The Danny and Park Novels Good News Podcast

Today’s guest is Dan Vilardo, a former Richmond cop and current podcaster with his own YouTube channel. Dan reached out to me on Instagram because we have the same goals on our podcasts; promoting positivity. Dan and I cover a variety of topics, to include: policing in Richmond, his sobriety, and his outlook on life. Take a listen to our interview and let me know what you think.

Make sure that you check out Dan’s YouTube channel, Cozy Corner FTL as well as the Red Corner Benefit which is a non-profit organization that supports the fight against childhood cancer. Their website is redcornerbenefit.org

Stay positive, take care of each other and thanks for listening.

Today’s guest is Shannon Taylor, the Commonwealth Attorney for Henrico County, Va. Shannon and I worked together when she was a prosecutor in Richmond. She then worked for the Richmond area Multi-jurisdictional grand jury, left that spot to become a defense attorney, then got elected to her current post in 2011. 

Shannon and I talk about her career, the purpose of grand juries, her take on the Justice system and her views on the growing number of women who have been elected as Commonwealth and District attorneys.

A lot is packed into our interview so let’s get to it. 

I hope you enjoy our discussion.

 Today’s guest is RPD Sgt. James Hale. Sgt. Hale is one of the supervisors for RPD’s School Resource Officers. These are the police officers who not only keep the students and faculty safe, but also mentor the students, take them on trips, show them how to exercise correctly and so much more. So much, in fact, that I’m going to cut this intro short and jump right into the interview. I hope you enjoy it.

Welcome to Christina's episode!

After the interview was done, I texted Christina multiple thumbs up because of how well she did. She replied that she thought people would hate her because of what she said. I replied, ‘Nah’, but you know what? Some people may hate her because of what she said, but so what? Everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves to have their voice heard and be given an opportunity to give their opinions about how they view this world. 

A point that Christina really drove home is that how you view racism is derived from your personal experience with it. Racism is not just black and white. It exists across the entire spectrum and until we can all come to the table and have those uncomfortable conversations, we’re just spinning our wheels. 

Humans come in all different colors, like the spice analogy Christina gave. We should embrace each other because of our differences and enjoy each other for who we are.

Ignore the people who want to divide us. Take care of each other and treat others the way you want to be treated.

Thanks for listening.

 Today’s guest is Austin Darnell, a Homicide detective with the Richmond Police Department. Darnell and I worked on separate Homicide teams, then I became his acting supervisor while his sergeant was having some shoulder surgery. As you’ll be able to tell in the interview, Darnell is irreverent, but smart as hell and funny as, well, you know. Take a listen to our interview and let me know what you think.

Today’s guest is Reggie Allen, a 30yr veteran of the Richmond Police Department. Reggie started with the department in 1988 and retired in 2019. While with the department, Reggie spent a few years in patrol, about nine years in Narco-cide and Homicide, but eventually went back to do what he loved doing: narcotics work. Reggie and I talk about his career with the department, his outlook on life and his advice to people just getting in to law enforcement. I hope you enjoy the interview.

Today’s guest is Antoinette Tull. Antoinette worked for the City of Richmond for nearly 14yrs as the Human Resources Chief for the Richmond Police Department. She also established RPD's first Wellness Unit in 2019. I initially asked Antoinette if she wanted to talk about the fact that many people of color who go missing don’t receive the media coverage that white women do. Antoinette agreed to do an episode, but didn't think that speaking on that topic was in her wheelhouse and that others were more versed in the topic. Instead she wanted to talk about diversity and inclusion in law enforcement, so I readily agreed!

Check out Antionette's Linkedin page AND her upcoming website, Hurtle LLC

Today’s guest is Donna Mensah, an author I met on Instagram. Her book, ‘Diaries of a Nagging Wife’ is available on Amazon and she SWEARS it’s not autobiographical. As my mother used to say, WJS: we’ll just see. Listen to the fun conversation I have with Donna and let me know what you think.

And remember to check out her book on Amazon!

 Today’s guest is Kim Mooney, a lieutenant with the Richmond Police Department. Kim’s current assignment is at the police academy and she and I speak about what she sees in the new recruits and what she and the rest of the academy staff try to impart to them. She and I also talk about the assignments that she has worked in her 17yrs with the department. 

Kim had initially reached out to me in response to a promo I did asking for people to come on the podcast and talk about topics that can be hard to talk about. Kim suggested talking about gay and lesbian cops and volunteered to come on the podcast to discuss. Since she has a wife and four kids, I figured she knew what she was talking about and here she is. 

Take a listen to our conversation and let me know what you think.

Today’s guest is Sonia Austin-Moore, a Forensic detective with the Richmond Police Department. Sonia’s been with the Richmond Police Department for (16) years and has been a Forensic detective for the last decade. Sonia and I talk about her career with the department as well as a physical scare that she had that completely blindsided her. I’m going to keep this intro short so that we can jump right into it. I hope you enjoy the interview.