In this engaging episode, Brent sits down with Patrick Faulkner—a seasoned law enforcement professional, Air Force veteran, and host of the “Knock and Talk Show”—to unpack his winding journey through policing, military service, and ultimately, first responder training through ADB Nation. From tales of policing in both large metro areas and tiny “Mayberry”-like towns, to the challenges faced after leaving law enforcement, Patrick’s candor brings both humor and hard truths to the forefront.

Highlights include wild detective stories (like busting an international burglary ring where an entire house was built with stolen goods), navigating small-town policing, the evolution of community policing, and the toll of transitioning out of service. The episode also explores Patrick’s experience starting his own podcast, the origins and mission behind ADB Nation and ADB Training, and the importance of building a positive, supportive community for first responders.

Patrick’s Law Enforcement and Military Journey:

Air Force avionics, tours in Jordan and Bahrain, and struggles transitioning to civilian employment

Progression through large and small police departments, including unique challenges and local culture

Memorable case: Disrupting a Romanian-led construction theft ring and finding an international homicide fugitive

Small Town Policing vs. Big City Agencies:

Culture shock and adaptation from metro policing to “Mayberry”-style law enforcement

Chief’s supportive style and the quirks of working in a tight-knit community

Career Transition & Personal Struggles:

Impact of injury and being pushed out of policing

Dark period of identity loss, divorce, and the difficulties faced by LEOs leaving the profession

The need for ongoing support and community for retired or transitioning first responders

ADB Nation & ADB Training:

Founding story and focus on positive, peer-driven support and elite-level training for first responders

Innovative, immersive courses (e.g., undercover certification, cryptocurrency investigations, wellness)

Vision for nationwide impact and fostering a supportive, non-echo chamber environment

Stories from the Knock and Talk Show:

Origins: Born from preserving “big fish” policing stories and sharing much-needed levity in a tough profession

The power of storytelling, humor, and camaraderie for officer resilience

“When you get out of law enforcement, you leave an agency—your spot is replaced… You’re only in their mind for about six months. That’s it.” – Patrick

“If you want to learn about your community, you have to go knock on doors… Stop by, you know, Annie M at the end of Elm Street… She’ll tell you what’s up with the meth house behind hers!” – Patrick

“ADB stands for A Different Breed. Because first responders are a different breed. That’s why we’re here.” – Patrick

ADB Nation – Peer community & training platform for first responders

Knock and Talk Show – Patrick’s law enforcement storytelling podcast (Apple, YouTube, Spotify, etc.)

ADB Training Classes: Undercover certification, cryptocurrency investigation, wellness for LEOs

Find the Knock and Talk Show on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and more.

Connect:

Patrick Faulkner: [LinkedIn], [Knock and Talk Show]

Brent: The First Responder Playbook Podcast host

Thanks for tuning in! Subscribe, rate, and let us know your thoughts—or share your own wild first responder story!

#police #firstresponder #mentalhealth #policeleadership #leadership #k9

On today’s episode, I sat down with Keith Grounsell—a two-time chief of police, DEA special agent, and international law enforcement leader—with nearly 27 years of experience taking on everything from undercover narcotics to fighting global corruption. Keith shared powerful lessons on leadership, innovation, and never taking “no” for an answer, whether it’s solving budget challenges or building trust with the community. If you want to level up your leadership mindset and get inspired to break barriers in any industry, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

00:00 Overcoming Burnout: Finding Support

06:18 Signs of Job Stress Realization

07:13 First Responder Stress Warning

11:52 Brother Finally Understands Overnight Shift

13:46 "Use Your Time Off"

19:48 "Johnny: From Cop to Trainer"

22:58 "First Responders Need Diverse Friendships"

26:38 "Easy Access to Healthy Living"

27:40 "First Responder Support Resources"

1. Travis’s Military Background and Transition Out of the Marine Corps

Duration in the Marine Corps (13 years)

Reasons for leaving: changes in times, God’s plan, instructor role, need to move on

Positive outlook on his service and reasons for not criticizing the Marine Corps

2. Transitioning to Civilian Life: Initial Experiences

Early transition jobs: working at Don Corp and Lockheed Martin

Surrounded by other prior military members

Similar structure and culture to military life

Work on military bases in similar environments

The shift to a true civilian job with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA)

Differences in civilian work culture and structure

Feeling of disconnection upon returning to Oklahoma and Wagner

3. Challenges Faced By Veterans (and First Responders) in Transition

Lack of effective support programs for transitioning

Existing programs seen as insufficient, unwelcoming, or too basic

The unique struggle of losing structure and camaraderie

The gap in support for both veterans and their spouses/families

The role of pride and stigma in accessing available resources

Problems specific to those with longer service versus shorter-term veterans

4. Recommendations and Ideas for Improved Transition Programs

Need for state-funded, all-encompassing programs, including for law enforcement and ex-offenders

Centralized places for job interviews and resources, consideration for pride and ease of access

Critique of profit-focused veteran "nonprofits"

Suggested improvements:

Multi-week, hands-on outboarding training (rather than insufficient week-long classes)

Resume writing, interview coaching, translation of military to civilian skills

Connecting military technical training directly to civilian jobs (e.g., CDLs, aviation maintenance)

Focus on practical education and trade skills over formal degrees

5. The Value of Military and Law Enforcement Skills in Civilian Life

Emphasis on skills learned in military/service that are valuable (leadership, discipline, technical expertise)

Discussion about trade school vs. college versus on-the-job learning

Importance of belief in oneself and overcoming imposter syndrome

Advantages and success stories of veteran-owned businesses

6. The Importance of Camaraderie, Structure, and Support Networks

Personal experience of missing camaraderie when working non-law enforcement jobs (insurance agent example)

Need for continued support, routines, structure, and belonging

Difficulty of functioning in unstructured “civilian” roles after military/first responder service

7. Mental Health, Compassion, and Crisis Intervention

Lack of tailored, scenario-based mental health support and training (especially for law enforcement)

Veterans’ and first responders’ unique needs and struggles regarding mental health

The importance of compassion, understanding, and de-escalation in law enforcement

Shortcomings in current mental health training (minimal continuing education requirements, lack of practical value)

The impact of mental health struggles for those in service and their transition to civilian life

Peer support, debriefing, and coaching: proposed improvements for agencies

8. Leadership, Supervision, and Organizational Culture

Problems with “old school” authoritarian leadership styles

The significance of genuinely caring for and connecting with people under your supervision

Importance of evaluations and feedback (frequency, depth, handling corrective criticism)

Value of supervisors/coaches who help with goal-setting, debriefs, and personal growth

Examples of good and bad supervisory relationships and their lasting impacts

9. Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

The importance of humility and forgiveness in leadership

Recognizing individual differences and adapting leadership approaches accordingly

Encouraging a culture of positive reinforcement, support, and continuous improvement

10. Practical Resources and Offers for Help

Travis’s expertise and willingness to help with navigating the VA system

Offer to collaborate on mental health and crisis intervention training for law enforcement

Encouragement to reach out for guidance, drawing on Travis’s network and experience

Here’s a comprehensive sequence of topics covered in the episode, with sub-topics for each main subject:

1. Introduction and Background of the Guest

Travis Mitchell’s connection to Wagner and background

Travis’s status as a Marine Corps veteran and lifelong association

The episode’s focus on military life and transitions

2. Decision to Join the Marine Corps

Influence of cousin Michael and early impressions

Discovery of aviation roles within the Marines

Impact of 9/11 on motivation to enlist

Role of community and patriotism in small towns

Decision-making process: considering other branches, perception of Marine Corps challenge and discipline

3. Marine Corps Boot Camp Experience

Location and first experiences flying and traveling (San Diego, MCRD)

Initial reception by drill instructors

Transfer and confusion on arrival

Environment shaped by Vietnam veteran Marines and tough discipline

4. Details of Boot Camp

Length and intensity (thirteen weeks, physical and mental challenges)

Comparisons to other military branches’ boot camps

Transition rules for changing branches

5. Civilian to Military Transition

Adjusting to the “90 to nothing” Marine Corps pace

Handling physical and disciplinary demands

Breaking down and rebuilding habits

6. The Crucible and Marine Corps Traditions

Structure and challenge of “the Crucible”

Timeline within boot camp (up north to Camp Pendleton, rifle week, medical training)

Mental and physical exhaustion

Pride and motivation from drill instructors

The tradition of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor ceremony

Rituals and transition to being called a Marine

7. Post-Boot Camp Training

Marine Combat Training (MCT), distinction between grunts and non-grunts

Basic skills: land navigation, rifle training, hikes

Importance and memory of simple rewards (like fruit after hikes)

8. Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Training

Advanced training for CH-46 mechanics (the “frog” helicopter, similarities to the Chinook)

Reflections on aircraft phases and updates in Marine Corps aviation

Building close friendships (Paxton, best man story)

9. Deployments and Service Abroad

Assignment to North Carolina and deployment timeline

Workup process before deployment

First deployment to Iraq: Fallujah context, combat environment, differences in early and later war periods

Second deployment to Iraq: growth of infrastructure (PX, coffee shops), changing conditions

Transition to working with MV-22 Osprey (“B 22s”/V-22s)

10. Experiences in Iraq

Differences observed across multiple deployments

Involvement in nation-building and working with local forces

Evolving levels of danger and infrastructure development

11. Experiences Aboard Navy Ships

Port call in Jordan and mortar attack on U.S. vessel

Combat action ribbon awarded to Navy personnel

Impact on crew and memory of friends involved

Quick news coverage and the sudden departure from danger zones

12. Encounters with Piracy

Somali Pirate attack on their ship, response procedures

Multilingual warnings, deployment of defensive measures (SeaWiz, Marine snipers)

Capture and medical treatment of pirates

Ethics and complexity in dealing with wartime enemies (treatment of prisoners, Geneva Convention)

Transfer of pirates to the brig and repatriation to America

13. Operational Application and Reflection

“Gator circle” deployments (patrol and presence operations)

Context of Somalia and regional instability

Historical perspective on the U.S. involvement in the area (reference to Black Hawk Down)

Challenges in conducting operations due to adversaries' tactics (use of civilians as shields)

Targeted operations and the pursuit of high-value individuals

🚨 New Episode Alert! 🚨

This week, we’re diving into the world of small-town grit with Officer Brady Bailey—a cop who proves you don’t need a big city badge to make a big-time impact.

From traffic stops to training rooms, Brady has turned his passion for criminal interdiction and police instruction into a mission. He’s part cop, part teacher, and all-in when it comes to sharpening the blade for the next generation of street-smart officers.

💥 Hear how he turned routine patrol into a highway hunting ground for criminals.

👮‍♂️ Real stories. Raw lessons. First responder real talk.

🎧 Listen now on YouTube and all major streaming platforms!

#PoliceTraining #CriminalInterdiction #FirstResponderPlaybook #SmallTownStrong #StreetSmartCops

The rise of social media has brought about a new wave of criminal activity, with criminals using platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to carry out illicit activities such as drug trafficking and human trafficking. Law enforcement agencies around the world are now faced with the challenge of chasing these social media criminals and cracking down on their operations.

This week, we’re flipping the script on high-stress calls and adrenaline-fueled responses. Join us as we sit down with David Vilsaying, nationally recognized de-escalation instructor and voice of calm in chaos.

From the streets to the classroom, David shares real-world strategies that save lives—and careers. Whether you're a rookie responder or a seasoned supervisor, this episode will sharpen your tools, not just your tactics.

Why escalation isn’t inevitable
How communication can be your most powerful weapon
And why de-escalation is more than a buzzword—it’s a survival skill.

Hit follow and be the calm before the storm. Only on The First Responder Playbook.

Follow us on:

Instagram: @TheFirstResponderPlaybook

YouTube: @TheFirstResponderPlaybook

TikTok: @TheFirstResponderPlaybk

Facebook: @TheFirstResponderPlaybook

LinkedIn: Brent Colbert M.A.​

Follow David at dxitrainingsolutions.com or DXI Training on Facebook!

• (00:00:00) - Will You Stop Fighting?
• (00:00:59) - Meet Sergeant David Velising
• (00:02:04) - One MP in Law Enforcement's Long Career
• (00:03:06) - Former Law Enforcement Officer on His Favorite Job
• (00:05:23) - What's a Supervisor's Job?
• (00:06:26) - Retiring at 65
• (00:08:12) - The First Responders at Aelita Training Center
• (00:12:29) - It Doesn't Matter How Many People Attend Your Class--
• (00:15:19) - De-escalation Tactics, Internal Self-Awareness
• (00:18:17) - De-Escalation Training
• (00:22:25) - Deescalation Training at the Cherokee Casino
• (00:27:34) - Regional Training Centers for Police: What is the Central Region and
• (00:31:00) - How big was Hays Police Department?
• (00:34:59) - What do you teach to officers besides deescalation?
• (00:38:39) - There's Life After Law Enforcement: Part 3
• (00:39:53) - Retired Law Enforcement Officer starts his own business