The Antihero Broadcast – The Night Shift (11/6/2025): "Also Dick Cheney..."

Date: November 7, 2025
Host(s): The Antihero Podcast Team
Special Guests: K9 from Counterculture Sports, Dom Izzo, two U.S. Marines & law enforcement veterans

Episode Overview

This episode of The Night Shift dives into current events affecting veterans, first responders, and law enforcement, blending serious commentary on mental health, brotherhood, and leadership with the group's signature irreverence and banter. Key topics include the tragic death of NFL player Marshawn Neyland, the role of influencers in police culture, military experiences, law enforcement training, and the legacy of Dick Cheney in recent U.S. history. The episode also offers real talk about life after service, the pressures of policing, and a spirited debate on space exploration.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Debate: Are Puerto Ricans Hispanic?

[00:09 - 03:00]

• The team opens with lighthearted banter debating identity terms. Is Puerto Rican its own thing, or is it Hispanic?
  • "Lewis, our producer, is Puerto Rican. And I'm like, yeah, he's Hispanic. And Mike said, no, like, said he's not Puerto Rican." – B ([01:09])
  • The group teases and ultimately acknowledges that the broader label "Hispanic" includes Puerto Ricans, but origins matter for context.

2. NFL Tragedy & Mental Health in First Responders

[04:21 - 11:00]

• K9 from Counterculture Sports shares an emotional update on Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Neyland, who took his own life days after a career highlight.
  • “Three nights ago, Marshawn actually scored a touchdown... he was more of a special teams guy.” – D ([04:23])
  • The discussion turns to mental health in public professions and the silent pressures faced even during apparent success.
  • “That should show what the issue of mental health is... someone's at a career high point.” – B ([05:18])
• Polk County (FL) ties and personal accounts of how law enforcement deals with stress and loss.

3. Media, Cops, and 'Tokenization' in the Conservative Space

[17:07 - 29:45]

• Dom Izzo calls in for a passionate critique of influencer cop “Tatum”—referring to accusations of racism, performative politics, and lack of real-world police expertise.
  • "He’s the quintessential token Negro of the conservative party. They put him in place..." – E ([18:46])
  • Comparison to other “copfluencers” like Donut Operator.
  • Frustration that large platforms often ignore real causes (e.g., the case of Officer Saladradi in NJ).
  • The group reflects on the disconnect between online personas and on-the-ground experience.
  • Repeat theme: If you brand yourself as a cop, use your platform to support real cops.

4. Brotherhood, Departures, and Cop/Military Mental Health

[33:35 - 44:54]

• Two Marine Corps veterans join to share transition stories:
  • The challenges of finding community after the service, losing a parent on the job, and dealing with compounding stress.
  • “...I was a cop and that led to my years of alcoholism.” – A ([39:59])
  • Discussion of the unique mental toll on first responders vs. military combat vets.

5. Dog Training and Service Animal Talk

[44:19 - 49:09]

• A guest with a K9 training background describes how military and law enforcement dogs are selected and trained, what makes a good K9, and wild deployment stories.

6. Cop Training, Street Stops, and Real-World Tactics

[54:32 - 74:51]

• Several raw and instructive police bodycam videos are reviewed and analyzed, highlighting:
  • Gunfight survival and the difference between well-trained and under-trained officers.
  • The importance of mindset, tactics, and learning from experience.
  • "Standard traffic stops," complacency, and why proactive policing matters.
  • “If you get complacent... that would tell me if they’re a good cop.” – A ([61:00])
• The camaraderie and R-rated gallows humor provide context for why these discussions matter.

7. Military Service, Iraq Debates, and Dick Cheney’s Legacy

[87:44 - 92:12]

• The team reacts to Dick Cheney’s death with frank, raw commentary.
  • "Dick Cheney was...more than happy to send my ass and this guy's ass and this guy's ass..." – C ([88:13])
  • Candid views on how the Iraq war profited contractors (but not those who served).
  • "Dick Cheney, I hope you burn in hell. Clip that." – C ([90:10])
• Smedley Butler’s “War is a Racket” and the corruption of military-industrial policy are discussed.

8. Firefighters Now Face the Body/Drive Cam Dilemma

[111:06 - 114:01]

• Firefighters are now being disciplined via in-vehicle AI monitoring systems—mirroring prior trends in law enforcement.
• Debate over balancing rapid response and administrative caution; phrase “paper before people.”

9. Moon Landing: Real or Faked?

[122:35 - 124:32]

• A recurring segment: Did we land on the moon?
  • “You really are just taking it relive. I'm over here opening my soul and you're like...” – C ([124:00])
  • The team needles each other over conspiracy theories and family bonding.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mental Health and Appearance vs. Reality:
  • "You never really know...we look at these people and wish we had their lives, but we don’t honestly know what they’re going through." – D ([05:45])
• On Policing and Social Media:
  • "If your brand is that you’re a cop, then support cops, man." – C ([23:42])
• On Military Service and Sacrifice:
  • "We went into Iraq...as a 19-year-old private first class, I was a true believer...by 2005, as a jaded corporal, I was like, this is all..." – C ([88:48])
  • "Dick Cheney, I hope you burn in hell. Clip that." – C ([90:10])
• On Everyday Life as a Cop:
  • "If you drive...you can’t do anything right." – A ([113:12])
• Roosevelt Quote Reading:
  • "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles...credit belongs to the man actually in the arena..." – C, reading Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” ([117:31])
• Closing Remarks on Community:
  • “The culture that we have here...has changed considerably within the last six weeks...the big reason for that is the people in those comments.” – C ([131:44])

Timestamp Guide to Important Segments

| Topic / Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|------------------| | Puerto Rican/Hispanic debate | 00:09 – 03:00 | | NFL Marshawn Neyland Suicide | 04:21 – 11:00 | | Copfluencers & Online Police Culture | 17:07 – 29:45 | | Brotherhood, Loss, Mental Health | 33:35 – 44:54 | | K9 Training & Stories | 44:19 – 49:09 | | Police Tactics Video Breakdowns | 54:32 – 74:51 | | Dick Cheney’s Death & Iraq War | 87:44 – 92:12 | | Firefighters Face Drive Cam | 111:06 – 114:01 | | Roosevelt “Man in the Arena” | 117:31 (quote) | | Moon Landing Debate | 122:35 – 124:32 | | Closing/Culture Appreciation | 131:44 – 132:18 |

Tone and Language

The show’s tone is brash, raw, and peppered with in-group jokes, military and law enforcement jargon, F-bombs, and gallows humor. The hosts blend candid vulnerability—around mental health, personal loss, and professional disappointment—with the kind of brotherly ball-busting and shared history that comes from years in service. Despite the banter, the heart of the show is deeply pro-veteran, supportive of first responders, and unfiltered about institutional failures and toxic leadership.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a vivid snapshot of post-service camaraderie and the often harsh realities faced by those who serve—on the battlefield, the streets, or in the national conversation. Topics move between deeply serious and outlandishly funny, but the through-line is a sense of loyalty, realism, and refusal to sugarcoat the truth.

For listeners new to the broadcast, this episode serves as both a primer on the show’s ethos and a reminder of the enduring challenges—and humor—that define the veteran and first responder communities.

Key Takeaway:

“Credit belongs to the man actually in the arena…but who does actually strive to do the deeds…who strives valiantly.” – Roosevelt, as read by C ([117:31])