In this episode of Built Different, host Colin Ledbetter sits down with two 6th District officers to talk about policing North St. Louis through COVID, manpower shortages, rising and falling crime trends, and the reality behind the headlines.

Brett and Jessica share raw stories from patrol — from vehicle pursuits and violent crime to saving stray dogs and working animal abuse cases — plus what’s changed inside the justice system and on the streets.

Real perspective. Real experience. No filters.

#stlouis #policepodcast #builtdifferent

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Ever wondered what 30 years in the fire service looks like? In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, we sit down with retired Fire Captain Pat Byron, who shares raw insights from nearly three decades serving North County Fire & Rescue.

Pat Byron served as a Fire Captain for nearly 30 years with North County Fire & Rescue (formerly Riverview Fire Department), starting in 1985. He witnessed the transformation of firefighting from basic emergency response to advanced paramedic care, navigating explosive call volume growth and departmental consolidations throughout his career.

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button – it helps us bring you more first responder stories!

#firstresponders #firefighterlife #builtdifferentpodcast ​

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A BIG thank you to Spas & More! for sponsoring this video. If you’re in the St. Louis area and thinking about adding relaxation, wellness, or fun to your home, be sure to check them out — they’re the place for hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, accessories, and expert service. They’ve been serving the community for over 20 years and truly put the “aaaahh” in spa!

👉 Visit spasandmorestl.com to learn more!

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Ever wondered what 30 years in the fire service looks like? In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, we sit down with retired Fire Captain Pat Byron, who shares raw insights from nearly three decades serving North County Fire & Rescue.

Pat Byron served as a Fire Captain for nearly 30 years with North County Fire & Rescue (formerly Riverview Fire Department), starting in 1985. He witnessed the transformation of firefighting from basic emergency response to advanced paramedic care, navigating explosive call volume growth and departmental consolidations throughout his career.

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button – it helps us bring you more first responder stories!

#firstresponders #firefighterlife #builtdifferentpodcast ​

🎉 Thank You to Our Sponsor!

A BIG thank you to Spas & More! for sponsoring this video. If you’re in the St. Louis area and thinking about adding relaxation, wellness, or fun to your home, be sure to check them out — they’re the place for hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, accessories, and expert service. They’ve been serving the community for over 20 years and truly put the “aaaahh” in spa!

👉 Visit spasandmorestl.com to learn more!

Follow Colin Ledbetter on Built Different

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Ever wondered what 30 years in the fire service looks like? In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, we sit down with retired Fire Captain Pat Byron, who shares raw insights from nearly three decades serving North County Fire & Rescue.

Pat Byron served as a Fire Captain for nearly 30 years with North County Fire & Rescue (formerly Riverview Fire Department), starting in 1985. He witnessed the transformation of firefighting from basic emergency response to advanced paramedic care, navigating explosive call volume growth and departmental consolidations throughout his career.

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button – it helps us bring you more first responder stories!

#firstresponders #firefighterlife #builtdifferentpodcast ​

🎉 Thank You to Our Sponsor!

A BIG thank you to Spas & More! for sponsoring this video. If you’re in the St. Louis area and thinking about adding relaxation, wellness, or fun to your home, be sure to check them out — they’re the place for hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, accessories, and expert service. They’ve been serving the community for over 20 years and truly put the “aaaahh” in spa!

👉 Visit spasandmorestl.com to learn more!

Follow Colin Ledbetter on Built Different

📱https://www.instagram.com/colin_a_25/

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@TruelineMediaGroup

Ever wondered what 30 years in the fire service looks like? In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, we sit down with retired Fire Captain Pat Byron, who shares raw insights from nearly three decades serving North County Fire & Rescue.

Pat Byron served as a Fire Captain for nearly 30 years with North County Fire & Rescue (formerly Riverview Fire Department), starting in 1985. He witnessed the transformation of firefighting from basic emergency response to advanced paramedic care, navigating explosive call volume growth and departmental consolidations throughout his career.

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button – it helps us bring you more first responder stories!

#firstresponders #firefighterlife #builtdifferentpodcast ​

🎉 Thank You to Our Sponsor!

A BIG thank you to Spas & More! for sponsoring this video. If you’re in the St. Louis area and thinking about adding relaxation, wellness, or fun to your home, be sure to check them out — they’re the place for hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, accessories, and expert service. They’ve been serving the community for over 20 years and truly put the “aaaahh” in spa!

👉 Visit spasandmorestl.com to learn more!

Follow Colin Ledbetter on Built Different

📱https://www.instagram.com/colin_a_25/

ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/colin.ledbetter.3

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From corrections officer to firefighter to massage therapist – discover how Stephanie Spaniel transformed trauma into healing. In this episode, we explore her 26-year journey through Illinois corrections, firefighting/EMS, and her current work helping people release stored trauma through bodywork.

Stephanie brings 26+ years of experience working in high-stress, high-trauma environments. After 13 years in Illinois Department of Corrections and 13 years in fire/EMS, she now specializes in massage therapy focused on releasing stored trauma—whether from childhood experiences or occupational stress. Her unique background gives her deep insight into how the body holds onto trauma and how to help people heal.

Connect with Stephanie:

https://www.instagram.com/spaniol79?igsh=OXVjdWx3bTl0eW5t

https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.spaniol.2025?rdid=NwGMvMaGiaQBXeR3&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1CoNsQUVYK%2F#

https://www.facebook.com/spaniol1?rdid=pB3QhY1OPQ5Dsxt2&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1Ag7P69xj6%2F#

Holding Space STL:

https://www.holdingspacehealingllc.com/?fbclid=Iwb21leAPSD05jbGNrA9IPRmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHm2AG7sT2V7kj93P9_uKbJbgVt27u1_RszTrjEMy2ZDd4_lR-VDLnVZPXLmM_aem_nTcZI_qrgcy63skQdb1r2w

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558459971562&rdid=wiYFz1zUa48AUQuA&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1bpfCopCp2%2F#

https://www.instagram.com/holdingspacehealing_llc?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D

#firstresponders #massagetherapy #traumarecoverycoach ​

🎉 Thank You to Our Sponsor!

A BIG thank you to Spas & More! for sponsoring this video. If you’re in the St. Louis area and thinking about adding relaxation, wellness, or fun to your home, be sure to check them out — they’re the place for hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, accessories, and expert service. They’ve been serving the community for over 20 years and truly put the “aaaahh” in spa!

👉 Visit spasandmorestl.com to learn more!

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First responders are trained to stay alert, ready, and resilient — but that constant state of readiness doesn’t always turn off. In this conversation, we explore how stress lives in the body, why first responders often struggle to relax even in safe environments, and what that means for their health, relationships, and recovery.

Whether you serve on the front lines or love someone who does, this episode sheds light on the physical and neurological impact of the job — and why healing takes more than just rest.

If you or a veteran you know is in need of help, reach out to Chad Cross with the link below:

https://www.tyr-i.com/the-phalanx-project

#firstresponders #mentalhealthawareness #firstresponderwellness

🎉 Thank You to Our Sponsor!

A BIG thank you to Spas & More! for sponsoring this video. If you’re in the St. Louis area and thinking about adding relaxation, wellness, or fun to your home, be sure to check them out — they’re the place for hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, accessories, and expert service. They’ve been serving the community for over 20 years and truly put the “aaaahh” in spa!

👉 Visit spasandmorestl.com to learn more!

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@TruelineMediaGroup

Ever wondered why bagpipes are played at police funerals? In this powerful episode, three St. Louis police officers share the sacred tradition of police bagpiping—from honoring fallen heroes to bringing communities together at events like Guns & Hoses.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

1. **The History of Police Bagpipes** – How Irish immigrants created this tradition and why it's now universal across all backgrounds

2. **What It Takes to Learn** – The brutal reality of bagpipe stamina, daily practice requirements, and the chanter training process

3. **Balancing the Badge & the Band** – How officers manage patrol schedules, homicide investigations, and funeral call-outs while maintaining musical skill

4. **Why This Matters** – The emotional impact of bagpipes at funerals, the brotherhood between city and county bands, and why this tradition will never die

5. **How to Get Involved** – What officers need to know if they want to join (spoiler: it's harder to recruit than to learn)

MEET THE GUESTS:

**Chris Rumpsa** – Retired St. Louis Metro PD Sergeant (21 years), founder of the St. Louis City Police Bagpipe Program, now serving with NGA Police

**Jason Delp** – St. Louis City PD (8 years), Downtown Bike Unit, bagpiper for 1.5 years

**John Blaskiewicz** – Commander of Homicide, St. Louis City PD (28.5 years), started bagpiping in 2020

If you'd like inquire about joining the band, contact Chris Rumpsa here:

Crumpsa131@gmail.com

👍 **If this episode moved you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE** — it helps us reach more people who need to hear these stories.

**Special thanks to:**

- Dave Samback and the St. Louis County Police Pipe & Drum Band

- All officers who honor the fallen through music

- The families who allow us to serve them in their darkest moments

**DISCLAIMER:** The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of their respective departments. This content is for educational and informational purposes.

#PoliceBagpipes #BuiltDifferent #LawEnforcement #StLouisPolice #FirstResponders #PoliceTradition #AmazingGrace #GunsAndHoses #PolicePodcast #thinblueline

🎉 Thank You to Our Sponsor!

A BIG thank you to Spas & More! for sponsoring this video. If you’re in the St. Louis area and thinking about adding relaxation, wellness, or fun to your home, be sure to check them out — they’re the place for hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, accessories, and expert service. They’ve been serving the community for over 20 years and truly put the “aaaahh” in spa!

👉 Visit spasandmorestl.com to learn more!

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@TruelineMediaGroup