Best Joshua Bitsko Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 25: Courage Casts - Learning From Mistakes 5:37

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1h ago5:37

5:37

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh opens up about one of the biggest mistakes of his career during the 1 October mass shooting in Las Vegas, leaving his K9 partner behind when responding to the suspect’s room. He reflects on how stress, training, and mindset shaped that decision, what it taught him about preparation, and why mista…

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Ep. 24: Courage Casts - From Rookie to Retired 6:35

4h ago6:35

6:35

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh reflects on his 24 year police career and what it was like to grow from a 21 year old rookie to a retired captain. He shares the misconceptions he carried into the job, the lessons he had to learn the hard way, and the advice he would give his younger self. From learning how to talk to people wit…

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Ep. 22: Courage Casts - Strength on the Mat: Resilience and BJJ 8:23

1h ago8:23

8:23

In this short episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh shares his journey into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, from getting humbled on his very first day to discovering how the art builds confidence, quiets the “lizard brain,” and teaches problem solving under stress. He reflects on how lessons from the mat carry over into leadership, critical incidents, …

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Ep. 23: Courage Casts - Nutrition Fuels Resilience 7:04

1h ago7:04

7:04

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh shares how his relationship with food shifted over a 24 year police career, from gas station hot dogs on the hood of a patrol car to learning how nutrition fuels resilience, fitness, and mental clarity. He talks about the lessons he picked up from experts, the role of moderation, the challenge of…

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Ep. 21 The Courage to Live - Inside the UNLV Active Shooter Response 48:02

3h ago48:02

48:02

In this episode of The Courage to Live, Josh Bitsko sits down with his co-host, Jenna, to walk through the 2023 active shooter at UNLV. Josh was the incident commander that day. He explains how the first teams entered within seconds, why getting medical inside fast can save lives, and how the response was coordinated across agencies on a large, ope…

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Ep. 20: Courage Casts- Strength on the Other Side of Pain 7:33

5h ago7:33

7:33

In this episode of The Courage to Live, Josh Bitsko unpacks the role of pain, not just physical, but emotional and relational, in shaping who we are. Drawing on personal losses, critical incidents, and lessons from the field, he shares how pain can reveal our limits, point us in a new direction, build resilience, and deepen empathy. Instead of seei…

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Ep. 19: Courage Casts - Leaders are Readers 8:24

1d ago8:24

8:24

In this episode of The Courage to Live, Josh Bitsko explores the phrase “leaders are readers” and why the best leadership is learned, not inherited. From his time as a police captain to conversations with mentors, Josh shares how books expand perspective, build empathy, and sharpen clarity. He breaks down excuses leaders use to avoid reading, the v…

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Ep. 18: Courage Casts - Put The Same Effort Into Your Relationship as You do Work 8:13

5h ago8:13

8:13

In this episode of The Courage to Live, Josh Bitsko tackles a challenge many first responders and professionals face: giving everything to the job and having nothing left for home. Drawing from his own struggles and lessons learned, he explores why the same planning, training, and intentionality used at work must also be applied to relationships. J…

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Ep. 17: Courage Casts - The Bravest Thing You Can Do Is Be Real 9:24

11h ago9:24

9:24

In this short episode of The Courage to Live, Josh Bitsko reflects on one of the bravest things anyone can do, be real. From his early years as a people pleasing cop to lessons learned as a leader, Josh shares how authenticity, vulnerability, and honesty can transform relationships, build trust, and strengthen resilience. He explains why pretending…

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Ep. 16: Courage Casts - Reaching Out vs Reaching In 9:29

8d ago9:29

9:29

In this episode of The Courage to Live, Josh Bitsko speaks openly about one of the hardest topics in policing and in life, suicide. Josh shares the story of losing his brother Jason, the guilt and anger that followed, and how those emotions shaped his understanding of what real support looks like. Drawing from personal experience and years in law e…

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Ep. 15: The Courage to Live - The Gun in the Dark 37:03

8h ago37:03

37:03

n this episode of The Courage to Live, Josh and Jenna revisit a SWAT operation that unfolded just six weeks after the One October Las Vegas Massacre. Josh recounts how a SWAT operation turned into a split second fight for survival with his K9 partner Loki when a gun was raised in a dark bedroom. Together, Josh and Jenna talk through the tactics, th…

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Ep. 14: Courage Casts - Why We Train for the Outliers 5:51

12h ago5:51

5:51

In this Courage Cast, retired Police Captain Josh Bitsko explains the outlier principle and why we must prepare for rare but devastating events. Active shooter incidents are statistically uncommon, yet their impact is enormous when they happen. Josh reflects on lessons from policing and shows how the same principle applies to business and life. Hig…

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Ep. 13: Courage Casts - The Grind is More Important 7:34

1d ago7:34

7:34

In this Courage Cast, retired Police Captain Josh Bitsko explains why the grind matters more than the big event. Success in critical moments does not come from luck or talent. It comes from the daily habits, training, and mindset built long before. Josh shares how consistent reps, mental rehearsal, and crisis preparation shape readiness under stres…

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Ep. 12: Courage Casts - Leading Without Rank 8:44

2d ago8:44

8:44

In this Courage Cast, retired Police Captain Josh Bitsko talks about leading without rank. Titles like sergeant or captain may carry authority, but true leadership often comes from those who step up in the moment. Drawing on his experiences in critical incidents, including the 1 October Las Vegas shooting, Josh shares how informal leaders can stead…

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Ep. 11: Courage Casts - Fight, Flight, Freeze 7:58

3d ago7:58

7:58

In this Courage Cast, retired Police Captain Josh Bitsko breaks down the fight, flight, and freeze responses and how to train for all three. Most people prepare for fight or flight, but freeze is what catches many off guard. Josh shares how training, confidence, and leadership can prevent paralysis under pressure. From defensive tactics and plannin…

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Ep. 10: Courage Casts -The Calm in the Room 7:59

15d ago7:59

7:59

In this Courage Cast, retired Police Captain Josh Bitsko talks about how to be the calm in the room when stress is high. Whether it’s a critical call, a family emergency, or a tough moment at work, your presence influences everyone around you. Josh shares lessons on emotional regulation, how calm leadership is a learned skill, and why people rememb…

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Ep. 9: Courage Casts - Tactical Patience 8:42

8d ago8:42

8:42

In this Courage Cast, retired Police Captain Josh Bitsko explains why slowing momentum in high-stress situations can save lives. When adrenaline pushes you to move fast, tactical patience allows for better decisions and safer outcomes. Josh shares tools like box breathing to regulate stress and tells a story from his early days as a sergeant, where…

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Ep. 8: Courage to Live - Route 91: The Night Las Vegas Changed Forever 1:01:09

6d ago1:01:09

1:01:09

On October 1, 2017, Las Vegas was shattered by the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh and Jenna revisit that night from inside Mandalay Bay, where Josh responded as one of the officers racing toward the gunfire. He reflects on the split-second leaders…

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Ep. 7: Courage Casts - Wellness vs. Resilience 8:59

8d ago8:59

8:59

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, retired Police Captain Josh Bitsko explains the difference between wellness and resilience. Wellness is your foundation: sleep, nutrition, exercise, and daily habits that keep you healthy. Resilience is your ability to face stress, trauma, and high-pressure situations and still perform when it matters…

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Ep. 6: Courage Casts -Leading Wellness from the Middle 8:05

10d ago8:05

8:05

Most people at their lowest won’t reach out for help. In this short episode, Josh Bitsko shares why real culture change happens when we have the courage to reach in and start the hard conversations.By Joshua Bitsko

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Ep. 5: Courage Casts - Consistency Over Intensity 7:08

11d ago7:08

7:08

Grand plans usually collapse. Josh reflects on his own mistakes chasing big changes, and why slow, steady consistency always wins.By Joshua Bitsko

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Ep. 4: Courage Casts - The Other Side of Courage 8:48

12d ago8:48

8:48

Just like calm can spread in chaos, vulnerability spreads too. Josh shares why showing your emotions can give others permission to do the same.By Joshua Bitsko

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Ep. 3: Courage Casts - Calm Leadership, Chaotic World 8:36

13d ago8:36

8:36

Whether in law enforcement, business, or family life, chaos will find you. Josh shares how leaders can project calmness that brings order to any situation.By Joshua Bitsko

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Ep. 2: Courage Casts - Faith in Yourself 7:04

14d ago7:04

7:04

Negative self-talk can break a leader. Josh explains how building faith in yourself, even after failure, creates confidence others can rely on.By Joshua Bitsko

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Ep. 1: The Courage to Live - The Courage to Begin 59:34

14d ago59:34

59:34

In the very first episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh and Jenna Bitsko open up about their careers in law enforcement, the culture they experienced, and the unseen toll of critical incidents. Josh shares his path from an eager cadet at 18 to handling some of the most difficult moments in policing, including the Route 91 shooting in Las Veg…