Public Safety Talk Radio

Kenneth Bator

The podcast for all of our heroes in public safety, including law enforcement professionals, firefighters, EMTs, corrections officers, healthcare workers, and more.

  1. 4h ago

    Real American Blue: Straight Talk from Two Retired Law Enforcement Professionals

    Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 177 What happens when two retired law enforcement professionals trade the badge for microphones? In this lively episode, host Ken Bator sits down with Robert “Curly” Flanagan and Rich Bricklin, the voices behind Real American Blue. Curly and Rich share how frustration with anti-police rhetoric inspired their show and explain why its conversations span law enforcement, politics, training, officer wellness, firearms, technology, and current events. They also discuss memorable guests, the realities of livestreaming, building an audience across multiple platforms, and their plans to support officers and their families through charitable giving. The conversation also tackles the responsible use of artificial intelligence, license-plate-reading cameras, body cameras, and other investigative tools—along with the need for accountability when technology is misused. Throughout, Curly and Rich draw on decades of experience while keeping the discussion candid, humorous, and unmistakably unscripted. Learn more and find episodes of Real American Blue at www.realamericanblue.com Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https://www.btcinc.net Learn more about our sponsors, the National Police Federal Credit Union at https://www.nationalpolicefcu.com/ And Police Mortgage at https://policemortgage.com/ Also check out Mortgage Beat on NPPN.Live. Mortgage Beat is brought to you by Police Mortgage, a full-service mortgage company dedicated to serving Police Officers and First Responders. Founded in 2008, Police Mortgage offers a variety of mortgage products tailored to meet the needs of those who serve and protect. To learn more or to apply for a home loan go to policemortgage.com or call 312-499-8878. NMLS #268165 Police Mortgage – For First Responders Who Are Second To None.

  2. Oct 20

    The Serial Decision Maker

    Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 176 What makes a good decision—and what can a bad one teach us? In this episode, host Ken Bator sits down with longtime colleague Scott Arney, CEO of National Police Federal Credit Union, for a candid conversation about leadership, risk, resilience, and the choices that shape a career and a life. As Scott prepares for retirement and the launch of his upcoming podcast, The Serial Decision Maker, he reflects on pivotal moments from nearly 25 years of leadership. He shares why stepping outside his comfort zone changed his trajectory, how his team navigated the uncertainty of COVID-19, and how an early lending decision that failed ultimately led to a stronger, more responsible approach for serving members. Ken and Scott also explore the art and science of decision-making: asking better questions, balancing research with intuition, recognizing the influence of personality and fear, learning from mistakes, and staying present enough to control what you can control. Their discussion offers an honest reminder that progress does not require perfect choices—it requires the willingness to act, assess, adjust, and keep moving forward. Learn more about The Serial Decision Maker at NPPN.Live Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https://www.btcinc.net Learn more about our sponsors, the National Police Federal Credit Union at https://www.nationalpolicefcu.com/ And Police Mortgage at https://policemortgage.com/ Also check out Mortgage Beat on NPPN.Live. Mortgage Beat is brought to you by Police Mortgage, a full-service mortgage company dedicated to serving Police Officers and First Responders. Founded in 2008, Police Mortgage offers a variety of mortgage products tailored to meet the needs of those who serve and protect. To learn more or to apply for a home loan go to policemortgage.com or call 312-499-8878. NMLS #268165 Police Mortgage – For First Responders Who Are Second To None.

  3. Oct 13

    Missing in Michigan: Turning Awareness Into Action

    Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 175 What does it take to give missing-person families meaningful support—and help law enforcement strengthen its response? On this episode of Public Safety Talk Radio, host Ken Bator speaks with Nina Innsted, president of Missing in Michigan and creator of the long-running true-crime podcast Already Gone. Nina explains how Missing in Michigan connects families, law enforcement, students, advocates, and the media through family meetings and Day of the Missing events. She shares practical lessons on acting quickly, using social media effectively, communicating with compassion, avoiding assumptions, and publishing accurate information that the public can use. She also discusses how the organization’s low-cost, high-impact model could be adapted by communities across the country. The conversation also explores Nina’s journey from podcaster to credentialed victim advocate, the connection between storytelling and real-world action, and the case in which an Already Gone episode helped prompt police to reopen the 1979 disappearance of 12-year-old Kim King. It is a candid discussion about collaboration, persistence, and why every missing person deserves to be treated as someone worth finding. Learn more about Nina Innsted at https://www.alreadygonepodcast.com/ Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https://www.btcinc.net Learn more about our sponsors, the National Police Federal Credit Union at https://www.nationalpolicefcu.com/ And Police Mortgage at https://policemortgage.com/ Also check out Mortgage Beat on NPPN.Live. Mortgage Beat is brought to you by Police Mortgage, a full-service mortgage company dedicated to serving Police Officers and First Responders. Founded in 2008, Police Mortgage offers a variety of mortgage products tailored to meet the needs of those who serve and protect. To learn more or to apply for a home loan go to policemortgage.com or call 312-499-8878. NMLS #268165 Police Mortgage – For First Responders Who Are Second To None.

  4. Oct 6

    Faith, Community, and Life Beyond the Badge

    Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 174 Former Seattle police officer and Mission First Alliance Executive Director Jeremy Wade joins us to discuss the personal toll of public-safety work—and why faith, identity, and community matter long before a crisis hits. Drawing on 13 years with the Seattle Police Department, including his work in training, peer support, and officer wellness, Jeremy shares how his own struggles reshaped his sense of purpose and led him to build a nationwide alliance serving first responders and their families. The conversation explores the risks of tying identity too closely to the badge, the need for proactive spiritual support, and the power of collaboration among chaplains, churches, nonprofits, and public-safety professionals. Jeremy also explains the free resources, events, and connections available through Mission First Alliance and offers a clear message to anyone suffering in silence: you are not alone, and there is real hope. Learn more about the Mission First Alliance at https://missionfirstalliance.com/ Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https://www.btcinc.net Learn more about our sponsors, the National Police Federal Credit Union at https://www.nationalpolicefcu.com/ And Police Mortgage at https://policemortgage.com/ Also check out Mortgage Beat on NPPN.Live. Mortgage Beat is brought to you by Police Mortgage, a full-service mortgage company dedicated to serving Police Officers and First Responders. Founded in 2008, Police Mortgage offers a variety of mortgage products tailored to meet the needs of those who serve and protect. To learn more or to apply for a home loan go to policemortgage.com or call 312-499-8878. NMLS #268165 Police Mortgage – For First Responders Who Are Second To None.

  5. Sep 29

    First-Responder Trauma, Peer Support, and Recovery

    Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 173 Retired Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office deputy Ryan Cleveringa joins Ken Bator for a candid conversation about the hidden toll of a career in public safety—and the courage it takes to ask for help. Ryan shares how repeated critical incidents, moral injury, isolation, strained relationships, and an early mismatch with therapy shaped his journey before he found a culturally competent clinician and the California Law Enforcement Assistance Program (CALEAP). He explains how CALEAP’s confidential, peer-driven seminars help law enforcement officers, firefighters, dispatchers, investigators, and their spouses recognize trauma responses, build trusted support networks, communicate more effectively, and rediscover hope. The discussion also explores why the right therapist matters, how spouses can become part of recovery, and why first responders should reach out before reaching rock bottom. Ryan’s message is simple and urgent: you don’t have to carry everything alone. Accept the hand that is offered, do the work, and be willing to leave behind what no longer serves you. Learn more about CALEAP at https://www.caleap.org/ Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https://www.btcinc.net Learn more about our sponsors, the National Police Federal Credit Union at https://www.nationalpolicefcu.com/ And Police Mortgage at https://policemortgage.com/ Also check out Mortgage Beat on NPPN.Live. Mortgage Beat is brought to you by Police Mortgage, a full-service mortgage company dedicated to serving Police Officers and First Responders. Founded in 2008, Police Mortgage offers a variety of mortgage products tailored to meet the needs of those who serve and protect. To learn more or to apply for a home loan go to policemortgage.com or call 312-499-8878. NMLS #268165 Police Mortgage – For First Responders Who Are Second To None.

  6. Sep 22

    The Financial Cop’s Guide to Getting Out of Debt

    The Financial Cop’s Guide to Getting Out of Debt Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 172 Ken Bator sits down with Nick Daugherty—known as “The Financial Cop”—for a candid conversation about financial wellness for first responders. A retired sergeant and financial professional, Nick shares his own journey from heavy debt to financial freedom and explains why money problems are often less about math and more about behavior, discipline, and control. Ken and Nick discuss practical approaches to getting out of debt, including the debt snowball and debt avalanche methods, and why the best plan is the one a person will actually follow. They also explore how financial stress affects the emotional, physical, professional, and family lives of public safety professionals—and how taking control of a budget can create options, confidence, and long-term freedom. The conversation also covers common financial mistakes among young first responders, the importance of eliminating high-interest debt, and the value of building a “legacy go bag” so loved ones know where to find critical financial and estate information in an emergency. Nick emphasizes that wealth-building does not require perfection or a single guru’s system. It requires awareness, consistency, and a plan that fits real life. Listeners will learn: why budgeting is the foundation of financial wellness, how to choose a debt payoff strategy, why high-interest debt can hold back wealth-building, and how better financial preparation can protect both first responders and their families. Learn more about Nick Daugherty at https://financialcop.com/ Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https://www.btcinc.net Learn more about our sponsors, the National Police Federal Credit Union at https://www.nationalpolicefcu.com/ And Police Mortgage at https://policemortgage.com/ Also check out Mortgage Beat on NPPN.Live. Mortgage Beat is brought to you by Police Mortgage, a full-service mortgage company dedicated to serving Police Officers and First Responders. Founded in 2008, Police Mortgage offers a variety of mortgage products tailored to meet the needs of those who serve and protect. To learn more or to apply for a home loan go to policemortgage.com or call 312-499-8878. NMLS #268165 Police Mortgage – For First Responders Who Are Second To None.

  7. Sep 15

    Lady Law Shield: When First Responders Need Backup

    Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 171 Bridget Truxillo - founder of Lady Law Shield and a former deputy sheriff with experience in patrol, narcotics, organized crime, and SWAT - shares how her law enforcement career shaped her mission to support first responders facing workplace challenges, legal uncertainty, and the mental strain that can come with feeling unsupported by their agencies. Ken Bator – Producer and Host of Public Safety Talk Radio - and Bridget discuss the value women bring to public safety, the realities of serving in high-pressure environments, and why communication, judgment, and emotional resilience can be just as critical as physical strength. Bridget also explains how Lady Law Shield fills a unique gap for first responders by combining employment law guidance with practical support, helping officers, firefighters, dispatchers, corrections professionals, and other public safety personnel understand their options before problems spiral further. The conversation also explores entrepreneurship, leadership, agency culture, due process, accountability, and what prospective first responders should consider before choosing a department. Bridget offers candid advice on researching agency culture, asking better questions during the hiring process, understanding benefits and policies, and preparing mentally for a career that demands both courage and self-awareness. Whether you are a current first responder, considering a career in public safety, leading a department, or simply interested in the people behind the badge, this episode offers an honest look at service, advocacy, leadership, and the importance of making private problems public when accountability is needed. Learn more about Lady Law Shield at https://ladylawshield.com/ Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https://www.btcinc.net To learn more about the sponsor of this episode, go to https://policemortgage.com/ And check out Mortgage Beat on NPPN.Live. Mortgage Beat is brought to you by Police Mortgage, a full-service mortgage company dedicated to serving Police Officers and First Responders. Founded in 2008, Police Mortgage offers a variety of mortgage products tailored to meet the needs of those who serve and protect. To learn more or to apply for a home loan go to policemortgage.com or call 312-499-8878. NMLS #268165 Police Mortgage – For First Responders Who Are Second To None.

  8. Sep 8

    Never Forget: A Public Safety Reflection on 9/11

    Public Safety Talk Radio Episode 170 In this reflective solo episode of Public Safety Talk Radio, host Ken Bator pauses the regular guest lineup to mark the September 11 remembrance week and honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001. Ken shares where he was that morning—the same day he launched Bator Training and Consulting—and recalls the confusion, shock, and heartbreak as the attacks unfolded. With special recognition for the first responders, families, survivors, and those still carrying physical, emotional, and mental wounds from that day, this episode is a call for remembrance, perspective, prayer, and gratitude. Ken encourages listeners—especially those too young to remember 9/11 firsthand—to revisit the history, understand its impact, and take time to reflect while continuing to live with purpose and appreciation. The show returns next week with another guest and a continued focus on the Soundness Initiative: supporting the physical, emotional, financial, and professional soundness of first responders. Learn more about the producer of Public Safety Talk Radio at https://www.btcinc.net To learn more about the sponsor of this episode, go to https://policemortgage.com/ And check out Mortgage Beat on NPPN.Live. Mortgage Beat is brought to you by Police Mortgage, a full-service mortgage company dedicated to serving Police Officers and First Responders. Founded in 2008, Police Mortgage offers a variety of mortgage products tailored to meet the needs of those who serve and protect. To learn more or to apply for a home loan go to policemortgage.com or call 312-499-8878. NMLS #268165 Police Mortgage – For First Responders Who Are Second To None.

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The podcast for all of our heroes in public safety, including law enforcement professionals, firefighters, EMTs, corrections officers, healthcare workers, and more.

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  • Creator
    Kenneth Bator
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    178
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Public Safety Talk Radio
  • Show Website
    Public Safety Talk Radio