In this episode, we sit down with Andrew McLean, former police officer and author of Beaten Black and Blue, to talk about the side of first‑responder life that rarely makes the news — the trauma, the pressure, the impossible situations, and the emotional toll that doesn’t magically disappear when the shift ends. Andrew opens up about his journey with PTSD, the moments that broke him open, and the long, messy, courageous process of putting himself back together.
We talk about what it’s really like to carry the weight of a job where you’re expected to be calm, brave, and unshakeable while witnessing the worst moments of people’s lives. Andrew shares how PTSD crept in, how he tried to outrun it (spoiler: it runs faster), and what finally helped him start healing. He also dives into why he wrote Beaten Black and Blue, what he hopes first responders and civilians take from it, and how vulnerability became one of the strongest tools in his recovery.
Expect honesty, heart, and a few moments of humor — because sometimes you have to laugh so you don’t cry — as we explore the human behind the badge, the reality of trauma in first‑responder culture, and the hope that comes from finally telling the truth about what you’ve been carrying.
