Episodes

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 176 What makes a good decision—and what can a bad one teach us? In this episode, host Ken Bator sits down with longtime colleague Scott Arney, CEO of National Police Federal Credit Union, for a candid conversation about leadership, risk, resilience, and the choices that shape a career and a life. As Scott prepares for retirement and the launch of his upcoming podcast, The Serial Decision Maker, he reflects on pivotal moments from nearly 25 years of leadership. ...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 175 What does it take to give missing-person families meaningful support—and help law enforcement strengthen its response? On this episode of Public Safety Talk Radio, host Ken Bator speaks with Nina Innsted, president of Missing in Michigan and creator of the long-running true-crime podcast Already Gone. Nina explains how Missing in Michigan connects families, law enforcement, students, advocates, and the media through family meetings and Day of the Missing ev...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 174 Former Seattle police officer and Mission First Alliance Executive Director Jeremy Wade joins us to discuss the personal toll of public-safety work—and why faith, identity, and community matter long before a crisis hits. Drawing on 13 years with the Seattle Police Department, including his work in training, peer support, and officer wellness, Jeremy shares how his own struggles reshaped his sense of purpose and led him to build a nationwide alliance serving ...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 173 Retired Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office deputy Ryan Cleveringa joins Ken Bator for a candid conversation about the hidden toll of a career in public safety—and the courage it takes to ask for help. Ryan shares how repeated critical incidents, moral injury, isolation, strained relationships, and an early mismatch with therapy shaped his journey before he found a culturally competent clinician and the California Law Enforcement Assistance Program (CALEAP)....

The Financial Cop’s Guide to Getting Out of Debt Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 172 Ken Bator sits down with Nick Daugherty—known as “The Financial Cop”—for a candid conversation about financial wellness for first responders. A retired sergeant and financial professional, Nick shares his own journey from heavy debt to financial freedom and explains why money problems are often less about math and more about behavior, discipline, and control. Ken and Nick discuss practical approaches to gett...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 171 Bridget Truxillo - founder of Lady Law Shield and a former deputy sheriff with experience in patrol, narcotics, organized crime, and SWAT - shares how her law enforcement career shaped her mission to support first responders facing workplace challenges, legal uncertainty, and the mental strain that can come with feeling unsupported by their agencies. Ken Bator – Producer and Host of Public Safety Talk Radio - and Bridget discuss the value women bring to pub...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 170 In this reflective solo episode of Public Safety Talk Radio, host Ken Bator pauses the regular guest lineup to mark the September 11 remembrance week and honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001. Ken shares where he was that morning—the same day he launched Bator Training and Consulting—and recalls the confusion, shock, and heartbreak as the attacks unfolded. With special recognition for the first responders, families, survivors, and those still carrying ...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 169 Megan Stockburger, co-founder of the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame, joins us to talk about honoring the officers whose service goes far beyond the badge. Megan shares how a local Ohio recognition event grew into a national movement, why inductees are selected by their peers, and what “above and beyond” truly means in law enforcement. The conversation explores powerful stories of resilience, sacrifice, and service—from officers who transforme...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 168 This episode offers a candid discussion with Arthur “Rusty” Myers, a deputy chief of police, longtime law enforcement leader, and author of Tattered: When the Blue Line Frays and Confession of Justice. Rusty shares lessons from more than three decades in policing and discusses officer wellness, peer support, internal affairs, leadership, accountability, and the personal experience that inspired Tattered. The conversation also explores why discipline should...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 167 In this episode of Public Safety Talk Radio, host Ken Bator welcomes Conrad Weaver—filmmaker, speaker, founder of First Responder Wellness Solutions, and creator of the documentary PTSD911—for a conversation about wellness, trauma, and leadership in public safety. Conrad shares what he has learned about the cumulative stress first responders carry and why agencies must move beyond awareness to practical wellness solutions. They also explore how servant lead...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 166 We welcome Yvonne Pyre, former U.S. Air Force security police specialist, entrepreneur, and founder of Trofholz Technologies and The Rising Zone. Yvonne shares how her military background, security work, and wellness journey shaped her mission to help first responders, veterans, and high performers build resilience. The conversation covers wellness beyond the gym, stress regulation, leadership, recovery tools, entrepreneurship, AI, and creating a vision fo...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 165 In this episode, Derek Slaughter shares his journey from 15 years in law enforcement to a new career in cybersecurity and fraud analysis. From street-level narcotics work and SWAT operations in Newton, North Carolina, to helping banks identify suspicious activity, Derek explains how investigative instincts translate from physical crime to digital threats. The conversation covers his unexpected path into policing, his work in narcotics and violent crime enfo...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 164 Host and producer, Ken Bator wraps up a great season of Public Safety Talk Radio. He also shares what is coming soon on the National Police Podcast Network including new episodes of Shielded, Your Next Objective, and the Blah, Blah, Blah…Something Wellness Podcast as well as a new season of Mortgage Beat and the podcast version of Randy Sutton’s latest book Rescuing 911: The Fight for America’s Safety. Learn more about the National Police Podcast Network at ...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 163 Former law enforcement officer turned author, Kevin Grogan, joins us to talk about his latest book – No Greater Honor: No Bigger Failure. This is the third installment of what many refer to as Savannah’s True Crime Trilogy. Learn more about Kevin at https://www.amazon.com/No-Greater-Honor-Failure-Savannah/dp/B0GTF5BMMY Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https://www.btcinc.net and https://nppn.live/ To learn more about the sponsor ...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 162 Former law enforcement officer turned psychologist, Stephanie Conn, PhD, joins us to discuss her amazing work driven by a deep passion for supporting the mental health and well-being of first responders. With over 29 years of experience in the field—and a lifetime immersed in the first responder culture as the daughter and wife of police officers—she specializes in counseling and training those who serve on the front lines. Stephanie is the author of Increas...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 161 Retired Deputy Chief Constable Jennifer Hyland offers a rare and unflinching look behind the badge in her book, Tightrope. She joins us to share some of the raw honesty and hard-won wisdom she offers in the publication. Jenn charts her twenty-six-year journey through Canadian policing—rising from a young recruit to one of the highest-ranking women in the profession—all while walking the fragile line between duty and despair, strength and vulnerability, silen...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 160 Lori Morrison returns as a guest to Public Safety Talk Radio during the launch of her brand-new podcast on the National Police Podcast Network, Shielded. Based upon the book of the same name, Shielded reminds first responders and security professionals that they matter. These weekly devotionals provide encouragement that doesn’t insult your intelligence and spiritual fuel for people who can’t afford to run on empty. Learn more about Lori at https://sheshephe...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 159 Eric Strong, law-enforcement professional for over three decades and current candidate for Los Angeles County Sheriff, shares his vision for the department. He discusses his ideas on transparency and measurable outcomes, confronting mental-health crises and substance abuse, as well as recruitment, hiring, and retention reforms. Learn more about Eric at https://www.strong4sheriff.com/ Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https://www.b...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 158 Jeff Morefield, retired law-enforcement professional and military veteran, joins us to talk about Next Phase Leadership. Jeff explores the realities of the transition from a first-responder career as well as details the leadership skills needed for the next chapter in order to move forward with purpose. Jeff Morefield is a featured speaker at the 1st Responder Conference in Santa Barbara, CA on April 13, 2026. Learn more about 1st Responder Conferences at ht...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 157 Dr. Kelsey Loftus, Concentra Certified Athletic Trainer contracted with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue and Montgomery County Occupational Medical Services, returns for Part Two of our conversation. In this episode she details how sleep habits impact job performance, mental health, relationships, and injury risk. Kelsey also explains the importance of sleep health and equips first responders with practical tools to improve sleep quality and resilience. Dr....

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 156 Dr. Kelsey Loftus, Concentra Certified Athletic Trainer contracted with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue and Montgomery County Occupational Medical Services, joins us to discuss the physical nature of a first-responder profession. In part one of our conversation, she digs into injuries and the importance of tailored mobility and stability to prevent common injuries. Dr. Kelsey Loftus is a featured speaker at the 1st Responder Conference in Ocean City MD on ...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 155 Dr. Jaymi Goetze, author of Bodies, Boners, and Bad Guys: Sexual Deviance and Homicide, shares details from her book and seminars that law-enforcement professionals need to know. Learn more about Dr. Goetze at Dr. Jaymi Goetze | LinkedIn and https://www.patc.com/ Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https://www.btcinc.net To learn more about the sponsor of this episode, go to https://policemortgage.com/ And check out Mortgage Beat o...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 154 Diane Braun of Braun Counseling Services LLC joins us again to talk about domestic violence and what can be done about it. We discuss not only the help available for victims but also for perpetrators that realize they need and want to change. Learn more about Braun Counseling Services LLC at https://brauncounselingservices.com/ and if you are a victim of domestic violence call 800-799-7233. Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https:...

Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 153 Arthur Mogilevski, CEO of AM Healthcare, joins us for Part Two of a two-part conversation on their After Action program for first responders. This episode digs into their “two-week tune-up” and a “30-Day Reset” options. Learn more about After Action at https://amhealthcare.org/facility-near-me/first-responder-program/ Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https://www.btcinc.net To learn more about the sponsor of this episode, go to h...