Maine Responder | Leadership • Growth • Resilience

Elliott Moya, Chief of Police | Resilience, Growth & Leadership Stories
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement

Some conversations stay with you long after they're over. Maine Responder is a podcast about leadership, growth, human performance, and the work that changes us. Hosted by police chief, veteran, Elliott Moya, and regularly joined by Billy Dries, whose background in law enforcement and expertise in fitness, breath work, cold-water training, and optimizing physical performance explore the physical and mental sides of becoming our best, each episode tackles the questions that don't have easy answers—how responsibility shapes us, how purpose evolves, and how we continue to grow through careers that demand so much of us. While many conversations begin through the lens of law enforcement and first response, they rarely end there. Leadership, resilience, identity, decision-making, mental performance, moral injury, family, and personal growth are challenges shared by anyone who carries responsibility for others.

  1. 3d ago

    Don’t Drag Shit Into the House

    Some conversations last five minutes and somehow leave you exhausted. You were fine before they walked into the room. Now you’re irritated, tense, anxious, or replaying the conversation in your head. So how much of what you’re carrying is actually yours? In this episode of the Maine Responder Podcast, Elliott talks about paying attention to what we absorb from the people around us—especially as first responders and leaders. We don’t get to avoid every difficult conversation, and sometimes the uncomfortable conversations are the ones we need to have. But we can become more aware of what we carry away from them. And there’s another side to it: if other people can change the energy we bring into a room, what are we bringing into theirs? Because eventually the shift ends. You get in the car. You drive home. And the people waiting for you didn’t step in whatever you stepped in that day. Check your shoes. You might have stepped in some sh*t today. That’s life. Just don’t drag it through the house.

    Don’t Drag Shit Into the House

  2. Jul 20

    What a Benson Boone Concert Taught Me About Intentional Living

    Last week, I went to a Benson Boone concert expecting nothing more than a fun night with my family. I left thinking about something completely different. Somewhere in the middle of the show, I realized I wasn't listening to the music anymore—I was watching the performer. What looked effortless on stage wasn't just talent. It was preparation. Discipline. Thousands of ordinary decisions nobody ever gets to see. That led me to ask a question I've been thinking about ever since: How much of my life is intentional...and how much of it is simply reactive? In this solo episode of Maine Responder, I reflect on leadership, personal growth, intentional living, and the mindset that first responders develop after years of reacting to whatever comes next. We explore why "busy" has become our default answer, how discipline often looks like talent from the outside, and why the life we want is built through small, consistent decisions. Whether you're a first responder, leader, or someone looking to be more intentional with your time, this conversation is about designing your life instead of simply reacting to it. In This EpisodeA family trip to a Benson Boone concertWhy talent is really preparation in disguiseThe first responder mindset outside of workBusy vs. intentional livingDesigning your life instead of reactingLeadership, discipline, and ordinary daily decisions

  3. Jul 3

    Gratitude for 30 Days. Here's What I Learned.

    Can a simple gratitude exercise actually change the way you think? For 30 days, I committed to answering five questions every night—not because I expected a dramatic transformation, but because I wanted to honestly see if it made a difference. In this episode, I share the five biggest takeaways from that experience. We talk about why we often give one negative moment more weight than an entire day of positive experiences, how our minds can convince us of stories that aren't completely true, why recognizing your own strengths can be surprisingly difficult, and how small daily reflections can expose patterns that are easy to overlook. This isn't an episode about pretending life is perfect. It's a conversation about attention, perspective, and becoming more aware of the stories we tell ourselves. Whether you're a first responder, leader, or simply someone interested in personal growth, I hope this episode gives you something to think about. In this episode: Why I decided to try a 30-day gratitude challengeThe five questions I answered every nightWhy one bad moment can outweigh an entire good dayWhat I learned about isolation and the stories we tell ourselvesThe surprisingly difficult question: "What do you like about yourself?"How repeated journaling exposed patterns I couldn't ignoreWhy this exercise became more about attention than gratitude 00:00 – Why I Tried a Gratitude Challenge02:10 – The Five Daily Questions04:05 – When It Started Feeling Like Homework05:20 – Takeaway #1: We Give the Bad Too Much Weight08:45 – Takeaway #2: The Story We Tell Ourselves11:40 – Takeaway #3: The Hardest Question14:40 – Takeaway #4: Patterns Don't Lie17:00 – Takeaway #5: It Was Never About Gratitude20:00 – Final Thoughts: More Good Than You Think🌐 Website: https://maineresponder.com If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast and leaving a review. It helps more people discover these conversations. Become More Capable.

  4. Jul 2 ·  Bonus

    We Tried First2Respond Jerky... Here's Our Honest Review

    Can a beef jerky actually earn a permanent spot in a patrol bag? In this episode of Maine Responder, Billy and I put First2Respond Jerky to the test. We talk flavor, texture, ingredients, and whether we'd actually recommend it to fellow first responders. What makes this company stand out isn't just the jerky—it's their mission to support the first responder community. If you're looking for an honest, unscripted review with a few laughs along the way, this episode is for you. 🥩 Support First2Respond Jerky: https://www.first2respondjerky.com Use code MAINERESPONDER to save 25% on your order. If you enjoy conversations about first responder culture, leadership, wellness, and the gear and products that support the profession, subscribe and join us for future episodes. #MaineResponder #BeefJerky #FirstResponder #PolicePodcast #LawEnforcement #ProductReview

  5. Jun 24

    The Stress & Tension I Didn't Know I Was Carrying- Yoga for First Responders

    What started as a simple yoga class turned into an unexpected lesson in stress, tension, and self-awareness. In this episode of Maine Responder, Elliott shares his experience attending a Yoga for First Responders session at the York County Regional Training Center. Co-host Billy asks the questions many first responders might have themselves: What's the point? Is it actually useful? And what can you realistically take away from it? As the conversation unfolds, Elliott discusses the hesitation he felt before attending, the importance of breathing, an unexpected moment during a yoga pose called "thread the needle," and a realization that many first responders may relate to—carrying tension without even knowing it. Topics include: • Yoga for First Responders • First responder wellness and resilience • Stress, tension, and recovery • Breathing and nervous system regulation • Physical and mental health in public safety • Building healthier habits and self-awareness • Community and connection among first responders Sometimes the biggest lessons come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Be Well. Stay Safe. https://www.yogaforfirstresponders.org/

  6. Jun 8

    How Do I Know It Works If I Never Commit To It?

    What happens when you stop dismissing ideas and actually give them a real chance? In this solo episode, Elliott reflects on growth, lifelong learning, and the danger of believing we've learned everything there is to know. Inspired by graduation season, learning new podcast equipment, and a return to running, this conversation explores why curiosity matters and how small decisions can create meaningful change over time. Elliott also shares the start of a personal 30-day gratitude challenge after conversations with Dr. Karen Harmon and Abi Brown. Rather than debating whether gratitude works, the goal is simple: commit to the process, stay open-minded, and report back honestly. Topics include: • Why growth requires intention • The danger of stopping your education after formal schooling • Learning new skills later in life • Why experience alone doesn't make us better • Returning to running and building momentum • The power of small daily decisions • A 30-day gratitude challenge • Staying curious and open to new ideas Chapters: 00:00 Why Growth Matters 01:45 Learning New Podcast Skills 04:15 Experience vs. Learning 06:45 Returning to Running 08:45 Small Decisions Create Big Change 10:15 The 30-Day Gratitude Challenge 11:45 How Do I Know It Works If I Never Commit To It? 12:45 Final Thoughts Follow Maine Responder Podcast for conversations on leadership, wellness, resilience, and life behind the uniform.

  7. May 28

    What Nobody Tells You About Marrying a First Responder

    Behind every first responder is a spouse, partner, or family member carrying a weight that often goes unseen. In this episode, we sit down with the women behind Project Homefront, a peer support group for first responder spouses, to discuss isolation, communication challenges, hyper-independence, identity, and the realities of supporting someone who works in law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch, or corrections. We discuss: • Why many first responder spouses feel isolated • The hidden emotional labor carried at home • How communication breaks down after difficult shifts • Why hyper-independence can damage relationships • Practical ways couples can reconnect • Building support systems outside the job Whether you're a first responder, spouse, or family member, this conversation offers an honest look at the challenges—and opportunities—that come with life beside the call. 🕕 Meetings are held once per month from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM 2026 Meeting TopicsJanuary 25 — Exploring Values & Purpose February 22 — Attachment & Conditioning in Relationships March 29 — Getting Real with Finances April 26 — Game Night & Pajamas May 31 — Transitions from Work to Home June 28 — Communication: Do’s & Don’ts July 26 — All About Stress Reactions August 30 — Local Trail Walk (Dress Sporty) September 27 — What is “Parts Work” and How Can it Bring Insight? October 25 — Connecting with Past & Future Self November 15 — The “How” Behind Happiness December 20 — Game Night & Pajamas Connect With Project Homefront📧 behindtheline.jill@gmail.com 📧 behindtheline.kristi@gmail.com 📧 behindtheline.abi@gmail.com

  8. May 21

    Gossip Destroys Trust | Leadership, Wellness & Police Culture

    Gossip feels harmless until it starts destroying trust, morale, and culture from the inside out. In this episode of the Maine Responder Podcast, Elliott and Billy have an honest conversation about gossip in policing, leadership, and everyday life. They discuss how rumors spread, why people are drawn to “juicy” information, and how toxic communication quietly damages teams, wellness, and trust inside organizations. The conversation also reflects on their recent experience speaking to middle school students about wellness, stress, breath work, kindness, and self-care — including how simple breathing techniques helped calm nerves in real time. This episode dives into: Gossip and toxic police cultureTrust inside teams and organizationsLeadership communicationEmotional intelligence in policingBreath work and stress managementOfficer wellness and culture changeThe next generation of first respondersWhy communication matters more than ever No script. No single lane. Just honest conversation about leadership, wellness, culture, and the realities of public safety.

    Gossip Destroys Trust | Leadership, Wellness & Police Culture
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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About

Some conversations stay with you long after they're over. Maine Responder is a podcast about leadership, growth, human performance, and the work that changes us. Hosted by police chief, veteran, Elliott Moya, and regularly joined by Billy Dries, whose background in law enforcement and expertise in fitness, breath work, cold-water training, and optimizing physical performance explore the physical and mental sides of becoming our best, each episode tackles the questions that don't have easy answers—how responsibility shapes us, how purpose evolves, and how we continue to grow through careers that demand so much of us. While many conversations begin through the lens of law enforcement and first response, they rarely end there. Leadership, resilience, identity, decision-making, mental performance, moral injury, family, and personal growth are challenges shared by anyone who carries responsibility for others.

Information

  • Creator
    Elliott Moya, Chief of Police | Resilience, Growth & Leadership Stories
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Elliott Moya, Chief of Police | Resilience, Growth & Leadership Stories
  • Show Website
    Maine Responder | Leadership • Growth • Resilience