Mugshot with Chris Ausec
Welcome to Mugshot, the podcast where real stories meet real life. Hosted by former hostage negotiator Chris Ausec, each episode features influential figures from all walks of life who step into the spotlight to share their most gripping stories. From harrowing tales of true crime, to edge-of-your-seat personal experiences, each guest reveals moments that shaped their lives and careers. Tune in for an unfiltered look into the dark, thrilling, and sometimes shocking realities behind the headlines, told by those who lived them. If you’re fascinated by the intersection of power, crime, and human resilience, Mugshot is the podcast that will keep you hooked.
Episodes

Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Join Chris Ausec and veteran paranormal investigator Clarissa Vazquez as they explore the mysteries of the supernatural. From debunking common myths to sharing spine-tingling stories from Colorado's haunted hotspots, Clarissa offers over 30 years of insight into ghost hunting, psychic phenomena, and ethical investigation practices. Discover the tools of the trade, the truth behind paranormal TV shows, and the eerie concept of Geographic Psychic Trauma. Plus, Clarissa discusses her latest book, Generational Curse, and the personal journey that led her into the unknown.
New book Generational Curse can be found on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Generational-Curse-Clarissa-Vazquez/dp/B0F3JS8QWM

Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
In this gripping episode, former officers Chris Ausec and Nick Hartbauer dive deep into the emotional and psychological complexities behind two high-profile true crime stories: the tragic case of Gabby Petito and the chilling Netflix documentary American Nightmare. Drawing from years of experience in law enforcement, they offer powerful insights into high conflict personalities, the struggles police face in identifying true victims, and the devastating consequences of misjudgment. This conversation explores how emotional manipulation, behavioral misreads, and systemic gaps can obscure the truth—and why empathy, training, and a deeper understanding of conflict are essential to real justice.
Book Recommendations by Nick: -5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life: Identifying and Dealing with Narcissists, Sociopaths, and Other High-Conflict Personalities - Bill Eddy -Splitting: Protecting Yourself While Divorcing Someone with Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorder - Bill Eddy -Dating Radar: Why Your Brain Says Yes to "The One" Who Will Make Your Life Hell - Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter

Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
After her husband’s sudden death, Danielle McCarthy expected grief—not betrayal. What she uncovered instead was a shocking funeral home scandal tied to illegal body brokering, a broken justice system, and a battle for truth no one should ever have to fight. This episode dives into the dark underbelly of an industry few dare to question and one woman’s fight to bring light to it.

Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
In this episode, Chris Burns, a veteran law enforcement officer and candidate for City Council District 5 of Colorado Springs, delves into the growing issue of police officer attrition. Drawing from his 24 years of experience with the Colorado Springs Police Department, Burns explores why so many officers are leaving, and the crucial role city council can play in addressing these challenges. From improving officer pay and training to ensuring better department support, Burns offers insights on how leadership can make a meaningful impact on public safety.

Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
In this episode, we sit down with Tawny Meyers, a seasoned mental health professional with a diverse career that spans law enforcement and media. Tawny's career path is truly unique — from being a former news producer at NBC to working on the front lines of mental health crisis intervention with the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Community Response Team.
In her role with the team, Tawny responded to calls involving individuals in crisis, helping police officers navigate mental health situations with care and understanding. Tawny also served with the Pueblo Police Department in a similar capacity and honed her skills as a trained crisis negotiator.
Tune in as Tawny opens up about her journey, the critical role mental health professionals play in law enforcement, and how her background in news production has shaped her perspective on crisis communication. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on mental health, crisis response, and the intersection of law enforcement and care.

Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
https://www.rockymountainranchresearch.org/
https://www.youtube.com/@RockyMountainRanchResear-cm1tk
From History Channel’s Beyond Skinwalker to The UnXplained with William Shatner, our guest, Katie Paige, is no stranger to the world of high strangeness. In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Katie, the CEO of Rocky Mountain Ranch Research and co-host of the UAP Studies Podcast. Katie’s journey into ufology was sparked by her personal connection to the infamous “Rocky Mountain Ranch” (formerly the “Clearview Ranch”) in Colorado—a location steeped in mystery that predates Skinwalker Ranch by over a decade. This ranch became the focal point of Katie’s search for answers to her own unexplainable experiences, as she digs deep into the strange events surrounding the site.
Katie uncovers the ranch’s pivotal role in UFO folklore, sharing her passion and extensive research aimed at unveiling the truth. As a seasoned investigator, Katie has been featured across multiple platforms, including Travel Channel’s UFO Witness and Gaia’s Beyond Belief. She’s also the author of Letters of Love & Light, a collection of UFO encounters co-authored with renowned ufologist R. Leo Sprinkle, Ph.D. Currently, Katie is working on her much-anticipated book, The Rocky Mountain Ranch – Crafts, Cattle, Cryptids, and Cover-Ups, which promises to expose even more secrets behind this enigmatic location.

Thursday Jan 16, 2025
Thursday Jan 16, 2025
In this episode, we’re joined by Colin Piazza, a former homicide detective who’s now pioneering the world of digital investigations. As the Founder and CEO of Social Slooth Inc., Colin uses social media and cutting-edge tools to solve cases for Fortune 500 companies, law firms, and private investigators. From cracking cold cases to redefining how investigations are done in the digital age, Colin’s unique expertise blends traditional law enforcement with the power of technology. Tune in to hear how he's reshaping the future of investigations!

Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
In this captivating episode, we sit down with Mike Garnett, a former NYPD officer who made a remarkable transition to becoming a flight instructor and trainer for Air Force officers. Mike’s unique journey offers an incredible perspective on discipline, training, and leadership.
We also delve deep into the fascinating world of UFOs as Mike shares his personal experiences with aviation, military protocols, and the mysterious phenomena that continue to capture the public's imagination. The conversation also takes a turn toward the high-profile Daniel Penny case, where Mike provides his perspective on law enforcement and the complexities of such incidents in today's social climate. Tune in for a powerful discussion that blends the worlds of policing, aviation, and military training, all while offering a fresh take on some of today’s most intriguing topics.

Monday Dec 30, 2024
Monday Dec 30, 2024
In this captivating episode, we dive into the fascinating world of paranormal investigation with Clarissa Vazquez, founder of the Colorado Coalition of Paranormal Investigators (CCPI). A U.S. Air Force veteran turned renowned paranormal researcher, Clarissa shares her journey from her first eerie encounter while enlisted to altercations with demonic entities. As an accomplished author and a regular guest on major paranormal radio shows, she offers unique insights into ghost hunting, debunking myths, and her groundbreaking Phantom Hitchhiker Project. Tune in for an electrifying conversation about science, spirits, and the fearless pursuit of the unknown!

Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Chris dives into a world of thrilling, chilling, and downright bizarre stories pulled straight from the web—told by real police officers who lived through them. From heart-pounding encounters to mind-bending mysteries, he brings you the most jaw-dropping tales. Plus, he answers your burning questions with insight you won’t hear anywhere else!