Coming May 7th, 2024 on Harmless the Podcast:

Unseen Wounds - Dr. Kathy Coffman

Conversations on Trauma and Hope in Pediatric Forensics

This is an insightful and emotional interview with Dr. Kathy Coffman, a forensic pediatrician who has spent over three decades working on child abuse cases. Throughout the interview, Eric and Dr. Coffman discuss her journey into becoming a forensic pediatrician, the challenges and complexities of diagnosing cases of abuse, and the psychological toll it takes on medical professionals in this field. Dr. Coffman shares personal anecdotes that highlight the difficulty of handling ambiguous cases, the importance of a supportive team, and the strategies she used to cope with the stress and trauma associated with her work.

🎙 Now Available - ONLY - on Harmless the Podcast:

Hidden Battles: Navigating the Depths of Child Exploitation Investigations

Long time friends, Eric Oldenburg and retired Detective Phillis Walker discuss the intense and often unseen struggles faced by law enforcement officers working in the alleyways of digital child exploitation and abuse investigations.

A detective who shifted from physical crime scenes to the virtual realm to escape the direct emotional impact, only to discover new challenges in the digital domain, to Phyllis, a computer forensics expert who found herself isolated amidst troubling investigations.

This conversation explores the profound psychological toll these roles exact on those involved. It delves into the essential yet distressing work of probing into the darkest facets of human behavior online, emphasizing the urgent need for specialized training, support, and coping mechanisms for investigators to manage the severe mental health repercussions of their duties.

Highlighting personal experiences, this conversation paints a vivid picture of the strenuous journey and the resilience of those combating child exploitation in the digital age.

Presented in Partnership with The Innocent Justice Foundation

In this episode of 'Harmless,' host Eric Oldenburg interviews Kevin Laws, a retired Homeland Security Investigations special agent and author of 'Hunter of the Damned: A Walk Through Hell.'

Kevin shares his harrowing experiences working undercover in child exploitation investigations and the emotional toll it took on him, including wrestling with suicide following the death of his wife. The episode sheds light on the psychological impact of such work, Kevin's journey through loss and healing, and the vital need for support among law enforcement officials. Additionally, Kevin offers advice to those currently in the field and emphasizes the importance of seeking help and maintaining connections outside of work to manage the emotional challenges of the job.

You can purchase Kevin's book on his website, www.knsteaching.com.

If you or someone you know is stuggling with sucidal thoughts, please dial or text 988. Thr new national resource for suicide prevention.