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

Many people credit the military for helping prepare them for their career, or frankly, life itself.  John McGlothlin would agree- to the point where he recognized and shares his experiences and insights from his military career - as it translates into prepping him for so many potentials and circumstances. 

 We discuss his path into the Army and then his academic career from undergrad into law school.  The topics we explore go into the depths of the human condition, communication, social and team cultural dynamics and leadership. 

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John McGlothlin is a former Army paratrooper who has served across the globe, including in Europe, the Middle East, and after the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.  He began his career in intelligence before attending law school at the University of Virginia and becoming a JAG officer in the D.C. National Guard.

His writing background includes work as a journalist, speechwriter, and authoring his first book – *How to Deal with Damn Near Anything: The Paratrooper’s Guide to Life*.  The book was released by New Degree Press and captures how the hidden side of the military can benefit anyone, with a focus on five key traits and related stories.

John currently lives in Washington D.C. with his wife, the artist MK Bailey. His mission now is to help others develop as the military has helped him.

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, promotional testing, career & mindset coaching? 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 at [email protected]

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

Want to safeguard your health and the health of your team?

United Diagnostic Services brings hospital-grade diagnostic technology directly to first responder agencies, making early detection of heart disease and cancer simpler than ever.

For more information, visit udshealth.com

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

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

music credit: Drive by ASham...

In this episode, Dr. Medina Baumgart connects her experiences professionally as a psychologist supporting first responders and agencies and personally as a first responder spouse.  

We go from her background from education to being an agency embedded mental health professional, and dive into the dynamics of adjusting back to home life for the first responder.  Dr. Baumgart covers tips and insights that bring understanding for those in uniform to their spouses and families and how we can do it with intention.

Further, we talk about retirement, how to get there healthfully and the little things that will help ensure we are thriving and actually getting that pension we worked so hard for!  
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Dr. Medina Baumgart is a licensed psychologist in California and a board-certified specialist in Police and Public Safety Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). She works full-time as an embedded psychologist within a large metropolitan law enforcement agency where she provides counseling, critical incident debriefings, crisis response, critical incident rollouts, training, consultation to peer support and chaplains programs, and consultation and support to patrol stations and jail facilities. 

Outside of her full-time work, Dr. Baumgart enjoys teaching and providing consultation to other law enforcement agencies on a range of topics including officer resilience, retirement, peer support, critical incidents, post-traumatic stress, and suicide. She is also married to a now-retired police officer and knows firsthand some of the challenges that officers and spouses experience throughout a law enforcement career and into retirement. 

Website - www.drbaumgart.com 

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbaumgart/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr_baumgart/

“Surviving Retirement” Book (Amazon) - https://a.co/d/0QzXuya

Retirement Resilience Course - https://www.drbaumgart.com/surviving-retirement

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, promotional testing, career & mindset coaching? 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 at [email protected]

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

Want to safeguard your health and the health of your team?

United Diagnostic Services brings hospital-grade diagnostic technology directly to first responder agencies, making early detection of heart disease and cancer simpler than ever.

For more information, visit udshealth.com

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

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

music credit: Drive by ASham...

In this episode I’m joined by retired Chief Patrick Flannelly, who is the author/host of the Coptimizer blog and podcast respectively. 

Anyone can recognize the value of this play on words- how do we optimize our cops? If you have been following my page, show, etc you’ll know my outline would consist of officer wellness and fitness, strong leadership at all levels, and continually fostering positive culture.  Patrick and his material are very much in line with all those things!

We connected before recording and continue on those topics: about police culture, how to build and test health, nutrition and fitness for yourself and start to make that change for an organization.  

We talk about his curious mind, time in the Air Force, passion for policing. We discuss how as leaders we should aim to remove barriers and seek/provide mentorship as well as advancing the policing profession. 
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Chief Patrick Flannelly, Ret., served the Lafayette (IN) Police Department for twenty-seven years, with the last decade as Chief, overseeing the operations of this mid-sized law enforcement agency. He is a founding member of the Greater Lafayette Police Foundation, originally established as the Lafayette Police Foundation in 2014.  

Nationally, Chief Flannelly has been a strong advocate for Officer Safety & Wellness, participating in the 21st Century Policing Initiative.  He has also presented at various national conferences, sharing his expertise on officer wellness.

Currently, Chief Flannelly is self-employed as a Law Enforcement Consultant specializing in individual and organizational performance optimization. He hosts The Coptimizer Podcast, featuring experts in officer performance and wellness. Beyond his professional achievements, he is a CF-L2 Certified Coach
and manages the LPD non-profit affiliate CrossFit Blue Heart. 

Chief Flannelly is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, a Purdue University graduate, and an active community member, having served
on the City of West Lafayette Parks Board for twelve years.

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, promotional testing, career & mindset coaching? 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 at [email protected]

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

Want to safeguard your health and the health of your team?

United Diagnostic Services brings hospital-grade diagnostic technology directly to first responder agencies, making early detection of heart disease and cancer simpler than ever.

For more information, visit udshealth.com

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

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

music credit: Drive by ASham...

Scott has been doing the work: speaking, training, and providing content to help our first responders tackle the challenges that come alongside our careers. In our discussion we discuss:

-if we are teaching resilience, mindset, and how to thrive
-self awareness of mounting chronic stress
- awareness of your family's status and skills to improve
- healthy systems and support outside of work
- identity and purpose
- police department and groups as "family"
- choosing the stress of work over stress of home
- negative thought and attitude patterns
- healthy practices- and how to adopt them

This is a relevant listen to all first responders, partners, spouses, older kids of our families, and people that are continually combatting work stress- regardless of vocation.
--
Scott Medlin, a national speaker, five-time author, is dedicated to empowering first responders. He leverages his experience from a distinguished law enforcement career (2007-2022) and as a Marine Corps Sergeant to provide essential tools for thriving amidst career stresses. 

Scott's transformative work is showcased on his YouTube channel and podcast, "The 10 Code Mindset," and in his books like "Mental Health Fight Of The Heroes in Blue." He speaks at various conferences and agencies, such as National C.O.P.S. conference and Atlanta Police Department Quarterly Command Staff Meeting.

Thescottmedlin.com 

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, promotional testing, career & mindset coaching? 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 at [email protected]

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

Want to safeguard your health and the health of your team?

United Diagnostic Services brings hospital-grade diagnostic technology directly to first responder agencies, making early detection of heart disease and cancer simpler than ever.

For more information, visit udshealth.com

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

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

music credit: Drive by ASham...

When I connected with Jodie, learning quickly about her experiences with tragedy- losing her husband in the line of duty with their baby- I knew this would be an extremely impactful conversation for first responders, their spouses and families.   

Beyond that, Jodie shares her insights from supporting her current husband, an LEO as well, with a PTSD diagnosis.  We discuss the dynamics of families supporting their first responders, but also recognizing the need to get the care they need themselves. 

We cover many other topics to include her battle with cancer, which through the conversation, left me incredibly humbled, inspired, and floored to learn from and observe Jodie’s extreme resilience over continual adversity.  
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Jodie is a licensed teacher, professional life coach, certified grief coach, and certified Leader Character practitioner dedicated to supporting individuals through their healing and grief journeys. Jodie is also a specialist in leadership and mental health curriculum design, as well as a skilled trainer, speaker, author, and advocate.

Drawing from her personal experiences as the spouse of two police officers—one who was killed in the line of duty while she was on maternity leave and another who lives with PTSI—Jodie offers a unique sense of connection and hope in her best-selling book “Choosing My Tomorrow: Surviving Murder, Navigating Mental Health, and Harnessing the Power of Choice”.

Jodie’s mission is to inspire individuals to acknowledge their struggles, embrace discomfort for growth and healing, choose their tomorrow by harnessing their power of choice to find joy, and share their stories to offer hope and build connection with others.

You can connect with Jodie by visiting her website: www.jodiebaulkham.com

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, promotional testing, career & mindset coaching? 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 at [email protected]

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

Want to safeguard your health and the health of your team?

United Diagnostic Services brings hospital-grade diagnostic technology directly to first responder agencies, making early detection of heart disease and cancer simpler than ever.

For more information, visit udshealth.com

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

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

music credit: Drive by ASham...

Everyone has mentors that set them on course by virtue of providing example.  I have publicly credited Pat McCurdy multiple times as one of my shining models of how to approach agency peer support and culture.  

Now, it is my distinct pleasure to get him behind a microphone on the show.  I talk about how Pat and his team with King County Sheriff's Office came in our time of need, following the loss of our friend, colleague and brother Diego Moreno.  We discuss his entry into the police career, coming up in a police family.  

We talk on the ups and downs that come with a police career- riddled with great successes and losses of our dear friends, brothers and sisters.  Beyond his police career, we cover what Pat is doing now in his "retirement"- continuing his support of our people in another critical role.

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Patrick McCurdy has spent a lifetime in service to others.  He grew up in a family of servants, who worked as first responders, teachers and community leaders.  

Patrick served for over 32 years in law enforcement, and now continues to help others as a Public Safety Advocate for First Responder Wellness and a trainer for The Counseling Team International and SHIFT Wellness.

He lives with his family in the Seattle area of Washington, and travels throughout the US spreading a message of hope and healing.

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, promotional testing, career & mindset coaching? 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 at [email protected]

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

Want to safeguard your health and the health of your team?

United Diagnostic Services brings hospital-grade diagnostic technology directly to first responder agencies, making early detection of heart disease and cancer simpler than ever.

For more information, visit udshealth.com

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

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

music credit: Drive by ASham...

Retired Chief Tim Eggebraaten brings a practical and uplifting message and attitude to our law enforcement professionals.  In our conversation, we talk about the difficult topics and aspects of the career: the real stressors, stigmas, cultural rivalries and animosities (within the culture and the building!)  Law enforcement and first responder communities drift toward many mal-adaptive behaviors: alcohol, anger, apathy... but wait- there are many things we can do to combat those things!

We get to the need for balance and purpose as a means to create positivity.  We get into open-mindedness, judgement, empathy, curiosity, and MUSIC.  I truly appreciate the wisdom and experience Chief has shared with me (and us!) in this episode that is very much the type of message we need to listen to and take part in to keep the darkness at bay.

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Tim has been a police officer since 1992 and had many different roles during his career with the Detroit Lakes, MN Police Department – DARE Instructor, Patrol Sergeant, Investigative Sergeant, K-9 Handler, and Chief of Police. Tim retired in 2016 after 24 ½ years in law enforcement and three years as a correctional officer.  

Like everybody else, Tim faces the challenges of balancing family life with the rigors of the career and trying to keep himself physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy. Tim began talking about his leadership journey in 2016 and found that talking with others about personal and emotional topics helped in his own healing process, and he learned that others could benefit from knowing that they are not alone in their own journey.

 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/offdutychief/

Website: https://www.offudutychief.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/offdutychief

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzew6YWFRxZrZHIFsYctg0w

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, promotional testing, career & mindset coaching? 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 at [email protected]

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

Want to safeguard your health and the health of your team?

United Diagnostic Services brings hospital-grade diagnostic technology directly to first responder agencies, making early detection of heart disease and cancer simpler than ever.

For more information, visit udshealth.com

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

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

music credit: Drive by ASham...

Following one of my articles on moral injury being featured in Police 1, Dr. Rachael reached out to me.  Her colleague had read the article and shared it with her.  Moral injury has been a focal point of her studies and work.  As a Marine Corps veteran, she recognized many needs to help her fellows through mental health work and awareness.  This ranged from transitioning into civilian life to guilt associated with killing and other acts of war. Enter: Moral Injury.

In our discussion, we level on many of the common threads that connect first responders and military personnel- and the struggles we all may face.  Dr. Rachael and I discuss warrior culture, our need for warriors, how to support and the notion of  a "soul wound."  She walks us through the dynamics of thoughts and emotions and gives us vocabulary to better understand and thus navigate these complex experiences to foster resilience.

--

Dr. Rachael Goldmann serves as the lead provider for intervention and psychoeducational services with Thin Line Psychological Services (www.thinlinepsychology.com). She is a Marine Corps Veteran and was honorably discharged in 2007, after repetitive injuries from training to deploy in support of OIF/OEF/OND left her unable to continue in service. After her discharge, she dedicated her professional and personal life to serving those who serve.

Dr. Goldmann has been in practice for over ten years and has extensive experience with first responders, veterans, and active duty military. She specializes in treating and educating about Moral Injury, (complex) trauma/PTSD, and the myriad of unique issues that can manifest from service, whether as a first responder, current/prior military. Her passion for serving first responders led her focus her dissertation research on Moral Injury in police officers. She attained her first Master’s degree in Marriage and Family then earned a second Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and Doctorate in Psychology.

Her partner is a Correctional Officer for the State of Wisconsin and they have an almost-four-year-old daughter; they also have an almost-10-year-old, deaf pittie mix named Jax. As a way to continue giving back to her community, she serves on the board for a non-profit organization (next18.org) which provides 3.5 day wellness camps for veterans and first responders by using golf as a catalyst for campers’ healing journeys.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: Call/Text 414-533-1294 (Google Voice)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaelgoldmannpsyd?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

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, promotional testing, career & mindset coaching? 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 at [email protected]

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

Want to safeguard your health and the health of your team?

United Diagnostic Services brings hospital-grade diagnostic technology directly to first responder agencies, making early detection of heart disease and cancer simpler than ever.

For more information, visit udshealth.com

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

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

music credit: Drive by ASham...

The perils faced in this job claim far too many of our brothers and sisters.  Sometimes it seems like no less than a miracle that we have one of ours beat catastrophic injury in overwhelming odds.

It is my privilege to bring you my conversation with a poignant example of resilience and an unwavering spirit. From my neck of the woods in western Washington, Officer Andrea "Drea" Moore shares her story.  From her start in law enforcement to working the job that led to her closest of calls to how she proceeds forward wearing the badge today.

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Officer Andrea Moore stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of a dedicated police officer.  Raised by a single mother amidst less-than-ideal circumstances, Officer Moore learned the vital lessons of hard work, perseverance, and survival from an early age.

Her journey from adversity to triumph led her to a distinguished career in law enforcement.  Officer Moore’s unwavering commitment to her duty and unyielding dedication to her community have been exemplified through her remarkable experiences.  On March 26, 2021, she found herself facing a life-threatening situation, emerging victorious after a harrowing encounter.  Her triumphant survival is a testament to her courage and determination.

With a unique perspective on mindset, and a forward-looking perspective, Officer Moore eagerly anticipates sharing her insights with others.

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, promotional testing, career & mindset coaching? 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 at [email protected]

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

Want to safeguard your health and the health of your team?

United Diagnostic Services brings hospital-grade diagnostic technology directly to first responder agencies, making early detection of heart disease and cancer simpler than ever.

For more information, visit udshealth.com

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

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

music credit: Drive by ASham...

Those who know... know.  There is nothing like losing your faithful furry companion.  The bonds we share with our pets can be quite different than those we share with humans.  Pets are sometimes a constant, through the tumultuous things- the highs and lows one experiences over the course of 10+ years.  How to process their loss, especially in untimely (don't they all feel that way??) adds another layer of stress and dismay.

In my conversation with returning guest, Dr. Brooke Bartlett, we talk about the intricacies of this often minimized loss and hardship.  We speak broadly and talk about our own personal experiences with the lives and losses in our own furry family members, including my reflections of loss, grief, regret and gratitude with my former police K9 partner, Kato.

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Brooke Bartlett, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and the owner of Center for Trauma, Anxiety, and Stress Inc. (CTAS). In addition to being a trauma specialist, Dr. Bartlett spent the entirety of her 10+ years of doctoral training in the therapy room and out in the field specializing in improving the mental health of first responders and military members. 

She also has an extensive research history examining mental health and resiliency among first responders with dozens of presentations at national and international conferences, over 20 publications in scientific journals, and a published book chapter. She is immensely passionate about serving those who serve others and has dedicated her professional efforts to doing just that. She opened CTAS with the mission of improving wellness for all who serve by providing a range of culturally competent, effective, and scientifically backed services.

You can find more about Dr. Brooke and reach her via:
centertas.com
IG: @doctorbrookephd

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, promotional testing, career & mindset coaching? 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 at [email protected]

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

Want to safeguard your health and the health of your team?

United Diagnostic Services brings hospital-grade diagnostic technology directly to first responder agencies, making early detection of heart disease and cancer simpler than ever.

For more information, visit udshealth.com

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

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

music credit: Drive by ASham...