The Next Shift Podcast

SEASON 4 RECAP

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206042/fan_mail/new] Well, we made it! Another season of the Next Shift Podcast has come and gone! A very special THANK YOU to you, the listener, and to all of the guests who have truly become HOPE DEALERS to so many in the LE community! This episode is me recapping the Top 10 downloaded episodes and encouraging you to go back and listen to each of them, and make sure you connect with the guests. One of my solo episodes was in the top 10, but I wanted to highlight our incredible guests...so I added it as a BONUS top episode, since clearly it resonated. Your TOP 10 episodes are... 1. Episode 2 - From surviving to thriving w/ John Kelly 2. Episode 4 - Retired...for 3 days, then back at it w/Chris Perry 3. Episode 3 - COPLINE as a LIFELINE w/Stephanie Samuels 4. Episode 15 - Former recruiter & prior LEO w/Courtney Lesiak 5. Episode 18 - FIRED. It COULD happen to YOU w/Sarah Patterson 6. Episode 17 - Retirement doesn't always mean retired w/Cary Goldberg 7. Episode 8 - Retirement feels like free falling w/Dan Murphy 8. Episode 6 - From cop to Public Safety consultant w/Tim Kucerovy 9. Episode 7 - Therapy is a aCOLLABORATIVE process w/Dr Brooke Bartlett 10. Episode 16 - PTSD is NOT a life sentence w/Dr Erika Birkley *BONUS - Episode 5 - Don't wait for life AFTER law enforcement to have a life OUTSIDE law enforcement w/me Make sure you connect with each of these incredible guests. Their contact information is available in the show notes for their episode.  If you want to wear the mission, you can get your Next Shift Podcast gear, here [https://nextshiftstore.printify.me/category/all/1].  If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-flores-a53a10100] and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ [https://www.instagram.com/_nextshift_/] AND  @the_jessflores [https://www.instagram.com/the_jessflores/] https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://nextshiftstore.printify.me/category/all/1]. See you Next Shift

This MIGHT be why you feel stuck

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206042/fan_mail/new] Welcome to the next to last show of season 4! I didn’t record last week and it wasn't because I didn't have anything to say (we all know that's never a problem) or that I didn’t care… but because I just didn’t have the capacity.  I spent the day alternating between thoughts of guilt/shame and grace. It made me realize something a lot of us don’t want to admit...we ALL have a capacity, whether we admit it or not. Being aware of that capacity and being willing to step back to create space in our minds and in our lives...is NOT weakness.  If your life is packed, your schedule is full, you're in the middle of learning something new, and your brain is constantly running… there’s no room to think, let alone move forward. So while you may NOT be stuck...you may be FULL, which is not allowing you to move forward.  In this episode, I talk about what it actually looks like to hit your capacity, why we tend to label it as weakness, and the hard truth about creating space if you really want something different. I am not talking as a "professional" or someone with a degree, but from MY real life and in the moment lessons. What I've learned over the years and what I'm currently learning again in realtime, is that you can’t build a new life on top of one that’s already maxed out. You have to give yourself both grace and space to create a new life. If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-flores-a53a10100] and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ [https://www.instagram.com/_nextshift_/] AND  @the_jessflores [https://www.instagram.com/the_jessflores/] https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://nextshiftstore.printify.me/category/all/1]. See you Next Shift

Why it's important to expect the unexpected

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206042/fan_mail/new] This week's episode is a chat with Travis Powell...a retired LEO, Marine Corps Veteran, husband, and father...who is now in his second post LE career.  Travis and I connected on LinkedIn back in 2023, while he was in the midst of planning his retirement. A year later, he was retired, moving several states away, starting his first post LE career, a regular at DEBRIEF, and a constant giver on LinkedIn.  Several months later, Travis found himself facing something we never had to worry about in law enforcement...laid off...just before the holidays. Due to Travis continuing to show up for others in the LinkedIn space (always willing to have a conversation with someone), he was able to find his current career in right around 30 days! SO...in this episode we talk about the power of LinkedIn and always giving more than you receive. We also discuss his career, his meticulously thought out 3-year retirement plan, the actual transition to civilian life, the difference of the corporate worked, advice for setting retirement expectations, the importance of networking, and even mental health.  Travis talked about how he felt when he put in his retirement papers and how it took him back a little, how the first day as a civilian felt, and how he/his life has changed in life after law enforcement.  His words for those facing the, "I'm just a cop," mindset..."You're not. But you have to want something different or find a new spark."  Make sure you connect with Travis on LinkedIn, here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-powell2146/], and tag him if you share this episode with your network. It's full of golden nuggets! If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-flores-a53a10100] and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ [https://www.instagram.com/_nextshift_/] AND  @the_jessflores [https://www.instagram.com/the_jessflores/] https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://nextshiftstore.printify.me/category/all/1]. See you Next Shift

Preparing to transition...do these 3 things

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206042/fan_mail/new] Over the past 10 years out of LE and the past 3 years working with those preparing for/going through...or struggling with the transition...I've learned a few things.  This episode is for those thinking about and/or preparing for the transition to life after law enforcement.  There have been 3 recurring themes I've seen over and over and over. I've talked about them on calls, in posts, in DMs, and even on this show...but there are still several people from 3 years ago claiming they are stuck.  This episode is NOT about calling you out...but instead, about calling you UP. To give you 3 specific things, from MY experience, that you MUST do if you are truly trying to transition out of law enforcement.  This list is NOT all encompassing, but again...the 3 main themes I see over and over, and the things that helped me get to the point I am now at, 10 years removed.  There is a previous episode I reference, from season 2..."Career transition tips from a recruiter," and I highly recommend you listen to it if you haven't already or listen to it again if you're still feeling stuck. It was one of the most popular episodes and the tactical tips were so good!  If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-flores-a53a10100] and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ [https://www.instagram.com/_nextshift_/] AND  @the_jessflores [https://www.instagram.com/the_jessflores/] https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://nextshiftstore.printify.me/category/all/1]. See you Next Shift

Tell me about your Next SHIFT

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206042/fan_mail/new] This episode is one that I love to do, but haven't done in awhile.  There is a form at the link in my bio on both LinkedIn and Instagram, that I created back in 2022, when I first thought of Next Shift. Over the years, people randomly click on the link and fill out the form. If you've made the transition to life after law enforcement, you can fill it out here [https://form.jotform.com/220777358796070?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZnRzaAQtSMhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaf2cBtXh0jqSKD3geVFye-aSQ7yNXJe-cKitRrIaVQ3q7AWz0MVq3LBTnoasw_aem_Lll6LbMKrAiYdagb73u8eA].  This is an episode where I share YOUR words, from that form, anonymously of course. There were so many forms filled out in 2025 and a majority of them were from people with 20+ years of service...which kind of blew me away.  The purpose of an episode like this, is to help YOU feel less alone...to make YOU feel seen, heard, and understood. I can assure you, that you are NOT alone in anything you are thinking or feeling as you prepare for or go through the transition to life after law enforcement. You are NOT the first and you won't be the last to go through it...so lean on those who've been there, and be there for the others going through it.  I mention DEBRIEF a few times in this episode and this month's call is Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 6:45pm CST. This is a zoom call for current and former LEOs ONLY and is typically around 1.5 hours. If you have signed up before, the link will go out Wednesday. If you have NEVER signed up, but want to join us, sign up , here [https://nextshift.simplero.com/page/570415].  I also mention one of the very first resources I made, a 25 transferable skills sheet, that you can reference, here [https://nextshift.simplero.com/25-leo-skills/step-1]. It will help you realize you have more skills than you're giving yourself credit for. If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-flores-a53a10100] and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ [https://www.instagram.com/_nextshift_/] AND  @the_jessflores [https://www.instagram.com/the_jessflores/] https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://nextshiftstore.printify.me/category/all/1]. See you Next Shift