The ILEETA Learning Lab

Authenticity, Stress, and the Future of Officer Wellness - The ILEETA Learning Lab: Katie Carlson

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2378747/fan_mail/new]  Today on the ILEETA Learning Lab Podcast, Joe Willis sits down with Katie Carlson, Director of Wellness Initiatives for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, for a deeply human conversation about wellness, trauma, nervous system regulation, authenticity, and the future of officer readiness. Katie’s path into the wellness space was anything but traditional. After years serving as the Public Information Officer for one of the nation’s largest sheriff’s offices, she found herself carrying the cumulative weight of trauma, burnout, and constant exposure to crisis. What began as a personal search for healing through yoga, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation eventually evolved into a mission to help law enforcement officers better understand stress, trauma, and the human side of the profession. Throughout the conversation, Joe and Katie explore the operational realities of wellness work inside law enforcement culture and why many agencies still struggle to move beyond surface-level solutions. Rather than treating wellness as a disconnected program or trend, Katie discusses the importance of trust, peer support, leadership, culture, and building internal capacity that lasts. The conversation also dives into interoception, the body’s ability to sense and interpret internal signals, and why reconnecting officers with their own nervous systems may be one of the most overlooked aspects of performance, resilience, and long-term health. Katie shares practical ways instructors and leaders can begin introducing these concepts in academy settings, peer support environments, and everyday conversations. Throughout the discussion, they explore: • Why authenticity matters in both leadership and instruction • How trauma-informed approaches create better communication and trust • The role of nervous system regulation in officer performance and recovery • Why mindfulness and body awareness are practical operational skills • The connection between burnout, culture, sleep, stress, and wellness • Why peer support programs succeed or fail • How agencies can begin building wellness programs with limited resources • The importance of vulnerability and normalization in law enforcement culture • Why “wellness” is ultimately about relationships and human connection • The “power of the pause” and how silence can improve both instruction and support conversations This episode will resonate with trainers, wellness coordinators, academy staff, supervisors, peer supporters, and anyone interested in helping officers not only survive the profession, but return home as whole human beings when the shift ends. Connect with Katie Carlson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiehcarlson/ About Katie Carlson: Katie Carlson is the Director of Wellness Initiatives for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she oversees agency-wide wellness programming, peer support, and resilience initiatives for more than 1,000 deputies and staff. She teaches nervous system regulation, mindfulness, yoga, and stress recovery skills at both the Marion County and Indiana Law Enforcement Training Academies. Katie is an approved instructor through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), a certified yoga teacher, mindfulness instructor, writer, and frequent speaker on law enforcement wellness, trauma, resilience, and human performance. In 2023, she was recognized by ICISF as the Emerging Leader in Crisis Intervention. About the ILEETA Learning Lab Podcast: The ILEETA Learning Lab Podcast explores ideas, innovations, and real-world practices designed to inspire excellence in law enforcement training. Hosted by Joe Willis, Deputy Executive Director of ILEETA, the podcast features conversations with trainers, researchers, leaders, and innovators working to improve learning, leadership, readiness, and performance across the profession. Welcome to ILEETA, your source for professional development, training, and resources for law enforcement educators and trainers. Resources & Links: ➤ ILEETA Website: https://www.ileeta.org ➤ ILEETA Membership: https://www.ileeta.org/join Stay Connected / Follow Us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ileeta LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14138249/ Support & Contact: For inquiries, contact us at [info@ileeta.org](mailto:info@ileeta.org) #ILEETA #OfficerWellness #LawEnforcementTraining #MentalHealth #PeerSupport #Mindfulness #Resilience #HumanPerformance #InstructorDevelopment #PublicSafetyTraining #NervousSystemRegulation

Foot Pursuit Readiness - close the distance with sprint training -Dr. Richard Hough & Hannah Burkart

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2378747/fan_mail/new] START HERE: This article on Calibre Press provides the foundation for the conversation: “The First Three Steps: Why Sprinting Matters More Than You Think [https://calibrepress.com/2026/03/the-first-three-steps-why-sprinting-matters-more-than-you-think/]” In this episode of the ILEETA Learning Lab, Joe Willis sits down with Dr. Richard Hough and Hannah Burkhart from East Tennessee State University to explore a critical shift in how we think about physical readiness in law enforcement. This conversation begins with a simple but often overlooked truth:  Being “fit” is not the same as being prepared for the job. Law enforcement officers operate as tactical athletes, required to perform short, explosive, high-stakes movements under unpredictable conditions. Yet much of traditional training still emphasizes general fitness over job-specific performance. Drawing from their Calibre Press article, “The First Three Steps,” Dr. Hough and Hannah break down why sprinting, acceleration, and rapid force production are foundational to officer performance. More importantly, they explain how these concepts connect directly to real-world tasks like foot pursuits, use-of-force encounters, and casualty movement. The discussion moves beyond theory into practical application. You’ll hear how different energy systems fuel different types of effort, why most training programs miss the mark, and how simple adjustments can significantly improve outcomes. The concept of “velocity to proximity to control” provides a powerful framework for understanding how encounters unfold, while also highlighting where training gaps often exist. A major theme throughout the conversation is accessibility. This is not about building elite athletes or requiring hours in the gym. It is about helping the average officer on an average day be better prepared for the realities of the job. From one-hour-per-week training strategies to micro-dosing movement throughout the day, the focus is on realistic, sustainable improvement. They also address one of the most common concerns in the profession: injury. Many preventable injuries occur not because officers are unfit, but because they are unprepared for the specific demands placed on their bodies. Sprinting, change of direction, and multi-planar movement require exposure and progression, not avoidance. For trainers, this episode reinforces the importance of translating complex concepts into simple, actionable guidance. Whether you are working in an academy, running in-service training, or influencing culture at the squad level, the message is clear: performance-based training matters, and it can be implemented without overcomplicating the process. This conversation is designed to challenge assumptions, provide clarity, and offer practical ideas that can be applied immediately. Whether you are just starting to think about performance training or looking to refine an existing program, there is something here for you. CONNECT WITH THE GUESTS Hannah Burkhart  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-burkhart-m-s-cscs-spt-074b89201 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-burkhart-m-s-cscs-spt-074b89201] Instagram: @hannaahnichole Dr. Richard Hough  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-richard-hough-cpp-cchp-shrm-scp-tsac-f-bb873522/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-richard-hough-cpp-cchp-shrm-scp-tsac-f-bb873522/] ABOUT THE ILEETA LEARNING LAB The ILEETA Learning Lab features conversations with trainers and thought leaders across disciplines, focused on sharing practical ideas that improve performance and inspire excellence in law enforcement training. #InspireExcellence #TribeOfTrainers #ILEETA

Team One Network Shotgun Instructor Workshop - Mike Johnson

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2378747/fan_mail/new] Mike Johnson joins the ILEETA Learning Lab to preview his 2026 conference course: Team One Network Shotgun Instructor Workshop. In this conversation, Mike explains why the patrol shotgun still matters in a rifle-dominant era, how instructors can make the shotgun more “shooter friendly” by teaching recoil management and balance, and how to build training that develops confident, competent shotgun users. He also discusses mission-driven long gun selection (shotgun vs patrol rifle), load management, efficient reload concepts (including keeping the gun “topped off”), and why instructor development must move past “information regurgitation” and focus on the why behind techniques. This episode is built for three audiences: 1. Attendees deciding what to take at the conference 2. Trainers on the fence about registering who need stronger long gun capability 3. Instructors who cannot attend this year, but want immediate training value COURSE CONTEXT Course Title: Team One Network Shotgun Instructor Workshop Instructor: Mike Johnson Course Length: 3 hours 45 minutes Registration: Required Booth: 232 Course Description: This course will refine the skills of police shotgun instructors, focusing on the teaching skills necessary to develop and run tactical shotgun programs that maximize the capabilities of this weapon. Instructor Bio: Mike has 50 years of law enforcement experience and recently retired from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. He has been a firearms instructor since 1984 and is certified in handgun, shotgun, rifle, and select fire weapons. Mike is an adjunct instructor for Team One Network and the NRA Law Enforcement Division, and serves on the board of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors. TOPICS DISCUSSED * Shotgun vs patrol rifle: why it’s not either/or * Mission-driven long gun selection (distance vs close work) * Recoil management: making the shotgun more shooter friendly * Instructor priorities: platform, stance, balance, and confidence * Keeping the gun fed: “shoot one, load one” and topping off * Combat/emergency loading with efficiency and reduced errors * Why most officers avoid the shotgun and how instructors fix that * “Why” based instruction vs information regurgitation * What instructors will walk out with in a 3:45 block KEY TAKEAWAYS * The shotgun is still a critical tool for close-range problems, but it is mission dependent. * Most “shotgun hurts” issues are instructor-solvable through platform, stance, and recoil mitigation. * Shotgun training must include load management and efficient reload concepts, not just shooting. * The best instructors teach the “why,” not just the “what.” CONNECT WITH TEAM ONE NETWORK Website: https://www.teamonenetwork.com/ [https://www.teamonenetwork.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamonenetwork/ [https://www.facebook.com/teamonenetwork/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamonenetwork/ [https://www.instagram.com/teamonenetwork/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/team-one-network/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/team-one-network/]

Gap-Free Narrative™, Report Review for Supervisors - Al Bello

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2378747/fan_mail/new] Al Bello will present Gap-Free Narrative™, Report Review for Supervisors at the 2026 ILEETA Conference and Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026. 👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/ [https://www.ileeta.org/conference/] A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Al Bello to discuss a topic that impacts every call, every case, and every courtroom appearance: the quality and completeness of police narratives. Al explains why most “report writing” instruction misses the mark by focusing on grammar and sentence structure instead of what actually protects cases: chronology, integrity, completeness, and defensibility. He also breaks down how a standardized checklist approach helps supervisors review reports consistently, reduce rework, and close the gaps that defense attorneys exploit. This conversation provides value whether you are attending the conference or not. It will challenge how you think about report review, supervisory liability, and the chain reaction from incident to testimony. COURSE CONTEXT Course Title: Gap-Free Narrative™, Report Review for Supervisors Instructor: Al Bello Course Length: 3 hours 45 minutes Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference and Expo Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026 ABOUT THE CONVERSATION Supervisors approve reports they were not present for, yet their signature carries real weight. Al teaches a practical, repeatable method for review that focuses on whether the narrative contains what it must contain: probable cause foundations, key decision points, supporting personnel involvement, victim intent, and documentation that holds up under scrutiny. Instead of “write better,” this approach answers a more useful question: “Does this narrative contain the parts that make it defensible and complete?” Al also connects the idea to a bigger truth for trainers and leaders: policing is a system. What happens in the field connects to the report, and the report connects to testimony. TOPICS DISCUSSED * Why grammar is rarely what loses cases in court * The supervisor’s role in standardization and risk reduction * Checklist-based report review vs traditional narrative coaching * Probable cause articulation and chronological integrity * Victim intent, complaints, and follow-up efficiency * Documenting specialty responders without overstepping expertise * “Ninety percent solutions” when the reviewer was not on scene * How report quality affects investigations, prosecution, and credibility * Closing gaps that create unnecessary liability and rework CONNECT WITH AL BELLO LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-bello-msctrm-%E2%94%83-phd-candidate-a50a9125/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-bello-msctrm-%E2%94%83-phd-candidate-a50a9125/] Website: www.offsetconsulting.us [http://www.offsetconsulting.us] Company: Offset Consulting / Offset Tactical ABOUT THE ILEETA LEARNING LAB The ILEETA Learning Lab features conversations with conference instructors and training leaders to share insight, experience, and practical ideas that inspire excellence in law enforcement training. #InspireExcellence #TribeOfTrainers #ILEETA2026 #Inspiration

Weapons-Based Grappling - Chris Mandigma

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2378747/fan_mail/new] Chris Mandigma and Kenny Bigbee Jr. will present Weapons-Based Grappling at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026. 👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/ [https://www.ileeta.org/conference/] A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Chris Mandigma of Tirsia Tactical to discuss Weapons-Based Grappling and why traditional training often leaves a dangerous gap between firearms skills and close-quarters survival. In this conversation, Chris breaks down the reality that most academies spend minimal time on weapon retention and even less on ground survival with a firearm or edged weapon. When fights go to the ground, officers must be able to retain, access, and deploy their weapons decisively. This discussion provides value whether you are attending the conference or not. It reframes how combatives, weapon access, and grappling should integrate into modern law enforcement training. COURSE CONTEXT Course Title: Weapons-Based Grappling Instructors: Chris Mandigma & Kenny Bigbee Jr. Course Length: 3 hours 45 minutes Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026 🗓️ Find this course on the conference schedule: [Insert Schedule Link Here] ABOUT THE CONVERSATION Weapons-Based Grappling addresses one of the most undertrained realities in policing: what happens when the fight collapses to the ground and weapons are involved. In this Learning Lab interview, Chris discusses: * The training gap between firearms qualification and weapon retention * Why ground survival skills must include weapon access and protection * Integrating pistol and knife awareness into grappling systems * The difference between sport grappling and weapons-aware grappling * Retention principles from standing to grounded positions * Why decisiveness under pressure matters more than complexity * Building scalable training programs for agencies with limited mat time Chris emphasizes that weapon-based encounters are dynamic and chaotic. Officers must be prepared to transition between control, retention, and deployment seamlessly. This is not about adding more techniques. It is about building systems that account for weapons in every phase of the fight. TOPICS DISCUSSED Weapon retention realities Ground survival with firearms Knife awareness in close quarters Sport vs operational grappling Standing to ground transitions Integrating combatives with firearms training Training decisiveness under pressure Building scalable agency programs CONNECT WITH CHRIS MANDIGMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tirsiatactical/ [https://www.instagram.com/tirsiatactical/]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismandigma/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismandigma/]YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tirsiatraining [https://www.youtube.com/@tirsiatraining]Website: https://www.tirsiatactical.com/ [https://www.tirsiatactical.com/] Company: Tirsia Tactical WATCH OR LISTEN 🎥 YouTube – Full Learning Lab Interview [Insert YouTube Link Here] 🎧 Podcast – ILEETA Learning Lab https://www.ileeta.org/learning-lab/ [https://www.ileeta.org/learning-lab/]Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and major platforms.