Miami Pi Chronicles Podcast

EP 36: Marketing, Contracts, and PI Show Favorites

In Episode 36 of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations delve into the fascinating world of private investigations. They kick things off by sharing their favorite PI shows, discussing which ones most accurately capture the life of a private investigator. The conversation then shifts to essential business advice, touching on the importance of marketing your PI business and the need for clear, well-drafted contracts or written agreements to foster long-term relationships and prevent future misunderstandings. They also explore a selection of helpful apps that can streamline the work of modern-day investigators. Whether you're a seasoned PI professional or simply curious about the industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights and plenty of fun!

EP 35: License Renewals, Old Hangouts, and Reflecting on the Journey

In Episode 35 of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group (https://miginvestigations.com) and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations (https://optimumprivateinvestigators.com) take a nostalgic trip down memory lane. They reminisce about their recent visit to the Division of Licensing offices, where they renewed their investigator licenses. The process, they note, was almost seamless—a far cry from the early days of their careers, when the journey was filled with challenges and learning experiences.
Along the way, the two share stories about a special old hangout that played a key role in their early days as private investigators. It was a place that not only provided a sense of camaraderie but also became a foundation for many of the lessons they carry with them today.
Join them for a fun and lighthearted conversation as they reflect on how much they've grown, share laughter over past experiences, and give listeners an inside look into the evolution of their professional lives. Whether you’re an aspiring private investigator or simply enjoy hearing captivating career stories, this episode is sure to entertain and offer valuable insights into the world of private investigations.

EP 34: Daylight Savings, Navigating Social Media, & the Gene Hackman Death Investigation

In episode 34 of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group (https://miginvestigations.com) and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations (https://optimumprivateinvestigators.com) delve into a variety of thought-provoking topics. They explore the ongoing debate over the relevance of daylight savings time, offer valuable insights on managing social media in the investigative profession, and take a closer look at the fascinating details surrounding the Gene Hackman death investigation. Tune in for an engaging discussion that blends real-world experiences with expert knowledge from two seasoned professionals.

EP 33: In-Depth Interview with Steve Plata – International Executive Protection Specialist

In episode 33 of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group (https://miginvestigations.com) and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations (https://optimumprivateinvestigators.com) are joined by Steve Plata of SBP Protective Specialists. Steve shares valuable insights into the world of executive protection, offering captivating stories drawn from his firsthand experience in the field. Tune in for an engaging conversation that explores the challenges and rewards, that define the executive protection profession.

EP 32: Interview with Oscar Rosa – Internationally Renowned Private Investigator, Professor, Author, Podcaster, and Co-Owner of Iterita Investigations

In Episode 32, we sit down with Oscar Rosa, a highly acclaimed private investigator, professor, author, and podcaster from Spain. Oscar is also one of the co-owners of Iterita Investigations, a renowned investigative agency. Throughout this insightful interview, Oscar shares his journey into the world of private investigations, offering a behind-the-scenes look at his work and experiences in both the Spanish and international arenas. He delves into the challenges and rewards of being a private investigator, as well as his academic role, writing projects, and podcasting endeavors. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the intricacies of the investigation industry and learn from Oscar's vast knowledge in this fascinating conversation.

EP 31: Knowing Your Limits, Awkward Moments, Shoutouts & AI Challenge

In Episode 31 of the Miami PI Chronicles Podcast, hosts Francois McKinnion of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations reflect on their early days as private investigators, sharing stories of tough cases, unforgettable moments, and sometimes even awkward encounters. They dive into the importance of knowing your limits and how their experience has shaped their approach to challenging assignments. The episode also features an exciting AI showdown: the reigning surveillance vehicle champion, a Toyota Camry, goes head-to-head with the Toyota Corolla. Additionally, they compare the effectiveness of a key fob versus a cell phone camera as covert surveillance tools. The hosts also highlight Oscar Rosa, a fellow private investigator and podcaster from Spain, who comes from a family of investigators and has an unmatched passion for the industry. They also give a special shoutout to their #1 fan, affectionately known as Marlene from Asheville. Tune in for a fun, insightful, and enlightening conversation!

EP 30: Interview with Marc Hurwitz former CIA Officer and current president of Crossroads Investigations

In Episode 30 of the Miami PI Chronicles Podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations are joined by Marc Hurwitz, owner of Crossroads Investigations. Marc takes listeners on a fascinating journey through his career, sharing how his experience with the CIA helped shape his transition into the private investigation field. He also reflects on the inspiration behind the name of his agency, Crossroads Investigations.
Throughout the episode, Marc highlights the wide range of services his agency provides and discusses the crucial skills aspiring investigators should develop. He opens up about the ethical dilemmas and emotional challenges that come with the profession, while also recalling memorable cases that have shaped his investigative approach.
Marc also shares his vision for the future growth of Crossroads Investigations and offers valuable advice for newcomers entering the field. Tune in for an engaging and insightful conversation packed with industry wisdom.

EP 29: The Future of Investigations: Leveraging AI for Better Workflow and Decision Making

 
In episode 29 of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group (miginvestigations.com) and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations (optimumprivateinvestigators.com) explore how artificial intelligence can streamline everyday tasks for private investigators. They discuss how AI can assist with report writing, email management, responding to reviews, and much more. Additionally, they dive into how AI can be used to compare different vehicle makes and models, as well as covert cameras, to determine the best options available. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the future of AI in the private investigation industry!
 
Keywords:  private investigator, artificial intelligence, AI in private investigations, AI for pi's
 
 

EP 28: Interview with Nick Betro of Spyryte Investigations

In episode 28 of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group (https://miginvestigations.com) and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations (https://optimumprivateinvestigators.com) sit down with Nick Betro of Spyryte Investigations (https://spyryte.com). Nick shares his journey into the private investigation field detailing the services his company offers and offering listeners a glimpse into the world of investigations with stories from his experience in the field. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the challenges, rewards, and unique cases that come with the PI profession.
 
Keywords private investigation, spyryte investigations, nick betro, investigative techniques, memorable cases, industry insights

EP 27: Interview with Justin Birkenholz of Exposed Private Investigations

In episode 27 of the Miami PI Chronicles podcast, hosts Francois McKinnon of McKinnon Investigative Group (https://miginvestigations.com)  and Oscar Santa Maria of Optimum Investigations (https://optimumprivateinvestigators.com)  sit down with Justin Birkenholz of Exposed Private Investigations (https://exposedpia.com). Justin shares his journey into the private investigation field, detailing the services his company offers and offering listeners a glimpse into the world of investigations with some fascinating stories from his experiences in the field. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the challenges, rewards, and unique cases that come with the PI profession.
Keywords
private investigation, Exposed Investigations, Justin Birkenholz, investigative techniques, client management, proactivity, memorable cases, industry insights