Tom and Brink break down the April 17 Florida State University shooting—an open campus event that exposes tough challenges in prevention and response. One heartbreaking detail: a student who survived this shooting also lived through the 2018 shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. They also unpack a disturbing video of a bystander filming a wounded victim and walking away, raising serious questions about public response to violence. From survivor stories to law enforcement insights, this episode is a sobering look at the realities we face and what can truly make a difference when seconds count.

Notes:

2:51: Open campuses are tough to secure; safety depends on those present.

4:09: A student at FSU also survived the 2018 Parkland shooting.

5:50: Tech helps, but action before police arrive is critical.

6:50: Trained people on-site make the biggest difference.

8:12: We can’t stop every shooting, but we can reduce casualties.

10:19: “You fall to your training, not rise to the occasion.”

10:57: Classrooms must lock from the inside-Sandy Hook’s top lesson.

14:35: Vanderbilt University Medical Center credits Metro Nashville police with saving 600+ lives because of the medical training program.

16:50: Disturbing video shows bystander walking past wounded victim.

18:30: Dallas school shooting went unnoticed because no one died.

25:55: Know the addresses of places you visit often.

30:00: Not making a decision is a decision but it’s difficult if you don’t have any seeds planted in your primitive brain.

Tips, Tactics and Tools is Produced and Edited by www.itsyourshow.co

In this episode, we sit down with Sergeant Jeff Mathes of the Metro Nashville Police Department—one of the first officers on the scene at The Covenant School on March 27, 2023. Jeff walks us through the sights, sounds, and split-second decisions of that day. He speaks candidly about what it means to be a leader in a crisis—and healing through accepting that there was nothing he could have changed about his actions that day to save lives.

Jeff opens up about returning home that day to his family and the moment he heard a clip of the fire alarm on the radio the next morning that triggered a mental break.

Awarded the Medal of Valor and recognized in the Oval Office, Jeff reflects on why the relationships formed through this tragedy mean more than any honor, and the personal truth he’s had to embrace: “You can’t live your life based on this event that was one day of your life.”

On March 27, 2023, our guest was a teacher at The Covenant School in Nashville—a place she had poured her heart into. In this episode, our guest recounts the moments before, during, and after the tragedy that unfolded.

She walks us through her second-by-second decision making process as she decides the best way to help the others in the building and also get herself out safely. She fled into the woods with children, thanking God that the spring leaves had started to arrive and provided concealment as they ran from the school. She shares how prior active shooter response training prepared her for split-second decisions she made to protect children, and the aftermath of surviving one of the most traumatic events imaginable.

We also reflect on the lasting legacy of Head of School Katherine Koonce, who made the decision to bring training to Covenant staff just a year earlier. “Katherine saved our lives,” our guest says.

This episode is a moving tribute to courage, preparation, and the unwavering strength of educators in the face of the unthinkable.

Notes:

2:40 - Journey to becoming a teacher and why

8:05 - Recounting her morning on March 27, 2023

10:00 - Recognizing the sound of gunshots in a building and processing using previous active shooter response training

13:20 - “Hearing that [gunfire in a building during active shooter response training] saved my life. I probably would have gone down to investigate.”

20:20 - Realizing others in the building probably only heard the fire alarm. “How can I save as many people as possible?”

27:50 - All of this happened in under 2 minutes

30:40 - Conversation with the 911 dispatcher and getting children away from the school

40:00 - People all responded differently

43:55 - For 14 minutes, it was teacher vs. gunman.

45:40 - The staff did an outstanding job scripting and performing even after they had evaded.

1:03:40 - People can make excellent decisions under stress when they have prepared even a little.

1:15:20 - Fogginess after a traumatic event and dealing with survivor’s guilt

1:19:54 - Advice for teachers about why training is important

1:25:25 - Honoring Head of School Katherine Koonce

On March 27, 2023, Rachel Sanderson walked onto The Covenant School campus for her first day as a substitute teacher there. It was a beautiful morning—calm, full of worship, and seemingly ordinary. Within hours, everything changed.

In this conversation, Rachel recounts what happened that day—from the moment the fire alarm went off to the terrifying minutes spent locked inside a classroom with students. With raw honesty, she shares how training kicked in and how faith held her steady.

Rachel reflects on the trauma, isolation, and the unexpected strength she found in processing it. She also speaks about how connecting with others—including mass shooting survivors—has been key to her healing. Through it all, her hope is clear: to help others feel less alone, to encourage preparation, and to point toward the God moments even in the darkest hour.

Rachel’s story is a reminder of what this series is about—naming the hard things, honoring the good that still breaks through, and not looking away. This episode reminds us why we keep listening: because light still shines in the darkness.

Highlights:

8:00 – March 27, 2023: Rachel's first day subbing at Covenant

18:25 – Fire alarm triggers confusion

19:30 – Rachel hears banging noises—normalcy bias sets in

25:50 – Rachel begins praying aloud

29:10 – The 911 call: confirmation of an active shooter

35:00 – Fire station, comforting children, and immediate aftermath

43:20 – “I’m glad I was the sub that day” – leaning on training

49:00 – Debriefing with Brink; importance of safe people to process with

53:40 – Balancing trauma and motherhood

59:40 – Frustration with media

1:06:00 – Facing evil in the flesh

1:13:05 – Healing through hearing others’ stories

1:14:30 – Purpose of this podcast series: “I didn’t know someone else felt that way too”

1:19:00 – Reaching out to other survivors

1:28:00 – “I want to help others—even if it’s just being prepared for an emergency situation”

In this episode, we sit down with Abby McLean, a Covenant School parent on March 27, 2023, as she recounts the day of the shooting and the painful journey that followed. From the moment she received the first call to the agonizing time spent searching for her children, Abby shares the raw emotions, the uncertainty, and the overwhelming grief that forever changed her family and community.

Through her story, we gain insight into the heroic actions of teachers, the life-saving decisions made under extreme stress, and the aftermath that fractured relationships and reshaped perspectives on school security. We also discuss the broader implications—how schools and parents must take proactive steps to protect children, the importance of ongoing training, and the lasting impact of trauma on survivors.

This episode is a reminder that preparedness matters and that behind every tragedy are real people, real lives, and a call to action we cannot ignore.

Notes:

01:27: How people handle the aftermath

04:55: Abby recounts her experience on March 27, 2023

13:10: It took one hour to find out information on her children’s safety

18:00: Actions taken by staff during the event

23:15: We’ve seen police freeze under less stress than these teachers were under

23:40: The middle is where the difference is made

29:10: Defend Systems breaks this event down in their training because of all the remarkable decisions made on March 27, 2023

32:00: The importance of hard corners

37:35: Talk to your child’s school about forced entry protection on glass in doors

46:00: Abby’s experience at Defend Systems’ active shooter response training

58:20: The emotional aftermath of the event

1:14:00: Abby talks about society forgetting these events

1:18:40: Convincing school boards to make the investment in training for staff

1:22:00: Why Brink and Tracey did a walkthrough of the crime scene

1:26:00: When you hear data on how fast these events occur, it changes everything

In this episode, we are honored to welcome Detective Michael Collazo as he shares his journey—from his early years and decision to join the Marine Corps to his path in law enforcement and the day that made his name known across the nation: March 27, 2023. Along the way, he and Brink, a former Nashville police officer, swap stories, share laughs, and reflect on the unique experiences that come with wearing the badge.

This past January, Michael was awarded the Medal of Valor by President Biden for his heroic actions at The Covenant School, where he and four fellow officers ran toward danger and stopped the threat. Michael takes us inside that day, detailing his mindset during the critical minutes leading up to the school, the decisive moments inside, and the weight of what came after. We discuss how law enforcement processes trauma, the challenges of healing, and why preparation is key in the face of unthinkable events.

Notes:

0:02:22 - Michael Collazo discusses growing up in Middleton, Tennessee

0:05:45 - Story about a teacher named Miss V who helped turn his life around in high school

0:08:17 - Decision to join the Marine Corps after high school

0:10:57 - Joining Metro Nashville Police Department in 2013

0:30:00 - Discussion of work in Crime Suppression Unit (CSU)

0:48:34 - Beginning of discussion about March 27, 2023 shooting at The Covenant School

0:51:19 - Michael's mental preparation while driving to the school

1:00:01 - Arriving at the school

1:02:57 - Discussion of entering the school without full protective gear

1:12:08 - Detailed account of moving through the school during the incident

1:16:56 - Moment of confronting and neutralizing the shooter

1:26:13 - Post-incident actions and setting up medical corridors

1:40:01 - Reflection on the teachers' heroism and the community's response

1:46:11 - Discussion about healing and community impact after the shooting

1:49:24 - Conversation about post-incident mental health and processing trauma

In this powerful episode, Brink Fidler and Tom Herring sit down with Tracey Mendenhall, VP of Defend Systems, to discuss the critical importance of active violence response training across various sectors.

Timed Highlights:
[0:01:45] - The importance of preparation and prevention in safety training
[0:07:11] - Tracey's passion for empowering civilians through training
[0:17:01] - Why teachers are the most motivated and impactful training participants
[0:22:05] - Training spans diverse sectors: from orthodontic offices to country music tours
[0:25:22] - The unwavering commitment of teachers to protect their students
[0:27:51] - Practical, simple pre-hospital care techniques that can save lives

Key Insights:
- Learn how training transforms scared individuals into confident responders
- Understand the critical need for preparedness in today's unpredictable world
- Hear firsthand experiences as a former police officer and SWAT team member
- Discover why emotional connection is key to effective safety training

A must-listen for educators, corporate leaders, and anyone committed to personal and community safety.