From Police Sergeant To Soulful Coach: What Love Demands In Hard Moments with Michael Graham
Wed Jan 28 2026
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What if addiction isn’t about the substance, but the pain it numbs—and the patterns we learned to survive? We sit down with Michael Graham—retired police sergeant, former SWAT sniper, actor, and transformational coach—to explore how identity, faith, and disciplined love can transform the hardest moments. From early career missteps and a costly lie to a full-throttle return to integrity, Michael shows how separating who you are from what you did opens the door to repair, recovery, and real leadership.
The conversation stretches from behavior science to spiritual practice. We unpack how patterns like control, perfectionism, and martyrdom keep us stuck; why awareness without judgment is the first step; and how to design identity through daily “votes” that align actions with values. Michael shares the routines that kept him capable under pressure—body, mind, and spirit reps—and how the same repetition strengthens compassion as a practical skill. If the word “God” makes you recoil, you’ll still find an accessible path: one word for the day, one action that proves it true, repeated until it sticks.
Then comes the moment that ties it all together: a hostage standoff on the Santa Monica Pier, a sniper’s green light, and a surrender measured in pounds of finger pressure. Michael holds two truths in his scope—a man responsible for violence and a human made in the image of God, the son of a mother on scene. He doesn’t take the shot. It’s a masterclass in strength guided by love, the kind of choice that protects others without losing your soul.
Walk away with a simple practice that changes everything: ask, “What would love have me do?” Use it in a meeting, at home, or in your own self-talk. If this conversation moved you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.
To book a FREE discovery call with Dr. Harte, click the link below:
https://calendly.com/drharte/free-discovery-call-w-dr-harte
To contact Michael Graham, click the link below!
https://mindsetmattersconsulting.com/contact/
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#spiritualgrowth
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#mindfulness
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Send us a text What if addiction isn’t about the substance, but the pain it numbs—and the patterns we learned to survive? We sit down with Michael Graham—retired police sergeant, former SWAT sniper, actor, and transformational coach—to explore how identity, faith, and disciplined love can transform the hardest moments. From early career missteps and a costly lie to a full-throttle return to integrity, Michael shows how separating who you are from what you did opens the door to repair, recovery, and real leadership. The conversation stretches from behavior science to spiritual practice. We unpack how patterns like control, perfectionism, and martyrdom keep us stuck; why awareness without judgment is the first step; and how to design identity through daily “votes” that align actions with values. Michael shares the routines that kept him capable under pressure—body, mind, and spirit reps—and how the same repetition strengthens compassion as a practical skill. If the word “God” makes you recoil, you’ll still find an accessible path: one word for the day, one action that proves it true, repeated until it sticks. Then comes the moment that ties it all together: a hostage standoff on the Santa Monica Pier, a sniper’s green light, and a surrender measured in pounds of finger pressure. Michael holds two truths in his scope—a man responsible for violence and a human made in the image of God, the son of a mother on scene. He doesn’t take the shot. It’s a masterclass in strength guided by love, the kind of choice that protects others without losing your soul. Walk away with a simple practice that changes everything: ask, “What would love have me do?” Use it in a meeting, at home, or in your own self-talk. If this conversation moved you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. To book a FREE discovery call with Dr. Harte, click the link below: https://calendly.com/drharte/free-discovery-call-w-dr-harte To contact Michael Graham, click the link below! https://mindsetmattersconsulting.com/contact/ Support the show #thetruthaboutaddiction #sobriety #the12steps #recovery #therapy #mentalhealth #podcasts #emotionalsobriety #soberliving #sobermindset #spirituality #spiritualgrowth #aa #soberlife #mindfulness #wellness #wellnessjourney #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #sobermovement #recoveroutloud #sobercurious #sobermoms #soberwomen #author #soberauthor #purpose #passion #perspective