Beyond The Barrel Podcast

Most Cops Aren’t Ready to Go Hands-On — Steven Chin Explains Why

Steven Chin has spent nearly three decades immersed in the world of combat, defensive tactics, firearms, and survival training—where failure can cost lives and preparation is everything.

As the owner of Direct Action Training Inc., Steven provides specialized instruction in hand-to-hand combat, edged weapons, improvised tools, CQB firearm tactics, and defensive strategies to military personnel, law enforcement, private military contractors, and security professionals operating in high-risk environments.

But this conversation goes far beyond training.

Steven opens up about the mindset required to survive violence, the realities of operating on an elite SWAT and sniper team, and what separates performance on the range from performance under pressure. From competing in striking and grappling arts in both the U.S. and U.K. to training under world champions and legendary weapons instructors, Steven has built a career around mastering chaos.

Currently serving with the Sheriff’s Office Tactical Training Unit, SWAT Team, and Sniper Team, Steven is responsible for developing and instructing training for officers who may face life-or-death encounters at any moment. His background includes extensive certifications through FLETC and active shooter response programs, while his instruction continues to shape law enforcement defensive tactics and special response teams across multiple agencies.

This episode dives into violence, preparedness, leadership, combat psychology, and the truth about what it really takes to operate in dangerous environments when everything is on the line.

Beyond the Barrel is where we pour truths—straight, no chaser.

Timestamps: 

08:46 – Military Contracting

14:01 – Fighting Discipline

21:31 – MMA Evolution

26:53 – Brutal UK Sparring

34:24 – Living The Fight Life

42:40 – Future Of Fighting

45:30 – Kimbo Slice Era

52:17 – Jake Paul Debate

58:40 – Defensive Tactics Training

1:26:07 – Real World Encounters

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Some cases never leave you.

In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with Carlos Rodriguez — author of The Ugly Underneath and a former crimes-against-children detective sergeant who spent nearly three decades confronting some of the darkest realities imaginable.

After 27 years with the Washington State Patrol, Carlos retired as a nationally recognized expert in child exploitation investigations and proactive operations targeting predators. As the leader of WSP’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force and an FBI Task Force Officer, he helped develop investigative strategies that would later be modeled and replicated across the country.

But behind the arrests, the operations, and the headlines was a human being carrying the emotional weight of the job.

This conversation goes beyond tactics and titles. Carlos opens up about the mental toll of investigating crimes against children, the darkness investigators absorb over time, and the reality many first responders quietly battle long after the shift ends. We also discuss his book, The Ugly Underneath, and why telling these stories matters.

Beyond the Barrel is where we pour truths—straight, no chaser. This episode is raw, heavy, and real.

Timestamps: 

04:10 – Writing The Book

09:22 – Becoming A Trooper

16:26 – Police Academy Stories

24:42 – Undercover Street Racing

28:00 – Narcotics Investigations

37:26 – Crimes Against Children

44:21 – Emotional Impact

50:47 – Interviewing Predators

58:15 – Rescuing Victims

1:08:40 – Human Trafficking Cases

1:18:55 – Mental Health & Burnout

1:29:20 – Biggest Career Lessons

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Most people in law enforcement training only see the instructor on stage.

They don’t see the late-night emails, scheduling issues, travel logistics, contract negotiations, host agency communication, marketing, payment tracking, or the nonstop work happening behind the scenes.

On this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with Teresa, founder of BadgeOps, to discuss the side of the law enforcement training industry most people never hear about. Raised in a law enforcement family and later marrying into another police family, Teresa grew up around the realities of the profession. Her path into the training world began in 2017 by helping with marketing emails while seeing the challenges instructors faced behind the curtain.

What started small eventually turned into years spent managing operations for a nationally recognized training company handling logistics, scheduling, sales, social media, and instructor support.

Now partnered with LEO Network founder Matt Butler, Teresa is helping improve how instructors and agencies connect through communication, transparency, and operational support built specifically for the law enforcement training world.

This episode goes beyond the stage and into the business, stress, politics, and realities of building something from the ground up.Because behind every successful class, somebody is carrying the weight nobody sees.

Timestamps:

02:04 – Badge Ops

05:22 – DC Sniper

10:39 – Career Goals

13:11 – Finance Background

17:08 – Conference Culture

22:07 – Instructor Contracts

28:06 – Biggest Challenges

39:14 – Transparency Talk

47:21 – Future Expansion

01:01:22 – Training Evolution

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Who’s Saving the Ones Who Serve? 

In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with Greg Grogan a law enforcement officer who’s lived the job on both coasts, from the streets of Northern California to the front lines in Louisiana. But Greg’s story doesn’t stop at policing.

A United States Marine. A current member of the Coast Guard Reserves. A man who’s seen what this life can take and decided to fight back for those still in it. After years in the profession, Greg recognized a problem most ignore: when cops and military members need help, they don’t trust the system built to support them. So he helped build something better.

We dive into The Overwatch Collective a mission driven platform connecting first responders and military personnel with vetted, competent therapists across the country… while protecting what matters most: confidentiality, trust, and access when it’s needed most.

This is a real conversation about service, identity, and what happens when the mission becomes taking care of your own.

Because the truth is 

we’re damn good at running toward chaos…

but terrible at asking for help when it’s over.

Off duty. Off script. 

This is Beyond the Barrel.

Timestamps: 

08:00 — Career path

16:00 — SWAT life

24:00 — Burnout reality

26:30 — Overwatch origin

40:00 — Therapy access

48:00 — Trauma impact

56:00 — Culture shift

1:04:00 — Suicide causes

1:12:00 — Final insights

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Beyond the badge… there’s a mission that never shuts off.

Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, Deputy Chief Edward Jenkins has spent nearly 30 years in the fight—working his way from the Corrections Division to the front lines of homicide investigations in one of the toughest environments in the country.

In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with Jenkins as he breaks down a career built in the trenches—patrol, CSI, investigations, and time spent with the Gary Homicide Unit and Metro Homicide Task Force. This isn’t theory… this is real-world policing shaped by decades of violence, loss, and leadership under pressure.

Now serving as Deputy Chief under Oscar Martinez since 2017, Jenkins is stepping into a new arena—running for Sheriff of Lake County. But this isn’t just about politics… it’s about vision, accountability, and what it really takes to lead from the front in today’s climate.

This is a raw, no-BS conversation about experience, responsibility, and the kind of leadership the job demands—on the street and at the top.

Because the job doesn’t end when you promote… it just gets heavier.

Timestamps: 

08:00 – Pension talk

15:00 – Jail struggles

22:00 – Work ethic

29:00 – Leadership style

36:00 – Homicide reality

43:00 – Missing cases

50:00 – Truth matters

57:00 – Police culture

1:06:00 – Final thoughts

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What does it actually take to talk someone off the edge… and make the right call when everything is on the line?

In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with Captain Khaliqa Wheatley, a 17-year law enforcement veteran, Crisis Negotiations Commander, and one of the most forward-thinking leaders in policing today, to break down the reality behind high-stakes decisions most people will never understand.

Her story didn’t start with a badge—it started with adversity. Emancipated at just 15 after her mother struggled with mental health, and without a stable father figure, she had every reason to fall behind. Instead, she turned that hardship into fuel, building a life and career rooted in resilience, discipline, and purpose.

From major crimes and human trafficking to narcotics, patrol, and leadership, she’s worked every side of the job. But she’s not just operating in the chaos—she’s studying it. As a doctoral student in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, she’s focused on fixing the hidden problems within law enforcement before they cost lives.

This conversation dives into crisis negotiation, communication under pressure, mental health, and the future of policing.

Off duty. Off script. And beyond the barrel.

Timestamps: 

02:00 – On Patrol Live

04:00 – Childhood Struggles

06:40 – Emancipation Story

10:00 – Survival Mindset

15:20 – Career Motivation

18:20 – Community Impact

24:20 – Family Reflection

34:15 – Personal Tragedy

45:30 – Mental Health Work

55:00 – Coping & Support

01:05:00 – Policing Differences

01:20:00 – System Challenges

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What does the job really do to the men and women behind the badge?

In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with Joseph Gray—a 25+ year law enforcement veteran, critical incident responder, human trafficking investigator, and officer wellness advocate—to discuss the hidden trauma of police work and the mental health toll carried by first responders long after critical incidents end.

Joseph shares firsthand experience helping officers and families navigate the aftermath of officer-involved shootings, line-of-duty deaths, suicides, homicides, mass casualty events, and cumulative trauma. We also break down his work connecting first responders to trusted clinicians, chaplains, and support resources—and the message behind his powerful article, “Ghost Blood: Confronting the Hidden Wounds of Law Enforcement.”

If you’re in law enforcement, first response, military, or simply want to understand the unseen cost of service—this conversation is one you need to hear.

Topics Covered:

    •    Police mental health

    •    Officer trauma and PTSD

    •    Critical incident response

    •    Officer-involved shootings

    •    Suicide and cumulative trauma in law enforcement

    •    Building trusted support networks

Time stamps: 

0:00 — Introduction

12:30 — Police Passion

25:00 — Mental Health

37:00 — Career Beginnings

50:00 — Traumatic Loss

1:02:00 — Coping Struggles

1:15:00 — Rock Bottom

1:28:00 — Sobriety Journey

1:45:00 — Wellness Programs

2:00:00 — Final Reflections

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What happens when a life of service doesn’t stop at retirement—but evolves into something bigger?

In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with a man who’s lived multiple lifetimes in one—Army veteran, K-9 deputy, entrepreneur, and mentor. From serving as an Infantryman to working in Intelligence and Anti-Terrorism, his military career spanned over two decades and four MOS roles, shaping a mindset built on discipline, adaptability, and mission-first leadership.

But the story doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. While transitioning out of the military, he didn’t slow down—he accelerated. Patenting designs and launching Warrior Rack, stepping into law enforcement as a K-9 Deputy, FTO, and Instructor, and simultaneously building multiple successful businesses—from emergency vehicle upfitting to agriculture and maple production.

Now, he’s pouring that experience into the next generation as an Army JROTC Instructor—continuing to lead, teach, and shape future leaders.

This episode goes beyond the resume. It’s about identity after service, building legacy through leadership, and proving that purpose doesn’t retire.

Off duty. Off script. Beyond the Barrel.

Timestamps: 

5:30  Turning point

10:00  Suspicious stop

15:00  Breaking point

20:00  Life-changing ride

25:00  Mental health

30:00  Communication skills

35:00  Career reflection

40:00  What could’ve happened

48:00  Mentorship & bond

56:00  Bigger meaning

1:04:00  Final message

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In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with Nick, a former officer from the Daly City Police Department who spent nine years policing the streets of the San Francisco Bay Area. Working in one of the most demanding environments in the country, Nick’s career was shaped by high-crime neighborhoods and a department culture that expected cops to work hard, stay proactive, and take bad people to jail.

Nick’s path in policing took him through crime suppression assignments, gang task force operations, and multiple plain-clothes roles focused on surveillance and street enforcement. Ultimately, he reached one of his career goals becoming a K-9 handler while gaining experience in investigations that ranged from petty theft all the way to homicide.

This conversation goes beyond the badge and into the mindset it takes to thrive in high pressure policing. We talk about proactive police work, the decision-making that happens in split seconds, and the culture that shapes the kind of cop you become.

Because Beyond the Barrel is where we pour truths straight, no chaser.

Timestamps: 

2:00 – Nick Background

10:00 – Proactive Policing

20:00 – Leadership Culture

30:00 – Job Reality

40:00 – Hiring Issues

50:00 – Early Life

1:00:00 – Career Path

1:15:00 – Street Experience

1:30:00 – Lessons Learned

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Who Tells the Victim’s Story? The Woman Helping Police Bring Justice to the Forgotten

In this episode, we sit down with Ms. Guillen, a media producer, advocate, and law enforcement ally dedicated to solving violent crimes and keeping victims’ stories alive.

In 2012, she launched Case Files: Chicago, a groundbreaking series designed to assist law enforcement in solving homicide cases and bringing justice to families. Airing for six seasons on The CW, the show earned strong ratings and an Emmy nomination in 2018.

Her mission extends beyond television. From producing true-crime documentaries like Porter—recognized by TIME Magazine—to leading The Whole Truth Project, she has built bridges between media, investigators, and families seeking answers.

Her work has helped keep unsolved cases in the spotlight, organize press conferences, and create art exhibits honoring victims. Along the way, she has built trusted relationships with law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Recognized for her impact, Ms. Guillen received the FBI Director’s Leadership Award and continues supporting law enforcement through training initiatives and advocacy programs.

This conversation dives into the intersection of media, justice, and advocacy—and the powerful role storytelling plays in keeping victims from being forgotten.

Off duty. Off script.

This is Beyond the Barrel.

Timestamps: 

0:31 — Crisis Role

3:30 — Early Life

6:45 — Life-Changing Attack

9:30 — Crime Show Start

12:00 — First Case

16:00 — K9 Breakthrough

20:00 — Viral Collab

24:00 — Police Impact

30:00 — Emotional Toll

34:00 — Mental Health

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