Advertise on podcast: Aftermath Philadelphia

In the forth episode of Season 2 of Aftermath Philadelphia, Captain Gillespie sits down with Dr. Zaffer Qasim an Emergency and Trauma/Critical Care Physician at Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System. Dr. Qasim has extensive experience in the emergency room of one of the countries busiest ER's, at Penn Presby hospital in West Philadelphia. In this episode Dr. Qasim discusses his path from the United Kingdom to Baltimore and now Philadelphia. The conversations goes into what it is like when one or multiple shooting victim come into the hospital ER, and where police officers should and should not be during that time. Dr. Qasim and Capt. Gillespie discuss the experience of what it is like to tell a parent that their child or loved one did not survive the gunshot and how the victim is respected and cared for at that moment. Further more, Dr. Qasim explains his thoughts and ideas on what measures can be taken to stop this violence, including steps that can educate and prevent gun violence from occurring in the first place.  

In the third episode of season 2 for Aftermath Philadelphia, Captain Gillespie sits down with career public servant Beth Grossman esq. Beth is currently the Program Director for Scioli Turco INC. a non-profit organization that helps to deal with blight, vacant and nuisance properties here in Philadelphia. Beth and Capt. Gillespie discuss her current work with this organization, but also discuss her prior work with the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, where she spent over 21 years. Specifically working as the Chief of the Nuisance Task Force along with her work in the Dangerous Drug Offender Unit. They dig into the work that city Block Captains do and how they can improve neighborhoods, along with addressing quality of life issues. Furthermore they confirm that crimes are not solved and prosecuted in one hour as the show "Law and Order" would leave one to believe.

In the second episode of Season 2 of Aftermath Philadelphia, Captain Gillespie sits down with Brandon Del Pozo the former Chief of Police in Burlington Vermont and retired NYPD executive. Brandon held several management positions in the NYPD including the Commanding Officer of the Office of Strategic Initiatives, and Commanding Officer for the Project Management Office of the Police Commissioner - NYPD. He held Patrol Commands in the 6th Precinct & 50th Precinct respectively. Capt. Gillespie and Brandon discuss his path from Brooklyn to Dartmouth University and back to NYC and the NYPD. They dig in to how education and career development helped to change and shape their mindsets on policing and what to measure. Brandon Del Pozo further digs into the Opioid Crisis and some solutions to this epidemic along with examining police Use of Force issues in Law Enforcement in 2022. 

In the first episode of Season 2 of Aftermath Philadelphia. Captain Gillespie now of Southwest Detective's, sits down with International Consultant for Crime and Policing, Debra Piehl. Debra is a former Senior Crime Analyst for the NYPD, including a position as the Analyst in the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the NYPD. Captain Gillespie and Debra discuss her role with the NYPD and helping to fight crime. Along with what data should be valued and explored. They further discuss the importance of civilian analysts being an accepted part of law enformcent along with the hurdles those analysts sometimes go through. This episode gives the listeners an insight into the legendary NYPD Compstat process and how valued data is in keeping cities safe. 

In the season one finale, Captain Gillespie speaks with retired New York Police Department Sergeant turned college professor Joseph L. Giacalone. Captain Gillespie and Professor Giacalone talk about his experiences in investigations during his time in the Bronx, the Anti-Crime teams the NYPD used to help lower gun violence, and the NYC Bail Reform Act. Both Capt. Gillespie and Joseph further explore how changes in criminal justice reform has effected crime rates today in both NYC and Philadelphia. To end the episode they discuss Joseph's path from crime fighter in the Bronx to adjunct professor in the classroom. Along with debating who has the greatest detectives in the world; Philly PD or NYPD. 

In the fourteenth episode of Aftermath Philadelphia, Captain Gillespie sits down with a unique guest who has a perspective of the criminal justice system from two points of view. Former Philadelphia District Attorney and later Federal Defendant Seth Williams, sit down for a discussion covering a wide range of topics. Seth Williams dives into his experiences growing up in West Philadelphia (the 18th District) and how that led him to a career  as a prosecutor. He discusses his role as a young Assistant District Attorney, and then coming back as the person in charge of one of the largest District Attorney Offices in the Country. Capt. Gillespie and Seth, go on to converse about the importance of prosecuting violent crimes and gun crimes, but also believing in second chances. Seth Williams give us a glimpse of what he did inside of Federal Prison to help fellow inmates and how that helped change his view on the Criminal Justice System. This unique perspective of the criminal justice system is one that you want to hear. 

In the thirteenth episode of Aftermath Philadelphia, Captain Gillespie sits down with Terrill Haigler aka Ya Fav Trash Man (Instagram) a former Sanitation worker for the city of Philadelphia. He is now an advocate for the Sanitation industry and CEO of Trash for Treasure his non-profit organization that serves as a community engagement department. In their conversation they discuss a broad range of issues that include; the connection between blight and gun violence. How to get all parts of Philadelphia to be equally as clean, and the mental/emotional and physical effects blight can have on a community and a person. Terrill Haigler opens up to give the listener an insight as to what it really is like to be a Sanitation worker and walk 12 miles a day, deal with rodents, needles and other hazards. Captain Gillespie and Terrill discuss their respective roles, how to improve the fields they serve and the new book Terril Haigler just wrote " I'm Cool Too". A children's book that explains the role of a Sanitation worker and why it is so important. 

In the twelfth episode of Aftermath Philadelphia, Captain Gillespie sits down with Ann Marie Kelly, a supervisor in the Philadelphia Police Forensics Laboratory. This unit is responsible for testing/investigating each and every gun recovered, found and turned in to Philadelphia Police. Captain Gillespie and Ann Marie discuss her position as a member of this unit and all that it entails when evaluating thousands of firearms each year. Ann Marie further explains the care, attention and time put in to the work her unit does and the importance of focusing on the science and data when conducting these tests. Ann Marie give real life examples of the work done to bring justice to victims and along with the story firearms can tell investigators based on the data obtained during her units investigations. She also explains the process needed to become a firearms examiner along with the other agencies her units works with to help solve gun crimes here in Philadelphia. 

In the eleventh episode of Aftermath Philadelphia, Captain Gillespie sits down with 18th District Officers Baukman and Harris, along with Sgt. Sharone Johnson. These guests are the architects of the 18th District "Skills N Drills" summer program that went on each Friday during the summer of 2021 at Christy Recreation Center, in West Philadelphia. Captain Gillespie and the guests discuss how the idea for this program was formed, the importance of building trust with the community before asking for assistance and the flake ratio. Further along in the discussion Captain Gillespie and the guests explain how this type of community policing is important and the effect it made on safety in the neighborhood. They dig deep into other connected issues such as; where are all the OG's to guide youth, how to track the success of a program like this, and the burden of trust. The 18th District "Skills N Drills" program was a sixteen week program that took one year to design and build. It brought officers, the neighborhood youth and community activists together each Friday from 5pm to 7pm, for a sports clinic and life skills. A special thanks to the Families behind the Badge organization for their constant support in this program. 

In the tenth episode of Aftermath Philadelphia, Captain Gillespie sits down with gun shot survivor Oronde McClain. Oronde was caught in the cross fire of a shooting in April 2000. Shot in the head Philadelphia Police Officers from the 14th District rushed him to the hospital helping to save his life. Captain Gillespie and Oronde go on to discuss the day he was shot, what led up to it, and the six months he spent in the hospital after being shot in the head. Their discussion digs deep into the twelve year period Oronde was conducting rehab to put his life back together including physical and mental health treatments. Oronde goes on to explain what it is like after the doctors and nurses are no longer around, how and why a support network is needed for gun shot victims. Including opening up about attempting to take his life twenty-six times. Now the founder of the McClean Foundation which focuses on support for families of gun shot victims and de-escalation to avoid further violence. Oronde provides his insight into how to lower this gun violence. A powerful episode you do not want to miss.  

In this much anticipated ninth episode of Aftermath Philadelphia, Captain Gillespie sits down with Marc Polymeropoulos, who recently retired from the Senior Intelligence Service ranks at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Marc is an author of a new leadership book called Clarity in Crisis. In this episode they discuss Marc's career in the agency and how it made him a better leader. They discuss the similarities in both professions and how often Law Enforemcent and CIA employees don't seek recognition for their accomplishments. Marc goes on to describe his leadership principles which are highlighted in his book; the glue guy/girl, humility best served warm, and be a people developer. Captain Gillespie and Marc dig further into how success comes out of failures, owning mistakes and relationship building makes for a successful organization. Much of Marc's story and lessons learned are from his experiences around the world operating as a CIA officer in some of the worlds most dangerous places. 

In the eighth episode of Aftermath Philadelphia, Captain Gillespie goes to the Christy Rec Center and sits down with one of it's recreation leaders Quan King. Christy Recreation Center is located in West Philly and also down the street from the 18th Police District. Mr. King and Captain Gillespie discuss the role the Center plays in this West Philly community and how that role isn't always a traditional one. They discuss how their respective staffs are committed to making a positive change in the neighborhood along with centers role in helping to reduce gun violence and thus keeping people alive. Quan King explains all the tools in the centers tool bag and how it is important to ensure the center is a place everyone of all ages can come to safety. Captain Gillespie and Quan King further explain the anti violence partnerships the 18th Police District and Christy Rec Center are doing now to ensure a positive change occurs. This episode truly highlights the Parks and Recreation staff at Christy Rec along with the community members on the front lines working to keep people safe from gun violence.