"Don’t Hang Out With Coworkers" – 30-Year DEA Vet’s Brutal Advice | Jim Molesa | Episode 172

A 30-year law enforcement veteran shares the one piece of advice he gave a young academy classmate that stuck for an entire career: Don’t hang out with the people you work with.

In this powerful episode of Reasons We Serve, Jim Molesa (former Mesa PD, longtime DEA agent, and Navajo County Chief Deputy) opens up about mental health in public safety, the child abuse cases that burned him out, massive drug seizures, working with the FBI after 9/11, life on Indian reservations, and why law enforcement is finally confronting PTSD head-on.

From patrol to elite federal work, Jim breaks down real wisdom on staying grounded, building healthy relationships, and surviving a career that exposes you to trauma multiple times a week. Key Timestamps:

00:02:56 - The advice that changed everything 00:10:14 - Child abuse cases that led to burnout 00:25:03 - 980-kilo cocaine bust as a new DEA agent 00:36:33 - Working 9/11 and Oklahoma City 00:44:05 - Life as DEA Public Information Officer 00:56:50 - Reopening the Flagstaff office & reservation work
01:24:30 - PTSD in public safety: the crisis we must face 

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Welcome to our channel, Reasons We Serve, a podcast dedicated to exploring the motivations, challenges, and realities of working in law enforcement. We dive deep into the personal stories of officers, discuss different career paths, and break down the roles of various agencies—from local police departments to state and federal law enforcement.

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