What Did I Say? Internal Accountability in High-Risk Roles with Justin Atherton
Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by Justin Atherton for a conversation every first responder and leader needs to hear. Justin spent twenty years in law enforcement as a SWAT breacher, detective, and training lieutenant. But it was a nine-week internal affairs investigation and the identity crisis that followed that nearly broke him. That season forced him to confront a truth many of us avoid: I am not the job. The job is not me. We talk about how internal stress, administrative proc...
In this episode, I’m joined by Justin Atherton for a conversation every first responder and leader needs to hear.
Justin spent twenty years in law enforcement as a SWAT breacher, detective, and training lieutenant. But it was a nine-week internal affairs investigation and the identity crisis that followed that nearly broke him. That season forced him to confront a truth many of us avoid: I am not the job. The job is not me.
We talk about how internal stress, administrative processes, and isolation often cause more damage than the calls themselves. Justin shares how shame, silence, and powerlessness can quietly erode emotional regulation and leadership if they go unaddressed.
Justin introduces his WAVE Method, a framework built on statement analysis that shows how our words reveal our level of commitment, avoidance, and accountability. We explore how language impacts trust, leadership, and follow-through and why emotional intelligence, literacy, agility, and resilience matter more than rank.
Episode 141 is about accountability without self-punishment, leadership without ego, and learning to hear what you’re really saying to yourself and others.
🎧 Listen to Episode 141 of After the Tones Drop.
DISCLAIMER:
After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information.
ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat):
- https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR
- https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM
- https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE
- https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS
- https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74
- https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus
License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVR - https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough
License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE
