Advertise on podcast: The Dave Thomas Podcast

Canadian Police Officer and ADHD and PTSD sufferer.Lana is a Canadian police officer who has been diagnosed with both ADHD and PTSD. As part of her recovery she started to write down her thoughts which turned into a book. We talk about her experiences of her diagnosis and how she was treated by her employer. Ultimately this is a story of resilience and pure bloody mindedness. A woman who refused to be beaten by the job or her demons.

Nick Garnett has spent nearly four decades as a presenter and journalist, twenty five of which were at BBC Radio 5 Live. A pioneer of mobile journalism, we talk about how he got into radio, his failed ambition as a rock god and on a more serious note, the effect of the many tragedies he has had to report on and how it affected his own wellbeing. Its a fascinating insight into the world of journalism.  

Social Influencer and Chef. In this episode I chat to Bobby Sharma, the man behind the social media personality Yorkshire Indian. Bobby was born and bred in Leeds to Indian parents. That multi cultural upbringing would later provide the inspiration for Yorkshire Indian.  We talk about his childhood, his love of cooking which he learnt from his mother and the lock down caused by Covid. Like many, that affected his mental wellbeing and he turned to social media to make people happy by sharing his creative Indian recipes. He quickly became an internet sensation attracting over half a million followers. What you see is what you get with Bobby. A genuine bloke just trying to do his best. It’s a funny and yet touching conversation. I hope you enjoy it.

Murder Squad Senior Detective. On the 8th February 2024, former prison officer Lenny Scott was shot six times outside a gym in Skelmersdale, Lancashire. Tragically Lenny succumbed to his injuries several days later. A murder investigation was launched, headed up by DCI Lee Wilson, which ultimately led to the conviction of Lennys killer, Elias Morgan. Morgan will spend the next 45 years in gaol before being considered for parole. Throughout the investigation, Lee never lost sight of the family left behind after Lenny’s murder and they were always a critical part of every decision Lee made. It is a fascinating insight into the life of a Senior Investigating Officer within a Homecide squad.

In this fifth episode of my podcast series looking at the rising rates of police suicide, I talk with Dr. Noreen Tehrani on how the brain processes trauma from a clinical viewpoint. It’s a fascinating insight into how our brains work, some of which may surprise you. TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ These podcasts examine and discuss suicide and associated trauma. If you have been affected by anything in these podcasts, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123For several years now, the levels of mental health and well-being within the UK police have been in decline. Many will argue that this is a result of an ever-increasing workload, a reduction in capacity and experience, underfunding, and a perception that social and mainstream media proactively portray a negative narrative of law enforcement within the UK.Additionally, lenient sentencing, poor organizational practices, and the disproportionate time spent on officers under investigation have contributed to create a perfect storm. In this short series of podcasts, I will be looking at the rising trend of police officers taking their own lives. I will be speaking with a variety of people to put a spotlight on police suicide, the reasons behind it, and hopefully how we can halt its rise.

In this fourth episode of my podcast series looking at the rising rates of police suicide, I share my own experience of the breakdown I suffered in 2021. A busy detective working in family protection, I was dealing with a case of two sisters having been sexually abused by their father. It tore the family apart. At the same time I was dealing with a bereavement of a close family member and the cherry on the cake were unresolved adverse childhood experiences. All this came together to create the perfect storm. It floored me and I describe it as the punch I didn’t see coming. Ultimately, it made me a stronger person but in hindsight it was the end of my police career and fortunately I was eligible to retire. I hope you get something out of this podcast. Be gentle with yourself. 🌱TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ These podcasts examine and discuss suicide and associated trauma. If you have been affected by anything in these podcasts, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123For several years now, the levels of mental health and well-being within the UK police have been in decline. Many will argue that this is a result of an ever-increasing workload, a reduction in capacity and experience, underfunding, and a perception that social and mainstream media proactively portray a negative narrative of law enforcement within the UK.Additionally, lenient sentencing, poor organizational practices, and the disproportionate time spent on officers under investigation have contributed to create a perfect storm. In this short series of podcasts, I will be looking at the rising trend of police officers taking their own lives. I will be speaking with a variety of people to put a spotlight on police suicide, the reasons behind it, and hopefully how we can halt its rise.

In this episode I talk with former Police Superintendent Andrea Quinton. She spent 30 years with Greater Manchester Police, including two as a Special Constable, and has worked in most areas of the service including response, neighbourhood policing, CID, prisoner processing, proactive policing, and training. She was a Tactical Firearms Commander with the North West Armed Policing Collaboration. A passionate believer in personal development, she is also a trained mentor and coach, having completed her Level 7 Certificate and Diploma in Executive Coaching and Mentoring.In a wide ranging interview we talk about the issues her recent blog raised and whether police wellbeing should be treated as a critical incident. TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ These podcasts examine and discuss suicide and associated trauma. If you have been affected by anything in these podcasts, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123For several years now, the levels of mental health and well-being within the UK police have been in decline. Many will argue that this is a result of an ever-increasing workload, a reduction in capacity and experience, underfunding, and a perception that social and mainstream media proactively portray a negative narrative of law enforcement within the UK.Additionally, lenient sentencing, poor organizational practices, and the disproportionate time spent on officers under investigation have contributed to create a perfect storm. In this short series of podcasts, I will be looking at the rising trend of police officers taking their own lives. I will be speaking with a variety of people to put a spotlight on police suicide, the reasons behind it, and hopefully how we can halt its rise.

In this episode I talk with the former Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary and the current programme director of Oscar’ Kilo, Andy Rhodes OBE QPM.TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ These podcasts examine and discuss suicide and associated trauma. If you have been affected by anything in these podcasts, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123For several years now, the levels of mental health and well-being within the UK police have been in decline. Many will argue that this is a result of an ever-increasing workload, a reduction in capacity and experience, underfunding, and a perception that social and mainstream media proactively portray a negative narrative of law enforcement within the UK.Additionally, lenient sentencing, poor organizational practices, and the disproportionate time spent on officers under investigation have contributed to create a perfect storm. In this short series of podcasts, I will be looking at the rising trend of police officers taking their own lives. I will be speaking with a variety of people to put a spotlight on police suicide, the reasons behind it, and hopefully how we can halt its rise.DCT Audio

In this first episode, retired police officers Michael Brown, Richard Horton and Dave Thomas discuss the various aspect's of police work in general, and how it and the organisation influenced their own wellbeing. TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ These podcasts examine and discuss suicide and associated trauma. If you have been affected by anything in these podcasts, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123For several years now, the levels of mental health and well-being within the UK police have been in decline. Many will argue that this is a result of an ever-increasing workload, a reduction in capacity and experience, underfunding, and a perception that social and mainstream media proactively portray a negative narrative of law enforcement within the UK.Additionally, lenient sentencing, poor organizational practices, and the disproportionate time spent on officers under investigation have contributed to create a perfect storm. In this short series of podcasts, I will be looking at the rising trend of police officers taking their own lives. I will be speaking with a variety of people to put a spotlight on police suicide, the reasons behind it, and hopefully how we can halt its rise.DCT Audio

WARNING. This podcast series examines suicide and associated topics.For several years now, the levels of mental health and well-being within the UK police have been in decline. Many will argue that this is a result of an ever-increasing workload, a reduction in capacity and experience, underfunding, and a perception that social and mainstream media proactively portray a negative narrative of law enforcement within the UK.Additionally, lenient sentencing, poor organizational practices, and the disproportionate time spent on officers under investigation have contributed to create a perfect storm. In this short series of podcasts, I will be looking at the rising trend of police officers taking their own lives. I will be speaking with a variety of people to put a spotlight on police suicide, the reasons behind it, and hopefully how we can halt its rise.

2024 marked the 200th Anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, an organisation funded wholly by voluntary contributions, keeping our seas safe since 1824. In this episode we visit the volunteers and boat crews who are based at the Blackpool Lifeboat Station, one of the busiest in the country. On their open day in the summer of 2024 we find out what makes them tick and the motivation behind why they do what they do. Willing to risk their own lives in order to save others.We also weave the heroic story of Grace Darling into the podcast, whose actions assisting her father William saved many lives,  in a daring rescue that became national news in the 19th century. If you wish, you can donate to the RNLI here. It’s your donation that really does go to saving lives. 

In this the pilot episode, retired police officers Richard Horton and Dave Thomas, with a combined police experience of nearly 60 years, get back together again to look at the some of the policing and ethical issues for discussion in 2025.

Yorkshire Poet. Tom was invited to write poems about the Maurice Dobson Museum and the man to whom it is dedicated too.  Tom Juniper is a poet based in  Sheffield. His work often focuses on the experience of being other, whether that’s talking about being autistic, being part of the queer community (He is a bi, non binary trans guy), or about the Other as in strange and mysterious creatures and entities from various folklore traditions. He is an experienced slam poet, and has competed in the Great Northern Slam, the Hammer & Tongue National Final, the Axis Slam, Word War, Oooh Behive Slam, Poetry At Your Place a d even the Anti Slam. He has won slams a few times and come second many more! He is also an educator and workshop leader with a background in youth work and arts education. He delivers poetry workshops through The Writer’s Workshop in Sheffield, and online.He also offers equality, diversity and inclusion workshops, focusing on disability and/or LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Former Royal Marine and Surfer. Jamie Doxey is a driven individual and former Royal Marine Commando, the best of the best. But mental health issues and an undiscovered heart condition cut his career short. He rediscovered his love of surfing and now has his own company, Op Poseidon. He invites people struggling with their own mental fitness to join him for a surfing retreat. Not only do folk learn new skills, they become one with the sea and connect with the present moment. For more information and booking you can find Jamie’s website HERE. 🌱

In the second of two episodes we talk to the local people from the Yorkshire town of Darfield and wider afield, who share their personal stories of life growing up in bygone times. The podcast has been produced in partnership with the Maurice Dobson Museum located in Darfield.