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The Next Shift Podcast

The Next Shift Podcast

By: Jess Flores
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About this listen

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.

© 2025 The Next Shift Podcast
Career Success Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Leadership Management & Leadership Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Everything you need to know about EMDR
    Dec 10 2025

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    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 expect it to, but I'm okay with it because I truly believe it is going to help so many.

    Destiny is the daughter of a former cop, a dog mom, and a culturally competent licensed therapist. Due to the license she has, she can not only work with first responders, but also those working on marriage and family issues.

    Destiny grew up in a first responder household, while in grad school she dated a fireman and saw what the job can do to someone (couples), she then worked in a mental health hospital, where she saw first responders being treated in general population...which didn't seem right to her...and that was when she knew she needed to work with first responders. She then became EMDR trained and a trauma informed therapist...with a first responder certification.

    I asked Destiny to decode what the letters after her name and some of the others we currently see for those working with first responders, in the mental health space and to break down the process of starting/ending therapy, as well as digging into EMDR.

    Throughout the episode, Destiny reminded listeners that we are all humans, not robots...which I love and say all the time. She talked about being open-minded and prepping your family for the effects therapy/EMDR may have on you. Another thing we discussed was how trauma is different for EVERYONE. She has an incredible analogy she uses, talking about a filing cabinet and I love the way she breaks it down. You can watch it, here.

    We spent a LOT of the episode chatting all things EMDR...what it stands for, who it's for, how it helps, and so many other questions I had...trying to make it seem less "scary" to those who could benefit from it.

    For those in transition, Destiny said identity work is the most important thing...being able to answer "who am I?" She also addressed some common issues seen/felt by first responders.


    ***If you're a loyal listener or even a new listener and you love the show, don't forget there is Next Shift and The Next Shift Podcast gear, available here.

    If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

    If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

    Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

    You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

    See you Next Shift

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    1 hr
  • A mid-career decision...know what you're running from
    Dec 3 2025

    Send us a text

    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 conversation for my mid-career listeners, who feel torn between "sucking it up" and leaving.

    Chad is among many things...an Army veteran, a husband, a father to three kiddos, an entrepreneur, author/speaker, and what I love about his story...is that after 13 years on the job...he CHOSE to walk away.

    For the past 4 years, he's been on an entrepreneurial journey and honestly...a self discovery journey...that led him right back to police work. Chad is currently a detective at a University.

    Chad never wanted to be a cop, but due to his experience in the military and a push from his mom after his enlistment was over...he decided to become a cop. Chad details what it was like initially, when he culture was solid and how he was able to balance the job with raising a family. He also discusses how a declining culture can wreak havoc on someone and their career.

    Chad touches on the importance of self-awareness and the need to address your ego, often. The less self-aware you are, the bigger your ego...the more likely you are to stay stuck.

    When speaking about his decision to leave law enforcement 13 years in, he offered this advice to others, know what you're running to, not just what you're running from. He touches on moral injury and not leaving a department the way you want to, and how it weighs on you.

    Chad left his first department at 40 years old and realized it was the first time in his adult life that he wasn't an "operator" and didn't know who he was without a uniform. He knew he was declining emotionally/mentally from things he never processed from the military and the job...and while he didn't know it at the time, he needed to heal.

    Chad's advice to those who think, "I'm just a cop," was to consistently put yourself in uncomfortable positions and get out of your echo chamber, so you can learn new things and grow.

    Chad talks about his spirituality getting better and understanding that the past 4 years were not wasted...they led him to where he is supposed to be.

    If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

    If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

    Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

    You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

    See you Next Shift

    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • A message of GRATITUDE for YOU
    Nov 26 2025

    Send us a text

    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 would not exist or be what it is, without YOU...so THANK YOU for listening in each week, for sharing on your social media, sending in messages, and for being willing to share your stories so openly in order to bring hope to those feeling hopeless.

    In this episode, I also share about a quick and simple daily gratitude practice I've been using for the past almost 8 years and it's gotten me though the most difficult of times of my life...and how YOU can implement it into YOUR day.

    I end with a special thank you to all of those still working and holding the line, especially on holidays.

    -> Don't forget, you can get your Next Shift Podcast gear, here...and SAVE 20%

    If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

    If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

    Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

    You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

    See you Next Shift

    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
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