Midnights LEO

By Louis A. Florio

"Waiting for the Dawn...Together." Chaplain Lou Florio utilizes personal reflections, academic research, and interviews to help law enforcement officers - and those who love them - find a way toward a more abundant life. Although he is a person of faith, he seeks to serve all persons whether they are a person of faith or not. Chaplain Lou is a member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC). He was awarded the National Sheriff's Association Medal of Merit for his chaplaincy efforts in 2018. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect any other person or agency.

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S1, E2 - "What in the h-e-double-toothpicks do we need a chaplain for?” (Essay)

Midnights LEOFeb 24, 2022

00:00

10:37

S2,E4 Seeking, Creating, and Keeping Peace (Meditation)

In a world that can treat us harshly, how can we seek, create and keep the peace - in the world and in ourselves. The ancient concept of hesed might help.

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE/PODCAST DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

Although I have served or do serve as a spiritual counselor, a chaplain, and/or ordained minister, I am not your counselor nor a medical professional. All content on this website and podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical, psychological, or spiritual advice, and does not establish any kind of patient-client or pastor-congregant relationship. Although on this website and podcast, we strive to provide accurate general information, the information found through these posts are not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this content. Always consult a professional in the area of your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any professional, legal, medical, financial or tax-related decisions. Opinions expressed by the host or guests do not necessarily reflect those of any other person or entity.

#police #lawenforcement #chaplain #policechaplain #officerwellness #innerpeace #peace #hesed

Oct 18, 202304:22

S2, E3 Rest & Resiliency: The importance of taking sabbath for everyone (Sermon)

I don't usually post my sermons on this podcast, but I think this particular sermon will resonate with many working in any field related to criminal justice. I look at the commands for sabbath rest found in scripture in light of my own experience as a police officer in the late 1980s through mid-90s. This subject of sabbath rest is a common value that often crisscrosses the spectrum of religious faiths and secular philosophies. Rest is critical! Whether you think the story of God’s commandments is divine inspiration or just an ancient wisdom tale, I think you will find something to help orient you in your work and restore your spirit. If you would like to hear more on the subject of rest, listen to the special crossover episode (S1, E7) "Self-Care and Sabbath Rest."

Texts for the sermon: Deuteronomy 5:12-15 and Matthew 11:28-30

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE/PODCAST DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE: Although I have served or do serve as a spiritual counselor, a chaplain, and/or ordained minister, I am not your counselor nor a medical professional. All content on this website and podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical, psychological, or spiritual advice, and does not establish any kind of patient-client or pastor-congregant relationship. Although on this website and podcast we strive to provide accurate general information, the information found through these posts are not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this content. Always consult a professional in the area of your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any professional, legal, medical, financial or tax-related decisions. Opinions expressed by the host or guests do not necessarily reflect those of any other person or entity.

#police #firstresponders #lawenforcment #chaplain #policechaplain #communications #rest #sabbath #resiliency

Aug 29, 202322:15

S2, E2 - Blessed are the Peacemakers (Presentation)

On February 1, 2023, Chaplain Lou had the opportunity to present at the Virginia Synod (ELCA’s) Midwinter Power in the Spirit. The theme of the online event was “Blessed are…” – a three evening examination of the Beatitudes. For his part, he was asked to speak to a group of Virginia Lutherans, the majority who had no law enforcement experience, about "Blessed are the Peacemakers." Using the extreme experience of law enforcement as a lens, this presentation hopes to help people better understand the sacrifice and blessing of trying to be a peacemaker in our modern world. With this audience, the presentation was explicitly Christian, but it draws upon sociology and other fields of inquiry. You will likely hear something to challenge the understanding of your experience or affirm it in a helpful way. As always, you are invited to keep the conversation going. Please share this presentation or email Chaplain Lou with any comments or questions. A video version of this presentation will be released by the Virginia Synod. You can learn more about the Virginia Synod at vasynod.org.

#wellness #health #firstresponders #police #lawenforcement #chaplain #policechaplain #trauma #beatitudes #blessedarethepeacemakers #peacemakers #faith #christian #matthew5

Feb 02, 202301:06:50

S2, E1 - Self-Care and Sabbath Rest (Discussion)

SPECIAL CROSSOVER EPISODE! My valued friend and colleague, Fr. Ethan Lowery, hosts an on-going conversation with friends about rest, sabbath, and resisting the overbearing cultural pressure to work/produce/be available all the time. He shares these conversations through a podcast primarily aimed at young adults called Non-Working Title.

Although originally intended for young adults whom he serves, the discussion will likely be extremely relatable and helpful to first responders. Topics covered in this crossover episode include: trauma, secondary trauma, family systems, addiction, sleep issues, and more. This episode will echo some topics and illustrations mentioned in "Self-Care when helping others" (S1, E7), but it is much more conversational, personal, and expansive.

For those that don’t know him, Fr. Ethan Lowery (he/him) is an Episcopal Priest and young adult and campus missioner here locally in Fredericksburg, VA. He shares often that his interest in young adult ministry is rooted in being a young adult and having experienced himself the Church not always knowing what to do with 20- and 30-somethings. You can learn more at The House FXBG.

#sleep #rest #health #firstresponders #police #lawenforcement #chaplain #policechaplain #trauma #familysytems #addiction

Jan 10, 202356:35

S1, E7: Self-care when helping others (Presentation)

This episode incorporates a class offered for the Hanover County (Virginia) Sheriff's Office with permission. The intended audience was the chaplains program participants, but as Captain Terry Sullivan states in the introduction, the self care principals apply across the helping vocations, especially law enforcment officers. The class was recorded live on December 2, 2022.

References:

American Psychological Association. (2022). Trauma. Downloaded at https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma on December 1, 2022.

Baugh, J.J. & Raja, A.S. (February 10, 2021). Six Lessons on Fighting Burnout from Boston’s Biggest Hospitals. Harvard Business Review downloaded at: https://hbr.org/2021/02/six-lessons-on-fighting-burnout-from-bostons-biggest-hospital on December 1, 2022.

Canadian Medical Association. (December 8, 2020). Compassion Fatigue: Signs, Symptoms, and How to Cope. Downloaded at: https://www.cma.ca/physician-wellness-hub/content/compassion-fatigue on December 1, 2022.

Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. (2012). Volunteer Chaplains Guide. Hanover County, Virginia.

Hemfelt, R., Minirth, F, and Meier, P. (2003). Love is a Choice.Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Moss, J. (February 10, 2021). Beyond Burned Out. Harvard Business Review downloaded at: https://hbr.org/2021/02/beyond-burned-out on December 1, 2022.

Dec 11, 202240:36

S1, E6 - A prayer for 9-11 remembrances (Prayer)

As another 9-11 remembrance comes around, feel free to adapt this prayer from 2021 if you find it helpful or meaningful in any way. Never forget. Yet may the Lord help us to heal, forgive, and reconcile as God’s children.

You can find the written text of this podcast episode at: https://midnightsleo.com/2022/09/10/a-prayer-for-9-11-remembrances/

#9-11 #September11th #prayer #policechaplain

Sep 10, 202203:03

S1, E5 Sin-icism: How cynicism hurts the cynic and others (Essay)

This episode follows up on our discussion in Season 1, Epistode 3, Idealist - skeptic - cynic - scoffer (or fool): Which one are you? Looking more closely at cynicism, one discovers that, rather than keeping an officer safe, it has the power to kill supportive relationships while isolating and perhaps even endangering them. In falling into the trap of cynicism, officers can hurt others and themselves.

Chaplain Florio is a past six-year veteran police officer and has served in law enforcement chaplaincy since 2008. Opinions expressed by Chaplain Florio or any guests during this or other podcasts at Midnights LEO do not necessarily reflect those of any other person or agency. #lawenforcement #leo #police #chaplaincy #cynicism

For references used to help create today's podcast, please see my origninal blog post at midnightsleo.com.

Apr 11, 202208:24

S1, E4 - Interview with author, Mark Bergin (Discussion)

Chaplain Lou discusses with author and veteran former police officer, Mark Bergin, his crime novel, Apprehension. Although fiction, the characters and culture of 1980/1990s policing are very realistic. Using the story and personal experience, Chaplain Lou and Mark discuss important self-care issues for law enforcement. To buy his book, search "Apprehension, by Mark Bergin" on your favorite online bookseller's website. Guest bio: "Mark Bergin spent four years as a newspaper reporter, winning the Virginia Press Association Award for general news reporting, before joining the Alexandria, Virginia, Police Department in 1986. Twice named Police Officer of the Year for narcotics and robbery investigations, he served in most of the posts described in his debut novel APPREHENSION. Kirkus Reviews calls APPREHENSION “compelling,” and says Bergin is a “gritty and authentic new voice in police fiction.” APPREHENSION was a finalist for the 2020 Silver Falchion Award from Killer Nashville. He was also a contributor to the crime anthology The Eviction of Hope, published in 2021. Bergin is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, the Virginia Writers Club, and International Thriller Writers. Write him at berginwriter@gmail.com, or Facebook-friend him at Mark Bergin, Writer. He and his wife divide their time between Alexandria, Virginia and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina." #lawenforcement #police #firstresponder #crimenovel #policehealth #ptsd #policesuicide

Mar 03, 202201:09:37

S1, E3 Idealist – Skeptic – Cynic – Scoffer (or Fool): Which one are you? (Essay)

The topics of idealism and cynicism come up a lot in law enforcement circles - understood often as if they are polar opposits. Idealism is viewed as dangerous. Cynacism can come to mean safety. Chaplain Lou argues there's a better way to look at life, because life - especially a law enforcement officer's life - is never that simplistic.

Along with my past advanced degrees studies and continued education courses, my cited references for this episode included:

"Introduction to Habakkuk" at https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-habakkuk/

"Are you too cyncical? The history, psychology, and philosophy of cynicism," by Neel Burton, M.D, September 7, 2018, at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201809/are-you-too-cynical#

"What does the Bible say about scoffers," by Got Questions Ministries, last updated January 4, 2022, at https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-scoffers.html

Feb 26, 202223:17

S1, E2 - "What in the h-e-double-toothpicks do we need a chaplain for?” (Essay)

Before digging deeper into topics related to law enforcement, Chaplain Lou helps unpack the history and purpose of modern law enforcment chaplaincy. For best practices, he encourages you to check out the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) at icpc4cops.org. Opinions expressed by Chaplain Florio or any guests during this or other podcasts at Midnights LEO do not necessarily reflect those of any other person or agency. #lawenforcement #leo #police #chaplaincy

Feb 24, 202210:37

S1, E1 Waiting for the Dawn? (Meditation)

MidnightsLEO hopes to promote an abundant life for law enforcement officers and those who love them. This episode serves as your introduction to Chaplain Lou Florio and the MidnightsLEO blog and podcast. Using Psalm 130 from the Hebrew scriptures, he shares a reflection which argues that we are often like the ancient watchmen who came before before us. We wait for the dawn. Ultimately, we wait for a better world together.

Chaplain Lou Florio is a member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) and remains credentialed as a police chaplain through that organization. He is a former polce officer, and he has served law enforcement as a law enforcement chaplain in Virginia since 2008. In 2018, he received the National Sheriff's Association Medal of Merit for his service.

Opinions expressed by Chaplain Florio or any guests during this episode or other episodes at Midnights LEO do not necessarily reflect those of any other person or agency. #lawenforcement #leo #police #chaplaincy

Feb 22, 202207:15