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The Prison Officer Podcast
The Prison Officer Podcast is a place where prison officers and correctional staff share their experiences, discuss leadership, cope with stress, and learn survival strategies for one of the toughest careers out there. Hosted by Michael Cantrell, this podcast delves into the lives, dreams, and challenges faced by those who work inside the walls of our nation’s prisons. It features interviews, insights, and discussions related to the unique and demanding world of corrections. Whether it’s overcoming difficult leaders, understanding rehabilitation, or addressing misconceptions about incarcerated populations, the Prison Officer Podcast provides valuable perspectives from professionals in the field.
Episodes
134 episodes
120: Less Lethal Tools and the Threats Redefining Corrections - Interview w/Robert Sorensen
Two gym riots. Same tools. Completely different outcomes. That’s the pivot point Robert Sorensen brings to the table as we dive into less lethal tactics, executive buy-in, and the real cost of undertraining in corrections. Robert spent 27 years...
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Season 2
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Episode 120
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58:45
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119: Best of The Prison Officer - Interview w/Mark Schrieber - Missouri’s Prison Legacy
This is a "Best of" from January 16, 2023, Episode 24 in remembrance of Mark Schieber, who passed away on November 17, 2025. We sit with former MSP assistant warden and historian Mark Schreiber to trace Missouri correction...
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Season 2
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Episode 119
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1:28:58
118: From Secure Walls To Open Halls: A Corrections Officer’s Guide To Safe Hospital Escorts
We walk through the hard truths of hospital escorts: layers of security vanish, complacency creeps in, and small mistakes become big risks. From intel control to room setup, we share a field-tested checklist to keep officers, medical staff, and...
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Season 2
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Episode 118
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34:59
117: We Rewind 2025 And Share What’s Coming Next
Five years in, the mission feels sharper than ever: equip correctional professionals with tools, mindset, and purpose that hold up under real pressure. We look back on a year of travel and training, thank the partners who help us serve, and pul...
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Season 2
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Episode 117
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33:25
116: Stoic Tools For Tough Shifts
The job doesn’t wait for your feelings to catch up. That’s why we unpack a clear, practical way to stay steady under pressure—using Stoicism as a daily tool for safer shifts, better decisions, and a healthier mind. We get honest about chaos on ...
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Season 2
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Episode 116
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39:36
115: From Rookie to Rank - Interview w/Matthew Hyde
Leadership in corrections doesn't come from a badge or title—it emerges from integrity, trust, and the willingness to shield your team during difficult times. Matthew Hyde, leadership strategist and author of "From Rookie to Rank," shares his r...
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Season 2
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Episode 115
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1:07:44
114: 2025 MCA/MPPOA Fall Conference in Branson, MO
I saw a man once walk out of the Missouri State Penitentiary after three decades with a few dollars and no plan. I remember that moment—and this is why I am glad Missouri has set out to build something better. Come behind the scenes with ...
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Season 2
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Episode 114
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49:45
113: Beyond Toxicity: Building Healthier Correctional Workplaces - Interview w/Josh Ryle
Joshua Ryle brings over two decades of corrections experience to this deeply insightful conversation about the hidden psychological patterns that shape corrections culture. From his early days at the Tennessee Department of Corrections to his c...
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Season 2
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Episode 113
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1:15:24
112: Security, Innovation, and Leadership in American Prisons - Interview w/Pete Bludworth
What does it take to navigate the most dangerous prisons in America while maintaining both safety and humanity? Pete Bloodworth's extraordinary 35-year journey through corrections offers profound insights into this question.From his ear...
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Season 2
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Episode 112
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1:19:56
Episode 111: Knowledge, Willingness, Courage: What Officers Need From Leaders
What makes a truly effective correctional leader? In this thought-provoking episode, Michael Cantrell draws from decades of experience to unpack the three essential qualities officers desperately want from their supervisors: knowledge, willingn...
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Season 2
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Episode 111
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34:07
110: The Silent Service: Finding Purpose in a Life of Sacrifice - Interview w/LTC Dave Grossman
Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman brings decades of expertise to this powerful conversation about the psychology of violence, trauma response, and the vital role corrections professionals play in society.Drawing from his groundbreaking r...
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Season 2
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Episode 110
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1:07:12
109: Rethinking Correctional Training: Objective-Based Training with Myles Cook
What if everything we thought we knew about training correctional officers was based on flawed assumptions? In this eye-opening conversation with Myles Cook, we explore how questioning basic training objectives can transform outcomes across cor...
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Season 2
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Episode 109
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1:07:52
Re-Broadcast - ILEETA Live: An interview with Michael Cantrell and Gary York
This is a Re-Broadcast of ILEETA Live! Yyou can find more episodes here: / @ileeta Two nationally recognized voices in corrections. One powe...
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1:04:24
108: Can Smart Technology Create Second Chances? Interview w/Alisha Shoates James
What happens when a police officer's career evolves into revolutionizing corrections technology? Alisha Shoates-James takes us on her remarkable journey from patrolling Nashville streets to developing innovative tablet solutions that transform ...
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Season 2
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Episode 108
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54:28
107: Inside the American Jail System: Leadership & Innovation - Interview w/Shaun Klucznik
When was the last time you heard a positive story about what happens inside America's jails? For most of us, these facilities only make headlines when something goes wrong—an escape, a use-of-force incident, or a facility failure. But as Major ...
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Season 2
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Episode 107
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1:06:03
Re-Broadcast - The Silence Crisis in Corrections w/Michael Cantrell - Independent Voter Podcast
This is a Re-Broadcast of The Silence Crisis in Corrections with Michael Cantrell from The Independent Voter Podcast -ht...
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33:10
106: Jujitsu, Justice, and Leadership - Interview w/Bryan Antonelli
Brian Antonelli, known throughout corrections as "the fixer," pulls back the curtain on what it takes to restore order in some of America's most challenging prisons. Drawing from 32 years of distinguished service in federal and state correction...
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Season 2
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Episode 106
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1:12:15
105: Keeping Your Cell Extraction from Going Viral on YouTube - Interview w/Tim Fasnacht
The shocking disparity between training requirements—four weeks to become a correctional officer versus sixteen weeks to become a hairdresser in Washington State—highlights a systemic problem in how we prepare staff to handle some of society's ...
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Season 2
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Episode 105
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1:08:42
104: Introduction to My New Book - POWER SKILLS for Corrections
Michael Cantrell returns with a passionate exploration of the evolving corrections landscape, sharing significant professional milestones while introducing his upcoming new book, "Power Skills: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correct...
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Season 2
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Episode 104
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36:36
103: The Human Stories of Military Justice and Rehabilitation - Interview w/James Cummings
From the corridors of military prisons to the unique challenges of civilian life, our guest Jimmy Cummings shares an extraordinary journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. A retired Marine with a commanding presence in military correcti...
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Season 2
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Episode 104
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1:09:05
102: Leadership Strategies and Fostering a Culture of Integrity - Interview w/Chris McConnell
From military operations in the Gulf to the corridors of correctional facilities, Chris McConnell's journey is a narrative of resilience and leadership. Growing up in a law enforcement family in Pennsylvania, Chris was destined for a life of se...
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Season 2
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Episode 102
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58:30
101: Transforming Prisons: Innovation and Rehabilitation in Belize - Interview w/Dr. Jarrod Sadulski
Discover the transformative world of Central American prisons with Dr. Jarrod Sadulski, whose journey from the Coast Guard to criminology and federal law enforcement has led him to the heart of prison reform in Belize. As we navigate through hi...
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Season 2
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Episode 101
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53:11
100: Discover the Secrets of Human Behavior - Interview w/Greg Williams & Brian Marren
Discover the secrets of human behavior in high-stress environments with our special guests, Greg Williams and Brian Marren from Arcadia Congerati. These experts, known for their work in developing the Marine Corps' Combat Hunter program, join u...
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Season 2
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Episode 100
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1:22:43
99: Honoring a Legacy in Corrections - Interview w/Conor Fredericks
Join us for an insightful conversation with Connor Fredericks, a South Carolina Department of Corrections CERT Commander. In our exploration of corrections, we focus on the unique challenges correctional officers face, particularly those in CER...
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Season 1
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Episode 99
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1:05:58
98: Transforming County Jails: Leadership, Innovation, and Second Chances - Interview w/Justin Hall
Ever wondered what it takes to manage a county jail? Join me, Michael Cantrell, as I sit down with Justin Hall, the elected jailer from Nelson County, Kentucky, who has spent nearly two decades in the corrections field. We'll uncover how he nav...
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Season 1
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Episode 98
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1:05:00