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

Part 2!  In this engaging conversation, Eric and Lieutenant David Smith explore the themes of leadership, wellness, and personal growth through stages of a police career. They discuss the importance of self-reflection, the challenges faced by applicants and rookies, and the significance of understanding one's identity and purpose in the profession. The dialogue emphasizes the need for continuous learning, the impact of burnout, and the necessity of knowing one's 'why' in both personal and professional realms. 

 Takeaways

• The importance of self-reflection in personal growth.
• Understanding your 'why' is crucial for a fulfilling career.
• Burnout is a common challenge in law enforcement.
• Continuous learning is essential for career development.
• Your identity should not solely be tied to your job.
• Peer support can be a valuable resource for officers.
• Setting up your career for success involves planning for the future.
• Recognizing the impact of the job on personal life is vital.
• Diversity in experiences can enhance your career.
• Values often extend beyond the job itself.

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Lieutenant David Smith began his law enforcement career in 2011. He has served as a Field Training Officer, as a member and Team Leader for SWAT, and is currently a supervisor on the department's Peer Support CISM Team. David is assigned as the Executive Officer of a precinct where he oversees Patrol Operations for the precinct for all shifts, as well as serving as the Command Duty Officer on a rotational basis.

Outside of the job David leads a family of five and is the head coach of Apogee Responders, a foundational mentorship program for first responders that combines proven personal development principles with the unique realities of service life, so you can reclaim purpose, rebuild relationships, and lead with integrity at work and home. 

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 engaging conversation, Eric and Lieutenant David Smith explore the themes of leadership, wellness, and personal growth through stages of a police career. They discuss the importance of self-reflection, the challenges faced by applicants and rookies, and the significance of understanding one's identity and purpose in the profession. The dialogue emphasizes the need for continuous learning, the impact of burnout, and the necessity of knowing one's 'why' in both personal and professional realms. 

 Takeaways

• The importance of self-reflection in personal growth.
• Understanding your 'why' is crucial for a fulfilling career.
• Burnout is a common challenge in law enforcement.
• Continuous learning is essential for career development.
• Your identity should not solely be tied to your job.
• Peer support can be a valuable resource for officers.
• Setting up your career for success involves planning for the future.
• Recognizing the impact of the job on personal life is vital.
• Diversity in experiences can enhance your career.
• Values often extend beyond the job itself.

-

Lieutenant David Smith began his law enforcement career in 2011. He has served as a Field Training Officer, as a member and Team Leader for SWAT, and is currently a supervisor on the department's Peer Support CISM Team. David is assigned as the Executive Officer of a precinct where he oversees Patrol Operations for the precinct for all shifts, as well as serving as the Command Duty Officer on a rotational basis.

Outside of the job David leads a family of five and is the head coach of Apogee Responders, a foundational mentorship program for first responders that combines proven personal development principles with the unique realities of service life, so you can reclaim purpose, rebuild relationships, and lead with integrity at work and home. 

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...

Many of you may have heard of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.  I heard about it for years, and finally dove into it.  Not only did I find it impactfully relevant for high-performance, but specific takeaways from how we may approach a first responder and police career - along with our live dynamics out uniform.

I share and break down the 7 Habits as described by Covey, along with my additional insights and some other key concepts explored by the book. One part book-review, other parts analysis and discernment, tune in to learn how you can up-level your own life with these key concepts.

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...

Effective leadership isn’t about one thing or the other; it’s about applying a multitude of skills, capacities, intentions and holding tension between them.

In this episode I’m joined by two leaders who carry authenticity and astute operational insights.  Sgt. Siobhan McTighe and Police Services Manager Chela Cottrell help discuss leading with people in mind, sharing and curating meaningful vision and impact, The Curve and the power of connecting with inspirational colleagues and peers.

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Siobhan McTighe is the first female sergeant at Windsor Police Department in Colorado. She has over 18 years of police experience and spent 12 of those years working for the Crimes Against Persons Unit for Fort Collins Police Department. She is the proud mother of 2 boys, and a wellness advocate and speaker for First Responders.

You can find her on LinkedIn.

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Chela Cottrell is a 22-year law enforcement veteran. She is currently serving as the Police Services Manager of the Communications center and Operations division in the Citrus Heights Police Department.

Recognized as a dispatch subject matter expert, PSM Cottrell has contributed to state-level curriculum and legislative development that enhances the professionalism of California law enforcement personnel and practices. 

Her work can be found on various publications, and she may be reached via Linked-In at www.linkedin.com/in/chela-cottrell

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 faster the world moves, the quicker we need to move with it… and that’s only feasible with emerging, effective technology.  Information is power… but only if we can actually compile, analyze, and apply it.  

This is where information becomes actionable intelligence.  In this episode, I’m joined by Joel Ste. Marie and Paul Bailey with SoundThinking.  They help discuss how CrimeTracer helps agencies access and process data and dynamic updates from regional reports and bulletins.  

This leads to more effective teams: from patrol officers with officer safety, to investigations and analysts connecting dots and developing cases.  

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CrimeTracer® Gen3 is an agency-wide intelligence platform that helps law enforcement turn fragmented information into actionable leads. It brings key data sources into a single CJIS-compliant environment—including CAD/RMS, agency and partner records, and public records—so teams can quickly connect people, vehicles, locations, and incidents without switching between systems. The result is a clearer, shared view of what’s happening across the community.

Gen3 also includes AI-powered tools that make daily work for patrol, investigators, analysts, and command staff more efficient. A voice-enabled chatbot lets officers search in plain language and refine questions on the fly, while AI summaries pull key facts from long narratives in seconds. Case folders keep related searches, summaries, and insights organized in one place, and dashboards support different roles—patrol gets shift-to-shift visibility, while analysts and command staff can track crime and intelligence trends. Together, CrimeTracer Gen3 helps agencies move from information overload to coordinated action with faster decisions, stronger leads, and improved situational awareness.

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 cross-platform episode, Sgt. Nathan Romas (The Quiet Professional podcast) and I reconnect once again in this - on police leadership today.  We discuss some of the challenges and dynamics of learning a new leadership role, grappling with "I don't know" and how to manage that tension.

Nathan asks about the state of things with Blue Grit, which brings us right to into ways to think about routine, wellness, learning and development.  We talk about personal growth, career development, leadership progression and mentoring - in the job and with reflections of our social media and platform presence.  

Finally, we talk about the critical dynamics of what we can control and influence; this is one that should get everyone's brains going in constructive directions!  Be sure to find Nathan on LinkedIn and at @tqp780 as well as his show on your favorite podcast platform.

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 special edition episode we discuss trends, challenges, and dynamics that our first responder professions are facing. Jon Vargas, active firefighter and host of the Grab Lives podcast, and I compare and contrast the pressures we are seeing in real-time and how they have evolved in our careers.

We discuss how the challenges and lessons learned shaped our resolve and approaches, not just to the career but specific health and mental well-being practices and mindset shifts.  Jon shares much about his journey and insight through struggle and his learnings and reflections in consciousness as it related to everything.  

If you want to do a deep dive into the mental, emotional, social, and spiritual facets - this is one you will not want to miss. Jon and his insights left me with many questions and quests to explore and research, and I'm very much looking forward to tackling more topics with him in the future.

You can find him and his content at https://grablives.castos.com/ on IG and YouTube.

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...

We often talk about health and wellness and peak performance, but in those conversations, our brain health and optimization is often an afterthought.

In this episode, Dr. Harp and I discuss this potential, I review some stand-out lessons from his book, and he details unique tips and strategies to prime and elevate our brain performance- thus our stress-reduction and a host of other benefits!

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Dr. Oscar J. Harp III is the founder and CEO of Brain Enhancement (BE) Mindful Therapy LLC. He is a licensed clinical psychologist and retired public-school psychologist in the District of Columbia. He has worked as a clinical psychologist with addictions, mood and anxiety disorders, and behavioral stress reduction at both outpatient and inpatient Military Treatment Facilities. 

In 2025, Brain Enhancement (BE) Mindful Therapy earned the Nonfiction Silver Book Award in the category of Mental Health from the Nonfiction Authors Association and won the International Impact Book Award in two categories: Self-Help-Personal Development, and Alternative Medicine-Mind Body Medicine (Meditation, Yoga, Breathwork). In 2022, Dr. Harp received the Legacy Award for outstanding service in Clinical Psychology and Black Psychology from the Howard University Psychology Department and the D.C. Chapter of
 the Association of Black Psychologists.

https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Enhancement-Mindful-Therapy-possibilities/dp/B0DY5R4RNS

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...

Cynicism is a slippery, tricky beast.  It sneaks in and suffocates our resolve, our purpose, our WHY.  When cops are complaining, we are playing the victim.  We feel like a meaningless cog, because the difference we can make isn't so easy to be seen.

A key to effectiveness is ensuring we remember the real victims- those calling 911 for help and those who are too afraid to do so.  Joining me in this episode is Raven Buckingham Aae, wilderness lover, mountain climber, bear hunter, stalking survivor, partner of police and public safety, and champion for protecting those who cannot protect themselves.  

Raven shares her story, resolve, and I am honored to help share it in an attempt to help us all remember who we are doing this job for- and to not forget how critical it is.  Raven details and teaches on gender-based violence, from statistics to characteristics, and key lessons so we can help ensure the suspects and predators don't play us and manipulate police to avoid investigation and accountability.

One of the greatest things I appreciate about getting to know Raven better is to share in opening our minds to possibilities in ourselves and in the groups, systems, and culture we are a part of.  This is a valuable episode for new officers to seasoned veterans, as we can all benefit from these reminders and lessons.

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Raven Buckingham Aäe is the founder of Haliruna Consulting and a Commissioner on the Washington State Gender and Justice Commission. As a political strategist, she specializes in rural democratic systems, public safety innovation, and access to justice, bringing a public health lens to gender-based violence and institutional reform. She enjoys innovative professional partnerships with Sheriffs Offices, agencies, Prosecutors, advocates, legislators, school districts, and judges nationally, all working toward rural democratic excellence.

Raven co-authored Washington’s bipartisan 2024 legislation declaring stalking a public health epidemic and co-created the budget proviso with WASPC and the state legislature that established the state’s first law enforcement training units on stalking. 

You can connect with her on LinkedIn.

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...

Sometimes the hardest mission is when you have to adapt to a new role.  Identity is a tricky thing to grapple with when we take on this "job" which is more than that, more than a career, and even lifestyle.  My guest, Greg Furnia is a retired Special Operations supervisor with a background in the US Border Patrol.  He is now a personal and professional development coach who helps first responders and their families navigate transitions and challenges with purpose and clarity.  

In this episode, we cover a lot of ground in topics surrounding identity, purpose, family connection and foundations, and how to stay grounded for resilience.

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Greg Furnia is a certified personal and professional development coach and the founder of Living the Good Life LLC, a coaching and training company dedicated to first responders and their families. He brings 26 years of law enforcement experience, including service as a Special Operations Supervisor and Course Developer/Instructor with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with frontline time in specialized units like K9 and horse patrol.

Today, Greg helps first responders navigate the full career arc from their first day on the job through retirement—without losing sight of who they are at home. His programs include Retire Ready pre-retirement readiness and wellness training, a small-group Retire Ready cohort, and Built to Last, a proactive career and life development program for new and mid-career personnel. All of his work is rooted in a family-first, values-based approach that blends real-world experience, emotional intelligence, and practical tools.

Greg also serves the community as a volunteer executive career coach with The Honor Foundation and a volunteer peer support provider with UCF RESTORES Blueline. His mission is simple: to help first responders build strong careers, strong families, and a version of “living the good life” that doesn’t require choosing one over the other.

Learn more at LivingTheGoodLifeCoach.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...