GOLD SHIELDS

We hope you enjoy this episode of Gold Shields, let us know how we did.
You can run from the crime scene—but you can’t run from your DNA.
On Episode 178 we sit down with Detective Lindsey Wade, a leading expert in DNA and cold case investigations and the bestselling author of My DNA.
Lindsey takes us inside the world of cold case investigations, DNA evidence, forensic science, and homicide investigations, explaining how Detectives painstakingly put the pieces of a case together, and why the relentless pursuit of justice never stops.
Some cases take years. Some take decades. But for the Detectives who refuse to give up, time doesn’t erase the evidence.
GOLD SHIELDS — True Crime. Real Detectives. Real Stories.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
02:03 Lindsay Wade's Journey into Law Enforcement
06:13 Transitioning to Detective Work
09:08 Challenges of Working in Sex Crimes
14:06 A Case That Haunts: The Abduction of a Child
19:54 The Reality of Cold Cases
24:11 The Impact of Cold Cases on Families
29:59 Genetic Genealogy and Solving Cold Cases
30:21 The Journey of Hope and New Beginnings
31:48 The Breakthrough: A Match in the Cold Case
34:39 The Emotional Impact of Delivering News
38:04 The Evolution of DNA Technology in Solving Cases
41:05 Advocating for Change: CODIS and Cold Cases
46:11 The Power of Storytelling: Writing 'In My DNA'
48:43 Child Abduction Response: Best Practices and Training
52:31 A Role Model for Future Generations

SUBSCRIBE to Youtube.com/@GoldShields
Follow GOLD SHIELDS on ALL Audio Podcast Platforms

Visit us at https://thegoldshieldshow.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
https://www.instagram.com/thegoldshieldshow/
https://www.facebook.com/THEGOLDSHIELDSHOW/
linkedin.com/in/tom-smith-09676a22b

We hope you enjoy this episode of Gold Shields, let us know how we did.
25 YEARS LATER… HE REMEMBERS IT ALL.
On September 11, 2001, America was attacked, and New York City was at the center of it all.
For the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, GOLD SHIELDS presents a powerful and deeply personal interview with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Mayor Giuliani takes us inside the chaos of that unimaginable day, the fear, the confusion, the anger, the devastation, and the heartbreaking loss. But he also takes us inside the leadership that was required to help a wounded city stand back up.
Join GOLD SHIELDS for this unforgettable conversation with “America’s Mayor,” Rudy Giuliani.
NEVER FORGET.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction of Rudy Giuliani and opening praise for his leadership
01:10 - Giuliani is asked to recount the morning of September 11
02:01 - Breakfast plans, primary day, and the first warning from a detective
03:01 - Initial response to the World Trade Center fire and the decision to treat it as a terror attack
03:52 - Closing bridges and tunnels and mobilizing police and fire personnel
04:50 - Second plane hits and the attack is confirmed
05:14 - Why coordination between departments mattered immediately
05:44 - Watching the towers and realizing there was no plan for this scenario
06:41 - Father Judge, last rites, and the human scale of the disaster
07:11 - Questions about a helicopter and the limits of what could be done
08:03 - The fire department’s role and the priority of saving people below the fire
08:56 - Worry about additional attacks and protecting other targets
10:50 - Calling the White House and learning about other unaccounted-for planes
11:44 - The president is evacuated and Giuliani describes feeling alone
12:41 - Getting trapped in the building during another shock wave
13:37 - Being rescued and going to a firehouse in the West Village
15:52 - Putting city, state, and federal governments together in one command structure
16:48 - Why the first responders restored the spirit of the country
17:17 - The flag-raising image and what it meant nationally
18:26 - Dan and Tom reflect on calm leadership, unity, and volunteerism
20:22 - Giuliani on burying fear and making the best decision possible
22:18 - Realizing New Yorkers needed time before returning to normal
24:18 - How his perspective on security changed over time
25:46 - Concerns about terrorism, border security, and modern threats
26:46 - Why he sees 9/11 as a warning about enemies trying to destroy American civilization
27:38 - The hosts discuss FBI leadership and Giuliani’s confidence in the bureau
28:11 - Closing thanks, praise for first responders, and final remarks

SUBSCRIBE to Youtube.com/@GoldShields
Follow GOLD SHIELDS on ALL Audio Podcast Platforms

Visit us at https://thegoldshieldshow.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
https://www.instagram.com/thegoldshieldshow/
https://www.facebook.com/THEGOLDSHIELDSHOW/
linkedin.com/in/tom-smith-09676a22b

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

SUBSCRIBE to Youtube.com/@GoldShields
Follow GOLD SHIELDS on ALL Audio Podcast Platforms

Visit us at https://thegoldshieldshow.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
https://www.instagram.com/thegoldshieldshow/
https://www.facebook.com/THEGOLDSHIELDSHOW/
linkedin.com/in/tom-smith-09676a22b

We hope you enjoy this episode of Gold Shields, let us know how we did.
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
SUBSCRIBE to Youtube.com/@GoldShields
Follow GOLD SHIELDS on ALL Audio Podcast Platforms

Visit us at https://thegoldshieldshow.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
https://www.instagram.com/thegoldshieldshow/
https://www.facebook.com/THEGOLDSHIELDSHOW/
linkedin.com/in/tom-smith-09676a22b

We hope you enjoy this episode of Gold Shields, let us know how we did.
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

SUBSCRIBE to Youtube.com/@GoldShields
Follow GOLD SHIELDS on ALL Audio Podcast Platforms

Visit us at https://thegoldshieldshow.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
https://www.instagram.com/thegoldshieldshow/
https://www.facebook.com/THEGOLDSHIELDSHOW/
linkedin.com/in/tom-smith-09676a22b