Claim OwnershipThe Next Shift Podcast
Subscribed: 15Played: 361
Subscribe
© 2026 The Next Shift Podcast
Description
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.
118 Episodes
Reverse
Send us Fan Mail 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 transition to life after law enforcement. There have been 3 recurring themes I've seen over and over and over. I've talked about them on calls, in posts, in DMs, and even on this show...but there are still several people from 3 years ag...
Send us Fan Mail 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 worked in the state of New Jersey and was a responder to 9/11, which he says gave him new perspective. David served in various roles throughout his career, but DRE was his favorite because it was a mix of narcotics and community policing. Du...
Send us Fan Mail 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 enforcement looks like...six years out. *TRIGGER WARNING: SUICIDE Meagan is a LEO wife, a mom, speaker, advocate for law enforcement...especially in the realm of mental health, and an entrepreneur. Meagan talks about getting married young, beco...
Send us Fan Mail 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 happen, but we are seeing it more and more these days. For those still on the job...this can happen, especially if you're involved in a UOF or OIS incident. You NEED to be prepared for not only what comes next, career wise...but what to do to ma...
Send us Fan Mail 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 her career cut short due to a medical condition and is now in the financial industry...something she did prior to law enforcement. Cait grew up in Hawaii, her parents are/were involved with the Justice system, and her father and brother ...
Send us Fan Mail 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 hobbies and passions, and just a darn good guy who's always smiling. Kurt is from Connecticuit and grew up in the church. When he was playing AAU basketball, one of the coaches was a detective and he really leaned into him and decided ...
Send us Fan Mail 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 a female in law enforcement...especially in the 80s - 90s. For those of you who don't know Betsy, you're missing out...but, as a short intro...she is a retired LEO, Police Trainer, National Spokesman for National Police Association, on ...
Send us Fan Mail 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 to not only be in remembrance of Vickie's Husband, but also in remembrance of all our brothers and sisters in blue, taken too soon by this horrible disease. If you don't know Vickie or aren't connected with her, I highly suggest connecti...
Send us Fan Mail 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, here. I reached out to her, not only because I wanted to be there for her...but also to share a type of transition story that has not yet been shared on this podcast, despite how often it seems to happen after 2020. Sarah is not only a prior cop...she is a wi...
Send us Fan Mail 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 university was not for him, joining the Marine Corps and going to the West coast, then transitioning into Law Enforcement and working for both municipal and county departments, and eventually retiring. The turning point in Cary's career hit i...
Send us Fan Mail 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, here. There were sooo many notes from this episode that there is NO WAY to include them all, so I will suggest getting out a notebook while listening. Dr. Birkley is a Psychologist in Cincinnati, who owns her own private gr...
Send us Fan Mail 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 former cop, and embarking on a new career journey. Courtney talks about being a recruiter and enjoying it, but not enjoying sitting at a cubicle all day...so she became a cop. She met her husband on the job and served 6.5 years before transition...
Send us Fan Mail 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 a notebook or the notes section of your phone handy as you listen to this one. Like with every episode, but especially the solo episodes...take what resonates and leave the rest. This episode is all about closing out 2025 with reflections and...
Send us Fan Mail 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, including...gratitude, communication, and practicing the pause. This season brings various emotions for everyone, and that is OKAY. If you are full of the holiday spirit and joy...OWN IT. Live in that. Just because you have a tough jo...
Send us Fan Mail 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 4 years in the US Air Force and after a year break, spent 16 years in law enforcement...in 4 different departments...before suffering an off duty injury that ended his career, without medical retirement. Patrick touches on so many points that...
Send us Fan Mail 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. ...
Send us Fan Mail 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 wa...
Send us Fan Mail 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.&n...
Send us Fan Mail 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 goe...
Send us Fan Mail 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 responde...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States