In this episode of Murphy's Law, host Murphy Robinson — former police commissioner and deputy mayor of public safety for Denver — speaks directly to one of the most pressing and polarizing conversations in America today: the state of law enforcement, immigration enforcement, and the right to protest.

As someone who has led through COVID-19, civil unrest, and some of the most high-stakes public safety decisions in Denver's recent history, Murphy brings a perspective that is rare — equally informed by lived experience in the seat of leadership and by the emotional reality of being a citizen watching it all unfold in real time.
This isn't a political take. It's a human one. Murphy breaks down what normal looks like, what accountability requires, and why the answer isn't choosing a side — it's choosing humanity.

Key Themes & Takeaways
What Is and Isn't Normal
Why the fact that we're talking about police violence and community harm means something — and why we should never normalize it, no matter who is responsible.
Protests, Democracy, and the Line
Why protest is a healthy and vital part of American democracy — and where it stops being productive. Murphy draws a clear, experience-based distinction between expression and destruction.
ICE, Immigration, and Our Common Thread
A nuanced, firsthand perspective on immigration enforcement, the role of ICE in protest environments, and why immigrants — documented or not — are not the enemy. Every American derives from immigrants. That shared thread matters.
Accountability Without Sides
Why there are no sides in this conversation — only the right side. Law enforcement cannot assault citizens. Citizens cannot assault law enforcement. Accountability has to run both ways or democracy loses.
The Inner Work of Community
Why the path forward starts with individual reflection, personal responsibility, and a recommitment to treating every person — regardless of badge, border, or background — with basic humanity.

Who This Episode Is For

Law enforcement officers and public safety professionals
Community organizers and activists
Immigrants and first-generation Americans
Policy makers and government leaders
Citizens trying to make sense of what they're seeing
Anyone who believes in democracy and wants to protect it
Leaders navigating public trust in divided communities

Connect With the Show
Murphy's Law is presented by SurePass — Confidence in every ID. Stay tuned for weekly conversations with leaders across public safety, justice, government, faith, and high-stakes leadership spaces.
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In Part 2 of this powerful conversation on Murphy's Law, host Murphy Robinson continues his sit-down with Dr. Ben Sanders — and if you thought Part 1 went deep, this episode goes deeper.

Where Part 1 laid the foundation — Dr. Sanders' journey from Evanston, Illinois, through Hope College, Union Theological Seminary, a doctorate in Christian theology and social ethics, and into public leadership as head of Denver's Mayor's Office of Social Equity and Innovation — Part 2 is where the gloves come off. The conversation shifts from framework to fire, tackling the current political moment head-on, the origins of race as a modern construct, the psychology of abusive systems, and what it will actually take for America to reckon with itself.

Together, Murphy and Dr. Sanders unpack what it truly means to lead in a divided society. The conversation moves beyond politics and ideology into deeper questions of human dignity, access, responsibility, and belonging. They explore the tension between personal relationships and systemic realities, the invention of race as an economic and theological tool, the psychological weight of generational trauma, and what Dr. King's dream actually looks like in 2026 — and what it still doesn't.
This episode reframes equity not as a slogan or policy alone, but as a long-term cultural transformation — one that requires courage, humility, education, and generational responsibility.

Haven't seen Part 1 yet? Watch it first — the link is below.
https://youtu.be/0p9a40pkVPA 

Key Themes & Takeaways
Faith, Power, and Public Life

The Origin of Race

America as an Abusive Relationship

Identity, History, and Healing. A raw conversation on race, culture, and generational trauma — including the psychological and generational weight of 5,000 lynchings between 1880 and 1940, and what it means that that was yesterday.
Democracy, Algorithms, and Civic Disengagement
Why the greatest threat to democracy may not be any one leader, but a generation that doesn't know who their governor is — and doesn't care.

Acknowledgment vs. Ownership — Revisited

Building on Part 1's most viral moment, Murphy and Dr. Sanders go further — exploring why ownership isn't about guilt, but about accessing a superpower that comes from facing hard truths.

Who This Episode Is For

Public servants and government leaders
Faith leaders and community organizers
Equity, DEI, and social impact professionals
Educators and scholars
Leaders navigating complex cultural and social tensions
Entrepreneurs and executives building inclusive organizations
Listeners seeking a human—not political—conversation about race, faith, power, and responsibility
Anyone wrestling with identity, belonging, and purpose in leadership

Connect With the Show
Murphy's Law is presented by SurePass — Confidence in every ID. Stay tuned for weekly conversations with leaders across public safety, justice, government, faith, and high-stakes leadership spaces.
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In this episode of Murphy’s Law, host Murphy Robinson sits down with Dr. Ben Sanders for a wide-ranging, deeply human conversation on faith, leadership, equity, identity, and the moral responsibility of public service.

Dr. Sanders’ journey—from growing up in Evanston, Illinois, to studying at Hope College and Union Theological Seminary in New York City, to earning his doctorate and teaching theology and social ethics, to now serving in public leadership in Denver—offers a rare intersection of faith, scholarship, and civic responsibility. His story reveals how belief systems, history, and identity shape leadership long before titles, policies, or institutions ever do.

Together, Murphy and Dr. Sanders unpack what it truly means to lead in a divided society. The conversation moves beyond politics and ideology into deeper questions of human dignity, access, responsibility, and belonging. They explore the tension between personal relationships and systemic realities, the evolution of equity in America, and the difference between acknowledgment and ownership in the national conversation on race, justice, and history.

This episode reframes equity not as a slogan or policy alone, but as a long-term cultural transformation — one that requires courage, humility, education, and generational responsibility.

This is Part 1 of the full Conversation Stay Tuned for the next part next Wednesday!

Key Themes & Takeaways

Faith, Power, and Public Life

How belief systems shape leadership, policy, and public responsibility — and the danger of power when disconnected from moral grounding.

Equity Beyond Politics

Why equity isn’t about quotas or labels, but about access, belonging, and systems that allow people to bring their full humanity into work, leadership, and community.

Identity, History, and Healing

A raw conversation on race, culture, and generational trauma — including the distinction between acknowledgment and ownership in America’s historical reckoning.

Access as Transformation

How access to education, opportunity, mentorship, and community changes life trajectories — and why responsibility must follow access.

Leadership in Divided Systems

What it means to lead when institutions are fractured, trust is eroding, and reality itself feels contested.

Who This Episode Is For

Public servants and government leaders

Faith leaders and community organizers

Equity, DEI, and social impact professionals

Educators and scholars

Leaders navigating complex cultural and social tensions

Entrepreneurs and executives building inclusive organizations

Listeners seeking a human—not political—conversation about race, faith, power, and responsibility

Anyone wrestling with identity, belonging, and purpose in leadership

Connect With the Show

Murphy’s Law is presented by SurePass — Confidence in every ID.

Stay tuned for weekly conversations with leaders across public safety, justice, government, faith, and high-stakes leadership spaces.

Follow SurePass on Social

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In this episode of Murphy’s Law, host Murphy Robinson sits down with Judge Don Toussaint of the Arapahoe County District Court for a wide-ranging, deeply human conversation on justice, leadership, public trust, and the unseen weight of public service.

Judge Toussaint’s journey—from growing up as the child of Haitian immigrants in New Jersey, to being inspired by civil rights-era judges, to serving on the Colorado bench—offers a rare inside look at the human side of the judicial system. His story reveals how integrity, community, and character shape leadership long before a title ever does.

Together, Murphy and Judge Toussaint unpack what it truly means to lead inside institutions that carry enormous responsibility. The conversation moves beyond courtrooms and cases into the emotional toll of decision-making, the burnout facing public servants, the erosion of trust in institutions, and the critical role community plays in building safer, healthier societies. This episode reframes justice not as a system alone, but as a human responsibility carried by real people with real lives.

Key Themes & Takeaways:
Leadership Under Pressure
Judge Toussaint shares the personal and emotional weight of making decisions that permanently affect lives, families, and communities — and what leadership looks like when there are no easy answers.
The Human Side of the Bench
A rare look into the mental health, burnout, and personal sacrifices judges face, including the toll public service can take on family, health, and identity.
Trust in the Legal System
How public perception of the judiciary has been shaped by media, politics, and misinformation — and what it will take to rebuild confidence and credibility.
Community as Public Safety
Why real safety doesn’t start in courtrooms — it starts in neighborhoods, relationships, accountability, and shared responsibility.

Who This Episode Is For
Public servants, judges, and government professionals
Leaders carrying high-stakes responsibility
Law enforcement and justice system professionals
Community organizers and civic leaders
Anyone interested in justice, leadership, and institutional trust
Listeners who want a human—not political—conversation about power and responsibility
Citizens seeking deeper understanding of how justice systems actually function

Connect With Judge Don Toussaint
https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/contact/don-j-toussaint

Connect With the Show
Murphy’s Law is presented by SurePass — Confidence in every ID.
Stay tuned for weekly conversations with leaders across public safety, justice, government, and high-stakes industries.

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In this episode of Murphy’s Law, host Murphy Robinson sits down with his longtime friend and brother-in-service Jimmy Graham for a wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation about leadership, protection, faith, and legacy.

Jimmy’s journey—from growing up “a mess,” to serving in the Navy SEALs and as a CIA protective officer, to founding Able Shepherd—reveals a powerful truth: leadership isn’t about force, status, or titles. It’s about responsibility, order, and the willingness to stand when it matters most.

Together, Murphy and Jimmy unpack what it truly means to protect—physically, mentally, spiritually—and why so many leaders today have forgotten that protection starts at home, in families, workplaces, and communities. This episode challenges the idea that leadership must be loud or political, and instead makes the case for disciplined, values-driven leadership rooted in service, courage, and consistency.

Key Themes & Takeaways

• Protection Has an Order: Physical protection matters—but it comes last. Jimmy explains why spiritual and mental strength must come first, and how leaders fail when they ignore that order.
• Leadership Starts With Responsibility: Whether you’re a parent, a business owner, or a public servant, leadership begins the moment you accept responsibility for others—not when someone gives you authority.
• Raising Formidable People: Being loving doesn’t mean being passive. Leaders must model strength, boundaries, and the willingness to stand—especially when children and vulnerable people are watching.
• The Cost of Service Today: Murphy and Jimmy confront a hard truth: service has become costly, thankless, and distorted—yet it remains essential for a healthy society.
• Why the World Feels Unanchored: We don’t need new laws—we need moral courage, enforcement of what already exists, and leaders willing to do what’s right instead of what’s convenient.
• Legacy Isn’t What You Say—It’s What You Model: From “green-pin calendars” to nightly promises made to children, Jimmy shares how legacy is built through daily, intentional choices.
• The Quiet Professional Needs a Voice: The era of staying silent is over. Today’s moment requires leaders who are twice the professional—and willing to be seen.

Who This Episode Is For

• Leaders operating in high-trust or high-risk environments
• Parents navigating responsibility in uncertain times
• Veterans and first responders redefining service after uniformed roles
• Entrepreneurs and executives building values-based organizations
• Anyone asking: What does it actually mean to lead right now?

Connect With the Guest

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmygraham1/

https://ableshepherd.com/

Connect With the Show

Murphy’s Law is presented by SurePass — Confidence in every ID.

Stay tuned for weekly conversations with leaders across public safety, government, and high-stakes industries.

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Murphy Robinson sits down with Ian Craig, Kenyan conservation leader and Senior Director for Africa at WildLandscapes International, whose work has helped reshape how wildlife conservation and community stability intersect across the continent. Ian shares his unlikely path—from professional hunting to pioneering conservation—and explains how the hardest part of protecting endangered species isn’t just logistics or funding… it’s security, trust, and community partnership.

This conversation goes beyond ecology and gets into what leadership looks like when the stakes are real: armed conflict, illegal firearms, poaching cartels, cultural dynamics, and the need to build systems that hold under pressure. Ian’s message is clear: the most advanced tools matter—but trust is the ultimate force multiplier.

Who This Episode Is For

Leaders in public safety, government, security, emergency management, and high-accountability environments who want a real-world case study in building stability through relationships, layered security, and mission-first leadership.

In This Episode

• Ian’s roots: a multi-generation Kenyan ranching family and early life in the wild
• Starting as a professional hunter—and how it shaped a conservation mindset
• Kenya’s 1977 hunting ban, and why Ian supports it (even as a “pro-hunter”)
• The rhino crisis: Kenya’s population dropping from 20,000 to 200 in under a decade
• Building a rhino sanctuary model focused on 24/7 protection—before modern tech existed
• Why Ian became a Kenya National Police Reserve officer to support conservation security
• The breakthrough lesson: security isn’t mainly “guns and guards”—it’s community trust
• A stark leadership case study: how community disengagement led to losing 17 rhinos in two years
• The reality of Northern Kenya: illegal firearms, ethnic conflict, cattle theft, and climate-driven pressure on resources
• How conservation can reduce instability through jobs, infrastructure, and shared benefit
• Modern conservation security: radio networks, drones, thermal tech, surveillance, and intelligence coordination
• What public safety leaders can learn from conservation: layers of security + community feedback loops

Key Themes

• Trust as Security: The most effective protection layer is community buy-in and continuity.
• Mission Focus: Drift from purpose creates vulnerability—fast.
• Layered Security: Deterrence, intelligence, community engagement, and government response all matter.
• Stability Through Opportunity: Jobs, water, education, and healthcare aren’t side benefits—they’re security strategy.
• Leadership Under Complexity: Culture, climate, conflict, and crime overlap—and leaders must navigate all of it.

Connect With the Guest

https://wildlandscapes.org/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wildlandscapes-international/ 

Connect With the Show

Murphy’s Law is presented by SurePass — Confidence in every ID.

Stay tuned for weekly conversations with leaders across public safety, government, and high-stakes industries.

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For the very first episode of Murphy’s Law, host Murphy Robinson takes the mic solo to share the origin story behind his career in law enforcement, public safety, and civic leadership—and the mission of this podcast. From becoming one of the youngest police officers in Ohio at age 19, to stepping into senior city management, to leading Denver’s Public Safety Department through some of the most turbulent years in modern history, Murphy reflects on the mentors, defining moments, and hard-earned lessons that shaped his approach to leadership under pressure.

This episode sets the foundation for the series: leadership in official capacity requires courage, humility, preparation, and the willingness to “stick your neck out” when the stakes are high.

Who This Episode Is For?

Leaders and aspiring leaders in public safety, government, business, and civic life who want a real look at leadership when responsibility is heavy, influence matters more than authority, and preparation shapes outcomes.

In This Episode

• Growing up around public safety and choosing a life of service
• Becoming a police officer at 19—and the determination it took to get there
• The mentorship moments that changed everything
• Leaving policing to pursue city management
• Learning to lead without a title and influence teams at every level
• The “turtle lesson” that became a leadership mantra
• Rising quickly through Colorado municipalities and embracing hard decisions
• Becoming COO and later Public Safety Director for Denver
• Leading through COVID, George Floyd protests, and unprecedented civic challenges
• Why Murphy’s Law isn’t about what goes wrong—but what you do next

Key Themes

• Influence Over Authority: The higher you rise, the less direct control you truly have.
• Mentorship & Opportunity: Great leaders invest early and open doors for others.
• Courageous Decision-Making: Leadership often requires sticking your neck out.
• Preparation for Chaos: Success comes not from avoiding crisis, but preparing for it.
• Service in Official Capacity: Leadership in government and public safety carries unique weight—and requires deep responsibility.

Connect With the Show

Murphy’s Law is presented by SurePass — Confidence in every ID.

Stay tuned for weekly conversations with leaders across public safety, government, and high-stakes industries.

Follow Us on Social

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Murphy’s Law is a seasonal leadership podcast hosted by Murphy Robinson, former Public Safety Director for Denver and CEO of SurePass. Each season tackles one major theme facing public safety leadership—from crisis response to building institutional trust. Through candid conversations with chiefs, commissioners, and innovators, Murphy explores what it takes to prepare for reality and lead through it.