Episodes

Welcome back to the podcast, I’m Jamie Baynes. For today’s episode, I’ve invited back four past guests to talk about an issue that’s impacting the lives of people not only in Richmond, but nationwide: Black on Black crime. The panel and I talk about what they think is the root cause for it, what can be done to prevent it and why no one wants to talk about it openly. Listen to our discussion and let me know what you think, then give me some feedback on the following questions: Do you agree or di...

Today’s guest is bestselling author and Richmond native, David L. Robbins. David’s first novel, War of the Rats, was an incredible book about the battle of Stalingrad during World War ll. David went on from there to write another sixteen or seventeen books (he wasn’t sure the number when I asked him) and has ideas for even more books. He and I talk about how he became an author, how he goes all in when he researches locations for his novels and why Richmond is his favorite place to live. We pack...

Todays’s guest is Mike Herring, the former Commonwealth Attorney for the City of Richmond. Mike did two stints as a prosecutor in the city. The first time as an assistant commonwealth attorney, specializing in drug prosecutions back in the early to mid-90’s, then as the elected Commonwealth Attorney, where he did nearly three terms before handing the reins over to Colette McEachin, who won her re-election bid recently. I’ve known Mike for years and am a huge fan. I hope you enjoy the interview.

Today’s guest is Charlottesville author and screenwriter Michael Cordell. I was on Michael’s email list and he asked me to review a newly released novel he wrote: Our Trespasses. It sounded like an interesting read, so I checked it out on Amazon. Then I got the idea to email him back and see if he was interested in doing a podcast episode. He said that he was and here he is. Take a listen to our interview and let me know what you think. And make sure to check out Michael's author page on Amazon...

Today’s guest is a longtime friend of mine, Betty Migliacco. Betty was born in Pennsylvania but moved to Richmond when she was seven years old and has been a city resident ever since. Betty and I talk about how we met, the jobs that she’s held and her current assignment with the Richmond Fire Department. Not to mention a life lesson or two.....Take a listen to her interview and let me know what you think.

Today’s guest is Dan Vilardo, a former Richmond cop and current podcaster with his own YouTube channel. Dan reached out to me on Instagram because we have the same goals on our podcasts; promoting positivity. Dan and I cover a variety of topics, to include: policing in Richmond, his sobriety, and his outlook on life. Take a listen to our interview and let me know what you think. Make sure that you check out Dan’s YouTube channel, Cozy Corner FTL as well as the Red Corner Benefit which is a non-...

Today’s guest is Shannon Taylor, the Commonwealth Attorney for Henrico County, Va. Shannon and I worked together when she was a prosecutor in Richmond. She then worked for the Richmond area Multi-jurisdictional grand jury, left that spot to become a defense attorney, then got elected to her current post in 2011. Shannon and I talk about her career, the purpose of grand juries, her take on the Justice system and her views on the growing number of women who have been elected as Commonwealth and D...

Today’s guest is RPD Sgt. James Hale. Sgt. Hale is one of the supervisors for RPD’s School Resource Officers. These are the police officers who not only keep the students and faculty safe, but also mentor the students, take them on trips, show them how to exercise correctly and so much more. So much, in fact, that I’m going to cut this intro short and jump right into the interview. I hope you enjoy it.

Welcome to Christina's episode! After the interview was done, I texted Christina multiple thumbs up because of how well she did. She replied that she thought people would hate her because of what she said. I replied, ‘Nah’, but you know what? Some people may hate her because of what she said, but so what? Everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves to have their voice heard and be given an opportunity to give their opinions about how they view this world. A point that Christina really drove home i...

Today’s guest is Austin Darnell, a Homicide detective with the Richmond Police Department. Darnell and I worked on separate Homicide teams, then I became his acting supervisor while his sergeant was having some shoulder surgery. As you’ll be able to tell in the interview, Darnell is irreverent, but smart as hell and funny as, well, you know. Take a listen to our interview and let me know what you think.

Today’s guest is Reggie Allen, a 30yr veteran of the Richmond Police Department. Reggie started with the department in 1988 and retired in 2019. While with the department, Reggie spent a few years in patrol, about nine years in Narco-cide and Homicide, but eventually went back to do what he loved doing: narcotics work. Reggie and I talk about his career with the department, his outlook on life and his advice to people just getting in to law enforcement. I hope you enjoy the interview.

Today’s guest is Antoinette Tull. Antoinette worked for the City of Richmond for nearly 14yrs as the Human Resources Chief for the Richmond Police Department. She also established RPD's first Wellness Unit in 2019. I initially asked Antoinette if she wanted to talk about the fact that many people of color who go missing don’t receive the media coverage that white women do. Antoinette agreed to do an episode, but didn't think that speaking on that topic was in her wheelhouse and that others were ...

Today’s guest is Donna Mensah, an author I met on Instagram. Her book, ‘Diaries of a Nagging Wife’ is available on Amazon and she SWEARS it’s not autobiographical. As my mother used to say, WJS: we’ll just see. Listen to the fun conversation I have with Donna and let me know what you think. And remember to check out her book on Amazon!

Today’s guest is Kim Mooney, a lieutenant with the Richmond Police Department. Kim’s current assignment is at the police academy and she and I speak about what she sees in the new recruits and what she and the rest of the academy staff try to impart to them. She and I also talk about the assignments that she has worked in her 17yrs with the department. Kim had initially reached out to me in response to a promo I did asking for people to come on the podcast and talk about topics that can be hard...

Today’s guest is Sonia Austin-Moore, a Forensic detective with the Richmond Police Department. Sonia’s been with the Richmond Police Department for (16) years and has been a Forensic detective for the last decade. Sonia and I talk about her career with the department as well as a physical scare that she had that completely blindsided her. I’m going to keep this intro short so that we can jump right into it. I hope you enjoy the interview.

Today’s guest is Henrico police Chief Eric English. Chief English has been Henrico’s Chief for just over a year, and before that he was the chief in Harrisonburg, Virginia. And before THAT, he was with the Richmond Police Department from 1989 until 2018, where he retired as a Deputy Chief. Chief English and I talk about his experiences with the three police agencies, his views on George Floyd in Minneapolis and his advice for people who may be considering law enforcement as a career choice. We...

Today’s guest is Joi Fultz. Joi works for local tv station WTVR and is the daughter of retired Richmond Homicide detective Joe Fultz. In today’s somewhat divided political and media climate, Joi’s in the unique position of working for the media AND being a cop’s daughter. Joi and I talk about her growing up as a cop’s kid, working for the local media and what she loves about Richmond and it’s citizens. Take a listen to our interview and let me know what you think.

Today’s guest is retired Richmond Police Homicide detective Joe Fultz. Joe was with the Richmond Police Department for over 30yrs and worked many different assignments before landing in Homicide. Joe was one of my mentors when I got transferred to Homicide and he’s one of my favorite people in the world. Joe's also a character in one of the upcoming novels, hence the 'Papa Bear' in this podcast's title. I hope you enjoy our interview.

Welcome back to the podcast. Today’s guest is Shayna Perlstein, a drill sergeant and police officer. Shayna and I talk about her military service as well as the two police agencies that she’s worked for, as well as her views on police relationships with the community and with her experiences as a female police officer. Take a listen to her interview and let me know what you think.

Welcome back to the podcast. Today’s guest is RPD officer Chris Saunders. Chris works midnight shifts in Richmond’s 4th Precinct and has been with the department for (7) years. He’s active on Facebook and Twitter, with a personal page and a department page. I asked Chris to come on the podcast because of a photo he posted kneeling beside his patrol car before a shift. As we all know, kneeling has become a controversial flashpoint within the last few years. However the reason Chris is kneeling h...

Today’s guest is Vaughan Jones, a defense attorney and lifelong Richmond resident. Vaughan and I met twenty years ago when he did a three year stint as a prosecutor in the Richmond Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. Recently, Vaughan posted something on Facebook which I replied to in the comments section of his post. We didn’t see eye to eye and went back and forth a couple times, online. I asked him if he wanted to continue the discussion through this podcast and he said he would. So here he is. ...

Welcome back to the podcast, I’m Jamie Baynes. Today’s guest is Lynne Hughes of Comfort Zone Camp. My friend Anthony Jackson reached out to me and said that he thought Lynne would be interested in being on the podcast and talking about Comfort Zone Camp. He gave me her number, I reached out to her and bam! Got her on the podcast. I’m going to let Lynne describe what Comfort Zone Camp does and I bet you’ll be amazed at the number of kids that this wonderful program has helped. Before our intervi...

Welcome back to the podcast, I’m Jamie Baynes. Today’s guest is author, mother and wife Kristine Blevins. Kristine is one of the authors I follow on Instagram and I have a link to her book on my website. Recently, Kristine posted a few paragraphs on her page about women’s body positivity and sexuality. I reached out to her to see if she’d be willing to do a podcast episode to talk about her post and even though she said she was nervous, she agreed. Take a listen to our interview and let me know ...

Welcome back to the podcast, I’m Jamie Baynes. Today I’m talking to Brendan and Carl, two Richmond police officers and the president and vice-president, respectively of RCOP. RCOP is the Richmond Coalition of Police and they exist to speak up for the fair treatment of Richmond’s police officers, as well as to give officers a voice when it comes to expressing their concerns for safety and pay. I asked Brendan and Carl to come on the podcast so that they could speak about what’s going on with the ...