Built Different

In this week’s episode of Built Different, Colin Ledbetter reconnects with longtime friend and former St. Louis City Police Officer Aaron Webster for a candid conversation about policing on the front lines.

Aaron shares his journey from growing up in North St. Louis to joining the force in the sixth district, where his deep community roots shaped his approach to policing. From harrowing calls involving tragedy and violence to te...

In this week’s exciting episode of Built Different, Colin sits down with Officer Rick Petitt, a former St. Louis City cop who now serves the community of Brentwood, Missouri. Together, they reflect on the unique challenges of policing in the city, the culture shock of moving to a slower-paced department, and the unexpected things that shape a young officer’s career.

From night shifts and FTO lessons to decompressing with dog wal...

In this week’s episode of Built Different, Colin Ledbetter sits down with retired St. Louis Police Sergeant Tom Lake for a raw and powerful conversation about resilience, duty, and life after trauma.

Tom reflects on his 23-year career in law enforcement, including his time in internal affairs and narcotics, and the shooting in 2016 that nearly took his life. He opens up about the physical and emotional aftermath, the PTSD diagno...

In this week’s episode of Built Different, Colin Ledbetter sits down with longtime friend and St. Louis City Police Officer Michael Hines for a candid conversation about career longevity, leadership, and life on and off the job.

With nearly a decade of experience, Mike reflects on his early years in the Sixth District, how a strong FTO shaped his foundation, and the lessons he’s carried from both the streets and his time in the ...

In this week’s episode of Built Different, Colin Ledbetter sits down with St. Louis City Police Officer Brian Hayes for a grounded conversation about policing with purpose.

Brian opens up about growing up in St. Louis, serving in the military, and joining the force at age 39 after years of persistence. Now with nearly a decade on the job, Brian shares how his roots in the community shape the way he polices, trains new officers, ...

Follow Punchline Productions

In this week’s episode of Built Different, Colin Ledbetter sits down with Lori Bosma and Tom Crease from Responder Development & Empowerment for a powerful conversation on PTSD, trauma, and healing in the first responder community.

Lori and Tom break down the unseen weight carried by those on the front lines—from hypervigilance and emotional detachment to the ripple effects on family and identit...

In this week's episode of Built Different, Colin Ledbetter sits down with Sean Kovic of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for a raw, unfiltered look at life for a first responder. Sean opens up about entering the force during the height of COVID and enduring not one—but two near-death experiences: an accidental fentanyl overdose and being shot in the line of duty.

From the brotherhood of the badge to the mental toll o...

On this powerful episode of Built Different Podcast, Collin Ledbetter sits down with Ann Dorn, retired Sergeant of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and founder of the Captain David Dorn Foundation.

Ann shares the deeply emotional story of losing her husband, Captain David Dorn, who was tragically murdered during the George Floyd riots in 2020 while protecting a local business. She walks us through the events of that ...

On this episode of Built Different, host Colin Ledbetter comes to you from Busch Stadium at a blood drive held in his honor. Colin and his partner, Nate, reflect on the harrowing night they were both shot in January 2022 and the 50 pints of blood it took to keep them alive.

Joined by the Red Cross and fellow donors, they discuss the lifesaving impact of blood donations, the critical shortages hospitals face, and why it's crucial...

On this episode of Built Different Podcast, host Collin Ledbetter sits down with longtime friend and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer Ben. Collin and Ben have known each other for nearly a decade, having served together in the National Guard before Ben joined the police department in 2019.

The two reminisce about their time in the military, including missed opportunities like a deployment to Singapore, and dive deep into th...

In this episode of Built Different Podcast, host Collin Ledbetter sits down with Chad Cross, a former St. Louis City Police Officer and Marine Corps veteran, to dive deep into his experiences in law enforcement and the military.

Chad shares his journey from enlisting in the Marine Corps right out of high school to transitioning into law enforcement and eventually serving on the St. Louis SWAT team. He reflects on the challenges ...

In this powerful episode of the Built Different Podcast, host Collin Ledbetter sits down with Barbara O’Connor, wife of injured Arnold Police Officer Ryan O’Connor, to discuss the life-changing impact of the 2017 shooting that left Ryan with a severe traumatic brain injury. Barbara opens up about the harrowing experience, the immediate and long-term challenges her family faced, and the vital support systems that stepped in to help,...

In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, host Collin Ledbetter is joined by John, a sergeant and K-9 handler with the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office and a Marine Corps veteran. Collin and John discuss John's journey from military service to law enforcement, sharing stories about deployments to Afghanistan and Okinawa, as well as the unique challenges of balancing police work and family life.

John dives into his day-to-...

In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, host Collin Ledbetter is joined by Mike Simms, President of the Jefferson County Backstoppers and a board member of Guns N’ Hoses. Together, they discuss the incredible work Backstoppers.org does to support the families of fallen and injured first responders, ensuring they receive financial assistance, education, counseling, and more.

Mike shares how his personal connection to law ...

In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, host Collin Ledbetter is joined by Brad, a former St. Louis City police officer and current member of a suburban police department. Brad and Collin reflect on their years working together in District 6, sharing stories from the frontlines of one of the city's toughest areas.

The conversation dives deep into the unique challenges of law enforcement, the importance of family support,...

In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, host Collin Ledbetter welcomes St. Louis Police Officer Dylan to share stories from his five years of policing in District 6. Dylan reflects on his journey from growing up in DeSoto, Missouri, to serving in the Navy, and eventually transitioning into law enforcement.

The two discuss Dylan’s time in the Navy, including his deployments to Japan and Cambodia, and the unexpected path tha...

In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, host Collin Ledbetter reconnects with his former partner and Marine Corps veteran, Officer Josh, from the Fairview Heights Police Department. Together, they dive into the stark contrasts between policing in St. Louis’ high-crime District 6 and the more suburban environment of Fairview Heights, where retail thefts and traffic accidents take center stage over violent crimes.

Josh share...