Episodes

Thanks for listening to the podcast, I’m Jamie Baynes. Today’s guest is Nikki Bailey. I came across Nikki on Instagram because she followed some of the same people I followed. I actually used one of her Instagram photos on the Danny and Park website. I reached out to her to see if she’d be willing to be a guest on the podcast and she agreed. Prior to the episode, I asked her if she was a Richmond resident and she said that she was, so I figured that she’d be a great addition to the ‘Hope for Ric...

Today I’m talking to Dave Burt, a retired police officer who worked for the Richmond Police Department 31yrs,(26) of those years as a Homicide detective. Over the course of his Homicide career, Dave worked over a hundred murders. Over a hundred. Incredible. Dave and I talk about his years with the department and he gives some sage advice to officers and detectives still out there doing what he did for more than half of his life. I hope you enjoy the interview.

Today's guest is someone who was not just one of my favorite people at the Richmond Police Department but is one of my favorite people in the whole world: Tish Edmonds. Tish is a sergeant with the police department and is currently the supervisor of the Community Care Unit. Before that she was a Domestic Assault detective in the Youth and Family Crimes Unit. Tish and I talk about her time in both units as well as her hope and advice for current and future Richmond police officers. This is also...

Today's guest is Emily; survivor, mom, wife and advocate. Emily has an amazing story to tell about being kidnapped and assaulted while she was a college student. Her torment didn't end when she managed to escape; she was stalked for years afterwards. She recounts the horrific events, yet she still maintains hope and exudes positivity. That's what this podcast is all about. Listen to our interview and let me know what you think. Follow Emily on Instagram at her handle: emilynatani3

Welcome back to the podcast, I’m Jamie Baynes. Today’s guest is Chesterfield Police Chief Jeffrey Katz. Chief Katz heard my interview with Will Smith and commented that he enjoyed hearing from Will. Since I had Chief Katz’s attention, I asked him if he’d be willing to be on an episode. To my delight and surprise, he readily agreed. We’d planned on a three PM interview, but when I called at three, it went to voicemail. He texted me immediately and said that he needed five more minutes because he ...

Today's guest is Deneice Coleman, a mother, daughter and employee of the Richmond Police Department. Deneice epitomizes positivity and optimism, so obviously I had to have her on the podcast. We worked together for many years in the Major Crimes Division of the RPD and in all those years I never saw her down, depressed or angry. She always has a smile for everyone and if she thinks that you're down, she'll do her best to bring you back up. I hope you enjoy the interview.

Today I'm welcoming back Sharmeen Farooq. I'm sure you guys remember my last interview with this amazing author and poet. For those that don't, Sharmeen has experienced a lot in her life and I wanted to bring her back to talk about a multitude of topics. Too many in fact for another single podcast, so expect to hear from her again. Today, she's going to share why she and her family left Pakistan to move to Canada. She's part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community and they're a persecuted minority in ...

Today's guest is Will Smith who was Richmond's police chief up until last summer. Will and I are in the same generation of RPD officers; I graduated from the academy in 1993 and Will in 1995. Both of us worked Patrol in Richmond's east end, also known as Church Hill. Will and I talk about our time in Patrol, as well as his rise to chief. We also discuss the current pay problems that RPD officers face when compared to surrounding jurisdictions and the hope that he has for the city and it's resid...

Today's guest is Kiki, a Richmond area high school student and artist. Kiki's aunt portrays a main character in my novel series and when she heard that I was asking for writers, poets and artists to display their work on my website, she asked Kiki to email me some of her art. I liked it so much, Kiki has her own gallery on the website. If you want to follow Kiki on Instagram, her handle is: kiki_the_bored_poofball I hope you enjoy our interview.

On today's Popcorn Podcast (which is a quick, solo podcast) I vent a bit about well-known authors who take advantage of their large platforms to insert their own politics into their thrillers, despite the fact that their political views have nothing to do with the storyline. Longtime readers can't stand it and judging by many of the negative reviews, want the authors to cut it out.

Today's guest is J. Lynden Collingwood, an author, poet and aspiring playwright. I met J. Lynden through a mutual friend who knew that I enjoyed poetry and thought J. Lynden's work would be a good fit for the website. She was right. J. Lynden has been such a frequent contributor to the site, I reserved a permanent space for his poetry readings. Take a listen to the interview and let me know what you think. And check out his social media links below: IG: (IntuitiveWordsmith) Facebook: J Lyn...

On today's episode, I interview Kimberly Drake, a patrol officer with the Richmond Police Department. Kim was a civilian for ten years and has been a sworn officer for thirteen years. She works Day shift in 4th Precinct and her beat covers the north side of Richmond, which includes Highland Park and the Gilpin Court community. Kim and I talk about the changes that she's seen over the years and the frustration she has over officers leaving the RPD. Listen to the interview and let me know what you...

Welcome back to the podcast, I’m Jamie Baynes. In this episode, I interview Anthony Jackson, a lieutenant with the Richmond Police Department. I worked with Anthony when he was a detective with the Major Crimes Division in the department, then I worked FOR Anthony when he got promoted to sergeant, then to lieutenant. But today, I’m not talking to him about Richmond police stuff. Instead, we talk about a program called Frontline Writers. This is a completely free class offered to first responders...

Today's guest is Laura, a model and motivational writer. Her energy is so fresh and positive, I asked her to be a guest on this episode as well as future episodes. Part of the podcast is completely in Spanish, so if you have a friend or relative who can translate for you, ask them to take a listen. The majority is in English, though and I think after listening you'll agree that the world is a better place with Laura in it.

Today’s guest is Jon Burkett, also known as the Crime Insider on Richmond’s local CBS affiliate, WTVR. Jon’s been with WTVR for almost 21 years. He got his start in broadcasting while he was in the Navy, and worked briefly in Baltimore as a broadcaster. Jon was born in Chesterfield and considers the Richmond area his home. I met Jon while I was a Homicide detective in Richmond and we’ve remained in touch even after I retired. I asked Jon to come on the podcast because he talks to people in and...

This episode's guest is Morgan, a woman who while at work one day got hit with a seizure, lost consciousness and woke up at Johnston Willis Hospital in Chesterfield, Virginia surrounded by her family and the medical staff. Morgan's story of survival and recovery is nothing short of amazing. I hope you enjoy the interview.

Today's guest is Sharmeen, an author I follow on Instagram. In addition to being an author, she's also a wife, mother, artist, poet and teacher. Did I mention she's multi-lingual as well? Originally from Pakistan, she now lives in Germany, by way of France and Canada. Take a listen to the interview and let me know what you think.

Today's episode is just me talking about hate and hope. From time to time, I'm going to do solo episodes. I like thinking of them as popcorn episodes, because every so often, a subject will pop into my head and I'll want to talk about something. There's a bit of throat clearing in this one and maybe a jumbled word or two. If I start doing multiple takes I'll get frustrated, so these episodes may sound a bit raw. As I get better, hopefully the rawness will dissipate. I hope you enjoy the episode ...

In this interview, I talk to Pam, an employee of the Richmond Police Department and the inspiration for one of my favorite characters in the Danny and Park series, Meredith. As I've mentioned on the website, after I write my characters, I look for people I know and ask them to be the model for each particular character. Once I saw Pam, it was a no-brainer that she would be my Meredith. Take a listen to the and let me know what you think. Oh, and despite the mention of a child's headstone, its a ...

In this episode, I interview Taylor Harding-Jenkins, a transgender author I follow on Instagram. Taylor has been the subject of online bullying, so much so that she deleted all of her social media accounts and writes under a pseudonym. Despite this, she has a message of hope that she wants to share. I hope you enjoy the interview.

On this episode, I interview Gloria Miles, a mother, writer and Navy veteran. Gloria talks to me candidly about the death of her husband by suicide, the effects that its had on her and her children, and ways that we can recognize and help someone who may be contemplating suicide. You can follow Gloria on Instagram at: UNTITLED_BY_GLORIA or go to her Linkedin page (Gloria Miles, MBA). Also check out the following links for suicide awareness and prevention: namivirginia.org fullcirclegc.org Na...

In this episode, I interview Shatara Donald, a Major Crimes detective with the Richmond Police Department. Shatara began her career as a patrol officer, then moved over to the Major Crimes division where she investigates shootings and sex crimes. She's a married mother of two adorable girls and is such a firecracker I used her as a main character in my new book series, The Outlaws. I hope you enjoy the interview. Thanks for listening.

Just a brief solo session to talk about the way in which some people try to get people to hate one another. PLUS a sneak peek about upcoming episodes.

In episode two, I interview Richmond PD Forensic Investigator Jessica Bourne. Jessica's got an incredible story of survival that I wanted her to share; a diagnosis of breast cancer in her mid-twenties, with no family history of cancer. She had to deal with this right as the pandemic was kicking off. She's truly an incredible person and her story is inspiring and uplifting. I hope you enjoy it and thanks for listening. Jamie