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This week's episode is a conversation with Vickie Speed, Founder of Blue Cancer Connect and widow of LASD Detective Mitch Speed.

I don't know a single person who has not been impacted by cancer in one way or another. I want this episode to not only be in remembrance of Vickie's Husband, but also in remembrance of all our brothers and sisters in blue, taken too soon by this horrible disease.

If you don't know Vickie or aren't connected with her, I highly suggest connecting with her and finding out how you can support this incredible organization she has built, by turning pain into purpose.

In this episode, Vickie talks about the day Mitch found out he had stage 4 cancer, the 26 month battle he fought, and ultimately his passing. She also talks about how the department stepped up to help, how she got through the battle and the struggles that came afterward, getting into therapy, helping her adult son through the loss and losing his way, and eventually finding strength through the struggle and starting Blue Cancer Connect.

Her strength is admirable and you can tell that so much of it comes from her faith. In fact, she described Mitch as having faith that could move mountains and how he never questioned or got mad at God after the diagnosis, but instead, asked how they could use it to serve others. Vickie says Mitch used the 26 months after his diagnosis to bring others closer to God.

Four years after his passing, Vickie recalls being awakened by God and he told her to write, "Blue Cancer Connect." She woke up the next day and didn't know what it meant...but it eventually became an organization to help others facing the challenges of cancer.

Vickie talks about what the organization is able to do, not only for organizations, but for the individual facing the diagnosis. Whether you're a LEO, family member, or civilian PD employee, Blue Cancer Connect is here to help you. You can check out their website, here and check them out on Instagram, here.

You can connect with Vickie via email at info@bluecancerconnect.com

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 conversation with Sarah Patterson, prior Sergeant with LAPD. I first heard her story on The IA Guy podcast and was flabbergasted with what I heard. You can listen to that episode, after this one, here.

I reached out to her, not only because I wanted to be there for her...but also to share a type of transition story that has not yet been shared on this podcast, despite how often it seems to happen after 2020.

Sarah is not only a prior cop...she is a wife, mom, real estate agent, and law school student.

Sarah was one of those people who didn't grow up wanting to be a cop. She was a cross fitter and owned a Crossfit gym, where several LAPD worked out. One day, she was offered a ride along and that was all it took for her to get hooked!

Sarah loved the job and didn't mind working in the shit of things. She was promoted to Sergeant and that is when it happened...the start of her career ending.

What Sarah describes about the call that changed everything, is something almost every cop/Sergeant can relate to. It is something that so many have done. It is also something so many can't relate to at all. Sarah talks about the IA process and how it can leave you feeling left out to dry, feeling like a failure, confused, and encourages EVERYONE to know your policies and to ALWAYS get outside representation.

If this episode resonates with you, realize you are NOT alone and there are people out there who "get it." Sarah is willing to chat with you and DEBRIEF is always open to you.

If it does NOT resonate with you and/or you find it hard to believe, because it hasn't happened to you or someone you know...I'm glad it hasn't, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Ask yourself how we can ensure these things don't keep happening to good people.

Sarah has learned the hard way, what it's like to not have a backup plan and to prioritize the job over family and God. She now realizes her priorities were backwards and while the circumstances suck, she's thankful for the lessons.

Sarah is still in a fight to get her job back, despite having moved forward. Make sure you follow and connect with her on Instagram, here. She's already had so many reach out and share similar stories...which always helps the pain of sharing yours.

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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This week's episode is a conversation with Cary Goldberg... a retired LEO, a veteran, and now the Director of Business Management with Starchase.

Cary walks us through his journey of growing up in Northern Virginia, realizing a four year university was not for him, joining the Marine Corps and going to the West coast, then transitioning into Law Enforcement and working for both municipal and county departments, and eventually retiring.

The turning point in Cary's career hit in 2020, for many reasons...which he talks about and deciding to retire, he had no plan other than he didn't want to work and did not want to stay in California. He and his wife sold everything and decided to RV across the country.

Like with so many retirees...that lasted six months. With no "home base" and structure, it was difficult, so they decided on a home base and he found a career that is adjacent to Law Enforcement.

Cary talks about how he once had work over family as the priority and how FAMILY is the priority. He also encourages others to work on becoming the best version of yourself. He also gave advice for those looking to transition..."don't pigeon hole yourself."

Make sure you follow and connect with Cary 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.

See you Next Shift