View from 100

Douglas County Sheriff's Office

View from 100 is the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Podcast hosted by Sheriff Jay Armbrister.  The show highlights both the inner workings and external community partnerships of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Kansas. The goal through these long-form conversations with Sheriff Armbrister is to connect with audiences who might not have as much in-depth knowledge of the Sheriff’s Office and other issues related to public safety and criminal justice in the community.

Episodes

  1. MAY 18

    Care & Community: Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center

    Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister sits down with Dr. Kirsten Watkins, CEO of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, and Emily Farley, Chief Advancement Officer, to explore how a community of Lawrence’s size has built one of the most comprehensive behavioral health systems in Kansas. They outline the Bert Nash Center’s role as a safety-net provider for all ages and all levels of need, describe its network of facilities and explain the vision for the forthcoming Youth Recovery Center, which is a “urgent care for the mind” where youth can receive crisis stabilization and ongoing outpatient care under one roof.  The conversation highlights how Douglas County residents have repeatedly “put their money where their mouth is,” from approving sales tax for crisis services to driving a 73% increase in private donations, ensuring that local youth and families don’t have to travel hours away for psychiatric care. The episode also dives into the deep collaboration between the Bert Nash Center and the criminal justice system, including embedded clinicians in the Douglas County Jail, participation in specialty courts and the high-utilization Mobile Response Team that often responds to mental health crises instead of or alongside law enforcement. Armbrister recounts how local partners, including Bert Nash, devised an in-county solution to long state waits for competency evaluations and restoration, reducing decompensation in jail and freeing scarce state hospital beds.  Throughout, Watkins and Farley emphasize that early intervention is lasting prevention, that the severity and complexity of mental health needs are rising and that Bert Nash’s core message to Douglas County remains simple and urgent: you are not alone, we are here for you, and if we’re not the right place, we’ll help you find the one that is.

    1h 14m

  2. JAN 29

    Episode 08 - Access & Understanding

    Sheriff Jay Armbrister sits down with community outreach coordinator Morgan Haney and recent Citizens Academy graduates Hannah Bolton (founder, Cardinal Housing Network) and defense attorney Matthew Fredrick to explore how the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office opens its doors to the public.  They break down what happens over the seven-week, nine-session DGSO Citizens Academy — from reentry simulations and jail tours to dispatch, firearms and traffic-stop scenarios — and how experiential learning changes perceptions of law enforcement.

    1h 7m

  3. 11/04/2025

    Episode 07 - Cases & Compassion: Jessica Glendening, Seventh Judicial District Public Defender

    Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister interviews Jessica Glendening, chief public defender in Douglas County, in a conversation about different aspects of the legal system.  Glendening discusses her 16-year career in criminal defense, including her roles in Shawnee and Douglas counties. She explains the differences between public defenders and retained attorneys and prosecutors, the challenges of managing caseloads and the importance of addressing clients' non-legal needs. Glendening also highlights the misconceptions about public defenders and the adversarial nature of the legal system.  She emphasizes the rewarding aspects of her job, such as helping clients with mental health and substance abuse issues. The conversation underscores the collaborative efforts in Douglas County to support reentry and community well-being.

    55 min

  4. 07/22/2025

    Episode 06 - Support & Second Chances: DGSO Reentry Team

    Sheriff Jay Armbrister hosts the "View from 100" podcast episode 06, featuring Carrie Neis and Shelby Osborn of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Reentry team.  The program helps people in custody transition back into society, addressing barriers like housing, mental health and substance abuse. Neis, director or reentry, and Osborn, a reentry case manager, emphasize the importance of meeting inmates where they are and providing tailored support.  They highlight the success of the medication-assisted treatment program, which has seen significant reductions in recidivism. The program also collaborates with local agencies to provide comprehensive services, including housing and job assistance. They also underscore the need for more staff and housing resources.

    1 hr

  5. 06/26/2025

    Episode 05 - Courts & Community: Chief District Judge James McCabria

    Sheriff Jay Armbrister hosts a discussion featuring Judge James McCabria, chief district court judge of the Seventh Judicial District of Kansas, which is Douglas County.  Judge McCabria discusses his role, including caseload distribution and administrative functions, and explains other aspects of the courts in Kansas. Judge McCabria shares his background, including his education at Ohio State University and Tulsa University, and his career path from defense attorney to prosecutor and judge. He explains the selection process for district court judges and the importance of public respect for the judiciary. The conversation also touches on the challenges of the justice system, including workload management and the impact of failures to appear in court.

    54 min

  6. 06/16/2025 ·  BONUS

    Bonus Episode - Kyle Appleby LGBTQ+ Liaison

    In this special bonus episode of the View from 100 podcast, Sheriff Armbrister and Master Corrections Officer Kyle Appleby discuss the agency's efforts to be inclusive, including Kyle's role as the LGBTQ+ liaison. Appleby as liaison works to create transparency and understanding within the agency. This includes training new hires on respectful interactions with the LGBTQ+ community, particularly for transgender individuals. He helps staff understand the importance of using correct names and pronouns, explaining legal processes and being transparent about procedures. DGSO is part of the LGBTQ+ Metro Law Enforcement Network, which allows the agency to be present at community events and show support.

    10 min

  7. 05/23/2025

    Episode 04 - Trust & Trauma: Morgan Haney, DGSO Community Outreach

    Sheriff Armbrister and Morgan Haney discuss her role as an advocacy and outreach specialist at the sheriff's office.  Morgan shares her journey from social work to dispatching, driven by her desire to support first responders and victims of trauma. She emphasizes the importance of peer support and community outreach, particularly for domestic violence survivors.  Morgan highlights the challenges of building trust and the impact of her work, including attending court with victims and organizing community events. They also discuss the prevalence of trauma among first responders and the need for mental health support. Morgan provides her contact information for those seeking assistance. NOTE: This episode includes discussion of suicide and suicide attempts. If this topic is difficult for you, please take care while listening. Feel free to pause or skip this episode—do whatever you need. If you’ve lived through something similar, our hearts are with you. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. You can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.

    49 min

  8. 05/14/2025

    Episode 03 - Minds & Methods: Lt. Rich Qualls and Master Corrections Officer Kyle Appleby

    In episode 03 of the "View from 100" podcast, Sheriff Jay Armbrister and guests Lt. Rich Qualls and Master Corrections Officer Kyle Appleby of the DGSO Training Division discuss the importance of training in law enforcement.  They highlight the evolution of training methods, emphasizing the need for foundational skills and continuous education. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has an eight-week corrections academy followed by eight weeks of on-the-job training for new corrections officers, which is the most extensive of its kind in the state. They also address the challenges of training young officers and the importance of mental health support, and the advantages of starting your law enforcement career in corrections.  The conversation also touches on the agency's competitive pay package and recruitment strategies.

    58 min

  9. 04/08/2025

    Episode 02 - Coordination & Collaboration: Katy Fitzgerald, Criminal Justice Coordinator, Douglas County

    In the second episode of View from 100, Sheriff Jay Armbrister talks with Katy Fitzgerald, the Criminal Justice Coordinator for Douglas County, about her collaborative work with the county's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Fitzgerald, who came to Douglas County in 2022, discusses how her background in clinical and community psychology shaped her work with juveniles and adults in the criminal justice system.  She also talks about the work of coordinating efforts across law enforcement, courts and treatment providers, as well as the CJCC's recent achievements in improving competency restoration programs, probation assessments and CJCC governance. Looking ahead, Fitzgerald highlights the importance of system-wide data collection and strategic communication to drive future progress.  Douglas County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Douglas County Sheriff's Office

    50 min

  10. 03/24/2025

    Episode 01 - Foundations & Futures: A Conversation with Undersheriff Stacy Simmons

    In the premiere episode of View from 100, Sheriff Jay Armbrister and Undersheriff Stacy Simmons offer an inside look at their careers and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. With 26 years of service, Simmons shares her journey from deputy to undersheriff, offering an inside look at the challenges and successes of law enforcement leadership. From policies and staff training to tackling systemic biases and strengthening community ties, this candid conversation dives into the several  key issues. They also discuss the Sheriff's Office’s efforts to foster trust, including participation in the Pride Parade and the DGSO Citizen's Academy. Armbrister also addressed his hopes for the future of the podcast, including hearing from members of several community partners the Sheriff's Office works with closely. Whether you're curious about law enforcement, passionate about community engagement, or just want to hear what happens behind the badge, this episode takes you behind the scenes. NOTE: The DGSO Citizen's Academy 2025 applications closed before we released this episode, but we kept the information and story about the academy. Take a look in early 2026 for applications for next year's DGSO Citizen's Academy.

    41 min
  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

View from 100 is the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Podcast hosted by Sheriff Jay Armbrister.  The show highlights both the inner workings and external community partnerships of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Kansas. The goal through these long-form conversations with Sheriff Armbrister is to connect with audiences who might not have as much in-depth knowledge of the Sheriff’s Office and other issues related to public safety and criminal justice in the community.

Information

  • Creator
    Douglas County Sheriff's Office
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 View from 100
  • Show Website
    View from 100

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