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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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 of the things that I love about this conversation is that it isn't about a RECENT retirement and that is important, because the number of messages I get every single week from those who retired YEARS ago...thanking me for this podcast and bringing awareness to life after law enforcement...are plentiful.

This goes to show, that not everyone just "moves on" right away and I also love seeing the trial and error of those moving forward...often leading to their own businesses and RENEWED sense of purpose.

Dan started at NYPD in 1984 when he was just 21 years old and did less than four years on patrol before moving through different units like Warrant Squad, Narcotics, Organized Crime, DEA Task Force, Major Case Squad, IA, Gang, and TARU.

9/11 happened on Dan's 39th birthday, which happened to be a day off...but not after finding out what happened. He arrived on scene after the towers fell and began attempting to bring order to the chaos. He team was all "okay," and they began looking for people, working 7 days a week, 12-14 hours a day, for over a month. Dan says he learned a lot about leadership in that time.

After 20 years and one month on the job, Dan chose to retire. He talks about having a plan, structure, finding a hobby, and having fulfillment. Through networking and prior relationships, Dan was able land a couple of roles in life after law enforcement and even reconnected with an old co-worker to partner on their podcast and creating a pepper spray alternative.

You can connect with Dan, 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!

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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 metal, sports, and anything outdoors...so JUST LIKE "US."

In this episode, Dr. Bartlett talks about how she got involved in this work and the steps she's taken to become certified and culturally competent in the military and first responder space, including in trauma and PTSD.

There is so much SCIENCE behind how our bodies and brains respond to things we see, do, and hear...whether we want it to or not. This part of the conversation was fascinating and I truly believe that if we share more of the facts and science or how bodies respond to this type of work...the stigma will lessen. At least that is my hope.

Dr. Bartlett talks about how therapy is a COLLABORATIVE approach and both parties must be willing participants in order to heal and move forward. She also talked about PTSD as a spectrum and once you're in the red...there is no time for PREVENTION, it's time for INTERVENTION.

This was a great conversation and one that I hope will ease your fears about reaching out and seeking at least a consultation with a therapist.

You can check out Dr. Brooke's website, here, and connect with her on Instagram. I love the way she breaks things down in her IG reels.

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!

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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 is value in YOUR experience, in and out of LE that can serve these agencies.

Tim started his LE career as a Park Ranger in Alaska, then transitioned to State HighwayPatrol in Montana, then transitioned into Higher Education, and is now a consultant for public safety agencies.

You will hear Tim discuss the differences in each role and how even his college degree in natural resources, have all been a progression to get him where he is today. He talks about the different academies he attended and how his mindset was different each time. He understood he was not starting over, but starting from experience and it actually helped him be a better cop.

After choosing to leave law enforcement, mid-career, Tim went back to school and got his MBA. He talks about how his time management skills from law enforcement helped him significantly as he balanced work, school, and family. Tim now teaches at a local community college, while running his consulting business, and talks about how the two feed each other...keeping him up to date.

One thing that stood out in our conversation, was how important it is to keep learning, keep growing, and knowing when to close a chapter in order to write a new one...FOR YOU and YOUR family.

Another thing that I've heard more times than I can count from those CHOOSING to move forward, is how when he turned his resignation in, the comments that came from others..."Some people just aren't meant to be cops."

Anytime you choose YOU in this life...people are NOT going to understand that and they are going to project their insecurities and even their jealousy onto you. No one doing more than you will ever judge you. This is the side of LE that is very toxic and the one that paints those bettering themselves as the ones doing the betraying. ALWAYS choose YOU!

This is an insightful episode, full of golden nuggets. Make sure to follow Tim on LinkedIn, and reach out to him with any questions you may have about his story or how his business can help your department.

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!

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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 of law enforcement. In fact, I encourage you not to wait! Your career can end tomorrow and if it does, you're going to struggle significantly if you haven't taken the time to build a life outside the job. (ask me how I know)

One mindset that screws a lot of cops over, is the "all or nothing" mindset. Life is NOT "all or nothing." You can love the job and love your family. You can be a cop and "Joe." You can be grateful for what you have, while working toward what you want.

CHOOSING to build a life outside of law enforcement, WILL come with doubt, questions, hate, and people projecting their insecurities onto you. Do. It. Anyways. Once you choose to find CLARITY on what YOU want, you'll gain the CONFIDENCE to not only take action toward it, but to continue despite what others say.

I mention the F.I.T. Method Workbook in this episode, so I want to link it here. Oftentimes, we say we are "fine," but when we take a moment to actually face ourselves...we quickly realize we are more off balance than we thought. THAT is what this workbook helps with. It is for the person feeling stuck. It helps you Face yourself, Identify areas that need work, and Take action.

I also mention AK Dozanti and her work in the First Responder burnout space. As a prior LEO herself, she "gets it," and she's done the work to GROW through all she's gone through. You can find all of her connection information, books, and resources, here.

I said it at the beginning of this episode and I'll say it here...this episode is NOT about calling you OUT, it is about calling you UP...to the person you say you want to be and the person I KNOW you can be. I've been where you are and still have days where I find myself banging my head on the wall, feeling stuck...but I know that is BS...so this episode is to remind us both...we are NOT alone, we are NOT stuck, and we are NOT "just a cop."

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.

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This week's episode is a chat with Chris Perry...a cop's kid, who served for 31 years himself, retired, and started at a new PD with a RENEWED sense of purpose...in a non-traditional role that is changing lives!

Chris served a majority of his career with the Cincinnati Police Department and spent time on patrol, the motorcycle unit, narcotics, traffic unit, and the wellness unit. In 2020, he was diagnosed with PTSD and began speaking about it. He talked about what led to the diagnosis and his reckless behavior, just trying to feel SOMETHING. He speaks about his treatment, ways he found to heal, and how speaking to other cops helped him.

Chris talked about losing his mom to dementia, which sent him into a depression that almost took his life. His advice to others sitting in the darkness..."Listen to what others are saying." He talks about how his wife knew something wasn't right and was brave enough to talk to him about it.

After choosing to retire, Chris was offered an opportunity by another agency that he couldn't turn down. He is now in charge of the Senior Citizen Program for that department and not only works with Alzheimer's/Dementia Associations, he provides dementia training to first responders, and he assists with calls involving those struggling with aging disorders.

Chris had so many words of wisdom, but a couple that stood out were, "Vulnerability is the foundation to success," and "Realizing you spent 20 years serving others, it's time to serve YOU."

Make sure you connect with Chris on LinkedIn or send him an e-mail at cperry@amberleyvillage.org

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