Blue Grit Radio: the Police Performance Podcast: Mindset, Wellness, Leadership

Afleveringen

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  340: Police & Martial Arts, Training, Identity & More! w/ Jason Harney 03.08.2026 44min

  Story-telling is a key element core to our human existence, and is one that is unmatched in teaching, depicting, and building understanding. My guest, Jason Harney, retired Las Vegas Metro sergeant and veteran turned documentary creator joins me to discuss themes emergent from his career, necessity for legitimate training, and complex issues in policing lives and careers. We explore the dynamics of the policing industry, shifting culture, mental health, the importance of continuous lear...
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  339: Highs and Lows, Working K-9 Units & Rocky Mentality w/Chris Bingham 29.07.2026 1u 12min

  There's a saying in K-9 work: the only thing two handlers can agree on... is that the third is messed up. Luckily this isn't real true, as my guest Chris Bingham and I have much we agree on. There's another more significant saying in K-9 work - which is that the assignment will bring you the highest highs and lowest lows. Chris shares about his career in federal police work, and how his career evolved with key leadership, mentorship, and sponsorship. We talk about th...
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  338: Identity and Stoicism for Resilience, w/ Alec Wons 21.07.2026 52min

  Alec Wons is something(s) else. You may recognize he's the name, voice, and mind behind The Chief Exchange podcast. Getting to flip the mics and get him on the interviewed side of the table, I've truly enjoyed learning more about his own story and how he arrived here, truly innovating the perspective by which we can integrate leadership and wellness- of individuals and organizations. He's an innovator, an expander, a self-developer. It didn't take me long in conversations pr...
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  337: TRUST - How Bosses Trash it and How we Rebuild it, w/ Christine Townsend (pt. 2) 15.07.2026 48min

  In this episode, Christine Townsend returns and we highlight key lessons for building, repairing, and fostering trust for leaders. In the last episode, we discussed her story, various roles in policing and experiences as an impetus to research and dive into all things about the concept. Here, we discuss the critical role of trust in organizations, especially in law enforcement, exploring how societal shifts, organizational culture, and leadership impact trust levels. The conversat...
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  336: Broken Trust is Killing Your Organization, and What to Do About it, Christine Townsend pt. 1 13.07.2026 1u

  In this insightful interview, Christine Townsend shares her unique journey from journalism to policing and her deep exploration of trust, moral courage, and mental health in first responder communities. We use her book (Trust) as a jump-off point for key themes that affect every relationship, perception, and organization. She shares how trust underpins organizational culture, personal resilience, and effective leadership, with practical insights on fostering trust and well-being. We dis...
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  335: Ice Bath, Sauna, Red Light, Vagus Nerve Recovery Every Agency Needs, w/ Rich Ganley 09.07.2026 1u 5min

  Our bodies and minds get beat up by the job. The gear wearing down our posture, backs and hips. Our mainstays of caffeine and cortisol, the long shifts and hypervigilance rollercoaster that can feel like a crash out, or even scarier... like total numbness. There's something real, tangible, and scientific we can do about it all. In this episode, Rich Ganley shares his inspiring journey, focusing on proactive health strategies for first responders. Discover the ins and outs of...
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  334: The Undead or the Un-Living? Crash & Lost Purpose in First Responder Work, w/ Jon Vargas 06.07.2026 49min

  How many people are just going through the motions.. surviving...autopilot? Simply existing, sub-optimally, and not LIVING? In our high-stress, high-paced first responder careers, it's all too common. I'm excited to feature Jon Vargas, deep thinker, firefighter, podcast host of the Grab Lives Podcast. Jon and I connected on his show, re-aired here in ep. 288, where we discussed the decline of first responder jobs and hypervigilance dynamics. In this follow up conversat...
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  333: Warriors in First Responder Work, Understanding and Supporting the Warrior Archetype 29.06.2026 1u 7min

  As first responders, you face intense pressure and trauma daily. But what does it really take to build mental resilience in such demanding roles? In this episode, we’ll explore key insights shared by Matt Domyancic analyzing the Warrior archetype which we often (over)identify with in first responder work. We discuss fostering meaningful psychological strength and wellness beyond the "go harder" mentality which works...until it doesn't. Listen along to explore how understanding ho...
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  332: Empty Leadership, How to Spot It, and What to Do to Fix It 22.06.2026 52min

  In this insightful interview, retired police chief Kristen Ziman shares her leadership journey, the importance of humility, embracing continuous learning, and fostering a culture of curiosity and respect within law enforcement. Discover practical strategies for authentic leadership, overcoming imposter syndrome, and building resilient teams. Leadership humility and continuous learningBuilding a culture of curiosity and respectful dissentOvercoming imposter syndrome and self-doubtThe role of v...
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  331: Dispatch Saved My Life from Suicide w/ fmr. Officer Tricia Small (First Responder Wellness & Resilience) 18.06.2026 37min

  “Saved by the bell.” The phrase that accompanied a situation with mounting tension… built up the the brink. A moment of dread impending, and then a sound or other type of pattern-interrupt that stops it all… Former officer Tricia Small joins me in this episode, where she shares her intimate near-last moments on this earth, focused on ending her life while on duty, and her journey through adversity from that moment through today. Tricia is now an integral part of Code 4 Northwest and its...
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  330: Cultural Competency and Crucial Context - for First Responder, Clinicians, Family, and More 15.06.2026 48min

  "Culturally competent." The words get thrown around a lot in discussion, on mental health practitioner profiles, and first responder wellness trainer bios. But what does it mean, and what does it include? In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Stacy Raymond and Lt. David Dachinger (ret.) as we delve into the mental health challenges faced by first responders and how cultural competence, innovative therapies like EMDR, and effective modeling can transform frontline mental health suppo...
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  329: The King Suffers, So Will the Kingdom. Ownership, Wellness, and Organization 10.06.2026 30min

  In this episode, Eric explores the timeless lessons from the legend of the Fisher King to highlight the importance of personal and organizational wellness. He emphasizes ownership, self-regulation, and the impact of morale on leadership and team performance. Key Elements: The legend of the Fisher King and its relevance to leadershipThe impact of personal wellness on organizational healthStrategies for self-regulation and emotional managementThe role of morale in team performance and leadershi...
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  328: The Leadership Forge: Culture by Design w/ Chief Doreen Jokerst & Major Zach Stephens 08.06.2026 40min

  This episode explores the critical role of intentional culture building within organizations, featuring insights from Chief Doreen Jokerst and Major Zach Stevens. Topics include leadership development, fostering psychological safety, and practical strategies for creating a positive organizational environment. Chief Jokerst is a founding member of The Curve, focused on modernizing policing. Major Stevens is leading the way with hands-on regional leadership models that develops and mentor...
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  327: Lincoln on Leadership: Key Strategies and Tactics, Book Review 03.06.2026 32min

  "Lead by being led." In this conversation, Eric reviews the book 'Lincoln on Leadership' by Donald T. Phillips, exploring the leadership principles exemplified by Abraham Lincoln during one of the most tumultuous times in American history. The discussion highlights key concepts such as the importance of values, flexibility, persuasion over coercion, maintaining hope, engaging with public opinion, empowering teams, and the role of compromise in effective leadership. Eric emphasizes that ...
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  326: Real Responder Resources: What's Next? w/ Code 4 NW, Nick Bauer & Andy McCurdy 01.06.2026 54min

  Who helps the helpers? This is a question that organizations like Code 4 Northwest has been working to answer since before I started in this career nearly two decades ago. If you didn't know much about first responder wellness or mental health resources, if you were in Washington, you knew about Code 4 NW. In this episode, I am joined by Nick Bauer (retired Seattle PD Sgt) and returning guest Chief Andy McCurdy. We talk about the new chapter we are moving into with statewide...
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  325: MORE Hiring Q&A for Police and Public Safety Careers 28.05.2026 20min

  In this quick episode, I answer questions that help entry-level applicants and those testing for special unit selection as well as promotions. We cover interview tips and written test insights! For more information check out other episodes and go to bluegritwellness.com/shop for an extensive guide for testing - so you can learn each step of the process in detail AND how to prepare. Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line! To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content...
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  324: Police & Purpose - through Unrest, Loss and the Grind, w/ Capt. Kory Flowers 26.05.2026 49min

  The past few years highlighted many police leaders hanging up the badge - often with their sharing about how it just wasn't worth it anymore. I'm glad to be able to connect with and feature Captain Kory Flowers, who shared his enthusiasm and pride in the profession, despite what he, his team, and our industry endured. I greatly appreciated reflecting on how we are strong, not simply in spite of adversity, but BECAUSE of the adversity. Captain Kory Flowers shares insights on mainta...
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  323: GOOD GRIT: Reality of Resilience, Donna Brown Returns - Responder Advocate & Trainer, Author, Police Sgt. ret. 21.05.2026 42min

  I am grateful to premiere the new GOOD GRIT series, focused on people doing genuinely GOOD stuff out there in the community. Who better to kick this off than returning guest Donna Brown, mental health advocate, trainer and retired police sergeant?? (from ep. 32!) Donna, a retired homicide detective and author, shares her insights on resilience, identity, and the importance of gratitude in navigating life's challenges. Donna’s experience as a first responder, her reflections on mental he...
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  322: The REAL Gift of Gab to Build Police Teams and Save Lives w/ Alex Mann 18.05.2026 46min

  In this engaging interview, Alex Mann shares insights on the art of communication, de-escalation, and adaptability in policing, drawing from his 28-year career and unique experience in improv comedy. Discover practical techniques for effective community engagement, the importance of flexibility, and how humor can be a powerful tool in law enforcement. The Importance of Communication in Policing Improv and Humor as De-escalation Tools Redefining Winning in Policing The Art of Adaptability in P...
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  321: No More Performance Evals? Why they aren't Effective and What to do Instead, w/ Chief Scott Hughes 11.05.2026 44min

  We all know evals are generally ineffective. They're check boxes, and often don't reflect objectively across the ranks. In this conversation, Chief Scott Hughes discusses the importance of mentorship, effective evaluations, and the need for a cultural shift in law enforcement. He emphasizes the significance of regular check-ins and positive recognition to build trust and motivate officers. The discussion also touches on the challenges of traditional performance evaluations and the role...