Episodes

Tom Flynn has been around lawn enforcement since January 1997 starting as a civilian dispatcher. Tom was promoted to sergeant in 2005 and then to Lieutenant in 2015. His most enjoyable assignment was being a member of the swat team from 2002 to 2004. Most of Tom‘s experience was in uniform but for 7 1/2 years Tom worked as the agencies accreditation manager developing and writing policy and procedure. all of these accomplishments, pale in comparison to being a father to his 3 Children. Being exp...

Matt Stanislao just wanted to be a cop. His father warned him, and after serving 27 years himself, he knew exactly what the problems Matt would face, which had nothing to do with the public or criminals. After two wrongful terminations rooted in discrimination for being gay, Matt fought back and won. However, he’s not the same officer or the same person. In his near 3 year separation from the police department, he was accepted into Columbia University to earn a Masters in advanced clinical socia...

Tom Smith began in the NYPD in 1990 and after the Academy was assigned to the 30 Pct in West Harlem. One of the busiest Pct in the NYPD at the time. While at the 3-0 he was assigned to Anti Crime Unit (Plainclothes) and handled all the gun runs, in progress calls, and Robbery patterns. 1996-1999 Tom was transferred to the Bronx Narcotics Unit. Involved in numerous large scale Narcotics cases, one of which involved the DEA which resulted in the seizure on 125 kilos of cocaine from Venezuela 199...

Stanley (Tony) Woods was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. He is a proud graduate of Seton Hall Prep High School and the University of Pittsburgh with a B. A. in Communications. Tony had a successful NFL career from 1987 to 1996. Stanley (Tony) Woods is a member of the Seton Hall Prep Hall of Fame, the Newark Hall of Fame and the New Jersey State Hall of Fame. Tony’s Career highlights 10 Year NFL Playing Career: Linebacker/Defensive End - played in 145 NFL games and started 125 of those gam...

James Gardner lives in New Jersey with his wife of forty years, Kelly. Together they have three daughters and five grandchildren. James had a lengthy career in corporate finance, accounting and auditing before retiring in 2019. In 2020, James began substitute teaching at a local elementary school. In the same year he and Kelly launched their podcast, Your History Your Story. A history enthusiast since childhood, James loves encouraging people to share stories about themselves and members from t...

John Sullivan was born January 1, 1960 and was raised on the tough streets of Yorkville on the East Side of NYC. His father was killed when he was 2 years old his Mother left his sister and John to be raised by his Grandmother. Raising a young child was tough in that neighborhood and John’s Grandmother did her best until the streets got the best of him. John found himself getting into trouble frequently and eventually ended up in some of the toughest prisons on the east coast. His reputation ...

Gene Hauburger grew up, and raised his family, in Orangeburg NY located in Rockland County. He married his wife, Noreen O’Shea, in 1993. Gene worked as a Supreme Court Officer for 31 years and retired in 2014. He has two daughters, Amanda and Kelly and a son, Jimmy, who was tragically lost to suicide at the age of 17 after being bullied and cyber bullied. After Jimmy’s passing in 2015, family and friends organized the Jimmy Hauburger Memorial Foundation (Jimmyhauburgermemorialfoundation.org)whos...

Mark Hettinger Jr (Firefighter, EMT, Fire, Inspector, Arson Investigator, Firearms Instructor, ECT.) is a highly decorated first responder with over 20+ years of experience with numerous Awards, comondations and citations for his work and life-saving efforts. When not saving or protecting lives, he's teaching other people how to, as an educator. Born the oldest of three boys, and coming to terms with his own sexuality at a very young age struggled his way through his coming of age and his fashio...

Dennis Benigno is the founder and CEO of Street Cop Training and began formal police instruction in 2012. His law enforcement career began in 2001 at 19 years of age as an NJ Corrections Officer. In 2004, Benigno became a police officer with the US Park Police Dept. in Washington, DC, and in 2005 moved over to the position of a police officer in one of NJ’s largest municipalities. He has received multiple awards including but not limited to Lifesaving, Meritorious Service, Mayor’s Award for Ex...

Chance meetings are never by chance. Lavana Wilson and Tashiann Yasmine are two strong and spirited women who empower their community in all the positive ways possible. Together they create to change the face of empowerment in the face of adversity through love and life’s purpose. Lavana (Slayer V) Wilson is a Mom, YouTube Podcaster, creative director, lifestyle blogger, influencer, community activist, motivational speaker, life coach and fashion expert whom was born and raised in the city of ...

Bobby Crudele comes from a family that has deep roots in Jersey City and Belleville and as a kid moved to North Arlington. After living in Jersey City for a decade as an adult, Bobby met his wife Kara and eventually bought a house in North Arlington where he currently resides and raises his 3 children. Bobby has served honorably as a Sergeant in the North Arlington Police department and will finish his career with distinction this year. His deep love of sports rose out of I growing up on the p...

Part 2 Mike Arena began his law enforcement career in 2011 at 19 years of age starting out as a Special Law Enforcement Officer with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department. He was then hired by The New Jersey Department of Corrections and became a Corrections Officer and worked in multiple prisons throughout the state. After a few years of working in corrections, Mike became a police officer with Prince George’s County Police Department located in Maryland. In 2017, he transferred back to Ne...

Part 1 Mike Arena began his law enforcement career in 2011 at 19 years of age starting out as a Special Law Enforcement Officer with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department. He was then hired by The New Jersey Department of Corrections and became a Corrections Officer and worked in multiple prisons throughout the state. After a few years of working in corrections, Mike became a police officer with Prince George’s County Police Department located in Maryland. In 2017, he transferred back to Ne...

Jose L. Medina is currently a 27-year veteran and leader of Law Enforcement and 20 year owner of Awareness Protective consultants, doing business as Team APC-Medina Tactical Dynamics. Jose has an extensive background in training and consulting for various groups such as Law Enforcement, Military, School Educators, and Corporate Industries. Jose Medina started his consulting firm when he saw the need for both the Police and Civilian side organizations requiring more advanced education in the fiel...

Tammie Starnes has taken a journey with multiple traumas and found a new direction on healing. Finding an avenue of healing through the Harmonic Egg therapy. When hope was waining for her 11 year old daughter to come out of her shell, Tammie was out of options and sought help in any place that was offered. Almost non-verbal, a new therapy method was found in the Harmonic Egg Vibration healing. The results were staggering and almost immediate leading a new path in Tammies life showing the pos...

Episode 129: The Suffering of Bullying with Jay Aponte We welcome back Jay Aponte to The Suffering Podcast. Jay gave a second chance to Kevin in Episode 12 (original air date 3/7/21). (Original show notes) We get a second chance to right a wrong in the episode of The Suffering Podcast. We talk with Jay Aponte who 34 years ago I put through hell. Jay gets the opportunity to confront his childhood bully -- Me. We sit down and hash it out to reach an understanding about events that have shaped m...

Nick Ricciotti attended Chestnut Hill College to play Division 2 baseball and received my BA in Criminal Justice. Nick worked as a cop in Morris County NJ for 6 years before losing my job due to substance and alcohol abuse. Prior to losing his job Nick’s mental health was at a decline which got worse during the process of losing the job he loved. Eventually the initiative was taken to start therapy and recovery. Nick is currently 2.5 years sober, attending Rutgers University to receive a Masters...

Mary Sciarrone (née Valastro) is one of the owners of the world famous Carlos Bakery and featured on the reality show Cake Boss alongside her family and brother Buddy Valestro. Her unique personality shines through and has become a fan favorite for her insight and savvy business skills. Mary has been able to keep a business running for such a long time after taking it over from her parents and has performed at the highest level. In this episode, we will go through her climb to the top, her strug...

Part 2 of this amazing story Mike's life was on the fast track to success. As a proud Marine and College student in his Senior year, Mike's life came to an abrupt halt one cold winter night in 2005. Mike was celebrating with his friends and decided to get behind the wheel of his car after having too much to drink. His vehicle slipped on a patch of black ice and violently crashed. The accident killed his friend and left Mike in a coma suffering multiple life-threatening injuries. After years of r...

Part 1 of this amazing story Mike's life was on the fast track to success. As a proud Marine and College student in his Senior year, Mike's life came to an abrupt halt one cold winter night in 2005. Mike was celebrating with his friends and decided to get behind the wheel of his car after having too much to drink. His vehicle slipped on a patch of black ice and violently crashed. The accident killed his friend and left Mike in a coma suffering multiple life-threatening injuries. After years of r...

Roman is a 1st generation immigrant from Ukraine. He arrived in US with 6 other family members to a 2 bedroom apartment. Roman interned with the Secret Service and held a top secret government clearance. He was forced to become a self taught digital marketer as a result of the 2008 recession, and fell in love with it. Roman has 13 years of experience leading digital teams in senior leadership roles on over 600 campaigns across many industries. He founded Nova Zora Digital in 2012. Roman is the h...

Damon Hayes came to prominence as a star football player for Rutgers University. Playing Defensive Back for the Scarlett Knights, Damon knew that he must work hard to achieve his goals. His football ability afforded one of the greatest gifts in life, a college education. When his career was over, Damon chose to take a new path and follow the road less traveled. An aspiring Film Producer and Movie Director, Damon found a love and a passion out of his comfort zone, but his coachable attitude a...

Paul Cimins is a renowned personality in the autism advocacy community and the President of Autism Radio, a501(c)3 charity. He is an autism dad and podcast host. Paul has dedicated his life to raising awareness about autism and helping families impacted by autism. Paul's journey in autism advocacy started when his son Jonathan was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. This diagnosis changed Paul's life, and he became determined to do everything he could to help his son and other families affe...

One of our dearest friends, and most loyal supporters, joined us once again in the studio to go over a very sensitive subject. Mike DePalma has seen war, a career in law-enforcement, and a personal battle that would cripple most. Multiple concussive blasts, while overseas in the army coupled with on the job injuries as a police officer have left Mike with a diagnosed traumatic brain injury. Brain scans on Mike are alarming, and may be the reason for his earlier erratic behavior. Will delve into ...