Audio Episodes (Click Thumbnail for Video Version)

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,...

Crisis Intervention Team coordinator 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.

Katharine Pope is a renowned Forensic Investigator and Crime Scene Specialist, whose resilient career and path through PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorder is remarkable. Death investigation is a challenging field that requires a unique personality, work/life balance and a wide range of skills to be successful. In this episode, we follow Katharine Pope as she describes her own journey in death investigation, from her work as a police Crime Scene Specialist to her time working cold cases as a Death Inv...

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.

Throughout his 46 year career as a Fire Captain and Investigator, Patrick Wills had seen more than his share of trauma and death, but it wasn’t until he responded to a tragic fire that claimed the lives of three young sisters that he unknowingly descended into total PTSD. David and guest host Kim O’Neill speak with Pat, a veteran of the Long Beach Fire Department, as he shares the emotional toll of the death of three young sisters who died while sleeping inside an illegal garage residence that ...

Throughout his 46 year career as a Fire Captain and Investigator, Patrick Wills had seen more than his share of trauma and death, but it wasn’t until he responded to a tragic fire that claimed the lives of three young sisters that he unknowingly descended into total PTSD.

Retired L.E.O. and FBI agent Michael Van Meter is a well respected Law Enforcement Leader and an Addiction Recovery Expert. In this episode, he talks about the devastating effects of addiction on the public, himself, and his profession. Pulling from personal and professional experience, Michael shares thoughts on this complex, controversial subject. Michael puts it all out on the table, provides expert insight and shares many of his own experiences. He debunks the widespread notion that you have...

Michael Van Meter is a well respected Law Enforcement Leader and an Addiction Recovery Expert. In this episode, he talks about the devastating effects of addiction on the public, himself, and his profession. Pulling from personal and professional experience, Michael shares thoughts on this complex, controversial subject.

Award-winning paramedic and educator Nick Paproski talks with David about a vital and elusive commodity: SLEEP. EMS workers, like all first responders and shift workers, are at risk for sleep deprivation and fatigue. When you are sleep deprived, your immune system may become compromised, your mood can be affected, and you are more prone to errors and accidents. There are many factors that contribute to sleep deprivation for EMS workers, so we discuss those in detail in this video. We also discus...

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

Peer support is an essential element of any emergency response team. This episode features an interview with Doug O'Rourke, a Lieutenant with the Hamden Fire Department, who also serves as the Director of the Connecticut Firefighter Peer Support Network. In this video, Doug talks about the organization and its mission. He discusses the importance of peer support in the fire service, and how an effective peer support program can help prevent issues like PTSD and depression. Peer support and criti...