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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 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 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.

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.

I also mention one of the very first resources I made, a 25 transferable skills sheet, that you can reference, here. 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 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 David Berez, a retired LEO turned Founder of Six4 Consultants, an author, and media consultant.

David worked at his campus PD in college and as an EMT, then became a cop at 24 years old. He worked in the state of New Jersey and was a responder to 9/11, which he says gave him new perspective.

David served in various roles throughout his career, but DRE was his favorite because it was a mix of narcotics and community policing. During his 19th year on the job, he was part of an IA that took a toll on him and in his words, "broke him." He ended up retiring at 20 years, versus 25, with some encouragement from his wife.

David admitted his transition was not graceful and that he left burned out, empty, and without the ability to love. He was NOT prepared for the transition and it took years to get back to a version of himself he was comfortable with and that his family deserved. The hardest part of David's transition was understanding and finding his purpose. David talked about how liberating it felt to put in his retirement papers, but how hard it was to drive out of the parking lot on his last day.

When talking about his retirement, David talked about being able to process the emotional side of the transition because there was no financial strain to deal with. After a couple of months being retired, his wife asked him what he was going to do.

David went back to school and earned a Master's Degree is Applied Positive Psychology and now teaches/facilitates courses on Positive Psychology for law enforcement, through his Courageous Optimism training series. He also teaches the science of storytelling and how it can be used to identify purpose and meaning.

When asked what his advice was for those struggling with the "Just a cop" mindset, he acknowledged that it's a valid feeling. Sit with it and find your purpose/meaning statement.

Make sure you connect with David on LinkedIn, here and Instagram, here. You can also check out his website, 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