Beyond The Barrel Podcast

Welcome to Beyond the Barrel, where every episode takes you deeper into the lives of those who serve on the frontlines. Hosted by two dynamic leaders— Kenny, a nationally recognized K9 interdiction officer, and Attorney Mike, a U.S. Army veteran and seasoned Patrol Supervisor—this podcast is where stories of bravery, sacrifice, and humanity unfold. Go Beyond the Barrel with us to uncover the stories that truly define our Nation's finest. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the podcast, or any organizations, agencies, or entities affiliated with the host.

Beyond The Barrel Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 85 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Beyond The Barrel Podcast, a education show with 85 episodes published.

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  Beyond The Barrel Podcast

  Ep 72: Fitness, Immigration & COVID: The Conversations We’re Not Supposed to Have

  Aug 15, 20262h 3m

  Scott Howell, host of the Iron Sights Podcast and CEO of Red Dot Fitness, joins Beyond the Barrel for a conversation that goes far beyond the gym. With more than 25 years in the health and fitness industry, Scott has built a platform centered on preparedness, discipline, self-reliance, and what it takes to WIN in fitness, business, and life. We get into his recent travels throughout Asia and what he noticed about their food, fitness, and gym culture compared to America. From there, the conversation turns to some much bigger and more controversial topics: immigration and its impact on our communities, the lasting effects of the COVID era, and what Scott experienced trying to keep his gym and business alive during one of the most disruptive periods in recent history. Fitness. Culture. Immigration. COVID. Business. Preparedness. No scripts. No agendas. Just an honest conversation that isn’t afraid to go there. Go Beyond the Barrel.  Timestamps:  0:00 - Introduction 1:35 - Korea & Japan 5:52 - Asian Gym Culture 15:30 - Cultural Differences 38:34 - Fitness Entrepreneur  43:52 - COVID Shutdowns 54:29 - Community & Survival 1:06:01 - Starting Iron Sights 1:18:50 - Healthcare & TRT 1:32:11 - Peptides 1:52:58 - Defining Justice If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  Beyond The Barrel Podcast

  Ep 71: Residual Trauma: What First Responders Carry Home

  Aug 8, 202655 min

  Not every wound is visible. This episode of Beyond the Barrel features retired police sergeant and former U.S. Air Force Captain Michael Sugrue, whose career placed him on the front lines of law enforcement, military service, narcotics investigations, and critical incidents. After years of cumulative trauma led to a medical retirement, Michael transformed his experience into a mission to help others survive what many suffer in silence. We discuss the reality of post-traumatic stress injury, the stigma surrounding mental health, organizational trauma, suicide prevention, resilience, and what it truly means to heal after a career spent protecting others. Michael also shares lessons from his bestselling book Relentless Courage, his work with Save A Warrior and the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat, and why changing the culture around first responders and veterans is more important than ever. No scripts. No agendas. Just an honest conversation about the weight of service, the road to recovery, and finding purpose beyond the uniform. Timestamps:  4:17 Mental Health Stigma  9:14 Becoming a Cop  12:35 Undercover Narcotics  15:04 Task Force Scandal  21:42 Fatal Shooting  24:21 Life Unravels  34:12 PTSD Aftermath  41:10 Agency Betrayal  48:01 Recovery & Healing If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  Beyond The Barrel Podcast

  Ep 70: How 9/11 Created One of America's Top K-9 Trainers

  Aug 1, 20261h 37m

  What does it take to build one of the best K-9 teams in law enforcement? In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with Steven Antommarchi—veteran police K-9 handler, instructor, and founder of Next Level K9—for an unforgettable conversation about the realities of working dogs in some of the most demanding situations imaginable. Steven shares how witnessing search-and-rescue dogs at Ground Zero after 9/11 inspired his career, what it was like deploying a bomb detection dog during the Dallas ambush, and the lessons he learned responding to some of the most traumatic events a law enforcement officer can face. Along the way, we explore the mental health challenges that come with the profession, the science behind modern detection dogs, and why trust, communication, and preparation matter far more than simply running training drills. From building a K-9 unit from the ground up to training handlers across the country and around the world, Steven offers an honest look at what separates average teams from exceptional ones. Whether you're in law enforcement, the military, a first responder, a working dog handler, or simply fascinated by elite performance under pressure, this conversation is packed with insight, experience, and lessons that extend far beyond the leash. If you enjoy authentic conversations about leadership, resilience, and the people behind the badge, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode of Beyond the Barrel. Timestamps:  00:58 Meet Steve  11:40 9/11 Purpose  16:45 Dallas Ambush  32:10 Mental Health  41:00 Building K-9  51:35 Hemp Research  1:04:58 Future K-9  1:16:43 Handler Match  1:27:49 Training Legacy  1:33:50 Defining Justice If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  Beyond The Barrel Podcast

  Ep 69: A Legendary Cop Opens Up About Addiction, PTSD, and Redemption

  Jul 22, 20261h 52m

  What happens when the toughest battle isn’t on the street but inside your own mind? In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with retired Sgt. John Kelly, national keynote speaker, law enforcement life coach, and author of Surviving Self-Inflicted Wounds. After surviving decades in law enforcement, John reveals how addiction, alcoholism, infidelity, post-traumatic stress injury, and suicidal thoughts nearly ended his life—long after the dangers of the job should have. With remarkable honesty, John shares the lessons that transformed his life and the mission behind his “Sometimes Heroes Need Help” program. We dive into leadership, relationships, organizational culture, financial wellness, physical and mental health, and why true strength starts with personal accountability. This isn’t a conversation about being a perfect cop or leader. It’s about becoming a better human being, asking for help when you need it, and giving others permission to do the same. No scripts. No agendas. Just an honest conversation about failure, forgiveness, resilience, and the courage to keep getting up when life knocks you down. Timestamps:  01:31 About John Kelly 11:01 Work Ethic 14:56 Boston Roots 27:44 Career Beginnings 41:24 K-9 & SWAT 49:04 Warrior Mindset 55:20 Personal Failures 1:09:20 Self Leadership 1:33:43 Policing Today 1:45:35 Future Policing If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  Beyond The Barrel Podcast

  Ep 67: Hunting Human Predators: Inside the Fight to Rescue Missing Children

  Jul 10, 20261h 25m

  Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in the world—and it’s happening far closer to home than most people realize. In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with Trent the man behind Anti-Predator Project, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works on the front lines of combating human trafficking, locating missing and abducted children, protecting victims and witnesses, and supporting criminal investigations targeting those who prey on the vulnerable. We discuss the realities of trafficking in America, how predators operate, the investigative techniques used to identify and locate offenders, common misconceptions, and the emotional toll of pursuing justice in some of the darkest cases imaginable. Whether you’re in law enforcement, a parent, or simply someone who wants to better understand this growing threat, this conversation offers an inside look at the people dedicated to protecting those who cannot protect themselves. No scripts. No agendas. Just authentic conversations with those who’ve lived it. Timestamps:  01:12 – Anti-Predator Project 10:17 – Protecting Children 20:40 – Real Investigations 23:30 – World Cup Risks 31:59 – Labor Trafficking 38:53 – Victim Grooming 47:27 – Online Safety 58:16 – Social Media Risks 01:11:05 – Public Awareness 01:22:04 – Justice Defined If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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