In this powerful episode of Both Sides of the Badge, Garrett sits down with longtime friend and highly respected law enforcement professional Megan Alstatt, who brings more than 23 years of experience spanning patrol, investigations, and fugitive recovery.

Megan opens up about her journey from growing up in a law enforcement family in Cleveland to earning a full-ride scholarship, becoming a deputy, and eventually building a respected career handling some of the most emotionally demanding cases in the field. She shares deeply personal stories about her father — a Marine, Vietnam veteran, and patrol sergeant — whose example shaped her sense of honor, service, and responsibility.

Together, Garrett and Megan explore what it means to be a woman in law enforcement, the pressure of high expectations, and the reality of proving yourself in a male-dominated profession. Megan talks candidly about the emotional toll of sex-crimes investigations, balancing motherhood with duty, the moments that nearly broke her, and the strength it takes to step back when the weight becomes too heavy.

This episode is raw, heartfelt, inspiring, and incredibly human — a reminder of the unseen emotional labor behind the badge and the compassion that drives good cops to keep showing up.

Topics include:

• Megan’s start in law enforcement and the influence of      her father
• Being a woman in a traditionally male field
• High-pressure investigations and emotional resilience
• The balance between officer, wife, mother, and      protector
• When a case changes you — and when to step away
• The importance of service, empathy, and community

If you’ve ever wondered what real strength looks like in this profession, this conversation offers a rare, honest look into the heart of someone who lives the job with integrity, humility, and courage.

#BothSidesOfTheBadge #LawEnforcementStories #WomenInLawEnforcement #InvestigatorLife #TrueCrime #FirstResponderLife #LEOPodcast #BehindTheBadge #PolicePodcast #TraumaAndResilience #CopsAndCommunity #SurvivorSupport #ThinBlueLineFamily #CriminalInvestigations #PodcastEpisode

In this episode of Both Sides of the Badge, host Garrett Duncan introduces the podcast, shares the personal journey that inspired it, and explains the mission behind exploring the stories of law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Listeners will hear about the  insights and experiences that shaped the show, and learn what to expect from future episodes — candid conversations with officers, prosecutors, community members, families, and experts.

This episode sets the stage for honest, thoughtful dialogue, aiming to bridge the gap between the badge and the community, and invites listeners to be part of the conversation.

Meet Pete DePrez, founder of the ASM Foundation — an organization dedicated to helping veterans and first responders heal from the stress and trauma that come with serving others. After years in law enforcement and SWAT, Pete faced his own battle with PTSD and discovered powerful tools like breathwork, cold and heat exposure, and mindfulness to rebuild his life. Now, he’s sharing those same practices to help others find healing and resilience on their own journeys.

Follow the ASM Foundation: 🌐 https://asmfoundation.com
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📘 Facebook: @BothSidesOfTheBadgePodcast
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#BothSidesOfTheBadge #ASMFoundation #FirstResponders #Veterans #PTSDRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #Resilience #HealingJourney #Mindfulness #Breathwork

Aris is a former Military Police officer in the United States Army, where she served for six and a half years, including two deployments. During her service, she worked in Military Investigations, gaining firsthand experience in some of the Army’s most demanding environments. After leaving active duty, Aris continued her service as a contractor, deploying two more times overseas. Today, she’s here to share her journey—the challenges, the lessons learned, and the perspective she’s gained along the way. And full transparency—Aris isn’t just a guest; she’s also my sister.