Healing and Hope - David's Journey Through Trauma and Recovery In this compelling episode of 'Harmless the Podcast,' host Eric Oldenburg interviews David four years after his initial interview and delves into David's powerful story of overcoming trauma during his career with the Phoenix Police Department. David candidly shares the emotional and psychological toll of his work, especially in investigating Internet Crimes Against Children, and outlines his ongoing journey towards healing. Emphasizing the importance of mental health support, professional therapy, and robust support systems, this episode offers valuable insights into maintaining mental well-being in high-stress professions. A must-listen for first responders, mental health advocates, and anyone interested in the themes of resilience and recovery.

Healing and Hope -  David’s Journey In this compelling episode, Eric sits down with David 4 years after his interview that started Harmless the Podcast. David shares his mental health journey since leaving the Phoenix Police Department, highlighting the critical importance of mental health support for law enforcement officers, specifically those handling sensitive cases like Internet Crimes Against Children. The conversation delves into the profound impacts of trauma, the essentiality of seeking therapy, and the value of a supportive environment. Additionally, it explores the role of empathy in the interrogation process and the necessity of preemptive mental health measures for sustaining long-term careers. David’s's insights offer a candid look at the mental health challenges faced by officers and the steps needed to foster an open, supportive culture within law enforcement.

Casual Urgency - David Frattare : ICAC Leadership on Mental Wellness in Law Enforcement In this episode, Eric Oldenburg interviews a law enforcement veteran and current ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Commander. David recounts his journey into law enforcement, which began with an internship at the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. He describes his pivot to general crimes, and his eventual specialization in undercover work targeting child predators. David also discusses the challenges and mental toll of his work, leading to his eventual move to commanding Ohio's ICAC Task Force. Emphasizing the importance of mental health, David shares how he implemented a mental wellness policy for his unit and later collaborated with the Innocent Justice Foundation as a part-time SHIFT instructor. The conversation highlights the need for mental health awareness in law enforcement, particularly for those dealing with traumatic material on a daily basis.

A Helping Heart: Inside the Heart of ICAC Investigators with Jay Houston   In this compelling episode of 'Harmless', host Eric Oldenburg engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jay Houston, the director of training for the Child Rescue Coalition and a retired ICAC commander from Mississippi. They delve into the unspoken mental health challenges faced by ICAC investigators who tackle child exploitation cases. Jay shares poignant personal stories, including a near-suicide prevented at a training session, and stresses the importance of mental health support and a resilient, supportive environment within law enforcement. With nearly 13 years of experience in ICAC and a transition to a full-time role fighting child exploitation, Jay provides an inside look into his work as an instructor, his efforts to improve forensic tools, and his vision for the future. This episode sheds light on the critical need for psychological resilience, peer support, and ongoing training in this demanding field.

Unseen Wounds: The Emotional Toll of Child Abuse Work   This episode of 'Harmless' features a deep dive into the emotional and psychological toll experienced by professionals who work in child abuse prevention and treatment. The host, Eric Oldenburg, interviews Dr. Kathy Coffman, a forensic pediatrician with over 30 years of experience in examining and supporting child abuse victims. Dr. Coffman shares insights into the challenges of determining the age of children in abusive imagery, the stress of potentially misjudging cases, and the importance of finding coping mechanisms to handle the anger and trauma encountered in this line of work. The conversation also highlights the necessity of a support system for those in the field, the human side of abusers, and the resilience of parents dealing with the aftermath of their child being abused. Dr. Coffman emphasizes the neurodevelopmental impacts of trauma on children and advises those entering this field to find beauty amidst the darkness to sustain their work long-term.

🎙 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.

In an emotionally profound and extensive discussion, Eric Oldenburg explores the career and experiences of Josh Findley, a retired HSI Special Agent and pioneering figure in Victim Identification efforts within the ICAC community.From his small-town roots in rural Oregon, to his impactful career in the military police and subsequent roles in various federal agencies, Josh shares a detailed account of his journey. The conversation delves into the ethical, emotional, and professional challenges faced when dealing with child sexual abuse material (CSAM) cases, emphasizing empathy, healing, and the necessity for law enforcement to engage deeply and humanely with both victims and offenders. It also touches on personal anecdotes and the need for mental health awareness and support among law enforcement officers. This comprehensive dialogue sheds light on the evolution of victim identification, the significance of inter-agency cooperation, and the personal toll such work takes on those who commit their lives to this complex and critical field.

In this episode, your host, Eric Oldenburg, has a very frank and thought provoking conversation with Debbie Garner, a retired ICAC Commander from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. She served for 8 years, from 2013 until her retirement in 2021. Debbie discusses the importance of mental wellness in law enforcement.  Debbie, shares her experience in successfully implementing a budget-friendly mental wellness program within her unit, prioritizing the well-being of her team despite the overwhelming caseload. She emphasizes the significance of creating a supportive culture and recounts harrowing personal stories that highlight the positive impact of her initiatives. This episode highlights a touching story where Debbie's mental heath support system allowed an investigator to save his own life.

In Part 2 of this compelling and candid interview with a sitting Arizona State Superior Court Judge Brad Astrowsky, host Eric Oldenburg and Judge Astrowsky passionately discuss the traumatic impact of dealing with cases related to the sexual exploitation of minors in the legal domain, specifically on investigators, prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys, and even jury members. They note the lasting harm such cases can inflict upon these professionals' mental health without appropriate support. They also empathize with the victims of these heinous crimes and stress an initiative for society to confront this issue more openly. They further discuss how technology and the internet have amplified the occurrence and awareness about child exploitation, debating on its implications, how it affects everyone involved, and the need for more substantial mental health resources.