Episode #46
How I Beat Sheriff Joe Arpaio After Losing Once | Paul Penzone
Former Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone lost once to Sheriff Joe Arpaio after getting outspent 13 to 1. His wife heard him complaining at the TV, took his man card, and told him to step up again. He did. Then he won by 13 points. Paul tells Mike Lindstrom and Scott Leese the part most people never hear. He was a volunteer bailiff in high school. He spent 21 years at Phoenix PD. He ran as a Democrat after Republican strategists told him he had no shot. He refused to endorse anybody, including two presidential candidates, because he did not want the badge used as a political weapon. His first week on the job, a naked woman stole a patrol car in Casa Grande. A deputy grabbed a blanket to cover her. She jumped in the car and took off. That is the job. Paul also gets into the hard stuff. Culture over entertainment. Why he closed the circus around Tent City and pink jumpsuits. Why deadly force is not a choice, it is the lack of a choice. Why cameras and tools can steal the skill of talking someone into handcuffs. And what it costs a family when you have to knock on a door and tell a wife she is a widow. If you have ever been told you cannot win, this one will sit with you. Topics Covered Paul’s path from Trenton, New Jersey to Cortez High School and Phoenix PD The courtroom summers that taught him to seek the truth and speak the truth Why he will not let a bully have the last word The living room fight with his wife that launched the race against Joe Arpaio Losing in 2012 by four points, then getting a birthday job rejection that sent him back Election night 2016 with no TVs, no radios, and 35 people in a sandwich shop Joe Arpaio’s concession call after 24 years in office The first change he made as sheriff: culture Why law enforcement should work like a good referee, not a reality show Cameras, Big Brother, and what happens when discretion disappears How body cams and 2020 changed an officer’s instincts on a stop Tasers versus talking, and why he never once maced anyone “The use of deadly force is not a choice. It is the lack of a choice.” Leaving the badge without letting the title eat your identity Praying the rosary, Sundays with no detail, and four line-of-duty death notifications The bathroom stall at D-backs stadium and what it costs to be “on” everywhere The mantra: do not live for the approval of people Chapters 00:00 First week as sheriff, a naked lady steals a patrol car 01:27 Welcome to What’s Your Story with Mike and Scott 02:25 Paul’s story, from Trenton to Phoenix PD 04:22 Volunteer bailiff and seeking the truth 06:31 Why he never backed down from bullies 08:38 Taking on Sheriff Joe Arpaio 13:08 Losing in 2012, then running again 16:12 Election night 2016 with no TVs 18:42 Joe Arpaio’s concession call 19:40 Culture over entertainment 22:46 Cameras, Big Brother, and discretion 24:42 How body cams changed everyday stops 28:49 Deadly force is the lack of a choice 29:22 Leaving the badge without losing yourself 31:48 Family, faith, and knocking on a widow’s door 35:15 The bathroom stall and being “on” as sheriff 37:17 The mantra he lives by 38:32 Outro If this one hit, subscribe and send it to somebody who still thinks one person cannot move a machine that big. Then tell us in the comments. When did somebody tell you that you had no shot, and what did you do with that? Thanks for watching! If this episode moved you, hit LIKE, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw stories, mindset shifts, and real conversations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning! TikTok: tiktok.com/@whatsyourstorypod_com Instagram: instagram.com/whatsyourstorypod_com X: x.com/WYSPodcast_com Facebook: facebook.com/WhatsYourStoryPod This episode is sponsored by e3 wealth . If you need someone to help build your financial future, check out their website, and tell them Mike & Scott sent you. Mike's Website: mikelindstrom.com Scott's Website: scottleeseconsulting.com NEW WEBSITE! whatsyourstorypod.com
