S5E45: Why Here, Why Now? The Mindset Difference Between Control and Chaos | Chris Aboussafy

Original Recording Date: 2026SEP14. Co-host Sgt. (Ret.) Ben Klick, Canadian Armed Forces Audio editing by Stephanie Bosch. Views and opinions of the participants are their own.   Find #TheQuietProfessional across all podcast platforms and more content through the convenient Linktree ▶️ https://linktr.ee/tqp780 ◀️   Guest: Dr. Tim Foran is the Historian of Early Canada at the Canadian War Museum. He conducts research and develops public programming focused on the military and diplomatic history of northern North America from the early seventeenth to the late nineteenth century. Dr. Foran holds a BA and MA from the University of Calgary, and a PhD from the University of Ottawa. He is the curator of Close to Conflict: Canada and the American Civil War, a major exhibition presented at the Canadian War Museum from May 2026 through February 2027.   Topics: We will explore the ways that the American Civil War (1861-1865) had shaped Canadian society, politics and military - and why its legacies still matter today.   References & Resources: Canadian War Museum, Close to Conflict – Canada and the American Civil War webpage: https://www.warmuseum.ca/exhibitions/canada-and-the-american-civil-war Dr. Foran’s bio at the Canadian War Museum: https://www.warmuseum.ca/research-and-collections/museum-historians  

Original Recording Date: 2026SEP24. Co-host John Simpson Audio editing by Stephanie Bosch. Views and opinions of the participants are their own.   Find #TheQuietProfessional across all podcast platforms and more content through the convenient Linktree ▶️ https://linktr.ee/tqp780 ◀️   Guest: Master Sergeant (Ret.) Tom Gould joined the U.S. Army in 1973 under the Ranger option, initially serving in B Company before moving to 2nd Battalion, Rangers. He later reenlisted to pursue Special Forces and spent the remainder of his military career in SF, including 11 years serving in classified units. After retiring from the military in 1994, he established Montana’s first JROTC program. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1996, he returned to JROTC in 2000 and continued serving until his second retirement in 2006. He subsequently worked with the private security firm MPRI in Africa, where he spent approximately a decade. In 2016, he returned to the United States and now resides in Montana.   Topic: Tom’s journey of service in the U.S. Army and beyond.   References & Resources: Tom is off-grid. Enjoy the podcast! John Simpson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-simpson-b6114b59 John Simpson’s books are available below! Foundations of Patrol Rifle Marksmanship https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2T629L6 https://blue360media.com/products/foundations-of-patrol-rifle-marksmanship   Foundations of Sniper Marksmanship https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2T1QN2X https://blue360media.com/products/foundations-of-sniper-marksmanship   Snipers Notebook Send check or money order for $30.00* to: Simpsonian Institute 2774 N. Cobb Parkway, Suite 109 #141 Kennesaw, GA 30144   For more information, contact the author at: [email protected] * This pricing includes shipping within the United States. GA residents add 4% sales tax. Copy of police or military ID required for purchase. Orders will not be processed without a copy of your credentials. Add $10.00 for a Supplementary CD-ROM that expands on the book. International sales please contact for shipping prices.

Original Recording Date: 2026SEP23. Co-host John Simpson Audio editing by Stephanie Bosch. Views and opinions of the participants are their own.   Find #TheQuietProfessional across all podcast platforms and more content through the convenient Linktree ▶️ https://linktr.ee/tqp780 ◀️   Guest: Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ken Tovo culminated his 35-year military career in 2018, serving as the commander of the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). He was responsible for manning, training, equipping, and providing strategic direction to all the Army’s Special Operations forces (Green Berets, Rangers, Special Ops Aviation, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations), a combined organization of over 34,000 people. Ken is the President and CEO of DOL Enterprises, Inc., and the Chairman of the Green Beret Foundation.   Topic: Ken’s journey of service in the U.S. Army and beyond.   References & Resources: Ken Tovo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-tovo-4468107/  Green Beret Foundation website: https://greenberetfoundation.org/ Ken Tovo on Wikipedia.org: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_E._Tovo John Simpson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-simpson-b6114b59 John Simpson’s books are available below! Foundations of Patrol Rifle Marksmanship https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2T629L6 https://blue360media.com/products/foundations-of-patrol-rifle-marksmanship   Foundations of Sniper Marksmanship https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2T1QN2X https://blue360media.com/products/foundations-of-sniper-marksmanship   Snipers Notebook Send check or money order for $30.00* to: Simpsonian Institute 2774 N. Cobb Parkway, Suite 109 #141 Kennesaw, GA 30144   For more information, contact the author at: [email protected] * This pricing includes shipping within the United States. GA residents add 4% sales tax. Copy of police or military ID required for purchase. Orders will not be processed without a copy of your credentials. Add $10.00 for a Supplementary CD-ROM that expands on the book. International sales please contact for shipping prices.

Original Recording Date: 2026OCT02. Co-host Sgt. Ben Klick (Ret.), Canadian Armed Forces Audio editing by Stephanie Bosch. Views and opinions of the participants are their own.   Find #TheQuietProfessional across all podcast platforms and more content through the convenient Linktree ▶️ https://linktr.ee/tqp780 ◀️   Guests: Dr. Andrew Burtch has been the Historian, Post-1945 at the Canadian War Museum (CWM) since 2006. His main areas of research include Cold War history, nuclear civil defence, United Nations peacekeeping missions, the Korean War, war and memory, and oral history. Dr. Burtch is one of the key voices in the CWM’s podcast series, The Long War: Canada in Afghanistan.   Topics: In 2001, Canada went to war in Afghanistan. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States, Canada joined a coalition to pursue al-Qaeda and unseat the Taliban. Canadians served across Afghanistan, from the rural battlefields of Kandahar to the bustling city of Kabul, until 2014 when Canada ended its presence there.   More than 40,000 Canadians served in Afghanistan. More than a thousand were wounded. A diplomat and 158 soldiers died.   The consequences of the war in Afghanistan continue to ripple through our politics, the military, and the lives of those who served. The Long War: Canada in Afghanistan tells their stories. We examine why Canada went to war in Afghanistan, what happened there, and the war’s complicated legacy.   References & Resources: Canadian War Museum, The Long War: Canada in Afghanistan — website and social media: https://www.warmuseum.ca/dod/podcasts/the-long-war Canadian War Museum, In Their Own Voices exhibit website: https://www.warmuseum.ca/your-stories/in-their-own-voices Ripples of War: The Canadian Veteran Experience, from UBC Press: https://www.ubcpress.ca/ripples-of-war   

Original Recording Date: 2026OCT01. Audio editing by Stephanie Bosch. Views and opinions of the participants are their own.   Find #TheQuietProfessional across all podcast platforms and more content through the convenient Linktree ▶️ https://linktr.ee/tqp780 ◀️   Guests: Chris Aboussafy is a retired Phoenix Police Department officer with more than 31 years of law enforcement experience and the founder of Bishop One, a training organization built around Trapdoor Tactics and the Why Here, Why Now? risk assessment framework.   Topics: Inside the Modern Battlefield of Policing – From training grounds across the U.S. to the sharp edge of small-team tactics, Chris shares what is really shaping officer survival and performance today. The Cost of Waiting for a Crisis – Why does meaningful training so often arrive only after tragedy strikes? We examine the enduring struggle between front-line realities and organizational inertia, and ask whether the cycle can ever be broken. Mental Management Wins the Fight First – Before tactics, tools, or physical skill, there is mindset. Chris explains why mental preparation is often the deciding factor between control and chaos, and how neglecting it can put officers, partners, and the public at risk.   References & Resources: Bishop One website: https://www.bishoponetraining.com/ Bishop One on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bishoponetraining/ Chris’ book, Why Here, Why Now?: Assessing Risk Without All the Clutter on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0aGfu0pq Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-aboussafy-84a29785/   

Original Recording Date: 2026SEP16. Audio editing by Stephanie Bosch. Views and opinions of the participants are their own.   Find #TheQuietProfessional across all podcast platforms and more content through the convenient Linktree ▶️ https://linktr.ee/tqp780 ◀️   Guests: Miranda Spivack is a veteran reporter and editor who spent 20 years at the Washington Post. She is the award-winning author of Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back.   Topics: Backroom Deals in Our Backyards – A journey into the shadows behind Miranda’s investigations, exposing the hidden influence shaping communities from behind closed doors. Meet the ordinary people who chose to stand up when looking away would have been easier. The Walls Around Information – From trade secrets to deliberate cover-ups, powerful barriers are built to keep the truth out of reach. We examine the tactics used to control the narrative and silence scrutiny. The Cost of Fighting Back – The price of resistance goes far beyond money or personal risk. When reputations are attacked and those you're fighting for turn against you, the battle can become a lonely one.   References & Resources: Miranda’s website: https://www.mirandaspivack.com/ Miranda on Substack: https://backroomdeals.substack.com/ Book info: https://thenewpress.org/books/backroom-deals-in-our-backyards/ Use discount code ‘Backroom30’ at checkout. Buy the book at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/backroom-deals-in-our-backyards-how-government-secrecy-harms-our-communities-and-the-local-heroes-fighting-back-miranda-s-spivack/a8d510bdbc184f26  

Original Recording Date: 2026SEP16. Audio editing by Stephanie Bosch. Views and opinions of the participants are their own.   Find #TheQuietProfessional across all podcast platforms and more content through the convenient Linktree ▶️ https://linktr.ee/tqp780 ◀️   Guest: Joe Adam George is a researcher at the Middle East Forum where he covers the Muslim Brotherhood and allied Islamist groups, their illicit activities in Canada, and their impact on North American security. His work has been featured in major outlets like the CBC, CTV News, National Post, The Globe and Mail, and The Hill.   Topics: The Muslim Brotherhood — A stark descent into the movement’s origins, its shifting ideologies, and the quiet influence it projects across borders. Legitimization & Financing — From infiltration to subversion, the machinery behind radicalization moves in shadows. The networks, the money, the unanswered questions, and the unsettling reality of how few are truly watching. Canada’s Response — Or Its Silence — While other nations confront these threats head‑on, Canada drifts in hesitation. Identification, action, accountability: all overdue in a landscape where complacency carries consequences.   References & Resources: Joe at the Middle East Forum: https://www.meforum.org/joe-adam-george Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeadamgeorge Joe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeadamgeorge/ Joe on X: https://x.com/JoeAdamGeorge  ISGAP Report: https://isgap.org/post/2026/08/new-isgap-report-examines-systemic-islamist-influence-in-canadian-civil-society-and-higher-education/   

Original Recording Date: 2026SEP15. Audio editing by Stephanie Bosch. Views and opinions of the participants are their own.   Find #TheQuietProfessional across all podcast platforms and more content through the convenient Linktree ▶️ https://linktr.ee/tqp780 ◀️   Guests: Joe Gamaldi is a Lieutenant with the Houston Police Department and serves as the National Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police, representing the interests of law enforcement officers nationwide.   Topics: Violence Against Police – The threat is real. The numbers are rising. And much of it never makes the headlines. Here is part of the reality of violence against police, from physical attacks on the street to the psychological battles that can follow officers home. The U.S. Landscape & Canadian Comparators – Two countries. One profession. Different landscapes, different challenges, but a bond forged in the same mission: to protect and serve. We examine where our experiences intersect, where they diverge, and what we can learn from each other across the border. Misinformation, Disinformation & Controlling the Narrative – When truth becomes a casualty of political spin, manufactured outrage, and competing agendas, controlling the narrative becomes part of the battle. We dig into the information war, and the forces fighting for power, influence, and money. Officer Safety & Health – The job doesn’t end when the shift does. Survival means staying squared away in every aspect of life. Your physical health, mental resilience, family, and community all matter. Because the mission is impossible if the person behind the badge falls apart.   References & Resources: FOP Profile for Joe: https://fop.net/profile/joe-gamaldi/ Joe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joegamaldi Joe on X: https://x.com/JoeGamaldi   

NOTE: Due to tech issues this episode will only be available in audio. Original Recording Date: 2026AUG28. Audio editing by Stephanie Bosch. Views and opinions of the participants are their own.   Find #TheQuietProfessional across all podcast platforms and more content through the convenient Linktree ▶️ https://linktr.ee/tqp780 ◀️   Guest: Sarah Jezek is a survivor advocate and technology founder working at the intersection of AI, digital safety, and systemic harm. Drawing on her experience navigating Canada’s criminal justice system, she co-founded The Survivor Collective, focused on prevention, survivor support, and systemic change. Her work explores how emerging technologies are reshaping online sexual harms, survivor privacy, evidence, and accountability. She also builds survivor-centered technology, including First Step and survivorneeds.org, designed to close the gap between harm and support.   Topics: When Justice Becomes the Next Battle — Navigating a system that can leave survivors with more challenges than answers. We examine the gaps, the hard lessons learned through experience, and what it takes to turn those failures into real, sustainable solutions. What Does Accountability Really Mean? — Confronting the difficult question of offender management: rehabilitation, deterrence, punishment, and the role both civil and criminal processes can play from holding offenders accountable to preventing further harm. The Victim After the Crime — Shifting the focus from what happened to what happens next. How do we empower victims navigating the system today, while building stronger protections to stop others from becoming victims tomorrow?   References & Resources: Sarah Jezek’s personal website: https://sarahjezek.ca/ Sarah’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sarahjezek The Survivor Collective: http://www.thesurvivorcollective.org/ Survivor Collective on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesurvivorcollective/ Survivor Collective on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/the-survivor-collective  

Original Recording Date: 2026AUG21. Co-host Peter Forcelli Audio editing by Stephanie Bosch. Views and opinions of the participants are their own.   Find #TheQuietProfessional across all podcast platforms and more content through the convenient Linktree ▶️ https://linktr.ee/tqp780 ◀️   Guests: Michael Gier is an award-winning director & producer. In 2009 Michael started Gier Productions, LLC, a full-service global production company. Over the years he’s directed/produced hundreds of TV commercials, corporate videos, short films, feature films, and documentaries. Michael began production on The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11 in early 2022.   Peter Forcelli is a retired ATF Deputy Assistant Director and former N.Y.P.D. homicide detective. Also, Peter is a survivor of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, and the lung cancer that he later developed because of his work in the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. He is a recurring guest speaker at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.   Topics: As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, award winning Director and Producer Michael Gier is here to discuss his new film, “The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph”, narrated by Gary Sinise. The film has already won several awards and is now available on several platforms including Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Google TV.   References & Resources: Website for “The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph”, narrated by Gary Sinise: https://heroismandresiliency.com/ Michael Gier’s website and social media links: https://www.michaelgier.com/ Gier Productions website and social media links: https://www.gierproductions.com/ Peter Forcelli’s website and social media: https://www.peterjforcelli.com/ The Deadly Path by Peter Forcelli on Amazon: https://a.co/d/03GaH8Qc