Real Life Podcast

This is a short bonus episode to say "thank you" to all of my listeners out there! I appreciate all of you!

In this interview with Jim Russell, we talk about his first love...ART!  We discuss his long career in law enforcement with the Florida State University PD and end with the story of how he became an advocate for DUI prevention.  

View his art gallery—https://jimrussellart.com

Shop magnets—https://www.mattsonsmagnets.com—100% of proceeds go directly to the "Matthew Beard Memorial Award for Excellence in Research" scholarship. 

We Save Lives—https://wesavelives.org

In this interview, Sean Riley tells his personal story that led to the inception of Safe Call Now. He gets raw and real and talks about the death of his best friend; a tragic event he's still healing from. 

Sean Riley is the Founder and President of Safe Call Now, a confidential, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service for public safety employees, all emergency services personnel, and their family members nationwide.

Safe Call Now Vision: to provide education, healthy alternatives, and resources to save lives and put families back together. 

Make a Safe Call Now: 206-459-3020 www.safecallnowusa.org

In this episode, Nick and I have a candid conversation about the cumulative stress he endured as a police officer and how it led to his current life situation. He discusses his constant struggles with P.T.S.D. and talks about his upcoming book, Invisible Wounds—A Cop's Journey of Faith Through the Darkness of PTSD.   

In this episode, I talk with Sarah Cooksey, an engineer, EMT, and firefighter with the Tallahassee Fire Department in Florida. Sarah talks about her passion which is driving a pink fire truck to save lives and bring hope to people in her community who are battling cancer. Sarah also talks about the struggles of raising a family while working in a demanding job field.

In this episode, I talk with full-time law enforcement officer and award-winning author, Sean Wyman. He shares the details of his book titled, GOING BEYOND THE CALL: MENTAL HEALTH FITNESS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS. The mission of the book is to reduce suicide and mental health challenges within the ranks. This book is for officers, firefighters, EMS/EMT, 911 dispatchers, forensic investigators, and correctional officers. Sean also talks about his first book titled, LET GO: THE MOVEMENT PROCESS, and his life story that inspired the book.

In this interview, Brandy tells the story of how her LEO husband was killed in an off-duty motorcycle accident on Memorial Day weekend, 2002. She tells the cute story of how they first met, talks about their two beautiful children, and then, through tears, tells the details of that tragic day. Brandy talks about how she was treated by the law enforcement community after his death. She leaves us with some advice on how to cope and move on from a life-altering event like this one. 

In this interview, I have a candid conversation with the officer about his career in law enforcement. I have the pleasure of speaking with his wife, Lisa, who sheds some light on what it's like being the wife of an officer. Then we dig into the four books he's written—all crime-thrillers. LOST IN THE DARKNESS, WHERE LIGHT CANNOT REACH, BEHIND THE BLUE LINE, AND CROSSING THE BLUE LINE are all available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and syppublishing.com 

In this episode, I talk with Jeanne Assam who tells a very chilling story. She tells the details of how she prevented a gunman from taking more lives at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Co. after he already shot and killed several people. Her story is raw and real. You don't want to miss this episode!   

In this episode, Nicole tells the sweet story of how she met her husband, Sergeant Ervin Romans. Then she bravely shares the tragic details of that fateful day in March of 2009 when he was killed in the line of duty along with three other officers in Oakland, California. 

In this episode, Dachief talks about the inspiration behind his comedic videos that have gone viral on social media. We get serious and discuss body armor products from Safe Life Defense. We go even deeper as he shares what the most important piece of equipment is to a first responder! You can find Dachief on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. 

In this episode, I talk with an officer about several traumatic calls he experienced on the job. We talk about claustrophobia, hypervigilance, and PTSD. We discuss the importance of support that officers need from family, friends, chaplains, etc. and how his wife is his main source of support. 

In this episode, I interview Jason Harney, a retired sergeant from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. Jason directed and produced VOICES OF THE BLUE, a six-part docuseries featuring true stories of Law Enforcement Officers and their experiences after becoming physically and mentally injured in the line of duty. The stories are told by the officers themselves. This series is real and raw, and guaranteed to rock you to the core.  

The Official Site for VOICES OF THE BLUE docuseries: http://www.lightningdigitalentertainment.com/voices-of-the-blue.html

The Wounded Blue—helping injured law enforcement: https://thewoundedblue.org/

In this episode, Greg starts the conversation by filling me in on the progression of opening his gun shop. Then we get raw and real as he discusses ethical dilemmas he faced while working as an EMT. We discuss positives and negatives of the job and touch on the Covid-19 pandemic.   

In this episode, I talk with Tia Johnson, host of the Resting Mom Face Podcast. We have a raw and real discussion about how she handles the daily stressors of being a military wife and mother of a four-year-old boy. She also shares how she auditioned and was chosen to be the narrator for the audio version of my book, Through My Eyes/CSI Memoirs That Haunt the Soul. You'll definitely want to hear this episode!

In this episode, I talk with Chaplain Ron with Canines For Christ, an international Christian-based, animal-assisted therapy ministry that uses ordinary people and their beloved dogs to share God’s message of love, hope, kindness, and compassion to the  community. 

In this episode, I interview Lori Cooper, the daughter of a Columbus police officer shot in the line of duty when she was only nine years old. She talks about the incident and how the shooter never served a day in jail for the shooting. However, 44 years later, she decided to do her own investigating. During our emotional conversation, she opens up and admits she still struggles with closure in more ways than one. You won't want to miss this episode! 

In this interview, I talk with author, Benjamin Tyler Smith about his first book, BLUE CRUCIBLE. It's a post-apocalyptic sci-fi that includes horse patrol. The world may have fallen but the Thin Blue Line's battle is only beginning! 

In this interview, I talk with Terri, the owner and director of Forensic Training Unlimited about how to receive training to be a crime scene investigator, private investigator, forensic pathologist, coroner, criminalist, and more! For more information, visit www.forensicscienceacademy.org

In this bonus episode, I answer questions asked by fans from Twitter and Facebook.

In this episode, I interview LMHC Leah Demarest. We talk about mental illness as it relates to first responders. Please join us as she has some important things to share!

In this episode, I interview Sara who used to be a 911 dispatcher. She shares her struggles with anxiety, stress, and depression and what she's doing today to live a healthy life.   

In this interview, I have a very real and raw discussion with an EMT officer. We discuss the horrible trauma he dealt with at an early age, and the trauma he experienced on the job. 

In this episode, I interview an amazing law enforcement sergeant. We discuss her role at work as a sergeant and how she balances that with her role at home as mom and wife. She opens up and talks about police suicides and officers in crisis. She ends the interview with a funny work story!

In this episode, I interview Liz. She's a nurse and a "supermom." We discuss her career as a nurse and how she balances life between work, her husband, and her kids. We discuss mental health issues occurring in other professions as well as the law enforcement profession. We also talk about her relationship with God. 

In this episode, I interview retired law enforcement sergeant, Donna Brown. She is the author of the "Behind and Beyond the Badge" series. We discuss her career in law enforcement, mental health issues, and her amazing books!

In this episode, I interview my mother about what it was like having a daughter in law enforcement. This is a great episode for family members who have a connection with law enforcement.