Shows
BomBardenedEp9: Reentry, Redemption, Reform | Jacob Schmitt (Pt. 2)Content warning: This episode includes discussion of trauma, incarceration, addiction, and recovery. Listener discretion is advised.In Part 2 of their conversation with Jacob Ivan Schmitt, Eric and Amy continue to explore the human cost of cycles that begin in childhood and end behind bars — and what it takes to break them.Jacob shares the raw truths of reentry: trying to rebuild trust, navigating systemic barriers, and confronting the consequences of his past.He opens up about what accountability means after prison, the work of making amends, and the everyday effort of living a life rooted in se...2025-07-2252 minBomBardenedEp8: The Foster Care to Prison Pipeline | Jacob Schmitt (Pt.1)Content warning: The following episode contains detailed accounts of childhood abuse, sexual violence, and life inside the prison system. Listener discretion is advised.In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy sit down with Jacob Ivan Schmitt, the founder and Director of Just Us Solutions — a man whose story is shaped by early childhood trauma, addiction, incarceration, and the slow, painful work of transformation.Raised around chaos and exposed to drugs early, Jacob illuminates what happens when family dysfunction and physical and psychological abuse are routine and normal. He speaks openly about how his addiction and un...2025-07-0853 minBomBardenedEp7: From Inmate to Executive | Patrick ArneyIn this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy sit down with Patrick Arney, Executive Director of Weld — a Seattle-based reentry organization helping people transition out of incarceration with dignity, support, and purpose.Patrick brings a rare combination of lived experience and sharp insight to the table. Once caught in the same systems he now works to reform, Patrick shares how he rebuilt his life and became a leader within one of the region’s most respected reentry programs. The conversation explores the deep flaws of the criminal justice system, the stigma surrounding people with records, and the real ingr...2025-06-241h 04BomBardenedEp6: Do Drug Courts Work? | Joe BarsanaIn this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Joe Barsana, King County Drug Court Manager and President and Co-Founder of the WA State Therapeutic Court Alumni Association. What begins as a conversation about the blurry line between crime and crisis quickly becomes a masterclass in why we fail to help people to change and maintain recovery.Joe brings insight forged from decades churning through the criminal justice system in a perpetual cycle of crime and addiction — explaining how it really feels to live on the streets and the hopelessness that accompanies repeated arrests and ov...2025-06-101h 03BomBardenedEp5: Fentanyl and The Path Forward: Forging Purpose from Tragedy | Staci JamesIn this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy sit down with Staci James—visionary leader, advocate for sensible drug policy and overdose awareness, and Executive Director of Hope Movement Coalition. What begins as a spirited debate between Eric and Amy about whether jail bookings actually serve as a deterrent, quickly deepens into a conversation about dignity, disruption, and the broken systems surrounding addiction.Staci brings a powerful voice to the table—one grounded in the loss of her beloved son to Fentanyl and frontline experience in the path forward after devastating loss. She discusses the impact to family and...2025-05-271h 16BomBardenedEp4: When Corrections Doesn't Correct: Redefining Rehabilitation | Dave DurocherIn this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Dave Durocher—Executive Director and co-founder of The Other Side Academy. Dave shares his firsthand insights into breaking the cycle of addiction and criminal behavior through a radically different approach to rehabilitation. With a background in working with individuals often labeled as "lost causes," Dave explains how The Other Side Academy offers a no-excuses, real-world program that challenges the deeply rooted behaviors preventing meaningful change.Dave delves into the philosophy of peer accountability, the critical importance of confronting behaviors rather than just symptoms, and why the fo...2025-05-131h 06BomBardenedEp3: Architecture of Second Chances: Building Homes and Rebuilding Lives | Amy KingIn this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Amy King—founder of Weld and Pallet, builder of communities, and champion of second chances. Amy shares her deeply personal and unconventional path to employing justice-involved individuals, building intentional housing solutions, and raising kids in a household shaped by trust and belief in change.What began as a chance encounter with a few men in need of work evolved into a national movement rooted in purpose and dignity. With candor and insight, Amy talks about vetting risk, challenging assumptions, and the very real transformation that happens wh...2025-04-291h 27BomBardenedEp2: Homelessness Unscripted: Common Ground in a Divided America | Billy Baldwin and Robert MarbutIn this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy sit down with two seemingly unlikely allies: Hollywood actor and activist Billy Baldwin and homelessness and addiction expert Dr. Robert Marbut.Billy Baldwin, best known for his roles on screen, found himself drawn into the world of homelessness advocacy after preparing for a role in a film about life on the streets. That journey led to No Address, a feature film, and the subsequent documentary Americans With No Address.Dr. Robert Marbut has spent decades advising cities and administrations—including the first Trump administration—on homelessness policy. Despite their sta...2025-04-151h 12
Hold the Line with Mike SolanThis is Seattle: Danny Westnut EditionIn this episode Mike reacts to Seattle Times reporter Danny Westnut’s hit piece on SPOG’s “This is Seattle” social media campaign. Mike also discusses Council Member Saka’s resolution that officially kills the “Defund the Police” movement, and exposes the anti-cop narrative of C.A.R.E.S. chief Amy Barden.
Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/cops-snarky-this-is-seattle-slogan-misses-their-own-big-news/
City Council Blog: https://council.seattle.gov/2025/04/01/city-council-approves-resolution-endorsing-holistic-approach-to-public-safety/
BomBardened Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxQ7btNOyEoiuybksG2YzKNtPz8xTRgSv2
2025-04-1423 minBomBardenedEp1: Addiction Unfiltered: We're Doing it Wrong | Ginny BurtonIn this episode of BomBardened, Eric and Amy Barden dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Ginny Burton, a fierce advocate for addiction recovery and interventions that actually work. Ginny shares her powerful redemption story, beginning with her tumultuous childhood, where she was exposed to drugs and chaos at an early age. After decades in and out of jails and prisons, Ginny found a way out, permanently breaking the self-destructive cycle of crime and crisis and sustaining recovery. She is a Truman Scholar, Martin Honor Scholar, University of Washington graduate, author, mother, and passionate champion for reform in the carceral system...2025-04-011h 11BomBardenedEp0: Intro | Meet Eric and Amy BardenJoin Eric and Amy Barden as they introduce The BomBardened Podcast, where they bring their unique perspectives and debate critical societal issues. Eric, a newly retired deputy chief of police with 38 years of major city policing experience, and Amy, an innovative public safety leader and champion of early intervention and diversion, discuss their shared journey of finding common ground despite their differing opinions on criminal justice and human nature and behavior. In this episode, they dive into their personal backgrounds, touch on topics like homelessness, crime, and mental health, and set the stage for a thoughtful, sometimes heated, but always...2025-04-0106 min