Blue Grit Radio: Improving Police and First Responders of Life through Mindset, Wellness, Leadership – Details, episodes & analysis

Clee and I connect over his career of service- from military years to policing which includes school resource officer and his current role in special assault investigations. He shares about serving the need of victims and the vulnerable and how he has embraced his gifts of creating, writing, speaking and animating to expand positivity and connecting between cops and community.

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Clee Tilman: Paratrooper to Peacekeeper, Author to Animator

From the skies to the streets, Clee Tilman embodies a unique blend of discipline and creativity. A former Army Paratrooper and Parachute Rigger, Clee's journey began with rigorous training that forged a steadfast sense of responsibility. After mastering law enforcement at the Police Academy, he dedicated himself to serving his hometown, where he wears two badges—one for his full-time role and another part-time.

But Clee’s story doesn’t stop at law enforcement. As an author of five insightful books and a charismatic host of a weekly live broadcast, he inspires with motivational tales that resonate deeply. His creative spirit shines through in animated cartoons featuring Sgt B. Safe, where safety meets entertainment, making valuable lessons accessible and fun.

With a mission to uplift and educate, Clee Tilman transforms his diverse experiences into a positive force for change in the community.

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@cleetilman9165?si=4Z6l8BbWKWWT0IZJ

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6sG8hSEyp2X59nr86Ubn4Y

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

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Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

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Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

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*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

We talk about back up weapons, back up lights.. back up and contingency plans for each and every call- to include the 800 pound gorilla popping out of a trunk on a traffic stop- to train our brains and prep for the best AND worst. (Wait, your FTOs didn't pitch you those scenarios??)

And yet... when we talk about our own career paths and livelihoods, we often shy away from thinking what we would do if not this job.  I am a fervent believer that embracing the eventuality of leaving this career- whether after 3 or 30 years will only make us better cops and first responders - and more engaged for all the days we ELECT to continue in this role and path.

I am joined by Devonta (returning from ep. 174) and Vince from Welcome to the Street.  We dive into skill development for the job, roles, and beyond. We talk starting new businesses and projects so that we can serve BEST with peace of mind and PASSION.

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Devonta is a 7-year police veteran, active SWAT operator, and school resource officer. He spent six years on patrol in both Georgia and Ohio before transitioning into specialized roles. Vince is a 13-year police veteran with experience in patrol, criminal investigations, narcotics enforcement, and fire investigations. Outside of law enforcement, Vince is also a franchise owner of an ice cream shop. Together, they combine their diverse experiences to help officers save time and easily stay updated on critical legal developments, ensuring they can focus on what matters most—serving and protecting their communities.

Devonta Richardson and Vince are the founders of Welcome to The Street, where they’ve developed a unique way of delivering police news, case law, and legal updates directly to officers. Through their weekly newsletter, they make complex legal information easily digestible by cutting through the legal jargon. Their innovative approach uses scenarios and micro-learning to ensure officers truly understand and retain the material, helping them stay sharp and informed on the go.

Website: www.welcometothestreet.com

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

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*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

When we (as an industry) fail we must not look away, but examine so we can learn from "our" collective mistakes.  This stings at best and disgraces at worst.  When so many of us are shedding our literal blood, sweat, and tears in the service of others and to elevate the badge, others would sully it.

In this episode, ret. Capt. Bill Fraass (from Ep. 186 where he teaches us about principle-based leadership and the blunderous Sheriff of San Mateo County) details the developing investigations surrounding NYPD Chief Jeff Maddrey.   It's not just the headlines, but a concerning history documented in investigations and findings.

Listen in and share out, so we can take ownership of fixing our industry through focused work, demanding accountability, and truly learning from mistakes.  As, if we don't learn from history, we are surely doomed to repeat it. 

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Bill Fraass retired as a captain from the Sausalito Police Dept. in CA.  He is the owner/operator of Code 33 Consulting; you can find him, his book, and services at  https://code33consulting.com . 

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

If you’re a first responder on social media, you NEED to be following Erica and TacMobility.  Not only will you see simple movements to fix and aid posture, mobility, chronic pain, but statements that buck the narratives that are keeping us down mentally, socially, emotionally. 

Erica’s a straight shooter; she tells us how it is (and frankly that’s necessary at times if we are going to kill stigmas about seeking help and actually undoing years and decades of physical and mental damage this career can dole out).

We talk about how Erica with her yoga background came to start working and integrating with law enforcement culture.  We talk how mind and body are connected with stress and trauma, and give steps to start un****ing ourselves.

Erica covers a lot of the chronic, continual issues most of us will face at some point if not all of our careers, from the hindering gear to the Shiftwork and struggles with de-stressing mind AND body- and what we can do about it daily!

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Erica Gaines is a Law Enforcement culture and wellness expert having met over 100,000 officers since 2013. 

She created the world’s largest anonymous data survey of police and cumulative stress and her training is nationally accredited through the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement. Erica is a certified yoga instructor specializing in yoga therapy to rehabilitate and prevent injuries. 

IG : @tacmobility
Tacmobility.org

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

Welcome back Johanna Wender, from Bravura Counseling (and Ep. 21, where we talk about Mental Health Musts.. so also download THAT one if you haven’t listened!)

In this episode we focus on FEAR.  Fear limits our abilities- in wellness, teamwork, leadership.  As cops are grapple with what most civilians are afraid of- so let’s break down what WE are afraid of, as a means to grow. We talk about:

How the “older” generation is helping remove stigmas of mental health 

What is Fear?

What are cops afraid of?

Tombstone courage 

Power of admitting fear

Fear of using force in these days 

How can leaders reduce fear 

How to improve Command staff relations 

Peer support 

Courage in sharing struggle 

Tools for risk-seeking behavior 

Processing fear healthfully 

How overwork and overidentity can impact these factors 

Download and share to help our community KNOW and GROW!
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Johanna Wender, MA, LMHC, LPC, is a mental health counselor and president of Bravura Counseling, a practice exclusively serving LEOs, first responders, service members and veterans. She is also part of the LE family. 

Johanna has extensive clinical experience working in a wide range of mental health service settings and specializes in evidence-based treatment of PTSD/I, trauma, depression, and anxiety. In addition to her clinical practice, Johanna provides training and consulting services to law enforcement agencies and other clients.

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

I had the distinct pleasure to see ret. Deputy Chief Jim Dudley’s work through Police 1’s Policing Matters podcast.  Fast forward to being invited to be a co-panelist with Jim in a round-table seminar on the state of police recruiting and what’s working- it was a distinct honor and experience.

In our conversation, we talk about his various assignments and ascension in leadership with San Francisco PD- over the course of 32 years!

His resume is a stout one: BA in Criminal Justice, Master's Degree in Criminology from UC Irvine, Graduate of the FBI National Academy 192nd Class, & PERF Senior Management Institute for Police at Harvard.

Beyond his uniformed assignments, he is  in his 12th year teaching at San Francisco State University in Criminal Justice Studies.  Jim is a Police Practices and CPTED Consultant and host of the Policing Matters Podcast & YouTube series, in its 6th year for PoliceOne.

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

As June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness month and PTSD/I Awareness Month, it is my honor to bring you my conversation with  Dr. Clarence (Lance) Cutsforth- a veteran, mental health advocate and functional medicine practitioner.  

We discuss:
- lessons and insights from his deployment
- ways to look at mental health and healing
- treating trauma and Post Traumatic Stress
- risk-seeking behavior
- interacting with chaos
- routines for health and living WELL

Dr. Lance Cutsforth is a double-board certified Doctor of Functional Medicine.  He also holds an MBA from Hertfordshire University and a Bachelors Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  Dr. Cutsforth is a US Army Veteran, having served as an enlisted Special Forces communications expert and as an Infantry Officer in assignments ranging from counterdrug operations in South America to separation of warring factions and implementation of the Dayton Peace Accord in Bosnia-Herzegovina.  

Dr. Cutsforth is highly involved with non-profits who work in the mental wellness space.  He serves on the Executive Board of The Moral Compass Federation’s Health Initiative Program, which is focused on addressing Moral Injury within the military, first responder, and veteran communities.  He serves as a senior advisor to The Wounded Healer Project, a facilitator for Sacred Hunting, and is an ambassador for Illuminating Heroes. 

Dr. Cutsforth is the Founder and Executive Director of Nova Pax Wellness, a multi-modal treatment solution that has permanent as well as mobile treatment centers.  He is the Functional Medicine Director of Agile Wellness Group in Colorado where he also serves as an Integration Coach and plant medicine expert.

Dr. Cutsforth practices from a place of Lived Experience, not only with regards to military service and sacrifice, but also from having struggled with PTSD, C-PTSD, TBI, trauma, moral injury, and suicidal ideation.  He is a ‘product of the product’ when it comes to the tools he utilizes with his clients, as they are the same tools he used (and continues to use) himself.

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

When I first heard Jason speak on policing, drifting into the “gray area” and what it really means to him to connect with community, I knew I had to learn more. What I didn’t know was that I’d eventually come to meet him at an IACP conference, as well has have him on my own podcast!

In order to elevate policing and be the best we can for the community and each other, we have to go under the microscope and get uncomfortable.  Jason goes there with a critical mind and an open heart, sharing his own negative mindset and how he shifted to fix it.  We talk about police culture- how it affected us both for better and worse and what we can all do to show up and serve.  It aligns with what I’m all about- better cops and better community. 

—

Jason Lehman retired as a Long Beach Police Sergeant in 2022. He has been a committed leader in public safety since 2005. With expertise in street-level gang and violent crime
suppression, Jason places great importance on understanding diverse perspectives. 

In 2012, Jason established the Nationally
recognized non-profit organization Why'd You Stop Me?, which has successfully empowered over 300,000 public safety leaders, government officials, the general public, andmembers of the corporate sector, by enhancing their strategic communication skills through empowerment education.

 Jason’s two most recent honors have been closing the FBINAA National Academy Conference as the Keynote Speaker engaging more than 3,000 law enforcement leaders with a talk entitled “Be the Change. Take the Reins. Positively Impacting the Future of Policing” and
partnering with Jocko Willink, Leif Babin, and the Echelon Front leadership consultancy to
help create and co-train the premiere first responder training called “Extreme Ownership in 21st Century Policing.

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

It is my distinct pleasure to share the knowledge and experience that is James Brack. For years, I have personally benefited from the insight he has shared with the region with regards to departmental wellness efforts.

Sergeant Brack was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. He graduated from the Bothell branch of the University of Washington with a Social Science degree. He completed one year of graduate studies in Kinesiology/Human Performance at San Jose State University before accepting a position with the Spartans coaching Division I college baseball. 

After a brief stint in retail banking, he was hired as an entry level Officer in 2008 after relocating back to the Northwest. During his tenure with the Bellevue Police Department, he has worked as a Patrol Officer, FTO, Crowd Control Officer, Economic Crimes Detective, Recruiting Coordinator, Patrol Sergeant, FTO Coordinator, Training Unit Sergeantand is currently assigned full time to the recently established Wellness Unit as the Sergeant and Peer Support Team Coordinator. 

He enjoys incorporating much of his past professional and personal experiences in developing and implementing the department’s Wellness programing in service to his peers and their families.  He has had the great opportunity to present regionally and nationally on Wellness programming including the National FOP Officer Wellness Summit, IACP Officer Safety & Wellness Symposium, Transform Law Enforcement Colloquium, and the NYPD Health and Wellness Section.

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

Episode 100! Where has the time gone..?? With this, I bring you a very special guest, Scott Howell- multi-discipline trainer, gym owner, and advocate of not only first responders, but public safety.

Blue Grit Wellness (and Radio) started through promoting themes of health, mindset, and community.  My conversation and connection with Scott was refreshing and very much in line with those pillars.  

We talk about where healthy body and mindset intersect with public safety, public health crises, fear, ownership, and community.  We cover some controversial topics- to include where cops and leaders fail through disregarding their opportunity of choice and discretion.  

Listeners will recognize that is discomfort is the space in which we grow and elevate as individuals and as a whole.  We talk about how one can hone a mindset that truly builds team and culture. 

—
Founder of Red Dot Fitness, Scott Howell is a dedicated certified health and fitness professional with over 2 decades of real world, practical, hands-on experience. Following his passion for helping people and living a healthy lifestyle, Scott began his professional career in 1996 as a personal trainer while pursuing a degree in business at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California. He began working in small intimate fitness and training facilities then later took the plunge into the world of commercial & corporate fitness.

As a National Director of Personal Training, he was a senior director/operator and personal training educator for one of the world’s largest fitness corporations nearly 400 clubs strong. After more than 10 years of commercial & corporate fitness, Scott made the life altering decision to stop traveling the country in 2010 and focus his skills locally to those clients who truly want to improve their health & fitness, performance, body image, and lifestyle. In April 2010 he launched Red Dot Fitness.

Scott's dynamic and innovative approach to training incorporates both an art and science. He's achieved certifications through several industry organizations and authorites including the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and USA Weightlifting (USAW). He has created and authored several training programs and manuals, and serves as a mentor to select health and fitness professionals. He

Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line!

To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content:

Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com !

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more! Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow.

Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show.

Need help with entry-level OR promotional testing? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide:
bluegritwellness.com/shop

Email me at bluegritwellness@gmail.com !

-------------------------------------

Want a discount on the best value high-quality supplements? I've legitimately used Nutricost products easily for a decade. Whey isolate, plant proteins, collagen, vitamins, etc...??

Promo Code: BLUEGRIT - 10% off

Affiliate link: https://nutricost.com/discount/BLUEGRIT

-----------——————————-
*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic