The Courage To Live

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. 

In this episode, I share one of my favorite stories from my time in K9 with my partner Loki, a driven but complicated Belgian Malinois who taught me more than any training manual ever could. A stolen car, a suspect hiding in a floral shop warehouse, and the shell of a vintage Volkswagen all come together in a way only K9 handlers will fully appreciate. It’s a story about teamwork, instinct, and the unforgettable moments that make K9 work so special. If you enjoy this one, there are more Loki stories in my book The Courage to Live. 

 In this episode, I break down a simple habit that has changed how I work and how I manage stress. Time partitioning is the practice of planning your day in focused blocks so you stop bouncing from task to task and actually finish what you start. I talk about how I used this skill as a captain, how losing that structure made it harder to run a business, and how mapping out my day now helps me stay organized, focused, and confident in what needs to get done. If you feel overwhelmed or stretched thin, this episode will give you a practical way to bring order back into your day and free up more time for the things that matter. 

 In today’s episode, I talk about why I never wanted to be the smartest person in the room and how that mindset shaped my leadership. Surrounding myself with people who challenged me, questioned me, and brought skills I didn’t have made every project stronger, from rewriting a thousand page policy manual to managing high pressure operations. Smart teams outperform smart individuals, but you only get there if you set your ego aside, stay open to other opinions, and avoid the comfort of echo chambers. Whether it's policy work, the gym, or learning Jiu Jitsu, growth happens when you’re pushed by people who are better than you. If you’re not the smartest person in the room, that’s a gift because it means you’re in the right room to get better. 

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh breaks down two skills that matter in every stage of leadership: learning and unlearning. He shares how continuous learning kept him adaptable throughout his career, especially during years on night shift as a K9 sergeant, where leadership podcasts and real-time challenges helped him apply new ideas immediately.

Josh also talks about the other side of growth, which is unlearning the habits, assumptions, and patterns that no longer serve you. He explains why thinking you already know something can block improvement, how ego sneaks into the process, and why the most successful leaders are the ones who stay curious.

You’ll hear practical examples from policing, promotions, and on-the-job decision making, along with a simple challenge to approach your work with an open mind. Growth comes from adding new skills and letting go of old ones, and doing both will set you apart in any profession.