Jono, Ben & Megan - The Podcast - The Safety Tips Every Woman Should Know | Itty Bitty Bit

Episode Date: September 15, 2026

A former police officer and private investigator shares the simple habits that can help women stay safer when they're out on their own.      Join the Itty Bitty Hitty Committee HERE!Instagram:  @THEHITSBREAKFASTFacebook: The Hits Breakfast with Jono, Ben & Megan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shelly, good morning to you. Good morning, Jono. Lovely to have you on. It popped up in my feed amongst a plethora of other stuff that I need to get rid of my algorithm, to be honest, Shelly. But yeah. Not you, though, Shelley. Yeah, you're the better part. Yeah, of course not.

Yeah, you're the shining light. But it was a video you were doing. You're an ex-police officer and private eye. And it was some tips on how people can keep safe in public. Yeah, absolutely. It was funny, it was a bit of an impromptu moment because, you know, I think as a copper and a private investigator, we take things for granted as in whether it's safety or whatever it is that you do and sometimes things come up, you know, it's actually things that other people

need to be aware of and I've just had a situation come up and it just was that need to share and I've had a lot of feedback and appreciation for that. So it's really nice to know that it helps other people. So the video and question, you were out for a run and you had your headphones, or you didn't have headphones in, but you're saying don't have headphones in because you become less aware of your surroundings, but everyone does that. 100% they do, yeah.

And, you know, it's even when you're walking along on the road where there's cars and stuff, you just see people do silly things. Like, I get people want to listen to stuff, but unless you're actually on a beach with other people where it's safe to do so, but if you're in a location where you need to have an awareness, whether it's just because of traffic, or whether it's because you're out on your own, you really shouldn't do it.

It's just one of those things that people can take advantage of you. That's a good point. So when you're out running, not having, like, headphones being aware of your surroundings, what about, like, at night or, like, for me, early in the morning, when it's dark and you're by yourself, is there something, you know, that you advise people to do? Yeah, absolutely. So other than the headphones, it's one, you should always have someone that knows where you are

in location. I'm a big one on those sorts of things. but in terms of darkness always make sure you've got something, you know, a decent torch that can shine in someone's face which scares someone off if it is dark and you're on your own. I always say walking in the middle of the road if there's no cars, so you just have more options. You don't have people that can hide in trees.

I know these things sound really out there, but, you know, these things do happen. And if you're going to put yourself in a situation where you can be vulnerable, then put yourself in a situation where you also have the upper hand and awareness of what's going on and give yourself a bit of a chance. That's interesting. So walking down, say, a quiet suburban street at night, don't go on the footpath or actually could get whipped into a car, you're saying?

100%. Yeah. If you can give yourself that opportunity to be more in the middle of the road, obviously, you know, we're talking if it's a quiet street, but there's no cars around, and again, you're watching to make sure you're not going to get bowled over. But if there's something that just fills off and you're around, where there's, you know, cars can be coming out of a side street to grab you

or there's trees, then, yeah, put yourself. in a situation where you've got more awareness and more time to move. My husband, I think it may be because he came from South Africa, but he's like super anal about this kind of stuff. So he always walks, especially women, to their cars at night. Everyone's like

you are overreacting. Like to the point where if we're walking down a street, when we're going past people and they look a bit questionable, he'll always push me to the other side and walk in between us? Do you think that's a step too far? Absolutely not. I mean,

Men these days, I think we've taken that step back and we don't necessarily let men do that. But absolutely, like, if you're some sort of predator, you and I aren't, so we don't think like that. But predators are looking for people to be vulnerable. And let's face it, I'm not sexist or anything, but when there is a man with a woman or at least women in a group, then you're less vulnerable. So absolutely. I think you're a husband, an amazing man.

Give him a tick of approval from me. What about, like, because I've got 10. daughters and you know like I get torn because I get worried about particular things you know particularly them being out by themselves but at the same time I want them to be independent and I want them to be able to travel on public transport and take Uber rides and do all those things by themselves that I feel like everyone's got a right to do and so what how do you strike that balance between them learning about those things but also being safe so agree like we can't

wrap them in cotton wool right so this is that balance of actually teaching them that yes it might sound silly and you're trying to get your wings and all these things on your own, that at the same time, have some awareness, have your location on, have a torch with you, teaching these things about being very vocal. If something comes up or someone is there, don't be quiet about it. So it's about teaching them the tools because life's about moments where you're going to be on your own right. So teach them as much as you can and also remind them that in the moments that they think

they feel silly and that they're taking it too far, just like we were saying with, you know your husband. We actually need to tell them just always be one step ahead of that. And even though you might feel a bit silly or I think it's too much, it's not. It's always better. Like you can't take back once something has happened, right? So always just be on your A game. And sometimes kids don't want to take it from parents and maybe they're better off taking it from me.

Because our boss was saying her friend works in your line of work and was like never get into an Uber alone. Well, yeah, it's a hard one. I guess that depends on. your country, right, as to where you are. But look, you are putting yourself in a situation. But most of them these days, or taxis, I know, have to have, in Australia and, you know, we have to have the cameras. But it's about if you can be in a group, absolutely.

If it's daytime, there's a traffic around. I always like to make sure I've got the exit door. I always sit on the opposite backside to the driver because I would like to have full vision of what's going on. Oh, yeah? Oh, yeah. So what, the diagonal to the driver, are you? Yeah, that's, yep.

And then you can get out. but onto like the footpath as opposed to getting out the middle of the road if you had to. 100%. And always make sure your door can open. So you can even once you pop in, you can make sure straight away that your door does open. I mean, once you're in, you're in, right? But I would always make sure that door opens again. And you can share your ride on Uber.

I always do that. To 15 Uber and stuff as well that my daughters are on as well, which we can track them and we know that special drivers. So there are checks of ways through those process, I guess, but it does pay to be aware. Yeah. What's the craziest you've seen thing you've seen as a private eye, Shelly? We might have to come back to another show for that one. It's another podcast.

That might be another podcast. I've actually only just become public about this. I've done a lot of undercover work and up until now everything, my Instagram was on private. And now that I was actually gone public, I feel quite good about it because I'm not doing the undercover stuff now. and I am starting to share those stories and what for me seems just sort of the mundane boring stuff other people think is quite exciting and cool. So that's good.

But it's really about, I guess, helping people and giving those tips and tricks and that's what my Instagram has started to be about. Well, good on. I think I'd be good at that. Yeah. It would be, yeah. It would be.

If this doesn't work out, Shelley, I'll come work for you. Yeah, perfect. Okay, great. I've got a question for you. Tell me what would make a great investigator. I always ask people to do swimmer say, I'll make a great investigator. What have you got for me? Nosey.

I'm nosy. And once she's on the subject, she needs to find out exactly what. And she uses Claude A.I. Isn't that all females? Yeah. I think so. Is that the answer you wanted to hear? You're going to recruit her, Shelly?

Yeah, not yet. Not yet. You're more friends. Hey, well, listen, hey, thanks for coming on this morning. It will keep your number and yeah have a great day. Yeah, absolutely. Thanks for your time. Thanks, Shelly.

Thank you so much. Sorry about the muck up with the time. Oh, no, all good. Forgiven. You're from New Zealand. You know, we make mistakes over there. You going to have a wonderful day. Yeah, you too.

Thanks. Bye. Bye.