<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:psc="http://podlove.org/simple-chapters" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Badges and Breakthroughs Podcast]]></title><description><![CDATA[Welcome to Badges and Breakthroughs—the podcast that pulls back the curtain on the real stories of first responders, veterans, mental health advocates, and the people who love them. Step beyond the badge and past the headlines, where silence fades and truth comes out. Each week, we fearlessly dive into the lives behind the uniform, exploring unfiltered experiences, profound challenges, moments of resilience, and unexpected humor.

If you’re tired of surface-level conversations and ready for honest insight into life on the front lines and the battles fought in the shadows, this show is for you. We tackle tough topics: the scars you can see and the ones you can’t, the stigma around mental health, and the breakthroughs that happen in the darkest hours.

Expect gripping stories, eye-opening conversations, and a community that honors every journey. Whether you wear the badge or support someone who does, you’re invited to join us in rewriting the narrative—one breakthrough at a time. Because behind every badge is a beating heart, and every story deserves to be heard.]]></description><link>badgesandbreakthroughs.com</link><generator>Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:16:23 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://api.riverside.fm/hosting/mNevyUmC.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><author><![CDATA[Dylan Cade Bates and Po'okela Bates]]></author><pubDate>Sat, 23 Aug 2025 20:59:53 GMT</pubDate><copyright><![CDATA[2025 Dylan Cade Bates and Po'okela Bates]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><ttl>60</ttl><category><![CDATA[Society & Culture]]></category><category><![CDATA[Self-Improvement]]></category><itunes:author>Dylan Cade Bates and Po&apos;okela Bates</itunes:author><itunes:summary>Welcome to Badges and Breakthroughs—the podcast that pulls back the curtain on the real stories of first responders, veterans, mental health advocates, and the people who love them. Step beyond the badge and past the headlines, where silence fades and truth comes out. Each week, we fearlessly dive into the lives behind the uniform, exploring unfiltered experiences, profound challenges, moments of resilience, and unexpected humor.

If you’re tired of surface-level conversations and ready for honest insight into life on the front lines and the battles fought in the shadows, this show is for you. We tackle tough topics: the scars you can see and the ones you can’t, the stigma around mental health, and the breakthroughs that happen in the darkest hours.

Expect gripping stories, eye-opening conversations, and a community that honors every journey. Whether you wear the badge or support someone who does, you’re invited to join us in rewriting the narrative—one breakthrough at a time. Because behind every badge is a beating heart, and every story deserves to be heard.</itunes:summary><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Dylan Cade Bates and Po&apos;okela Bates</itunes:name><itunes:email>blondeinblue72@gmail.com</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:category text="Society &amp; Culture"/><itunes:category text="Education"><itunes:category text="Self-Improvement"/></itunes:category><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.rs-prod.riverside.fm/media/podcasts/0aa1a11c-7d55-46e3-82fc-6ad5ae905699/logos/ab3b9fdc-11f0-4df4-bad7-39b6b151b320.jpeg"/><item><title><![CDATA[Episode 5- Two Badges, One Home: Laura Turner on Marriage, Motherhood, and Mental Health]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p> Episode 5- Two Badges, One Home: Laura Turner on Marriage, Motherhood, and Mental Health in a Law Enforcement Family<br /><br /><br />In this powerful episode of Badges and Breakthroughs, “Two Badges, One Home: Laura Turner on Marriage, Motherhood, and Mental Health in a Law Enforcement Family,” Lieutenant Laura Turner takes us straight into the heartbeat of what it means to serve, lead, and love while wearing the badge.</p><p>Laura isn’t just a seasoned night-shift lieutenant and crisis negotiator—she’s also married to another officer and raising two daughters in a home built around shift work, radio traffic, and the realities most people only see on the news. In this conversation, she pulls back the curtain on:</p><p>The unfiltered truth of night shift: the calls that still replay in her mind and how they changed her as a leader and a human.</p><p>What it’s really like when both spouses wear the badge—sharing the weight, the worry, and the unspoken “Are you okay?” after the hardest nights.</p><p>The tension between being a tactical decision-maker at 3 a.m. and a present, emotionally available mom at the breakfast table a few hours later.</p><p>How burnout, compassion fatigue, and invisible wounds showed up in her life—and the practical steps she’s taken to come back from the edge.</p><p>The power of crisis negotiation skills off duty: how learning to truly listen has reshaped her marriage, parenting, and her own mental health.</p><p>If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to hold a family together while answering the call of this job—or if you’re quietly asking yourself how much longer you can carry it all—this episode is for you. Laura’s honesty is raw, relatable, and deeply validating for anyone who has ever worn a uniform, loved someone who does, or is raising kids in the shadow of the sirens.</p><p>Hit play to hear a story that will make you feel seen, push back against the stigma around mental health in law enforcement, and remind you that strength isn’t never breaking—it’s choosing to heal and keep going.</p><p>Listen in, share this with your partner, your squad, or your shift, and join us as we go behind the badge, beyond the silence, and straight into the real life of a law enforcement family with two badges under one roof.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">a312b977-4e17-4e22-89d1-d60ac2f29810</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan Cade Bates and Po'okela Bates]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:03:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.fm/hosting-analytics/media/b8ecc9b241ad9878f1bb74df82be7aaca4371dedd6a89ff2854ddfbba9c812af/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhMzEyYjk3Ny00ZTE3LTRlMjItODlkMS1kNjBhYzJmMjk4MTAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIwYWExYTExYy03ZDU1LTQ2ZTMtODJmYy02YWQ1YWU5MDU2OTkiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGEzNTFkZGVmYWVlMWY3NzgyNzY3MGYiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk5NjUzYzM0MGQ4NDM0YzJmYTQzYzEyL2R5bGFuLWNhZGUtYmF0ZXNzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTItMTlfXzEtNS0yMy5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="44297213" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt; Episode 5- Two Badges, One Home: Laura Turner on Marriage, Motherhood, and Mental Health in a Law Enforcement Family&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In this powerful episode of Badges and Breakthroughs, “Two Badges, One Home: Laura Turner on Marriage, Motherhood, and Mental Health in a Law Enforcement Family,” Lieutenant Laura Turner takes us straight into the heartbeat of what it means to serve, lead, and love while wearing the badge.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Laura isn’t just a seasoned night-shift lieutenant and crisis negotiator—she’s also married to another officer and raising two daughters in a home built around shift work, radio traffic, and the realities most people only see on the news. In this conversation, she pulls back the curtain on:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The unfiltered truth of night shift: the calls that still replay in her mind and how they changed her as a leader and a human.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What it’s really like when both spouses wear the badge—sharing the weight, the worry, and the unspoken “Are you okay?” after the hardest nights.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The tension between being a tactical decision-maker at 3 a.m. and a present, emotionally available mom at the breakfast table a few hours later.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;How burnout, compassion fatigue, and invisible wounds showed up in her life—and the practical steps she’s taken to come back from the edge.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The power of crisis negotiation skills off duty: how learning to truly listen has reshaped her marriage, parenting, and her own mental health.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to hold a family together while answering the call of this job—or if you’re quietly asking yourself how much longer you can carry it all—this episode is for you. Laura’s honesty is raw, relatable, and deeply validating for anyone who has ever worn a uniform, loved someone who does, or is raising kids in the shadow of the sirens.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hit play to hear a story that will make you feel seen, push back against the stigma around mental health in law enforcement, and remind you that strength isn’t never breaking—it’s choosing to heal and keep going.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listen in, share this with your partner, your squad, or your shift, and join us as we go behind the badge, beyond the silence, and straight into the real life of a law enforcement family with two badges under one roof.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>01:32:17</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.rs-prod.riverside.fm/media/podcasts/0aa1a11c-7d55-46e3-82fc-6ad5ae905699/logos/ab3b9fdc-11f0-4df4-bad7-39b6b151b320.jpeg"/><itunes:title>Episode 5- Two Badges, One Home: Laura Turner on Marriage, Motherhood, and Mental Health</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Episode 4: Mike Doddo]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Dylan interviews Mike Doddo, a police lieutenant in Tennessee about law enforcement, leadership, &amp; mental health</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">6d5eec88-7372-41c9-9684-c4580986f2db</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan Cade Bates and Po'okela Bates]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:01:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.fm/hosting-analytics/media/e242b6c00b63a6fd8eaa6c8afed82c30871c18d569e3fd77555a79d08c56b278/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2ZDVlZWM4OC03MzcyLTQxYzktOTY4NC1jNDU4MDk4NmYyZGIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIwYWExYTExYy03ZDU1LTQ2ZTMtODJmYy02YWQ1YWU5MDU2OTkiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGEzNTFkZGVmYWVlMWY3NzgyNzY3MGYiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk4NTVjZTYzMDI0ZTJlYmZhZDQ2NWYwL2R5bGFuLWNhZGUtYmF0ZXNzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTItNl9fNC0xNS01MC5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="74257284" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Dylan interviews Mike Doddo, a police lieutenant in Tennessee about law enforcement, leadership, &amp;amp; mental health&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:51:34</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.rs-prod.riverside.fm/media/podcasts/0aa1a11c-7d55-46e3-82fc-6ad5ae905699/logos/ab3b9fdc-11f0-4df4-bad7-39b6b151b320.jpeg"/><itunes:title>Episode 4: Mike Doddo</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Behind the Badge: How Chad Schwenke Found Purpose Through Service]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In Episode 3 of <i>Badges and Breakthroughs</i>, host <b>Kela Bates</b> sits down with <b>Chad “Schwenke” Schwenke</b>, a devoted husband, father, and follower of Christ who has spent his life in public service — from volunteer firefighter and EMT to police officer and SWAT instructor. Chad opens up about his journey through fire and law enforcement, the emotional toll of critical incidents, his faith, and his mission to serve others through <b>MEDC Training Solutions (Make Every Day Count)</b>. This heartfelt episode dives deep into resilience, compassion, and the unseen struggles first responders face every day.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">e3eec00f-d52a-4dd1-a398-6e05448c6415</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan Cade Bates and Po'okela Bates]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:18:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.fm/hosting-analytics/media/3076672960b149f2c4c47ce0c040608a8de0e21c9c151cf7f2b3c68d151e1cec/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlM2VlYzAwZi1kNTJhLTRkZDEtYTM5OC02ZTA1NDQ4YzY0MTUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIwYWExYTExYy03ZDU1LTQ2ZTMtODJmYy02YWQ1YWU5MDU2OTkiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGEzNTFkZGVmYWVlMWY3NzgyNzY3MGYiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjhlM2RmZGU0YWQwMmMwNzU4YzM0NzlkL2R5bGFuLWNhZGUtYmF0ZXNzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTEwLTZfXzE3LTI3LTI2Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="67243052" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In Episode 3 of &lt;i&gt;Badges and Breakthroughs&lt;/i&gt;, host &lt;b&gt;Kela Bates&lt;/b&gt; sits down with &lt;b&gt;Chad “Schwenke” Schwenke&lt;/b&gt;, a devoted husband, father, and follower of Christ who has spent his life in public service — from volunteer firefighter and EMT to police officer and SWAT instructor. Chad opens up about his journey through fire and law enforcement, the emotional toll of critical incidents, his faith, and his mission to serve others through &lt;b&gt;MEDC Training Solutions (Make Every Day Count)&lt;/b&gt;. This heartfelt episode dives deep into resilience, compassion, and the unseen struggles first responders face every day.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>01:37:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.rs-prod.riverside.fm/media/podcasts/0aa1a11c-7d55-46e3-82fc-6ad5ae905699/logos/ab3b9fdc-11f0-4df4-bad7-39b6b151b320.jpeg"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>3</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Behind the Badge: How Chad Schwenke Found Purpose Through Service</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Hostage Negotiator to Healer: The Story of George Forsythe]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Dylan and Kela sit down with <b>George Forsythe</b>, a retired Maryland State Trooper who spent over 20 years undercover investigating murder-for-hire cases and leading hostage negotiations. After retiring, George turned his focus to mental health—earning his master’s in counseling and founding <b>Driftwood Psychotherapy</b>, where he now helps first responders overcome trauma, addiction, and stress. George shares stories from his undercover career, his personal journey through struggle and healing, and his calling to serve others after life in law enforcement.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">f97527d8-6274-4a64-86c0-b54b3bb1c749</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan Cade Bates and Po'okela Bates]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:12:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.fm/hosting-analytics/media/6a1ee19dd569698910e19871fdada39417c99b432169528aee01eae87f73ae68/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmOTc1MjdkOC02Mjc0LTRhNjQtODZjMC1iNTRiM2JiMWM3NDkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIwYWExYTExYy03ZDU1LTQ2ZTMtODJmYy02YWQ1YWU5MDU2OTkiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGEzNTFkZGVmYWVlMWY3NzgyNzY3MGYiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjhlM2UwNjY1YzJiMmUxZjM4OWI5M2Q2L2R5bGFuLWNhZGUtYmF0ZXNzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTEwLTZfXzE3LTI5LTQyLm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="108086706" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Dylan and Kela sit down with &lt;b&gt;George Forsythe&lt;/b&gt;, a retired Maryland State Trooper who spent over 20 years undercover investigating murder-for-hire cases and leading hostage negotiations. After retiring, George turned his focus to mental health—earning his master’s in counseling and founding &lt;b&gt;Driftwood Psychotherapy&lt;/b&gt;, where he now helps first responders overcome trauma, addiction, and stress. George shares stories from his undercover career, his personal journey through struggle and healing, and his calling to serve others after life in law enforcement.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>02:37:11</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.rs-prod.riverside.fm/media/podcasts/0aa1a11c-7d55-46e3-82fc-6ad5ae905699/logos/ab3b9fdc-11f0-4df4-bad7-39b6b151b320.jpeg"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>2</itunes:episode><itunes:title>From Hostage Negotiator to Healer: The Story of George Forsythe</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Highway Patrol to Healing Hearts: The Story of Master Trooper Stephen Griffith]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this first episode, hosts <b>Dylan and Kela Bates</b> sit down with <b>Master Trooper Stephen Griffith</b>, a North Carolina State Highway Patrol veteran and Discipleship Director at Osborne Baptist Church. Together, they explore the realities of life in law enforcement — from leadership, faith, and community service to mental health and the challenges of balancing duty with personal integrity.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">2b8e2e43-c203-40f4-b9c6-f34374ecefb5</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dylan Cade Bates and Po'okela Bates]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:09:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.fm/hosting-analytics/media/bc237fd533b44d99aa9685a66a7c3e773943e90ba252965867b1c11a5df8c337/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyYjhlMmU0My1jMjAzLTQwZjQtYjljNi1mMzQzNzRlY2VmYjUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIwYWExYTExYy03ZDU1LTQ2ZTMtODJmYy02YWQ1YWU5MDU2OTkiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGEzNTFkZGVmYWVlMWY3NzgyNzY3MGYiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjhlM2RlN2Y1YTI2MjgzMjJlNWFhYzc4L2R5bGFuLWNhZGUtYmF0ZXNzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTEwLTZfXzE3LTIxLTM1Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="77522126" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this first episode, hosts &lt;b&gt;Dylan and Kela Bates&lt;/b&gt; sit down with &lt;b&gt;Master Trooper Stephen Griffith&lt;/b&gt;, a North Carolina State Highway Patrol veteran and Discipleship Director at Osborne Baptist Church. Together, they explore the realities of life in law enforcement — from leadership, faith, and community service to mental health and the challenges of balancing duty with personal integrity.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>02:06:11</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.rs-prod.riverside.fm/media/podcasts/0aa1a11c-7d55-46e3-82fc-6ad5ae905699/logos/ab3b9fdc-11f0-4df4-bad7-39b6b151b320.jpeg"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>1</itunes:episode><itunes:title>From Highway Patrol to Healing Hearts: The Story of Master Trooper Stephen Griffith</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>