The Brighter Side of Blue

08/11/2025

WILD STORIES of the St. Louis FBI…In this episode, retired FBI Special Agent Frank Brostrom takes us inside three intense and bizarre cases of his 27-year career — from going undercover as a hitman in St. Louis, to chasing a car-bomb suspect on Christmas Eve, to working the 1996 Atlanta Olympic bombing.

Frank shares:

1. Carolyn Brandon Murder-for-Hire Sting (1997)
-St. Louis woman uses a fake handyman ad to recruit a killer for her ex-husband. Frank goes undercover, recording her bizarre kill ideas

2. Henry Hersman – “Plane into the Arch” Hoax & Car Bomb (1992)
-Classic car dealer makes a false 911 call claiming his business partner is plotting to fly a plane into the Gateway Arch during Fair St. Louis. While out on bond, Hersman’s life spirals — domestic shootings, and finally ramming his in-laws’ home with a gasoline-filled car bomb.

3. 1996 Atlanta Olympic Bombing & St. Louis Fair Bomb Plot
-Just months out of FBI bomb tech school, Frank helps foil a Fair St. Louis truck bomb plot involving ex-Army suspects and military ordnance. Sent to Atlanta Olympics for bomb security — until the Centennial Olympic Park bombing changes everything. How drunken skateboarders accidentally saved lives, how a fellow bomb tech spotted the live device moments before detonation, and how the FBI’s early focus on Richard Jewell went wrong before Eric Rudolph was identified as the bomber.

From undercover stings and violent fugitives to major domestic terror cases, Frank’s stories give a raw, behind-the-scenes look at FBI work most people only see in movies.

Here’s a link to the episode. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FD7izBHGptg&list=PL7qkGeOGaod0P0csLKXHvxN0N1VymCtnu&index=1&pp=gAQBiAQB

08/10/2025

TBSOB PSA: 🚗Horn Etiquette: The Lost Art of Communication🚗

Let’s talk about something no one teaches in driver’s ed but absolutely should: horn etiquette.

We all have a horn, but nobody tells you when or how to use it. People need to know more about the horn and the responsibility that comes with its usage.

There are two main horn styles:

The Tap and the Blast.
And they say everything you need to know about the driver’s mood, personality, and probably their cholesterol level. Horn behavior is a mirror to the soul.

The Tap...
This is the polite horn. The friendly little “excuse me” of the road. Like a gentle nudge in a crowded hallway.
Beep-beep!
“Hey, light’s green!”
Beep-beep!
“Hey, your Starbucks fell off the roof of your car!”
It’s respectful. Civilized. It’s like saying, “I care about you… but also traffic is moving now, Susan.”

It’s the Namaste of horns. It's true--look it up

The Blast...
Then there’s the full-throated, vein-bursting, BLAAAAAARRRT!!!
This isn’t a horn. This is a declaration of war.
It says, “I hate you. I hate your family. I hate the GPS that brought you here.”

There’s no coming back from a blast.
You blast someone and now it’s personal.
You’ve just turned a four-way stop into a gladiator arena.
People are flipping each other off, dogs are barking, children are crying, your blood pressure’s at DEFCON 2, and we’re still sitting at a red light.

Horn etiquette needs to be taught...
Forget parallel parking—we need a 2-hour block called “Horn Usage 101.” Learn stuff like… Just because you’re running late doesn’t make the speed limit obeying driver ahead of you a “grandma” or “someone out for a Sunday drive”. Also learn the importance of leaving your unresolved issues out of your horn use decisions. Maybe a few scenario trainings

• Scenario: The guy in front is texting.
→ Correct move: gentle tap.
• Scenario: You almost got sideswiped by a clown car doing 90.
→ Appropriate response: firm honk with eye contact, maybe a stern head shake.
• Scenario: You’re mad at your boss and taking it out on the world?
→ No horn. Pull over. Eat a snack. Call your therapist.

We are calling on the DMV to install satellites to monitor everyone’s Tap to Blast ratio. A red flag system, if you will. Those exceeding the nationally acceptable 7:1, we need to check in on these people, maybe start out with a letter simply asking, “You okay?, your satellite horn data shows you’re mad a lot. We're here to help. May we suggest a clinical evaluation”. Emotional stability behind the wheel is often overlooked, it needs to be addressed.

Honestly, horn etiquette could save lives.
It could reduce road rage.
It could heal marriages that were destroyed because one spouse screamed “GO, GRANDMA!” at a very-much-not-grandma who had simply… paused.

A world where everyone uses the tap as their go-to vehicular communication, instead of the blast?

That’s a better world.

A happier world.

Share this with an angry driver🤬
🫵You know the one

A friendly PSA from TBSOB👍✌️

08/09/2025

A MESSAGE FROM JJ...As many know, recently, I was involved in an incident at the St. Louis soccer stadium that gained a lot of attention, and I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the overwhelming support I’ve received.

As a police officer, decisions we make in the heat of the moment are rarely black and white, and they don’t always make us the most popular person in the room. But we make those decisions based on the rules we are sworn to uphold and the safety of everyone around us.

While the video that surfaced only shows a small snippet of the situation, I want to assure everyone that the full context matters — like it always does. We’re not here to make things harder, but to protect and serve with respect and fairness to all.

Thank you to those who reached out with kind words and encouragement. It reminds me why I do this job — to serve my community with honor, even when the choices we make aren’t easy or universally understood.

To my fellow officers and supporters — your words mean a lot. It’s not always an easy job, but we stand together, and together we continue our efforts to make our communities safer places to live.

In closing, The Brighter Side of Blue Podcast fuggin rocks!! Communities that support law enforcement are safer places to live. Share the message and spread the word. 👍✌️

JJ

08/08/2025

🕊 In Honor and Remembrance: Officer Robert Stanze 🕊

End of Watch: August 8, 2000

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

Today marks 25 years since St. Louis Police Officer Robert Stanze "Bob" made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. On August 8, 2000, Bob was tragically killed while serving and protecting our city — a loss that still echoes deeply in the hearts of his family, fellow officers, and the community he served with courage and dedication.

Bob's commitment to making a difference and his unwavering sense of duty remind us of the daily risks law enforcement officers take to keep our communities safe. Bob was more than an officer with a badge — he was a husband, a father, a son, a friend. His life and legacy continue to inspire, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten.

💙 We honor you, Bob.

💐 We remember your service.

🙏 We stand with your family and all those who carry your memory forward.

08/07/2025

CORRECTED DATE....JJ goes Viral...AGAIN! In tonight’s episode, we dive into the viral video that’s making headlines—our very own host, JJ, at the center of controversy after removing a fan from a soccer game for wearing a Make America Great Again hat.

We’ll also uncover the rise of a terrifying new drug stronger than fentanyl—ISO—now creeping into the Midwest.

Plus, a wild case that began in St. Louis and ended in California with murder arrests tied to the illicit manufacturing of ma*****na extract, resulting in the deaths of five lab workers.

All that and more—don’t miss it.

08/05/2025

Stay Tuned!! This cartoon was provided to us by our most recent guest retired NYPD Detective Sergeant Rueben Duque, a friend of the show. In this interview, we step outside our usual St. Louis focus to talk with Rueben, a 22-year veteran of the force. Rueben shares his powerful experience working during 9/11, including the haunting memory of hearing a fellow officer call for help—knowing no one could reach her. We also discuss the recent tragic murder of NYPD Officer Didarul Islam. Rueben reflects on the mentors and leaders who shaped his career and even shares a humorous story from one of his more memorable arrests. We had a lot of fun with Rueben. Here's a link to our interview...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTjow0it-LE&t=136s

08/04/2025

Soooo, JJ thought this was his viral moment...wrong!😮😂. We ❤️ JJ!!

08/01/2025

We will be joined by retired Det. Sgt. Rueben Duque, a 27 year veteran of the NYPD. We will discuss working on 9/11. The recent murder of Didarul Islam. The NYC mayors over the years. Interesting cases he's worked. And other stories.

Also This Week in Crimes. WTF is a mondegreen? Who's a good booooiiiii? A record in car spiking. Does Danny like Norm Stewart THAT much? The story of Ralph Schwamb. And more

07/31/2025

Getting ready to go live. Danny and JJ are going to take a quick motorcycle ride before we start. IYKYK

07/31/2025

LIVE TONIGHT 7pm. We will be joined by retired Det. Sgt. Rueben Duque, a 27 year veteran of the NYPD. We will discuss working on 9/11. The recent murder of Didarul Islam. The NYC mayors over the years. Interesting cases he's worked. And other stories.

Also This Week in Crimes. WTF is a mondegreen? Who's a good booooiiiii? A record in car spiking. Does Danny like Norm Stewart THAT much? The story of Ralph Schwamb. And more

07/28/2025

07/27/2025

We would like to thank Governor Mike Kehoe for this video he did for us in honor of Nathan Spiess for our show with him last Thursday. Gov. Kehoe expressed gratitude and appreciation to Nathan, as well as, pay tribute to all law enforcement officers. We reached out to Gov. Kehoe several Mondays ago, told him he could take his time, he had this video to us on Tuesday. Again, thank you Governor Kehoe for your support of law enforcement.