
138: Lessons in Police work and BURN OUT w/ author and ret. LEO Joshua Hood
Explicit content warning
10/08/24 • 77 min
In this episode, I am pleased to introduce you to former LEO, SWAT cop, and author Joshua Hood. We talk about his entry into the policing career after his military service and the experiences therein.
We connect on the toll and strain he felt in his career, and how he started writing more regularly. There are parallels we experienced and saw in police around us- that absolutely became overarching themes in his new novel, Burn Out.
We talk about the book- which I got a chance to read in advance- which features different first responders at different stages of their careers and prerogatives. Themes of identity, overinvestment, purpose, and calling are central. Beyond that- it’s got smoke jumping forest fire fighters, Feds against Feds, cartel mercenaries, informants, and grizzled Vets... a saga ripe with action!
It was a sincere pleasure and a dynamic conversation for you all- whether you’re a first responder or not!
Joshua Hood joined the army after graduating with an English degree from the University of Memphis and served as a squad leader with the 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Afghanistan, where he was decorated for valor in Operation Furious Pursuit.
A former SWAT team member with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department in Memphis, Tennessee, he is a USA Today bestselling author of several books, including Robert Ludlum’s Treadstone series. He lives in Collierville, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.
Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!
To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:
Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !
Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.
Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.
Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop
Email me at [email protected] !
-------------------------------------
Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??
Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off
Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT
-----------——————————-
music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic
In this episode, I am pleased to introduce you to former LEO, SWAT cop, and author Joshua Hood. We talk about his entry into the policing career after his military service and the experiences therein.
We connect on the toll and strain he felt in his career, and how he started writing more regularly. There are parallels we experienced and saw in police around us- that absolutely became overarching themes in his new novel, Burn Out.
We talk about the book- which I got a chance to read in advance- which features different first responders at different stages of their careers and prerogatives. Themes of identity, overinvestment, purpose, and calling are central. Beyond that- it’s got smoke jumping forest fire fighters, Feds against Feds, cartel mercenaries, informants, and grizzled Vets... a saga ripe with action!
It was a sincere pleasure and a dynamic conversation for you all- whether you’re a first responder or not!
Joshua Hood joined the army after graduating with an English degree from the University of Memphis and served as a squad leader with the 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Afghanistan, where he was decorated for valor in Operation Furious Pursuit.
A former SWAT team member with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department in Memphis, Tennessee, he is a USA Today bestselling author of several books, including Robert Ludlum’s Treadstone series. He lives in Collierville, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.
Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!
To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:
Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !
Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.
Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.
Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop
Email me at [email protected] !
-------------------------------------
Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??
Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off
Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT
-----------——————————-
music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic
Previous Episode

137: What's most important? Wellness, Culture or Leadership? (Solocast)
In this episode, I riff off of a prompt where I and many of you on the socials discuss three pillars we talk about often: Wellness, Culture, and Leadership.
All are crucial for our personal and organizational health and success- so what’s MOST important? Listen in and let me know what you think!
Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!
To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:
Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !
Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.
Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.
Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop
Email me at [email protected] !
-------------------------------------
Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??
Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off
Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT
-----------——————————-
music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic
Next Episode

139: Should People get into First Responder Jobs aka "Hero Jobs"?
I recently spoke on a panel focused on recruiting and hiring practices for first responder jobs, Public Safety Testing, and civil service groups. In that, a video was brought up where a news outlet was featuring how "influencers" were sharing why young people should NOT pursue so-called "Hero Jobs" which included first responder work and front-line work like nursing and medical field careers.
The arguments were that these jobs were rigid, inflexible with long shifts and difficulty to get time off. They were thus less apt to promote work/life balance and self-care, risking burn out.
In a sense, this may be true.. but at the same time, I analyze this and offer another intriguing anecdote I recently read on how young people are more disengaged, unfulfilled, and potentially more depressed and dejected than ever.
There must be an intersection between these themes.. spoiler alert.. that is what I seek to discuss and propose as a belief in WHY young people should absolutely consider these crucial roles in the community.
Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!
To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:
Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !
Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.
Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.
Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop
Email me at [email protected] !
-------------------------------------
Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??
Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off
Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT
-----------——————————-
music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic
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