Cops and Writers Podcast

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I have a special treat for you guys today! It was my honor and privilege to interview New York Times bestselling author, podcaster, and former Navy Seal Jack Carr. 

Jack Carr led special operations teams as a Team Leader, Platoon Commander, Troop Commander, and Task Unit Commander. Over his 20 years in Naval Special Warfare, he transitioned from an enlisted SEAL sniper to a junior officer leading assault and sniper teams in Iraq and Afghanistan, to a platoon commander practicing counterinsurgency in the southern Philippines, to commanding a Special Operations Task Unit in the most Iranian influenced section of southern Iraq throughout the tumultuous drawdown of U.S. Forces. 

Jack is now a bestselling author, podcaster, and most importantly, a devoted husband and father. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How Jack’s early influences in life steered him toward a career as a Navy SEAL, and later bestselling author. 

·      His training and preparation that was needed to successfully complete SEAL training.

 ·      Why and how Jack started his popular podcast and the value it has to his listeners, and himself.

·      The definition of “hero” and how it has changed through the years.

·      How Jack keeps his books as accurate as possible, without giving away military secrets.

·      His first book Terminal List, and how it will soon be launched on Amazon Prime as a T.V. series.

·      How Jack deals with negative book reviews.

·      Jack’s favorite books.

 All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Listen to Jack's Danger Close Podcast!
Check out Jack Carr's books, gear, media, and blog on his website!

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

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What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

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I have a treat for you guys today!

It was my privilege to interview the author of; Hidden War: How Special Operations Game Wardens Are Reclaiming America's Wildlands From The Drug Cartels, retired California Game Warden Lt. John Nores.  

​John has a Master of Science degree from San Jose State University in Criminal Justice Administration. John was awarded the Governor’s Medal of Valor for lifesaving and leadership efforts in 2007. John was a special operations lieutenant working directly at the state level, co-developing, and leading his agency’s elite tactical unit the Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET), and developing the CDFW’s first sniper unit aimed at combatting the most environmentally damaging criminals working within California and impacting the nation.  

John and his special operations unit battled heavily fortified Mexican drug cartels in California on their illegal marijuana grow operations worth millions of dollars. John and his unit had to contend with heavily armed, well-trained cartel members who often deployed Viet Nam war era boobytraps and engaged John and his team in intense firefights. 

These criminals use toxic chemicals that are banned in this country destroying the land and wildlife on location and away.

 In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How John started his career in law enforcement, more specifically the job of game warden. 

·      John explains the job duties of game warden.

·      The training and preparation needed for this physically and mentally demanding job.

·      We discuss his book; Hidden War: How Special Operations Game Wardens Are Reclaiming America's Wildlands From The Drug Cartels, and his two other books.

·      How his agency cooperated with state, federal, and tribal law enforcement.

·      Trespass grow operations and the tactics used to fight these life-threatening operations, including K-9s and air support.

·      What was discovered in and around these operations including booby traps, dead bodies, and religious shrines.

·      The incredibly harmful impact on the environment from these illegal grow operations when they steal water and use banned toxic chemicals.

·      The importance of hunter safety courses, even if you are not a hunter.

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Learn more about John, his work, and products, at his website!

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

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Send us a text

Today we are traveling to sunny Florida where I speak with Author, Actor, Stand-Up Comic, and (retired) Los Angles Country Sheriff Sergeant Cliff Yates.

Cliff Yates spent 35 years as a police officer from upstate New York to Los Angeles. For 25 years he was a cop by day and comedian by night. After being featured on a local Los Angeles tv show, he became known as L.A’s Comedy Cop. He has produced comedy specials at the Hollywood Palladium, Roxy on Sunset, and the El Portal theatre in North Hollywood. Cliff is also an author of self-help and other books.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How Cliff started his career in law enforcement. 

·      What it was like growing up in a police family, especially having your dad as the chief of police in the town you lived in.

·      Cliff’s journey from being a sheriff deputy in a small county, to becoming a sheriff deputy in Los Angles.

·      How Cliff’s Book, “Deputy” is a must for those writers who want to get a peek inside the life of a big city cop.

·      What it was like having a spouse being a sheriff’s deputy.

·      His career as a stand-up comic.

·      His successful transition to civilian life.

·      Cliff embracing the stoic philosophy and his infectious passion for life.

·      The importance of diet and exercise.

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Discover more about Cliff and his books on his website.
Check out Cliff's YouTube channel. 

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

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Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! As I record this interview it’s only a couple of days away, so to honor this day we are going to travel across the pond to the Emerald Isle to chat with my returning guest and my favorite Garda, Marie O’Halloran.

Casey King is the crime writing alter-ego of crime fighter, Marie O’Halloran. She has spent over two decades as a member of the Irish Police Force, also known as the An Garda Síochána, and has a Diploma in Policing Studies. Throughout her career, she has worked on various gangland operations, drugs investigations as well as having roles of exhibits officer, community liaison officer, and Traveler liaison officer.

She has previously given talks about crime writing and how to include police procedures in your novel. Marie recently received a First Class Honours in her Associate Degree/Higher Diploma in Coaching/Coaching Psychology from University College Cork and is currently undertaking a Masters in Mindfulness-Based Wellbeing. Marie established Soul on Fire International Coaching and Mentoring, through which she gives talks on post-traumatic growth and wellbeing to charitable organizations.

As a crime writer, Casey is represented by London agent, Kate Nash, of Kate Nash Literary Agency. She writes police procedurals, gangland crime thrillers, crime comedies, and psychological thrillers. Her novels are currently under consideration.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How Marie started her career path with the Garda. 

·      The different career paths available in the Garda including detective bureau, K-9 officer, forensic investigations, and motorcycle patrol.

·      What has been done about serious gang violence in Ireland.

·      Who investigates serious crimes spread out in Ireland.

·      How the job has changed her as a person and her interactions with friends and family.

·      The unique challenges faced by female Garda.

·      The process involved in obtaining a search warrant in Ireland.

·      Marie’s Masters in Mindfulness-Based Wellbeing studies. 

·      Marie’s Soul on Fire organization. 

 All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Come visit Marie on her Facebook page.
Check out Marie on Twitter and Linkendon.
Checkout last years episode with Marie on St. Patrick's day!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

In Today’s episode, we travel to St. Petersburg Florida to chat with Author Nathan Van Coops.

Nathan Van Coops lives in St. Petersburg, Florida on a diet comprised mainly of tacos. When not tinkering on old airplanes, he writes heroic adventure stories that explore imaginative new worlds. He is the author of the time travel adventure series In Times Like These, and Paradox PI, as well as The Skylighter Adventures. His recent series, Kingdom of Engines explores a swashbuckling alternate history where the modern and medieval collide.

Click here for your free copy of "Clockwise Gone"

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Nathan’s cross-country road trip in a vintage Volkswagen Bug. 

·      His time-traveling books that are a mix of old-time P.I. novels and Blade Runner.

·      How Nathan keeps his readers engaged in his stories.

·      How Nathan works his own life into his books.

·      Why Nathan chooses to remain a part time writer and keep his day job.

·      Marketing tips for authors who write in a small niche.

·      How having his own podcast for three years was beneficial, and not so beneficial.

 All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Visit Nathans website to learn more about him and his awesome books!

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Dr. Katherine Ramsland has never second-guessed her career decisions. It's a good thing because they have been some of the best decisions she has ever made.  

Dr. Katherine Ramsland teaches forensic psychology at DeSales University in Pennsylvania. She has appeared as an expert in criminal psychology on more than 200 crime documentaries and magazine shows, is an executive producer of Murder House Flip, and has consulted for CSI, Bones, and The Alienist. 

The author of more than 1,500 articles and 69 books, including The Forensic Science of CSI, The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds, How to Catch a Killer, The Psychology of Death Investigations, and Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, The BTK Killer, she was co-executive producer for the Wolf Entertainment/A&E four-part documentary based on the years she spent talking with Rader. 

Dr. Ramsland consults on death investigations, pens a blog for Psychology Today, and is currently writing a fiction series based on a female forensic psychologist who manages a private investigation agency.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Her trips cross-country riding a motorcycle and hitchhiking. 

·      Is there pure evil, and can it be fixed or controlled?

·      The path that Dr. Ramsland took winding up in the field of forensic psychology and chatting with serial killers.

·      How her career path affected her own mental health.

·      What it was like working in Hollywood being an advisor or executive producer.

·      Are there any movies or T.V. shows that accurately depict extreme offenders? How about Dexter and Hannibal Lecter?

·      Dr. Ramsland’s work with Serial Killer Dennis Rader AKA The BTK Killer.

·      Psychological Autopsy. What are they, when are they used, and who conducts them?

·      Being subjected to all this trauma, who takes care of the doctor?

·      How Dr. Ramsland as a writer, has produced an immense amount of content on a consistent basis. 

·      Dr. Ramsland’s new fiction series. 
·      How you can avoid becoming the victim of a crime.

 All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Visit Dr. Ramsland on her Facebook page.
Check out Dr. Ramsland's books. 

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group
Check out episode #46 of the Cops and Writers Podcast with Mike Roche!

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Today’s episode takes us to sunny California where I chat with a man of many talents, Ryan Burke.

Does Ryan's voice sound familiar to you? It should, he is the voice of the introduction to this podcast and the narrator for one of my Cops and Writers audiobooks. 

Ryan Burke is Canadian; his parents and extended family are Australian, and he lives in America pursuing a career in entertainment. His eclectic background is reflected by his career. Having worked in both Canada and the US as an actor, producer, and stuntman he is now working in VO and Audiobooks. 

During his years of study abroad he has earned both a BFA from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and an MBA from Argosy University. Ryan is an award-winning producer, actor and is a current top seller for Audiobooks.

 In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How I discovered Ryan through his performance of Chris Fox’s books.

·      How his performing in high school plays and comedy later in his life paved his way to Hollywood.

·      How his journey from Canada to New York, back to Canada and finally Hollywood happened.

·      What a narrator, actor, director, and producer do when creating an audiobook. 

·      How and why, you should, or shouldn’t create your own audiobook.

·      How Ryan keeps his body and voice in shape.

·      What you, as an author can do to make your narrator's job easier.  

 All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Visit Ryan at his website to learn more about him and his amazing audiobooks!
Check out Joanna Penn's book, Audio for Authors!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group
Listen to Episode #38 of the Cops and Writers Podcast with guest Chris Fox

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Today’s episode takes us to coastal New Hampshire where I chat with bestselling author, J.D. Barker. 

J.D. Barker is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels, including DRACUL and THE FOURTH MONKEY. His latest, A CALLER'S GAME, will be released on February 22. He is currently collaborating with James Patterson. 

 His books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for both film and television. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How J.D.’s early years of being a ‘babysitter’ to rock stars helped him craft stories later in his career.

·      How and why J.D. quit a lucrative job in finance to fulfill his dream of being a full-time writer.

·      When J.D. realized he had ‘made it’ in the writing business.

·      His bestselling book the Fourth Monkey, more specifically how that was not the original title, how he did and didn’t get the police procedure parts correct, how he told the story from multiple points of view, and how he injected raw emotion into the story. (There are spoilers here if you haven’t read the book and want to.)

·      The steps into getting your book made into a T.V. show or movie. 

·      The necessary work ethic needed to succeed in the author business.

·      Co-writing with James Patterson.

·      What a typical writing day looks like for J.D., including making time for exercise.  

 All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

This episode is for the writers out there!

Visit J.D. Barker's website to learn more about him and his books!
Check out the Best of BookTok!

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group
Listen to Writers Ink Podcast!
Listen to Episode #36 of the Cops and Writers Podcast with J Thorn
Listen to Episode #52 of the Cops and Writers Podcast with Zach Bohannon

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Today’s episode takes us over the pond to England where I chat with West Midlands Police Sergeant and author, Ralph Kern. 

Ralph Kern is a sergeant in the UK’s West Midlands Police. He has spent his sixteen years of service policing one of the most challenging areas in Britain in various roles. He’s also an author. While focusing on science fiction and techno-thrillers, his experiences and dealing with the pace and dangers of modern policing translates into his work.

 In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How Ralph went from studying aerospace engineering to becoming a police officer.

·      What the requirements, training, and equipment look like for a new constable in the West Midlands Police Department looks like.

·      How local police departments communicate or don’t communicate and work together trying to solve cases.

·      When an armed response unit, K-9, and motorcycle units are called into service and who summons them. 

·      Ranks and career paths in the West Midlands Police Department. 

·      Ralph takes us through a homicide scene including who does what and why.

·      The arrest process and when a lawyer/solicitor is summoned to an interrogation.

·      We chat about Ralph's successful author career writing science fiction blending elements of crime fiction into his stories.  

 All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Visit Ralph Kern's website and learn more about his books and his interesting life.

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Today’s episode takes us to sunny Florida where I chat with mystery, thriller, crime writer, and my friend, Tom Turner. 

A native New Englander, Tom Turner dropped out of college and ran a Vermont bar. Limping back a few years later to get his sheepskin, he went on to become an advertising copywriter, first in Boston, then New York. After 10 years of post-Mad Men life, he made both a career and geography change and ended up in Palm Beach, renovating houses and collecting raw materials for his novels. 

After stints in Charleston, then Skidaway Island, outside of Savannah, Tom recently moved to Delray Beach, where he’s busy writing about passion and murder among his neighbors... 

To date, Tom has written eighteen crime thrillers and mysteries and is probably best known for his Charlie Crawford series set in Palm Beach. 

I think you guys are going to really like this interview and get some helpful tips and tricks for your author careers.  

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How and why later in life Tom began his successful indie author career.

·      How his copywriting background helps him write winning book descriptions.

·      How he and his cover designer work together creating amazing book covers.

·      How he gets his police facts straight and breaks the ice with local detectives and police officers getting the inside scoop on police work from them for his stories. 

·      Why and how he started out being traditionally published and switched over to being a self-published author. 

·      The importance of books being in a series.

·      How he writes every day and has published eighteen successful books in less than six years.

·      How Tom triumphed over cancer and continues to be a successful indie author!

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Connect with Tom and buy his books on his website!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show