Badass in Heels

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.

October 7th Massacre

This is a short narration of my blog entry on the October 7th massacre. In December of 2023, I was invited to the Israeli embassy for a private screening of video footage depicting part of the attack. I saw approximately 140 innocent people get killed by Hamas terrorists, and many taken hostages. This episode contains details that are graphic and distressing, listener discretion is advised. #hamasisraelwar #october7massacre #10/07 

Badass in Blue: Badge #2- Heidi Chance

Heidi Chance, retired Detective from the Phoenix Police Department, has 27 years of law enforcement experience, 13 of those years working deep undercover in the dark sex trafficking world. Heidi shares her journey, from being inspired by her father, a retired police officer, who also served in the Phoenix P.D. for 26 years, to  joining law enforcement at age 18 and becoming the first female cadet! In this cadet program, Heidi was assigned badge #2! She then takes us through her career and talks to us about her role as an undercover and putting away monsters for life. Heidi shares with us cases that will expose you to monsters, to victims, and to people like Heidi and her team, who work to protect our tweens and teenagers. This is an episode you don't want to miss!
 
*Disclaimer: This episode contains language that might be offensive to some. Discretion is advised.
 

Badass in Blue: Sarah Shendy

Sarah Shendy, Ohio’s first Egyptian-Muslim female police sergeant, takes us on a journey from Cairo to Ohio, talking to us about her life in Egypt, immigrating to the US, and her amazing 16-year law enforcement career. Sarah tells us about the challenges she faced at a young age, which exposed her to the DARE program, a program that changed her life. Sarah herself later on gave back and ran her own DARE, which was on steroids! Sarah has been doing amazing policing work building a bridge between the Arab community and law enforcement. She was recently named an Arab-America Foundation 40/40 honoree! Listen to Sarah, who is an amazing human, woman, and police officer!

Badass in Blue: Lindsay McCall Long

As we all know, our heroes in blue go on quietly doing their job, working to protect the innocent and put the bad guys away. They face stress and challenges that many of us don't. Lindsay McCall Long, had served as a police officer for 14 years, when she was shot in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence call.
In this episode, Lindsay shares her fascinating life story, and opens up with many personal anecdotes: from her childhood to losing her father at age 17, to experiencing post-partum depression, to tragically and senselessly losing a colleague at her police department. She also recounts the day she was shot, ,how it not only impacted her but her family as well, and how she made the tough decision to medically retire after almost 17 years of service.
 
Today, Lindsay is a keynote speaker at many events where she shares her story and talks about challenges, resilience, and survival. Tune in on your favorite podcast platform to listen to Lindsay's inspiring story and gain a new perspective on the challenges faced by law enforcement officers.
 
#podcast #lawenforcement #policewomen #careers #bi #womenempowerment #crime #resilience #trauma #inspirationalstory

Badass in Blue: Kristen Ziman, Retired Chief of Police

Kristen Ziman kicks off Season 3, a special Season dedicated to our women in Blue!  Kristen broke the glass ceiling by becoming the first woman Chief of Police of the Aurora Police Department in Illinois. She had an extraordinary 30-year career and in this riveting episode she shares her personal and professional stories. A journey into the law enforcement world that is full of emotions, learning, challenges and successes! From the people who inspired her, to chasing a bad guy, to realizing words are powerful, to letting criticism become fuel, she has a real conversation about what it was like to be a woman in the police world! Listen now to learn all about Kristen!

Episode 20: Jennifer Cormack

Jennifer Cormack closes season 2 with her extraordinary story! From working as a photographer, to joining the army to then becoming a badass FBI Special Agent, Jen shares her journey with us. Jen talks to us about why she joined the army, her role as a hazmat member in the 2009 crash of Continental Express flight 3407, which led to her receiving an Impact Award, how she earned a QSI (quality step increase) later in Las Vegas, and her roles as LNO (liaison officer) for CENTCOM and SOCCENT. Jen and I also discuss her post-retirement life and her role in ICITAP EMPoWER, Skull Games and her own private eye! For a retired agent, Jen surely stays busy!

Episode 19, Part 3: Sugi Gomathinayagam and Grace Mason

This episode concludes my EMPoWER micro series! Grace Mason from the Department of State and Sugi Gomathinayagam from the Department of Justice close out this mighty episode. Sugi shares her personal story and talks to us about her journey in the Peace Corps in Ukraine, the amazing work she did in the Balkans, and her current role as Acting Deputy Assistant Director for the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistant Program (ICITAP) Europe and Eurasia Region. Grace talks to us about the importance of the USG's Women in Peace and Security (WPS) program and Lynn Holland surprises me with a shout-out near the end!  #empowerment #lawenforcement #women