The Debrief with Jon Becker

Retired Belgian Police team leader Lionel D. from Group Diane discusses a proactive warrant service against a terrorist cell in Verviers, Belgium, preventing a large-scale attack. The podcast covers the evolution of Belgian Special Units and security challenges, tactical interventions in raids, European counter-terrorism collaboration, and innovative drone development for operations.

In late August of 2020 the Kentucky State Police Special Response Team attempted to execute search and arrest warrants on a family compound in Johnson Hollow, a heavily wooded and very rural area of Kentucky.  The suspect, who was being sought on potential murder and drug related charges, had hiding locations and weapons throughout the compound and had built a series of hardened firing positions from which to attack officers.  In the 48 hours that followed, the team would have two Officer involved shootings with two different suspects all on the same compound.  This event would stretch the team and its resources to their limits, yet the team rose to the challenge yielding a successful outcome despite almost impossible conditions. This case provides numerous lessons learned and teaching points about rural operations and the dangers of unexpected challenges.  My guests today are Sgt. Heath Ayers and Trooper Logan Smith from the Kentucky State Police Special Response Team.  LinksTwo fatally shot in KSP involved shootings in Knox County | News | thetimestribune.comhttps://www.clayconews.com/news/16719-suspect-fatally-injured-in-2nd-officer-involved-shooting-in-knox-county-ky-victim-in-1st-shooting-identified Books RecommendedFearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown by Eric Blehm - ISBN-13: 978-0307730695On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace by Dave Grossman & Loren W. Christensen - ISBN-13:‎ 978-0964920545On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society by Dave Grossman - ISBN-13:  978-0316040938Contact Info Logan Smith – logan.smith@ky.gov

Dr. Dan Dworkis is a board-certified emergency physician and the founder of The Emergency Mind Project. In this discussion, he navigates high-pressure decision-making in emergency medicine, sharing insights on quick thinking and teamwork. He emphasizes learning from trauma and the emotional complexities of high-stakes situations. With analogies from sports training, he discusses structured preparation and the significance of operating from first principles. Dan also highlights the importance of introspection and collaboration in enhancing outcomes during emergencies.

Welcome to Battle Proven Leadership.  My guest today is Bill Kirst.  Bill is an author, poet, podcast host and one of LinkedIn’s Top Thought Leadership Voices on Change Management. Bill authors a monthly newsletter called “Leading Change in the Era of AI” which poses powerful questions while untangling the complex concerns posed by Artificial Intelligence. Bill has worked at Adobe, Microsoft, IBM, the University of Washington and for nearly two decades has led companies, institutions, and government agencies through digital transformation journeys. Bill sits on the Alumni Board at The Johns Hopkins University.  Bill served in the U.S. Army Reserve, finishing his service as a Captain in the Signal Corps. Bill’s podcast “Coffee & Change” was selected as one of the 10 Best Military Leadership Podcasts by FeedSpot.   I really enjoyed this conversation with Bill because he has spent his entire career working in organizational change. Implementing and confronting change is a constant battle for leaders, so it was great to have a chance to look at it through the eyes of an expert.  Contact Info:LinkedInCoffee & Change Podcast  – By Bill Kirst Books Recommended:Once an Eagle: A Novel - Anton Myrer - ISBN-13: 978-0062221629The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma - Bessel van der Kolk M.D. - ISBN-13: ‎978-0143127741

Retired Navy SEAL officer Rich Diviney discusses attributes for optimal performance in tactical units, emphasizing traits like mental acuity, leadership, and teamwork. He highlights the difference between optimal and peak performance and the importance of balancing skills and attributes in high-pressure environments. The podcast also explores leadership qualities, trust in teams, and dynamic subordination in high-performing teams.

Former Delta Force Commander, Pete Blaber, discusses toxic leadership and the Pat Tillman case. He explores leadership qualities, the rise of special operations forces, and the power of the thinking brain. Blaber also delves into the implementation of a CFT in dangerous territory and analyzes the consequences of toxic leadership. The podcast includes a rapid-fire Q&A session and emphasizes the impact of truth and changing perspectives.

Dr. Claire Park, a seasoned Consultant in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, discusses the UK's innovative 10 Second Triage system for mass casualty events. She shares insights on optimizing triage, training on human factors, and overcoming decision inertia during emergencies. The podcast explores the challenges and strategies in responding to mass casualty incidents, emphasizing the importance of quick interventions and efficient hemorrhage control. Dr. Park also delves into the research on emergency response factors and the standardization of triage training across UK emergency services.

Welcome to Battle Proven Leadership.  My guest today is Mark Polymeropoulos. Mark is a retired Senior Intelligence Officer for CIA who spent 26 years working in field operations and leadership roles.  Marc is one of the intelligence communities most decorated officers and the author of "Clarity in Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the CIA." His book is a fantastic journey though the lessons he learned while working in the most dangerous theaters in the world.  I am excited to have Marc on because his real world experience leading people in high risk clandestine operations is directly on point to the mission of Battle Proven Leadership.Book RecommendedGates of Fire, by Steven Pressfield – ISBN 978-0-385-49251-5Contact Infomarcpolymeropoulos.com

My guest today has such a diverse skillset and resume that its almost hard to summarize. Andy Stumpf enlisted in the Navy while he was a Junior in high school, entering military service in 1996. After completing boot camp he went on to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, also known as BUD/s. After earning his trident he began his SEAL career attached to SEAL Team Five, in Coronado California. In 2002 he joined one of the most elite counterterrorism unit in the military, The Naval Special Warfare Development Group (aka DEVGRU). While on a combat  deployment, an Iraqi insurgent shot Andy in the hip at close range with an AK-47. Doctors told him it would be years, if ever, before he recovered the use of his leg and returned to full active duty. Four years later, after  extensive work, Andy returned to the Naval Special Warfare Center as the Leading Petty Officer for 2nd Phase BUD/s training. While completing his two-year instructor tour, Andy submitted his package to become a commissioned officer. In 2008, he became the first E-6 selection commissioned through the Limited Duty Officer Program in the history of Naval Special Warfare. Upon commissioning, he joined SEAL Team Three and completed his final combat tour to Afghanistan. Throughout his 17-year career, Andy executed hundreds of combat operations throughout the world in support of the Global War on Terror including the hostage rescue of Jessica Lynch. He was medically retired in June of 2013. His awards and decorations include 5 Bronze Star Medals (Four with Valor), the Purple Heart, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, The Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal with Valor, Three Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medals, Two Combat Action Ribbons, and the Presidential Unit Citation.After retirement, Andy continues to support the SEAL community, and their families. In 2015 he set two World Records after jumping from 36,500 feet and flying over 18 miles in a wingsuit to raise 1 million Dollars for the Navy SEAL Foundation. Post military, his business experience includes managing corporate development, licensing, and charitable initiatives for a global fitness brand. He also founded a consulting firm dedicated to ensuring that the lessons learned from the Global War of Terror are utilized by business leaders as well as Federal, State, and local entities. Andy also hosts the fantastic Cleared Hot Podcast which has close to 20 Million views on YouTube.Contact InfoCleared Hot Podcast - https://www.clearedhotpodcast.com/Books RecommendedBoyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War – Robert Coram - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316796880About Face: The Odyssey of an American Warrior – Col. David Hackworth - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0283999598

It's been an amazing year on The Debrief. In the 18 months since we launched the show, we've accomplished more than we ever thought we could. To date there have been more than 100,000 downloads of the show. We've recorded 31 episodes of The Debrief and 5 episodes of Battle Proven Leadership and covered a wide variety of topics. To end our second season, we thought it might be fun to do an episode that gave you a behind the scenes view of this year's critical incident reviews, as well as the most memorable moments of each.