The Next Shift Podcast
This is a podcast dedicated to serving current and former law enforcement, by sharing the stories of my own personal transition out of law enforcement, lessons learned through the transition and since, as well as the stories of officers who’ve also transitioned out, their significant others to gain that perspective, and resources for embracing their Next Shift.
It is MY mission to help YOU remember who you are/were behind the badge by helping you REdiscover your identity, REdefine your purpose, and REignite your passions so that you can create the life you WANT to live.
Episodes
119 episodes
This MIGHT be why you feel stuck
Welcome to the next to last show of season 4!I didn’t record last week and it wasn't because I didn't have anything to say (we all know that's never a problem) or that I didn’t care… but because I just didn’t have the capacity. ...
Why it's important to expect the unexpected
This week's episode is a chat with Travis Powell...a retired LEO, Marine Corps Veteran, husband, and father...who is now in his second post LE career. Travis and I connected on LinkedIn back in 2023, while he was in the midst of pla...
Preparing to transition...do these 3 things
Over the past 10 years out of LE and the past 3 years working with those preparing for/going through...or struggling with the transition...I've learned a few things. This episode is for those thinking about and/or preparing for the ...
Tell me about your Next SHIFT
This episode is one that I love to do, but haven't done in awhile. There is a form at the link in my bio on both LinkedIn and Instagram, that I created back in 2022, when I first thought of Next Shift. Over the years, people randoml...
Unprepared for the transition
This week's episode is a conversation with David Berez, a retired LEO turned Founder of Six4 Consultants, an author, and media consultant.David worked at his campus PD in college and as an EMT, then became a cop at 24 years old. He worke...
A career-ending call, that was almost life-ending...twice
This week's episode is an important and impactful conversation with Meagan McCarthy...a former Deputy from California, with one helluva story. One thing I love about Meagan's story, is that she is still figuring out what life after law enforcem...
A career ended before it even got started
This week's episode is a chat with Chris Samayoa, a prior LEO who lost his career just one week into FTO and is now an associate therapist for first responders. There was a time, I wouldn't have believed this kind of thing could hap...
Medical retirement: A career cut short
This week's episode is a conversation with another one of my favorite people I've met through this journey...and YES, it WAS on LinkedIn!Caitlin (Cait) Thomas is a former Federal LEO with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), who had h...
Kurt's Next Shift
This week's episode is a chat with my guy, Kurt Hoffler...a retired LEO turned Video Content Strategist and a regular member of the monthly DEBRIEF call. Kurt's exudes positive energy, is always encouraging others to lean into their...
Retirement doesn't always mean a slow down
This week's episode is a conversation with Betsy Smith, aka Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith, and boy does she have some spunk! It was such a fun convo and we touched on some topics we haven't necessarily covered on this show...like being ...
Blue Cancer Connect
This week's episode is a conversation with Vickie Speed, Founder of Blue Cancer Connect and widow of LASD Detective Mitch Speed.I don't know a single person who has not been impacted by cancer in one way or another. I want this episode t...
FIRED. It COULD happen to YOU w/Sarah Patterson
This week's episode is a conversation with Sarah Patterson, prior Sergeant with LAPD. I first heard her story on The IA Guy podcast and was flabbergasted with what I heard. You can listen to that episode, after this one,
Retirement doesn't always mean retired
This week's episode is a conversation with Cary Goldberg... a retired LEO, a veteran, and now the Director of Business Management with Starchase.Cary walks us through his journey of growing up in Northern Virginia, realizing a four year ...
PTSD is not a life sentence w/Dr. Erica Birkley
This week's episode is an incredible conversation with Dr. Erica Birkley, who was actually recommended by a prior guest and friend, Chris Perry. He credits Dr. Birkley with helping him heal and get to where he is. You can check out his episode,...
Courtney Lesiak - Former Recruiter and Prior LEO
If you're looking to transition out of law enforcement in 2026...this episode is for YOU. This week's episode is a chat with Courtney Lesiak, a former recruiter turned cop...and now former LEO, who's also a mom and wife to a now for...
Closing out 2025 w/reflections & intentions
WE MADE IT!Another year has come and gone, can you believe it?! This is a solo episode that I thought would be about 20 minutes and ended up being 48-ish minutes because this topic gets me fired up. It may be helpful to have ...
Reminders for this season
This is a short and sweet episode, mainly thanking you for being here and wishing you a very Merry Christmas, along with a safe and happy New Year. I share a couple of tips that can help during this season of hustle and bustle, incl...
"Go build your tomorrow, today" w/Patrick Faulkner
This week's episode is a chat with Patrick Faulkner, about his journey from law enforcement to entrepreneurship, due to an off duty injury.Patrick is a prior LEO turned entrepreneur and podcast host of the Knock and Talk Show. He served ...
Everything you need to know about EMDR
This week's episode is a conversation with Destiny Morris, LMFT and it is another one that you are not going to want to miss! It took a direction I didn't expe...
A mid-career decision...know what you're running from
This week's episode is a conversation with one of my favorite people I've met through LinkedIn, Chad Bruckner. If you don't follow him, I encourage you to. This is such an important conve...
A message of GRATITUDE for YOU
This is a SHORT, simple episode, all about GRATITUDE and how seriously life-changing it can be. This episode is mostly me sharing my gratitude for YOU...the listener, the sharer, and the guest (aka Hope Dealer).This podcast w...
Retirement feels like free falling w/Dan Murphy
This week's episode is a conversation with Dan Murphy, a retired LEO out of NYPD, turned business owner and co-host of the incredible podcast, Gold Shields.One...
Therapy is a COLLABORATIVE process w/Dr. Brooke Bartlett
This week's episode is an incredible conversation with Dr. Brooke Bartlett, a military and public safety Psychologist, as well as a nationwide speaker, trainer, consultant. On a more personal level, she is a lover of dogs, heavy met...
From cop to public safety consultant
This week's episode is a chat with one of my favorite people I've met on LinkedIn, Tim Kucerovy. Not only does he boldly challenge the status quo...he is proof that you do NOT have to retire from LE in order to consult with LE agencies. There i...
Don't wait for life AFTER law enforcement to have a life OUTSIDE law enforcement
This week's episode is a solo episode and full of some gut punches that have been circling in my mind lately, starting with the title of this episode. You do NOT have to wait until life AFTER law enforcement to have a life OUTSIDE o...