In this episode, the conversation shifts from humor and war stories to the unseen cost of the job. What begins with patrol shenanigans and shared memories slowly gives way to something heavier — the accumulation of stress, identity, and trauma that many first responders carry quietly for years.

Chris opens up about the internal pressure to perform, the fear of becoming a liability, and the moment he realized he couldn't keep going the way he was. This episode explores how discipline can turn into isolation, how reputation can trap us, and why stepping away can feel more terrifying than staying.

This is an honest, unfiltered look at what happens when the job becomes your entire identity — and what it takes to admit something has to change.

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Green to talk about the early experiences that shaped his life long before the uniform.

Chris shares what it was like growing up between two households, navigating divorce, faith, and childhood trauma, and how those experiences influenced his sense of identity and self-worth. We explore the pressure to be tough, the fear of not being enough, and the drive to escape — a drive that eventually led him to enlist in the Marine Corps after 9/11.

This conversation isn't about highlight reels or war stories. It's about the foundation — the internal wiring that forms early in life and quietly follows us into the careers we believe will fix us.

After a few months off, Mitch and Brian are back to catch up on life, faith, and the work that still needs doing. They open up about sobriety, burnout, and finding peace beyond the badge—Mitch celebrates nine months sober and his return to patrol, while Brian shares how faith and servant leadership have shaped his new life after law enforcement. Together they discuss first responder suicide rates, stigma, and why Shielded Voices still matters. It's a raw, funny, and hopeful conversation about growth, recovery, and staying connected.

In this episode of Shielded Voices, Sergeant Jim Scott opens up about his decades of experience in corrections, offering an unfiltered look at the realities of prison life and the toll it takes on officers. He discusses the unique challenges of working in both jails and prisons, the critical role of crisis negotiation, and the stigma that still surrounds mental health in the corrections field. Jim also shares his personal journey of resilience, highlighting how faith and strong support systems have helped him navigate trauma, stress, and the emotional weight of the job. His story is a powerful reminder of the unseen struggles corrections officers face and the importance of breaking the silence around mental health.

In this midweek update, Mitch and Brian reconnect to reflect on the emotional impact of Part 3 of Leanne's story — an episode that's already resonating deeply with listeners across the country. From gut-punch feedback to moments that brought them to tears, they open up about what it's like to relive these conversations as both hosts and fellow first responders.

They also pull back the curtain on the editing process, the challenges of balancing shift work and podcast production, and why it's sometimes okay to hit pause for your own well-being. The update includes behind-the-scenes talk about upcoming episodes — including a two-part feature with veteran corrections officer Jim, who shares experiences working around the Happy Face Killer, and a future guest who serves as both a fire lieutenant and SWAT medic.

Whether you're here for the raw truth, the camaraderie, or the healing that comes with hearing others speak their truth, this episode reminds you: you're not alone — and we're just getting started.

In the final part of this powerful three-part series, Leanne shares the raw and emotional breaking point that forced everything into the light. What began as a slow unraveling reaches its peak as she confronts the internal betrayal, the silence from leadership, and the lasting impact it had on her family.

This episode dives deep into the emotional toll of toxic leadership and the culture of fear that isolates both officers and their spouses. Leanne speaks honestly about what it means to protect your family when the system meant to protect you turns its back. From faith to farm life, she opens up about how their family began healing, how they found strength in ritual, and why open communication and integrity remain non-negotiable.

This is more than a story about what went wrong — it's about what it took to survive, to rebuild, and to come out stronger on the other side. If you've ever felt alone in the fight, this one is for you.

In this raw and powerful conversation, Leanne opens up about the realities she faced throughout her law enforcement career — from the lasting weight of traumatic calls to the invisible battles within her own department. She discusses the systemic challenges female officers often confront, the emotional toll of internal affairs investigations, and how workplace culture can undermine even the most well-intentioned efforts toward progress.

Leanne's story is one of resilience, growth, and ultimately, freedom. She walks us through the difficult decision to leave a toxic environment, the unexpected joy she discovered on the other side, and how her family's support became her anchor in the storm.

This episode is a reminder that healing is possible — and that peace can be found, even after walking away from a career that once defined you.

In this midweek update, Mitch and Brian unpack the highs, lows, and heatwaves of the week—literally and figuratively. Brian shares about the chaos of working HVAC in 90+ degree weather, while Mitch talks about the emotional weight of a recent fatal motorcycle crash and how it's reignited his interest in crash reconstruction. The two reflect on how their perspectives have shifted—especially when it comes to mental health, recovery, and self-promotion.

They also spotlight Ambushed by retired Sergeant Jeremy Braun, a powerful true story of survival, faith, and trauma recovery that hits close to home. Mitch opens up about the challenges of launching Relapse Ready and what it means to build something from the ground up.

There's laughter, brutal honesty, background kid noise, and a lot of heart in this one—because life doesn't pause for podcasting, and that's exactly the point.