Resilience Tools Episodes

Join us on Responder Resilience as we welcome former SWAT Operator and keynote speaker Laura G. Hanson. As the only female on the full-time SWAT Team in Virginia Beach for over 4 years, Laura has a wealth of experience to share. She'll discuss her memoir "Why I Went In," her work as CEO of Brain Bucket Coaching, and her passion for helping first responders lead fulfilling lives despite the inherent challenges of their jobs. Don't miss this inspiring conversation!

In this episode, Bonnie and David speak with Dr. Peter M. Antevy about managing mental health challenges at critical incidents, the story behind creating the Handtevy App, and how it saves lives and significantly reduces medication errors.

In this episode, Stacy and David speak with Dr. Olivia Johnson, Founder of the Blue Wall Institute www.bw-institute.com about police officer suicide. We do a deep dive into the root causes of law enforcement officers taking their lives, and examine Dr. Johnson’s “Fatal 10” of suicide contributing factors.

In this episode, Bonnie and David speak with Rodger Ruge, published author and Certified Life Coach about building resilience within the first responder community. Rodger is a retired police officer, survivor of complex post-traumatic stress disorder and 30-year mindfulness and resilience practitioner, trainer and coach.

Our guest, Peter Benson, has created Tensor-Ring Energy Pendants designed to protect your energy field, give you a shielding effect, and promote a sense of calmness. Peter explains how he developed the pendants and a shielding/balancing anklet, as well as the different purposes and benefits of each.

How can responders succeed in a world where we are often working multiple jobs, handling high call volumes, working under staffing shortages, or just trying to get through one shift at a time? We’re joined by Dr. Donnie Hutchinson, a Work-Life Balance instructor who works with firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders on self-care and work-life balance programs, to improve their success at home, work, and in life.

Our guest is Captain Rommie Duckworth, career fire captain and paramedic/EMS Coordinator for Ridgefield (CT) Fire Department, author, speaker, and educator.  We talk about personal experiences with trauma that demonstrate the importance of getting help, and how officers and department leaders can stay current on available mental health and wellness resources.  Also, we discuss differences between generations of responders and their openness to seek help.

In this episode, David speaks with Chief Bobby Halton, editor-in-chief of Fire Engineering magazine and education director of FDIC.

Conrad Weaver, Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker, Podcast Host, Producer and Director of PTSD911

What does the phrase “Motivational Check” mean? Former LEO Terry Tucker has reinvented himself frequently over his professional career. He was an officer and SWAT Hostage Negotiator with the Cincinnati Police Department.

Is there a connection between pain and trauma? Many responders are struggling with some kind of emotional pain, substance abuse, depression, trauma and even suicidal ideation. Guest, Gabriel Shaw, Kinesiologist, Exercise Physiologist, Tai Chi and Qigong Instructor

In this episode, we’ll be speaking with trauma expert and author of the book CopShock, Allen Kates, about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and how to survive it by employing resiliency techniques.

Can we exercise the mind to build mental fitness? Yes, says performance expert Erik Leslie from Modern Mindfulness. Erik has trained professionals in the world’s toughest careers (first responders, Special Forces and Apache Pilots) with simple ways to become present in high-stress situations.

Katharine Pope is a renowned Forensic Investigator and Crime Scene Specialist, whose resilient career and path through PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorder is remarkable. Pope shares how she was able to overcome betrayal trauma, burnout and alcohol use to ultimately continue her forensics career working on the missing and unidentified persons crisis.

Award-winning paramedic and educator Nick Paproski talks with David about a vital and elusive commodity: SLEEP.

Pete Elste shares his story of addiction, restructuring his path to recovery, and staying grounded. A resilient leader who has proven that you can achieve anything you put your mind to, Pete is an inspiration for his peers and anyone struggling with addiction who is looking for a resilient role model.

First Responder therapists Dr. Stacy Raymond and Bonnie Rumilly, LCSW will be talking about EMDR, a powerfully effective way to take the charge out of stressful memories and reprocess them.

Every day, thousands of police officers put themselves at risk to keep others safe. Sgt. Michael Sugrue was one of them. He has been on the front lines of the battle against duty induced trauma since he responded to a fatal officer involved shooting that instantly changed his whole world. Watch to hear Michael's story, and to learn about his book RELENTLESS COURAGE: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma.

In this episode, we discuss Police Wellness and Resilience, and the soon to be released book "Living Blue" being written by Barbara Rubel and Jason M. Palamara.

What is Reiki and Shamanic Healing, and how can it benefit first responders? This episode features an interview with energy practitioners Akilah Barr and Deana Pacqua speaking about Reiki, Shamanic Healing and other Alternative Healing Modalities for First Responders. We discuss how energy work is becoming a more common practice for first responders and how their work can be enhanced by energy healing.

We speak with Dan Willis, a retired police Captain who is an expert on the proven benefits of serving with your heart and acting with compassion in the face of job-related trauma and stress. Dan is a highly regarded expert on the subject of emotional survival and improving spiritual wellness for law enforcement and first responders. HIs award-winning book "Bulletproof Spirit: The First Responders Essential Resource for Protecting and Healing Mind and Heart," is required reading at the FBI National Academy and is an essential resource for first responders to protect and heal mind and heart, and maintain spiritual wellness.

In this episode, we speak with yoga instructors Wendy Boscia and Steve Zagami. Wendy comes from a family of responders, including her dad and brothers, and Steve is a retired U.S.M.C. Sgt., and FDNY Firefighter.

In this mini-documentary episode hosted by Dr. Stacy Raymond, we will take a closer look at first responder and military spirituality. Everyone has their own concept of what it means and that's what makes this topic so interesting.

On this episode, we’ll be speaking with Nick Nunnally, USCG (ret), City of Danbury Firefighter and Plank Owner of 2NDGO.org Nick will be talking about transitioning from one purpose to another and creating a community that lasts after your career is over.