Best Brent Colbert First Responder Expert Podcasts (2025)

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E1026 Hyper-Vigilance at Home: Living Like Every Door Is a Threat 11:19

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2h ago11:19

11:19

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, tackles a silent struggle many first responders face: hyper-vigilance that doesn’t switch off when the shift ends. On the job, scanning for threats is survival (Amazon Affiliate). But at home, that same mindset can turn into exhaustion, irritabilit…

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E1025 New Guest Drop! Brent Colbert | Veteran Officer & Leadership Coach 24:41

3d ago24:41

24:41

We’re excited to welcome Brent Colbert—veteran police officer, doctoral student in leadership, and life/career coach—to the Tactical Living Podcast! Brent brings a no-ego, boots-on-the-ground approach to training, leadership (Amazon Associates), and coaching for first responders. In this convo, he’ll break down how coaching principles can level up …

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E1024 First Responder Burnout: Why Admitting “I Can’t Do This” Feels Impossible 10:07

5d ago10:07

10:07

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, confronts one of the hardest truths in the first responder culture: admitting when you’re burned out (Amazon Affiliate) feels impossible. For police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and military professionals, the job demands strength, endurance, and …

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E1023 Family Fallout: How a Police or Firefighter Career Impacts Home Life 11:03

7d ago11:03

11:03

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, takes a hard look at the ripple effect first responder careers have on families. Behind every badge or helmet is a spouse, child, or loved one carrying the hidden costs of service. From missed holidays to emotional distance, the fallout is real—and…

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E1022 The Hidden Battles of First Responders: Struggles No One Sees 10:43

10d ago10:43

10:43

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, shines a light on the invisible battles first responders fight every single day. Behind the badge (Amazon Affiliate), the turnout gear, or the radio call sign, there are struggles that few outside the profession will ever understand. We uncover the…

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50 Shades of True Crime: Alaska's Darkest Criminal Cases with Doug Fifer 29:01

11d ago29:01

29:01

Welcome back to The First Responder Playbook! In this episode, host Brent sits down with Doug Fifer, a retired Alaskan police officer with an unforgettable 25-year career in law enforcement. Doug takes us behind the scenes of his time with the Anchorage Police Department, where he specialized in everything from crime scene analysis and deviant sexu…

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E1021 Emotional Containment: The Skill That Keeps You Alive and Costs You Connection 10:50

12d ago10:50

10:50

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, takes a raw look at one of the most common survival tools in first responder culture (Amazon Affiliate): emotional containment. In the field, shutting down your feelings can keep you sharp, focused, and alive. But at home, that same survival skill …

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Empowerment, Adrenaline, and Leading Teams: Gene Burke’s First Responder Playbook 31:48

13d ago31:48

31:48

Welcome to a brand new episode of The First Responder Playbook! In this episode, host Brent Colbert sits down with Gene Burke—author, speaker, karate black belt, and an operations leader with more than 30 years of experience. Gene shares how growing up in Brooklyn, overcoming bullying, and navigating a challenging home life ignited his lifelong pur…

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E1020 The Praise Paradox: Why Recognition at Work Doesn’t Always Feel Good 10:57

14d ago10:57

10:57

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, unpacks a surprising truth: praise, awards, and public recognition don’t always feel good to first responders (Amazon Affiliate). While many people assume medals and compliments bring pride, for those in uniform they can sometimes trigger discomfor…

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Sales Strategies for First Responders Entering Business with Lynn Whitbeck 32:04

15d ago32:04

32:04

Welcome back to The First Responder Playbook! In this episode, host Brent sits down with Lynn Whitbeck—a powerhouse in sales leadership, business development, and relationship-building, with over 30 years of experience in executive sales and more than a decade of consulting under her belt. Lynn and Brent dive deep into how first responders can succ…

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E1019 Quiet Quitting in Uniform: What It Looks Like and Why It’s Dangerous 10:26

17d ago10:26

10:26

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, tackles a silent but growing problem in first responder culture: quiet quitting. This isn’t about physically leaving the job—it’s about emotionally checking out while still showing up (Amazon Affiliate). We explore how this disengagement creeps in,…

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Smart Money Moves: Lessons from the Corporate World to Your Wallet 42:37

18d ago42:37

42:37

Welcome to another episode of The First Responder Playbook! Today, Brent sits down with Vince Carter, CEO and host of the "CFO at Home" podcast—a seasoned professional with over 37 years of corporate experience in engineering, project management, and finance. Vince dives into his journey from corporate America to financial coaching, sharing how he …

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E1018 When You Miss the Chaos: The Addiction to Adrenaline After the Call 11:35

19d ago11:35

11:35

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, takes an honest look at something few talk about out loud: missing the chaos (Amazon Affiliate). After years of answering high-stakes calls, many first responders find that calm feels strange—or even unsafe. When your nervous system has been wired …

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E1017 Remembering Charlie Kirk: Faith, Freedom & the Sabbath That Was to Come 10:51

21d ago10:51

10:51

In this special tribute episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, we pause to remember Charlie Kirk, his impact, his convictions, and the life he lived in pursuit of truth, faith, and service. As news of his death touches the nation, we also look forward to the book he left behind: Stop, in the…

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E1016 The Loyalty Trap: When Brotherhood Becomes Blind Obedience 10:25

24d ago10:25

10:25

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, dives into the complicated reality of loyalty in first responder culture (Amazon Affiliate). Brotherhood, solidarity, and “having each other’s back” are cornerstones of the job—but what happens when that bond crosses into blind obedience? We explor…

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E1015 When You’re More Than the Job But No One Sees It Yet | Tactical Living Podcast 10:29

26d ago10:29

10:29

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, is a reminder of something many first responders forget: you are more than the badge (Amazon Affiliate), more than the uniform, and more than the role you fill on shift. But what happens when the world—and sometimes even your own family—doesn’t see…

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Burnout, Career Clarity, and the Journey to Authentic Success with Dr. Caroline Sangal 47:42

28d ago47:42

47:42

Welcome back to The First Responder Playbook! In this episode, our host Brent sits down with Dr. Caroline Sangal, a true multi-hyphenate with a PhD in polymer science, a deep background in recruiting, coaching, and HR, and the founder of Next Success. Dr. Sangal shares her unconventional journey from the world of chemical engineering and adhesives …

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E1014 The Year You Almost Quit: What That Season Taught You 10:50

28d ago10:50

10:50

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, offers space for reflection on a season every responder knows too well—the one where you almost walked away. Whether it was burnout, frustration with leadership, family pressures, or the weight of trauma (Amazon Affiliate), most first responders ca…

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E1013 The Unseen Grief of Losing a Fellow Officer to Suicide 11:00

1M ago11:00

11:00

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, dives into one of the heaviest but most necessary conversations in law enforcement culture: what happens when you lose a fellow officer to suicide (Amazon Affiliate). It’s a grief that doesn’t fit neatly into words—an invisible wound compounded by …

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E1012 Performance Over Presence: Are You Still Trying to Earn Your Worth at Home? 11:25

1M ago11:25

11:25

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, takes a close look at how the pressure to perform on the job can unconsciously spill over into your personal life (Amazon Affiliate). Many first responders feel their value is tied to achievement, productivity, or rank—and when that same mindset sh…

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E1011 The Cost of Over-Accommodation in Law Enforcement: Calling Out PORAC 10:48

1M ago10:48

10:48

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, explores a common trap in both policing and leadership (Amazon Affiliate): the belief that you can be everything to everyone. While the intention often comes from a good place—wanting to serve, to represent, to protect—the reality is that spreading…

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E1010 The Comfort in Chaos: Why Peace Feels Unfamiliar After Years of Law Enforcement 10:43

1M ago10:43

10:43

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, explores the hidden challenge many first responders face: learning to live in peace after years of running toward chaos. For those who thrive in adrenaline-filled environments, boredom, silence, or calm can actually feel unsafe. We dig into why you…

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E1009 What Stress Are You Handing Down? The Hidden Legacy of First Responder Parenting 10:52

1M ago10:52

10:52

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, takes a raw look at what you may be passing down to your kids, without even realizing it. First responder stress doesn’t just stay at work (Amazon Affiliate). The silence, the discipline, the avoidance, and the constant tension of the job can quiet…

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Building Leadership Playbooks with Brian Hurtak: Lessons from Sports for First Responders 40:49

1M ago40:49

40:49

Welcome back to another episode of The First Responder Playbook! This week, Brent sits down with Brian Hurtak—Fortune 100 executive, business leader, and author of the innovative leadership book, The Play Sheet. Inspired by the world of sports and his own journey through corporate America, Brian shares how an overwhelmed Sunday night turned into a …

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Building Stronger Teams: Using Assessments in First Responder Leadership 22:07

1M ago22:07

22:07

Welcome back to another episode of The First Responder Playbook! Today, host Brent is joined once again by Sergeant V from DXI Training Solutions for a deep dive into the power of personality assessments in coaching and leadership—especially for those in the first responder community. Brent and Sergeant V share their personal experiences with diffe…

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E1008 Hostage to Retirement: Counting Down the Years in Uniform 10:46

1M ago10:46

10:46

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, digs into the mindset of “just making it to retirement (Amazon Affiliate).” For many officers, the countdown becomes a mantra—yet the years between can feel like being held hostage. From financial obligations to fractured relationships, we examine …

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E1007 The Good Parts of Being Off Duty: When Your Neighbor Needs a Cop 10:54

2M ago10:54

10:54

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, takes a closer look at the unexpected perks of being a police officer (Amazon Affiliate) when you’re off duty. From helping a neighbor in crisis to stepping in at the right moment, we explore how the badge carries influence and responsibility—even …

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Recognizing the Clues: Heidi Chance’s Guide for First Responders on Human Trafficking 37:08

2M ago37:08

37:08

Welcome back to The First Responder Playbook! In this powerful episode, host Brent Colbert is joined by Heidi Chance, a 25-year veteran detective of the Phoenix Police Department with deep expertise in sex trafficking and human exploitation cases. Heidi shares her third-generation law enforcement roots and the unique path that led her into one of t…

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E1006 LIVE Interview With Ryan Woodruff, CEO of Clear Path for Veterans 26:36

2M ago26:36

26:36

On a serene campus in Upstate New York, Clear Path for Veterans is helping veterans find healing, purpose, and connection, one dog at a time. Their flagship program trains and pairs veterans nationwide with service dogs, and the impact is life-changing (Amazon Affiliate). We’re honored to welcome Ryan Woodruff, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and CEO of …

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E1005 Uniformed and Undiagnosed: High-Functioning Mental Health Struggles in First Responders 10:51

2M ago10:51

10:51

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, takes a candid look at the hidden mental health battles many first responders fight (Amazon Affiliate) while appearing perfectly fine on the outside. The discipline, structure, and professionalism that make them effective in the field often double …

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Battling Mediocrity and Burnout: Dr. Matt Kutz on Epic Leadership for First Responders 35:34

2M ago35:34

35:34

Welcome to another episode of The First Responder Playbook! In this episode, host Brent sits down with Dr. Matt Kutz, a PhD in global leadership, award-winning author, educator, and dedicated family man. Dr. Kutz brings his expertise in athletic training and leadership to the table, sharing his unique journey from sports medicine to earning his doc…

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E1004 Training Day vs. Trauma Day: Why Simulation Doesn’t Prepare You for the Emotional Fallout 11:14

2M ago11:14

11:14

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, explores the critical gap between the training ground and the reality of the field (Amazon Affiliate). While simulations sharpen technical skills, they rarely prepare first responders for the emotional aftermath of a traumatic call. We unpack why t…

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E1003 The Badge and the Bottle: Is Alcohol Still an Unspoken Coping Tool? 11:09

2M ago11:09

11:09

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, takes a hard look at the role alcohol still plays (Amazon Affiliate) in first responder culture. For generations, the badge and the bottle have been intertwined—used to unwind, to bond, and, for some, to bury the weight of the job. We explore why a…

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E1002 Your Family Didn’t Take the Oath, But They’re Still Serving 11:18

2M ago11:18

11:18

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, sheds light on the hidden sacrifices that first responder families (Amazon Affiliate) make every single day. While spouses and children never signed up for the job, they still feel the ripple effects of shift work, emotional strain, and the unpredi…

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Unlocking the Confidence Code: Karen Gray’s Playbook for First Responders 41:47

2M ago41:47

41:47

Welcome back to The First Responder Playbook! In this episode, host Brent sits down with Coach Karen Gray—a powerhouse in the world of confidence coaching and the founder of The Confidence Coding. Karen draws on her decades of experience in the financial sector and her unique journey coaching pageant contestants to help high-level leaders, includin…

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E1001 Christiaan Hofman | Author & Creator of The Sport Naturel Method 23:51

2M ago23:51

23:51

We’re excited to welcome Christiaan Hofman—Author of "To Meet Yourself, Think For Yourself", founder of Sport Naturel, and creator of The Sport Naturel Method—to the Tactical Living Podcast. 🎙️ Christiaan has spent years diving deep into over 100 years of psychology to distill it into clear, practical tools for understanding ego, identity, self-wor…

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Neuroscience-Based Leadership for First Responders with Dr. Sherry Yellin 48:47

2M ago48:47

48:47

Welcome to another episode of The First Responder Playbook! In this episode, host Brent sits down with Dr. Sherry Yellin, author of The Science of High Performance Leadership and creator of the Cranium methodology. With over 30 years of experience coaching leaders and transforming workplace cultures, Dr. Yellin brings a unique blend of neuroscience…

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E1000 The Shift Work Sleep Spiral: When “I'll Catch Up Later” Never Happens | Tactical Living Podcast 10:38

2M ago10:38

10:38

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, tackles one of the most overlooked threats to first responder health: chronic sleep deprivation. Check out these electrolyte hydration tablets (Amazon Affiliate) that I mentioned in today's episode 🔎 Episode Overview: Shift work isn't just exhausti…

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Advocacy, Autonomy, and Empathy: Lessons from Thomas Wilson’s Work with Neurodivergent Youth 2:45

2M ago2:45

2:45

Welcome to a new episode of The First Responder Playbook! Today, host Brent sits down with the remarkable Thomas R. Wilson—an internationally acclaimed writer, business owner, advocate, sensory-friendly event specialist, and passionate community leader. Thomas shares his deeply personal journey from being labeled a prodigy as a child to facing the …

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E999 Fear of Softness: Why Emotional Intelligence Still Feels Risky on the Job | Tactical Living Podcast 11:40

2M ago11:40

11:40

On the job, strength is measured in grit, control, and composure under pressure. But behind the badge (Amazon Affiliate), there’s another kind of strength that’s often overlooked: emotional intelligence. Why does it still feel “soft” or unsafe to express empathy, vulnerability, or self-awareness on the job? In this episode, Ashlie and Clint unpack …

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The Art of Connection: Practical Communication for First Responders with Ivan Wanis-Ruiz 1:02:01

2M ago1:02:01

1:02:01

Welcome back to The First Responder Playbook! In today’s episode, Brent sits down with Ivan Wanis-Ruiz—the Amazon bestselling author of “End Boring: A Tactical Approach to Communication,” a top-rated Coursera instructor, and a seasoned emcee for world-class events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. Ivan brings his trademark energy and candid…

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E998 What Happens When You Hate Your Partner (but Still Do the Job Well) | Tactical Living Podcast 10:45

2M ago10:45

10:45

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, takes a raw look at one of the most uncomfortable truths in first responder life: Sometimes, you just don’t like your partner (Amazon Affiliate) but you still have to do the job. 🔎 Episode Overview: For first responders, your partner is more than j…

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Breaking the Stigma: Damian Bloss’ Story of Recovery, Hope, and Community 46:26

2M ago46:26

46:26

Welcome back to The First Responder Playbook! In today’s episode, we have an inspiring and deeply personal conversation with Damian Bloss—a mental health advocate and addiction recovery mentor who knows firsthand what it means to reclaim your life. Damian sits down with host Brent Colbert to share his journey from a promising young baseball player …

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E997 When the Job Becomes Your Religion | Tactical Living Podcast 10:32

2M ago10:32

10:32

This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, explores a powerful question: What happens when your profession becomes your only source of meaning (Amazon Affiliate)? When the badge replaces your beliefs, rituals, and identity—what gets lost? For many first responders, the job isn’t just what t…

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E996 Andrew Serra | Retired FDNY Captain & Historical Novelist 22:26

2M ago22:26

22:26

Inside the mind of a firefighter-turned-author who survived 9/11 and now writes to heal, remember, and educate. We're honored to welcome Andrew Serra, retired FDNY captain and the powerful voice behind Hell’s Hundred Acres and Finding John, to the Tactical Living Podcast. After 25 years on the front lines of New York City’s Fire Department—includin…

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Turning Trauma Into Transformation: Mr. Whiskey on Leadership, Faith, and Recovery 1:02:49

2M ago1:02:49

1:02:49

Welcome to another compelling episode of The First Responder Playbook! Today, Brent sits down with Mr. Whiskey, host of the Couple O' Nukes podcast—a U.S. Navy veteran, speaker, and modern-day preacher with a mission to turn trauma into transformation. Together, they dive deep into the unique challenges faced by first responders and military member…

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E995 The Invisible Competition: Rank, Resentment, and Rivalry in the Ranks | Tactical Living Podcast 10:26

2M ago10:26

10:26

Not all competition is healthy—especially when it’s happening behind the badge. In this episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton pull back the curtain on the unspoken rivalries, silent resentment (Amazon Affiliate), and morale issues that creep into first responder culture when rank becomes personal. If …

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E994 Is Your Humor Hiding Hurt? The Dark Side of First Responder Banter | Tactical Living Podcast 11:02

3M ago11:02

11:02

Laughter is a survival skill in this job (Amazon Affiliate) but sometimes, it’s also a shield. In this episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton explore the fine line between coping and covering up, showing how sarcasm, dark humor, and constant banter can signal unprocessed pain beneath the surface. 🔎 Epi…

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Why Everyone Deserves a Great Boss: Lessons for First Responders 35:23

3M ago35:23

35:23

Welcome to another episode of The First Responder Playbook! In today’s conversation, host Brent sits down with Derrick Van Mell, founder and principal of the Center for Management Terms and Practices. Derrick’s mission is simple yet powerful: building a global community of caring leaders who set the bar high when it comes to ethics and competence. …

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E993 De‑Escalation Tactics: From the Street to Your Marriage | Tactical Living Podcast 10:24

3M ago10:24

10:24

You’re trained to defuse tension on the job (Amazon Affiliate)—so why does a simple disagreement at home turn into a standoff? In this episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton bridge the gap between professional de‑escalation skills and healthy conflict resolution in marriage, showing how the same mindse…