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HAPPY NEW YEAR! I pray you had a very safe and happy New Year...and are looking forward to what's to come!

This quote (episode title) by Robin Sharma hit me square in the face when I heard it several years ago. It was the wake up call I needed to take control of my life and it's now a guiding principle.

Far too often we feel "stuck," and instead of doing the work to move forward...or even move backwards (initially), to then move even further ahead...we wallow in self pity and blame everyone else for where we are. Well, that ends right here, right now!

TAKE CONTROL...or your 2025 is going to look exactly like your 2024...and so on and so on, until you take control.

In this episode I share my thoughts on goals/resolutions VS words of the year to set the intention. I also share eight LIFE lessons I've learned through running over the years, that if you implement...your 2025 WILL look different than your 2024.

If you're feeling STUCK and not sure which way is up...Next Shift Academy can help! We are a community of current AND former LEOS who are here to help YOU get UNSTUCK in 2025. We've been there, done that...or are right alongside you, trying to figure it out. Whether you're considering the transition out of law enforcement or not...the networking and mentoring taking place daily/weekly in this community is UNMATCHED. You can join us, here.

Groups not really your thing, but you are tired of feeling STUCK and like you're "just a cop," I got you....I can work with you 1-on-1 to help you get out of your own damn way, realize you are so much more than "just a cop," and take control of your future...whether you're transitioning out of LE or not. Schedule your first session, here.

If this holiday season was hard for you and/or you are struggling, you are NOT alone. Reach out to me, to a trusted friend, to 988, or to COPLINE (1-800-267-5463). We need you and your story IS worth sharing. Be here tomorrow!

This month's non-profit of choice to receive a donation of 20% of all Next Shift services sold is, The Overwatch Collective. Make sure to follow them on Instagram and visit their website. You can hear my episode (season 6, episode 7) of The Overwatch collective podcast, 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.

You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

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This is a short, solo episode and in honor of the Christmas holiday, I wanted to gift you with three things that have helped me so much in my life after law enforcement journey.

Gratitude, permission to be YOU, and permission to set boundaries with whoever you need to. Being intentional with these three things have changed the game and the trajectory of my life...and I want YOU to have that gift as well.

I pray you have a fantastic Christmas, but I am aware that this time of year and this holiday in particular are very hard for so many. I am here for you, however I can be. 

If this holiday is hard for you and you are struggling, you are NOT alone. Reach out to me, to a trusted friend, to 988, or to COPLINE (1-800-267-5463). We need you and your story IS worth sharing.

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.

You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

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This week's episode is a chat with one of my favorite people I've met in this life after Law Enforcement journey. Tom Smith is a retired NYPD detective and one of the most genuine/supportive people I've ever met in my life. It is an honor to share his story on the Next Shift Podcast.

Tom followed in his father's footsteps in becoming an NYPD officer, working his way up to Detective, then working with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force for the last 17 years of his career.

Despite the demanding work that took him all around the globe, Tom was able to keep his family a priority...including coaching his kid's sport teams, which I find so admirable...since it does NOT seem to be the norm. When I asked Tom if he had a mentor or someone to model how to balance a police career and family, he stated his father was his mentor.

In his retirement, Tom works part-time at a local Sheriff's Department, doing background investigations for firearm permits. He is also the VP/COO of Impact Solutions and co-host of a podcast, Gold Shields with an old partner of his. Tom also guest appears on different news outlets and even Nancy Grace, as an LE expert.

Make sure you connect with Tom on LinkedIn, follow Gold Shields on Instagram, and check out Gold Shields podcast...where he interviews all kinds of incredible guests. 

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.

You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

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This week's episode is a chat with Kevin Murray, retired LEO turned fitness and Nutrition coach, who now works at a local Sheriff's office as the Fitness and Wellness Coordinator.

Kevin was born and raised in the Kansas City area and while we both worked at the same police department and even overlapped some years...we did not know each other, but it was fun to chat with someone from the same PD I started at.

Kevin began his LE career at 23 years old and served for 26 years, in various units like the Patrol, the Motorcycle Unit, then promoted to Sergeant, and finally a Traffic Unit Sgt. He decided to retire in 2018 and when he did, he realized he wanted something more and needed a mission.

He began competing in Triathalons and became an Ultra Marathon Runner. He discusses how to stop sitting on a decision and just take action in order to get results. "I'll wait till then," is just an excuse to procrastinate. Through his training and running, he developed a new belief in himself and an, "I'll find a way," attitude. Kevin began sharing his journey on social media and had a post titled, "Dead at 57," that got a lot of attention, which helped him know he was on the right track with our LE community.

Make sure you follow Kevin on LinkedIn and you'll see the phenomenal work he is doing to support our LE brothers and sisters in creating healthy, SUSTAINABLE habits, in order to take back control of their health and life. "The more you lose, the more you gain," is one of my favorite quotes from our conversation because it is so true...NOT just in weight loss or a health journey...but in life in general. 

It is NEVER too late to take control of your health or life. If you need assistance and/or don't know where to start, reach out to Kevin.

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.

You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

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This week's episode is different than normal. It is NOT an interview with a transitioned police officer, but instead, a chat about police families with my girl, Katherine, who's father is a retired Police LT.

Katherine and I "met" on Instagram a few years back and I found her content to be both insightful and a challenge to "the norm"...as her experience as the child of a police officer, was NOT the typical story we hear. Katherine also hosts a podcast, Beyond the Uniform with the LT's Daughter, in which I was a guest on back in February 2023. You can check out our episode, here.

Katherine is here to change the narrative on police families and share stories of those who have learned to balance the job with home life, as well as her own experiences as the child of a police officer. Not all police families are stuck in the overtime trap. Not all police families are broken homes. Not all police families have disengaged officer. Not all police families have disgruntled family members. Not all police families have children who grow up troubled. I could go on and on, but you get the point and will hear it in this episode.

Through her work and connections with more and more police officers/families, she has come to realize just how many did NOT get to experience life as a police family, the way she did and she is on a mission to change this dynamic.

I love Katherine's mission and love watching her get out in the police community to spread awareness and her message. She is helping change families and the lives of our officers through her content, podcast, and events.

Make sure you follow Katherine on both Instagram and LinkedIn, and be sure to subscribe to her podcast at the link above. 

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.

You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

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In honor of this Thanksgiving week...this week's episode is a short, message of gratitude for YOU...the listener and the previous guests. 

Practicing gratitude has been one of the biggest game changers to my transition out of Law Enforcement. While the journey CAN be rough and it can seem impossible to have hope, see light at the end of the tunnel, or feel like you have anything to be grateful for. Because of that, it is crucial to develop some sort of gratitude practice to lean on when times get tough. In this episode, I chat about how/when I practice gratitude. 

I am so grateful to our previous guests and their willingness to share their stories, oftentimes for the first time, on this show. Their willingness to own their story and share it with listeners, not only brings hope to others by proving there is indeed life after Law Enforcement, but gives "permission" to others to share their story. 

This podcast would NOT be what it is without these guests and without YOU listening in each week, sharing the episodes that speak to you on social media, and living ratings/reviews...helping the podcast gods know what we are talking about good stuff and they'll push the episodes out to more. As a loyal listener...I have a special thank you for you, hidden in the episode. 

At the end of this episode, I chat about a few Next Shift Black Friday specials. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving...no matter how/when you're actually celebrating.

If this holiday is hard for you and you are struggling, you are NOT alone. Reach out to me, to a trusted friend, to 988, or to COPLINE (1-800-267-5463).

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.

You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

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This week's episode is a fun chat with former Minneapolis PD officer, Jackson McLaughlin. It is the LONGEST episode yet, but I promise...it'll be worth it to listen to...even if in segments.

Jackson knew from a young age that he wanted to be a cop, like his grandfather. He started as a police explorer then got his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology. He then served seven years with Minneapolis PD, with a brief intermission of 4-ish months at a suburban agency...which he knew right away was not for him...and went back.

Things were going "well," but he started feeling like he was no longer able to be a cop and was "quiet quitting," due to the shift after 2020 and the politics around policing. He started thinking about what was next, but he didn't know what to do after building both his personal and professional identity around being a cop. All he knew, was that he needed something to believe in again.

After a critical incident, in which the suspects were NOT injured, but he hesitated out of fear of going to prison for doing his job, Jackson decided to leave. He wanted to get into Cyber Security and knew he was going to have to start at the bottom, which he did, but quickly realized it was NOT for him. He only did it for the money and has now learned, that it's not all about the money. If you don't care about the work you are doing, you will be miserable no matter how much you make.

Jackson realized that while he had prepared financially and set himself up OUTWARDLY, he should've looked INWARDLY before deciding what field to get into. He's opened himself up and tried several roles, but is currently getting his Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling and plans to serve first responders.

One quote from our interview really stood out, "I am not perfect, but I have purpose." Take a moment and reflect on that.

Make sure you follow/connect with Jackson 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.

You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

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This week's episode is an incredible conversation with Thomas Goldberg.

Thomas is a retired LEO, who served 33 years, and started as a police explorer and parking control officer. He is also a husband and father, as well as an upcoming podcaster...looking to help/mentor LEOs. 

Thomas describes the end of his career as unpleasant, after dealing with several injuries in his younger days, from semi-pro football,  and back surgeries toward the end of his career. The medication he was prescribed after those surgeries took him to a dark place. He began seeing a therapist and was diagnosed with PTSD and ADHD. He also brought attention to his wife's suffering, watching him suffer, and addressing how that part is not talked about enough. 

Even after it became apparent his career was ending, Thomas explained feeling scared, even though he was "done." He second guessed his decision and described feeling numb, driving around after turning in retirement paperwork. 

Thomas estimated how hard that last day would be and not only scheduled a therapy appointment for his last day, but had a trusted friend go with him as he turned in his equipment. This is something we both agree SHOULD be done to help combat the pain so many have described feeling that last day and being "tossed to the side," by the department. 

Despite the unpleasant experience that was the end of his career and having NOT found the next thing, YET...Thomas says he feels stronger, both mentally and physically since getting out of Law Enforcement. He is looking forward to getting his podcast kicked off and to his Next Shift...whatever it ends up being.

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.

You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

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This week's episode is an INCREDIBLE conversation with Doug White, an Air Force veteran and retired LEO, who is also a father and husband, as well as a NEW author and speaker.

Doug was raised in a household of service and he continued that tradition by joining the US Air Force, then joining a Sheriff's Department in Florida. He served his country and community for over 30 years...and maintained his family throughout...something he was not sure was going to be the case, as you will hear in this conversation.

Doug's story is NOT unique to him...as there are many in the Law Enforcement profession experiencing the same thoughts, feelings, and traumas...but refusing to acknowledge it and speak up. That is where Doug's story IS unique. He DID eventually ask for help...after a night where he almost pulled his gun from his holster, while sitting in a school parking lot, and took his own life. THANKFULLY, he did not do that and when he got home that morning...his wife was there waiting to talk and ask him to join her at marriage counseling...not knowing what he'd just been contemplating a few hours prior. Doug credits his wife, Michelle, and her faith for saving him.

Doug explains how he over-invested in the job/persona because he wanted to be, "The guy," and never said no. It wasn't until years later, he would realize what having no boundaries would do to him and his family.

Doug tells his story so eloquently in this conversation, but he also wrote his story in book form, in order to help others. Hiding in Plain Sight is now available for pre-order and will be released on 11/11/2024, Veteran's Day. Doug was gracious enough to provide me a copy of this book and I read it in under 3 hours. I could not put it down. I can't imagine there is a LEO out there who can't picture themself in the scenarios he so vividly paints pictures of with his words.

My hope is that between this episode and his book, others will see/hear a part of them in his story and have some of the realizations he had, sooner rather than later, and will seek assistance before it is too late.

Make sure to follow Doug on LinkedIn, here, and 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.

You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

See you Next Shift

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Season 3, say what?!?

Never thought this would happen, but here we are and I am so pumped to be back, bringing you the stories of those who have made the transition to life after Law Enforcement...willingly or not.

Every season gets better and guests have gotten more and more comfortable sharing the hard truths that come with this transition, oftentimes very unexpected truths. I am so grateful to each and every one of them for being so vulnerable, authentic, and transparent in order to help those preparing for and going through the transition...especially those suffering in silence. 

This season is loaded with incredible guests...some of which have transitioned and have NOT figured out where they're going or what they're meant to do just yet, and I cannot wait to share those stories! 

This season will include: 

- Interviews with those who have transitioned out of Law Enforcement
- Interviews with spouses of transitioned officers (such a needed perspective) 
- Interviews that are meant to be resources 
- Solo episodes on topics that come up in convos, DEBRIEF, coaching calls, or Next Shift Academy

If you have a suggestion for a topic or guest, make sure to connect with me on social media and send me the info...this is YOUR show too! Don't have social media, send me an e-mail at [email protected] 

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.

You can NOW wear the mission of The Next Shift Podcast, with merch! Check out our current designs, here.

See you Next Shift