In this episode of Motivated Masculine Men , Chris Chandler-Yates sits down with Ashley Smith to dig deep into the real work it takes to build strong, respectful, and lasting relationships in today’s world. From the shifting ground of modern gender roles to the importance of vulnerability, communication, and boundaries, Chris and Ashley tackle what makes—or breaks—partnerships. They explore how cultural backgrounds shape our ideas of masculinity and femininity, the evolution of DEI initiatives, ...
Aug 17, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Season 6Ep. 2
In this episode, Chris sits down with John Smith to unpack what it means to be a man today. They explore how masculinity is evolving ,cutting through the noise around “toxic masculinity” to focus on what healthy masculinity really looks like: responsibility, vulnerability, and purpose. John shares personal stories about managing work stress, maintaining relationships, and the importance of physical and mental health. Together, they highlight how men can communicate better, build strong support n...
Aug 12, 2025•1 hr 48 min•Season 6Ep. 1
In this episode of Fight the Burnout, Chris sits down with retired LAPD Lieutenant Jeff Wenninger to unpack a career and life shaped by resilience, integrity, and purpose.From being adopted into a multiracial family in Ohio, to a wrongful arrest in college that unexpectedly set him on the path into policing, Jeff’s story is one of transformation through adversity. Over his 33-year career, he served in some of the most high-pressure roles in law enforcement: SWAT, K9, Metro Division, and the Ramp...
Aug 10, 2025•1 hr 51 min•Season 3Ep. 139
In this compelling episode of Fight the Burnout, Chris engages in a profound conversation with Hi Nguyen, a seasoned Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer with 13 years of diverse experience. Hi shares his journey from general duties officer to counter-terrorist and personal security officer, emphasizing the high-level trauma and paranoia that came with the job. Listen as Hi narrates his burnout experience, triggered by intense work following a parliamentary active shooter situation. This turnin...
May 05, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 138
Join Chris Chandler-Yates as he interviews Deborah Green, a seasoned law enforcement dispatcher with 28 years of experience, as she shares the highs and lows of her impactful career. From Sacramento police to Eldorado County, Deborah discusses major events, including the LA riots and George Floyd protests. Delve into her experiences with PTSD and the unique stress faced by dispatchers. Explore the complexities of balancing work and personal life, the impact of trauma, and the crucial role of pee...
Feb 19, 2024•50 min•Season 5Ep. 137
In this compelling episode, we're joined by Dave Maxx, a former Chicago Police Officer with a stellar 25-year career under his belt. Dave's journey is nothing short of inspirational and brimming with wisdom, as he shares his three key principles for keeping the love for patrol as fresh as day one. Dave's approach to happiness and fulfillment in policing is both simple and remarkably effective. He unveils his insights, gleaned from a quarter-century of dedicated service, that will resonate with b...
Oct 19, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 5Ep. 136
In this episode of "Fight the Burnout," we're joined by Stephanie Kiesow, a remarkable individual whose story is a testament to the power of resilience, self-discovery, and service to others. With a background in law enforcement and a profound understanding of workplace dynamics, Stephanie is on a mission to prevent what she terms "workicide" - the erosion of one's well-being due to career-related stress. Having spent 16 years in law enforcement, Stephanie's journey is marked by a deep commitmen...
Sep 24, 2023•58 min•Season 5Ep. 135
In this compelling episode with Nate Brucke, a former law enforcement officer with a story that will leave you both riveted and enlightened. Nate opens up about a harrowing incident in his career, one that serves as a cautionary tale for all those in the line of duty. Nate recounts the events that led him into a precarious situation, vividly illustrating the importance of listening to one's instincts and intuition. He bravely shares the circumstances that unfolded during that challenging period,...
Sep 14, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 5Ep. 134
Join host Chris Chandler-Yates in an enlightening conversation with Tim Jeffrey, a retired police sergeant with an impressive 30-year career in law enforcement. In this interview, Tim shares his valuable insights on the transformative power of prioritizing the well-being of police officers from the top leadership down to the frontline. Drawing from his extensive experience, Tim discusses the critical role that effective leadership plays in creating a positive and impactful environment within pol...
Aug 29, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Season 5Ep. 133
Join host Chris Chandler-Yates in a compelling conversation with Meredith Moran, a seasoned professional with an extensive background in law enforcement, dispatch, training, and therapy. Meredith's unique journey took a significant turn when her police career was impacted by firearms test anxiety, leading her to discover a new calling as a police therapist. In this episode, Chris and Meredith delve into the critical need for police officers to have access to therapists who truly understand the i...
Aug 20, 2023•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 133
In a candid and thought-provoking episode, join Chris Chandler-Yates as he sits down with Francine Bradley Arthur, a Navajo Native American Police Officer with a remarkable 20-year career. Together, they delve into the realities of policing, the challenges faced, and the personal journey that led Francine to become a statistic before rising above it to make a significant impact. From the very beginning of her policing journey, Francine was told that she and her fellow academy graduates were like...
Aug 14, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 5Ep. 132
Lets re introduce why this podcast is around and the direction its going. Lets start with who is your host Chris Chandler-Yates.
Aug 06, 2023•11 min
In this powerful episode of Fight the Burnout, join us for an enlightening conversation as Rey Nejo, with over 30 years of policing experience and a former Chief of a reservation Police department, opens up about his remarkable journey through burnout and resilience in both policing and the military. Beginning his career in the military, serving in Korea, Rey faced the challenges of burnout and sought solace in unhealthy coping mechanisms. As a minority officer in the 70s, he encountered prejudi...
Aug 03, 2023•1 hr 39 min•Season 5Ep. 182
Join us for a transformative episode of Fight the Burnout, as we welcome Bryce Lee, an experienced police officer and retired Air Force veteran with 20 years of service. Bryce shares his inspiring journey, from battling PTSD and burnout to finding solace in Stoic Philosophy. As the creator and host of the Stoic Sentinel Podcast, Bryce applies Stoicism to empower law enforcement officers in becoming their best selves—mentally, physically, emotionally, and skillfully. Discover how embracing Stoici...
Jul 30, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 182
Welcome to a revealing episode of Fight the Burnout, where we delve into the reality of police officers' daily lives and the often-neglected impact of routines on their well-being. As police officers, many of us find ourselves trapped in unproductive routines, leading to burnout and emotional exhaustion. We come home after a long day, talk about going to the gym or training, but end up sitting in front of the TV before going to sleep. On our days off, we may take the kids to school, have lunch, ...
Jul 24, 2023•11 min•Season 5Ep. 182
Prepare for an awe-inspiring and transformative episode of Fight the Burnout as we sit down with the remarkable Akshay Nanavati, a true testament to the power of resilience and overcoming adversity. Akshay's life journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, from battling drug addiction and PTSD as a US Marine in Iraq, where he fearlessly walked ahead of vehicles to uncover bombs, to facing depression and alcoholism that nearly pushed him to the edge of suicide. Yet, rather than succumbing to...
Jul 24, 2023•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 181
Welcome to another episode of Fight the Burnout, the podcast dedicated to helping departments support their officers in eliminating burnout and fostering fulfilling, impactful, and long-lasting careers while reducing the prevalence of PTSD, suicides, and staff turnover. I'm your host, Chris Chandler-Yates, and for over five years, I've been guiding officers towards burnout prevention through mindset work, fitness, and taking decisive action. In today's episode, we're diving into a common challen...
Jul 17, 2023•7 min•Season 5Ep. 180
In this empowering episode of Fight the Burnout, we welcome Katie Wriley, a compassionate advocate for police officers' mental and emotional well-being. Katie shares her personal journey of burnout and how she found solace and healing through a transformative experience—an immersive, nine-day, silent, meditative retreat that incorporated plant medicine ceremonies. Having experienced her own burnout, Katie understands the toll it can take on individuals and is committed to helping others overcome...
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 179
Welcome to another powerful episode of Fight the Burnout, where we unveil the truth and equip you and your department with the tools to eliminate burnout and prevent PTSD. It's time to take action and create a healthier, more resilient law enforcement community. Join us on a transformative journey as we help you reignite your passion and rediscover your purpose as a police officer. In this episode, we delve into the moments that inspired you to join the force and the importance of staying focuse...
Jul 10, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 178
In this episode of Fight the Burnout, we have the privilege of hearing from Randy Gernhardt, a remarkable individual who dedicated his life to serving as a police officer, volunteer firefighter, emergency medical technician, and military reservist. With emergency services consuming his life 24/7, Randy's responsibilities multiplied when he became a full-time Air Force Security Forces officer, leading to grueling work hours that included holidays and weekends. As his career progressed, Randy assu...
Jul 07, 2023•57 min•Season 5Ep. 177
Welcome to another powerful episode of Fight the Burnout, where we shed light on the truth and equip you and your department with the essential tools to eliminate burnout and prevent PTSD. It's time to take action and create a healthier, more resilient law enforcement community. Did you know that addressing burnout can lead to a remarkable reduction of over 25 percent in resignations within your department? Imagine the positive impact this can have on retention rates and the overall well-being o...
Jul 03, 2023•10 min•Season 5Ep. 177
Welcome to another enlightening episode of Fight the Burnout, the podcast dedicated to helping law enforcement officers combat burnout and cultivate resilience. In this interview, we are thrilled to have Steve Sweeting, an esteemed 18-year Police Sergeant, as our special guest. Steve's firsthand experience as an active duty police sergeant has exposed him to the hardships that law enforcement officers face daily. From life-altering situations like receiving a medal of valor for two heroic shooti...
Jun 29, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 176
Join us on a transformative journey as we explore the power of communication in preventing and eliminating burnout among police departments and officers. In this episode, we delve into the profound impact of communicating differently with ourselves, our partners, our relationships, and our work, allowing us to thrive and process the significant trauma we encounter. Discover eye-opening insights into the staggering amount of trauma experienced by police officers in their first 12 months, amountin...
Jun 26, 2023•10 min•Season 5Ep. 176
Are you ready to revolutionize your police department's involvement in the community? Look no further! In this captivating episode, we present an educational and intriguing opportunity that is perfect for your department's growth and success. Imagine a police force driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact, leaving behind the ego-driven cops and tough enforcers. It's time for a transformation, and we are here to guide you through it. Discover how our proven strategies can revolutioniz...
Jun 23, 2023•10 min•Season 5Ep. 174
In this episode, Jeff Daukas shares his journey from feeling burnt out and losing motivation after 13 years on the job, to re-igniting his passion and love for law enforcement. Jeff has been in law enforcement for 24 years and has worked in various roles, including patrol, field training, investigations, protester negotiations, and supervision. He is also a teacher in Criminal Justice and serves as an Elder at his Christian church. Jeff talks about how he regained control of his physical and men...
Apr 28, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 173
In this episode, host Chris Chandler-Yates interviews Police Chief Marcia Harnden from Albany, Oregon, who has over 30 years of police experience and has been a Chief for over 3 years. Marcia shares her journey from feeling burnout to becoming a Chief and how she used this opportunity to not only counter her burnout but to help her department become a leader in supporting its staff and community during the struggles of 2020 and beyond. Marcia talks about her specific tools to fight burnout and w...
Apr 07, 2023•59 min•Season 5Ep. 172
In this episode, Chris Chandler-Yates sits down with Dr. Kareem Puranda, a former police officer and experienced counselor, to discuss the challenges of PTSD and trauma in law enforcement. Kareem shares his own experiences and walks us through some key processes and strategies to break the cycle of PTSD and prevent its debilitating effects on mental health. Drawing on his extensive background in mental health care and multicultural awareness, Kareem provides valuable insights into the importance...
Mar 24, 2023•51 min•Season 5Ep. 171
Join Chris Chandler-Yates as he sits down with Clee Tilman, a law enforcement officer with over 20 years of experience in policing. Clee shares his firsthand experience of what it was like to police during some of the hardest times law enforcement has seen, including recent protests and riots where he was personally yelled at by people he knew. In this eye-opening episode, Clee speaks candidly about how this experience led to burnout in his life, and how he was able to find his way back to lovin...
Mar 17, 2023•53 min•Season 5Ep. 170
In this episode of "Fight the Burnout," Chris sits down with Emergency Medicine Physician Michael Guirguis to discuss how he has avoided burnout in the ER by diversifying his work and finding passion in law enforcement. From serving as a medical director for Executive Protection teams to volunteering as a reserve sheriff, Michael shares how his love for his family has driven his hard work and helped him find balance. As the Founder & Chief Medical Officer at Raven Medical Support Group, he p...
Mar 16, 2023•41 min•Season 5Ep. 169
Join Chris Chandler Yates on "Fight the Burnout" as he sits down with Michael Laidler, a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 18 years of experience. Michael believes that taking time off and finding hobbies that use your passion can help combat burnout in any profession. As a dad, best-selling author, and professional speaker, Michael is passionate about increasing personal development for professionals to operate at their full potential in any situation. With his extensive experienc...
Mar 09, 2023•54 min•Season 5Ep. 168
