Badass in Heels

Debbie Michaels

Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Debbie Michaels shares with us her 37 year journey with the Bureau. Debbie was recruited while in high school and went to do extraordinary work, from being a founding member of the FBI's first national initiative against online child exploitation to working narcotics and violent crimes. She ascended the ladder and led command posts, provided active shooter training to law enforcement officers nationwide and ended her career at Quantico as the counselor of the National Academy class session 284. For her extraordinary efforts, Debbie was recognized by WIFLE as female federal law enforcement officer in 2019! But it's not all about work--Debbie gets real and shares with us her personal story and also provides valuable advice to aspiring female Special Agents. Tune in today to listen to Debbie's badass story.

Out in the Cold with Steve Urszenyi

Canadian author Steve Urszenyi kicks off season 4 and lets us in the world of FBI Special Agent Alex Martel. Steve's second novel "Out in the Cold" comes out this November (2024) and Alex comes back as the main character. Alex is a sharpshooter, a kickass fighter, and a great investigator. More than that, she’s fiercely loyal and determined to mete out justice on her terms, even if she pushes boundaries when doing so. Out in the Cold is an enthralling, can't-put-down fiction book, full of high-energy and badasserie, but Alex is not all fiction, she embodies the skills many FBI and law enforcement women have! Get ready to embark into a world where you have to wonder "is this real or fiction!!"

30X30- Transforming The World For PoliceWOMEN

Have you heard of the 30x30 initiative? Tanya Meisenholder, Maureen McGough and Yvonne Roman, the fabulous ladies from 30x30, joined me to chat about this amazing initiative. An initiative that is making waves as it changes the world for policewomen. If you've ever wondered what the 30x30 is and what it is not, this episode is for you!  If you are a law enforcement organization and still have not signed the pledge, what are you waiting for?! Listen to this episode and join these amazing ladies and the hundreds of federal, state, and even foreign law enforcement organizations that have joined. To learn more about the 30x30, please visit their site https://30x30initiative.org. 

Katherine Boyle

Bringing a unique perspective to Badass in Blue is Katherine Boyle, the host of the podcast Beyond the Uniform. Katherine shares with us what it was like growing up in a family of police officers and being the daughter of a Lieutenant in the Special Victims Unit for the Philadelphia Police Department. She also brings to light how being a law enforcement officer might be negatively impacting the people that should matter most--family and children. Through her podcast, Katherine aims to bring law enforcement families together so they can find support on one and another. I hope this episode provides you with some insights and if you need to connect with other LEO families, visit https://www.beyondtheuniform.co/ for details.

Behind Closed Doors

*Discretion is advised. Have you ever wondered what goes on behind closed doors? This is a special episode driven by the horrible case of a young Virginia mom, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, who is suspected to have been brutally killed by her husband. Joining me to talk about Mamta's case and violence, particularly honor violence and honor killing, is Pakistan-born Sasha Taylor, a survivor of domestic abuse and child marriage. Sasha advocates against violence against women and in this episode she provides us with insights about what honor violence is and she directs us to many resources. Understanding honor violence and recognizing some of the signs, are the first step towards helping end this horrible tradition.You can help end honor violence and honor killings!
 
#honorviolence #truestories #mamtakaflebhatt #thereishelp #domesticabuse #domesticviolenceawareness #honorkillings

Badass in Blue: Kelsey Serck

Police woman Kelsey Serck, a warrior who battled stage IV cancer at the young age of 16, has joined me to share her journey. Before her law enforcement career, Kelsey interned with the Children’s Miracle Network, giving back to families facing cancer. Now serving at the Department of Veterans Affairs Police Department, she supports veterans with empathy. She and I talked about how important our veterans are and how significant it is to have compassionate officers, who can take a holistic approach when responding to a call of a veteran in crisis--after all they are the reason for our freedom and why you and I can live the American dream. Previously, Kelsey worked as an Adult Protective Specialist for the State of South Dakota, as a 911 Dispatcher, and as a Law Enforcement Officer.
#veterans #veteranspolice #policewoman #policeofficer #leadwithcompassion #cancerwarrior #truestories #careers #lawenforcement

Badass in Blue: Lynn Holland

Imagine being the first American police woman to train with Scotland Yard, to go on an executive mission to Haiti, and to be asked to create the first police academy in Kosovo, and then learning years later that a female law enforcement trainee, became the president of Kosovo! Lynn Holland, who was over 30 plus years of domestic and internationally law enforcement experience, joined me to talk about her journey in law enforcement. From her family background, to attending three different police academies, from being teased and borderline bullied during her initial years, to receiving awards and becoming the first at many things! Lynn is a trailblazer that despite the obstacles presented to her for being a police woman in the 1980s and 1990s, did extraordinary things.Lynn was unstoppable! Lynn inspires with her resilience and determination, and her passion for what she did and continues to do today as a Senior Advisor for the Department of Justice is tangible and empowering. Tune in today and listen to her riveting story and the self-development tips she gives us! #policewoman #truestories #crime #empowerment #women

Badass in Blue: Nicole Romero

Nicole Romero, retired police officer from the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), joined me to share her journey, from going through both the #MDPD and the Miami Fire and Rescue application process, to medically retiring after 12 years of service. Nicole opens up about what it was like to go through the MDPD Academy as a single mom and the tragic accident that ended her career. Nicole and I talk about her first assignment and how being in a high-crime area really means ”hit the ground running” and truly learning how to investigate shootings, gangs, and dealing with crime scenes.  We also talked about challenges women in law enforcement face--challenges not in leadership or ascending the ladder, but ones that can keep you alive--like staying in shape, weapon retention, and having presence. Tune in today to listen to her inspiring story! #MiamiDadePD #womeninlawenforcement #truestories #womenempowerment

Badass in Blue: Michelle McAllister

Detective Michelle McAllister has been with the Prince William County Police Department, Virginia for almost 19 years. Detective McAllister takes us through an inspiring and riveting story of her journey into law enforcement. Inspired by her father, who was in the Secret Service, she decided to pursue her own path in the PD., working narcotics, crimes against children, gangs, and even working undercover while pregnant, and while being embedded with various task forces to include the FBI, certainly earns her the badass badge. Detective McAllister shares with us personal anecdotes of challenging times, and how she knew when it was time to move on to other squads. We also discuss the stigma that "women can't be cops," something fellow male officers still hold onto still in 2024.  She is close to retirement, but it's definitely leaving a footprint. She has established and is running a mentoring program within her department, a program that aims to educate, inspire, and empower other police women. Tune in today to listen to another extraordinary police woman! This episode contains conversations about crimes against children, suicide, and material that some might find sensitive or offensive, discretion is advised.

Badass in Blue: Jess Flores, Leaving The Job

This new episode is a bit different! Law enforcement is not for everyone and Jessica Flores, a transition coach and former police woman, opens up and tells her story. She shares stories from her 9 1/2 years in law enforcement, from her initial journey at the age of 21, the challenges she experienced at her department, to include being shot at and suffering a hand-injury, all which became factors in her decision to leave the force. She and I also talk about domestic violence (DV) and how being in an abusive relationship affected her perceptions when responding to DV calls. Years later, Jess has reinvented herself and now helps current and retired law enforcement officers, who are on the fence and pondering ”should I stay or should I go?” She is also the host Next Shift Podcast, Life After Law Enforcement, the platform she uses to help those who are struggling with transitioning into the civilian world.  *Episode contains a few words that might be offensive to some, discretion is advised. #domestic violence #lawenforcement #police #career #lifeafterlawenforcement #women