Choir Practice Podcast

Hosted by Brian Parker

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Episodes

251

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

First Responders, and Public Servants, share the most extraordinary experiences from their careers. Here on Choir Practice our mission is to preserve our guests personal legacies for friends and family, sharing their stories for anyone who might be curious or interested in a career in public service.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 12, 2026Episode 2412 hr 11 min

Gary Youngling (1st ever guest on Choir Practice, Ep. 1)

Send us Fan MailHere's another "Best of" and the guy who helped me get this show off the ground! Retired Fairfax County Detective Gary Youngling!Published author, in retirement he worked training the National Police Force in Haiti, trained security personnel for the '96 Olympic Games in Atlanta and he deployed as a civilian contractor to the Middle East! He's had quite the life and continues to write and travel.If you haven't caught it already, take a listen because he had quite the career!Come see me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/choir.practice.94 or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cp_sfaf/

August 5, 2026Episode 2402 hr 36 min

Ben Frie (Current Lieutenant Tucson Police, SWAT, USMC)

Send us Fan MailBen agreed to be on the show before I realized he was NOT retired! At the time, he was a Sergeant, but in true Ben Frie fashion he just didn't care. He's a "wordsmith," he's never had much of a filter and you can always count on Ben to just say what's on his mind.It made working the downtown district with him very interesting to say the least! But, as you'll hear in this "Best Of" episode is that Ben started out his working life as a Marine, then joined the City of Tucson where he has continued to move up the department while having some very significant police experiences along the way...Turn him up so you don't miss any of his tales and enjoy the show! I appreciate you all for tuning in.Come see me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/choir.practice.94 or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cp_sfaf/

July 29, 2026Episode 2392 hr 54 min

Lillian George [Episode 10] (Retired Pima County Sheriff Detective)

Send us Fan MailMaybe it's the summertime heat? Vacation schedules? I'm still on the hunt for new victims to be on the show... If you know someone retired from Law Enforcement, dispatch, firefighting, EMT, doctor, nurse, or the military who is in Arizona or is AZ adjacent, willing to travel and has a few good stories to share...send them my way! With the exception of a few die hard fans, I don't honestly believe everyone listens to every single episode I release!!! There has been a lot of content over 4.5 years! So this week, I've reached back to the first year of the show to grab this "best of."This guest right here? Certifiable badass! And I know she'll give me grief for saying so, but Lillian George made an impression on me and I was honored to have had the opportunity to work with her. Even more so to consider her a friend and sister in law enforcement!So, if you are one of the listeners who has not listened to this episode yet...she'll make you proud to know she wore the badge, carried the gun, and distinguished herself in a career field that rarely takes it easy on those who choose this profession.Come see me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/choir.practice.94 or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cp_sfaf/

July 22, 2026Episode 2383 hr 32 min

Maxie Ridgeway (Retired Tucson Police Detective, USAF)

Send us Fan MailMax and I worked in Special Investigations from 2001-2002. Our squad did the undercover deals and his squad did the Detective work on the prosecution of our cases.He's a genuine nice guy so, if you check out his pictures on FB or Instagram it's kind of hard to believe he did some UC work himself throughout his career.Take a listen, I think you're going to enjoy getting to know Max. He now holds the record for the longest travel to be on the show...he came from Florida to visit friends and hang out for a few hours.Give him a warm welcome and let me know what you thought of his stories! Come see me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/choir.practice.94 or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cp_sfaf/

July 15, 2026Episode 2373 hr 36 min

Joe Knipp redux (Retired Pima County Sheriff Sgt, Retired San Diego PD Motor, USMC)

Send us Fan MailAs I stated before, I've been traveling quite a bit for work, so I tried to grab some of the more popular episodes, craziest characters, and entertaining story tellers. If you have listened to this podcast for any length of time, you know there is no bigger "character" than Joe Knipp.This here is his first of many interviews. I appreciate his company, his sense of humor and the "Plethora" (he'll love that I used that word) of stories he collected over the many years.Come see me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/choir.practice.94 or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cp_sfaf/

July 8, 2026Episode 2363 hr 34 min

Ari Sloane (Tucson Police, Undercover, Hostage Negotiator, Corporate Security for local Power company and Bouldercrest Guide)

Send us Fan MailAs I said last week, I'm still traveling for work...Occasionally, we like to be introspective about our introspection and bring back an oldie but a goodie! Ari is one of the kindest dude's I know, musically talented and he still serves the first responder/ Veteran community now working as a PATHH guide for Bouldercrest.If I must share a member of my coveted Squad, it's hard to find a better guy!!! Please enjoy the show and give Ari some love this week!Come see me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/choir.practice.94 or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cp_sfaf/

July 1, 2026Episode 2353 hr 8 min

Jason Bentley (Tucson Police Officer, K9 Handler, SWAT operator, Bouldercrest Foundation Guide)

Send us Fan MailJason and I grew up on the same department, but never crossed paths until Bouldercrest Foundation's Warrior PATTH 150. He recently retired and I knew I wanted him on the show.It's no surprise that he joined with Bouldercrest and continues to serve even after his career with the police department is done.I appreciated his perspective about his career, the cool stories along the way, and the moves he made to continue to grow.Show him some love and enjoy the ride...Come see me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/choir.practice.94 or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cp_sfaf/

June 24, 2026Episode 2343 hr 56 min

Bob Krygier Part 2 (Retired Pima County Sheriff Lieutenant, SWAT, Border Crimes, Night Detectives, Bicycle patrol)

Send us Fan MailBob and I sat down for a pretty healthy "second round" to wrap up his career. About a week later he texts me and says, "I can't believe I totally forgot to mention the worst call I've ever had! It included dead bodies, animals, and it dragged on for so long I had to receive several IVs for hydration to make it through."He came back a third time and I managed to find a nice little place to squeeze this story in. Listen in and see if you can tell...I appreciate Bob's friendship over the last 30 years. Our friendship is much like many other of my law enforcement buddies. We go years without seeing one another, but pick right back up where we left off when we meet back up.I hope you all enjoy this one, Bob's a good man and he served this community with integrity and honor for multiple decades. Come see me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/choir.practice.94 or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cp_sfaf/

June 17, 2026Episode 2333 hr 14 min

Albert Echave (USAF Security Forces, Retired Town of Bisbee Police Chief)

Send us Fan MailI was happy to have Albert back...HIs first episode covered growing up in Bisbee, becoming a Police Explorer, then joining the AirForce to get some experience and age under his belt. We wrapped that episode discussing how he was initially hired as a dispatcher prior to being hired as a police officer...In this episode we dig deeper into the capers, chases, and the path that ultimately led him to becoming the Chief. That little Town faced some hard times but they persevered and Albert was able to put his stamp on his home town and the police department.He has since moved on and enjoys a career in Emergency management post-law enforcement. I honored to know him and glad to share him again with you all.Come see me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/choir.practice.94 or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cp_sfaf/

June 10, 2026Episode 2322 hr 27 min

James Allerton Pt2 (Retired Pima County Sheriff Department- Patrol, Detective, Border Crimes, PIO, Tucson Airport Authority Police, 88-Crime Program Coordinator)

Send us Fan MailFrom Patrol to PIO (Episode Description)In Part 2 of our conversation with James Allerton, we go deeper into the real-world intersections between frontline policing, investigative work, and the way those stories reach the public. James—whose career spans patrol, border crimes, detective work, and serving as a public information officer—breaks down how operational realities shape the narratives the media run with, how PIOs and journalists can build productive trust without sacrificing accountability, and what local newsrooms should know when covering complex policing topics.Tune in, show him some love and enjoy the show!Come see me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/choir.practice.94 or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cp_sfaf/