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PODCAST

The Courage To Live

The Courage to Live podcast is hosted by retired Police Captain Josh Bitsko and his wife Jenna, and it explores resilience, leadership, and the real stories behind critical incidents and everyday challenges. Each episode blends lessons from Josh’s career in law enforcement including his response to the 1 October mass shooting in Las Vegas with honest conversations about trauma, growth, and the courage it takes to face both professional and personal battles. The show covers everything from leadership

education self-improvement

All Episodes

4:40

Ep. 59: Courage Casts- Perfect Practice Makes Perfect

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/25

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, retired Las Vegas Police Captain Josh Bitsko breaks down the real meaning behind “practice makes perfect.” He explains why it’s not just the amount of training that matters, but the quality of it and how the right mindset and instruction can make all the difference. Drawing on his experience as a K9 handler, leader, and instructor, Josh shares how effective training starts with understanding both the material and the people you’re teaching. He t...

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6:06

Ep. 58: Courage Casts- Finding Joy in Leadership

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/24

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, retired Las Vegas Police Captain Josh Bitsko reflects on how the meaning of joy evolves throughout a career. Early on, it came from making arrests and protecting the community. But as he rose through the ranks, that sense of fulfillment shifted from chasing suspects to mentoring others, developing leaders, and finding purpose in helping people grow. Josh shares how learning to adapt what brings you joy can sustain motivation, prevent burnout, an...

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6:11

Ep. 57: Courage Casts- You Are More Than Your Career

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/23

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, retired Las Vegas Police Captain Josh Bitsko talks about the danger of letting your career become your entire identity. He shares how easy it is for police officers and anyone in a high-pressure job to get lost in the role, especially when the work demands so much of your time, energy, and sense of purpose. Josh reflects on his early years in policing and the lessons he learned about finding balance, building friendships outside the profession, ...

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43:58

Ep.56: The Courage to Live- Loki's Lesson Part 2

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/22

Josh and Jenna continue the story of Loki, Josh’s K9 partner, with honest, funny, and gritty moments from the street and the training yard. You’ll hear how a high-drive dog taught a handler to manage emotions under pressure, read a team’s energy, and de-escalate volatile calls, including a life saved with smart tactics. The episode covers community demos, PR wins, and the occasional chaos, from a shredded Mickey Mouse to a near-miss with SpongeBob. Josh also shares Loki’s retirement, th...

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7:01

Ep. 55: Courage Casts- Perseverance in the Middle

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/21

It’s easy to stay motivated when things are new and exciting, but real growth happens when that excitement fades. In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, retired Las Vegas Police Captain Josh Bitsko shares lessons on perseverance from his time as a K9 handler and leader. He explains how to stay disciplined, find purpose in routine, and keep growing when things get repetitive. This episode is about showing up, staying curious, and choosing progress even when the work feels ordina...

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5:18

Ep. 54: Courage Casts- The Power of Real Connection

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/21

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, retired Las Vegas Police Captain Josh Bitsko talks about something many men and first responders struggle with: building real friendships. He shares how isolation often feels easier after trauma or stress, but in the long run, it only makes things heavier. Josh reflects on his own experiences with loss, leadership, and the tendency to carry everything alone. He explains how making time for genuine conversations with trusted friends can lighten t...

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5:41

Ep. 53: Courage Casts- Leading Through Doubt

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/20

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh Bitsko opens up about imposter syndrome, something every leader faces but few talk about. Drawing from his early years as a young police sergeant, Josh shares how moments of self-doubt shaped his approach to leadership and why feeling like an imposter isn’t always a bad thing. He explains how healthy doubt can keep leaders humble, focused, and committed to growth, while overworking or avoiding challenges can deepen insecurity. Through real ...

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5:20

Ep. 52: Courage Casts- Trust Your Dog

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/18

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh Bitsko shares one of his favorite stories from his time in K9, Loki’s final find before retirement. What started as a routine search turned into a lesson about assumptions, trust, and the instincts that don’t lie. Josh walks through the call, how Loki’s behavior told the truth long before the situation did, and the reminder every handler and leader needs: sometimes experience can blind you to what’s right in front of you. This story is abou...

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6:05

Ep. 51: Courage Casts- Would You Follow You?

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/17

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh Bitsko explores one of the toughest questions in leadership: Would you follow you? Drawing from his years of experience leading in high-stakes environments, Josh shares how self-awareness, humility, and reflection separate real leadership from authority by title alone. He discusses how intention and impact often don’t match, how emotional tone shapes team culture, and why courage in leadership begins with honest self-evaluation. If you lead...

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5:50

Ep. 50: Courage Casts- The Courage to Rest

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh Bitsko talks about one of the most overlooked parts of leadership and performance: rest. Drawing from years in law enforcement and leadership, Josh explains why true resilience is not about constantly grinding, it is about knowing when and how to recover. He shares lessons on how fatigue can cloud judgment, how rest can be modeled as a strength instead of weakness, and why even the best leaders need to schedule recovery with the same discip...

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26:32

Ep. 49: The Courage to Live - Loki's Lesson

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/15

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh and Jenna Bitsko share the story of Loki, the police dog who changed everything. Josh takes listeners inside the world of police K9 selection and training, from the intense process of choosing a dog to the bond that formed between handler and partner. Through setbacks, chaos, and moments of courage, Loki proved that the most challenging partners often become the most unforgettable. Jenna adds her perspective with humor and heart as they loo...

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6:34

Ep. 48: Courage Casts - The Loneliness of Leadership

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/14

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh Bitsko shares what many leaders experience but rarely talk about, the quiet isolation that can come with leadership. He reflects on his own years in command and how the higher you rise, the fewer people are willing to tell you the truth. Josh talks about the weight of responsibility, how easy it is to start believing your own praise, and the danger of leading without honest feedback. He also shares practical ways to stay grounded, seek trut...

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6:09

Ep. 47: Courage Casts - The Weight of Command

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/13

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh Bitsko explores the unseen pressure that comes with leadership, the quiet responsibility of carrying decisions, outcomes, and emotions that others never see. Drawing from his experience commanding hundreds within the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Josh talks about how to lead without losing yourself, how to find balance between duty and rest, and why true strength as a leader means sharing the weight instead of carrying it ...

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5:51

Ep. 46: Courage Casts - The Space in Between

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/12

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh Bitsko breaks down one of the most powerful tools in leadership and emotional regulation: the space between what happens to you and how you respond. Drawing from his experience in law enforcement and his O.A.K.S. framework from The Courage to Live, Josh explains how breath, awareness, and training help you choose clarity over reaction in the moments that matter most.

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4:26

Ep. 45: Courage Casts - What Makes a Good Employee?

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/11

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh Bitsko shares what decades of leadership taught him about hiring, promoting, and building great teams. Technical skill may get someone in the door, but it’s attitude and work ethic that determine how far they’ll go. Josh breaks down why those two traits matter most, how they shape culture and performance, and why the best leaders know you can teach skills — but you can’t teach heart.

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6:19

Ep. 44: Courage Casts - Leadership is Perishable

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/10

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh Bitsko shares why leadership is a skill that must be continually developed because if it’s left untouched, it goes bad like milk in the fridge. Drawing from his own experience in multiple leadership roles and lessons from mentors throughout his career, Josh explains how the best leaders stay curious, keep learning, and evolve with the people they lead. He also talks about how stagnation can quietly erode culture, trust, and relevance. Leade...

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6:56

Ep. 43: Courage Casts - Courage in the Small Moments

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/09

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh Bitsko talks about how real courage often shows up in the quiet, unseen moments of daily life. From telling the truth when it’s uncomfortable to choosing patience, humility, or rest when pride says push harder, these small decisions build the foundation for who we are when life gets difficult. Josh shares personal stories from his own life and career, reminding us that courage isn’t something you suddenly find in crisis—it’s something you p...

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38:50

Ep. 42: The Courage to Live - Inside the Michigan...

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/08

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Jenna and I talk through the recent attack at an LDS church in Michigan and what leaders, congregations, and first responders can learn from it. We recap a busy release week, then walk through why lived operational experience matters alongside academic expertise, and how that shows up in real decisions under pressure. We cover the early chaos of an attack, the two priorities that should drive response neutralize the suspect and get medical to vi...

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5:50

Ep. 41: Courage Casts- Borrowed Belief: The Courage...

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/07

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, I talk about one of the most overlooked parts of leadership...believing in your people. Sometimes the most powerful thing a leader can do isn’t to give a speech or set a strategy, but to hold faith in someone until they start to believe in themselves. I share how a supervisor’s belief in me early in my K9 career changed everything, and how that experience shaped the way I lead today. Real leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself; it’s ab...

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6:20

Ep. 40: Courage Casts - Thriving After Trauma

The Courage To Live ·

2025/10/06

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, I talk about what happens not just when you survive trauma, but when you truly thrive after it. Most people stay in survival mode, numb, exhausted, and just trying to get through the day. But there are outliers, the ones who choose to face what hurts, seek help, and put in the work to heal. I share how doing that work changed my own life, from finding joy in small everyday moments to connecting more deeply with my family and community. Healing d...

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