Law Enforcement Officer Deaths by Suicide with Karen Solomon from First H.E.L.P
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Release Date: 05/22/2024
Rebroadcast: The Navy and Strategic Competition with China
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
The Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy asked CNA for recommendations on how the Navy can better position itself for such competition, that is, below the threshold of armed conflict. In this episode, three experts from across CNA join the show to discuss their specific recommendations and what the future fleet needs to look like to implement them. Guest Biographies is vice president and director of CNA's . A retired U.S. Army officer, he held significant China-related positions at the Pentagon as an advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint...
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A New Tool to Analyze the Shipbuilding Plan
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
This episode covers RShiny, a CNA-funded dashboard government leaders can use to examine the Navy Shipbuilding Plan. Guest Biographies Rachel Hartley is a research analyst for CNA’s Force Optimization and Readiness Generation program. She specializes in performance-to-plan Human Resources and addressing recruiting crises. Further Reading
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Rebroadcast: AUKUS
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
In this episode, Ralph Espach and Stephanie Stapleton join the show to discuss their assessment of AUKUS’s implementation. Guest Biographies is an expert in U.S.-Latin American relations, U.S. security assistance and cooperation in Latin America, and the assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of U.S. strategies and programs. His work focuses on U.S. security relations across the Americas, maritime security and naval issues, U.S. security cooperation efforts, and strategic risks such as Chinese and Russian regional relations and climate change. is a nuclear policy...
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China's Military Presence in Africa
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Timothy Ditter joins the show to discuss his report on China’s military presence in Africa, including its first overseas military base in Djibouti. Guest Biographies Timothy Ditter is a senior research scientist in CNA’s . His work covers PLA amphibious warfare, China’s military modernization and expansion, China’s growing nuclear weapons program, and China’s nascent global military presence. Further Reading CNA Report: CNA Report: CNA Report: CNA Talks:
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Russia's Shifting Nuclear Doctrine
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
This episode examines the views of three stakeholder communities within Moscow’s interconnected nuclear ecosystem and how they view Russia’s nuclear doctrine. *A previous version of this episode incorrectly stated that Russia's Security Council changed its nuclear doctrine during a September 25 meeting. The correct telling is that Russian President Vladimir Putin soft-launched proposed changes to the doctrine during this meeting. At this time, Russia has made no official changes to its nuclear doctrine. Guest Bios is a specialist in Russia's security policy. Her recent...
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Countering Misinformation Surrounding the 2024 Hurricane Season
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
This episode examines the misinformation that spread after Hurricanes Helene and Milton and how individuals and institutions can help stop it. Guest Bios Dawn Thomas is a co-director of the Center for Emergency Management and Operations and director of the Center for Critical Incident Analysis. She is an expert in large-scale incident planning and response. She has worked on a large array of emergency preparedness issues, helping federal, regional, state, and local agencies prepare for and respond to biological attacks, active shooters, large-scale evacuations, medical evacuations,...
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The Kursk Offensive
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
This episode explores the Kursk Offensive, Ukraine’s counter-invasion of Russia, and its implications for the United States and NATO. Guest Biography Michael Petersen is a Principal Research Scientist in CNA's Program at CNA. He is an expert on Russian military strategy, operations, and net assessments of high-intensity conflict. From 2023-2024, he served as senior advisor to Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti. From 2015-2023, he was Professor and founding director of the Russia Maritime Studies Institute and the Holloway Advanced Research Program at the U.S....
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CNA's Large Language Model: Morse Code
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
This episode covers the inception, development, and potential of CNA’s internal large language model, Morse Code. Guest Biographies Gregor Goodman is the Director and Chief Technology Officer in CNA’s Chief Information Office. He has 20 years of hands-on experience with technology and cyber security, from technical administration to consulting. His expertise is understanding business goals and aligning a technology posture to drive organizational growth.
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Victim Centered Policing
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Experts discuss victim-centered policing. How can it lead to better outcomes for crime victims and investigators, and how police departments can implement the practice. Guest Biographies Nicole Carroll is the Director of the Victim Services Unit at the Louisville Metro Police Department, where she ensures the rights and needs of crime victims and witnesses are met through quality programs and services, exercising supervision of subordinate personnel, and overseeing advocacy and service provision for victims involved in the criminal justice system of Jefferson County. is a Research Scientist...
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CNA's Force Design Lab
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
We cover CNA’s Force Design Lab, which helps shape the Navy's future by assessing the platforms, capabilities, and concepts that enable it to perform desired missions. Guest Biographies is the Executive Director of CNA’s Department of Navy Relations and the Vice President and Director of CNA’s Systems, Tactics and Force Development Division. Before joining CNA, Gordon served as director of the Strategic, Defensive, and Science/Technology Division at the Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) office within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Jon Bollinger is a Senior...
info_outlineLaw Enforcement officers regularly confront traumatic circumstances that can adversely affect their mental and emotional health. In some cases, this can increase their risk of death by suicide.
In late 2023, the CNA partnered with First H.E.L.P. to undertake the first comprehensive analysis of its extensive dataset on law enforcement officer deaths by suicide. In this episode, CNA's Jessica Dockstader and First H.E.L.P's Karen Solomon join the show to discuss this report.
Guest Biographies
Jessica Dockstader is an Associate Research Analyst with CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation. She is an expert in officer wellness with experience in the areas of suicide prevention, emotional wellness support, and substance use. She also supports a Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance-funded research project focused on officer safety and wellness.
Karen Solomon is co-founder of First H.E.L.P. and author of Hearts Beneath the Badge and The Price They Pay. Her focus is the stories of the families who have lost an officer to suicide and the officers who suffer from the feeling that they have nowhere to turn. Karen was a member of the 2018 Officer Safety and Wellness Group Meeting, co-chairing the Data and Research Committee of the National Consortium on Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention, and is currently on the FBI task force to implement the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act.
Further Reading
CNA: Law Enforcement Deaths by Suicide