BomBardened
BomBardened
Podcast Description
In BomBardened, Eric Barden, a retired Deputy Chief of the Seattle Police Department, and Amy Barden, Chief of Seattle’s new third public safety department, come together—not just as professionals, but as husband and wife—to tackle some of the most pressing issues in public service and community safety and health.Eric, the enforcer with decades of boots-on-the-ground experience, and Amy, the champion of compassion and crisis response, take a constructively critical approach to big questions: Do we need more enforcement or better interventions? Is the criminal justice system designed to punish or correct? What does compassion actually look like? Why do we keep doing what doesn’t work? And why does it feel like no one’s getting it completely right?Every episode features hard-hitting debates, real-world insights, and guest experts who bring fresh takes and bold ideas. It’s not just talk; it’s a call to action for anyone who cares about creating safer, smarter communities and a return to civil discourse.So, if you’re tired of political rhetoric and excuses and ready for real talk about the messy intersection of accountability and compassion, tune in to BomBardened. You might not always agree, but you’ll definitely think.The views, information or opinions expressed on the BomBardened Podcast are solely the personal views of the individuals involved and do not represent the views of any third party. Where guests appear on the Podcast, the views expressed by such guests are solely their own. The Podcast does not accept responsibility for the views of its guests and their appearance on the Podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.None of the guests or contributors to the BomBardened Podcast will be held responsible for your use of the information contained therein.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers on critical themes like criminal justice reform, addiction recovery, and community accountability. Examples of episodes include discussions on effective interventions in addiction with advocates like Ginny Burton and explorations of systemic issues in mental health and homelessness, constantly questioning societal norms and practices.
In BomBardened, Eric Barden, a retired Deputy Chief of the Seattle Police Department, and Amy Barden, Chief of Seattle’s new third public safety department, come together—not just as professionals, but as husband and wife—to tackle some of the most pressing issues in public service and community safety and health.
Eric, the enforcer with decades of boots-on-the-ground experience, and Amy, the champion of compassion and crisis response, take a constructively critical approach to big questions: Do we need more enforcement or better interventions? Is the criminal justice system designed to punish or correct? What does compassion actually look like? Why do we keep doing what doesn’t work? And why does it feel like no one’s getting it completely right?
Every episode features hard-hitting debates, real-world insights, and guest experts who bring fresh takes and bold ideas. It’s not just talk; it’s a call to action for anyone who cares about creating safer, smarter communities and a return to civil discourse.
So, if you’re tired of political rhetoric and excuses and ready for real talk about the messy intersection of accountability and compassion, tune in to BomBardened. You might not always agree, but you’ll definitely think.
The views, information or opinions expressed on the BomBardened Podcast are solely the personal views of the individuals involved and do not represent the views of any third party. Where guests appear on the Podcast, the views expressed by such guests are solely their own. The Podcast does not accept responsibility for the views of its guests and their appearance on the Podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.None of the guests or contributors to the BomBardened Podcast will be held responsible for your use of the information contained therein.
In 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 friends, the pointlessness of these deaths and the purpose she’s found in being there for others. She acknowledges the guilt felt by those left behind. She explains the stigma, shame and sense of responsibility often assumed by survivors. With clarity and conviction, she challenges old assumptions and makes the case for a new way forward: one where intervention doesn’t end with a jail cell, but begins there.
Together, the Bardens and Staci unpack the tension between law enforcement, public perception, and political pressure—especially in a world that often flips its stance on justice overnight. This episode asks hard questions about deterrence, redemption, and what truly helps someone break the cycle.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to find purpose in tragedy, this conversation will challenge your thinking.
Disclaimer
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