Miami Pi Chronicles Podcast

On this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles, Francois McKinnon and Oscar Santa Maria reflect on the challenges of maintaining health in the surveillance profession, and share insights on business growth and client relationships. They also delve into the importance of having a functional website for marketing and handling unique client cases, while looking ahead to the New Year.   Hosted by McKinnon...

In this episode of the Miami PI Podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon and Oscar Santa Maria discuss their return after a couple of months’ hiatus. Francois shares details about several recent cases he has worked on, offering insight into the day-to-day challenges and nuances of private investigative work. Meanwhile, Oscar talks about his recent purchase of a boat and the unexpected amount of effort it’...

In this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon and Oscar Santa Maria discuss the importance of a strong web presence. They debate surveillance protocols near places of worship, concluding that documenting arrival and departure is preferable to internal filming. They also promote Rory McMahon's 10 online continuing education investigative courses, highlighting its poten...

In this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations discuss various aspects of the private investigation field, from marketing strategies and website optimization, to their personal experiences with social media platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok. They also share insights into specialized invest...

In this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations return with a focused discussion on branding, outreach, and professional growth within the investigative industry. Francois shares the excitement of launching his newly revamped website, emphasizing the role a modern, optimized online presence...

In this special 50th episode of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations take a moment to reflect on the journey so far. From unforgettable guests to eye-opening investigations, they revisit standout moments, favorite episodes, behind-the-scenes stories, and lessons learned along the way. Whether you're...

In this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations sit down with Rory McMahon of R.J. McMahon & Associates for the second part of their two-part conversation with renowned investigator Rory McMahon as they delve into Rory’s accomplished private investigative career. After years as a U.S. Pr...

In this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations sit down with Rory McMahon of R.J. McMahon & Associates. Rory has been a licensed Florida Private Investigator for over 35 years and is the President of R.J. McMahon & Associates in Ft. Lauderdale. A former U.S. Probation Officer in bot...

In this episode of The Miami PI Chronicles, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations are joined by special guest Joshua Hutchinson, owner of Hutch Serves, a professional process serving company based in Tennessee. Josh shares his journey into the world of process serving—how he got started, what motivated him to launch his own company,...

In this episode of The Miami PI Chronicles, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations pull back the curtain on the unpredictable—and often surreal—world of private investigation. Francois kicks things off with a jaw-dropping story: getting accidentally locked inside a bank vault with a client and duffel bags full of cash and other valua...

This podcast episode of the Miami PI Chronicles features hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations. The duo dives into The Wallet Saga, a comedic misadventure involving a missing wallet that turns into an unexpected detective tale with plenty of laughs along the way. They also tackle Website Woes, sharing their behind-the-scenes struggl...

In this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations share an insider’s look into the world of private investigation. From humorous tales about  surveillance vehicles to the vital role mentorship plays in their profession, the conversation is both entertaining and insightful. The duo also introduces a ne...

In this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, host Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group sits down with Marc Hurwitz, former CIA operative and president of Crossroads Investigations, to explore the growing threat of online scams. They focus on romance scams, where fraudsters manipulate victims emotionally through dating apps, often moving conversations to platforms like WhatsApp...

Description: In this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, host Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group is joined by guest host and last week’s guest Stephanie Prentice who specializes in Executive Protection. They are joined by special guest Nikki Burgett, a workplace violence prevention consultant and counter-terrorism contractor. Nikki shares her extensive background in corporat...

In this compelling episode of The Miami PI Chronicles, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations sit down with industry expert Stephanie Prentice, a seasoned professional in the field of Executive Protection. Stephanie shares her personal journey into the world of private security, revealing the unique challenges and triumphs she’s face...

In this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations are joined by Teri Dervenis of Garrett Investigations. Teri discusses the emerging field of crypto investigations, sharing how she got started in the industry and offering insights into the rapidly growing cryptocurrency market—an evolution tha...

In this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations break down the real-world techniques they use when following subjects to everyday locations like convenience stores, supermarkets, and shopping malls. From blending into crowded spaces to maintaining cover in close quarters, they share valuable...

In this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations discuss the evolving landscape of private investigations. They explore the increasing role of social media in modern casework, the impact of artificial intelligence on private investigations. The conversation also touches on real-world surveill...

In this episode of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations dive into essential topics for private investigators. They discuss effective strategies for responding to negative reviews, share their perspectives on Pet Detective services, and offer tips on maximizing time during surveillance. Plus, they ex...

In Episode 36 of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations delve into the fascinating world of private investigations. They kick things off by sharing their favorite PI shows, discussing which ones most accurately capture the life of a private investigator. The conversation then shifts to essential busin...

In Episode 35 of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group ( https://miginvestigations.com ) and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations ( https://optimumprivateinvestigators.com ) take a nostalgic trip down memory lane. They reminisce about their recent visit to the Division of Licensing offices, where they renewed their investigator licenses. Th...

In episode 34 of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group ( https://miginvestigations.com ) and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations ( https://optimumprivateinvestigators.com ) delve into a variety of thought-provoking topics. They explore the ongoing debate over the relevance of daylight savings time, offer valuable insights on managing socia...

In episode 33 of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group ( https://miginvestigations.com ) and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations ( https://optimumprivateinvestigators.com ) are joined by Steve Plata of SBP Protective Specialists. Steve shares valuable insights into the world of executive protection, offering captivating stories drawn from...

In Episode 32, we sit down with Oscar Rosa, a highly acclaimed private investigator, professor, author, and podcaster from Spain. Oscar is also one of the co-owners of Iterita Investigations, a renowned investigative agency. Throughout this insightful interview, Oscar shares his journey into the world of private investigations, offering a behind-the-scenes look at his work and experiences in both...

In Episode 31 of the Miami PI Chronicles Podcast, hosts Francois McKinnion of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations reflect on their early days as private investigators, sharing stories of tough cases, unforgettable moments, and sometimes even awkward encounters. They dive into the importance of knowing your limits and how their experience has shaped their ap...