Come join us every Thursday @ 5:30 at Columbo's Cafe and Tavern in the basement as we put on a new episode . . .

Brighter Side of Blue Episodes

Jan. 13, 2025

SAINT LOUIS MOBILE RESERVE STORIES With Retired Police Sgt. John Winter - #61

Retired Sergeant John Winter comes on the show to talk about his time working with Mobile Reserve, and other wild stories around St. Louis. 00:28 “alright here we are with our interview” intro to interview 03:00 What the mo…
Jan. 6, 2025

What It's Like to Grow Up With a Police Dad - #60

JJ, Danny, and Tom's daughters join to talk about their experiences growing up with policemen as fathers. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - LJ's Zen moment 1:20 - Dads join the show 3:30 - Randy's story about being followed 7:…
Dec. 30, 2024

Going From Navy SEAL to S.W.A.T. - #59

Joe Busso is a retired Navy SEAL that details what it was like going through BUD/S, his time as a Navy SEAL, and how after leaving, he got into law enforcement. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 7:12 - Danny's useless information 13…
Dec. 23, 2024

Legendary Reporter Chris Hayes - #58

Chris Hayes, legendary St. Louis reporter comes on to talk about the stories he has of the relationship between the police and media, and his relationship with both Steve James and Paige Spears. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 7:35…
Dec. 16, 2024

Saving a Man From a Murder Charge With Colonel Jerry Leyshock - #57

On this week's episode we have on Colonel Leyshock to detail an intense story, a phone call with our previous guest Bill McClellan, and a call in from the one and only Danny Howard from our studio down in Naples, Florida. Ti…
Dec. 13, 2024

Federal Friday 3-Changes Are Coming in Federal Law Enforcement

Former DEA agents Jack Riley and Joe Cronin discuss some of the nominees of President-elect Donald Trump and the effects they will have on law enforcement.
Dec. 9, 2024

Reporting Behind the Blue Wall: St. Louis' Bill McClellan - #56

This week we have on the legendary St. Louis reporter Bill McClellan. We dive into some of the most infamous stories Bill has written about as well as get a behind the scenes look of what it was like reporting on crime in St…
Dec. 2, 2024

St. Louis Guns n' Hoses Recap - #55

The Brighter Side of Blue team heads to Guns n' Hoses to interview several of the fighters, checkout the weigh-ins, and explore the Enterprise Center! Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 3:18 - Sergeant Sean Mezzolla 9:28 - Eva comes o…
Nov. 25, 2024

Legendary Police Chief Joe Mokwa Recalls Time in Law Enforcement - #54

Former St. Louis police chief Joe Mokwa comes on the show to recount many classic stories from his time in law enforcement in the city of St. Louis. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 3:04 - Chief Dodge calls in 25:44 - JJ's Zen 30:15…
Nov. 18, 2024

How do Elections Affect the Police? - #53

This week we have on Tim Lachenicht to talk about stories from his career in the St. Louis Police Department. We also have on Jay Schroeder to talk about how elections and voting in certain leaders directly affects our polic…
Nov. 11, 2024

The K9 Unit: Stories of Dogs in Law Enforcement - #52

On this week's episode, we talk all things dogs! What role do dogs play in law enforcement and how do we support getting them more involved and available for police departments around the United States. K9s4COPS website: htt…
Nov. 4, 2024

Trials and Tribulations: Retired Police React to Outrageous Criminal Trials - #51

On this week's episode, we talk about some of the craziest trials we've read about. We also show some behind the scenes footage of the Guns n' Hoses box off. Timestamps: 3:34 - Young Thug pleads guilty 7:28 - JJ hates bullie…
Oct. 28, 2024

The Iraqi Interpreter That Captured Saddam Hussein: A Never Before Told Story - #50

On this week's episode we have a special guest that details his ascent from an Iraqi refugee, to an interpreter for the U.S. military, to playing an integral role in capturing Saddam Hussein. 0:00 - Intro 3:39 - Background o…
Oct. 25, 2024

Federal Friday #2- Designating Cartels as Foreign Terrorists Organizations

We are joined by a former Navy Seal to discuss the possibilities of designating cartels as FTOs (Foreign Terrorists Organizations
Oct. 21, 2024

Police Stepping Up For Foster Children - #49

This week's episode of The Brighter Side of Blue our very own Tom Sawyer opens up about his experience fostering 3 victims of domestic abuse. This story epitomizes what the Brighter Side of Blue is all about, the police fami…
Oct. 14, 2024

The STRANGEST Cop Stories - #48

This week's episode, we cover several St. Louis police stories including: - The child m*lestor "Flashlight Bob" - The infamous Michael Harper su*cide - And of course Diddy Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 20:06 - Arrested for clonin…
Oct. 7, 2024

Freeing a Rehabilitated Prisoner - #47

This week's episode, we go into the imprisonment of Paige Spears and his journey of rehabilitation. If you have even a slight degree of connection to the governor, we are asking for you help to free Paige! Timestamps: 0:00 -…
Sept. 30, 2024

Funny Police Stories With Vince Stehlin - #46

Vince Stehlin comes on the show to lighten things up with some great stories of his time pulling pranks as a police officer. We also get a surprise guest from one of the original and most profound philosophers of the world. …
Sept. 23, 2024

Honoring Women In Law Enforcement - #45

On This episode of The Brighter Side Of Blue we honor just a few of the wonderful women that help keep our communities safe. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 35:42 - Colonel Leyshock 1:02:14 - Anna Kimble 1:24:16 - Kim Allen 1:32:18…
Sept. 16, 2024

Stories From A Police Widow: How To Move Forward - #44

Today we have on Michelle Blue Stanze-Colombini to detail her experience after her late husband, Bob Stanze was killed in the line of duty. She breaks down how she handled the situation, organizations that helped immediately…
Sept. 13, 2024

Federal Friday-Tiktok and Terrorism-Episode 1.3

DEA veterans Jack Riley and Joe Cronin discuss wide ranging topics surrounding the border and national security in a 3 part episode
Sept. 13, 2024

Federal Friday- Cartel Business-Episode 1.2

DEA veterans Jack Riley and Joe Cronin discuss how cartels are using open borders and effecting national security in a 3 episode inaugural series of Federal Friday
Sept. 13, 2024

Federal Friday-The Border is Open for Business-episode 1.1

DEA veterans Jack Riley and Joe Cronin discuss wide ranging effects of an open border in a 3 part series about the border and national security
Sept. 9, 2024

Kelly Chase Police Stories - #43

This week we have on Kelly Chase to talk about some great stories and interactions he has had and seen with the police in St. Louis! We also have on John Schicker owner of Schicker Automotive to talk about what made him deci…