Wellness & Resilience — Building Stronger Officers, Leaders, and Teams

Wellness and resilience are no longer “nice to have” in law enforcement—they are essential to protecting lives, families, and careers.

In this episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, we’re joined by Buddy Johnson and Vinny Greany, instructors in the FBI National Academy Associates Wellness and Resilience curriculum, for an honest and practical conversation about what resilience really looks like in law enforcement today.

Drawing from decades of service and leadership experience, Buddy and Vinny explain why resilience is not about “toughing it out,” but about learning how to withstand stress, recover intentionally, and grow stronger over time. They discuss the long-term cost of unresolved stress, the role of mindset and recovery, and why relationships and connection are critical to sustainable service.

You’ll also hear practical strategies that officers and leaders can begin using immediately—even in small or under-resourced agencies—including simple habits that shift culture, strengthen morale, and support mental, physical, and relational wellness.

Whether you’re an officer, supervisor, command staff member, or someone who supports a first responder, this episode offers grounded insight and actionable tools for navigating stress, building resilience, and leading well—on the job and at home.

Listen in for a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation that reframes strength, supports sustainability, and helps law enforcement professionals thrive beyond survival.

View our show notes at https://www.leleaders.com/elevate/law-enforcement-wellness-leadership

In this episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, we explore what it truly means to lead through service—not rank, titles, or authority. Service-driven leadership is more than a style; it’s a mindset rooted in humility, purpose, and people-first conviction. And for many leaders, that mindset begins long before they ever step into public safety.

Mike shares a pivotal story from when he found himself responsible for teaching both senior and junior personnel. That experience—long before his 40-year career in law enforcement—ignited his passion for serving others, leading teams, and lifting people up from the inside out.

Together, we break down how service-driven leadership shapes trust, teamwork, and decision-making in law enforcement, first response, dispatch, and public-sector leadership. You’ll learn how humility strengthens influence, how service anchors purpose, and how our SERVE framework helps leaders stay grounded in values that matter.

Whether you’re a seasoned supervisor or building your leadership foundation, this episode will help you become a more service-minded, people-centered, purpose-driven leader.

Keywords & Topics: service-driven leadership, law enforcement leadership, police supervisor development, first responder leadership, Navy F-14 story, humility in leadership, servant leadership in public safety, leadership mindset, team trust, leadership purpose, how to lead with service, SERVE framework.

View our show notes at https://www.leleaders.com/elevate/47-service-driven-leadership-law-enforcement

In this heartfelt episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, Mike and Cathy get personal after a family scare—a jolting call about a car accident that reminds them of how quickly life can change. From that moment of fear and gratitude, they pivot into a deeper conversation on spiritual wellness and faith as essential elements of resilience in law enforcement and first responder life.

Mike shares key takeaways from his recent FBI National Academy Comprehensive Wellness and Resilience certification, reinforcing his long-held belief that true wellness extends beyond the physical and mental, deeply encompassing the spiritual. Together, the hosts explore faith as a vital dimension of wellness, discussing practical ways officers and their families can begin to explore who God is, what faith offers, and how curiosity itself can be a first step toward peace.

Listeners will learn:

Why spiritual health supports resilience for leaders, officers, and their families How to take ten quiet minutes to reflect on what’s truly guiding your life Why asking “Who or what is big enough to carry what I’m carrying?” can change everything Simple first steps to explore faith, including reading the Book of John, Psalms, or Proverbs How even small spiritual habits can align your purpose, calm your spirit, and renew your motivation to serve

Cathy closes the episode with an encouraging challenge: pause, reflect, and take that first step toward spirituality. You might just find that faith is the next layer of strength and wellness you didn’t know you needed.

View our show notes at www.leleaders.com/elevate