Beyond The Barrel Podcast

Who Tells the Victim’s Story? The Woman Helping Police Bring Justice to the Forgotten In this episode, we sit down with Ms. Guillen, a media producer, advocate, and law enforcement ally dedicated to solving violent crimes and keeping victims’ stories alive. In 2012, she launched Case Files: Chicago, a groundbreaking series designed to assist law enforcement in solving homicide cases and bringing justice to families. Airing for six seasons on The CW, the show earned strong ratings and an Emmy nomination in 2018. Her mission extends beyond television. From producing true-crime documentaries like Porter—recognized by TIME Magazine—to leading The Whole Truth Project, she has built bridges between media, investigators, and families seeking answers. Her work has helped keep unsolved cases in the spotlight, organize press conferences, and create art exhibits honoring victims. Along the way, she has built trusted relationships with law enforcement agencies nationwide. Recognized for her impact, Ms. Guillen received the FBI Director’s Leadership Award and continues supporting law enforcement through training initiatives and advocacy programs. This conversation dives into the intersection of media, justice, and advocacy—and the powerful role storytelling plays in keeping victims from being forgotten. Off duty. Off script. This is Beyond the Barrel. Timestamps:  0:31 — Crisis Role 3:30 — Early Life 6:45 — Life-Changing Attack 9:30 — Crime Show Start 12:00 — First Case 16:00 — K9 Breakthrough 20:00 — Viral Collab 24:00 — Police Impact 30:00 — Emotional Toll 34:00 — Mental Health If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode we sit down with Brandon Deckert, a Wyoming Highway Patrol Sergeant whose career has been built on the front lines of criminal interdiction and K-9 operations. Born and raised in northern Minnesota, he began his law enforcement career with the Wyoming Highway Patrol in 2007 at just 22 years old after earning a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. In 2011, he was selected for the WHP K-9 Team, where he has handled three single-purpose narcotics detection dogs and built a reputation as a dedicated interdiction officer. In 2023, Brandon was promoted to Sergeant, supervising Uinta and Lincoln Counties in Troop “D” while serving as the Wyoming Highway Patrol K-9 Team Coordinator. In 2025, he transitioned into the Special Operations Division, where he now supervises a full-time interdiction team and oversees the statewide K-9 Unit. His work in interdiction earned him the Rocky Mountain HIDTA Interdiction Officer of the Year Award in 2021. Outside of law enforcement, Brandon is a Christian, a father of three, and the owner of True North K-9 Solutions, helping agencies build stronger K-9 programs through training, risk assessments, documentation, and detection dog development. In this conversation, we go beyond the uniform and around the bourbon barrel to talk about K-9 culture, interdiction, leadership, faith, and building programs that actually work on the street. Timestamps:  03:00  Minnesota Roots 06:05  Becoming Trooper 11:00  Communication Skills 16:20  Sports & Football 18:20  K-9 Inspiration 27:00  Policing Culture 35:00  Rural Policing 42:58  Interdiction Career 59:10  Dog Business If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beyond the Barrel is where we pour truths straight, no chaser. Garry Chapman was born into a name the country already knew. As the son of Duane Chapman, better known as “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” he grew up around criminal behavior, accountability, and national attention. Cameras, criticism, and pressure were nothing new. But legacy doesn’t have to mean imitation. Instead of chasing fugitives on television, Garry chose professional law enforcement. He left Hawaii, stepped out of the shadow of a larger-than-life public figure, and built his own reputation through patrol work, proactive enforcement, DUI interdiction, and criminal investigations. In this episode, we go beyond the last name and into the man behind it. We discuss identity, public perception, constitutional policing, and what it means to earn credibility when people assume it was handed to you. This one isn’t about fame. It’s about independence. It’s about resilience. It’s about earning your own badge. Off duty. Off script. And beyond the barrel. Timestamps: 02:47 – Cop Aspirations 05:27 – Celebrity Kid 08:54 – Explorer Program 14:54 – Parents’ Past 24:58 – Mom’s Cancer 31:00 – Small-Town Start 36:31 – Sister’s Tragedy 39:45 – Fitness Wake-Up 53:14 – Law School Plans If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we go beneath the surface literally and philosophically. Commander William C. Spears is a submarine warfare officer in the United States Navy, a nuclear-trained officer, and the author of Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy. From enlisting in the Navy’s nuclear propulsion program straight out of Pineville, Louisiana, to graduating from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Spears has built a career defined by discipline, depth, and deliberate leadership. He has served aboard multiple nuclear-powered submarines, including as Weapons Officer on a fast-attack submarine and Executive Officer on a Trident missile submarine—positions where decisions aren’t just tactical… they’re existential. Ashore, he has evaluated combat readiness across the submarine force and now serves inside the Pentagon in strategic assessment, shaping national defense at the highest levels before returning to sea duty in 2026. But this conversation goes beyond rank and résumé. We dive into:     •    What leadership looks like when you’re sealed underwater for months at a time     •    How Stoicism moves from ancient philosophy to modern warfare     •    The psychological weight of command in environments where failure isn’t an option     •    How discipline, ethics, and mental clarity define a warrior long before combat     •    And why antagonizing your family with philosophical inquiry might just be elite-level dad humor From nuclear reactors to national strategy, from depth charges to depth of character—this episode explores what it means to lead with conviction when pressure is constant and unseen. Off duty. Off script. And far beyond the barrel. Timestamps:  3:15  Louisiana Roots 6:20  9/11 Experience 14:40  Submarine Culture 20:05  Life Underwater 25:50  Family Separation 32:10  Writing Journey 39:20  Publishing Process 46:30  Stockdale Influence 52:05  Hawaii & Japan If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are We Training for the Threat… or Ignoring the Real Problem? Beyond the Barrel is where we pour truths—straight, no chaser. This episode dives into the life of Officer Daniel Herrera, a former elementary school teacher turned law enforcement officer who now stands on the front lines of school safety and crisis response. Herrera shares how his early years in education shaped his approach to policing, why protecting kids carries a different emotional weight, and what it’s like serving as both a School Resource Officer and Team Leader on a Crisis/Hostage Negotiation Team. We talk active threat preparedness, tactical medical training, and the realities of preparing officers, staff, and students for moments everyone hopes never come. But beyond the badge, Daniel opens up about family life, Jiu Jitsu, motorcycles, and the importance of building trust off-duty through community initiatives like his annual “Ballin’ for Unity” basketball game. It’s a conversation about service, responsibility, and the human side of the people standing guard over our schools. Off duty, off script, and beyond the barrel. Timestamps:  07:30 – Children’s Book 12:00 – Cuban Upbringing 19:30 – Personal Tragedy 24:30 – Career Switch 30:30 – Teaching Purpose 36:00 – Street Crimes 48:00 – Young Officers 50:00 – Jiu-Jitsu Start 01:25:00 – Justice & Family If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the End of Watch is called, Dirk makes sure the family is never forgotten. Nineteen years in law enforcement changes a man but for Dirk, it clarified his purpose. Husband. Father. Cop. Bourbon enthusiast. And founder of the End of Watch Legacy Fund, a mission born from loss, service, and an unwavering commitment to those who never made it home. In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, Dirk shares how he combined two worlds his love for bourbon and his devotion to law enforcement to build something bigger than himself. The End of Watch Legacy Fund raises money with one clear goal: to provide $10,000 directly to the families of Indiana officers killed in the line of duty, ensuring their sacrifice is honored with more than words. This isn’t just about bourbon. It’s about brotherhood. It’s about legacy. And it’s about taking care of our own long after the End of Watch is called. Off duty. Off script. And driven by purpose this conversation goes well beyond the barrel. Timestamps:  01:40 Meet Dirk 03:00 Fundraiser Origin 06:00 Tough Moments 08:30 Communication Skills 14:30 Career Start 17:30 SWAT Life 20:00 Charity Begins 22:00 Bourbon Events 28:30 Fallen Officer 33:30 Sierra Strong 47:00 Future Plans 56:50 Justice Question If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two officer-involved shootings. First on scene to a home invasion at a cop’s house. Task force interdiction. And zero tolerance for bad Fourth Amendment policing. Sgt. Jake Bigelow is a 13-year law enforcement veteran with the Casper Police Department, a former multi-agency drug task force officer, and a legal instructor with Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training. Before policing, he served in the U.S. Air Force Security Forces and the Army National Guard as a flight medic, with additional experience as a firefighter and paramedic. In this episode, Jake challenges the idea that “good intentions” excuse bad searches, breaks down real-world interdiction mistakes cops still make, and explains why constitutional policing is the difference between locking criminals up—or letting them walk. No fluff. No excuses. Just hard truths from someone who’s lived it. Timestamps:  00:02:30  Jake’s Background 00:08:45  Troubled Upbringing 00:15:30  Mentorship Impact 00:29:45  Pilot Life 00:31:00  Midair Emergency 00:36:25  Fire to Police 00:38:45  Drug Task Force 01:17:35  Shoot or Die 01:24:00  After the Shooting 01:39:35  Acceptance of Death 01:56:00  Mental Health Stigma 02:03:10  Justice Defined If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BAM has interviewed everyone from addicts to authors, athletes to warriors but his most important mission isn’t behind a mic. It’s at home. In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we go far beyond podcasting and into the culture war being fought over our kids, our schools, and our justice system. BAM explains why he pulled his children out of public school, how homeschooling creates independent thinkers instead of obedient workers, and why families have to take responsibility for the next generation. We also break down what justice is supposed to mean, why the current system fails at times, and our opinion on how it could improve. This wasn’t a polished interview it was an organic, no-script conversation the way podcasts were meant to be. Real stories. Real beliefs. No filters. Because in the middle of all the chaos, the truth still deserves to be poured straight. Timestamps: 05:10 – Childhood hustle 10:30 – Leaving home 17:45 – Joining Marines 24:00 – Iraq deployments 31:30 – Loss & mindset 38:00 – Leaving service 46:30 – First business 58:30 – Scaling fast 1:17:00 – Charity mission 1:38:30 – Family focus If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Gould has spent nearly two decades in law enforcement, but his career has taken a path few ever walk. From working the wild and unpredictable terrain of Cape Cod as a Natural Resources Officer, to pushing a cruiser on the street, to becoming a civilian background investigator for the LAPD, Steve has seen every side of the badge. In 2018, he launched the wildly popular Things Police See podcast — a space where active and retired cops come off script and tell the stories that never make it into official reports. The funny ones. The dark ones. The ones that stay with you long after the shift ends. Now, through his Sgt. Steve YouTube channel, he breaks down body-cam footage with the kind of insight only someone who’s lived it can provide. In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we go deeper than the uniform and the footage. We talk about what those moments really do to the men and women who experience them, how storytelling has become a form of therapy for cops, and why the truth of police work is far more complicated than what the headlines or viral clips ever show. This is a raw, honest conversation about life behind the badge, the weight cops carry home, and the power of telling the stories that need to be told — straight, no chaser. Timestamps:  07:30  Bodycam Breakdown 14:30  Police Upbringing 21:00  Communication Skills 27:45  Academy Reality 34:30  Firearms Training 41:30  LAPD Experience 48:15  California Policing 55:30  Career Reflections 1:08:30  Leaving It Better If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Truth isn’t always comfortable and it’s rarely safe. In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, Kenny sits down with Adam and Tyler Hoover for a raw, unfiltered conversation about war, policing, trauma, and the cost of speaking out. Adam’s path took him from the U.S. Marine Corps into law enforcement, working everything from small-town policing to state-level interdiction units, building a career rooted in proactive enforcement and firsthand experience with how the system truly operates. Tyler began in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne, deploying to Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom before transitioning into law enforcement, where he served in SWAT, Street Crimes, and as a Field Training Officer. As the founder of Anti-Hero Broadcast, he’s become one of the most controversial voices in the first responder space by openly challenging toxic leadership and performative politics. Together, they break down why confrontation is sometimes necessary, the toll bad leadership takes on law enforcement, and how war and policing permanently shape perspective. The conversation turns deeply personal as they share the story of their uncle’s murder and the long fight for justice. This isn’t a safe or polished conversation—it’s the truth, poured straight. Off duty. Off script. Beyond the barrel. Timestamps:  08:30  Career Paths 17:30  Toxic Agencies 27:30  Cold Case Murder 37:00  Family Impact 46:00  State Law Differences 55:30  Drug Interdiction 1:05:30  Rural Policing 1:15:30  Border & Crime 1:25:00  Final Thoughts If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beyond the Barrel is where we pour truths straight, no chaser. In this episode, we sit down with David Hines, a former law enforcement officer whose career in a South Louisiana narcotics unit ended with a federal civil rights conviction and a prison sentence. What followed was the loss of his badge, his career, his identity and a reckoning that reshaped how he views leadership, ethics, and responsibility in policing. David doesn’t speak in excuses or deflection. He speaks in ownership. This conversation goes beyond headlines and courtrooms and into the real consequences of misconduct legal, professional, and deeply personal. We talk about the impact on family, the erosion of trust, and how culture, supervision, and decision-making can quietly push officers toward irreversible mistakes. This episode isn’t about tearing policing down. It’s about protecting it by confronting uncomfortable truths, emphasizing accountability, and challenging leaders to build cultures that prevent failure instead of explaining it away. If you’re an officer, supervisor, or leader who believes integrity matters and that hard conversations save careers this one’s for you. Off duty. Off script. And beyond the barrel. Timestamps:  11:30 – Law Enforcement Roots 24:00 – Early Patrol Years 37:45 – Career Progression 51:30 – Narcotics Unit 1:06:00 – Leadership & Culture 1:20:45 – Critical Incident 1:34:30 – Mental Impact 1:48:15 – Prison Reality 1:59:30 – Lessons Learned If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With more than four decades of service to the Arkansas State Police, Keith Eremea exemplifies leadership, experience, and service-driven command. Serving 43 years as a commissioned Trooper, he rose through nearly every rank—from Trooper to Captain—mentoring and supervising hundreds of Troopers statewide. His career spans patrol, highway interdiction, training, emergency response, and executive leadership. He commanded the largest troop in Arkansas, overseeing more than 100 personnel, reducing crashes and fatalities, expanding DWI enforcement, and coordinating major state and federal operations. As a leader in interdiction, he supervised teams responsible for seizing millions in narcotics and currency and dismantling major drug operations. A nationally recognized trainer, he helped introduce PIT training in Arkansas, modernized emergency vehicle operations, developed statewide curricula, and instructed thousands of officers nationwide. He also served as Canine Coordinator and played a key role in updating fitness standards and training systems. This episode explores leadership under pressure, lessons learned, and leaving a lasting legacy in law enforcement. Off duty. Off script. Beyond the barrel. Timestamps: 02:06 – Motivation mindset 04:04 – Rockefeller influence 06:15 – Interdiction bug 09:21 – Line-of-duty loss 12:17 – Fleeing felons 18:30 – Craft mastery 22:10 – PIT training 39:20 – Communication skills 52:01 – Interdiction dangers If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

K-9s don’t get a pension. They don’t get a retirement plan. They get us—or they get forgotten. In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with Chris Bingham—a law enforcement leader with over 20 years of service and a lifelong commitment to police K-9s. A graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, Chris has built and led K-9 programs nationwide—but his most powerful story is the bond with his retired partner, K-9 Tambo. Chris opens up about loyalty beyond the uniform, the responsibility handlers carry after retirement, and why advocating for working dogs through organizations like Project K9 Hero matters more than ever. This conversation goes beyond training and tactics—into leadership, sacrifice, fitness, fatherhood, and honoring those who served without a voice. Off duty. Off script. Beyond the Barrel. Project K-9 Hero 00:00 — K9 Resilience 01:30 — Career Transition 04:50 — Growing Up 07:40 — Fatherhood Impact 11:00 — Communication Matters 15:00 — Finding Direction 21:00 — Entering K9 28:20 — Mentorship Loss 36:40 — Handler Bond 47:05 — Tambo’s Story If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike’s story starts in North Bellmore, New York—an accountant chasing numbers until he realized his real calling was chasing justice. Trading spreadsheets for a badge, he joined the Atlanta Police Department in 1993, later serving nearly two decades with the Suffolk County Police Department. But after years in the trenches, Mike’s service came with unseen scars. Following his retirement, he faced anger, depression, and the heavy weight of PTSD. In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, Mike opens up about the dark side of life after the job—and the unexpected path that led him to healing through plant-based medicine, specifically Ayahuasca. What began as a desperate search for peace became a mission: helping other veterans and first responders reclaim their lives from trauma. This is a story about breaking stigma, finding purpose, and discovering that sometimes the road to redemption runs through the jungle. Follow Mike and his journey at @theresilientwarrior5778 (https://www.instagram.com/theresilientwarrior5778?igsh=Mmx4c2pmNDhmaGh3). Timestamps:  04:00 – Mental Health   07:45 – Hockey Roots   13:10 – Atlanta Chaos   21:55 – Olympic Policing   27:15 – NY Transition   34:40 – Anti-Crime   41:35 – Off-Duty Life   48:00 – Breaking Point   52:35 – PTSD Realization   55:30 – Healing Journey  If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Silence protects the wrong people. I chose a different path. Beyond the Barrel is where we pour truths—straight, no chaser. Officer Melissa Trump “Silence protects the wrong people. I chose a different path.” When her department tried to terminate her, Melissa refused to be silenced. With integrity, strength, and resilience, she defended her name, kept her badge, and proved that courage isn’t just worn on a uniform—it’s carried in the heart. A K-9 handler and fierce advocate for justice, Melissa and her Belgian Malinois, Tiko, were reunited and Melissa continues to serve their community with professionalism and purpose. Today, Melissa uses her voice—and her experience—to stand up for others who have been wronged. She believes in speaking the truth, challenging injustice, and doing what’s right, even when it isn’t easy. This episode goes beyond the badge and into the battle—where integrity was tested, courage took the lead, and justice had a name: Melissa Trump. 01:20 – Police Culture 03:15 – Early Life 04:20 – WNBA Dreams 05:52 – Choosing Policing 08:26 – Hiring Process 22:20 – K-9 Journey 32:03 – Targeting Begins 41:37 – Son’s Arrest 55:14 – Merit Hearing 59:49 – K-9 Returned If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful episode, Shelley shares the emotional story behind Project Never Broken, the nonprofit she created to honor her brother Greg — a dedicated law enforcement officer tragically killed in the line of duty. From Greg’s early career in undercover work to the deep impact of his loss, Shelley opens up about family, service, trauma, healing, and the mission to support first responders struggling with the unseen weight of the job. She also reveals the inspiration behind her upcoming Cruise With a Purpose, a first-of-its-kind retreat designed to help first responders and their spouses find connection, therapy, and hope. This conversation is raw, heartfelt, and filled with purpose — a reminder of the resilience that emerges after unimaginable loss. Timestamps:  04:00 Family Service 05:15 Shelley’s Career 07:05 Entrepreneur Drive 09:10 Learning & Growth 10:25 Greg’s Personality 13:45 Undercover Work 18:30 Sibling Bond 27:55 The Call 32:50 Trauma Impact 55:40 Cruise Mission If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five years on the streets of Colorado taught Jordan how to handle chaos—until one call changed everything. A highly publicized critical incident ripped through her life, leaving her battling severe PTSD and a storm she couldn’t outrun. She left the badge behind, moving to Florida to rebuild what was left of herself. Now, years later, Jordan’s story takes an unexpected turn. Working with dogs that help others heal, she’s found pieces of her own peace—and maybe, her way back to the profession that broke and built her all at once. On this episode of Beyond The Barrel, we dive into the silence after the gunfire, the fight for recovery, and the burning question every broken warrior faces: Can you ever truly come back? Timestamps:  01:26  Why Policing 07:40  Family Trauma 15:30  Career Start 23:00  Young Motherhood 33:56  Emotional Spiral 41:32  Rural Policing 50:29  Incident Begins 55:49  Train Impact 1:34:16  Aftermath & Recovery If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Born into a legacy of law enforcement, Mike Maher carries the torch as a Lieutenant with the Daytona Beach Police Department — following in the footsteps of his father, a retired NYPD Detective Sergeant, and his grandfather, a retired NYPD Deputy Inspector. Hired at just 19 years old in 2008, Maher has spent his career serving on the front lines and behind the scenes. He currently commands the midnight shift in District-1, leading the west side of Daytona Beach and supervising the department’s K-9 Unit. His résumé reads like a masterclass in versatility — hostage negotiator, team leader, and commander, former FTO, property crimes detective, ICAC investigator, dignitary protection officer, CST member, and detective sergeant. National audiences know him from the hit TV series “On Patrol: Live,” where he’s been featured for three years alongside his brothers, Sergeant James Maher and Sergeant Chris Maher — a rare trio of siblings serving the same mission on camera and in real life. Off duty, Maher is a devoted husband and father of two, driven by faith, family, and service. A proud, unapologetic Catholic, he’s passionate about mentoring and training the next generation of officers — building not just better cops, but better men and women of integrity. Timestamps: 01:45 - Early Life & 9/11 Legacy   07:30 - National Unity After 9/11   11:00 - Why Law Enforcement   16:00 - Career Start & Daytona PD   19:45 - Evolution & Leadership   23:00 - Difficult Units & Mental Health   28:00 - Family & Balance   37:00 - Officer-Involved Shootings   54:00 - Advice & On Patrol Live If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with Pittsburgh SWAT officer Tim Matson, who shares his powerful journey from a tough upbringing to surviving the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting. Tim opens up about resilience, loss, and mental health in law enforcement, breaking the stigma around vulnerability. He discusses growing up in McKees Rocks, finding discipline through football, joining SWAT, and the realities of modern policing. This raw, inspiring conversation highlights strength, brotherhood, and recovery after trauma. A must-listen for anyone interested in courage, service, and what it truly means to overcome adversity. 0:58 Tree of Life background   2:32 Growing up  6:20 Football and discipline   8:21 Early jobs before policing   19:12 Joining the SWAT team   30:03 Policing challenges in Pittsburgh   32:21 First officer-involved shooting   44:18 Tree of Life incident   1:02:00 Recovery and PTSD reflections If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From leading Infantry squads in Iraq and Syria to running HIMARS missions, contracting in Afghanistan, and working DEA intel on the southern border—our guest has lived the sharp edge of modern warfare. But on Beyond the Barrel, his mission looks different: breaking down the walls inside the veteran community. As the founder of Bunker Bros, he’s pushing for a space where veterans—no matter the era or operation—connect without division. From imagining emo nights at the VFW to building a brotherhood for the next generation, this episode pours truth straight, no chaser—diving into service, identity, and what it takes to reinvent the veteran experience. Timestamps: 2:05 Bunker Bros & app 3:55 Bachelor party story 9:10 Sports cards & family 17:05 9/11 & enlistment 19:30 Iraq & ISIS fights 23:20 Afghanistan & withdrawal 44:00 Analyst vs. military life 45:20 Syria & alliances 1:15:00 Closing reflections ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices