052 - Jeff Mathes - Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
Release Date: 04/22/2025
054 - Travel Smarter: Burglars Love When You Post from the Beach
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this episode, we dive into the risks of oversharing on social media while traveling and how it can make you a target for burglars. From real stories about alarm calls and serial burglars to why most break-ins happen during the day, Brink and Tom share practical safety tips to protect your home and yourself. Learn what to pack for safer vacations, how to check crime maps before you go, and why reviewing crime data beats relying on online reviews. They also cover essentials like firearms and permits, using pepper spray correctly, and simple hotel security hacks. Notes: 1:05 — Risks of...
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053 - Breakdown of the Florida State University Shooting
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
Tom and Brink break down the April 17 Florida State University shooting—an open campus event that exposes tough challenges in prevention and response. One heartbreaking detail: a student who survived this shooting also lived through the 2018 shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. They also unpack a disturbing video of a bystander filming a wounded victim and walking away, raising serious questions about public response to violence. From survivor stories to law enforcement insights, this episode is a sobering look at the realities we face and what can truly make a difference when...
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052 - Jeff Mathes - Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with Sergeant Jeff Mathes of the Metro Nashville Police Department—one of the first officers on the scene at The Covenant School on March 27, 2023. Jeff walks us through the sights, sounds, and split-second decisions of that day. He speaks candidly about what it means to be a leader in a crisis—and healing through accepting that there was nothing he could have changed about his actions that day to save more lives. Jeff opens up about returning home that day to his family and the moment he heard a clip of the fire alarm on the radio the next morning that...
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051 - Teacher - Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
On March 27, 2023, our guest was a teacher at The Covenant School in Nashville—a place she had poured her heart into. In this episode, our guest recounts the moments before, during, and after the tragedy that unfolded. She walks us through her second-by-second decision making process as she decides the best way to help the others in the building and also get herself out safely. She fled into the woods with children, thanking God that the spring leaves had started to arrive and provided concealment as they ran from the school. She shares how prior active shooter response training...
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050 - Rachel Sanderson - Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
On March 27, 2023, Rachel Sanderson walked onto The Covenant School campus for her first day as a substitute teacher there. It was a beautiful morning—calm, full of worship, and seemingly ordinary. Within hours, everything changed. In this conversation, Rachel recounts what happened that day—from the moment the fire alarm went off to the terrifying minutes spent locked inside a classroom with students. With raw honesty, she shares how training kicked in and how faith held her steady. Rachel reflects on the trauma, isolation, and the unexpected strength she found in processing it. She also...
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049 - Abby McLean - Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with Abby McLean, a Covenant School parent on March 27, 2023, as she recounts the day of the shooting and the painful journey that followed. From the moment she received the first call to the agonizing time spent searching for her children, Abby shares the raw emotions, the uncertainty, and the overwhelming grief that forever changed her family and community. Through her story, we gain insight into the heroic actions of teachers, the life-saving decisions made under extreme stress, and the aftermath that fractured relationships and reshaped perspectives on...
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An Introduction to Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
On March 27, 2023, Katherine Koonce, Mike Hill, Cynthia Peak, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, and Evelyn Dieckhaus lost their lives to a shooter at The Covenant School in Nashville, TN. The impact extends beyond the victims, affecting their families, staff, students, first responders, and the community. This series seeks to amplify their voices. Through conversations with people in this community, we explore lessons in crisis response and the lasting effects of tragedy. This podcast series is about honoring those affected, the importance of storytelling in healing, learning how we can be...
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048 - Michael Collazo - Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this episode, we are honored to welcome Detective Michael Collazo as he shares his journey—from his early years and decision to join the Marine Corps to his path in law enforcement and the day that made his name known across the nation: March 27, 2023. Along the way, he and Brink, a former Nashville police officer, swap stories, share laughs, and reflect on the unique experiences that come with wearing the badge. This past January, Michael was awarded the Medal of Valor by President Biden for his heroic actions at The Covenant School, where he and four fellow officers ran toward...
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047 - Empowering Everyday Heroes: Active Violence Response Training with Defend Systems
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this powerful episode, Brink Fidler and Tom Herring sit down with Tracey Mendenhall, VP of Defend Systems, to discuss the critical importance of active violence response training across various sectors. Timed Highlights: - The importance of preparation and prevention in safety training - Tracey's passion for empowering civilians through training - Why teachers are the most motivated and impactful training participants - Training spans diverse sectors: from orthodontic offices to country music tours - The unwavering commitment of teachers to protect their students - Practical, simple...
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046 - Breakdown of the Antioch High School Shooting
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this special episode, we break down the shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville and discuss steps that must be taken to protect our schools and prevent future tragedies. We discuss the warning signs, social media threats, security measures like metal detectors and AI software, and the critical role of training and preparation. As former teachers, law enforcement, and military personnel, we use our insights to challenge you to take action before it’s too late. How can we move beyond reactive solutions and truly protect our students? Notes: 2:25 - We don’t name...
info_outlineIn this episode, we sit down with Sergeant Jeff Mathes of the Metro Nashville Police Department—one of the first officers on the scene at The Covenant School on March 27, 2023. Jeff walks us through the sights, sounds, and split-second decisions of that day. He speaks candidly about what it means to be a leader in a crisis—and healing through accepting that there was nothing he could have changed about his actions that day to save more lives.
Jeff opens up about returning home that day to his family and the moment he heard a clip of the fire alarm on the radio the next morning that triggered a mental break.
Awarded the Medal of Valor and recognized in the Oval Office, Jeff reflects on why the relationships formed through this tragedy mean more than any honor, and the personal truth he’s had to embrace: “You can’t live your life based on this event that was one day of your life.”
Notes:
5:58: How Jeff got into law enforcement/degree at Harding University
42:47: "I need to be able to do the job that I expect my people to do."
45:35: Understanding the gravity of the situation and that his actions will be scrutinized or recognized
1:15:29: Jeff's mindset on the way to the school and preparing himself
1:21:12: The rest of Jeff's day and returning home
1:24:24 The following day having a mental break because a radio ad started with a fire alarm sound
1:29:25: Pushing through mental trauma by accepting that he did his job and couldn't have changed the other outcomes
1:35:10: Jeff awarded the Medal of Valor by President Biden at the White House
1:39:30: "What interests me is the relationships I've formed from this event and the community I serve, not the awards or papers for my desk."
1:40:35: Jeff's advice for others that have gone through similar incidents