PoliceTrainingHQ - Episode 11 - Lessons From The 10 Minute Trainer

In this episode, Walt Bauer and Mike Hughes go full nerd (their words) to unpack powerful takeaways from The 10-Minute Trainer by Sharon Bowman—a book that’s transformed the way they teach police recruits and instructors.

They break down:

• Why attention span isn’t just a student problem—it’s a brain issue

• How to use teach-backs, memory palaces, and ticket-out-the-door strategies for lasting retention

• The science behind intentional focus and why it fades fast

• How breaking instruction into chunks can increase learning without sacrificing depth

• Real classroom examples from use-of-force, search and seizure, and constitutional law training

• Why instructors must earn attention, not demand it

They also introduce the idea of “cognitive investment”—when students are not just listening but mentally engaged in ways that improve recall and decision-making under pressure.

Mentioned in this episode:
The 10-Minute Trainer by Sharon Bowman (not affiliated, just a great resource):
🔗 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0787996629

Want to see this material applied to police training?

Check out the Police Trainers’ Playbook, a short, low-cost reference filled with 40 use examples:
🔗 https://www.policetraininghq.com/shop

From nerding out over myelination to testing smarter—not harder—this episode is packed with tools you can use immediately.

🎧 Listen now. Apply today. Train smart.