The Next Shift Podcast

Jess Flores
  • 5.0 (31)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This is a podcast dedicated to serving current and former law enforcement, by sharing the stories of my own personal transition out of law enforcement, lessons learned through the transition and since, as well as the stories of officers who’ve also transitioned out, their significant others to gain that perspective, and resources for embracing their Next Shift. It is MY mission to help YOU remember who you are/were behind the badge by helping you REdiscover your identity, REdefine your purpose, and REignite your passions so that you can create the life you WANT to live. 

  1. 4D AGO

    From cop to public safety consultant

    Send us a text This week's episode is a chat with one of my favorite people I've met on LinkedIn, Tim Kucerovy. Not only does he boldly challenge the status quo...he is proof that you do NOT have to retire from LE in order to consult with LE agencies. There is value in YOUR experience, in and out of LE that can serve these agencies.  Tim started his LE career as a Park Ranger in Alaska, then transitioned to State HighwayPatrol in Montana, then transitioned into Higher Education, and is now a consultant for public safety agencies.  You will hear Tim discuss the differences in each role and how even his college degree in natural resources, have all been a progression to get him where he is today. He talks about the different academies he attended and how his mindset was different each time. He understood he was not starting over, but starting from experience and it actually helped him be a better cop.  After choosing to leave law enforcement, mid-career, Tim went back to school and got his MBA. He talks about how his time management skills from law enforcement helped him significantly as he balanced work, school, and family. Tim now teaches at a local community college, while running his consulting business, and talks about how the two feed each other...keeping him up to date. One thing that stood out in our conversation, was how important it is to keep learning, keep growing, and knowing when to close a chapter in order to write a new one...FOR YOU and YOUR family. Another thing that I've heard more times than I can count from those CHOOSING to move forward, is how when he turned his resignation in, the comments that came from others..."Some people just aren't meant to be cops."  Anytime you choose YOU in this life...people are NOT going to understand that and they are going to project their insecurities and even their jealousy onto you. No one doing more than you will ever judge you. This is the side of LE that is very toxic and the one that paints those bettering themselves as the ones doing the betraying. ALWAYS choose YOU! This is an insightful episode, full of golden nuggets. Make sure to follow Tim on LinkedIn, and reach out to him with any questions you may have about his story or how his business can help your department. 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

    1h 25m

  2. OCT 29

    Don't wait for life AFTER law enforcement to have a life OUTSIDE law enforcement

    Send us a text This week's episode is a solo episode and full of some gut punches that have been circling in my mind lately, starting with the title of this episode.  You do NOT have to wait until life AFTER law enforcement to have a life OUTSIDE of law enforcement. In fact, I encourage you not to wait! Your career can end tomorrow and if it does, you're going to struggle significantly if you haven't taken the time to build a life outside the job. (ask me how I know) One mindset that screws a lot of cops over, is the "all or nothing" mindset. Life is NOT "all or nothing." You can love the job and love your family. You can be a cop and "Joe." You can be grateful for what you have, while working toward what you want.  CHOOSING to build a life outside of law enforcement, WILL come with doubt, questions, hate, and people projecting their insecurities onto you. Do. It. Anyways. Once you choose to find CLARITY on what YOU want, you'll gain the CONFIDENCE to not only take action toward it, but to continue despite what others say. I mention the F.I.T. Method Workbook in this episode, so I want to link it here. Oftentimes, we say we are "fine," but when we take a moment to actually face ourselves...we quickly realize we are more off balance than we thought. THAT is what this workbook helps with. It is for the person feeling stuck. It helps you Face yourself, Identify areas that need work, and Take action. I also mention AK Dozanti and her work in the First Responder burnout space. As a prior LEO herself, she "gets it," and she's done the work to GROW through all she's gone through. You can find all of her connection information, books, and resources, here.  I said it at the beginning of this episode and I'll say it here...this episode is NOT about calling you OUT, it is about calling you UP...to the person you say you want to be and the person I KNOW you can be. I've been where you are and still have days where I find myself banging my head on the wall, feeling stuck...but I know that is BS...so this episode is to remind us both...we are NOT alone, we are NOT stuck, and we are NOT "just a cop." 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

    44 min

  3. OCT 22

    Retired...for 3 days, then back at it with RENEWED purpose

    Send us a text This week's episode is a chat with Chris Perry...a cop's kid, who served for 31 years himself, retired, and started at a new PD with a RENEWED sense of purpose...in a non-traditional role that is changing lives! Chris served a majority of his career with the Cincinnati Police Department and spent time on patrol, the motorcycle unit, narcotics, traffic unit, and the wellness unit. In 2020, he was diagnosed with PTSD and began speaking about it. He talked about what led to the diagnosis and his reckless behavior, just trying to feel SOMETHING. He speaks about his treatment, ways he found to heal, and how speaking to other cops helped him.  Chris talked about losing his mom to dementia, which sent him into a depression that almost took his life. His advice to others sitting in the darkness..."Listen to what others are saying." He talks about how his wife knew something wasn't right and was brave enough to talk to him about it.  After choosing to retire, Chris was offered an opportunity by another agency that he couldn't turn down. He is now in charge of the Senior Citizen Program for that department and not only works with Alzheimer's/Dementia Associations, he provides dementia training to first responders, and he assists with calls involving those struggling with aging disorders.  Chris had so many words of wisdom, but a couple that stood out were, "Vulnerability is the foundation to success," and "Realizing you spent 20 years serving others, it's time to serve YOU." Make sure you connect with Chris on LinkedIn or send him an e-mail at cperry@amberleyvillage.org 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

    1h 6m

  4. OCT 15

    COPLINE as LIFELINE w/Founder Stephanie Samuels

    Send us a text This week's episode is a chat with Stephanie Samuels, the Founder of COPLINE. Just an FYI...there were some technical difficulties throughout, where the Zoom dropped and there will be a few moments of silence. Stephanie is a Psychotherapist who has worked exclusively with cops since the 1990s and is part of a National research team looking into the role concussions play in the mental health of LEOS, as well as the potential connection to suicide. I was BLOWN AWAY by Stephanie and this conversation, and have 3 pages of notes to prove it! You are going to want to listen and take notes. She explains how in the 1980s she debated being a cop, but after riding with LAPD, decided she did not have the courage to do the job...but wanted to support those who do it. She talks about starting to work with cops and what she did to become culturally competent.  Sometimes things happen for a reason and even come full circle. For example, in high school, Stephanie was part of a nationwide teen hotline...which is where learned the power of Peer Support...and where she got the idea to start COPLINE. If you don't know, COPLINE is a confidential, international hotline for active/retired cops...and their families...with calls answered by strictly vetted retired cops. Stephanie stated COPLINE receives 250-350 calls a month and when I asked if the hotline was only for those in crisis and considering suicide or also for those struggling with something. She stated 95% of their calls are people just having a bad day...3-3.5% of the calls are after a critical incident, and 1-1.5% of the calls are suicidal. After discussing COPLINE and the incredible resource it is, we dove into research Stephanie has been working on with the Concussion Legacy Foundation, regarding Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). It was FASCINATING to say the least. "Maybe it's not YOU. Maybe it's your brain." Our brains can take thousands of beatings throughout our lifetimes...including contact sports as children then as cops...not always ending in a concussion, but that does not mean that it should be ignored.  You can best connect with Stephanie through the COPLINE website or via her email, ccidc63@gmail.com Whether you are in crisis or having a bad day...you can always reach COPLINE by calling 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. See you Next Shift

    1h 40m

  5. OCT 8

    From surviving to thriving w/John Kelly

    Send us a text This week's episode is a chat with my guy, John Kelly (aka The Law Enforcement Life Coach on social media). John is a Marine Corps veteran and a retired LEO. After 30 years on the job, John turned his experience into resources for those following after him. He is now an author, trainer, podcast host, and National keynote speaker. I've been connected with John for a few years now and was on his podcast a couple of years ago. I just finally got to meet him in person at the Wounded Blue Survival Summit in Las Vegas. John shares about his career and how the job almost cost him everything, a few times. He talks about how we used to police, versus policing today and how when their department was losing an officer a year at the hand of suspects, he was asked to create training to keep officers alive...due to his vast experience in making it out of deadly situations.  One of my favorite parts of the conversation was talking about the things we did/do to keep us alive, don't exactly allow us to thrive. That was so relatable.  John was a cop who knew the end of his career was coming, for five years due to the DROP program...but didn't start thinking about what was next until about six months out and that created a little bit of a scramble to figure it out.  John explains that while talking with his Motor guys, the idea for his Sometimes Heroes Need Help program was born. That gave him the sense of purpose so many miss in life after law enforcement and when he retired...he had a sense of finality because there was no unfinished business.  Make sure you follow John on both Instagram and LinkedIn. You can visit his website, here, and listen to his 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. See you Next Shift

    1h 19m

  6. SEASON 4, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    Season 4: What to expect

    Send us a text We are BACK!  Thank you so much for being here, I look forward to serving YOU with this new season of the Next Shift Podcast.  We have an incredible lineup of guests who have made the transition out of law enforcement, some who've transitioned...then gone back in with fresh perspective, awareness, and purpose...and several clinicians/resources.  These stories serve as HOPE for a future outside of law enforcement...something many of us did not know existed.  If this podcast has helped YOU in any way...I would love it if you took a moment to leave a rating and review, so others can see that it can also help them. Thank you again for being here! You can also grab your Next Shift and Next Shift Podcast gear, here...and save 20% 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

    6 min

  7. MAY 28

    Season 3 RECAP

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

    49 min

  8. MAY 21

    An emotional Police Week reflection

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

    24 min
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About

This is a podcast dedicated to serving current and former law enforcement, by sharing the stories of my own personal transition out of law enforcement, lessons learned through the transition and since, as well as the stories of officers who’ve also transitioned out, their significant others to gain that perspective, and resources for embracing their Next Shift. It is MY mission to help YOU remember who you are/were behind the badge by helping you REdiscover your identity, REdefine your purpose, and REignite your passions so that you can create the life you WANT to live. 

Information

  • Creator
    Jess Flores
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Next Shift Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Next Shift Podcast

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