What happens when the people who spend their lives serving others finally need help themselves?

On this episode of the Street Tales Podcast, Tyler sits down with Navy veteran, entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and NAVFRW founder Eric Golnick for an honest conversation about military service, trauma, leadership, mental health, family, and what it will take to better support America's veterans and first responders.

Eric shares the experiences that ultimately changed the direction of his life—including losing a sailor to suicide while serving in Japan and later losing multiple friends from his ROTC community to suicide. Those experiences, along with his own struggles after service, eventually pushed him away from the path he thought he would follow and into the mental health and wellness space.

The conversation goes far beyond simply saying that "resources are available."

Tyler and Eric discuss the difference between having resources and actually being able to access the right help at the right time, the stigma that can still follow first responders who ask for help, failures in leadership, barriers to treatment, questionable actors operating in the wellness space, and why agencies need to do more than hold a seminar and call it a wellness program.

Eric explains why effective wellness requires leadership buy-in, trusted and vetted resources, funding, multiple treatment options, and systems capable of connecting someone with help quickly when they finally decide to ask for it.

The two also explore why the veteran and first-responder communities have far more in common than many people realize—from repeated exposure to trauma and toxic environments to the shared culture of service, sacrifice, teamwork, and putting the mission before yourself.

And wellness doesn't stop with the person wearing the uniform.

The conversation examines the impact that military and first-responder careers can have on spouses, children, and families—the missed holidays, shift work, deployments, traumatic experiences brought home, and the reality that families often serve alongside the person who carries the badge or wears the uniform.

The episode culminates with a look ahead to the 2026 NAVFRW San Diego Wellness Summit on September 17, where leaders, subject-matter experts, veterans, first responders, government organizations, and wellness professionals will come together to discuss mental health, suicide prevention, physical wellness, sleep, fitness, cancer prevention, and real-world programs that are already making a difference.

For Eric, the measure of success is remarkably simple:

If one conversation that day helps save one life, the entire event was worth it.

This is a conversation about moving beyond slogans like resilience and mental toughness and toward something more meaningful: giving the people who serve the tools, leadership, access, and support they need to stay healthy—and making asking for help a sign of strength rather than a career liability.

National Association of Veterans & First Responder Wellness (NAVFRW):

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There are calls you answer during a law enforcement career—and then there are the calls that never really leave you.

In this deeply personal episode of the Street Tales Podcast, Tyler and Mo sit down for an unfiltered conversation built around three questions:

What was the call that changed you?

What follows is much more than a collection of police stories.

Mo takes listeners back to the beginning of her career and a devastating fatal crash that left a mother dead after she pushed her infant child out of the path of an oncoming vehicle. As a brand-new deputy still in field training, Mo was tasked with delivering the death notification to the woman's husband—a moment so overwhelming that she went home questioning whether she could ever do the job again.

That experience ultimately taught her something different: the fact that the job hurt meant she still cared. That compassion followed her throughout her career and influenced not only the deputy she became, but the kind of field training officer she wanted to be.

Tyler shares the calls that changed his own perspective—from encountering death and unimaginable loss early in his career to a child-abuse investigation that left him furious, helpless, and questioning the system he was working within. The conversation explores what happens when officers do everything they believe they are supposed to do but still leave a scene wondering, "What are we even doing?"

But this episode isn't only about tragedy.

Mo remembers a domestic violence call around Christmas that ended with deputies pooling their own money, filling patrol cars with presents, and returning to give children a Christmas they otherwise might not have had. For her, seeing those children's faces was a reminder that policing wasn't only about putting people in handcuffs—it was also about recognizing a need and doing something about it.

She also recalls working with a young student who had rarely seen a police officer who looked like him. A simple promise involving good grades, good behavior, lunch, and Mo letting down her dreads became an example of how seemingly small interactions can create a ripple effect far beyond a single day.

The conversation also ventures into undercover work and the complicated humanity behind the badge. Mo describes the moment a confidential informant—who knew only her undercover identity—called her during a family emergency because she believed Mo was the only friend she had. It forced Mo to confront the reality that behind the labels of "cop," "criminal," "informant," or "bad guy" are still human beings carrying their own stories, families, pain, and circumstances.

Throughout the episode, Tyler and Mo examine the things that don't disappear when the shift ends: a person's voice, the sound of a garage door opener, the faces of children, the feeling of helplessness, and memories that can remain decades after the report has been filed.

They also tackle a reality that doesn't always get discussed openly in law enforcement: you cannot care about the job, remain human, and expect none of it to follow you home.

Ultimately, The Calls We Carry is about more than policing. It's about compassion, frustration, purpose, family, perspective, and the experiences that shape who you become long after the uniform comes off.

And when Tyler asks the final question—"After everything that you experienced, was it worth it?"—Mo's answer brings the entire conversation full circle: despite the calls she still carries, she believes the job helped her grow, taught her compassion, allowed her to make a difference, and left her cautiously optimistic about the people around her.

If you've ever worn the badge, loved someone who did, worked alongside first responders, or wondered what officers carry with them after the radio goes quiet, this is an episode worth hearing.

What call changed you?

To contact us, get your copy of Street Tales Volume One, shop Street Tales Network Apparel—with all proceeds supporting Blue Cancer Connect—and gain access to every show across the Street Tales Network, visit:

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What happens when environmental science, human rights, and leadership intersect?

In this episode of Street Tales, Tyler and Mo sit down with Dr. Menka Vansant, an environmental scientist whose work has taken her from the mountains of Patagonia and the fisheries of Alaska to nearly five years living and conducting doctoral research in South Africa.

Dr. Vansant shares her remarkable journey—from growing up with a passion for conservation to earning her Ph.D. at the University of Cape Town, where she immersed herself in the lives of small-scale fishing communities impacted by resource extraction, diamond mining, offshore energy development, and environmental policy.

Together, they explore:

Rather than focusing on politics, this conversation explores how science, history, economics, and compassion intersect to better understand the challenges facing communities around the world.

Whether you're interested in conservation, leadership, travel, public policy, or simply hearing an incredible life story, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

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The Street Tales Podcast is launching a new military history mini-series exploring the forgotten stories and remarkable legacy of Marine Corps Scout Snipers.

In Episode One, Tyler and Mo are joined by Tim Parkhurst, CEO of the Marine Corps Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation, to uncover the extraordinary life of Gunnery Sergeant Walter Cook.

Born in Austria and immigrating to the United States as a child, Cook would go on to serve in both the U.S. Army and United States Marine Corps before deploying to France during World War I.

As a Marine Scout Sniper, Cook distinguished himself in some of the most brutal fighting of the Great War, including Belleau Wood, Château-Thierry, and Blanc Mont. His courage and selfless leadership earned him multiple Silver Star citations, the Navy Cross, the Army Distinguished Service Cross, and multiple French Croix de Guerre awards.

But Walter Cook's story didn't end when World War I was over.

After leaving the Marine Corps, Cook became a merchant seaman. More than two decades later, shortly after Pearl Harbor, his ship was attacked and sunk by the Japanese. Cook was captured and spent nearly four years as a prisoner of war during World War II.

He survived.

And when he was finally freed, Walter Cook went back to sea.

This episode is about more than medals and battlefield heroism. It's about service, sacrifice, resilience, brotherhood, and the mental fortitude to keep moving forward after experiencing the unimaginable.

Tim also takes us behind the research being conducted by the Marine Corps Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation and explains why preserving the individual stories of Marines like Walter Cook matters before these histories disappear forever.

🎧 This is Episode One of the Street Tales Marine Corps Scout Sniper Mini-Series.

REMEMBER THE SACRIFICE. HONOR THE LEGACY.

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Some calls never leave you.

In this episode of the Street Tales Podcast, BJ and Tyler sit down for an honest conversation about the moments that define a law enforcement career—from the toughest days wearing the badge to the victories that remind officers why they chose the profession in the first place.

The conversation begins with defining moments from their own careers, including critical incidents, officer-involved shootings, heartbreaking death notifications, and the emotional weight carried long after a shift ends. They also reflect on the retirement of one of the mentors who helped shape the officers they became, sharing stories about leadership, professionalism, and the lasting impact great mentors leave behind.

BJ and Tyler discuss why mental health has become one of the most important conversations in policing today, how officers evolve over decades of service, and why protecting your family, relationships, and personal well-being ultimately matters more than any assignment or promotion.

The episode also explores how technology has transformed modern policing—from body-worn cameras and drones to license-plate readers, real-time intelligence, digital evidence, and AI. While these tools have dramatically improved officer safety and investigations, the hosts explain why technology can never replace sound judgment, communication skills, experience, or the instincts developed through years on the street.

They also examine the changing relationship between veteran officers and a new generation of rookies, offering practical advice on leadership, discretion, mentorship, accountability, and preparing for the realities of the profession.

Tight, candid, and grounded in real experience, this episode balances hard days with unforgettable wins while delivering practical insight for officers navigating the pressures of modern policing.

Whether you're a first responder, military veteran, or simply interested in what life behind the badge is really like, this conversation offers an unfiltered look at the profession through the eyes of two officers who have lived it.

To contact us, grab your copy of Street Tales Volume One, shop Street Tales Network apparel (supporting Blue Cancer Connect), and gain access to every show on our network, visit:

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What happens when the victim doesn't want to press charges, the suspect is manipulative, and the truth is buried beneath fear, trauma, and emotional dependence?

In this powerful episode of the Street Tales Podcast, hosts Tyler and Mo launch a new series called "Behind the Report," where they go beyond the police report and examine the human stories hidden within law enforcement investigations. Drawing from real cases they personally handled during their careers, Tyler and Mo provide an honest look at the realities officers face when responding to domestic violence calls.

Through two unforgettable cases, they explore:

Tyler and Mo also share lessons learned from years in law enforcement, discussing how experience changes the way officers investigate, communicate, and help people during some of the worst moments of their lives. What emerges is a candid conversation about accountability, compassion, trauma, and the difficult balance between protecting people and respecting their choices.

These aren't just police reports. They're real people, real families, and real stories that reveal the complex human side of law enforcement.

To contact us, grab your copy of Street Tales Volume One, shop Street Tales Network apparel (supporting Blue Cancer Connect), and gain access to all shows on our network:

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What happens when a single incident changes the course of your life and career?

In this powerful episode of the Street Tales Podcast, the hosts sit down with Arthur “Rusty” Myers III, author of Tattered, to discuss the July 1, 2019, incident that sparked internal investigations, suspension, public scrutiny, and a long battle to clear his name.

Rusty shares the deeply personal story behind the events that led to losing his badge, the emotional toll of isolation, and the mental health struggles that followed. Through candid reflection, he opens up about navigating uncertainty, confronting self-doubt, and finding the strength to keep moving forward when it seemed like everything had been taken away.

This conversation dives into the realities many first responders face but rarely discuss accountability, perception versus truth, the impact of disciplinary processes, and the importance of seeking help before reaching a breaking point. Rusty also discusses how forgiveness, faith, resilience, and support from others helped him rebuild his life and ultimately return to law enforcement.

Whether you're a law enforcement officer, first responder, leader, or someone facing adversity, this episode offers valuable lessons about perseverance, mental resiliency, personal growth, and leaving the profession better than you found it.

If you've ever felt defeated, misunderstood, or ready to quit, Rusty's story serves as a reminder that your toughest chapter does not have to be your final chapter.

Contact Arthur W. "Rusty" Myers III

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In this powerful episode of the Street Tales Podcast, Dr. James Wittig joins host Tyler Martin and co-host Marine Corps Lt. Col. Adam Macaluso for an inspiring and deeply human conversation about resilience, purpose, medicine, and redemption.

A world-renowned orthopedic oncologist and pioneer in limb-salvage surgery, Dr. Wittig shares the incredible journey that led him into medicine, the emotional realities of treating patients battling sarcomas and rare cancers, and what it truly means to save not just lives—but quality of life. From high-stakes surgeries to unforgettable patient stories, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look into one of the most demanding and meaningful fields in medicine.

Dr. Wittig also opens up about his own personal health battles, the lessons learned through adversity, and how those experiences reshaped his perspective on life, leadership, and faith. Together, he and Adam explore the parallels between military service and medicine: sacrifice, discipline, teamwork, and the responsibility of serving others during their most vulnerable moments.

The conversation dives into:

This is an episode about strength, humility, and the stories that shape who we become.

If you’ve ever faced adversity, cared for someone fighting illness, or wondered what drives people to dedicate their lives to helping others, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

To contact us, grab your copy of Street Tales Volume One, shop Street Tales Network apparel (supporting Blue Cancer Connect), and gain access to all shows on our network: 👉 https://www.streettalesnetwork.com/

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In this episode of Street Tales, Tyler and BJ revisit two burglary cases they responded to years ago, walking through the arrests, evidence recovered—including drugs and paraphernalia—and their interactions with both suspects and a victim. What starts as a look back at the details quickly evolves into a deeper conversation about how policing decisions are made in the moment.

The hosts reflect on how experience has shaped their perspectives over time, discussing the role circumstance plays in criminal behavior and how their approach to similar calls might differ today. They explore the ongoing balance between enforcement and empathy, offering insight into the human side of policing that often gets lost in dramatized media portrayals.

To contact us, grab your copy of Street Tales Volume One, shop Street Tales Network apparel (supporting Blue Cancer Connect), and gain access to all shows on our network: 👉 https://www.streettalesnetwork.com/

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In this episode, hosts Tyler and Mo break down two intense, back-to-back police reports from June 2015. The first details an aggravated battery involving a seven-month pregnant woman who declines medical attention and refuses to cooperate with authorities, raising difficult questions about victim autonomy. The second case spirals from a violent altercation into a debated kidnapping charge, complicated by conflicting witness statements, suspects fleeing the scene, and detectives revising charges in real time.

With candid commentary and personal insights woven throughout, Tyler and Mo explore how evidence, victim decisions, and police procedures can dramatically influence the direction—and outcome—of a case.

To contact us, grab your copy of Street Tales Volume One, shop Street Tales Network apparel (supporting Blue Cancer Connect), and unlock access to all shows on our network: 👉 https://www.streettalesnetwork.com/

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