De-Escalation Station

Welcome to The De-Escalation Station Podcast with hosts Andy Prisco and Tony Blauer. In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Ernest Stevens from the acclaimed HBO documentary Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops — a film that has inspired millions around the world to take a closer look at mental health crisis intervention and compassionate response. Together, we dive into what really happens on a crisis call, the realities of de-escalation in high-stress situations, suicide prevention, trauma-informed communication, and the critical importance of empathy in crisis response. Whether you work in mental health, law enforcement, education, caregiving, or simply want to better understand human behavior under stress, this conversation offers valuable insight and practical perspective. 🎧 Watch now and join the conversation. #mentalhealthawareness #crisisintervention #suicideprevention #mentalhealthmatters #deescalation #traumainformedcare #crisisresponse #firstresponders #podcast #jumpstartmastery

When stress is high and the moment matters, you need tools that actually work. In this De-escalation Station session, Professor Andrew McDonnell, PhD, joins Tony Blauer and Andy Prisco for a powerful, real-world conversation on low arousal approaches and evidence-based crisis management. We dive into: • The science behind low arousal care • What evidence-based crisis response really looks like • How to protect staff and caregivers from burnout • The role of movement, jiu jitsu, and emotional regulation • Building support systems that solve problems instead of labeling people Whether you work in care, education, crisis response, or simply want strategies that create calm instead of chaos, this conversation is packed with insight you can use immediately. 🎙️ Live with Tony Blauer & Andy Prisco #lowarousalapproach #crisismanagement #deescalation #traumainformedcare #caregiverburnout #emotionalregulation #crisisresponse #neurodiversityaffirming #mentalhealthsupport #behavioralsupport #jiujitsu #movementbasedhealing

In this powerful episode of De-Escalation Station, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman joins hosts Andy Prisco and Tony Blauer for a deep dive into the psychology of conflict, aggression, and resilience. Grossman – a retired U.S. Army Ranger, paratrooper, former West Point psychology professor, and world-renowned expert on human aggression – brings raw insight into: ✔️ The effects of violent media ✔️ The absence of truth in our culture ✔️ Why good and evil feel more overt than ever ✔️ What it takes to stand strong in chaotic times Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion that blends real-world expertise with practical takeaways for anyone facing conflict. 👉 Subscribe for more real-world de-escalation stories and practical advice. #DeEscalationConversations #DaveGrossman #TonyBlauer #AndyPrisco #ConflictResolution #Resilience #Podcast

When is it beneficial versus detrimental for public opinion to shape the future— and what are the ideal attributes one can embody before expressing their opinions? Serenity might guide us in both spaces of radical change and in radical powerlessness. In this episode, Andy and Lev reflect on what can be learned from the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, when confronting opposing beliefs in the attention economy, and from our own survival-driven reactions. Now with 50% more birdsong!

Participating meaningfully when you’re oversaturated with crises, conflicts, and news about impending or current disasters can feel impossible. How can you engage in these causes in a way that’s sustainable? Join Andy and Lev as they discuss what it means to ‘seek’, why we do it, and practices we can use to stay compassionate to ourselves and the world around us.

The persona, the ego, and the shadow. What are these Jungian aspects, and how do they emerge from our earliest experiences? Kass Wojcik—business doula and no-bullshit shadow coach— shares her experience with soul-searching, identifying projections, and learning to integrate every part of ourselves in order to reach our fullest human potential.

Find Kass at https://www.e3.community/feed

Thanks to Glynn Rosenberg and Dave Luxton for the art and theme music, respectively.

Content advisory: Non-graphic mentions of sexual assault and predatory behavior; use of some terms that have been held as offensive toward cultures.

What is an ‘offense’, and how can we arrive at a process that centers relationships and growth when emotionally disruptive types of communication emerge? In this conversation, Andy shares how using shadow work helped him to process a poorly structured workplace intervention, Lev shares the difficulties of arbitrating language and accusations, and together, they envision how harmony and understanding might come from misunderstandings.

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Joined by mediator and aikidoist Lucia Wyss, Andy and Lev talk about the importance of attunement, why danger looks different to everybody, and how self-determination can unexpectedly be more difficult than the alternatives.

The human condition has been a source of curiosity and confusion since the dawn of time. In this episode, Andy and Lev talk about the conditions that precede assaultive behaviors, some conspiracies and even scarier truths, and why it might not be a good idea to live forever. 

Art by IG @glynn.rosenberg, music by Dave Luxton

In this special guest episode featuring Tony Blauer-- a world-renowned tactical trainer and developer of the SPEAR system-- host Andy discusses using fear as a tool, how to adapt self-defense to the care and services professions, and the universal principles which apply to everyone in moments of action and reaction.

Opening music features an excerpt from the track "Snakes in the Grass" by Dave Luxton, used with his permission and thanks.