GOLD SHIELDS

We hope you enjoy this episode of Gold Shields, let us know how we did.
On this powerful and deeply personal episode of GOLD SHIELDS, we sit down with LJ Ruggiero for a journey into the devastating reality of addiction, and the extraordinary power of recovery.
Born into a prominent New York City family, LJ’s life took a dramatic turn as addiction pulled him into a world of Xanax, gambling, arrests, jail, deception, and devastating consequences. His story takes us into places few people are willing to talk about, and that includes his shocking knowledge of a murder and the dangerous world surrounding his addiction.
But this story doesn't end in darkness.
LJ shares how he fought his way out of addiction and experienced a remarkable recovery that transformed his life. Today, he is living a successful life, and using the lessons from his darkest days to help others understand the devastating grip of addiction.
This is not just an interview. It is an education.
This is a SPECIAL GOLD SHIELDS, an honest, raw and unforgettable conversation that every parent should hear.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
02:33 LJ's Family Background and Connection to New York News
05:53 LJ's Early Life and Struggles with Addiction
10:08 The Turning Point: From College to Addiction
14:51 Consequences of Addiction: Arrest and Reflection
19:18 The Impact of Family and Enabling Behavior
22:17 Facing Public Scrutiny and Personal Shame
25:22 The Murder Case and Its Aftermath
28:44 Rehabilitation and the Path to Recovery
33:46 Finding Stability and Long-Term Sobriety
37:11 The Power of Hope in Recovery
40:20 The Reality of Addiction and Recovery
44:37 Addiction: A Universal Struggle
47:31 Lessons for the Next Generation
52:36 The Journey of Healing and Growth
56:06 Building a Legacy: Podcast and Restaurant

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Leadership. It’s more than a title, a rank, or a position—it’s about responsibility, character, sacrifice, and taking care of the people who trust you.
In the newly released Episode I sat down with Rear Admiral Jamie Sands, USN (Ret.), a decorated Navy SEAL leader who served more than three decades in the U.S. military. His remarkable career included commanding SEAL Team 8, Naval Special Warfare Group 2, Special Operations Command Africa, and ultimately serving as Commander of Naval Special Warfare Command.
The conversation also explores his important work as President and CEO of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting the children and families of fallen Special Operations personnel and Medal of Honor recipients through education and advocacy.
This is a powerful conversation about leadership, sacrifice, courage, and the responsibility we have to those who serve, and the families who stand behind them.
TIMESTAMPS
(0:00) - Gold Shields opens with Admiral Jamie Sands and why his career is a milestone guest appearance
(2:47) - Why Sands chose the Naval Academy and the harder path
(4:12) - How meeting SEALs in Virginia Beach changed everything
(5:49) - The myth of who can make it through BUDS
(8:09) - Why BUDS was brutally hard and why it mattered
(11:10) - First deployments in Hawaii and maritime interdiction before the wars
(14:41) - Where Sands was when 9/11 happened
(16:08) - How Naval Special Warfare shifted to squadron deployments before 9/11
(19:41) - Whether Al Qaeda and bin Laden were on his radar at the time
(22:08) - Intelligence, interagency coordination, and the growth of the force
(23:40) - Iraq versus Afghanistan and how tactics had to change
(26:21) - Hostage-rescue mindset, call-outs, and shifting risk in operations
(30:23) - Planning, contingencies, and honest after-action reviews
(31:55) - How Sands stayed connected to the fight through leadership
(34:57) - Leaders who shaped his career and the power of mentorship
(38:27) - Why so many special operators keep serving after retirement
(40:22) - The mission and origin of Special Operations Warrior Foundation
(42:48) - How the foundation supports kids from cradle to career
(45:06) - College, trade school, and transition support for students
(48:42) - Wounded, ill, and injured family assistance
(50:56) - Why Tom urges listeners to support the foundation
(53:03) - Closing prayers, subscription reminder, and final thanks
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ZOMBIE HUNTER. COLD CASE. MURDER. JUSTICE.
For more than 20 years, a brutal double murder remained unsolved, until Sergeant Troy Hillman and his team reopened the investigation and began the relentless hunt for the killer.
In his book Chasing Down the Zombie Hunter, Troy takes you inside one of the most chilling and bizarre cold-case investigations imaginable. Two women were brutally murdered, the trail went cold, and the killer believed he had escaped justice.
But detectives never stopped looking.
Then came the breakthrough.
In this explosive episode of GOLD SHIELDS, Troy Hillman takes us behind the scenes of the Zombie Hunter case—the investigation, the dead ends, the evidence, the DNA breakthroughs, and the relentless detective work that ultimately identified the man responsible.
🔥 WATCH THIS EPISODE OF GOLD SHIELDS AND ENTER THE HUNT FOR THE ZOMBIE HUNTER.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Cold Case Homicides
02:46 Transitioning from CPA to Law Enforcement
06:10 Understanding Cold Cases
09:00 The First Victim: A Gruesome Discovery
12:13 The Second Victim: Patterns and Connections
15:08 The Investigation: Challenges and Breakthroughs
17:45 The Role of Genetic Genealogy
21:05 The Search for the Killer
23:58 The Breakthrough: Identifying the Suspect
26:56 Conclusion and Reflections
30:38 Uncovering the Files
32:29 The Emergency Squad Meeting
34:03 The Ruse for DNA
37:54 The DNA Results
40:16 The Arrest of the Zombie Hunter
42:59 Notifying the Families
45:22 The Aftermath of the Arrest
49:28 Writing the Book
52:46 The Impact of Cold Cases
53:01 Attributing Other Homicides

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Jill Wagner, the powerhouse actress who brings BOBBY to life in Paramount+’s hit series LIONESS, joins GOLD SHIELDS for an unforgettable conversation that takes you BEHIND THE ROLE, BEHIND THE CHARACTER, AND BEHIND THE SCENES of one of television’s most intense and talked-about shows.
On LIONESS, Jill Wagner portrays Bobby, a tough, battle-tested member of the Lioness team who operates in an unforgiving world where courage, loyalty, leadership, and sacrifice are everything.
Jill opens up about LIONESS, Bobby, Season 3, working inside Taylor Sheridan’s universe, the intensity and authenticity of the series, and what it takes to portray characters connected to the world of Special Operations.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Excitement for Lioness
01:15 Season Three Teasers and Themes
04:01 Realism in Military Portrayal
06:21 Training and Preparation for Roles
10:11 Working with Taylor Sheridan
13:00 Character Development and Casting Choices
16:09 Bobby's Character and Female Representation
20:45 The Real Lioness Program
22:54 Insights from Special Operations Community
26:28 Patriotic Pick and Community Involvement
33:15 Behind the Scenes of War Scenes
37:50 The Realism of Military Portrayals
40:10 Transitioning Between Roles
42:06 Future Projects and Aspirations
46:08 Reflections on Co-Stars and Influences
49:10 Honoring Military Families

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What if crime wasn't just a choice...it was the family business?
On this extraordinary episode of GOLD SHIELDS, we sit down with former professional jewel thief Bryan Sobolewski for an unforgettable conversation that is equal parts shocking, fascinating, and surprisingly hilarious.
This truly is "All In The Family."
Bryan grew up in a family that made its living committing high-stakes jewelry heists throughout the Boston area. Robberies weren't just discussed around the dinner table, they were the family business. In this exclusive interview, Bryan pulls back the curtain on the real world of professional jewel thieves, sharing incredible stories of meticulously planned robberies, close calls, life on the run, arrests, prison, and ultimately redemption.
Based on his acclaimed book, Family Jewels, Bryan delivers a rare insider's perspective into the criminal underworld with an unexpected comic twist that only someone who lived this unbelievable life could tell.
Join us for this unforgettable episode of GOLD SHIELDS and step inside a world where loyalty, family, and crime were all part of the same business.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Weather Banter
01:01 The Family Legacy of Jewel Thievery
06:49 Planning and Execution of Heists
11:13 The Appeal of Jewelry Theft
17:11 The Role of Fear and Weapons in Robberies
19:55 Humor in Crime: Duct Tape and Victims
24:59 The Downfall: Betrayal and Arrests
29:59 Life Behind Bars: The Prison Experience
36:30 Navigating Parole and Probation
38:43 From Inmate to Influencer: The Journey Continues
45:38 Finding Humor in Trauma: A Unique Perspective

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