Podcast Summary: Law Enforcement Talk – “Health Challenges for Her From Trauma and Recovery”

Host: John "Jay" Wiley
Guest: Brandi Krug
Air Date: January 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Law Enforcement Talk centers on the profound impact of trauma experienced by frontline professionals, offering an in-depth discussion with Brandi Krug—a former California child abuse investigator who developed PTSD after 15 years in the field. Now a trauma-informed therapist and author of Turning Pain Into Purpose, Brandi shares stories from her career, the cumulative effects of trauma, her personal journey through recovery, and advice for others in high-stress investigative and first responder roles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to Brandi’s Background

• Brandi’s work in child welfare and transition to trauma therapy ([00:59]).
• Emphasis on the unique challenges faced by child abuse investigators and the difficulty in obtaining closure in cases ([03:40], [04:21]).

  “A lot of times, yeah, absolutely, absolutely. But oftentimes there is not that closure that you get.” – Brandi ([04:21])

• The harsh mental, emotional, and physical toll of years spent in this specialty ([05:08], [06:14]).

Investigating Child Abuse: Daily Grind and Cumulative Trauma

• Lack of a “typical day,” unpredictability, and intensity of cases ([06:21]).

  “There’s not really a typical day.” – Brandi ([06:46])

• The most taxing cases are often the ones that appeared routine at first ([06:54]).
• The host and guest both reflect on how attempting to 'save the world' can lead to lasting damage ([05:50]).

How Trauma Manifested for Brandi

• The compounding nature of trauma—both the one-off horrors and the persistent, daily exposure ([13:03], [16:23]).

  “Over time we talk about compounded traumas that you sometimes don’t even realize are there.” – Brandi ([13:03])

• Two deeply impactful cases:

  1. Case One – A mother leaves her daughter with an unrelated man, resulting in rape and murder ([13:03]–[14:29]).

     “He wound up raping her, cutting her up, putting her in a suitcase, setting the suitcase on fire and leaving it on the side of the road.” – Brandi ([13:45])

  2. Case Two – A young boy coerced by his mother to assist in her suicide ([23:24]–[24:20]).

     “His mother asked him to kick the chair out from underneath her while she hung herself.” – Brandi ([23:53])

Vicarious Trauma, Coping Mechanisms & Seeking Help

• Challenges with expressing pain and seeking meaningful help—stigmatization and the lack of culturally competent therapists ([08:45], [25:21]).

  “I went to speak with [a therapist]. I made her cry, which made me feel worse. So I stopped going.” – Brandi ([25:32])

• The danger of compartmentalization and emotional shutdown, often only visible at home ([24:56], [27:11]).

  “I would come home grouchy, I would tune out. I wasn’t engaged.... I absolutely see that I tuned out.” – Brandi ([26:18])

• Importance of regular mental health check-ins for law enforcement and first responders ([09:33]).

  “Everybody should have a therapist. Even therapists have therapists.” – Brandi ([09:33])

The Breaking Point and Recovery Journey

• Recognition that love for the job couldn’t prevent eventual burnout and breakdown ([10:10], [29:33]).

  “It just hit me suddenly where I was like, I can’t do this anymore.” – Brandi ([10:26])

• Brandi’s turning point involved leaving work, seeking therapy, and building a new structure around self-care—a move from 60-hour weeks of high-intensity to measured, balanced routines ([34:02]).

  “It gave me an opportunity to really focus on myself.” – Brandi ([34:11])

Building a New Life and Community Impact

• Brandi’s ongoing work: Providing trauma-informed care exclusively to first responders, authoring a memoir, and serving as in-house clinician for Stockton PD ([40:01]).

  “I wanted to be that person that was there to help the helpers.” ([41:02])

• Strong emphasis on authentic living, maintaining boundaries, and focusing on restorative personal relationships ([36:48]–[38:56]).

  “I only hang out with people I want to spend my time with. I no longer feel like I have to spend my time with certain people. Or certain things, and it sure has made life a lot easier.” – Brandi ([37:16])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On trusting one’s gut but needing evidence:

  “The gut is almost always right, but that doesn't mean you can follow it. In the American justice system, we got to have a thing called evidence... You just can't kick in doors and take people to jail. Even if you think bad stuff's gonna happen.” – Jay Wiley ([14:46])

• On carrying trauma home:

  “The only people that saw it, really saw it, was my people at home, my family at home.” – Brandi ([27:31])

• On the pain of leaving and being easily replaced:

  “I’m just a number… There’s somebody else that already has my number. They’re taking my place.” – Brandi ([30:14])

• On finding meaning in recovery:

  “The title of your book is Turning Pain and Purpose. And one of the reasons I do this is to put a purpose to what I went through so others don't have to go as far.” – Jay Wiley ([35:20])

• On setting boundaries:

  “I can't be your therapist and your friend. I have to be able to take care of myself.” – Brandi ([36:55])

Essential Timestamps

• Brandi’s Introduction & Career Recap – [00:59]–[06:16]
• On Unpredictability & Trauma in Child Abuse Investigation – [06:21]–[07:01]
• The Toll of Repeated Trauma & First Notable Case – [13:03]–[15:43]
• Second Life-Altering Case – [23:24]–[24:30]
• Personal Fallout: At Home, Seeking Help, Resistance – [25:21]–[27:11]
• Brandi’s Path to Recovery & Rebuilding – [34:02]–[36:22]
• Current Practice and Professional Philosophy – [40:01]–[41:02]
• Closing Reflections: Advice and Life Structure – [38:34]–[39:04]

Tone & Language

The episode is frank, honest, and empathetic, laced with dark humor, candid vulnerability, and a deep affinity between guest and host as trauma survivors. Both stress the necessity of support, the dangers of stoicism, and the possibility of rebuilding.

Conclusion

This episode offers a real, unfiltered look at the emotional and practical realities of handling severe trauma in law enforcement and child protective work. Brandi Krug’s testimony—covering her lowest moments and ongoing recovery—offers hope and concrete advice to others in trauma-heavy careers, as well as powerful insights for anyone interested in the hidden costs of public service and the road to purposeful healing.

Learn more or connect:

• Brandi Krug’s practice and book: brandykrug.com
• The show: letradio.com
• Turning Pain Into Purpose now available