July and August proved to be a back-to-back stretch of travel, training, and connecting with some of the best negotiators in the country. I had the privilege of presenting The Monday Morning Mom case study, one of those scenarios that refuses to fit neatly into a box. First at the Indiana Association of Hostage Negotiators conference in Fishers, and then again a few weeks later at the Midwest Crisis Negotiators Conference in Columbus, Ohio.
Indiana: Kicking Off with Purpose
The Indiana conference opened in a way that immediately reminded everyone why we do what we do. The Bloomington Police Department Honor Guard posted the colors, setting the tone for the week with precision and pride. Over 225 negotiators filled the room, a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh faces eager to learn, connect, and sharpen their craft.
I was honored to kick off the week as the Monday morning keynote, diving straight into The Monday Morning Mom, a case that started as an overnight crime spree and spiraled into an overnight hostage ordeal involving a 36-year-old mother, unexpected third-party intermediaries, and one twist that blindsided even the most experienced among us.
This case isn’t just about tactics; it’s about command decision-making, communication flow, and how to prepare your team for the unpredictable. We discussed the hazards of relying on third parties, the critical skill of talking directly with hostages, and the need to train supervisors and commanders to think and listen like negotiators.
FBI, AI, and K9s
My good friend and FBI National Crisis Negotiation Course classmate, Supervisory Special Agent Issac Nichols, followed up with a forward-thinking presentation on Artificial Intelligence and Negotiations. A conversation that’s becoming more relevant by the day. From predictive analysis to AI-assisted communication tools, his insights pushed the room to think about where our profession is headed and how technology can support, not replace human connection.
And, as if the lineup wasn’t already strong, we were joined throughout the week by some very special guests: Therapy and Electronic Detection K9s from across Indiana. Coal, Orla, Finn, and Daisy made their rounds during breaks, providing a kind of comfort only dogs can. It was a simple reminder that wellness and resilience aren’t side notes, they’re part of the mission.
Midwest: Bigger Stage, Broader Reach
Just a few weeks later, I took The Monday Morning Mom to the Midwest Crisis Negotiators Conference in Columbus, Ohio, where over 400 negotiators from 13 states came together. The energy in that ballroom was electric, a mix of Midwestern humility and professional pride that defines this region. The conversations stretched far beyond the sessions from hallway debriefs to late-night discussions about training philosophies, wellness initiatives, and how to keep our teams ready for whatever comes next.
The Midwest event also provided a chance to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and swap plenty of patches and challenge coins. The unofficial currency of our community. Every patch tells a story, and every coin represents a shared mission, a long night, or a life saved.
Lessons That Stick
Presenting this case in back-to-back conferences reminded me that, no matter the state or agency, we all face the same challenges: communication breakdowns, emotional fatigue, and the unpredictable nature of human crisis. But what stood out in both Indiana and Ohio, was the collective commitment to keep getting better.
The Monday Morning Mom case always brings the room in close. It forces us to talk about what happens when the playbook falls apart, when the command post starts to wobble, and when we’re left to rely on instinct, experience, and each other. Those moments raw and uncomfortable as they can be are where the real learning happens.
As I packed up my gear at the end of each conference, a stack of new patches in my bag and a full heart, I couldn’t help but think about the value of these gatherings. They aren’t just conferences they’re reunions of purpose. We show up to teach, but we always leave having learned something new.