Harmless the Podcast Eric Oldenburg

In this podcast episode, the host interviews Dave Frattare, a law enforcement veteran and current ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) commander. Dave recounts his journey into law enforcement, which began with an internship at the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.
He describes his initial reluctance to work in narcotics, his pivot to general crimes, and his eventual specialization in undercover work targeting child predators.
Dave also discusses the challenges and mental toll of his work, leading to his eventual move to Ohio's ICAC task force. Emphasizing the importance of mental health, Dave shares how he implemented a mental wellness policy for his unit and later collaborated with the Innocent Justice Foundation as a part-time instructor.
The conversation highlights the need for mental health awareness in law enforcement, particularly for those dealing with traumatic material on a daily basis.

A Helping Heart: Inside the Heart of ICAC Investigators with Jay Houston
 
In this compelling episode of 'Harmless', host Eric Oldenburg engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jay Houston, the director of training for the Child Rescue Coalition and a retired ICAC commander from Mississippi. They delve into the unspoken mental health challenges faced by ICAC investigators who tackle child exploitation cases. Jay shares poignant personal stories, including a near-suicide prevented at a training session, and stresses the importance of mental health support and a resilient, supportive environment within law enforcement.
With nearly 13 years of experience in ICAC and a transition to a full-time role fighting child exploitation, Jay provides an inside look into his work as an instructor, his efforts to improve forensic tools, and his vision for the future. This episode sheds light on the critical need for psychological resilience, peer support, and ongoing training in this demanding field.

A Helping Heart with Jay Houston:The Crucial Intersection of Mental Health and Law Enforcement
This episode encompasses a profound dialogue on the critical need for empathy, support, and mental health awareness within the law enforcement community, through deeply personal stories and professional reflections of retired Mississippi ICAC Commander Jay Houston, who exemplify leadership by embracing vulnerability and human connection, emphasizing the transformative power of supportive relationships among officers, especially when dealing with traumatic experiences and internet crimes against children (ICAC).
This conversation underscores the importance of mandatory mental health counseling, self-care, and the ongoing development of empathy and caring within the force, portraying how these values can significantly impact officers’ abilities to handle the darkness they encounter in their work while fostering a compassionate and resilient law enforcement community.

Unseen Wounds: The Emotional Toll of Child Abuse Work
 
This episode of 'Harmless' features a deep dive into the emotional and psychological toll experienced by professionals who work in child abuse prevention and treatment. The host, Eric Oldenburg, interviews Dr. Kathy Coffman, a forensic pediatrician with over 30 years of experience in examining and supporting child abuse victims. Dr. Coffman shares insights into the challenges of determining the age of children in abusive imagery, the stress of potentially misjudging cases, and the importance of finding coping mechanisms to handle the anger and trauma encountered in this line of work. The conversation also highlights the necessity of a support system for those in the field, the human side of abusers, and the resilience of parents dealing with the aftermath of their child being abused. Dr. Coffman emphasizes the neurodevelopmental impacts of trauma on children and advises those entering this field to find beauty amidst the darkness to sustain their work long-term.

🎙 Now Available - ONLY - on Harmless the Podcast:
Hidden Battles: Navigating the Depths of Child Exploitation Investigations
Long time friends, Eric Oldenburg and retired Detective Phillis Walker discuss the intense and often unseen struggles faced by law enforcement officers working in the alleyways of digital child exploitation and abuse investigations.
A detective who shifted from physical crime scenes to the virtual realm to escape the direct emotional impact, only to discover new challenges in the digital domain, to Phyllis, a computer forensics expert who found herself isolated amidst troubling investigations.
This conversation explores the profound psychological toll these roles exact on those involved. It delves into the essential yet distressing work of probing into the darkest facets of human behavior online, emphasizing the urgent need for specialized training, support, and coping mechanisms for investigators to manage the severe mental health repercussions of their duties.
Highlighting personal experiences, this conversation paints a vivid picture of the strenuous journey and the resilience of those combating child exploitation in the digital age.
Presented in Partnership with The Innocent Justice Foundation

In this episode of 'Harmless,' host Eric Oldenburg interviews Kevin Laws, a retired Homeland Security Investigations special agent and author of 'Hunter of the Damned: A Walk Through Hell.'
Kevin shares his harrowing experiences working undercover in child exploitation investigations and the emotional toll it took on him, including wrestling with suicide following the death of his wife. The episode sheds light on the psychological impact of such work, Kevin's journey through loss and healing, and the vital need for support among law enforcement officials. Additionally, Kevin offers advice to those currently in the field and emphasizes the importance of seeking help and maintaining connections outside of work to manage the emotional challenges of the job.
You can purchase Kevin's book on his website, www.knsteaching.com.
If you or someone you know is stuggling with sucidal thoughts, please dial or text 988. Thr new national resource for suicide prevention.