Sirens, Slammers and Service - A podcast for Female First Responders

Send us Fan Mail In this thought provoking and interesting episode I have the honour of interviewing Alison Hill, a constable with the Vancouver Police Department. Alison is currently in the Research and Policy Division and before that, spent 5 years as an Indigenous Relations Officer. Alison is honoured to share  her experiences, focussing on the importance of placing Community at the centre of o...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we have the privilege of interviewing an experienced and dedicated emergency room nurse who just so happens to be my VERY best friend, Shannon Johnston!!!!  With over 13 years of firsthand experience  (just in emerg!) Shannon shares her challenges and stories from the fast-paced world of the emergency department. From the adrenaline-filled moments of walk in stab...

Send us Fan Mail Behind the Bars: Inside the World of Alberta's Correctional Officers -  In this episode, we peel back the layers and delve into the extraordinary and often challenging  work that correctional officers face daily. Join us as we follow a typical day in the life of a correctional officer, shining a spotlight on the responsibilities, experiences, and the complexities they navigat...

Send us Fan Mail Empowering women and gender-diverse individuals to rise in the firefighting profession. Season 3 is lighting up with an incredible episode featuring Daisy VanRavenswaay , one of Edmonton's trailblazing female firefighters! Daisy isn’t just battling fires—she’s leading the charge for Camp Inspire , an initiative designed to give women and gender-diverse individuals the chance...

Send us Fan Mail Law enforcement roots, resilience through adversity, and founding a national movement for those living with violence. This episode is packed with heart, grit, and purpose as we sit down with Dee Walker —a powerhouse voice for change and the founder of True Haven , a Canada-wide non-profit supporting individuals living with violence. Dee takes us through her early journey working o...

Send us Fan Mail Helicopter pizza, firestorms, and why embracing the suck is part of the job. In this epic episode, I sit down with TWO powerhouse women —Kris and Kendra—former Wildfire Firefighters who battled the infamous 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire . These badass first responders share what it’s really like working in one of the most intense emergency services out there. We dive into:  🚁 Wild...

Send us Fan Mail Truth bombs, tough love, and tools to thrive as a female in the field. In this raw and unfiltered solo episode, I dive into the realities of being a woman in a first responder role—the strengths we bring to the table and the challenges we still face just because we’re female. 💪 Thinking about becoming a firefighter, police officer, paramedic, or peace officer? This is your must-l...

Send us Fan Mail   Trailblazer. Advocate. Leader. This episode is a masterclass in resilience and reform. In this powerhouse episode, I sit down with Dianne Beaton —the first-ever female Director of the Edmonton Remand Centre , Canada’s largest jail. With over 35 years of experience in both in-custody and community corrections, Dianne’s story is nothing short of legendary. We dive into:  🚨 Her ri...

Send us Fan Mail Training, transition, and thriving in a new role—this quick episode packs a punch! In this short and impactful episode , we sit down with Tara Beauchamp , a former correctional officer and single mom who made the leap into a Community Peace Officer role in Wetaskiwin. Tara walks us through:  👮‍♀️ The reality of working shift work as a single parent  🚔 What drove her move from ja...

Send us Fan Mail One of the funniest, most unexpected, and unforgettable episodes yet! Buckle up—because in this episode, former Conservation Officer Eleena Monk takes us on an outrageously hilarious ride through her career in public service… and we promise, you’ve never heard stories like these . From working security at West Edmonton Mall , to time with the Alberta Sheriffs , to chasing wildlife...

Send us Fan Mail Season 3 Premiere of Sirens, Slammers, and Service We’re kicking off Season 3 with a powerhouse guest and a true trailblazer: Shirley Benson —the first woman to ever work as a firefighter in the City of Edmonton. With over 30 years in the fire service , Shirley shattered ceilings and broke new ground, rising through the ranks to become District Chief —all while staying grounded in...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what it's really like behind the walls of a correctional facility? Or asked a first responder a question that made them roll their eyes so hard they saw their own brain? 👀 In this fun and fiery Season 2 finale , we’re busting myths wide open about life in corrections, working in jails, and the realities of dealing with inmates . Plus, I’m spilling the tea on the...

Send us Fan Mail Let’s be real— if you’re a woman in uniform, odds are you’ve wanted to burn it at least once. 🔥 In this laugh-out-loud episode, I’m joined by the hilarious and unfiltered Sheila Farrell and Sandra Maris to talk about a shared pain point in every female first responder’s life: UNIFORMS THAT SUCK . We’re diving into:  👖 Why standard-issue gear rarely fits women properly  📏 The si...

Send us Fan Mail Y’all ready for this one? 🤠 This week, we're crossing borders—literally—with Bridget Truxillo , a powerhouse attorney, former Deputy Sheriff (yes, including SWAT and undercover narcotics ), and the founder of Lady Law Shield out of Texas. In this bold and unfiltered conversation, Bridget shares her journey from high-stakes policing in the U.S. to building a legal and wellnes...

Send us Fan Mail In this high-energy episode, I sit down with Breanna Brandson , a Peace Officer with Alberta Health Services’ Rural Mobile Unit , serving the Central Alberta region. Before donning the uniform, Breanna spent nearly a decade as a psychiatric aide —giving her a unique, ground-level perspective on mental health and frontline care. Now, she’s patrolling the rural roads, bridging the g...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we’re going international—and deep. I’m joined by Erin Nugent , a former Detective with Victoria Police in Australia , where she worked on the elite Armed Crime Squad —handling armed robberies over $10K, kidnappings, aggravated burglaries, and non-fatal shootings . Yep, serious stuff . But Erin’s journey didn’t end there. After meeting her firefighter husband (spoiler a...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what it’s like to work side-by-side with a four-legged partner inside Canada’s toughest jails? This episode gives you an inside look at one of the most unique and in-demand roles in Corrections—Drug Dog Handler. I’m joined by my incredible friend Erin Pipke and her K9 partner Zoe as we dive into their journey from small-town Spirit River all the way to Canada’s largest...

Send us Fan Mail Thinking about applying to the RCMP or preparing for Depot ? This episode is a must-listen for you! I’m joined by Kathya Langlois , a newly minted bilingual RCMP constable and recent Depot graduate who opens up about her full journey—from applying during a global pandemic to surviving the gruelling 6-month Depot training and stepping into her first year in uniform. 🔥 In this epis...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerhouse episode, I sit down with my former co-worker, long-time friend, and the first-ever male guest on the show— Sheridan Taylor . Sheridan is not just a Canadian Forces combat veteran and former correctional peace officer—he’s also a suicide survivor and the best-selling author of "Not Okay? Okay." His raw and unfiltered memoir dives into the brutal truths...

Send us Fan Mail This is the episode I’ve avoided recording… until now. After 17 years in Corrections, I’ve seen and experienced things that most people can’t imagine. In this deeply personal episode, I open up about the mental toll of working behind bars—the emotional rollercoaster, the traumatic events, the moments I felt like I was drowning—and how I slowly found my way back. ⚠️ Trigger Warning...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to have your mind blown by one of the most fascinating and under-the-radar roles in the world of first responders! In this episode, I sit down with Christie Madro Stewart , a forensic odontologist and dental forensic identifier with the Alberta Medical Examiner's Office. From dental hygienist to nighttime crime solver, Christie walks us through her gripping journey...

Send us Fan Mail We are back to finish off the incredibly inspiring story of  Laurie White, a 24 year veteran of the RCMP who was shot in the right leg by an alleged sex offender wielding a sawed-off .303 rifle.  Damage was so severe that her leg had to be amputated five inches below her knee.  In this second part, we delve into Laurie's journey BACK to the RCMP and all she had to endure to b...

Send us Fan Mail We are kicking off SEASON 2 with a BANG!!! The guests I have lined up are so freaking amazing! In episode 1, we interview Laurie White, a 24 year veteran of the RCMP. In 1998, while stationed in Kitimat, British Columbia with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Laurie was shot in the right leg by an alleged sex offender wielding a sawed-off .303 rifle.  Damage was so severe...

Send us Fan Mail We’re closing out Season 1 of Sirens, Slammers, and Service with an absolute banger of an episode —and trust me, you’ll want to buckle up for this one. In Episode 12 , your host Nikki Cloutier pulls back the curtain on her three wild years on the Tactical Team in provincial corrections. From full-blown riots to cell extractions , razor blade discoveries , and yes—even panties show...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is coming in HOT—literally. Join Nikki as she sits down with Toronto firefighter Kathryn Shirriff , also known as #2 in her fire academy class (and #1 in our books!). A top graduate and total force in the fire world, Kathryn shares her journey into one of the most demanding careers out there— and how she crushed it from day one . 🚒 What’s inside this 5-alarm conversa...