Audio Episodes (Click Thumbnail for Video Version)

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.

Pete Elste is a Danbury Police Officer who has become a leader in peer support and crisis intervention. In this episode Pete shares his story of addiction, restructuring his path to recovery, and staying grounded. Pete is a resilient leader who has proven that you can achieve anything you put your mind to, and is an inspiration for his peers and anyone struggling with addiction may be looking for a resilient role model. Pete offers real-world tips on how to be proactive and how to "check up" on ...

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.

In this episode, Bonnie and David interview Sara Beckert, National Fire Academy Instructor and founder of First Response Health and Wellness. Firefighters and other responders are constantly at risk for long term injury, and they suffer a higher rate of workplace injury than most US workers. First Response Health and Wellness offers a range of health and wellness programs suited for all first responders with a specific focus on firefighters.

In this episode, Bonnie and David interview Sara Beckert, National Fire Academy Instructor and founder of First Response Health and Wellness. Firefighters and other responders are constantly at risk for long term injury, and they suffer a higher rate of workplace injury than most US workers. First Response Health and Wellness offers a range of health and wellness programs suited for all first responders with a specific focus on firefighters. We will discuss: ➠How Sara prepares programming for he...

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.

Ever had recurring stressful memories, nightmares, or emergency calls that re-activated a traumatic event? 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. ​​First responders are often placed in situations where they come into contact with traumatic situations that can cause emotional reactions and reactions to trauma. Because of this, many first responder...

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.

Sergeant Michael Sugrue 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. The after effects of this traumatic incident began a journey where Michael experienced administrative betrayal and descended into a downward spiral affecting his work, his marriage, his integrity, and his health. He also had to constantly relive the details of this traumatic incident during 4 years of deposit...

We speak with Steven Wilcox Director of Education for FrontlineCT about their first responder peer support program and the stigma around first responder mental health.

We’ll be speaking with Steven Wilcox Director of Education for FrontlineCT about their first responder peer support program and the stigma around first responder mental health. Mental health issues are still infrequently discussed in the first responder community. The paramedic profession has a high rate of suicide and mental health-related issues. However, responders are slowly opening up about their own personal struggles with their peers and mental health professionals. It’s very important th...

Norm Wielsch was a police officer for 26 years, during which time he saw a lot, made some bad decisions, suffered and overcame opioid addiction and spent time in prison. In this episode Norm talks about how he emerged stronger from his suffering and became a positive force to help in the lives of others.

Norm Wielsch was a police officer for 26 years, during which time he saw a lot, made some bad decisions, suffered and overcame opioid addiction and spent time in prison. In this episode Norm talks about how he emerged stronger from his suffering and became a positive force to help in the lives of others. For a law enforcement officer, traumatic emotional wounds and scars are not always visible to the public but they are there. This episode is about strength and compassion. It is about emerging ...

In this episode, we discuss police wellness, resilience, and the soon-to-be-released book Living Blue by Barbara Rubel and Jason M. Palamara. Law enforcement officers face high rates of burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue, which can significantly impact their well-being. Living Blue provides practical tools for officers, their families, and communities to combat occupational stress and vicarious trauma. Through Jason’s real-life experiences as an NYPD Cold Case detective and Barba...

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.

On February 27, 1975, a five-alarm fire erupted in the basement of the New York Telephone Company building in lower Manhattan. The toxic blaze exposed 699 FDNY firefighters to hazardous chemicals, leading to long-term health issues, including cancer. Retired firefighter Dan Noonan, first due on 3 Truck, has spent decades advocating for awareness of occupational cancer and toxic exposure in the fire service. Deputy Assistant Chief Frank Leeb, Acting Chief of Training for the FDNY, has spearheaded...

Our guests are retired FDNY firefighter Dan Noonan, (first due Irons Man on 3 Truck), and Deputy Assistant Chief of the FDNY Fire Academy Frank Leeb, talking about the historic 1975 New York Telephone company fire, reducing occupational exposure, and the dedication ceremony to honor the sacrifices made by the firefighters at this fire.

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 go into detail about the specific energy healing modality of Reiki and how it is being use...

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.

This episode features an interview with first responder Dr Ken Hoffman, a functional medicine doctor in practice for 20 years. He is Medical Director of SOPHIA Natural Health Center in Brookfield CT which delivers the most comprehensive scientific, holistic evaluation and treatment that is designed to find, and treat, the root cause of health problems. Ken is a US Army veteran, an active EMT in his town, an Avid Adventure motorcyclist and naturalist. Ken has spent much of his medical career cou...

This episode features an interview with first responder Dr Ken Hoffman, a functional medicine doctor in practice for 20 years. He is Medical Director of SOPHIA Natural Health Center in Brookfield CT which delivers the most comprehensive scientific, holistic evaluation and treatment that is designed to find, and treat, the root cause of health problems. Ken is a US Army veteran, an active EMT in his town, an Avid Adventure motorcyclist and naturalist.

On this episode, Stacy, Bonnie and David speak with Deputy Chief Bernie Meehan, a veteran of over 400 first responder debriefings. Our topic: Critical Incident Stress Management and Debriefings, and how a CISD/CISM debrief can kickstart the healing process.

On this episode, Stacy, Bonnie and David speak with Deputy Chief Bernie Meehan, a veteran of over 400 first responder critical incident debriefings. Our topic: Critical Incident Stress Management and Debriefings, and how a CISD/CISM debrief can kick start the healing process. The Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) process is a tool to help people who are involved in an incident that could have traumatic mental health consequences. CISD is designed to help responders process the event to...

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.