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Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council (NSC), Counterterrorism, U.S. hostage recovery activities, special operations, counterintelligence, and human intelligence, these are just some of the topics today’s guest, Col. Christopher Costa is an expert. 
 
 Mr. Costa served as the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council (NSC). At the NSC, he was responsible for coordinating counterterrorism policy and strategy as well as U.S. hostage recovery activities. Mr. Costa had 34 years of progressive national security experience and well-documented success in strategy, policy, special operations, counterintelligence, and human intelligence, deploying on multiple contingencies and to combat operations in the Republic of Panama, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Mr. Costa's last assignment with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) was as Program Director in the Operations Directorate. Previously, Mr. Costa served as a Department of the Navy civilian at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group – with US Navy SEALs. 

Mr. Costa holds an M.A. in Strategic Intelligence from American Military University; an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College; and a B.A. from Norwich University. His military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and two Bronze Stars. In May 2013, Mr. Costa was inducted into The Commando Hall of Honor for extraordinary and enduring service to Special Operations Forces. 

In 2018, Mr. Costa joined the International Spy Museum as the Executive Director where he plays a leading role in building on its extraordinary success as a Washington attraction and speaks responsibly on current counterterrorism and intelligence issues. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How Chris’ internship in law enforcement shaped him throughout his long and distinguished career in the military and government.

·      Why he joined the Army?

·      Chris gives us an overview of his career in special operations and being a military intelligence officer.

·      The vital importance of our partners in foreign lands. 

·      Identifying threats to our country. 

·      What it was like being a Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council.

·      The Havana Syndrome. 

·      His role as Executive Director of the International Spy Museum.

·      “The Deed is All, Not The Glory.”

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

Contact Mr. Costa at the International Spy Museum!

Check out Episodes #43 and 44 of the Cops and Writers Podcast with former KGB Agent Jack Barsky.
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

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

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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This episode is near and dear to my heart. I have witnessed George in action and the compassion and healing that he provides to members of law enforcement and their families.

Who takes care of the men and women in blue who take care of you? George Papachristou, that’s who. Today I’m honored to have Police Chaplain George Papachristou on the show. George gives us a peek behind the curtain of the world of police chaplains.

George graduated from Marquette University with degrees in Criminal Justice and Theology. George worked for a short time in a suburb of Milwaukee and eventually had a 15-year career with the City of Milwaukee Police Department. George is ordained by Elmbrook Church in Brookfield and is active in their Chaplain Ministry. George serves as the Chaplain for the Milwaukee Police Department and assists the MCSO and Wisconsin State Patrol. George serves on the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S) and is a member and certified Instructor with the International Conference of Police Chaplains.
 
In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How George got started in law enforcement.

·      What are the duties of a police chaplain?

·      What is the training required to be a police chaplain?

·      Real-life examples of the calls he responds to. 

·      The differences between a civilian and a police chaplain. 

·      How he gained and keeps the trust between himself and the officers.

·      How he interacts with and works with the police psychologist. 

·      The clues that are given, or not given by a person serious about committing suicide.

·      How to start a police chaplaincy in your department and why it’s needed. 

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

You can contact George Papachristou at: [email protected], or his mobile phone: 262-617-9153.
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

Have you ever dreamed of quitting your day job and making a good living from your book business? I know what you are thinking. Didn’t he start out his last podcast with this question? You are correct, but today I have a different indie author that was able to do this with his writing. 
 
My guest on the show today is Zach Bohannon. Zach is a best-selling author who writes post-apocalyptic science fiction, horror, and thrillers. In addition to writing fiction, Zach is a book editor and writing coach. With J. Thorn, he hosts unique writing retreats and events all over the United States. He hosts two podcasts: Writers, Ink alongside J. Thorn and J.D. Barker where they talk to the biggest names in publishing, and the Creator Dad Podcast, where he has conversations with fellow creatives and entrepreneurs about balancing the responsibilities of life with their creative endeavors.

 In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How a drummer for a heavy metal band became a full-time author.

·      Podcasting, Writers Ink, and The Creative Dad Podcasts and how they and other podcasts he has been involved in have changed his life and business.

·      Who should start their own podcast and be a guest on one.

·      The benefits and drawbacks of co-writing books. 

·      How he and three other powerhouse authors wrote a book on a train and how that experience changed his life forever. 

·      The benefits and what genres work best, or not best, for writing in a series.

·      The advantages and disadvantages of having your first book be a breakout success. 

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

Check out Zach's website!
Listen to Zach on the Writers Ink and Creator Dad Podcasts.
Check out the Creator Dad episode with me :-)
Check out the Career Author.
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

Have you ever dreamed of quitting your day job and making a good living from your book business? My guest today did just that! 

Best Selling Author Dr. Cecelia Mecca had a good paying job in education and left that behind to pursue her passion for writing books. Since she left her day job, she has surpassed her income substantially and continues to grow her author career. 

Cecelia shares her incredible story with us and gives us a peek into her very successful author career and lets us know what works and doesn’t work for her author business.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How Cecelia started her author career.

·      When she knew the time was right for her to be a full-time author.

·      Her suggestions to those of you out there who want to go full-time as an author.

·      What her writing process looks like and what a typical business day looks like for her. 

·      Cecelia’s marketing strategy and her adoption of TikTok and other social media platforms. 

·      Why she chooses to be a self-published author.

·      What’s it like to have your husband being a part of your author business. 

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

Check out Cecelia's website!
Go on over to Cecelia's penname Bella Michaelis page.
Check out Cecelia on TikTok!
Head over to Cecelia's Instagram.
Visit Cecelia on her Facebook page. 
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 show takes us to Waukesha Wisconsin, which is about 30 miles west of Milwaukee.

Why, because that is where I live. Today’s show is going to be a special Year In Review Cops and Writers Podcast. We say goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022. I will also give you, my dear listeners a peek into my private life.

In today’s episode I will discuss:

·      Some basic information about myself.

·      Why I’m doing this show and the importance of looking back and moving forward.

·      How the Tim Ferriss Show Podcast #559 “Forget New Year’s Resolutions and Conduct a ‘Past Year Review’ instead episode pushed me into making some changes in my personal/professional life. 

·      Why I started the Podcast in 2021 and didn’t publish any books that year. 

·      Why I will scale down my consulting business, not give it up. 

·      My experience at the 20books to 50k indie book conference this year.

·      Me dipping my toes in the fiction world again by writing a crime thriller this year.

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

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 show takes us to Knoxville Tennessee where I chat with Derek Pacifico.

Derek started his 24-year career in law enforcement with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department where he served as a deputy, detective, and sergeant working in the jail and on the street in patrol and the homicide unit. After he retired from the sheriff’s department, he took a job in a small town in Tennessee where he was the chief of police for two years. In 2018 Derek landed a job teaching high school criminal justice where he enjoys teaching three different criminal justice classes to his eager students. 

Derek shares his vast experience in law enforcement and teaching with us in today’s show.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How Derek got interested in law enforcement and what life in the academy looked like.

·      How Derek working in the jail, was always outnumbered by dangerous inmates and how he used his “gift of gab” to keep safe.

·      How Derek worked his way to the homicide unit as a detective.

·      Derek’s promotion to sergeant and unique challenges that brought. 

·      What life as a small-town chief of police was really like. 

·      How a homicide detective and sergeant wound up teaching high school kids.

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

Visit Derek and check out everything he offers, including his books 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

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

For today’s show I bring back Adam Richardson from the Writers Detective Bureau Podcast and The Writers Detective School. 

Adam Richardson spent 17 of his 25-plus year law enforcement career as a detective in California and spent over a decade as a college faculty member teaching criminal justice courses. He is host of the Writer’s Detective Bureau podcast and creator of the Writer’s Detective School.

This is a random show where we discuss a variety of topics over some drinks in a relaxed setting. I hope you like the format, if so, I will bring it back from time to time. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Adam’s background and how he became interested in law enforcement.

·      Adam explains his Writers Detective School course and the value it is to writers.

·      What books, T.V. shows or movies he has enjoyed in 2021.

·      When and what his workouts look like. 

·      What direction his Writers Detective Bureau Podcast is going in 2022. 

·      And we answer questions from the Cops and Writers Facebook group.
 
 Remember, I told you this is a random show. 

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

Checkout Adam's website where you can find links to his podcast and courses.
To join the waitlist for the next cohort: writersdetective.com/school

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

Fear, anxiety, terror, relief, joy, and more fear, are just some of the emotions that a book launch can bring out in authors, especially new authors. 

My guest on today's show Courtney Kenney has your back! Courtney has helped numerous best-selling authors launch their books at the top of the charts, and now she is here to help you.

Courtney shares her vast experience in book launching with us today and hopefully will calm some of your fears related to book launches.

In today’s episode we discuss:
·      How Courtney got interested in helping authors with their book launches.

·      How Courtney uses her past as a project manager for a major corporation in her present business helping authors launch their books.

·      Best practices when launching a book.

·      Tips and tricks to help you with your successful book launch. 

·      Common errors that occur when authors launch their books. 

·      When to use and not use preorders and what length.

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

Check out Courtney's website and get a free copy of the Pre-Order Playbook!
Head on over to Courtney's author page. 

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

My guest today is a Swiss Army Knife of law enforcement experience. 

Mike Roche has over four decades of experience starting as a street cop, detective, and special agent for the ATF and the U.S. Secret Service. Mike also served as an adjunct professor teaching threat Assessments of Physical Structures and Behavioral Threat Assessments of Mass Killers. 

Mike shares his vast experience with us today and gives us valuable insights into law enforcement, especially his time with the U.S. Secret Service.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How Mike became interested in law enforcement and why he choose to spend the bulk of his career with the U.S. Secret Service.

·      What it was really like working a protective detail with U.S. Secret Service.

·      How he and other members of the U.S. Secret Service investigated threats against the President of the United States.

·      How to identify potential mass killers in the workplace and school.

·      The role that the U.S. Secret Service plays in the detection and recovery of counterfeit currency. 

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

Visit Mike Roche's 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
Check out my affiliate link to Adam Richards new Crime Fiction Guns Course
Visit super awesome Narrator Ryan Kennard Burke's website 

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

How would you like to have a six-figure author career in a little over two years? 

In today’s episode, I chat with best-selling indie superstar author Jodi Burnett, and we discuss how she did exactly that. After listening to this interview, you will believe that you, too, can be a successful indie author. 

Jodi treats her author career as a business, and that is paying dividends for her. With a love of telling stories, educating herself with courses geared for self-published authors, paying attention to all the little details, a bunch of life experiences that have taken her all over the globe, and the love and encouragement from her husband and children, there is nothing stopping this rising star. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      How Jodi’s love of telling stories and reading set her up for future success as an author.

·      It’s never too late to start your author career.

·      How she incorporated her experience as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor for children with Cerebral Palsy and Traumatic Brain Injury and equine-assisted growth and learning experiences for at-risk teens and teen moms into her books.

·      How she incorporates police K-9’s into her stories and the research that was needed to craft these awesome stories.

·      Jodi’s tips and tricks that have enabled her to climb to a six-figure author career in a little over two years. 

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

Visit Jodi at her website!
Check out Jodi's Amazon Author Page.

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