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

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.

See you Next Shift

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.

See you Next Shift