This episode: Beyond the Badge: How Stefan Bjes Is Changing the Way Police Understand Autism.   Here’s what you’ll learn about: Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast (0:04) Host Drew Deraney and Guest Stefan Bjes discuss the purpose of the podcast, emphasizing the importance of facing adversity and becoming stronger. Drew introduces the concept of three types of men: those who ignore adversity, those who become victims, and those who see adversity as an opportunity for growth. Drew invites Stefan to share his defining moment that transformed him from a victim to a high performer. Stefan's Defining Moments (2:12) Stefan Bjes recounts the diagnosis of his two youngest sons with autism in 2013, which was a significant turning point in his life. He describes the initial struggle and how his wife took the lead in advocating for their sons. In 2017, a viral video of a young man with autism interacting poorly with a police officer inspired Stefan to create training programs for law enforcement. Stefan explains how he combined his experience as a police officer and a trainer to develop classes on autism and disabilities for law enforcement officers. Impact of Autism Diagnosis on Family (4:46) Drew shares his own experience of having a child diagnosed with autism at 14 and the challenges it brought. Stefan discusses the impact of the early diagnosis of his middle son and how his wife took the lead in advocating for their sons. Stefan emphasizes the importance of being a voice and advocate for his sons, especially in sports and school environments. Drew praises the strength of Stefan and his wife's marriage and how they supported each other through the challenges of raising children with autism. Balancing Family and Professional Life (7:20) Drew asks about the impact of having children with autism on the neurotypical sibling. Stefan explains how he balanced supporting his sons with being present for his oldest son in sports and academics. He discusses his involvement in coaching adaptive sports for children with disabilities and how it helped his family. Drew and Stefan discuss the importance of forgiveness and partnership in their marriage, which has helped them persevere through challenges. Professional Training and Impact (11:36) Drew shifts the conversation to Stefan's professional training and impact on law enforcement. Stefan describes his background in law enforcement training a...