The Staff Assistant Podcast

In this episode, we interview fitness entrepreneur and firearm enthusiast Scott Howell. Scott discusses the importance of competitive team sports in shaping his core beliefs and values during childhood. He translated these experiences later into his career, first working as a fitness trainer, then executive manager of a large nationwide gym, and eventually as a business owner.

Scott discusses what he calls his own “micro-traumas,” regrets, and significant negative events in his life. He discusses the impact of the George Floyd incident on his business, as well as the overall impact of the pandemic. Scott’s personal values align closely with those who work in law enforcement - loyalty, self-reliance and preparedness. Scott is a friend and supporter of law enforcement, first responders and veterans. Check out his gym - Red Dot Fitness - in San Jose, California as well as his podcast, Iron Sights.

In this episode, I interview Valentino and Irma Rodriguez, the parents of Correctional Officer Valentino Rodriguez, Jr.
Val Jr. worked as a correctional officer at both San Quentin State Prison and California State Prison Sacramento for over five years before he died of a fentanyl overdose in 2020. We discuss his family history, how Val Jr.’s death impacted their family, and get to know Val Jr. posthumously through the eyes of his parents.
We also discuss the familiar topics of harassment, work place retaliation, suicide, addiction, and bullying.

On this crossover episode, Ariel from Hot Mic on the Line joins in. We interview former correctional officer and current entrepreneur Jamil Syed about his history of alcohol abuse, sobriety and his mission to help others in law enforcement.

In this episode, we interview Homa Schweers, former NCAA athlete, firefighter, EMT, and correctional officer. She was the first female to graduate to from the SWAT/CRT Level 1 and Level 2 Operator Academy, earning two out of four of the top honors in the CRT Academy as “Top Operator” and “Top Gun.” She was recruited out of public service and into private executive protection details.
Homa details trauma from her childhood, moving abruptly from Iran to the United States at age eight without her mother. She also recalls frequent verbal and physical abuse from her father, and the important role of sports in her life.
Homa is currently a fitness coach for 1st Phorm and enjoys helping people achieve their fitness goals. She continues to work in executive protection and chronicles her recent battle with cancer. Homa is a warrior through and through. You can contact her on Instagram at @homa.schweers or online at https://www.alphasquadhoma.com/.

In this episode, we interview Tyler Caffee, the brother of Correctional Officer Jami Bowechop. Jami worked at the California State Prison, Corcoran for nine years before she died by suicide in 2016. Tyler shares about their family history, how Jami’s death impacted their family, and reasons why he believes Jami took her own life: Jami reported a use of force incident as a whistleblower and kept a detailed journal about the harassment and retaliation she experienced at work. After being fired for a separate allegation, she took her own life at the age of thirty.
You can access The Staff Assistant Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Audible or Google Podcasts.