The most honest conversations about culture don’t start with policy; they start with people. Assistant Director Sherry Poole and instructors Brooke McPherson and Naimah Saadiq invite us inside the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy to talk about what it really takes for women to thrive in a profession that’s been male‑dominated for decades. From day‑one nerves to front‑of‑room leadership, they share how visibility, mentorship, and clear boundaries change the learning environment and, ultimately, the way officers show up for their communities.

Sherry traces the distance from 1987, when being a woman at the academy felt isolating, to today’s growing representation. Brooke unpacks the subtle biases that still show up in training and on calls: the “I’ve got this” takeover, the “don’t strain yourself” babying, and how both can stall growth. Naimah explains the power of mindset, class leadership, and role models who make room for the human side of the job: uniforms that need to fit real bodies, instruction that respects anatomy and recovery, and a safe place to ask questions that once felt off‑limits.

We also get candid about motherhood, pregnancy, and policy. What does fair light duty look like when a pregnant sergeant is stripped of her title? How do two‑officer households juggle court dates, overnight shifts, and childcare without burning out? The team offers practical fixes, protect rank on light duty, budget for gear changes without shame, normalize pumping and recovery, build formal mentorship, and a reframe on coping that goes beyond alcohol to fitness, creativity, and community. If you care about officer wellness, de‑escalation, and retention, this is the blueprint for change that actually sticks.

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What does it really take to turn a class of recruits into grounded, ethical, and resilient officers in just 16 weeks? We go inside the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy with Director Brady Carney, Chaplain Al Perez, and Attorney Kristi Traynor to unpack the systems, choices, and human stories that shape a residential academy’s culture. The conversation begins with agile leadership—how the team runs on 16-week cycles, listens to instructors, and pivots quickly. That iterative approach blends national standards with local realities across urban and rural departments, ensuring training stays current and practical without losing the human touch.

From there, we dive into the lived experience of a residential model: the distance from family, the pressure that exposes blind spots, and the bonds that form when people from 18 to 51 years old share long days and shared quarters. Christy’s “superhero cape” metaphor reframes ethics as daily practice—tightening the knot through clear boundaries, sound decision-making, and accountability that preserves public trust. We address tough truths head-on: alcohol’s easy grip in first responder culture, the slow erosion that begins with “one more drink,” and the line between support and consequence. Al highlights grief and compartmentalization—how recruits learn to focus under stress while still finding space to heal, with chaplaincy and peer support as anchors.

We also explore practical scaffolding that keeps recruits connected and grounded: earned nights out to recharge with family, facility access and wellness resources, evening windows for calls, and social updates that bring loved ones into the journey. Brady wrestles openly with whether locals should go home nightly and why the benefits of a residential cohort—networking, realism, flexibility for night training—still weigh heavily. Not everyone will finish, and that’s okay. Sometimes choosing out is a courageous win for the person and the profession. For those who stay, the academy’s promise is high standards, honest feedback, and a community that invests in both skill and character. Subscribe, share this conversation with someone starting the academy path, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—we’d love to hear what surprised you most.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and at risk of self-harm, please call or text 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline.

To contact us directly send an email to Dan@10-42project.org or call 515-350-6274
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Nestled in the tranquility of Godspeed Ranch, this episode unveils the raw, unfiltered journey of healing among first responders. Three guests—each at different stages of their recovery—share how specialized trauma retreats transformed their lives when traditional therapy couldn't reach their deepest wounds.

The conversation centers around the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat (WCPR), a unique program designed specifically for first responders. What makes this approach revolutionary? Cultural competence. As Connor explains, "It's about the only place that you can go and never have to explain the terminology you're using." The clinicians have either served in law enforcement themselves or have close family connections to the profession, creating an environment where participants feel truly understood.

All three guests describe a powerful turning point—Wednesday, the third day of the retreat—when trust finally blossoms. Gentry, a medically retired state trooper, shares how she arrived completely closed off: "By Sunday, there's not a single person there that I would have trusted with any thought that I had. By the end of the week, every single person in that room would have taken a bullet for me." This transformation doesn't come easily. The days are long, running from early morning until late evening, filled with intense emotional work that often brings participants face-to-face with their deepest fears.

Perhaps most revealing is the universal experience of "imposter syndrome" among first responders seeking help. Each guest admits to feeling unworthy—believing they weren't "broken enough," hadn't served long enough, or that others deserved help more. As Brianna, who attended the program for spouses, confesses: "I went out there because I was going to come back with the tools to fix my husband. I didn't realize that some of my childhood is why I had these abandonment issues."

Whether you're a first responder struggling with trauma or someone who loves one, this episode offers a beacon of hope. The healing journey isn't easy, but as these stories demonstrate, finding the right community can make all the difference. Ready to take the first step? Visit our website to learn about our ambassadorship program, where those who've walked this path help guide others toward healing.

https://www.frsn.org/west-coast-post-trauma-retreat.html

If you or someone you know is in crisis and at risk of self-harm, please call or text 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline.

To contact us directly send an email to Dan@10-42project.org or call 515-350-6274
Visit our website! 10-42project.org
Check us out on social media!
Youtube: @1042project
Facebook: www.facebook.com/1042project
Instagram: 1042_project