In this episode of The Change Catalyst, I sit down with my police academy classmate and friend, Joel Diaz—a police officer and passionate mental health advocate. Joel opens up about his journey growing up in South Chicago, the realities of working in law enforcement, and the challenges officers face when it comes to mental health.

We dive into the stigma around seeking help in the police world, why mental resilience is just as important as tactical training, and how Joel has turned his experiences into advocacy. Of course, we also take time to swap stories and reminisce about our academy days and the path that led us here.

This is a raw and real conversation about the human side of policing, brotherhood, and the importance of protecting your mind just as much as your body.