Angel has been with the Auburn Police Department (APD) for 9 years.  In that time, he has served the department as a Chaplain, and currently is the Wellness Program Designer for APD.

Angel’s focus is the professional and analytical development of a wellness program that encompasses all aspects of an APD employee’s wellness (Mental, Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional Health). 

 Angel manages the APD Chaplain Program, the Peer Support Team, the APD Fitness Coaches as well as the Blue Auburn Resilience program.  He brings with him a wealth of leadership through compassion, national, regional and local relationships, and an analytical approach to ensuring the programs that he manages are based on best practices and research, while also being able to pivot and be personalized for individual participants.

Some of these innovations include incorporating holistic health trainings throughout APD, conducting new employee and family orientations, providing wellness outings for families to connect and strengthen their relationships with each other as well as the department, and working closely with the local community to build relationships and opportunities for connections.

It has been a distinct pleasure and benefit to connect with Angel as neighboring agency wellness leaders and advocates to better support and elevate our police culture. 

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-------------------------------------

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-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

Michael is a military veteran and retired police sergeant. In this interview, he discusses his pursuit of a career of service, which unraveled after an officer-involved shooting.  He details his Post Traumatic Stress challenges  and ultimately his medical retirement.  Organizational betrayal is a topic we visit in the context of the end of his career.

We talk about his life and purpose now, from his speaking and daily routines to promote his best health, wellness, and a resilient mind. 

Michael is a dedicated advocate for awareness, prevention, education, training on Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) and First Responder Suicide Prevention. Michael continues to speak at law enforcement agencies all over the United States.

In his International #1 BEST-SELLING book, RELENTLESS COURAGE: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma, along with Dr. Shauna Springer, PhD, they tackle the complexity of trauma within the law enforcement community, uncovering the unspoken barriers, and outline a path to healing.

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

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Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

Cannot. Should not. Shall not. I wish!

We have seen lowered standards for years.. and it makes sense with the high attrition and low recruitment ability in law enforcement. It seemed the impossible task to recruit in that climate, yet departments were and are doing it now due to heightened engagement.. 

**Not lower standards!!** 

Lowering standards doesn’t only kick the can down the road, but allows issues to fester. It is creating more public safety and industry issues that we already need to address and fix, not worsen. 

Listen in for this to-the-point episode. The hope is this notion becomes unpopular and unacceptable amongst law enforcement professionals, community and governmental leaders, and everyday civilians alike. Share out this message so we can raise standards, expectations, and necessary performance!

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

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Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

Meagan McCarthy became a Deputy Sheriff for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in June 2016. On September 4, 2019, Meagan’s life changed forever when she was involved in an on-duty shooting and attempted execution, which was captured on video and highly publicized. 

Following the shooting, because of another failed law enforcement piece of legislation, the suspect who attempt to assassinate her walked free. Meagan became medically retired for PTSD. She now advocates for first responder mental health, is a Fox News contributor and is on a dedicated mission to help fix her state of California.  

In our conversation, we discuss her road to policing, getting her start and the harrowing day that forever changed the course of her life.  We talk about the physical and mental injuries that resulted, post traumatic responses, suicidal ideation and ultimately her continued road to recovery and mission to elevate the profession’s landscape for others. 

IG @meaganmccarthy__

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

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Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

I met Dave after a colleague introduced us for me to hop on his Hero Academy podcast.  We had an engaging, fun conversation, not just about “the job” but dynamics with health, life and a host of other topics.  When we connected back on, as you will hear, it was right back into a host of topics- to include diving into dietary preferences and the conflicting information out there (hint: his plant-based lifestyle vs. my preference for high meat and protein consumption, none of which should be construed as medical advice! :p)

Nutrition is simply one topic (portion size and dieting hacks), but we also chat lessons learned from travel, side-hustles, and purpose beyond the badge, to include retirement.  We talk specifically what got him into public speaking from community meetings to suspect interrogations.

This is one that the newer officers and recruits will get a wealth of insight from specifically in how to talk to people.  We go into interview tips, rolling right into report writing, trouble with interpreters and finding role models and mentorship.  We cut back to working out as we age, training smarter and keeping it effective for the mission of our jobs and life itself.
__

David Leath (aka SuperDave) | Founder and CVO of The Hero Coach: a deeply personal brand with a humanitarian mission. Coach, Author and Speaker, a 17 year street cop/ 8 year Detective. David is also an adventurer who has climbed a 100’ waterfall in the Philippines, climbed the steps of a Buddhist temple in Japan, and explored 1/2 dozen other countries.  

Dave has found a simple process to guide others on a path to what most of us crave - living a more fulfilled life.

Learn how he has been able to balance his unorthodox lifestyle while building an incredibly successful business. If you think you're ready to start your own online business then his new book: The Heroic Coaching Blueprint, is where you should start.   

Website:
www.DavidLeath.com

LinkedIn:
 LinkedIn.com/in/davidleath1 

Podcast:
https://smartlink.ausha.co/the-hero-academy

 book release: 

https://a.co/d/dbUA4W9

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

On Blue Grit Radio, we are having the crucial conversation about not only resilience in first responder careers, but the worst risk of failure to do so: suicide. 

Ret. Sgt. Danny Coon didn’t always use to be an advocate for police mental health awareness and wellness.  He was of the older culture which grinded through.  As he entered retirement his eyes were opened to the significant statistics facing police suicide in and out of active duty. 

Now Danny focused his efforts through engagement in social media, his blog, podcast interviews and his book:  
“Bro;ken - Understanding the Effects of Post Traumatic Stress.”

—-
Danny E. Coon is a retired Sergeant from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. He spent 30 of his 31 years of service assigned to Field Operations (patrol). He has worked as a patrol deputy, field training officer, detective, detective team leader, and sergeant. Danny has now, with the inspiration of God, dedicated himself to educating First Responders on the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress injury and Suicide prevention.

You can contact Danny by email - [email protected]

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

Following a seemingly impossible success in my police department’s recruiting efforts, I was invited to speak on a Lexipol panel focusing on the challenges and insights of police recruiting today.  Among the panelists was ret. Assistant Chief Jonni Redick from the California Highway Patrol.  I was extremely humbled to be included amongst her and the other panelists.  Not only was she instantly a wealth of knowledge and mentor by proxy, but extremely gracious in her compliments of my drive, offerings and leadership potential.

Sometimes we need a nudge of validation, and oftentimes I have found it of importance to receive it outside of your typical circles.  In our conversation, we take a deep dive into Jonni’s leadership prowess and how it developed through her life, assignments, and experiences.  

Jonni shares much of her story, lessons learned, and what we can all do to keep striving forward to overcome the doubters, and defeat the fixed mindset that we oftentimes allow to halt our own potential.  The takeaways in leadership and life surpass the bounds of the law enforcement or first responder professions undoubtedly.  

You can find Jonni and connect on LinkedIn.
--

Jonni Redick retired from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) as an Assistant Chief after serving a distinguished 29-year career. During her tenure, she rose through the ranks from a county clerical worker, breaking through the “less-than-one-percent” ceiling for women of color in executive leadership in law enforcement. She worked in a large multi-billion-dollar state agency with over 7,500 sworn members and collectively over 11,000 total employees.

Throughout her career, Redick worked across various locations in California, holding uniformed ranks from officer to Assistant Chief. 
Redick instructed first-line supervisors, middle managers, and commanders in her organization for over fifteen years. Her training and instructional background include leadership development, promotional readiness, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), organizational change, risk management, and public trust.   She graduated from the California Commission on POST Command College and  holds a Master of Science in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership. Additionally, she is a docto

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

With increasing awareness of the necessity for Officer Wellness, Lt. Joe Gamaldi leads from the front.  We talk about how he shares simple, tangible information via his social media as he excels in fitness in his 40s.  Beyond that, we talk about the dynamics of creating a supportive culture at work- which is foundational to officer wellness and well-being.  As an LT.  we dive into the dynamics of "mid management" in a police agency, and the simple ways you can show up for your people to buck traditional trends.
--
FOP National Vice President Joe Gamaldi was born and raised on Long Island, NY. Following high school he attended the University of Hartford, where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice, with minors in Political Science and Sociology. After graduation, Joe was hired by the NYPD in 2005 where he worked as an officer for approximately three years. He then transferred to the Houston Police Department in 2008, where he is currently an active Lieutenant.

Shortly after graduation from the academy, he completed his Master’s Degree from Long Island University in Homeland Security Management. Joe then went on to serve as a Board Member of the Houston Police Officers’ Union (HPOU) FOP Lodge 110 before being elected the Second Vice President, serving in that capacity for five years before being elected President of the Houston Police Officers’ Union, where he served for three years. Joe was elected National Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police in August of 2019 in New Orleans.

Within the National FOP Joe led the committee which developed the first National FOP mobile app, free to all members. He also assists running the social media platforms for the National FOP and with media relations/responses.

You can follow Joe on Twitter @joegamaldi

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

In first responder work, we frequently discuss and train situational awareness.  There is an increasingly necessary discussion for civilians as well.  It goes beyond walking alone at night in the city... but into how to approach large-scale public events, going shopping at the local grocery, or even how and whether to answer the door in your own home.

I was fortunate to connect with Kelly Sayre on a joint forum discussion on the topic with our friends at The Collective.  Kelly is the author of "Sharp Women" which discusses the topic at length and with powerful anecdotes.  We talk about how she was looking for a book in the space, but like so many driven individuals on Blue Grit Radio, sought to create the project where she found a void.

As a police officer, there are so many considerations situational awareness which will help you survive, but also help influence how you consider not just the environment but that of others that you serve.  As a husband and girl dad, the lessons and perspectives on how to regard issues that often times solely affect women was impactful and insightful.

We cover topics from the need for awareness, domestic violence considerations, good and bad policing carryovers, how to navigate the world with a balance of awareness, curiousity, and kindness and how we may all foster the SHARPness we are born with.

--

Kelly Sayre empowers women with realistic tactics and tools to help them live life safely and on their own terms. Her refreshing angle on women’s safety emphasizes non-physical, proactive situational awareness techniques that recognize and avoid threatening situations before they happen. 

With a grounded approach and high energy, Kelly works with law enforcement, nonprofit, corporate and youth organizations on emergency preparedness, situational awareness training and personal safety. She is a frequent speaker at national events and a guest on global podcasts.  

Kelly is trained in FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team program, the Department of Homeland Security’s Active Shooter Preparedness Workshop, and Texas A&M Extension Service’s Crisis Communications & Special Events Risk Management. She is a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals. Kelly lives in Minnesota with her two children.

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

I was connected to John through a mutual professional acquaintance, of whom I have deep, deep respect (fun fact, she's a future guest who has already been recorded!)  When I asked why, she simply said that we are both doing great things for the profession, and she could see our collaboration as being an extension of that. Well, when you get a nudge like that, how do you ignore or deny it?

I saw John was a ret. sergeant from Broward County, and not only did coaching for cops, but public speaking, was an author and podcast host.  From a quick glance, he was demonstratively vulnerable (which we need in police leaders today) and one focused on self development and positive mindset.   When we connected and chatted on his podcast, it was clear that all I surmised was true- and more.

In our conversation, we talk about policing then and now, and where we need to go.  We talk about how John came to the decision to coach and speak as a means to pay it forward in our LE community. Further, we tackle topics on police mindset and mentality, how we need to sharpen resolve and destroy negative narratives that keep us hindered as a profession.  This rolls into poor organizational health, police culture, and apathy.    This is a discussion with multiple intersecting layers, focused on what Blue Grit Radio is all about- how we can get better as individuals and as a policing profession.

--

John Kelly is a thirty-year veteran of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, one of the largest sheriff’s offices in the country. John has been fortunate enough to have worked in and supervised the following units: Patrol, Investigations, K-9, Training, and for the past six years, the Motorcycle Unit. John has been involved in numerous critical incidents during his career. Early on, he was involved in a life changing fight for his life. Fresh out of the academy, John found himself in hand-to-hand combat with an armed, drug dealing, career criminal. This baptism of violence has contributed greatly in shaping John's passion and dedication to winning and realizing that we are responsible for our own survival and success.

During his career, John has been tasked with the development and implementation of numerous tactical programs and initiatives. He has had tremendous success in creating a positive and lasting

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at [email protected] !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic