Brownie In Blue

Connie Bates, a 25 year law enforcement veteran of a large department within the DC , MD , VA area joins me on this episode where we talk about her great career in detective work in several high profile divisions. She was a major crimes detective, specifically involving narcotics, sex crimes, child abuse, homicide and ending her career in cold case. Connie talks about the positive compartmentalizations she utilized in surviving her career and all that she experienced and saw through her case work. She also delves into the gender role of a woman vs a man in the department she worked for , and also if gender mattered when dealing with victims of sex crimes and/or child abuse cases. Connie provides such great insight into the rigors of detective work and how certain cases investigated affected personal decisions. Her career is in depth and I was honored to have this great retired LEO as a guest on Brownie In Blue.

On this episode I’m joined by creators and founders of the very successful podcast “Project Sapient”, Peter and Ayman. Both are veteran and active law enforcement officers from the Northeast and have a wealth of knowledge and experiences from their life and career. They do not hold back their views and insights on a myriad of topics such as qualified immunity ; leadership in policing ; and how policing needs to focus on winning the hearts & minds by utilizing a special forces mentality and approach. Check out their podcast and subscribe to it . It’s on all major platforms and they can also be found on Instagram @project_sapient , and also on Facebook @project sapient podcast.

Eric Provow and Meg Hawkins are a married first responder couple. Eric, in the fire service and Meg an active law enforcement officer in the DC metropolitan area. They delve into how they met , and their marriage. Most vulnerably they talk about the struggles of living with PTSD; from a spouses support standpoint to Eric’s diagnosis of PTSD. They present the signs and symptoms to look for , and also provide great insight into healthier and better mindful techniques in combating PTSD. They also share their own individual struggles and how they bring their own recovery together through couples therapy. Both are brave and open and I was honored to have interviewed these two. If you struggle with anything , especially PTSD Meg Hawkins and Eric Provow have a non profit called M.E.G (Making Everything Good) that helps first responders in mental wellness. You can also seek help through their website, https://www.marriedwithptsd.com/. They are on Instagram at Making Everything Good or M.E.G as well.

In this episode Tony McNeil, a retired LEO from Michigan joins me. He’s a podcast creator of the successful show “The Off Duty Podcast” ( https://theoffdutypodcast.com/ ) that highlights the lives of men and women in law enforcement. Tony opens up about respect, his 3 strike rule, and the issues in today’s policing. Tony also gets vulnerable and talks about his adversities both on and off the job. I love this episode because you can feel the infectious laughter and positivity that Tony permeates. Follow him on Instagram @theoffdutypodcast, player on all major platforms.

I’m joined by the Founder/CEO , Frank, and Vice President, Cristina, of the non profit organization Reps For Responders (https://repsforresponders.org/). Frank is a current law enforcement officer in the state of New York , and his significant other, Cristina is a avid cross fitter and power lifter and an advocate for mental and physical wellness for LEOs. They both provide their own individual insight into the struggles of their relationship as it related to Frank’s alcoholism and being an LEO. They both provide such a vulnerability in this episode and the strength that these two have now as individuals and together was born out of the struggles endured. Please ! If you are in need of any mental wellness help visit Reps for Responders website @ https://repsforresponders.org/. Follow them on social media platforms as well @reps_for_responders. Thank you Frank and Cristina for sharing your story!

Meghan Kelley and Jeanna Marie Saccoccio , co-founders of Wellness for Warriors (https://www.wellnessforwarriors.live/) joins me on this episode l. These amazing women have made it their mission to support and help first responders in providing a myriad of wellness techniques , and individual therapy. Their therapeutics and counseling are all free and they also provide nutritional information as well. I was honored to have these strong and vulnerable women on the podcast . They can be followed @wellness_4_warriors on Instagram and they are very responsive as well. Thank you Meghan and Jeanna Marie.

Chad Lyman, (http://code4combat.net/about-us.html ; @c4c_operator Instagram; https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC_SBi325bO1fDf-fIlhrbhQ) joins me on this episode. Chad is a wealth of knowledge in all things Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and how it’s techniques and training directly correlates to policing. Specifically, Chad talks about how officers fears can play a part into how much force one employs in subduing a suspect. Fear can be both good and bad according to Chad, and he uses the analogy of the “zoo lion” versus the wild lion. Chad has trained under MMA professionals and now provides training worldwide to law enforcement officers. Chad can be found on all major social media platforms and his YouTube channel (https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC_SBi325bO1fDf-fIlhrbhQ) chronicles his training and its effectiveness for law enforcement and alike personnel. Did I forget to mention that Chad is also an active bad ass law enforcement officer from Nevada? Well, he is ! Thank you Chad for this opportunity to get into your mindset and experiences.

Lt. Dave joins me on this episode. Dave has almost two decades of law enforcement experience in a major metropolitan police department in the D.C , Maryland, Virginia area. He has been assigned to specialty bureaus as well as supervised several coveted detective bureaus in his department. Despite his career success Dave is most proud of his 27 years of sobriety. Dave enlightens me on the compassion he uses towards his officers and also the compassion and understanding his department has in providing those officers in need of mental and emotional help. That help can come in the form of trauma therapy to addiction help and programs. This department’s actions in bettering the mental wellness of its officers and de-stigmatizing asking for help is a model for what law enforcement agencies should concentrate on; especially as times for law enforcement officers get harder and harsher. Dave, thank you for your leadership and empathy !

Dr. Michael Barta (https://www.drmichaelbarta.com/), a renown doctor in treating addictions, specifically sex addiction joins me on this episode. Dr. Barta breaks down the three brains and the usage for each in how we regulate trauma. He also gives his expertise in dissecting how childhood trauma can be the catalyst for sex addiction. He provides explanations from a neurological approach on how the brain is affected from early on “attunement”, proper or improper. Dr. Barta also gives his expert opinion on a possible reason law enforcement officers become law enforcement officers due to childhood traumas. Dr. Barta started his own intensive treatment center , Begin Again Institute (https://www.beginagaininstitute.com) , and has authored a book that’s sold in all major outlets including Amazon, TINSA (Traumatic Induced Sexual Addiction) A Neurological Approach to Sex Addiction (https://www.amazon.com/TINSA-Neurological-Approach-Treatment-Addiction/dp/198173869X/ref=nodl_) I was honored and privileged to have Dr. Barta on the podcast and hope this resonates and reaches those that may not recognize or know why they are doing the things their doing. Thank you Dr. Barta! Resources mentioned : Patrick Carnes (https://www.drpatrickcarnes.com/). Gabor Matè (https://drgabormate.com/).

Joe Locus, founder and CEO of 1st Responders PTSD Connection ( https://ptsd.help/about/meet-joe/), a non-profit organization, joins me on this episode. Joe, 20+ plus years law enforcement veteran and medically retired , talks about his own struggles with PTSD and his triumphs. Joe Locus is a warrior and is giving back to first responders by providing an outlet for them through his non-profit organization. Joe states you are not alone and that if he can’t find you answers or the best help “you’ve found a lifetime friend “ in him. Joe can be found on Instagram @detlocus, and also his organizations website address is http://PTSD.help .