At the start of Season Two, Josh and Jenna talk about why purpose matters more than motivation. They share personal stories from law enforcement, business, and life that show how the same workload can feel exhausting or energizing depending on the “why” behind it. This episode explores how purpose reduces burnout, why it requires reflection and action, how it evolves over time, and why aligning your work and life with your core values can change everything. Whether you love what you do or feel stuck in a grind, this conversation offers a practical way to find meaning and keep going. 

In this short episode, Josh reflects on the difference between working hard and working hard with purpose. Drawing from his career in law enforcement and his current work teaching resilience and critical incident mindset across the country, he explains why the grind feels unbearable when the work lacks meaning and sustainable when it is tied to a clear why.

In this season finale, Josh and Jenna talk about a better approach to mental health during the holidays, especially for first responders and anyone carrying stress, grief, or isolation. They explain why “reach out if you need help” often falls flat, how to notice real shifts in people, and how to “reach in” with a simple text or conversation that can actually make a difference.

 In this episode, Josh reflects on a simple phrase that shifted his perspective during seasons of stress, loss, and responsibility: good things keep happening to me. Drawing from personal experiences in policing, loss, divorce, and building a business, he talks about how easy it is to fixate on hardship and how intentional reframing can change how you move through the day. Josh shares why purpose matters, how helping others became a source of meaning, and how small mindset practices can balance the weight of stress without ignoring reality. This episode is a reminder that even in hard seasons, there are still moments of purpose, growth, and good worth noticing. 

In this episode of The Courage to Live, Jenna and I talk about what it really feels like to step into leadership on day one. I share the story of my first night as a brand-new sergeant, the pressure I put on myself to have all the answers, and the moment I had to say, “I don’t know, let me look it up,” instead of faking it. We also get into the unique challenge of being promoted over your peers, how that changes relationships, and how Jenna navigated going from “coworker” to “boss” after eleven years with the same team.

From there, we break down the shift from being good at the job to learning the job of leadership. We talk about becoming a student of leadership, why understanding human behavior matters more than memorizing buzzwords, and how to think about motivation and experience when you’re leading a team. We wrap with a hard look at delegation, the trap of trying to do everything yourself, and one question every leader should be asking: “Am I working harder than my people?” If you’re newly promoted, preparing for your first leadership role, or just trying to get better at leading humans instead of tasks, this conversation is for you.

 In this episode, Josh breaks down what real self care looks like for first responders and anyone carrying a heavy load. It is not the internet version of self care but the practical habits that refill your energy and keep you grounded under stress. He talks about boundaries, doing what genuinely fills your soul, cleaning up your environment when life feels chaotic, building simple morning routines that set the tone for the day, and the role sleep plays in resilience. You will hear personal stories, honest lessons learned the hard way, and a reminder that you cannot pour into anyone else if you never take time to recharge yourself. 

 Real growth doesn’t come from working harder alone. It comes from being honest with yourself. In this episode, Josh talks about true self-reflection, why staying busy can be a form of avoidance, and how asking hard questions builds better leaders, stronger relationships, and better emotional control under pressure. 

Most decisions don’t come with perfect clarity. In this episode, Josh talks about why strong leaders act without waiting for every detail, how overthinking leads to hesitation, and why forward movement builds confidence, momentum, and better information. If you struggle with making decisions in uncertainty, this one will help you trust your gut and step into action. 

In this episode, Josh shares a lesson that changed the way he handled conflict, stress, and tough interactions on and off the job. Early in his career, he took every insult and every angry moment as a personal attack. Over time he learned that most people aren’t reacting to you as a person, they’re reacting to the situation, their own stress, or their own history. Josh breaks down how separating your identity from the moment helps you regulate your emotions, avoid unnecessary conflict, and stay clear-headed when others aren’t. It’s a skill that improves leadership, communication, and personal relationships. 

 In this episode, Josh and Jenna break down what actually happens before, during, and after a critical incident. They talk through how high stress affects your body, your thinking, and your decision making, and they share real stories from policing, leadership, analysis work, and everyday life. They walk through preparation, crisis rehearsal, cognitive overload, emotional regulation, and what it takes to recover after the event. This episode gives a clear, practical look at the anatomy of a critical incident so you can understand what is happening inside you and lead with clarity when the stakes are high.