We want to hear your thoughts.

As a police officer there were parts of the job that got under my skin. Long hours, piss poor supervisors, crappy cars, mediocre training and of course attorneys. It didn't matter what side of the law they were on they drove me nuts. Whether it was a public defender with little experience or a criminal defense attorney with an attitude. I learned to just take them as a hazard of the job. So I recently started thinking.....maybe I should learn more about it. Well, that's what I'm doing. Natalie Snyder is a successful criminal defense attorney. Natalie and I sat down and talked about a variety of topics and had a great time. I don't hate attorneys as much now!

We love you and there is always a seat for you at the Steel City Round Table!

We want to hear your thoughts.

Mental health awareness has become a very popular theme, and for good reason. Many of us are physically healthy but not mentally. We fool ourselves on a daily basis that we are healthy and that our lives are great. I'm gonna call bull shit on that one. We don't spend enough time understanding who we are mentally and what is going on between our ears. I speak from experience when I say ignoring your mental health can lead to some very dark and dangerous places. In honor of Mental Health Awareness month I wanted to break open the egg a little and talk about it.

We love you and there is always a seat for you at the Steel City Round Table!

We want to hear your thoughts.

The Steel City Round Table podcast was the idea of two men coming from different paths and different struggles. Kenny "Finn" Finnegan has been my brother for over 20 years. I met him when he was a 20 yea old punk just doing 20 year old shit. I took him under my wing being 10 years older and thinking I was wiser. Who knew we would become friends til the end. Finn and I came up with the idea for the SCRT after I came home from treatment. As he would say, we needed to help others and do the selfless thing. We argued, disagreed, fought and made up on a daily basis. Our bond drove us forward and the SCRT was formed. Finn also introduced me to my co-host Kelly Gibson who has become my little sister. Unfortunately this episode is the last time I saw Finn. On 6/1/2023 he was taken from us while riding his motorcycle, doing what he loved. Every time I watch this episode I am overcome with the love and the loss. I love you my brother and I miss you every day. We do this in your memory and hope you are listening. We know you are riding that HD in heaven and doing what you love. You are missed.

We love you and there is always a seat for you at the Steel City Round Table!

We want to hear your thoughts.

Plain and simple, we are simple. We speak from our experiences including all our mistakes. Our way isn't the right way, the only way or even the best way but it is working for us. Kells and I struggled working through the steps, and Kells is still pushing through. Believing in a power we cannot see, touch, feel, hear or smell is a difficult proposition. It's taken me a long time to work through my past Andy issues. Kells and I always talk about our sobriety and how much we've changed. The idea of a "Higher Power" is a very personal one. Hope you enjoy your chat.

We love you and there is always a seat for you at the Steel City Round Table!

We want to hear your thoughts.

Jon Atkinson is a 23 year veteran working as a paramedic in Pittsburgh PA. He is currently the president of their union, rescue paramedic, volunteer fireman and a tactical medic with the police SWAT unit. We met while I was a police officer in Pittsburgh. He and I met answering 911 calls and a friendship grew from there. Becoming a paramedic is not the easiest of tasks. Paramedics see a lot of bad shit and suffer from the same issues with addiction and mental health. We share the memories of a call that changed our lives forever. Jon dives into all aspects of his career and his experiences. This was a great interview and I learned a lot. Thank you Jon for sitting down with us.

We love you and there is always a seat for you at the Steel City Round Table!

We want to hear your thoughts.

Just like every other profession not every cop is the same, spoiler alert. People join the force for different reasons and motivations, some good and some bad. Just because they wear the badge does not make them equal. When you enter law enforcement with good intentions the chances of becoming a "good" cop are much higher. "Bad" cops usually come from selfish motivations and ideas of fame and success. Being a cop is a very difficult job these days and it takes a certain "type" to become a good and honest one. Attorney Natalie Snyder and I sit down and break it down and share our opinions. If you are one of the defund the police or "all cops are bad" people then this episode is definitely for you.

We love you and there is always a seat for you at the Steel City Round Table!

We want to hear your thoughts.

Dr. Casey Phillips is a chiropractor in Pittsburgh Pa. Dr. Phillips has been a very big influence in my life. Outside of seeking his medical advice he has also listened to a ton of my nonsense over the years. Casey has not always had an easy go of it. His path to becoming a successful chiropractor took a surprising route. He has had some amazing and unbelievable experiences along the way. In this episode Dr. Phillips talks about his journey from young man, to successful chiropractor and family man. I have learned a lot from him and continue to learn. I am happy to say he is the kind of man I hope to become through my sober journey. Thank you my friend for choosing SCRT to share your story.

We love you and there is always a seat for you at the Steel City Round Table!

We want to hear your thoughts.

There is always an argument about whether or not women should be in law enforcement. Spending 12 years as an officer and detective I have had the opportunity to work with officers from all backgrounds. I have my personal opinions on this topic. What are your thoughts? Let's get Ito it!!

We love you and there is always a seat for you at the Steel City Round Table!