Built Different

In this episode of Built Different, host Colin Ledbetter sits down with veteran firefighter and flight paramedic Chip Ashford to break down a career built on discipline, risk, and purpose.

Chip shares his journey from growing up in a firehouse to volunteering at 17, working EMS in St. Louis, and eventually becoming a captain in St. Charles City. Along the way, he became a flight paramedic, responding to high-risk emergencies in ...

In this powerful episode of Built Different, @TonyTwist18 sat down with Colin Ledbetter, former St Louis Cop, who flat lined many times and just had his leg amputated 4 years later due to complications. Tony has taken a lot of hits over the years, but this conversation hits DIFFERENT. Colin started Built Different to give first responders a voice nobody else is giving them.

From the realities of policing in one of America’s mos...

From everyone at Trueline Media Group, we'd like to extend our gratitude to all of our first responders and to Colin for what you all do. Let's grow Built Different together!

In this video, you’ll hear honest testimonials from people who actually listen to the show and what keeps them coming back. From motivation to real conversations, this is why Built Different is hitting different.

If you’ve been thinking about checking it...

In this episode of Built Different, host Colin Ledbetter sits down with two 6th District officers to talk about policing North St. Louis through COVID, manpower shortages, rising and falling crime trends, and the reality behind the headlines.

Brett and Jessica share raw stories from patrol — from vehicle pursuits and violent crime to saving stray dogs and working animal abuse cases — plus what’s changed inside the justice system...

Ever wondered what 30 years in the fire service looks like? In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, we sit down with retired Fire Captain Pat Byron, who shares raw insights from nearly three decades serving North County Fire & Rescue.

Pat Byron served as a Fire Captain for nearly 30 years with North County Fire & Rescue (formerly Riverview Fire Department), starting in 1985. He witnessed the transformation of fir...

Ever wondered what 30 years in the fire service looks like? In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, we sit down with retired Fire Captain Pat Byron, who shares raw insights from nearly three decades serving North County Fire & Rescue.

Pat Byron served as a Fire Captain for nearly 30 years with North County Fire & Rescue (formerly Riverview Fire Department), starting in 1985. He witnessed the transformation of fir...

Ever wondered what 30 years in the fire service looks like? In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, we sit down with retired Fire Captain Pat Byron, who shares raw insights from nearly three decades serving North County Fire & Rescue.

Pat Byron served as a Fire Captain for nearly 30 years with North County Fire & Rescue (formerly Riverview Fire Department), starting in 1985. He witnessed the transformation of fir...

Ever wondered what 30 years in the fire service looks like? In this episode of the Built Different Podcast, we sit down with retired Fire Captain Pat Byron, who shares raw insights from nearly three decades serving North County Fire & Rescue.

Pat Byron served as a Fire Captain for nearly 30 years with North County Fire & Rescue (formerly Riverview Fire Department), starting in 1985. He witnessed the transformation of fir...

From corrections officer to firefighter to massage therapist – discover how Stephanie Spaniel transformed trauma into healing. In this episode, we explore her 26-year journey through Illinois corrections, firefighting/EMS, and her current work helping people release stored trauma through bodywork.

Stephanie brings 26+ years of experience working in high-stress, high-trauma environments. After 13 years in Illinois Department of C...

First responders are trained to stay alert, ready, and resilient — but that constant state of readiness doesn’t always turn off. In this conversation, we explore how stress lives in the body, why first responders often struggle to relax even in safe environments, and what that means for their health, relationships, and recovery.

Whether you serve on the front lines or love someone who does, this episode sheds light on the physic...

Ever wondered why bagpipes are played at police funerals? In this powerful episode, three St. Louis police officers share the sacred tradition of police bagpiping—from honoring fallen heroes to bringing communities together at events like Guns & Hoses.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

1. **The History of Police Bagpipes** – How Irish immigrants created this tradition and why it's now universal across all backgrounds

2. **What It Takes t...

In this episode of Built Different, I open up about the night I was shot, my recovery journey, and what it really means to heal as a first responder. I answer your questions about trauma, returning to duty, burnout, and how to support those in recovery.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

The untold story of the shooting – What most people don't know about the night that changed everything, including the back-and-forth of whether I'd survive

From cartel violence in Mexico to Army Ranger to patrolling St. Louis' toughest streets — Armando shares his incredible journey of resilience, purpose, and service. In this episode, we talk about growing up between two worlds, surviving RASP selection, and why he chose to work in District 6.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

Growing Up Between Cultures – How Armando's childhood in both St. Louis and Mexico shaped his worldview and career pa...

In Episode 33 of Built Different, Colin Ledbetter sits down with members of the St. Louis Police Pipes & Drums — Chris Rumpsa, Jason Delp, and Commander John Blaskiewicz — to talk about the tradition, commitment, and emotion behind keeping the bagpipe band alive in law enforcement.

They discuss what it takes to learn the instrument, how the band supports officers and families at funerals and major events like Guns n’ Hoses, ...

In this powerful Q&A episode of Built Different, host Colin Ledbetter opens up about the night he was shot, his long road to recovery, and how that moment reshaped his perspective on life, service, and healing.

Colin shares the unseen struggles — both physical and mental — of coming back from trauma, the importance of community and family, and what “Built Different” truly means to him today. This honest conversation offers a...

In this episode of Built Different, Colin Ledbetter welcomes Armando Valenzuela, a first-year St. Louis police officer, for a raw talk about the job few understand. From chaotic calls and shifting public perception to lessons learned about respect, communication, and staying grounded — Armando’s take is authentic, powerful, and full of truth about what it means to serve today.

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In this episode of Built Different, Colin Ledbetter sits down with veteran St. Louis police officer Greg Schaffer and new recruit Armando Valenzuela for an unfiltered conversation on the realities of modern policing — from leadership breakdowns to brotherhood, burnout, and rebuilding trust within the force.

Greg, a 16-year department veteran, opens up about the darkest moments of his career — from the chaos of the George Floyd r...

Built Different is more than a podcast. It’s a platform for real stories of resilience, sacrifice, and strength. Hosted by former St. Louis police officer and veteran Colin Ledbetter, the show highlights first responders, military service members, and everyday people who’ve faced life-changing challenges and kept moving forward.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep going when the world knocks you down, or what drives th...

In this week’s episode of Built Different, Colin Ledbetter sits down with St. Louis City firefighter Cody Carpenter for a powerful conversation about life on the front lines of one of the busiest fire departments in the country.

Cody shares his journey from growing up in Champaign, Illinois to becoming a fifth-generation firefighter serving in North City St. Louis. From grueling apartment fires to near-miss moments, Cody opens u...