In this week’s episode of Zone 7, Sergeant Eric McCants joins Sheryl McCollum to talk about leadership, community policing, and the mindset required to serve well in high-pressure environments. He discusses the importance of communication, building community trust, getting out of the patrol car, and knowing the people you serve before a crisis ever happens. Eric also addresses first responder mental health, the trauma that can linger after difficult calls, and why asking for help is not weakness but part of staying healthy enough to keep showing up for others.



Highlights:

(0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Eric McCants to Zone 7

(1:45) Leadership as impact, not title, and learning that not everyone leads the same way

(4:15) “You versus you,” Extreme Ownership, and focusing on what you can control

(7:15) Policing the Masters in Augusta and managing the large crowds, traffic, and public safety

(8:45) Crime suppression, crisis intervention, and the realities of proactive policing

(10:15) Why some people need accountability, while others need help, direction, or a second chance

(13:30) Communication, rapport, and why the best officers know how to talk to people

(14:45) Why getting out of the patrol car can build trust and help solve cases

(18:15) Eric’s 12 Day Mindset Program and the power of writing goals down

(22:45) First responder trauma, therapy, and knowing when to ask for help

(25:45) Final reflections on leadership, service, and Sheryl’s closing quote from John Quincy Adams



Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.


Sergeant Eric McCants serves with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, where his leadership is rooted in accountability, communication, and community trust. His career has included work in campus safety, school resource policing, crime suppression, special operations, and federal task force operations with the U.S. Marshals Service. Eric is a certified instructor, speaker, mentor, and creator of the 12 Day Mindset Program, which focuses on resilience, personal ownership, and service with purpose.



Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a metro Atlanta police department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than four decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.



Social Links:

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

X: @ColdCaseTips

Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

Instagram:@officialzone7podcast

TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum



Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint

River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

In this week&rsquo;s episode of Zone 7, Sergeant Eric McCants joins Sheryl McCollum to talk about&nbsp;leadership, community policing, and the mindset required to serve well in high-pressure&nbsp;environments. He discusses the importance of communication, building community trust, getting&nbsp;out of the patrol car, and knowing the people you serve before a crisis ever happens. Eric also&nbsp;addresses first responder mental health, the trauma that can linger after difficult calls, and why&nbsp;asking for help is not weakness but part of staying healthy enough to keep showing up for&nbsp;others. 
Highlights:
(0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Eric McCants to Zone 7
(1:45) Leadership as impact, not title, and learning that not everyone leads the same&nbsp;way
(4:15) &ldquo;You versus you,&rdquo; Extreme Ownership, and focusing on what you can control
(7:15) Policing the Masters in Augusta and managing the large crowds, traffic, and&nbsp;public safety
(8:45) Crime suppression, crisis intervention, and the realities of proactive policing
(10:15) Why some people need accountability, while others need help, direction, or a&nbsp;second chance
(13:30) Communication, rapport, and why the best officers know how to talk to&nbsp;people
(14:45) Why getting out of the patrol car can build trust and help solve cases
(18:15) Eric&rsquo;s 12 Day Mindset Program and the power of writing goals down
(22:45) First responder trauma, therapy, and knowing when to ask for help
(25:45) Final reflections on leadership, service, and Sheryl&rsquo;s closing quote from John&nbsp;Quincy Adams 
Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps&nbsp;others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire.
 Sergeant Eric McCants serves with the Richmond County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office, where his leadership&nbsp;is rooted in accountability, communication, and community trust. His career has included work in&nbsp;campus safety, school resource policing, crime suppression, special operations, and federal&nbsp;task force operations with the U.S. Marshals Service. Eric is a certified instructor, speaker,&nbsp;mentor, and creator of the 12 Day Mindset Program, which focuses on resilience, personal&nbsp;ownership, and service with purpose. 
Sheryl &ldquo;Mac&rdquo; McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a metro Atlanta police&nbsp;department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners&nbsp;with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than four decades of experience, she has&nbsp;worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which&nbsp;integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.&nbsp;Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur&nbsp;and the Moore&rsquo;s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction&nbsp;into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. 
Social Links:
Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast
TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum 
Sheryl&rsquo;s new book, <a href="Sheryl&rsquo;s%20new%20book,%20Swans%20Don&rsquo;t%20Swim%20in%20a%20Sewer:%20Solving%20the%20Cold%20Case%20of%20the%20Flint%20River%20Killer&rsquo;s%20Daughter,%20is%20available%20now%20wherever%20books%20are%20sold.">Swans Don&rsquo;t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint</a>
<a href="Sheryl&rsquo;s%20new%20book,%20Swans%20Don&rsquo;t%20Swim%20in%20a%20Sewer:%20Solving%20the%20Cold%20Case%20of%20the%20Flint%20River%20Killer&rsquo;s%20Daughter,%20is%20available%20now%20wherever%20books%20are%20sold.">River Killer&rsquo;s Daughter</a>, is available now wherever books are sold.

Work a cold case alongside investigator Sheryl “Mac” McCollum, Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute. Every week, Sheryl dives into her cold case files alongside accomplished guests to look for clues into unsolved murders, missing people, and more. This ain’t just a podcast but a war room. Sheryl opens her cold case files, her heart and her little black book! You will quickly realize Zone 7 is not a place but a lifestyle!

Work a cold case alongside investigator Sheryl “Mac” McCollum, Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute. Every week, Sheryl dives into her cold case files alongside accomplished guests to look for clues into unsolved murders, missing people, and more. This ain’t just a podcast but a war room. Sheryl opens her cold case files, her heart and her little black book! You will quickly realize Zone 7 is not a place but a lifestyle!

Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

The Heart Behind the Badge: Eric McCants on Leadership and Service

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8c2fbf19-63a1-4f1c-9444-b44e01062a8b/transcript