Behind The Shield

Audra and Chelsi (Fire Spouses, Family and Shift Work) - Episode 909

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Audra and Chelsi are both married to firefighters and are the women behind the Dear Chiefs Podcast.We discuss their early lives, their partners' journ...

Geoff Speyrer (TBIs, Addiction and Growth) - Episode 908

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Geoff Speyrer is an Army veteran and athlete. We discuss his early life, his journey into the military, protecting EOD, losing friends, TBIs, his jarr...

Mark Testa (Stem Cells, Bone Marrow and Chiropractic) - Episode 907

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Testa DC is a Chiropractor, Accupuncturist and the Executive Vice President of Regenexx.We discuss his journey into hollistic medicine, the story...

Kyle O'Neill (Firefighter Cancer, Prevention and Treatment) - Episode 906

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kyle O'Neill is a veteran firefighter, cancer survivor and now holds a wellness role where he helps fellow firefighters with their own cancer journeys...

Ken Druck II (Grief, Growth and Gaza) - Episode 905

24 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ken Druck, Ph.D. is a leading mental health expert focused on the areas of civility, relationships, and aging. He writes regularly for the national pr...

Mark Ormrod (Royal Marine, Triple Amputee and Athlete) - Episode 160

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Royal Marines Commando Mark Ormrod lost both legs and an arm after kneeling on an IED on Christmas Eve, 2007. Mark defied all odds, becoming an elite ...

John Wolf (Kettlebells, Mace Work and Mindset) - Episode 904

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

John Wolf is a strength and conditioning coach and the man behind Wolf Pack Coaching and Consulting.We discuss his journey into strength training, ket...

John Womack (Road Safety, DUI and Distracted Driving) - Episode 903

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

John Womak was seven years old when his mother's intoxicated boyfriend crashed, ejecting John, leaving him with life long scars. He became a police of...

Gerard Devine (Irish Firefighter, Builder and Poet) - Episode 902

17 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gerard Devine is an award-winning Irish poet who lives a life less ordinary. The former carpenter is a full-time firefighter in Dublin City. We discus...

Jay Dobyns (Under cover, Infiltrating the Hell's Angels and Betrayal - Episode 194

16 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jay Dobyns is a retired 27 year veteran of the ATF agent who spent two years undercover infiltrating the Hell's Angels. We discuss his early life, cou...

Dr Jonathan Edwards (Suicide, Ketamine and Healing) - Episode 901

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Jonathan Edwards is an anesthesiologist and the author of multiple books including "The Revolutionary Ketamine."We discuss the suicide that sent hi...

David Hughes (Losing a Child to Medical Malpractice) - Episode 169

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Hughes is a retired North Carolina State Trooper and father to Drew Hughes, who died after a series of medical errors at only 13 years old. Dav...

Alan Shebaro (Jiu Jitsu, Green Berets and Gaza) - Episode 900

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Alan Shebaro earned his Black Belt from Carlos Machado in 2004 and is currently ranked as a 4th degree Black Belt under Professor Chris Haue...

Eric Tung (Law Enforcement, Wellness and School Safety) - Episode 899

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Tung is is a 16 year Law Enforcement officer and the man behind Blue Grit Wellness.We discuss his family's immigration story, his journey into po...

Pasi Sahlberg (Finland's Incredible Education System) - Episode 311

09 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pasi Sahlberg is a Finnish author, educator and speaker. He has spent his entire life around education, living in both the US and Australia. We discus...

Brian Hillard (Movie Make Up, Zombies and Mental Health) - Episode 898

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Hillard is a 25 year veteran special effects artist and CEO of Metasphere industries.We discuss his early life, his journey into movie make up, ...

Nick Hall (Trauma, Forgiveness and Forcing Change) - Episode 600

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hall was 8 years old when a murderer invaded his family's home. Through a tragic miscommunication, his mother shot by a police sniper after being...

Mickey Farrell (Truck Company Operations, 9/11 and Firefighter Fitness) - Episode 897

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mickey Farrell is a Lieutenant in the New York City Fire Department, a third-generation firefighter with 29 years of experience, the last 23 years bei...

Dr Eric Potterat (Navy SEAL psychology, performance and resilience) - Episode 896

03 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Potterat, Ph.D. is a Clinical, Performance and Sport Psychologist who is considered one of the leading experts in high performance psychology, pe...

1SG (Ret.) Matt Eversman (Black Hawk Down, Leadership and Complacency) - Episode 133

02 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

1SG (Ret) Matt Eversmann was one of the Army Rangers portrayed in the movie "Black Hawk Down", chronicling the courageous actions of Task Force Ranger...

Mike Jolly (Concussion, Neck Strength and TBIs) - Episode 895

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Jolly is a former College Football player, actor, stuntman, coach and the inventor of "The Iron Neck".We discuss his athletic journey, concussion...

Buck Brannaman (Cowboys, Equine Therapy and Mental Health) - Episode 267

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Buck Brannaman is a a world renowned horseman, author and subject of the documentary "Buck". We discuss his traumatic childhood, the healing power of...

Ted Stern (Fitness, Policing and Entrepreneurship) - Episode 894

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ted Stern is a former law enforcement officer, coach and the co-founder of Fit Responder. We discuss his early life, his journey into policing, traini...

Ryan Allen (Rope Rescue, The Orlando Wheel and Competition) - Episode 893

25 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Allen is a veteran firefighter, international rope rescue competitor and member of the Orange County climb team.We discuss his journey into the f...

Joel Salatin (America's most influential Farmer)- Episode 4

24 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Joel Salatin, 64, calls himself a Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic farmer. Others who like him call him the most famous farme...

Dr Thaer Ahmad - Episode 892 (Trauma Medicine in Chicago and Gaza)

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Thaer Ahmad, MD is a board certified emergency medicine physician in Chicago. Dr. Ahmad is the assistant program director for the emergency medicine r...

Dr Andrew Lock (Pain, back and shoulder health)- Episode 891

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Andrew Lock is a world record holding strength athlete, bodybuilding judge and physiotherapist.We discuss his early life in Australia, training the...

Jim Lydon - Episode 890

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jim Lydon is a former firefighter, dispatcher, fire chief, city manager and current member of the All American Leadership team.We discuss starting vol...

Tori and Anthony Gonzalez (The Parkland School Attack) - Episode 467

17 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tori Gonzalez was a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas when a former student murdered 17 schoolchildren and staff in 2018, including her boyfriend Jo...

Tommy Aceto - Episode 889

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tommy Aceto is a former Navy SEAL and a member of the Veteran's Mental Health Leadership Coalition,We discuss his early life, his journey into the Nav...

Jocko Willink II - Episode 313

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jocko Willink is a Retired US Navy SEAL officer, author and co-founder of Echelon Front. We discuss the impact of the pandemic, overcoming fear, effic...

Bruce Schutter - Episode 888

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bruce Schutter is a former volunteer rescue squad member, EMT and the man behind "Becoming a Mental Health Warrior.We discuss volunteering at a very e...

Jonathan Levitt - Episode 887

11 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Levitt is an athlete, podcaster and the Senior Sales Executive for InsideTracker.We discuss youth athletics, his experience as a camp counsel...

Ron Stallworth (The REAL Blackkklansman) - Episode 295

11 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ron Stallworth is a Colorado Springs PD Veteran and the subject of the movie Blackkklansman. As a young black undercover officer, Ron was able to infi...

Greg Grogan - Episode 886

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Greg Grogan is a Marine veteran, Coast Guard Reserve, Law Enforcement officer and co-founder of The Overwatch Collective.We discuss his journey into t...

Chris Lytle - Episode 38

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Lytle was one of the top UFC welterweight fighters whilst serving as a full time firefighter. Since then, Chris continues to serve his community...

Pat Kenny III - Episode 885

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pat Kenny is a retired Illinois Fire Chief and the Author of "Taking the Cape Off".In this third conversation, we discuss the house fire that affected...

Capt Dale Dye II (Masters of the Air) - Episode 884

04 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Captain Dale Dye is a Marine veteran, author, actor and renowned Hollywood military technical advisor.We discuss his latest project Masters of the Air...

Jim Wender - Episode 49

03 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jim Wendler is a world renowned strength coach, powerlifter and the creator of the 5/3/1 system.We discuss Jim's early life, his journey into strength...

Lisalee Loew - Episode 883

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lisalee Loew is a Natural Healing Practitioner, breathwork coach and part of the team at the Shatterproof program for military and first responders.We...

Pat Kenny - Episode 266

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pat Kenny is the Fire Chief of Western Springs, Illinois and published author in the fire safety and mental health arena. We discuss childhood trauma,...

Jason Gilbert - Episode 882

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Gilbert is a Human Performance Optimization Specialist, author and a World Surf League Sports Practitioner. We discuss his childhood back pain t...

Nicole Angemi - Episode 881

28 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nicole Angemi is a Pathology Assistant, author and the woman hehind "The Gross Room".We discuss becoming a mother at a young age, her journey into med...

Dr Edith Eger - Episode 500

27 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Edith Eger is a psychologist, author and Auschwitz survivor. We discuss her early life in Hungary, living through ballet, seeing kindness amongst i...

Jeremy Scharlow - Episode 880

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy Scharlow is a public speaker, advocate for military and law enforcement veterans, and author of the book, “My Brother’s Keeper: Relearning ...

Captain Dale Dye - Episode 35

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Capt. Dale Dye revolutionized Hollywood war movies by putting the actors through a military style boot camp. We talk about his career in the Marines, ...

Dixon Phillips - Episode 879

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dixon Phillips is a former collegiate athlete, Pasco County firefighter and union board member. In 2026, after realising both the financial savings an...

Harry Turner - Episode 878

21 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Harry Turner is a British military veteran, conservationist and the co-founder of the non-profit Emerald Arch.We discuss his early life, his journey i...

Bethany Hamilton - Episode 280

20 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bethany Hamilton is one of the world's most elite surfers, despite losing an arm at age 13. She is an author and the subject of the documentary "Unsto...

Charles Harriott - Episode 877

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Charles Harriott is a lifelong martial artist, jiu-jitsu black belt and international instructor.We discuss his parents' immigration from Jamaica, his...

Episode 532 - Wim Hof

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wim Hof is an extreme endurance athlete, teacher, author and speaker. Using breath work and cold exposure, Wim was able to demonstrate his ability to ...

Justin Mahaffey - Episode 876

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Justin Mahaffey is a veteran wildland firefighter, fitness trainer and the man behind Wild Fit Life.We discuss his early life, growing up in a Mexican...

Kevin Heffernan - Episode 875

14 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Heffernan is an American actor, writer, producer, and director, and member of the Broken Lizard comedy group.We discuss his early life, finding ...

Royce Gracie - Episode 155

13 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Royce Gracie is the son of Helio Gracie; founder of Gracie Jujitsu. Royce fought in the original UFCs, winning multiple times in an age before weight ...

Sam Brawley - Episode 874

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sam Brawley is a firefighter, podcaster and flight paramedic. We discuss her journey into the volunteer fire service, his road into EMS, some of her c...

Chris Moore - Episode 873

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Moore is a 31 year veteran of the fire service and peaks nationally on first responder mental health.We discuss growing up in a law enforcement ...

Josh Brolin - Episode 82

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Josh Brolin is an author, former firefighter and actor, starring in such movies as "Only The Brave and "No Country For Old Men". We talk about growing...

Nick Kush - Episode 872

06 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Retired from the Navy in 2016 after serving 20 years in the Special Operations community with several combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan as an Explo...

John Travolta - Episode 58

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

John Travolta starred in one of the few movies about our profession that is truly respected. We talk about his early career, Ladder 49, training with...

Ben Close - Episode 871

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Close is a British Army Veteran, former Contractor and the author of "When War Follows You Home".We discuss his turbulent childhood, his journey i...

John Knox - Episode 870

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

John Knox is a veteran firefighter, arson investigator, dispatcher and former law enforcement seach and rescue technician.One month ago, after 21 year...

Justen Keating - Episode 869

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Justen Keating is the Founder of Keating Global Risks, and has over 20 years of experience in the National Security, and Intelligence Community.He is ...

Jonny Lee Miller - Episode 868

29 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jonny Lee Miller is a veteran actor, jiujitusu player and volunteer firefighter. We discuss his Grandfather's work in James Bond, Jonny's journey int...

Rob Wilkins - Episode 867

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Honorable Rob Wilkins is a retired US Air Force Master Sergeant, a fitness expert, and a former member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fit...

Da Rulk II - Episode 866

25 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Da Rulk is a strength and conditioning coach and the creator of RFT. In this second conversation we discuss the important wellness lessons from the ...

Allan Chiasson And Edward Ford - Episode 865

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Allan Chiasson a Navy Corpsman veteran and active duty firefighter/paramedic. Ed Ford is a Marine veteran and former contractor. We discuss their jou...

Suzanne Stein - Episode 864

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Suzanne Stein is a social documentary/street photographer known for her raw and truthful lens. We discuss her own turbulent childhood, her mental hea...

Staz II - Episode 863

16 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony "Staz" Stazicker is a former British Special Operations soldier and the co-founder of ThruDark. In this second conversation we discuss the im...

Aaron Zamzow - Episode 862

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aaron Zamzow is a veteran firefighter, personal trainer and the man behind Fire Rescue Fitness. In this conversation, we take the gloves off and addr...

Cameron Strouss - Episode 861

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cameron Strouss is a Clinical/Functional Herbalist, Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild, Certified Aromatherapist, Master Gardener,...

Tip Cullen - Episode 860

10 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tip Cullen was born in Northern Ireland and served 37 years in the Royal Marines before transitioning out to pursue acting. We discuss his childhood ...

Sergio Saenz - Episode 859

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sergio Saenz is an Air Force veteran and the founder of Agape Heroes. We discuss his journey into the military, IT in warfare, his transition story, ...

Trung Ngyuen - Episode 858

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trung Nguyen is a Vietnamese immigrant, US Army Ranger veteran and former SWAT officer. We discuss his family's powerful immigration story, growing u...

Bobby Burke II - Episode 857

03 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bobby Burke is an renowned actor, martial artist and 22 year volunteer firefighter. In this second conversation we discuss the importance of voluntee...

Kevin Adler - Episode 856

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Adler is the man behind Miracle Messages and the author of "When We Walk By". We discuss how homelessness affected his family, multi-generation...

Jason Piccolo - Episode 855

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Piccolo is an Army Veteran, retired Federal Law Enforcement Officer, author and podcast host. We discuss his journey into the military, recruit...

Hugh Bruder - Episode 854

25 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hugh Bruder is a 43 year veteran of the fire service, IASIS provider and current Fire Chief of Boytnon Beach in Florida. We discuss his journey into ...

Rick Rochelle II - Episode 853

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rick Rochelle is a mountaineer, wilderness medic, Director of Professional Training for NOLS and President of All American Leadership. We discuss wre...

Josh Otero - Episode 852

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Josh Otero is a gymnast, Entrepreneur an the founder of The Warrior GMR Foundation. We discuss being a student athlete, gymanstics and longevity, the...

Dave Mazany - Episode 851

19 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dave Mazany is a professional MMA fighter, wrestler and probationary Las Vegas firefighter. We discuss collegiate Decathalon, his journey into martia...

Trevor Williams - Episode 850

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trevor Williams is a Missionary, firefighter and the creator of "The Williams Key". We discuss his childhood in South Africa, the power of travelling...

Travis Denman - Episode 849

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Travis Denman is a former Army Green Beret, coach and student pilot. We discuss his journey into the miitary, pre 9/11 deployments, the near Haitian ...

Cody Gibson - Episode 848

12 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cody GIbson is a High School teacher, wrestling coach and UFC fighter. We discuss his journey into the combat sports, the power of education, mentors...

DD Finder - Episode 847

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

DD Finder is a former Peace Corps humanitarian, Flight Nurse and the author of "Ready Left, Ready Right." We discuss his journey into vounteerism, Em...

Sachin Latti And Shaun Taylor II - Episode 846

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sachin Latti is a former Candian Border Agent and ultra runner. Shaun Taylor is a founding member of Canada's JTF2 and a Human Performance Coach. In ...

Bill Kyser - Episode 845

05 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Kyser is a Vietnam Veteran, former lifeguard, firefighter, paramedic, rescue diver and trainer. We discuss his journey into the military, his ex...

John Guarnieri - Episode 844

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Guarnieri is the Chief Operating Officer of Silver Spear Security and is currently the Head of Security for the band Shinedown and Motley Crue. ...

Timmy Gleason - Episode 843

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Timmy Gleason is a veteran Miami firefighter and member of USAR TF-2. We discuss losing his home to a hurricane as a child, his journey into the fire...

Jeff Orrange And Raul Rivas II - Episode 842

28 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this unique episode, I had the chance to interview two of my friends live at the Brothers Helping Brothers Conference in Ohio. Both were impacted b...

Barry Bruder - Episode 841

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Barry Bruder is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Micro Current Neurofeedback company IASIS. We discuss his early life, chidhood trauma, his powerful men...

Sebastian Junger IV - Episode 840

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sebastian Junger is an award winning author, journalist and filmmaker. In this fourth conversation, we discuss his upcoming book on mortality, the ne...

Julie Lewis - Episode 839

21 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Julie Lewis is a 39 year AIDS survivor, public health educator and the author of Still Positive. We discuss her journey into education, the outbreak...

Christy Warren - Episode 838

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christy Warren is a retired California firefighter, podcast host and the author of "Flash Point". We discuss her early life, her journey into Emergen...

Nick O'Kelly - Episode 837

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nick O'Kelly is a former U.S. Army Green Beret and Special Operations Blackhawk Pilot. We discuss his early life, his journey into the military, Spec...

Del Jolly - Episode 836

15 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Del Jolly is the Co- Founder and President of Umbo and Co-Founder, Director at Unlimited Sciences, a psychedelic research non-profit. We discuss his ...

David Leask - Episode 835

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

David Leask is a 24 year veteran of the fire service and a cancer survivor. We discuss his early life, hockey, his journey into EMS, the LA Riots, en...

Heather McAllister - Episode 834

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Heather McAllister is the brand training director and lead instructor of Wolf Brigade. We discuss her journey into strength and conditioning, weight...

Sean Evangelista - Episode 833

07 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sean Evangelista is a former Tier One Navy SEAL and the founder of "30 Seconds Out". We discuss his traumatic childhood, going through the "Scared St...

Rasul Rasekh - Episode 832

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode I welcome Rasul Rasekh, a Mujahideen fighter who has defended his native country of Afghanistan since the Soviet invasion. Ras...

Jimm Walsh And Tony Gillan - Episode 831

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode brings together two firefighters and previous guests who had career and life altering injuries. Chief Jimm Walsh suffered a stroke just...