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Welcome back for episode two of KGB Secret Agent Jack Barsky, spying in America during The Cold War!  Check out episode 43 of the Cops and Writers Podcast  with Jack Barsky (Part One)

Jack takes us deeper into spying on America during the cold war as a KGB agent and gives us insight into what a typical day of a spy who is living a double life in America was like. 

Jack also gives us a look into his life post-spy where he is now a public speaker, author of “My Secret Life and Tangled Allegiances As A KGB Spy In America”, devoted family man and American citizen. He has been featured on many news shows including 60 Minutes and was the technical advisor for the hit T.V. series, The Americans. 

In today’s episode you will learn:

·      How Jack used his training in counterintelligence in his day-to-day operations as a spy for the KGB in America.

·      How he prepared himself for “dead drop” missions.

·      How Jack juggled the pressure of being a spy, businessman, and father/husband. 

·      How and why he quit the KGB. Buy the way, nobody quits the KGB.

·      The events that led to his capture and interrogation by the FBI and this former KGB spy’s path to becoming a United States citizen.

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

Visit Jack Barsky at his website!
Listen to Jack's podcast, The Agent!

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! On today’s show, we have former KGB Agent Jack Barsky. This is part one of a two-part episode; part two will air on December 5, 2021. 

Jack was a KGB agent who was embedded in the United States as a spy for the Soviet Union during the height of the cold war. Jack was illegally inserted and assimilated into the United States carrying out covert missions as a KGB agent while keeping his cover as a bicycle delivery boy, college student, and eventually computer programmer for a large corporation. He also juggled two families complete with a wife and children in the United States, and East Germany. 

Jack is now a public speaker, author of “My Secret Life and Tangled Allegiances As A KGB Spy In America”, a devoted family man and American citizen. He has been featured on many news shows including 60 Minutes and was the technical advisor for the hit T.V. series, The Americans. 

In today’s episode you will learn:

·      Jack explains the quote, “Caution is a spy’s best friend, paranoia is his enemy.” and how this applies to everyday life.

·      How his childhood growing up in war-torn East Germany helped him later in his life as a spy for the KGB.

·      How a bright college kid on track to becoming a college professor wound up being a spy for the KGB.

·      How Jack Barsky kept his job and training with the KGB a secret from friends and family, including his mother. 

·      What special spy training and equipment Jack was given, or not given before he illegally entered the United States as a spy for the KGB.

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

Visit Jack Barsky at his website!
Listen to Jack's podcast, The Agent!

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

On today’s show, we have international best-selling author and retired N.S.A. and C.I.A. Intelligence Officer Alma Katsu. 

Alma is an internationally award-winning novelist best known for her works in historical/horror/paranormal fiction, including The Hunger, one of NPR’s 100 favorite horror stories, and The Deep, nominated for the Stoker and Locus awards for the best horror novel, and a recent finalist for the Library of Virginia’s novel of the year. Her most recent book, Red Widow, draws on her career as an intelligence officer, was a NY Times Book Review Editor’s Choice, and is in development with FOX as a TV series.

Alma worked over thirty years in the N.S.A. and C.I.A. and offers a unique perspective and expertise to her writing with accurate portrayals of the American intelligence community. 

In today’s episode you will learn:

·      How Alma started her career in the American intelligence community.

·      How her personal life was no longer hers and was scrutinized by her employer, the United States government.

·      How she balanced her very secretive career with her personal life.

·      How she started writing later in life and how she became a successful author.

·      What it felt like to have Stephen King write a blurb for her.

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

Visit Alma'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

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

On today’s show, we have Serial Entrepreneur Dave Chesson returning to the Cops and Writers studio! 

Dave was my guest back in April on show number 13. Dave is the owner or co-owner of seven different successful companies. His expertise reaches a large and diverse audience. Dave, a veteran of the United States Navy where he served aboard a submarine as a naval officer, was a Navy liaison in South Korea and was an international arms dealer.  

In today’s episode, we chat about his career in the navy, how and why he created his businesses that help writers sell more books, his own writing career, how writers can maximize their sales utilizing his mostly free writing software, and his brand-new writing software, Atticus. 

In today’s episode you will learn:

·      How Dave became an entrepreneur!

·      How he sustains seven successful businesses and balances work and family life.

·      How Dave’s Kindlepreneur, Publisher Rocket, and now Atticus help authors maximize profits and organize their writing.

·      How to utilize Publisher Rocket to boost the effectiveness of your keywords in your book description, book title, and subtitle, and the seven lines Amazon gives you for your keywords when publishing your book.

·      The importance of keywords and how to use them in advertising and how Publisher Rocket can save you valuable time researching them.

·      The new and amazing writing software Atticus, and how it will revolutionize the writing industry. 

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

Check out Dave at  Kindlepreneur and get lots of free writing tools and informative videos.
Watch Dave explain Atticus in this video!
Unlock keywords with Dave's Publisher Rocket!
Learn about firearms and write better scenes involving guns at Dave's Gun University.

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

Contest announcement!!

Those of you who rate and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher will be placed into a drawing for a chance to win an autographed copy of my book, Cops and Writers: Crime Scenes and Investigations. All you have to do is take a photo of the review/rate and send it to my email or my Facebook group, Cops and Writers https://www.facebook.com/groups/copsandwriters  please include your contact information so I can contact you and know where to send the book to. I will announce the winners on November 14! I’m sorry but this contest is open only to those in the United States. Good luck everyone.

Happy Halloween everyone! Since it is Halloween, today's show topic will be about a Monster who roamed the streets of Milwaukee Wisconsin, Jeffrey Dahmer. And the reporter who broke this, that would prove to be one of the biggest crime stories of all time, Anne Schwartz!

My guest on today’s show is best-selling author, journalist, and Pulitzer Prize-nominated, Anne E. Schwartz. Ms. Schwartz is also the author of the best-selling book, “Monster: The True Story of the Jeffrey Dahmer Murders.” 

In today’s episode, we chat about her background in journalism, the fateful night back in 1991 when she was given a tip from a police officer that was at Jeffrey Dahmer’s apartment which was the scene of one of the most horrific homicide scenes in our nation’s history. That crime scene changed hers and everyone’s life that was related to these ghastly crimes that Jeffrey Dahmer committed. 

We also talk about her new book, “Monster: The True Story of the Jeffrey Dahmer Murders” 

In today’s episode you will learn:

·      How Anne, a part-time crime reporter, and waitress broke one of the biggest crime stories in our nation’s history!

·      What it was like being the first reporter on the scene of Jeffrey Dahmer’s apartment when the police discovered evidence of years of killing and torturing of his victims, including a human head in the refrigerator.

·      How this story affected her personally and her relationships with family and friends.

·      How she later became a Public Information Officer for the Milwaukee Police Department.

·      How and why she wrote the best-selling book, “Monster: The True Story of the Jeffrey Dahmer Murders.”

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

Buy Anne Schwartz's book, Monster: The True Story of the Jeffrey Dahmer Murders
Chat with Anne on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? H

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 we are traveling to Pennsylvania!

My guest on today’s show is the author of the crime thriller, The Long Last Out, and retired Sergeant, Mike Riley of the Philadelphia Police Department! Mike spent over 25 years with the Philadelphia Police Department where he worked in patrol, was promoted to detective, and eventually was promoted to sergeant. Mike worked the streets for the entirety of his career in patrol, working undercover in the narcotic’s special operations unit and the detective bureau. After retiring from the Philadelphia Police Department, Mike also worked in the Philadelphia school system as a police officer. 

Mike and I also chat about his recently released debut crime thriller, The Long Last Out.

In today’s episode you will learn:

• What is in a ‘real’ Philly Cheesesteak!
• What was it like to be a rookie police officer in Philadelphia in the 1970s and 80’s?
• What was the training and equipment for a rookie police officer in Philadelphia?
• What was it like being an undercover police officer in the narcotic’s special operations bureau?
• How did he and his fellow officers “flip” suspects to go after big-time drug dealers. 
• Specific jargon and customs unique to the Philadelphia P.D.
• What is it really like being a police officer assigned to public schools in Philadelphia.
• The inside scoop on his crime thriller, “The Long Last Out.”

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

Check out Mike's book, The Long Last Out!
Visit Mike on his Facebook page The Rookiewriter.com

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

Today we are traveling to sunny California!

 My guest today is none other than Chris Fox! I have been a fan of Chris and his work for years. I have listened to his presentations at writers’ conferences and have purchased most of his books. Chris is a successful author that has been a huge influencer in the indie author community. Among other things, Chris is the author of the write faster/smarter series that includes titles; “Write to Market”, “5,000 Words an Hour”, “Launch to Market”, and “Plot Gardening.”

This guy knows his stuff and can teach you how to be a successful author!

In today’s episode you will learn:

• How Chris was able to quit his day job and become a full-time writer!
• How does someone write 5,000 words an hour?
• How can an author “Write to Market” in this crowded book market?
• How does Chris get the work done every day and be a good father and husband?
• Where Chris gets his ideas for his books.  
• What ads and social media should you be spending your time and money on?
• How does an introvert become a successful public speaker and the benefits and drawbacks of having your own YouTube channel and podcast. 
• The importance of physical exercise for authors. 

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

Visit Chris at his website where you will find his books, helpful videos, and other gold nuggets
Check out Chris on his YouTube channel

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

Today we are traveling to Kentucky!

My guest today is (Retired) ATF Senior Special Agent Rick McMahan. Rick spent over twenty-five years as a federal agent, retiring in 2017. During his career, Rick worked a wide array of criminal casework from interstate firearms traffickers; murder for hire cases; and even a serial bomber. For over a year and a half, Rick was the lead case agent/ contact agent for an agent working undercover to infiltrate an outlaw motorcycle gang. Rick served as an ATF firearms instructor as well as on the job trainer for new agents.

In today’s episode you will learn:

• How and why Rick became an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol Firearms Tobacco and Explosives (ATF).
• What the selection and training were for new agents with the ATF.
• The relationship between ATF agents and local law enforcement.
• The uniform and equipment for an ATF agent.
• His role in an undercover operation with an outlaw motorcycle club. 
• What really goes on in an outlaw motorcycle club.
• Misconceptions and mistakes writers make when portraying ATF agents.

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

Join Rick at the Writers Police Academy.

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 

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

Cops and Writers visit Clevland Ohio where you can find the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and our special guest J Thorn!

Hugh Howey, Matthew McConaughey, James Patterson, Justine Bateman, Ex CIA Spook Alma Katsu, Andy Weir, and little old me. What do we all have in common? We have all been guests on the Writers Ink Podcast co-hosted by today's guest, J Thorn!

J is an accomplished author, coach, and podcaster. J. Thorn has published two million words and has sold more than 185,000 books worldwide. J. co-hosts the Writers, Ink podcast with J.D. Barker, Zach Bohannan, and has interviewed some of today's most successful authors. 

In today’s episode you will learn:

·      Wow J’s early years in being in a band influenced his writing. 

·      How many podcasts J has been on and the impact they have had on his life. 

·      The effectiveness of podcasts and who and why someone should start one.

·      The similarities between being an author and being a musician and songwriter.

·      The importance of putting yourself out there.

·      The future of being an author and what to do to prepare yourself for the inevitable subscription model of business heading our way.

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

Visit J Thorn at his website, The authorlife.com
Listen to The Writers Ink Podcast

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 

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

On today’s show, my guest is “Ronin” who is a police firearms instructor. Ronin is a police officer and adjunct firearms instructor for a major metropolitan police department in America. Because he is an active police officer, we are going to protect his identity and use the name “Ronin” while addressing him.

In today’s episode you will learn:

•What Ronin’s influences were, his time as a United States Marine, and why he began his career in law enforcement.
•The difference between police and military firearms training and tactics.
•What his job in patrol and working an anti-gang car was like?
•Why he became an adjunct firearms instructor and what special training is required for the job.
•Basic firearms safety.
•A basic overview of the firearms used in law enforcement today.

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 

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