LO AND ORDER

SEBA Chief Executive Officer Lolita Harper sits down with retired San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Sergeant James Snow—woodworker, mentor, and author of The Pivot: A Guide to Moving Forward When the Mission Changes. After a 28½-year career spanning patrol, narcotics, SWAT, traffic, and academy leadership, Snow reflects on what happens when the mission changes and who you are when the badge comes off.

From burnout and over-identification with the job to leadership, culture, and accountability, Snow speaks candidly about the warning signs officers often ignore. He shares how trauma accumulates over time, why excellence without balance can cost you your family, and how failing to build a life outside the profession can leave you lost after retirement.

More than a retirement conversation, this episode is about identity. It’s about taking care of your people, setting boundaries, asking for help when you need it, and remembering that what you do is not who you are.

To learn more about James Snow, visit: https://snow-woodworks.com/

Click here to learn more about The Pivot: A Guide to Moving Forward When the Mission Changes.

 

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Episode Highlights

00:00 – What Is “The Pivot”?
James explains how a conversation with his daughter sparked the concept behind his book—and what it means to shift direction when the mission changes.

06:30 – A Career That Defined Him
From patrol to SWAT to academy leadership, Snow reflects on the weight and pride of a full career in law enforcement.

12:40 – When the Job Becomes Your Identity
The dangers of over-identifying with the badge—and the red flags that signal burnout.

20:15 – Excellence vs. Balance
Why being the first in and last out isn’t always a badge of honor—and how true excellence requires boundaries.

28:50 – “Be Your Brother’s Keeper”
Peer accountability, calling out red flags, and why leadership isn’t just about rank.

36:30 – Culture, Trust & Speaking Last
How leaders can build trust by listening first—and why culture is shaped in small daily decisions.

44:10 – Trauma Doesn’t Just Disappear
The cumulative weight of the job and the unhealthy coping mechanisms officers often normalize.

52:45 – The Night Everything Caught Up
James opens up about hitting a breaking point—and the courage it took to ask for help.

01:00:20 – Healthy Coping & Creative Outlets
Woodworking, music, and why having something outside the job isn’t optional—it’s survival.

01:08:40 – Family Pays a Price
The hidden toll the profession takes at home—and the importance of intentional repair.

01:16:15 – Asking for Help Isn’t Weakness
Why strength sometimes looks like vulnerability—and how culture must evolve.

01:23:00 – What Will Your Legacy Be?
Snow leaves listeners with a final challenge: When the badge is gone, who are you?

SEBA Chief Executive Officer Lolita Harper sits down with Nick Tavoukjian, a human performance specialist and current Athletic Trainer embedded at Santa Ana PD through O2X. With decades of experience in injury prevention and performance optimization, Nick breaks down what it really takes to keep law enforcement officers healthy, mobile, and mission-ready.

From pre-academy recruits to 20-year veterans, Nick shares how small, individualized changes—backed by science—can drastically improve career longevity and wellness outcomes. He offers real-world insights into injury patterns, the tactical demands of duty belts and patrol cars, and the gap between rehab and real-world readiness.

More than just stretches and sets, this episode is about building a culture of proactive care—one rep, one shift, and one percent better at a time.

Full episode available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify
Watch the full video on YouTube: @sebasbcounty

To learn more about O2X, visit: https://www.o2x.com

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Episode Highlights

00:00 – From Wounded Warriors to Santa Ana PD
Nick introduces his background working with Marines and his current role supporting sworn and civilian law enforcement professionals.

05:45 – Most Common Injuries
Low back pain, hip stiffness, and chronic overuse—Nick explains the root causes and how tactical gear impacts movement and health.

11:30 – Not Just for Sworn
Why non-sworn personnel benefit from the same injury prevention and performance support—and how it reduces long-term workers' comp claims.

15:50 – Performance Starts With Movement
How joint mobility, strength, and posture contribute to pain—and how even a few targeted adjustments can prevent injury.

22:00 – Proactive Culture Change
Nick’s work with pre-academy recruits introduces strength and conditioning before they even hit the academy floor.

28:40 – Reconditioning After Injury
What happens after rehab? Nick fills the critical gap between being cleared and being truly ready for duty.

35:10 – The Lifecycle of a Deputy
From academy to retirement, Nick shares how needs shift at each phase—and what older personnel can do now to protect their future.

41:50 – Tactical Wellness vs. Traditional Wellness
Why public safety requires a different approach to fitness, mental resilience, and recovery—and how embedded professionals are changing the game.

48:30 – Addressing Trust and Privacy
How Nick builds relationships with officers, earns trust, and creates space for vulnerability without fear of repercussions.

54:00 – Fitness, Fads, and Foundations
Nick discusses the value of programming, goal setting, and finding balance between mobility, strength, and performance.

01:00:40 – Rebuilding Culture from the Ground Up
From hydration and sleep to mental readiness and burnout—why performance is more than just reps in the gym.

01:07:20 – One Percent Better, Every Day
Nick closes with simple, actionable advice: don’t wait for injury. Start small, reach out, and build toward longevity—on duty and off.

SEBA Executive Director Lolita Harper sits down with Deputy Caroline Norat—a 20-year law enforcement veteran and world-class jiu-jitsu athlete who reshaped her life through discipline, consistency, and a deep love for the sport

What started as a personal challenge quickly evolved into a lifestyle. Jiu-jitsu became a source of strength, confidence, and community—fueling Caroline’s success as both a decorated competitor and department instructor. Today, she helps fellow deputies build skills and resilience through hands-on training and programs that empower from the ground up.

You can find Caroline on Instagram at @carloine.norat

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Episode Highlights

00:00 – Two Decades of Service
Caroline reflects on 20 years in law enforcement and how she and Lolita first met in the academy.

03:20 – Discovering Jiu-Jitsu
How a coworker’s suggestion led her to walk into a Redlands academy—and why the energy, community, and art of the sport instantly drew her in.

07:45 – Technique Over Strength
Caroline breaks down the humbling early lessons of jiu-jitsu, letting go of ego, and learning that skill and patience matter far more than size or strength.

12:10 – The First Big Win
Her first major competition at white belt, the preparation behind it, and the moment she realized she had truly earned her place on the podium.

22:50 – How Training Built Confidence
The physical and mental shifts she experienced as her training became consistent, structured, and goal-driven.

27:40 – Bringing Jiu-Jitsu to the Department
How Caroline helped launch a POST-certified jiu-jitsu program for deputies, including women-only training opportunities to build comfort and confidence.

33:30 – Foundational Techniques for the Field
Why every deputy should know how to fall safely, get up with stability, create space, and flow into multiple techniques depending on body type and circumstance.

39:20 – Overcoming Intimidation
Advice for deputies—especially women—who want to try jiu-jitsu but feel nervous, unsure, or intimidated by stepping onto the mat for the first time.

44:50 – Training, Family, and Community
How the academy has become a second family, creating a culture of support, encouragement, and shared growth.

49:10 – The Competitive Mindset
Caroline explains the mental preparation behind competition: goal-setting, consistency, repetition, and trusting in muscle memory when exhaustion hits.

55:30 – The Instructor Perspective
Why watching her students succeed—in training and out in the field—is one of the most rewarding parts of her journey.

01:00:15 – Confidence Reduces Conflict
How the calmer, more confident you become through training, the less likely you are to need to use force in the field.

01:06:50 – The Belt Journey
From white belt to purple—Caroline talks about impostor syndrome, gaining comfort in fundamentals, and aspiring to earn her brown belt.

01:12:20 – A Love Story on the Mats
How jiu-jitsu introduced her to her husband, a world champion and master instructor, and how their shared discipline and passion fuel both their relationship and training.

01:18:40 – A Lifelong Art
Why jiu-jitsu is a true lifestyle—one built on longevity, growth, and continuous learning, regardless of age or starting point.

In this episode of Lo and Order, SEBA Executive Director Lolita Harper sits down with Sgt. Ian “Goldie” Golditch—a Navy veteran, respected San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Sergeant, and owner of Redlands Fit Body Boot Camp—for a powerful, wide-ranging conversation on leadership, fitness, humility, and what it means to truly serve.

From boot camp at age 30 to leading with empathy in uniform, Goldie shares the origin of his work ethic, how he overcomes setbacks, and why he believes physical discipline creates emotional strength. With heart and humor, he breaks down how fitness changed his life and why he refuses to lead with fear.

To learn more about Goldie, follow him on Instagram at @goldieactual or at Redlands Fit Body Boot Camp

 

Episode Highlights:

00:00 – Intro: Who is “Goldie”?
Lolita introduces Sgt. Ian Golditch and his relentless reputation for hard work and positivity.

02:15 – The Origin of Discipline
From Navy boot camp at 30 to toilet-cleaning pride, Goldie shares how his mindset was forged.

07:40 – Neck Injury & Course Correction
A football injury reroutes his life—and leads him to law enforcement.

12:30 – Becoming the Sergeant He Never Had
How good and bad leaders shaped his own leadership philosophy.

19:15 – Trust, Presence & Loyalty
Goldie explains how real leadership is built through presence—not rank.

24:40 – Fitness as a Mission
Why he started Redlands Fit Body Boot Camp—and how it helps him serve even beyond the badge.

30:00 – Food Addiction, Cinnabon & Discipline
A brutally honest look at nutrition, cravings, and why it's not about being extreme—it’s about being committed.

36:10 – Peanut Butter & Jelly Leadership
Creative thinking, trust in junior deputies, and why different methods still get the job done.

42:00 – Mistakes, Grace & Letting People Fail Forward
Goldie breaks down how he creates an environment where deputies feel safe to grow and fail.

48:20 – Kids, Cadets & the Next Generation
Why investing in new recruits—and even those not yet hired—is the foundation of the future.

54:00 – Leading with Love
Why empathy, grace, and humility are the true marks of strength—not ego or fear.

01:00:10 – Fitness, Motivation & Getting Uncomfortable
Burpees, fasting, and the power of doing hard things to build a stronger life.

01:07:30 – Three Nuggets of Wisdom
Seeds of success, embracing the suck, and leading with your heart—even if it’s not always understood.

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Learn more about the Sheriff's Employees' Benefit Association (SEBA): https://www.seba.com/

SEBA is the Sheriff's Employees' Benefit Association proudly representing 4,000+ public safety officers in San Bernardino County since 1946

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In this episode of Lo and Order, SEBA Executive Director Lolita Harper sits down with renowned labor and defense attorney Michael Schwartz—one of the most respected legal advocates for law enforcement officers across California. Together, they dive deep into due process, legal misconceptions, and the challenges peace officers face in today’s rapidly shifting media landscape.

Schwartz reflects on his early days as a public defender, what led him to defend law enforcement, and how his unwavering commitment to the Constitution drives his work. They also unpack the rise of politically motivated prosecutions, the dangers of rushed statements, and why having the right legal representation can make all the difference when a split-second decision is scrutinized for years to come.

From officer-involved shootings to public perception, this is an unfiltered look at the legal system through the eyes of one of its fiercest defenders.

To learn more about Michael Schwartz, visit: https://www.themichaelschwartzfirm.com/criminal-law/

 

Topics Covered:

02:30 – From Defender to Defender
Schwartz shares his journey from public defender to representing law enforcement.

06:15 – Due Process and Why It Matters
He breaks down the difference between defending the guilty vs. the innocent and the importance of forcing the government to prove its case.

11:40 – Today’s Law Enforcement
Discussion about media bias, social narratives, and the shift in public trust toward officers.

18:05 – The Realities of Use of Force
Schwartz explains the legal and practical differences in use-of-force encounters for officers.

24:00 – The Power of Perception and Misconception
A conversation on non-compliance, misinformation, and the expectation that all force can be de-escalated.

31:10 – Legal Advice and Representation
Why officers must have representation immediately after a critical incident—and what not to do.

38:25 – Public Safety Statements and Legal Risk
Schwartz warns against rushed or informal statements and shares real-world examples where they backfired.

45:00 – DOJ Investigations and Lack of Experience
The challenges of newer DOJ protocols and the risk of being scrutinized by inexperienced investigators.

52:00 – The Cost of Not Calling
A case where an officer wisely withheld a statement—resulting in acquittal and a new career path.

56:30 – Trust Your Attorney
Final advice to law enforcement: representation isn’t a threat—it’s protection.

59:00 – Closing Reflections
Lolita Harper and Schwartz discuss the future of the profession and why SEBA exists.

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Learn more about the Sheriff's Employees' Benefit Association (SEBA): https://www.seba.com/

SEBA is the Sheriff's Employees' Benefit Association proudly representing 4,000+ public safety officers in San Bernardino County since 1946.

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Follow Show Host Lolita Harper:

Instagram

LinkedIn