When Police1 columnist Eric Tung launched Blue Grit Radio, it wasn’t just about creating another law enforcement podcast — it was about impact. What started as a blog and social media effort to support first responders through leadership, fitness and wellness advice soon evolved into something bigger: a platform for meaningful, unfiltered conversations about the realities of policing.
With a background in police recruiting and a passion for personal and professional growth, Tung saw an opportunity to use podcasting as a tool to connect officers with the insights and resources they need to thrive both on and off duty. From navigating agency culture to mental resilience, Blue Grit Radio delivers candid discussions with law enforcement professionals, wellness experts and leaders from all industries.
In this Q&A, Tung shares the inspiration behind Blue Grit Radio, his most impactful episode and advice for officers looking to launch their own podcast. Listen and share Blue Grit Radio with your public safety colleagues on Spotify, Apple, YouTube and more. Follow Eric on Instagram, LinkedIn and bluegritwellness.com for the free newsletter.
Are you producing a police podcast and interested in sharing your podcast journey with Police1? Email editor@police1.com.
What prompted you to start a podcast?
Blue Grit was founded on the mission of making “better cops for a better community.” Its main focus has been spreading health, fitness and leadership content largely through social media and a blog to support first responders and the unique challenges we face. Another aspect of this mission was sharing experiences that not only resonated within the emergency response and law enforcement communities but also reached those outside who were open to challenging the negative narratives popularized in 2020.
I started Blue Grit Radio to provide valuable, meaningful conversations in a format where long-form audio has a unique power. I have been an avid fan of podcasts for many years, using them as a tool for education and to foster new ideas and concepts. In 2021, I was selected to revamp and revitalize my department’s police recruiting efforts. We recognized the value of sharing insights about the policing career and providing that information to candidates and applicants. The need — and the opportunity — to share meaningful reflections and conversations aligned perfectly with Blue Grit, and Blue Grit Radio was born!
Did you have any prior experience in producing audio/video?
Definitely not! The amazing thing about our times is the access to information. There are videos, articles and podcasts about how to do anything — including how to start a podcast. It was retired LAPD Officer Ken Roybal of The Police Applicant Podcast who invited me and my recruiter on his show, and after that, he became an eager resource and advocate.
Perfectly in sync with the mission of Blue Grit, I have found the law enforcement/first responder community extremely helpful in giving advice in realms like podcasting. Likewise, although I am just two years in, I try to provide any information I can to others getting started.
What equipment do you use?
I started with essentially nothing. When I say nothing, I hesitantly admit that some of my episodes were recorded on a laptop so old it was barely capable. I even experimented with a phone recording on the go with earbuds (don’t recommend). I used a microphone that cost about $35 for two years before finally upgrading one about double the cost (still relatively inexpensive in equipment context). I have found the setting (room, echo, background noise) to be more important than the specific microphone.
What is the goal of the Blue Grit Radio podcast?
Although Blue Grit Radio started by providing information for police applicants, it immediately integrated concepts of mindset, health and wellness. It is my sincere belief that healthier cops mean better cops. Start ‘em young, and they will have enough resilience — yes, grit — to endure the challenges they face.
My goal with Blue Grit Radio is to help officers be armed with meaningful information, reflections and concepts so they can do the job optimally for as long as they choose – and transition into a healthy, happy life when they hang up the gunbelt.
How do you find guests?
I work to share varying viewpoints from both active duty and retired/prior law enforcement. It goes beyond this, featuring experts from every vein of health and wellness — mindset, leadership from all industries, mental health professionals, fitness trainers, military veterans and beyond. Some guests reach out requesting to come on the show, many are within my personal and professional networks, while others and I develop connections and align on topics through social media and other podcast conversations.
Are you doing anything unique with the podcast to connect with your audience?
I am purposeful about focusing on building better officers. As we (should) know, this means intentionally stepping outside of law enforcement for ideas, varying perspectives and lessons. Although there is a heavy presence of law enforcement officers (past and present) and first responder clinicians, I also bring in other experts, clinicians, authors and figures to continue developing ourselves and our teams.
Most of my interviews reflect on our call to service — finding and keeping it — sharing lessons learned and shifting our experiences into shared wisdom. We often talk about leaving law enforcement, and unlike many, I believe the more we lean into this eventuality, the better officers we will be while we are still doing it. Following the attrition crises after 2020, I find it extremely empowering to know we can leave, but choose not to.
What has been the feedback so far?
I get a lot of feedback from people who appreciate my focus on positive, constructive takeaways and action, saying it’s uncommon. Other hosts who have interviewed me and listeners alike have remarked on how rare it is to see an officer — especially in a command role — be so vulnerable and candid about what we need individually and as a police profession and culture. Ultimately, I see this as simply being myself, in the same way I would have a peer support-driven one-on-one with an officer under my supervision.
What has been your favorite episode to date?
My favorite episode is also one of the most popular among listeners: Ep. 68, How to Improve Agency Culture. This was a group discussion with me and Canadian law enforcement officers Mark Bouchard and Seb Lavoie (retired). Both had been on the show before, the two know each other personally and professionally from the RCMP, and all three of us are very much aligned on the importance of elevating leadership and wellness in the policing industry.
The conversation spanned the major tenets of Blue Grit, recognizing that leadership, wellness and agency culture are all intertwined. We explored not only challenges but also examples that illustrate the need for meaningful solutions and how to achieve them. It was a conversation that clearly resonated, continuing to climb in downloads and listener feedback. While it was one of my favorites, the topics and organic vibe were not uncommon for the show.
What advice do you have for other police officers looking to launch a podcast?
Like most things, I would advise two key points — the same advice I’d give to anyone considering something new: just start and remember your why. In this career, built around evaluating contingencies and risk / reward, it can be paralyzing to stay in your thoughts and planning mode.
Review your policy and start where you are comfortable. Start anonymously if you are on shaky ground, or consider talking to your chain of command or guild rep if you want to use your name. Go for budget items after doing some basic research (budget microphone, hosting subscription, etc.). Opt for low or no-cost resources until you know you’re committed and actually enjoy it, rather than realizing too late after investing hundreds.
Know your “why.” Consider writing it down. Like many people who start, I simply wanted to reach a couple of people. I have found so much meaning in officers and peers coming to me for advice through the years. When I started the podcast, I realized I could share this with many others — but truly, a few would have been enough. It takes a lot of time, a lot of work, and yes, you will spend your own money to do it. If you are unclear on your why, it can feel daunting, and you may question the value and impact as you go.
Many people start and stop, and compared to others, my experience — just over two years in — may still be at a novice level. I am continually learning and improving with each episode. Ultimately, I can reflect on how it often feels like a grind, and when I question what I’m doing and whether it’s “worth it,” I receive validation or shared feedback that makes it clear it is. I believe in what I’m doing and keep it going, all while realizing that one day I may re-evaluate, take a pause or hang it up entirely — just like my police career.
And in the theme of the ideas I explore through Blue Grit, that day too will not only be okay but a good and gritty one.
