Audio Episodes (Click Thumbnail for Video Version)

The most vital responsibility of company officers is the safety and well-being of the firefighters in their command. Our guest, Battalion Chief Cristian Hinojosa of Dallas Fire-Rescue was recently promoted from Captain, and talks about why he’s passionate about mental health for firefighters.

In April 2016, Police Officer Adam A. Meyers was involved in a critical incident when he used deadly force against someone who armed themselves with a hatchet inside a busy Department store. In the aftermath of this incident, Meyers was plagued with trauma and guilt, descending into a spiral of depression and using alcohol, while isolating and withdrawing. This led Adam to create Stop the Threat – Stop the Stigma, a mission devoted to removing the stigmas around speaking openly about mental hea...

In April 2016, Police Officer Adam A. Meyers was involved in a critical incident when he used deadly force against someone who armed themselves with a hatchet inside a busy department store. In the aftermath of this incident, Meyers was plagued with trauma and guilt, descending into a spiral of depression and using alcohol, while isolating and withdrawing. This led Adam to create Stop the Threat – Stop the Stigma, a mission devoted to removing the stigmas around speaking openly about mental health within law enforcement.

In this episode, we speak with Edmund Russell, Executive Director, and Jim King, Vice President of the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF). Edmund is a retired 31-year member of the LAPD, and Jim retired as a Captain from the Indianapolis Fire Department after 30 years of service. The United States Police & Fire Championships is an Olympic-style competition with athletes representing law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, and officers from corrections, probation, border protection, immigr...

In this episode, we speak with Edmund Russell, Executive Director, and Jim King, Vice President of the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF). about the United States Police & Fire Championships, an Olympic-style competition with athletes representing law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, and officers from corrections, probation, border protection, immigration and customs from across the country.

Patrick Fitzgibbons is a retired Police Commander who went through dark periods, then sought help at FHEHealth’s Shatterproof Program for first responders, which he says saved his life. Patrick is now on a mission to help other responders navigate the same issues that he faced. In this episode, Patrick discusses the struggles he experienced, and provides advice, inspiration, and hope for overcoming mental health issues, through his role as National Outreach Liaison for the Shatterproof Program f...

Patrick Fitzgibbons is a retired Police Commander who discusses the struggles he experienced, and provides advice, inspiration, and hope for overcoming mental health issues, through his role as National Outreach Liaison for the Shatterproof Program for First Responders.

Join us for a deep dive discussion with award-winning filmmaker Conrad Weaver about PTSD 911, a documentary film that follows the lives of first responders, who are suffering from line of duty PTSD. It was created to raise awareness of the psychological issues faced by America's first responders and to help remove the stigma that prevents many of them from seeking professional treatment. GOALS FOR THE FILM: 1. Raise Awareness – Most civilians don’t know or understand the issue of post traumati...

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

Join us for a conversation with Ernie Stevens from the Emmy Award Winning HBO Documentary, Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops. This film shows how community policing can make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering. It also shows the importance of having empathy, and how the most successful crisis cops connect with the person, instead of seeing the call as a problem. We discuss why a responder seeing a therapist should be encouraged rather than stigmatized. Ernie also talks about how to bu...

Join us for a conversation with Ernie Stevens from the Emmy Award Winning HBO Documentary, Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops.

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. Motivational Check is a mantra from when Terry was a recruit in the Cincinnati Police Academy, it was a phrase any classmates could shout if they needed encouragement, motivation, or support. The class's response was to answer with a loud “84,” signifying their Recruit Class nu...

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? How are stress and trauma stored in the body? Many responders are struggling with some kind of emotional pain, substance abuse, depression, trauma and even suicidal ideation, etc. Is it possible to transform that pain into something more positive? Gabriel Shaw is a former EMT, coach, kinesiologist and tai chi/qigong instructor who works with health professionals who are in pain and feeling overwhelmed, to heal over-giving and find ease and balance ...

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 Michael Crouch, LCSW on the topic, “Is Trauma Treatable?” Michael is an EMDR Consultant and Co-Coordinator of the Fairfield County Trauma Response Team (FCTRT). Mental health trauma treatment is a critical topic for many in the first responder community. Michael is featured in a TEDx talk in 2014 called “The Cost of Courage”, where he shares about his involvement with the birth of the FCTRT, as a result of the tragic 2011 Christmas Day fire in Stamford, C...

In this episode, we’ll be speaking with Michael Crouch, LCSW on the topic, “Is Trauma Treatable?” Michael is an EMDR Consultant and Co-Coordinator of the Fairfield County Trauma Response Team (FCTRT). Mental health trauma treatment is a critical topic for many in the first responder community.

We'll be speaking with financial representative Adam Palamara of Northwestern Mutual, who works with over 100 First Responders and Veterans across the country. We discuss some critical questions that should be answered well before retirement arrives. We also discuss estate planning, financial planning and pension maximization strategies. Depending on the type of work you do, your financial plan may vary, but the key is to make a plan. Adam shares ways to go over the best ways to map out a strat...

We'll be speaking with financial representative Adam Palamara of Northwestern Mutual, who works with over 100 First Responders and Veterans across the country. We discuss some critical questions that should be answered well before retirement arrives.

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. CopShock is a go-to trauma and stress survival book. This book is a great source of knowledge for anyone who is interested in learning about the different types of trauma and stress, as well as how to deal with them on the job and in your daily life. CopShock is a comprehensive, in-depth resourc...

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. Erik talks about what modern mindfulness is, how to integrate it into daily life and work, and how it differs from the recurring cliches about meditation. He explains how to heal unhealthy stress, reduce a...

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.

As a CIT Coordinator, Officer Peter Elste works closely with Crisis Intervention Clinician Scott Alvord on the Danbury Police Crisis Intervention Team. Together, they respond to calls involving mental and behavioral issues to help connect people to available services. In this episode Pete and Scott speak about Community Response and their work as a Crisis Intervention Team. They share what a “typical” CIT shift looks like, the challenges of getting mental health training within law enforcement,...