Courageous Leadership with Travis Yates
Courageous Leadership with Dr. Travis Yates Podcast examines what it means to be a Courageous Police Leader. Join us weekly as the concepts of Courageous Leadership are detailed along with interviews with influencers that are committed to leading with courage. You can find out more about Courageous Leadership with Travis Yates at: www.TravisYates.org
Episodes
138 episodes
Research Driven Leadership with Dr. Marshall Jones
We explore why culture beats cash, how leader–member exchange strengthens trust, and why sergeants are the keystone of retention. Dr. Marshall Jones makes the case for borrowing proven business models, fixing communication beyond email, and put...
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Episode 139
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36:06
Minneapolis On The Brink with Jesse Watts
Officers in Minneapolis describe empty rosters, mixed messages, and orders that put optics over safety. We speak with Jesse Watts of The Wounded Blue about confidential peer support, staffing collapse, and what courageous leadership should look...
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Episode 138
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15:46
A Cop's Life with Travis Yates and Randy Sutton
Lt. Randy Sutton and Dr. Travis Yates challenge the myths driving modern policing, from failed recruiting tactics to political mandates that increase officer injuries, and lay out practical, data-led ways to keep officers and communities safer....
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Episode 137
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42:40
The Doxxing of Law Enforcement with Pete James
We sit down with Pete James of OfficerPrivacy.com to break down why doxxing has escalated, how data brokers expose home addresses, and what it takes to protect families. We also announce a waiv...
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Episode 136
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22:30
Courageous Optimism with David Berez
We sit down with David Berez to unpack culture, leadership, and mental health in policing, and why science-backed tools beat checkbox trainings. He shares practical ways to build anti-fragility, define purpose beyond the badge, and lead with co...
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Episode 135
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32:13
Terrorists Among Us with Keith Graves
In this powerful interview, Travis speaks to Keith Graves, a 29-year law enforcement veteran and a worldwide expert in church security, to discuss the dangers in and outside the church. We share practical steps for Christmas services, early war...
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Episode 133
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38:56
The Leadership Bible with Chief John Blackledge
Leadership gets real when the stakes are high and the cameras roll. We sit down with retired deputy chief and author John Blackledge to unpack what it takes to build courageous, effective leaders in policing and beyond—leaders who make the righ...
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Episode 132
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37:50
The Legacy of Captain Rudy De Leon
Legacy is a common theme in leadership, but it's rarely seen. In this episode, Dr. Travis Yates explores the legacy of LAPD Captain Rudy De Leon through the lived experience of his granddaughter, Brandi Stansbury-Moody.For more informati...
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Episode 131
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40:43
Why Gratitude Gives Leaders A Head Start
We share a candid reminder that gratitude is not fluff, it’s a force that makes leadership steadier. By reframing complaints through global perspective and practical habits, we show how leaders gain clarity, courage, and momentum.• the ...
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Episode 130
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7:08
How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Leaders
We explore how AI can strengthen or weaken policing, why prompts and ethics matter, and where automation crosses the line from helpful to harmful. We share practical steps leaders can use today and warn against replacing human judgment with bla...
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Episode 129
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39:57
The Recruiting Crisis Fixed with Doug Larsen
We unpack why policing doesn’t have a talent shortage as much as a process problem and show how a recruiting-first strategy beats marketing spend. Doug Larsen of SAFEGUARD Recruiting shares sourcing tactics, mobile-first communication strategie...
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Episode 128
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33:18
Police Reforms Are Killing Cops
A quiet surge in officer assaults is happening right under our noses, and most leaders aren’t talking about it. We dig into the policies, the pressure, and the missed accountability that turned a wave of “reform” into a spike in risk—even as vi...
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Episode 127
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23:39
Next Phase Leadership with Jeff Morefield
We speak with 26-year law enforcement veteran Jeff Moorefield about building a real off-ramp for first responders and why transition planning must start on day one. We dig into identity, health, finances, and practical steps that translate poli...
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Episode 126
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29:10
Charlie Kirk, Assassination Culture, & Political Supremacists
We have a political supremacist problem in America where certain ideologies believe their viewpoint is so morally correct that violence becomes an acceptable response to their opponents.• A Rutgers University study found over 50% of lef...
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Episode 125
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28:31
The Silent Crisis in Law Enforcement Leadership
Law enforcement leadership training avoids addressing toxic leadership because the very leaders creating toxic environments are often the ones funding training programs. The focus on positive psychology and war stories rather than confronting r...
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Episode 124
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18:36
Law Enforcement in Crisis: A Conversation with Randy Sutton
Randy Sutton, 34-year law enforcement veteran and founder of The Wounded Blue, examines America's criminal justice crisis and its devastating impact on police officers nationwide. He traces how political decisions and false narratives have unde...
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Episode 123
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53:04
The Power of Non-Negotiables
Non-negotiables are the minimum daily actions that leaders refuse to skip, which over time transform unpredictable outcomes into predictable success.• Daily behaviors entirely within your control that you commit to no matter how busy, t...
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Episode 122
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14:20
Financial Wellness with The Millionaire Cop
John Drozdowski, known as "The Millionaire Cop," shares how financial wellness is the overlooked component of officer wellbeing and reveals why pensions alone won't secure a comfortable retirement for law enforcement professionals. Travis and J...
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Episode 121
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42:01
Decoding Use of Force with Sgt. Jamie Borden
What happens when police officers make split-second decisions under immense pressure? How do we fairly evaluate these actions after the fact? These questions lie at the heart of our riveting conversation with Sergeant Jamie Borden, one of law e...
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Episode 120
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42:03
They Fought the DOJ and Won: The Untold Story of the Phoenix Police Department
Darrell Kriplean from the Phoenix Law Enforcement Officers Association reveals how his department successfully challenged the Department of Justice's pattern-or-practice investigation, resulting in a nationwide halt to consent decrees.•...
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Episode 119
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29:37
Corruption Exposed: The Truth Behind Consent Decrees
A deep dive into the often-ignored repercussions of federal consent decrees on local law enforcement agencies. We explore the historical context, emerging trends, and an unparalleled response from the Phoenix Police Department to recent DOJ inv...
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Episode 118
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24:00
The Evolution of Leadership with Eugene Roy
Eugene Roy shares a wealth of experience and insights on the transformation of leadership in law enforcement. He delves into how generational shifts have affected policing and the importance of mental health for officers. • Discussion ...
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Episode 117
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27:11
Leadership and Career Transition with Colin Whittington
Law enforcement officers often face an identity crisis when transitioning to the private sector. Colin Whittington shares valuable insights on skills that transfer outside the badge and emphasizes the importance of preparation, networking, and ...
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Episode 116
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32:10
Legacy of Principled Leadership with Sheriff Scott Walton
Authentic leadership in law enforcement is about integrity and the commitment to one's word, as Sheriff Scott Walton illustrates through his experiences. By fostering a supportive environment, Walton emphasizes the significance of standing up f...
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Episode 115
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49:02
Failed Leadership in Pacific Palisades with Rusty Redican
The episode delves into the profound irony faced by the Pacific Palisades community, where those who once helped the homeless now experience similar struggles. Through analysis of leadership failures and community initiatives, we uncover critic...
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Episode 114
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1:18:20