EP. 015 Cynthia Bowers

With the desire to donate her kidney anonymously, and service beyond self was emotionally challenging, leaving her with a profound sense of loss and connection to a child she saved, but has never met.

 Her perseverance transformed the donation process, impacting lives long after she’s gone. To learn more and to get her book, “The Last Ordinary Life”, go to CynthiaTBowers.com.

EP. 014 Perry Jones

Behind the Badge #6

To working law enforcement, keep living right and pay attention to it. Protect and serve in everything you do an don’t take it for granted. You’re the only person that can take someone’s freedom in an instant. Treat people with dignity most are at the lowest point of their lives.  

To the retired, injured, or officers who were cast off – who will you be without the badge?

It’s now about reclamation. Reclaim your life after the job. You have a whole second act and can still live your life with a posture of justice in everything you do on the other side of service.

EP. 013 Perry Jones

Behind the Badge #5

As a Special Operations Detective working with state and federal agencies on the highest profile and sensitive cases I developed my closest friends.

Besides my daughter being born, it was the biggest honor of my life.

EP. 012 Perry Jones

Behind the Badge #4

As a Detective you see the other side of the job. You’re able to develop relationships with other detectives, agents, prosecutors and judges.

To see and use the evolution and rise of evidence technology was unbelievable. Using different forms of DNA biological samples to touch DNA, cell phone examination, coordinates, data and GPS direct pings.

It was also a privilege to have the opportunity to teach new officers how to do the job effectively.  

EP. 011 Perry Jones

Behind the Badge #3

This is a look at the start of my law enforcement career. Examining the excitement, the realization and reality of the job.

Through my experience, I describe the lifestyle and complications of being a police officer. If you haven’t experience it, you would never know.

Protecting yourself not only from the inherit dangers on the street, but from the lifestyle, the media and the agency you work for.

EP. 010 Perry Jones

Behind the Badge #2

This was my experience as a Police Officer applicant. It is an inside look at the process that a Police Officer applicant goes through to get a job offer. The good and bad, the contradiction and character of the hiring process.

I do believe this job is one of the most admirable and important jobs in the world, but we need to stay focused on what the job is and not political motivations.  

EP. 009 Perry Jones

Behind the Badge #1

At a young age I realized there are injustices in this world. My earliest core memories as a child shaped my life. It guided a career decision from higher education to serving in law enforcement.

To me, law enforcement was about protecting people and doing the right thing all the time, not enforcing every law all of the time.

Your “why” is your long play, everything else is just fleeting. This is the first episode of the series “Behind the Badge.” This is “why” I got into law enforcement.”

EP. 008 Rebecca Myers

Rebecca Myers is a mother of three children with special needs, including Microcephaly, Autism and Down Syndrome. She shares her journey of navigating relentless diagnoses, faith and personal struggles including infidelity and abuse while discovering the unique gifts her children have given her.

Through her story Rebecca offers hope and encouragement to other mothers on similar paths, emphasizing the power of building a strong support system and taking life step by step with faith.

She is committed to leaving a legacy that empowers parents facing these challenges, reminding them that strength and resilience can emerge even in the hardest moments.    

EP. 007 John Kriesel

On December 2^nd 2006, on deployment in Kosovo, Iraq Retired Staff Sgt. John Kriesel was severely injured in an IED blast where he lost both of his legs and two of his closest friends. He discusses his upbringing, his service, overcoming his injuries and leaving a legacy that the future is promised to no one.

John is the director of the Anoka County Veteran Services in the Minneapolis area, former State Representative, personality on KFAN radio and co-author of the national award winning book, “Still Standing: The Story of Staff Sgt. John Kriesel.”

To contact John as a motivational or keynote speaker and to get the book go to johnkriesel.com for more information.

EP. 006 Brent Carlson

Brent was feeling extremely weak, thinking he was just fatigued from work. His family ask him to go to Urgent Care, and while going through initial tests he passed out. He woke up diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Blood Cancer.

Brent explains that advocating for yourself as a patient is the most valuable thing you can do. He says, if you think these white coats are going to save you, you are severely mistaken, you have to seek answers yourself.

While enduring treatments and transplants he was also going through a divorce and the birth of his daughter.

He realized that regardless of what happens the only thing that matters to him is to leave a legacy for his daughter. Brent is in remission.

EP. 005 Russ Greer

Russ went to the hospital with severe stomach pain. The doctor said, you have late-stage cancer and it has spread all over your body, you better call your family.

Step by step with faith, all the biopsies and tests came back clean.

During the process an aortic blood vessel aneurysm was found along his esophagus. His esophagus was removed and his stomach was extended to the bottom of his throat.

During the removal of his esophagus his vocal cords were severely damaged, and he still struggles with complications of Diverticulitis. Although he is no longer able to sing, he does all the guitar work for this podcast. Russ wants his legacy to be that he lived as an honest trustworthy man and reminds you to cherish the little moments, one day they won’t be there. Go to russg@.soundcloud.com to get his music.

EP. 004 Brent Berry – Part 3

After 5 cardiac arrests and a Mayo Clinic record 15 blood transfusions a liver transplant was successful, but the liver failed.

On his last day on the liver transplant list for the second time, he miraculously received a second liver. He has recovered, but still battles kidney disease and complications from treatment. Brent says, doctors still won’t say it was a miracle. He believes legacy lives in the power of prayer – I guess I’ll go skydiving.

EP. 003 Brent Berry – Part 2

Brent walks us through having a stroke, being diagnosed with cancer and kidney disease while waiting for a liver transplant.

He explains his conflicts with doctors, fighting pharmaceuticals, his trials to stay on the liver transplant list and an epic out of body experience.

EP. 002 Brent Berry – Part 1

Brent shares his childhood and formative years as a popular radio personality and Disc Jockey in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

He gives us a glimpse of the onset of life altering medical events that triggered a lifelong battle.