JOE SMARRO: HOW A COP PRACTICES EMPATHY, UNDERSTANDING & DEESCALATION: EP. 285

JOE SMARRO, a Marine Corps veteran, former police officer, and nationally recognized mental health advocate who is transforming crisis intervention and suicide prevention—especially for first responders.

Joe co-founded the San Antonio Police Department’s Mental Health Unit, reshaping how law enforcement handles mental health crises with empathy, connection, and calm solutions. His groundbreaking work has been featured in the Emmy-winning HBO documentary Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops and his TEDx talk, I See You, has inspired thousands.

Now, as the founder of SolutionPoint+, Joe trains organizations, first responders, and leaders nationwide on mental wellness, crisis intervention, and resilience. His bestselling book,Unarmed, teaches how courage, compassion, and connection can save livesWe discuss

• Mental Health in Public Safety – Transforming crisis response and intervention

• Empathy as a De-escalation Tool – How compassion leads to better outcomes

• Suicide Prevention & Resilience – Helping first responders and communities stay strong

• Understanding Human Behavior in Crisis – Turning high-stress moments into opportunities    for connection

• Building Stronger, Safer Communities – Strategies for fostering trust and collaboration

Joe’s message is simple: leading with empathy saves lives. 

www.joesmarro.com