran cops sit down to get to know each other. We ended up talking a lot about the lessons we’ve learned and the mistakes we’ve made that we want to keep others from making. Give him a follow @milmakaz and check out his blades at milmakaz.com

I’ve been reluctant to add my voice to the chorus of talking heads surrounding the issues we’re currently facing in policing. However, I’ve been encouraged to do so by some people I respect greatly, and asked by many others for my input.  I’ll admit that I was also scared to chime in. Cancel culture has brought us to the point that the slightest misstep or poorly phrased sentence can get you fired or targeted for the wrath of a very angry public.  But I realized that if I allowed that to influence me, I would have ceded my rights to the mob.  The ideas in this episode are my own. They come after years of observation as a veteran street cop and as someone who has sought a better answer for a long time.  In this episode, I discuss:  Why community policing has failed and we need to get rid of it. The history of modern policing and how we got to the point that the public demands so much of us. The importance of responsibility, even if we aren’t to blame. 8 action steps to develop and accept responsibility. The two fundamental truths of current law enforcement. Why, when trying to solve crime, we need to solve for pain instead. How Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs can be used as a model for future policing.  It’s a long episode. Just me, no guests. No sponsors, no intro music. Just me trying to make sense of an incredibly complicated topic.  Thanks for listening and staying with me.  Stay safe, and take care of each other. 

After graduating from West Point, Jason Van Camp earned his Ranger tabs in 2002. Along with the 101st Airborne, Jason was part of the invasion of Iraq in 2003. In 2006, Jason went through selection and earned his green beret. Afterward, he was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group as a Detachment Commander. In 14 years of service, Jason earned the Bronze Star with V device for Valor, and two additional Bronze Stars during multiple combat tours in the Middle East and Africa. Jason is also the author of Deliberate Discomfort: How U.S. Special Operations Forces Overcome Fear and Dare to Win by Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable. It’s a fantastic book and one of favorite leaderships of recent memory, weaving personal stories of heroes in combat with actionable leadership lessons. You can learn more about Jason at missionsixzero.com. Follow us on Instagram @thesquadroom and make sure to sign up for our Facebook Group. Just search “The Squad Room Group” in Facebook. Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Hard to Kill Fitness. Hard to Kill Fitness specializes in workout templates for first responders and military personnel. Their action-oriented plans provide guidance and support for you to gain control of your fitness without spending a paycheck on a personal trainer. Check them out at hardtokillfitness.co or on Instagram @hardtokill_fitness

Dr. Kevin Gilmartin is one of the preeminent police psychologists in the country. He is the author of the Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement, an absolute must read for any cop or LEO spouse. Dr. Gilmartin’s one-day seminar sells out all over the world and he is one of the best presenters I’ve ever seen. In this episode we talk about: How to activate your parasympathetic nervous system to correctly calm yourself after a shift of stress and cortisol. The effects of sleep deprivation on attitude and behavior. The depression that naturally sets in with extended nightshifts. Why 20 minutes of walking is as effective as medication to combat depression. Why the Australians are leading the way with how they treat their police officers.  You can learn more about Dr. Gilmartin at emotionalsurvival.com. Special thanks to our episode’s sponsor, Signature Coins for their support of the show. If you’re looking for high-quality challenge coins, visit their site. Use the coupon code “thesquadroom” for $50 off your first order.

Sergeant Aaron Lohman returns for his second appearance on The Squad Room and he doesn’t disappoint with his no-holds barred style of personal growth and leadership. We last checked in with Aaron in 2017 and a lot has changed. He made sergeant, had a few transfers and now is one of the first staffers at NYPD’s new and unique Health & Wellness Unit. Aaron rose to prominence through his social media account @huge_fat_loser where he documented his amazing weight loss and attitude change. In this episode you will learn: How Aaron took control of his life, shifted his attitude and became a different person. How Aaron decided to take control of his health and his mindset and reversed years of negative thoughts and behavior. Why he decided to promote and what has been the biggest adjustment to putting on stripes. His new mission to lead the charge on getting cops healthy. What he’s learned losing over 200 pounds. Aaron is also a new podcaster now with his own show, “Notorious HFL” and you can check that out wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Signature Coins. If you’re looking to make a high quality challenge coin that doesn’t disappoint, check them out. Use the coupon code thesquadroom to get $50 off your first order.

Tom Voss is an Infantry veteran of the Army’s Stryker Brigades having served between 2003-2006 in a scout sniper platoon. He’s also an author, yoga instructor, and meditation teacher.  It wasn’t long into his deployments before Tom experienced the darkest parts of war which left him with severe PTSD that he denied for over a decade. Tom turned to drugs and alcohol to cope and spiraled into planning his suicide. The only thing that saved him was a sister who wouldn’t put up with it.  Tom is the author of Where War Ends: Recovering from PTSD and Moral Injury Through Meditation. He also organized a walk across the country to raise awareness for veteran’s issues and is the star of the documentary Almost Sunrise.  In this episode, you’ll learn:  How Tom nearly killed himself by avoiding treatment for over 10 years by self-medicating. How he learned to accept the experiences he endured. The difference between PTSD and Moral Injury. How meditation helps him manage his new path as a veteran. How to begin a simple practice of meditation if you’re intimidated.  Tom’s book: Where War Ends: A Combat Veterans 2700-Mile Journey to Heal Follow Tom on Instagram @themeditatingvet  Tom’s website is themeditatingvet.com  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on TuneIn Click here for the RSS Feed  Click here for more Android Options  Special thanks to our episode’s sponsor, Hard to Kill Fitness. Check out their training programs designed for active and aspiring first responders and military personnel and give them a follow on Instagram @hardtokill_fitness.

Ryan Michler is the host of the Order of Man Podcast and author of the book Sovereignty: The Battle for the Hearts and Minds of Men.  In this episode, you’ll learn:  How Ryan recommends you regain and retain sovereignty over your life. Why he wrestles with the idea of being a good follower. Why the idea of work/life balance is false.Why you need to have a “life vision.”Why you can’t talk to your significant other like you do to your partner. How Ryan sets goals and measures his success. Why you need to be as flexible as the flag pole in his front yard.   Follow Ryan on Instagram @orderofman  and @ryanmichler  Follow us @thesquadroom  Ryan’s website is OrderofMan.com  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on TuneIn Click here for the RSS Feed  Click here for more Android Options Special thanks to our episode’s sponsor, Signature Coins for their support of the show. If you’re looking for high-quality challenge coins, visit their site. Use the coupon code “thesquadroom” for $50 off your first order.

In this short episode I talk about a monumental speech that was given 110 years ago today by one of the biggest personalities to ever enter the White House. In this episode, I share why this speech is so influential to me, and how you can use it to motivate and inspire those you work with. It’s also appropriate because this is the week we launched A Worthy Cause Life, our apparel and gear shop. If you’re looking for some cool t-shirts, mugs, or stickers, check out the stuff at aworthycauselife.com and you can help support the show while wearing some unique threads. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on TuneIn Click here for the RSS Feed Click here for more Android Options

Matt is a Special Forces veteran and current police officer in Los Angeles, CA. He’s known on social media as The Operational Athlete (@theoperationalathlete). Matt has multiple combat deployments and works in a high-activity city. In this episode we talk about: What he learned in Special Forces that he still uses on the streets today. Why policing was his LAST option but why it turned out to be the greatest blessing. The brotherhood of those who spend their time in service, whether in a foreign land or in our communities. His unique ideas about how to set goals and crush them. This episode is sponsored by Hard to Kill Fitness. Hard to Kill Fitness offers training programs for aspiring and active first responders and military personnel, Their workouts can be done at home or the gym, and require minimal equipment. Right now, HTK is offering 30% off ALL of their bodyweight programs. Follow them at @hardtokill_fitness or at hardtokillfitness.co If you’re interested in some cool gear and a chance to support the show, check out our brand new apparel line A Worthy Cause at aworthycauselife.com and give us a follow @aworthycauselife

This is the first episode back after a much-needed hiatus. It was not the episode I planned to produce but one that I felt needed to be done. No ads, no music, just an honest discussion about how to manage through change, how to mitigate the stress we’re all under, and how to cultivate resilience by emptying your bucket.

This episode is a re-broadcast of one of my most important episodes so far. Dr. Jon Sheinberg wears many hats. One is as a full-time cardiologist and another is as a lieutenant for the Cedar Park Police Department in Texas. Jon comes on the show to walk us through all the confusing stuff about cholesterol, what diets work best, how to understand your blood work results and how to get the most of out life.

This episode is a rebroadcast of a fascinating interview with Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman. If you’ve been living under a rock, Lt. Col. Grossman is the author of On Combat and On Killing and the creator of the idea of the sheepdog and the wolves. He’s a former West Point professor and all-around, one of the nicest guests I’ve had on the show.

This episode was recorded live at ProForce Law Enforcement on September 28, 2019. My guests are the dynamic duo and hosts of the 911Strong Podcast, social media star Aram Choe (@911Strong) and Kristen Jauregui (@dispatcherkristen). Both are working hard to help bridge the divide between our communities and our profession using social media as their outlet. In this episode, we talk about the dangers of putting yourself out there on social media, problems with navigating an ‘old school’ police mentality, and what they’ve learned as a result. Special thanks to ProForce for hosting the event and to Sig Sauer, Taran Tactical, Side Action Apparel, and Spetz Holsters for coming out to show off their gear. Since we’re talking about social media, don’t forget to follow me @thesquadroom and join our Facebook group!

A foot chase with an armed carjacking suspect, a partner shot, an open gun battle with no cover or concealment, taking two rounds in the legs, a gun jam…its like every academy training scenario rolled into one nightmare. Troy PD Officer Josh Comitale’s nightmare. Josh won the U.S. Congressional Medal of Bravery for his actions that day, and after you hear his story, you’ll understand why. Here’s the surveillance camera footage that captures the entire shooting. (Josh is seen on foot in the parking lot in the upper right with the flashlight. His partner Chad Klein is seen coming into the seen in his patrol SUV). Don’t forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or the player of your choice. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @thesquadroom. Also, join our Facebook group to meet other like-minded professionals. Special thanks to ProForce Law Enforcement for their support of the show. Sign up here to keep up-to-date on deals in store. If you visit the Brea location and use the password, “The Squad Room” you can get 20% off a Streamlight TLR1 pistol light.

Jason Hoschouer is a veteran cop in California. Many know him by his alias “Motorcop.” Jason was one of the first cop bloggers and probably the first cop to start a podcast way back in the day with The Crossover Show. He’s also been a previous guest on The Squad Room talking about financial health.  Jason has a new podcast called What’s Your Emergency that covers a wide array of first responder topics. You can listen to it at wyeradio.com.  Follow Jason on Instagram @themotorcopmindset  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on TuneIn Click here for the RSS Feed  Click here for more Android Options Also want to send a special thanks to our sponsor, ProForce Law Enforcement. ProForce is the leading firearms distributor in the West and can handle everything from upgrading agency firearms to individual officer purchases. Check them out at Proforceonline.com

Over 27 years, Sgt. Joey Rafferty had every dream job that a hard charging cop would want in a county that requires hard charges. Wedged between Philadelphia and Trenton, NJ, Joey had plenty of action to keep him in the game. It wasn’t until he crashed a patrol car with his kids in the backseat and got arrested for DUI that he finally admitted he had a problem.  Sometimes, when you work hard you play hard too and Joey started to play hard often. In this episode you will learn:  The red flags that Joey missed.Why his partners knew he had a problem but wouldn’t say anything. How he asked for help.Coping mechanisms he uses now instead of alcohol. How a relapse helped his sobriety.  Even if you don’t drink, there are important lessons here about the warning signs that got missed, ignored, or explained-away.  We owe it to each other to confront alcohol or drug problems in ourselves and others. Not only could we save a career but we could potentially save a life.  If you think you or a partner have a substance abuse problem, here are a few resources for first responders. Also, check with your department’s EAP program or your health insurance provider.  Alcohol.org – Tons of information, resources and treatment options specific to first responders dealing with substance abuse.  CopLine – 24/7 Peer support and crisis intervention. Website has resources and information. Call 1-800-267-5463 Safe Call Now – 24/7 Crisis Intervention and Treatment Referral for First Responders. 206-459-3020 Click here before you shop on Amazon. Get discounts on tactical equipment, audio books, Ranger Up Clothing and more! Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts Click here to listen on Google Play Click here to listen on Spotify Click here to listen on Stitcher Click here to listen on TuneIn Click here for the RSS Feed  Click here for more Android Options ****** This episode is sponsored by ProForce. ProForce is the largest firearms distributor on the West Coast. ProForce works with some of the largest agencies in the country to help them replace their aging firearms with modern equipment. They also have two retail locations in Brea, CA and Prescott, AZ that service first responders selling everything they need to hit the streets. 

Five days before he was scheduled to finish his tour in Vietnam, U.S. Navy F4 Phantom pilot Capt. Charlie Plumb was shot down on his 75th combat mission over enemy territory. He spent the next 2,103 days (almost 6 years) in an 8×8 foot cell as a Prisoner of War, tortured and beaten in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. During nearly 6 years of captivity, Charlie shared cells with Sen. John McCain and worked as the right-hand to Admiral James Stockdale where he helped lead the resistance to their captors. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Charlie developed his personal Code of Conduct. When Charlie was shot down, broken, bleeding and in immense pain that wasn’t even the bad news. What he learned about leadership from being tortured.Why the POWs had a lower rate of PTSD and stress-related issues than other veterans, and how their mindset saved their lives. Why a positive attitude can be dangerous to your health. How Charlie learned the Stoic ideas of accepting reality. Charlie has been awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, two Purple Hearts, the Presidential Unit Citation, POW Metal , the Vietnam Service Medal and others. In 2010 he was elected into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame. He’s also one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met and his ability to motivate anyone will leave you inspired after this episode. Follow Charlie on Instagram @plumbtalk You can get his book, I’m No Hero here Charlie’s website is charlieplumb.com The Jocko Podcast interview I reference in the episode can be found here.If you’re interested in learning more about Stoicism, I highly recommend The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday as a great start. This episode is sponsored by ProForce. ProForce is the largest firearms distributor on the West Coast. ProForce works with some of the largest agencies in the country to help them replace their aging firearms with modern equipment. They also have their retail locations in Brea, CA that services first responders selling everything they need to hit the streets.

Mark “Smelly” Bell is an American and world-record holder powerlifter, inventor of the Sling Shot, star of the movie Bigger, Stronger, Faster, the publisher of Power Magazine, host of the Mark Bell’s Power Project podcast, a YouTube star and much more. Mark also used to be known for being fat – like really fat. But a few years ago, Mark decided to make the changes necessary to help him step into a new reality where he is a legitimate health and fitness leaders. He did it my identifying what he could control, and then he attacked it with hard work and optimism. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why it’s important to be patient with yourself when you’re trying to make changes. How celebrating small wins can get you to large goals. Why calories count, but why you shouldn’t be counting them. How intermittent fasting can help improve your cardio and your mental clarity. …and much more. He’s also one of the most genuine, and generous, people I’ve ever met and his ability to motivate anyone will leave you inspired after this episode. Follow Mark on Instagram @marksmellybell Mark’s website with his products at https://markbellslingshot.com/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on TuneIn Click here for the RSS Feed Click here for more Android Options Special thanks to Ranger Up for their support of the show. Use the code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order. Hard Head Veterans makes tactical helmets that exceed NIJ standards. Use the code “squadroom” to get $20 off your helmet.

Lt. Col. Scott Mann spent 20 years in Army Special Forces (Green Berets), leading troops into some of the most hostile and deadly terrain in the world. In this episode you’ll learn: How to create your legacy and identify what’s important to you. How the Special Forces concept of the Mission Decision Line can apply to your own life. How winning “hearts and minds” in Afghanistan is no different than policing in your own area. How in order to grow, you must reach outside your comfort zone. To sign up for The Squad Room mailing list, text THESQUADROOM to 44222 to get signed up, or visit us at thesquadroom.net. You can also follow us @thesquadroom and join our Facebook Group! Follow Scott on Instagram @rooftop_leader Check out his website at www.rooftopleadership.com Amazon link to his book Game Changers: Going Local to Defeat Violent Extremism Watch his awesome TedX Talk Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on TuneIn Click here for the RSS Feed Click here for more Android Options Special thanks to Ranger Up for their support of the show. Use the code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order. Hard Head Veterans makes tactical helmets that exceed NIJ standards. Use the code “squadroom” to get $20 off your helmet.

Miranda and Julian Alcaraz are the dynamic duo behind Street Parking. In this episode you will learn: How a CrossFit Games athlete like Julian deals with injuries and setbacks.How Miranda’s fitness saved her life in a horrific car accident.How to adapt and overcome adversity in your training and fitness. How attitude is everything. Why Julian has two identical Glock 17s. What is Street Parking? It’s an online programming subscription that gives you daily workouts that can be done with minimal equipment or a full gym at your disposal like having a garage gym (which means you have to park your car in the street – get it?). And they love cops. They’ve been great supporters of our profession and you’ll hear them talk about why they feel it is important to support us. I’ve been a member of Street Parking for over a year and I have found it to be – by far – the best fitness programming system I’ve used yet (note: Street Parking is not a sponsor and they didn’t pay me to say that). Miranda spent several years working for CrossFit HQ, working as a correspondent for CrossFit Media and being a downright badass competitor in her own right. She also spent several years on the CrossFit seminar staff (you might know her better as Miranda Oldroyd). Julian is a CrossFit beast with a beard that would make any man jealous. He qualified for the 2017 CrossFit Games but declined his invite because he wanted to focus on his newborn son at home. Solid guy. Follow them on Instagram @streetparking, @fearlessmiranda, and @009julian. To sign up for The Squad Room mailing list, text THESQUADROOM to 44222 to get signed up, or visit us at thesquadroom.net. You can also follow us @thesquadroom and join our Facebook Group! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on TuneIn Click here for the RSS Feed Click here for more Android Options Special thanks to Ranger Up for their support of the show. Use the code thesquadroom to get 10% off your order. Hard Head Veterans makes tactical helmets that exceed NIJ standards. Use the code “squadroom” to get $20 off your helmet.

Lt. Richard Goerling (ret.) of Mindful Badge is our guest today. Richard has been getting a lot of national attention since our last conversation nearly two years ago. He was even featured on the Today Show and NBC Nightly News. Richard’s work is devoted to making officers more resilient, and resilience is something we can never have too much of. Eric Greitens has an amazing book on the topic, titled, appropriately, Resilience. In it, he describes resilience as: “…the virtue that enables people to move through hardship and become better. No one escapes pain, fear, and suffering. Yet from pain can come wisdom, from fear can come courage, from suffering can come strength – if we have the virtue of resilience.” For officers, we have the burdens of any other regular human being, but we also experience the traumas of other people day in and day out. What may be the most traumatic experience to a citizen might just be your Tuesday. So, in order to avoid becoming consumed by the traumas, we must be able to learn how to navigate them. One of the key ways to do this is through mindfulness training which, yes, includes meditation. To sign up for The Squad Room mailing list, text THESQUADROOM to 44222 to get signed up, or visit us at thesquadroom.net. You can also follow us @thesquadroom and join our Facebook Group! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts  |  Android  |  RSS Feed

In this short episode, I give you my personal method for how to identify my values, the things that are most important to me. Values are tricky, and we often get weird around trying to name them and identify them. However, I guarantee that if you’re able to identify the values you prioritize, it will help you come into alignment in every other area of your life. To get the FREE worksheet to help you identify your values, just text MYOATH to 44222 and we’ll send you the PDF with the top 39 values that you likely connect with, and from that list you must choose your top picks. Special thanks to our sponsor, Ranger Up Clothing. If you love sarcastic and patriotic t-shirts as much as I do, check them out at rangerup.com and use the coupon code “thesquadroom” to get 10% off your order.

Lt. Jim Glennon is the owner of Calibre Press and lead instructor for the well-known and nationally taught course “Street Survival.” Jim retired as a lieutenant for the Lompard, IL police department moving into teaching and publishing. Lt. Glennon holds a BA in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Police Management. He is the co-author of the new edition of Street Survival, and the author of the CJ textbook Arresting Communication. On this episode we talk about the history of policing and what has and has not changed since the original Street Survival book came out; how the media has impacted our ability to do our jobs; how he found himself in the middle of a national smear campaign over his class Bulletproof Warrior; and how to develop and maintain that will to survive and so much more. To sign up for The Squad Room mailing list, text THESQUADROOM to 44222 to get signed up, or visit us at thesquadroom.net. You can also follow us @thesquadroom and join our Facebook Group! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts  |  Android  |  RSS Feed

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, Tim Kennedy, Andy Stumpf, Kelly Starrett, Tony Horton…just some of the amazing guests we’ve had in the first 99 episodes. It seems like it has taken forever to get to episode 100. In fact, it’s taken almost 4 years. I’ve been inconsistent, infrequent, behind, and distracted as a producer and host. I’ve also been, at times, laser focused, motivated, and progressing. Traver Boehm, my first guest on episode 1 (and a dozen other appearances) returns live in person for a reunion of sorts. We revisit that first episode, tell some stories, and you’ll learn about how the show started and the challenges we faced. You’ll also hear me talk veeeeery openly about the struggles I continue to endure. The fact that I’m actually in worse shape now than when the show started –  and that was the whole point of the show! (seriously, wtf!?). In a lot of ways, the experience of getting a podcast to 100 episodes is no different than trying to navigate everyday life. The podcast has certainly fallen victim to callouts, extended shifts, natural disasters, and various critical incidents that have forced my focus back onto my day job. Sometimes we fail, sometimes we succeed.  The important thing is to keep moving forward. You never really fail until you quit. I’ve failed plenty in the last 4 years, not just with the podcast but with my own health and fitness. I’ve also learned a lot, and advanced my life in other areas beyond anything I could have imagined. Many of you came to this show because you were struggling and you needed to know that you weren’t alone. You’re not. The struggle is real, but the only option we have is to get back up and try again.  

Dan Jarvis is a former law enforcement officer and combat veteran. Dan came home from his deployments and struggled to adjust to life back at home, and even though he found purpose as a cop, he struggled. Hard. Dan was literally moments away from putting the gun to his head when an unexpected sound made him stop and think for a moment. What happened next was amazing and heartbreaking, all at the same time. Dan shares that story on this episode and how his own journey and struggles led him to do some real work on himself. Dan’s new mission is helping other first responders and military veterans out of the dark whole of PTSD, depression and suicidal thoughts. Dan is the founder of 22Zero.org. His mission is to reduce the 22 veteran suicides a day to zero. A powerful goal as powerful as Dan’s personal story. Learn more at 22zero.org or on Instagram @22zero.follow.me Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS Feed ********************************************************* I want to thank our sponsors for this episode, Hard Head Veterans and Blue Line Flex. Hard Head Veterans is a veteran-owned company that employs a lot of cops and works hard to deliver top tier ballistic helmets to law enforcement at the best price possible. Check them out and use the code “squadroom” for $20 of your new lid. Blue Line Flex is a fitness apparel brand owned and operated by a fellow cop who is dedicated to raising money for police charities. They have shirts, leggings, hoodies, and protein shakers. Support a LEO-owned company that supports us!

In this short episode I’m challenging you to be more self-aware about what motivates you and inspires you to go out and do the hard work that we do. There’s a well-known saying that during a critical incident, when everything is on the line, we don’t rise to the level of our expectations but instead we fall to the level of our training. The same is true for knowing our own, deeply personal, “why.” Why are we here. Why are we doing this job. Why are we acting the way we are with our family, friends, co-workers and community. It’s about awareness. It can’t be about the paycheck. This job is too dangerous and too caustic for that. There are better paying jobs that make for an easier life. So what is it then? Knowing why you’re here helps you understand what you’re willing to fight for. If you don’t know what you’re willing to fight for, then you won’t be ready to respond when the moment comes.

“The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius We all hold assumptions about ourselves. Some of them are correct, and others are completely false. An assumption can be defined as, “a thing that is accepted as true or certain to happen, without proof.” What assumptions do you make about yourself or your circumstances? Our identity is largely built around these assumptions, and the ones that are not true are getting in our way. Identifying these false assumptions is one of the most critical steps you can take towards moving forward in your career, your life, your relationships, and every other facet of your existence. We must rid ourselves of the assumptions that are false, and we must turn the ones that are true into facts supported by proof. So how do we do that? One way is to flip the assumption into an opportunity statement. Identify where you can grow from any situation, feeling, or emotion, and use that to fuel you forward. Take a listen…

These days, if you’re involved in an foot pursuit that’s covered by the media, and you wake up the next day and realize it’s gone viral, that’s not a good thing. Luckily, for Officer Greg Parker of the Baltimore Police Department, he was blasted all over the news and social media because of solid police work that was such a display of athleticism and professionalism that everyone – even the media – stopped to applaud. Parker is the epitome of the tactical athlete. However, he wasn’t always that way and in this episode, he shares how he lost 80 pounds in under a year. Like many, he left the academy fit and healthy but the shift work and stress quickly got to him (I mean, he works in frickin’ Baltimore, people!). He ballooned to a heavy weight and became a liability to himself and his partners. One day he’d had enough and he recommitted himself to his fitness and health. It’s an amazing story of how just taking one step at a time can lead to massive results, how you don’t need a guru or a strict diet to achieve your goals, and that simply starting is the biggest hurdle of all. Check him out on Facebook or on Instagram @parker.gfitness ************************************* I want to thank our sponsors for this episode, Hard Head Veterans and Blue Line Flex. Hard Head Veterans is a veteran-owned company that employs a lot of cops and works hard to deliver top tier ballistic helmets to law enforcement at the best price possible. Check them out and use the code “squadroom” for $20 of your new lid. Blue Line Flex is a fitness apparel brand owned and operated by a fellow cop who is dedicated to raising money for police charities. They have shirts, leggings, hoodies, and protein shakers. Support a LEO-owned company that supports us!

This week we discuss a way to check in with yourself and review where you’re at in relation to where you want to go. It’s actually learned in business school but have tweaked over the years to fit my use, and I think it’ll help you too. It’s called a SWAT analysis – Strengths – Weaknesses – Advantages – Threats. It’s something I do every few months to check in with myself and see if I’ve gotten of course. It’s simple and it can really help you identify where you greatest opportunities are for improvement. Strengths – Internal characteristics that bring value to your relationship with the world around you. Weaknesses – Internal characteristics that detract from your relationship with the world around you. Advantages – External conditions or factors outside your control but that you can use to leverage your position. Threats – External conditions or factors outside your control that threaten your success or opportunities for growth. Take a listen, and let me know your thoughts and comments. Reach out to me at [email protected] or @thesquadroom on Instagram or Twitter.