Merry Christmas! In this episode, I share a bit of my holiday spirit while diving into some heavy topics that have been on my mind. First, I talk about my fears and challenges surrounding the decision to apply for a PhD program, and how it feels to step into an uncertain future.

From there, we jump into the tragic story of a woman who was set on fire aboard the F train in New York City. I discuss the shifting narrative around the case, with the NYPD focusing more on the presence (or absence) of cameras on the train, rather than addressing the broader issue of the migrant crisis that may have contributed to the incident.

Next, I cover the early retirement of NYPD Lt. Epps, who’s in the news for allegedly abusing overtime, and how it ties into a disturbing pattern of behavior within the force. This leads to the controversy surrounding Top Cop Jeffrey Maddrey, who was recently accused by Lt. Epps of coercing her into sexual favors in exchange for overtime.

Throughout the episode, I give my thoughts on these events and reflect on what they say about power, accountability, and the challenges of reforming institutions like the NYPD.