What does it take to protect a city, lead thousands, and stay grounded in purpose?

For Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, the first elected sheriff in Miami-Dade County in over 60 years, it started with a childhood calling and a single mom who worked three jobs to keep the dream alive. From patrolling high-crime streets in the 90s to leading 4,800 officers through today’s complex emergencies, Sheriff Rosie shares how faith, family, and fierce dedication guide her every decision.

In this episode of Common Denominator, we dive into Rosie’s remarkable rise  to becoming one of the most powerful public safety officials in Florida.

What you'll learn: 

👮‍♀️ Why Rosie always knew she’d serve, and how service shaped her from day one

🏙 How growing up in a tough neighborhood taught her empathy, not fear

🧠 Her take on the country’s mental health crisis and the erosion of public dialogue

🙏 The role of faith in decision-making when the stakes are life or death

🚔 What it means to “run toward” danger and hold power with honor

🗳 Why she ran for sheriff, and what kept her up at night about who might take the role

🌪 Lessons from Surfside, hurricanes, and prepping for G20, FIFA, and global events

👩‍👧 Advice for young women in male-dominated careers, and the power of ignoring the noise

Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: A Journey from the Dominican Republic to Law Enforcement

02:58 The Calling to Serve: Law Enforcement and Community Impact

05:55 Navigating Fear and Decision-Making in Law Enforcement

09:04 The Weight of Responsibility: Stories from a Homicide Detective

12:01 Mental Health and Societal Polarization: A Law Enforcement Perspective

15:02 Leadership in Crisis: The Role of Sheriff in FEMA

18:02 Preparing for Major Events: The Challenge of Public Safety

21:04 Gratitude and Family: The Foundation of Success

24:06 Empowering Women: A Message from Sheriff Rosie

Common Denominator Podcast

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