The First Responder Playbook: Insights on Leadership and Training
🎙️ The First Responder PlaybookInsights on Leadership and Training for Those Who ServeFrom the front lines to the front office, this podcast is your go-to guide for building bold, battle-tested leaders in the world of public safety. Hosted by first responders, for first responders, The First Responder Playbook delivers real-world lessons on leadership, resilience, tactical training, and the mental edge it takes to thrive in high-stakes environments.Each episode dives into candid conversations with law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS professionals, and thought leaders who are shaping the future of first responder training. Whether you’re a rookie looking to grow or a seasoned vet sharpening your edge, this is the podcast that helps you lead with confidence and train with purpose.🚨 No fluff. No ego. Just actionable insight to help you lead the way.Want to be a guest on The First Responder Playbook: Insights on Leadership and Training? Send Brent Colbert a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1748037097521814b71b1b454
Episodes
Welcome to a special episode of The First Responder Playbook, where we shine the spotlight on the powerhouse women leading the charge in Oklahoma’s fire service. This week, Brent is joined by the inspiring team behind Oklahoma Women on Fire: Angie Retzloff, Kendall Taylor, and Alexa Reed. Together, they open up about their unexpected journeys into firefighting, the challenges and rewards of serving in a male-dominated field, and th...
On this episode of The First Responder Playbook, Brent sits down with Bill Jones, a veteran police officer, Marine Corps vet, and advocate for mental health in the first responder community. Bill Jones opens up about his journey from the Marine Corps to a 31-year career in law enforcement, the pivotal moments that shaped his path, and the mentors who inspired him along the way.
This candid conversation dives deep into the challenges...
Welcome back to The First Responder Playbook! In today’s episode, host Brent sits down with Sergeant V for an honest and insightful conversation about servant leadership—why it matters now more than ever, and how it’s transforming the culture within law enforcement.
You’ll hear Brent share his team-oriented perspective on leadership, born from a background in sports and a passion for seeing everyone around him succeed. Meanwhile, Se...
On this episode of The First Responder Playbook, Brent sits down with Lyubim Kogan, a truly remarkable guest whose life story reads like an adventure novel. Lyubim Kogan is a five-time first-generation immigrant, a Winter Olympian, NYU Stern graduate, 9/11 survivor, and founder of wingsforheroes.org—a mission dedicated to helping amputee and deaf combat veterans reclaim their dignity, purpose, and joy through camaraderie and flight...
Welcome to another episode of The First Responder Playbook! Today, host Brent sits down with Ashley Jones—a seasoned police officer, empowerment coach for first responders, and newly published author. With over 13 years in law enforcement, Ashley Jones shares her journey from campus peace officer to "street policing," and the challenges and rewards along the way.
In this episode, Brent and Ashley Jones dive deep into the unique stre...
Welcome to The First Responder Playbook! In today's episode, Brent sits down with Justin Bocock, a retired homicide detective whose law enforcement journey took him from aircraft mechanic in the Air Force to the U.S. Secret Service, and then to a distinguished 20-year career at Mesa, Arizona Police Department. Named Arizona Homicide Investigator of the Year for pioneering the use of drone technology in crime scene investigations, J...
On this episode of The First Responder Playbook, host Brent sits down with Ryan Reichert—a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, executive coach, speaker, podcaster, and author based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With over four decades of life experience, Ryan Reichert shares his journey from small town America to global leadership, including 23 years of military service and four combat deployments.
We dive deep into his path to the Army, ...
Welcome to another powerful episode of The First Responder Playbook! Today, Brent sits down with Pat Welsh, whose career journey is nothing short of inspiring. From prosecutor to police officer and eventually a leader in law enforcement, Pat Welsh shares riveting stories from his decades on the force—including memorable and intense moments on patrol in Dayton, Ohio, one of the nation’s most violent cities during his tenure.
In this...
Welcome to another episode of The First Responder Playbook! Today, Brent sits down with the inspiring Jacks O'hare, a lifestyle coach, speaker, and reinvention expert who helps ambitious women and first responders break free from burnout and self-sabotage to build fulfilling lives that truly fit.
In this candid conversation, Jacks O'Hare shares her journey from a long career in the restaurant industry to finding her true calling in...
Welcome back to The First Responder Playbook! In this episode, host Brent sits down with Johnny Tesone, a geologist, author, and creator of Geo Vortex, who has more than 30 years of experience spanning geology, corporate leadership, and field research. Johnny Tesone shares his extraordinary personal journey, from his out-of-body experience during the COVID-19 pandemic that transformed his perspective on geology, to the discoveries ...
Welcome back to The First Responder Playbook, where we dive deep into the stories and strategies shaping the world of frontline heroes. In this episode, Brent sits down with Kara Kalin, the accomplished founder of Shift Change, a registered clinical counselor, EMDR-certified therapist, and former Canadian national team coach. Together, they explore the remarkable intersections of high performance, psychological resilience, and ment...
Welcome back to another episode of The First Responder Playbook! In today’s episode, Brent sits down with George Pesansky, a globally recognized leader in operational excellence and the founder of Capacity to Care. With over three decades of experience spanning executive coaching, performance optimization, and systematic improvement, George Pesansky has worked with Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits worldwide, coaching over 10,00...
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 sexual crimes to hostage negotiations and working with specialty units.
Doug shares what ...
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 pursuit of resilience, empathy, and personal growth.
From discovering empowerment throug...
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 successfully transition into new ventures like coaching, insurance, realty, and financial...
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 applied the principles of a corporate CFO to managing family finances.
Together, Bren...
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 to becoming a career coach dedicated to helping high-achieving professionals find gen...
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 game-changing leadership method. You’ll hear the fascinating backstory of how he borr...
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 different assessment tools, like Tilt365 and DISC, and discuss how these insights can help...
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 the department’s most challenging units. Together, they dive into what it takes to spo...
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