Steel City Round Table Podcast

Who struggles with pushing forward in the recovery besides me? Patience and consistency are essential pillars in overcoming our struggles no matter what it is. Ironically, I have learned that consistency can be negative as well as positive. Negative patterns from my past were consistent, consistently bad!! I also lack patience at times when triggering events creep up. Quick to lose my mind and revert to old behaviors and actions....

In this conversation, Todd Hollis and I discuss the complexities of law enforcement, civil rights, and the challenges faced by police officers. Todd shares his journey from being a public defender to a civil rights attorney, emphasizing the importance of accountability and proper training in policing. We explore the need for de-escalation techniques, the implications of qualified immunity, and the human element in law enforcement i...

In this heartfelt episode of the Steel City Roundtable, Mark Kneebone opens up about the unexpected challenges and profound reflections encountered during his early sobriety journey. As he approaches 28 months sober, Mark shares personal stories of battling old habits, confronting emotional triggers, and the relentless pursuit of self-awareness. Join Mark as he candidly discusses the importance of a "warrior's plan" i...

Another warrior found his way to the Round Table. Chris Cerci is a veteran fireman, addict and alcoholic. Chris and I met through Facebook recently and immediately connected on several levels. Our experience in public service, addiction and mental health struggles just being a couple ways. We also share a history of self destructive behavior leading us to burn bridges everywhere we went. The most important similarity is the rock bo...

Natalie’s back home at the SCRT! In this episode, I’m a bit riled up about a post I saw recently. It really bugs me when smart people say really stupid things. It’s even worse when they’re criticizing law enforcement as a whole. Making sweeping generalizations is a sign of closed-mindedness and the inability to think through the problem logically. Do you want to be a follower or a leader? Do the work and come to your own decision a...

In this episode, Mark Kneebone and Drew Moore discuss the differences in recovery culture between the East and West Coasts of the United States. They explore the importance of community, the 12 steps of recovery, and the significance of self-awareness and finding a personal higher power in the journey of sobriety. The conversation emphasizes that true recovery comes from within and that the ripple effect of sobriety can positively ...

Tom Kaminsky is a successful business man in Hollywood California, but this is not how his story began.  From his East coast roots to his West coast success a lot of shit happened in between.  I met Tom through TikTok, one of the few times the algorithm actually worked.  Tom is a recovering addict with 10,000 days of sobriety under his belt.  This wasn't handed to him it was earned through hard work and a love and dedication to...

In this episode Natalie and I go head to head discussing cops and attorneys.  We all choose our path through this world.  Cops and attorneys are no different.  The difference is that not all careers put you in front of the public eye.  When working in the criminal justice system privacy goes out the window.  Everything you do is criticized, second guessed and picked apart piece by piece.  Does this mean that the "higher standa...

Life places people in your lives for a reason. Throughout our lives we meet so many people that have the potential to affect us both positively and negatively. Matt Brooks is one of those people for me. I met Matt in rehab down in Delray Beach Florida in May of 2023. He was the first "client" I met when I got there and we later became roommates. Late night bitch sessions, deep conversations and sharing the experience fo...

Welcome back to my partner in crime Natalie Snyder. She is back in the mix after taking some personal time....unapporved by her boss of course!! So glad your back kid!! I expected her to be back sooner......that brings us to the topic for this episode unreasonable expectations. What are they and why do we set ourselves up for failure! Throughout my recovery journey I have had to come to terms with my ability to totally screw mysel...

Bart Heaney is an emergency services dispatcher in the Pittsburgh area. He was previously a EMT and also hosts the Weight We Carry Podcast. I've known Bart for a long time and he is one hell of a human. He has dedicated his life to serving his community and the first responders that work within these communities. Bart also has a a really heart hitting story of recovery. Bart struggles with PTSD like so many of us. Through the suppo...

Tony Moreno is a retired LEO and current Mayoral candidate in Pittsburgh PA.  I met Tony back in 2007 when he taught my LEO academy class.  Throughout the years we formed a working as well as personal relationship.  Between the two of us we have seen some down right horrible officers and supervisors.  In this episode Tony and I rip into the inadequacies and straight up corruption in law enforcement.  Those of you in active status k...

Scottie G. is a functional aging specialist and the host of Just Be with Scottie G. What is a functional aging specialist? I had no clue until I met Scottie. Do you want to live a fuller life and be present for those around you or do you want to be an isolated, crotchety miserable old person? Most of us dread getting older because we only see the negatives. Scottie is a visionary who shows us how to approach and attack the aging p...

Scottie G. is a functional aging specialist and the host of Just Be with Scottie G..  What is a functional aging specialist? I had no clue until I met Scottie.  Do you want to live a fuller life and be present for those around you or do you want to be an isolated, crotchety miserable old person?  Most of us dread getting older because we only see the negatives.  Scottie is a visionary who shows us how to experience and enjoy aging ...

When people talk about addiction and recovery it's always negative in nature. I mean I get it and I do it too. It is such a serious disease affecting so many people. I tend to forget that I have gained so much through my recovery journey. Natalie has fought her demons as well finding new life. In this episode we talk about how our lives were, things we have done during recovery, and where our lives are now(a little AA spin). We are...

When people talk about addiction and recovery it's always negative in nature.  I mean I get it and I do it too. It is such a serious disease affecting so many people. I tend to forget that I have gained so much through my recovery journey.  Natalie has fought her demons as well finding new life.  In this episode we talk about how our lives were, things we have done during recovery, and where our lives are now(a little AA spin)....

Ever get in an argument with a friend because of miscommunication? It's not always easy to communicate with people close to you. Feelings and butts get hurt and not intentionally. Natalie and I just had one of those moments. Statements misunderstood and messages not received.....pitfalls of talking to those close to you. Somehow this episode took a turn and we ended up talking about some poor practices LEO's fall into that ...

Josh Shimko has been an LEO for over two decades. He has served in metropolitan as well as smaller departments throughout his distinguished career. He has seen it all and has the scars and the tee shirt. Josh was diagnosed with PTSD and depression as a result of his experiences on the job. You know how his two decades of service were rewarded? Not a "thank you" or a "job well done" that's for sure. Inste...