Send us a text

I CANNOT believe we are wrapping up another season of the Next Shift Podcast! If you had told me in June 2023 that I'd have 3 seasons of a podcast by June 2025...I would not have believed you...but here we are! 

A HUGE shoutout to all of the incredible guests who have shared their real, raw vulnerable stories on the podcast...giving hope to others, that there is indeed life after law enforcement. This show would NOT be what it is without these guests and without YOU listening. 

This week's episode is a recap of the TOP 10 episodes, based on downloads. If you haven't listened to these episodes, I encourage you to go listen...they were incredible conversations. 

The TOP 10 episodes of season 3 are: 

- S3E2 - Hiding in Plain Sight w/Doug White

- S3E4 - Quiet Quitting w/Jackson McLaughlin

- S3E3 - The end of an era w/Thomas Goldberg

- S3E26 - You'll know when it's time w/Lou Forst

- S3E12 - Your questions answered (Life after LE edition) w/me

- S3E18 - Never forget where you came from w/Mario Tonzelli

- S3E13 - You are the problem, not your salary w/Nick Daugherty

- S3E14 - Using your LE skills & Networking w/Valerie Hartman

- S3E11 - Lessons from the lounge w/Josh Malczak

- S3E7 - Taking control of your health & life w/Kevin Murray

Each one of these episodes are value packed and I guarantee you will see yourself in parts of each story. 

If this podcast has spoken to you at all or helped you in anyway...I would be so grateful if you took a moment to leave a rating and review, to help get the word out!

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

This week's episode is an emotional reflection of my very first Police Week. 

In case you missed it, I was able to and honored to attend Police Week, as a partner with T-Priority (T-Mobile's First Responder Solution). It was an incredible week talking with survivors, sharing stories, and honoring our fallen...including my husband and I's friend, Cody...who was killed in the line of duty February 29, 2024.

Once I got home, I had to take a couple of days to let it all sink in, then decided to record a podcast and encourage you to take a trip to the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum...if not during police week...at some point. 

We hear about these officers when they're taken from us...but seeing 24,000+ names lining panel after panel of the wall...unlike anything I've ever seen. It was solemn reminder that we are NEVER alone...in life, in loss, and in grief. 

If you weren't able to catch the videos I filmed with the T-Priority team on LinkedIn, you can catch them, here, and make sure to follow their page to see how they're not only showing up for first responders, but creating solutions for them. I posted more behind-the-scenes footage and reflections of each day on my personal LinkedIn page. 

If you've ever been to police week...I'd love to hear your reflections through either the text option above, or by you sharing the episode with your network and your reflections as a caption.

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

This week's episode is a little different, in that it is not an interview with a retired LEO, but a retired LE civilian employee, who spent over 26 years serving his department and community with pride. 

Roland Clee spent over 26 years in Law Enforcement, as a Community Services Officer in Florida, is the founder of Command Staff Consulting, and Founder/Author of the American Peace Officer Newsletter.

Roland's story is a testament to the importance civilian roles play in the everyday operation of police departments. Roland attended an academy to become a Community Services Officer, spent time on Patrol...taking crash report, simple stealings, and reports without suspects, spent time in the Investigations Unit...assisting in homicide cases, spent time as the Chief's right hand man...often sitting in on meetings in the Chief's spot, and sent time in Victim's Services...his favorite role. 

Toward the end of his career, Roland had a previous Commander, who left to be Chief elsewhere, reach out and offer him work. Roland will never forget that Commander telling him, "Next chapters are the best chapters," and now he shares that message forward anytime he gets the chance. 

When asked what his purpose is now, Roland shared that it is to stand up for officers and that his passion is to help bring Gen Z into policing. Roland doesn't believe we are facing a recruiting crisis, as much as we are facing a leadership crisis. 

Make sure you connect with Roland on LinkedIn, here. 

Please be advised, the conference mentioned at the end of this episode was canceled for this year...but keep an eye out for it coming back around...as it is much needed. 

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

This week's episode is a chat with retired Patrol Captain, Chris Haynes, who served 31 years with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.

Chris was inspired to become a cop at just 5 or 6 years old, when his uncle would stop by his grandma's house to eat while on duty. After high school, Chris went to college and at just 21 years old, joined the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. Chris spent time on Patrol, as a Narcotics Investigator, Interdiction Sergeant, promoted to Lieutenant, and ended his career as a Patrol Captain.

Toward the end of his career, Chris started to see Admin lose sight of the work Patrol actually does and he did not see eye to eye with a new Sheriff. He put in his paperwork when he felt his heart was no longer in it...passing up the raises that were finally granted. 

Like so many, Chris thought landing a job post law enforcement would be easy, especially since he knew what experience and skills he brought to the table. He ended up in the Acquisition business, as an RV Park Acquisition Manager and is enjoying life after law enforcement. 

If you want to learn more about acquisitions or more about Chris's journey, make sure to connect with him on LinkedIn, here. 

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

This week's episode is a chat with Lou Forst, a retired Lieutenant from Newark PD in New Jersey. 

Lou discusses being born and raised in New Jersey, then spending his entire policing career at Newark PD, in various units like patrol, Vice, Narcotics, Gang, Sergeant on Patrol, IA, and the academy. 

From 2010 to 2014, Newark had NO new hires, but from 2014-2019 they hired 485 new officers. Lou was a large part of that hiring craze and at the end of it, his boss told him he needed to take a month off, due to built up time. Lou was up for it, as he hadn't taken vacation like that since the 90s, when he got hired on. 

On the last day of his month long vacation, Lou came to the realization he was ready to retire. He told his wife and when she asked where that idea came from, he recalled an old Lieutenant telling him he would know when it was time. Lou followed his gut and turned in his retirement paperwork, feeling a sense of relief. Lou described the feelings he had as he went 10-42 for the last time, as pride and finality. 

Like so many cops...he was shocked to find out "retired life" wasn't really for him. A couple of months in and chilling at home, his wife encouraged him to get a job, so he worked at Home Depot as the cart guy. That lasted about five months, but he embraced it and made the most of it...realizing you have to have purpose in the work you're doing. 

Lou now creates LE curriculum and leads trainings through Penn State University, which fulfills his purpose of giving back to the career he fell in love with.

Make sure you connect with LOU on LinkedIn, here. 

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

This week's episode is a chat with Rob Hollingsworth, one of the very first people I sat down with on an Instagram LIVE, to chat about his transition out of Law Enforcement in March 2023. A LOT has happened since that first chat, so we sat down to record an actual podcast episode. 

Rob is a Navy Veteran and prior LEO turned entrepreneur, who's also a husband and father to three littles. 

Rob spent a majority of his four years with the Navy deployed overseas and shortly after getting out of the Navy, started his police career with the Henderson, NV PD. After approximately three years, he lateral transferred to Tacoma PD. After approximately three years, children had entered the picture, 2020 happened, and he'd watched co-workers be criminally charged for doing their jobs. He started thinking a 20+ year career was not for him. His wife, although always supportive of his career, even made a comment about she wouldn't mind if he did something else.

After approximately one year of thinking about leaving the only job he wanted, he decided he couldn't keep putting his family through what the past few years had been like for LEOs. He and He knew he wasn't a 9-5 type person, and after struggling for 6-12 months, started his first company and has since created several opportunities for himself.

Make sure you connect with Rob on LinkedIn and Instagram. 

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

This week's episode is a chat with Katie Robert's, a LEOW who received a call no law enforcement spouse wants to receive and has spent the past few years fighting for her husband to not only get the care he deserves after a near fatal crash on duty, but for his disability to be approved. Contrary to what so many think...just because the medical retirement has gone through...the fight is NOT over.

This is a video of the crash her husband, Jeremy, was in on his department motorcycle...shared with her permission. It is hard to watch and will serve as a reminder that this job AND this life...could be gone in an instant. 

Jeremy's life was spared that day and one day, the purpose of all the pain and struggle will be revealed. 

Katie shares about not only getting the call from a civilian who stopped to help Jeremy, but how she had to find a place for her 5 month old, going to the scene only to find out Jeremy had already been transported, seeing him in the hospital, being judged for not crying enough, realizing the only family you have is the one under YOUR roof, seeing the man you love need help with EVERYTHING, and the BATTLE that is work comp/disability claims and medical retirement. 

None of the stuff she shares is unique to their story. It is happening EVERY SINGLE DAY, across the country, often leaving those struggling feeling like they are alone. You are NOT alone. 

This is a process that MUST be fixed, as it only adds insult to injury for these officers who so faithfully serve, yet feel forgotten about and left out to dry by the "family" they were promised in the academy. 

Every state has their own work comp laws and oftentimes, departments feel their hands are tied when it comes to checking in on those who are off on injury. I encourage you to educate yourself of your state's work comp laws, find out if there is anything special regarding first responders, and if you've fought through the process...take the fight to your local representatives. 

Department leaders...there is NO rule against checking in on your members while they are off. They are human beings, often facing a combination of mental AND physical injuries, due to the situation. A text, FaceTime, call, or visit can go a LONG way with letting them know they are NOT alone in their time of need. 

Sergeants...these are YOUR people, no longer taking up a seat in roll call. You see that empty spot EVERY SHIFT. Reach out to check on your people and make sure you're checking on the ones still there...maybe struggling with the absence of their shift mate! ASK your people what they need and how they want to be supported. A little effort goes a LONG way!

You can connect with Katie on Instagram, here. 

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

In this week's episode, I share 3 things you must have/do if you are serious about transitioning out of law enforcement and they are based on the NUMEROUS conversations I have each week, with people telling me they are looking to transition and want to know what to do. First things first...I can't answer that, ONLY you can...BUT I will have some questions for you to help you gain some clarity.

The first two questions I ask almost every single person who reaches out with a generic message about transitioning and what to do, is...

1. WHY do you want to get out of LE? Not the surface level answer...the deep rooted reason why you're choosing to leave this career. 

2. WHEN are you looking to make the transition?

For the first question...I often get a story about how the department has done x, y, or z to them...or they're just tired of the job being politicized...or how they just don't see themselves going another 15+ years. 

For the second question...I often get something like, "Yesterday," or ASAP or "I retire next month," or "I don't really have a timeframe in mind." 

Not only are those first two reasons for leaving (or any variation of something similar) based on EXTERNAL factors...ALL of those answers NEED to be far more specific. 

If you don't know the DEEP rooted reason why you are leaving law enforcement...you will NEVER make it through the tough shit that comes at you throughout this transition period. You will give up and just stay stuck in the rut you're in. 

We've all heard the, "a goal without a deadline is just a dream," phrase before...it's TRUE! If you don't set a deadline for yourself, there is no sense of urgency and no incentive to DO THE WORK it takes to make the transition happen. 

Once you have a SPECIFIC timeframe nailed down...you also need to work on your mindset AND building your network for the future. Our life is only ever as good as our mindset and many of us get pretty jaded, cynical, and burned out prior to leaving. THAT has to be worked on EVERY SINGLE DAY and is much easier to do, when surrounded by the RIGHT people. 

Far too often, we stay stuck and can't see outside of our reality and current circle/circumstances...but there are 7+ BILLION people in the world! You MUST put yourself out there and in a position to meet these people who you would never otherwise meet. Social media is a GOLD MINE...but ONLY if you allow it to be. Take responsibility for who is allowed in your space, talk about the things that matter to you, build your network full of people who will talk about you in rooms you're not in, to give you opportunities you wouldn't otherwise have.

If you're DONE feeling stuck, like you're "Just a cop," and you're SERIOUS about transitioning out of law enforcement THIS year...you NEED to join us in Next Shift Academy and let us help you find the CLARITY to gain the CONFIDENCE needed to take ACTION toward your Next Shift. 

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

This week's episode is a chat with John Benjamin Jones. John is a retired Senior Air Marshal and former US Navy combat veteran...as well as the author of A Higher Calling: A biblical guide for first responders, military, and veterans and co-author of the undergraduate textbook, The Fundamentals of Security Management: A Common Sense Approach.

John spent almost 30 years in public service and now uses his experiences to be an advocate for first responders and veterans. 

John endured a lengthly medical retirement process after he was diagnosed with a brain bleed that would not allow him to continue flying. Once his retirement process was complete, John went into the financial industry as a financial services rep and as of the date of this recording, was working on obtaining his RICP certification, which would allow him to also sell insurance. 

Make sure you connect with John on LinkedIn and check out his website, here. 

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

The reflection every cop needs: Identity, Purpose & What’s Next

Turning 40 has a way of making you reflect, and in this episode, I’m taking you through my own journey—19 years in and around law enforcement, losing my career at 10 years in due to injury, and spending two years in a dark place before finally figuring out who I was beyond the job...and still figuring it out!

If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or unsure of what’s next, this episode is for you. I’ll walk you through key exercises to help you:

✔️ Evaluate where you are and where YOU actually want to be
✔️ Define who you are beyond the badge
✔️ Identify the shifts you need to make to build the life you want
✔️ Recognize the lessons from your life/career that've shaped you

You don’t have to do this alone. These exercises CAN be hard and can create new concerns for us...but they are worth it! The sooner we become self-aware, the better we get...both on and off the job. We stop seeing obstacles and instead see opportunities!

Next Shift Academy is here to support you—because life after law enforcement isn’t the end. It’s a new beginning. Many of us on the inside have been there, done that when it comes to navigating this transition and leaning on self-awareness to get us where we are today. Join us and let us help you become the person you want to be. 

Take a listen, do the exercises, and if you need a team in your corner, come join us inside Next Shift Academy.

I'd love to hear your feedback on these exercises and any lightbulb moments you had! Share the episode to your social media, with your reflections and tag me...or simply message me on social or text the show!

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift