Law Enforcement Episodes

Patrick Fitzgibbons is a retired Police Commander who discusses the struggles he experienced, and provides advice, inspiration, and hope for overcoming mental health issues, through his role as National Outreach Liaison for the Shatterproof Program for First Responders.

Join us for a conversation with Ernie Stevens from the Emmy Award Winning HBO Documentary, Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops.

What does the phrase “Motivational Check” mean? Former LEO Terry Tucker has reinvented himself frequently over his professional career. He was an officer and SWAT Hostage Negotiator with the Cincinnati Police Department.

In this episode, we’ll be speaking with trauma expert and author of the book CopShock, Allen Kates, about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and how to survive it by employing resiliency techniques.

Crisis Intervention Team coordinator Peter Elste works closely with Crisis Intervention Clinician Scott Alvord on the Danbury Police Crisis Intervention Team. Together, they respond to calls involving mental and behavioral issues to help connect people to available services.

Michael Van Meter is a well respected Law Enforcement Leader and an Addiction Recovery Expert. In this episode, he talks about the devastating effects of addiction on the public, himself, and his profession. Pulling from personal and professional experience, Michael shares thoughts on this complex, controversial subject.

Pete Elste is a Danbury Police Officer who has become a leader in peer support and crisis intervention. In this episode Pete shares his story of addiction, restructuring his path to recovery, and staying grounded. Pete is a resilient leader who has proven that you can achieve anything you put your mind to, and is an inspiration for his peers and anyone struggling with addiction may be looking for a resilient role model. Pete offers real-world tips on how to be proactive and how to "check up" on ...

Pete Elste shares his story of addiction, restructuring his path to recovery, and staying grounded. A resilient leader who has proven that you can achieve anything you put your mind to, Pete is an inspiration for his peers and anyone struggling with addiction who is looking for a resilient role model.

Every day, thousands of police officers put themselves at risk to keep others safe. Sgt. Michael Sugrue was one of them. He has been on the front lines of the battle against duty induced trauma since he responded to a fatal officer involved shooting that instantly changed his whole world. Watch to hear Michael's story, and to learn about his book RELENTLESS COURAGE: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma.

Norm Wielsch was a police officer for 26 years, during which time he saw a lot, made some bad decisions, suffered and overcame opioid addiction and spent time in prison. In this episode Norm talks about how he emerged stronger from his suffering and became a positive force to help in the lives of others.

In this episode, we discuss Police Wellness and Resilience, and the soon to be released book "Living Blue" being written by Barbara Rubel and Jason M. Palamara.

We speak with Dan Willis, a retired police Captain who is an expert on the proven benefits of serving with your heart and acting with compassion in the face of job-related trauma and stress. Dan is a highly regarded expert on the subject of emotional survival and improving spiritual wellness for law enforcement and first responders. HIs award-winning book "Bulletproof Spirit: The First Responders Essential Resource for Protecting and Healing Mind and Heart," is required reading at the FBI National Academy and is an essential resource for first responders to protect and heal mind and heart, and maintain spiritual wellness.

On this episode, Bonnie and David speak with Michele Giorgianni, First Responder Liaison at Aware Recovery Care and Jason Palamara, Director of Veteran & First Responder Engagement at Forge VFR. Our topic: Substance Abuse Disorder treatments for First Responders.

On this episode, we’ll be speaking with John Lynch, Town of Wilton, CT Chief of Police & Emergency Management Director, and Nick Paproski, Director Of ALS Operations at Vintech Management Services, about what you can do to become an engaged, proactive leader.

Guest, Stephanie Samuels, Founder and President of COPLine, a confidential, 24 hour, toll free helpline for law enforcement professionals and their families that is answered by retired police officers. For the past 20 years COPLINE has served as a resource to help law enforcement cope with the stresses of the job.

Matt Domyancic, the Tactical Chaplain, offers his modern spiritual approach to help police officers and firefighters who are "in the trenches".