Audio Episodes (Click Thumbnail for Video Version)
October 12, 2022
The Connection Between Pain and Trauma | S2 E41
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
Resilience Tools Stress And Burnout Exercise, Meditation, Yoga, Reiki
October 05, 2022
Is Trauma Treatable? The Cost of Courage | S2 E40
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.
Ptsd And Emdr Fairfield County Trauma Response Team Sandy Hook Shooting
September 28, 2022
Responder Finance$: Tips for Building Your Future | S2 E39
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.
Retirement And Transitioning Pension And Financial Plan
September 21, 2022
CopShock: Normal Reactions to Abnormal Stress | S2 E38
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.
Peer Support Resilience Tools Mental Health And Therapy Law Enforcement
September 14, 2022
Mental Fitness for First Responders and Military | S2 E37
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.
Military Resilience Tools Stress And Burnout
September 07, 2022
Pete & Scott: Crisis Intervention Team | S2 E36
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.
Mental Health And Therapy Law Enforcement Crisis Intervention
August 31, 2022
Trooper Turned Therapist - Tackling Trauma with Timely Tools | S2 E35
Sonny Provetto is a former state trooper, EMDR clinician and a trauma consultant for police departments and emergency responders nationwide.
Ptsd And Emdr Mental Health And Therapy Law Enforcement
August 24, 2022
Last Responder: Matters of Life And Death | S2 E34
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.
Resilience Tools Addiction And Recovery Forensic And Death Investigation
August 17, 2022
The Reality of PTSD When Children Die S2 | E33
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.
Ptsd And Emdr Mental Health And Therapy Stress And Burnout Fire/Arson Investigation
August 10, 2022
Addiction Crisis: Truth, Justice and The Road to Recovery | S2 E32
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.
Law Enforcement Leadership And Command Addiction And Recovery
August 03, 2022
Paramedics Don't Sleep....They Wait | S2 E31
Award-winning paramedic and educator Nick Paproski talks with David about a vital and elusive commodity: SLEEP.
Resilience Tools EMS Sleep
July 27, 2022
Peer Support Network — Opening the Doors to Firefighter Mental Health | S2 E30
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.
Peer Support After Action Reviews CISD-CISM
July 20, 2022
Resiliency in Action, A Leader’s Journey | S2 E29
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.
Resilience Tools Law Enforcement Addiction And Recovery
July 15, 2022
Firefighters—Get Fit, Stay Fit! | S2 E28
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.
Exercise, Meditation, Yoga, Reiki
July 10, 2022
How EMDR Works: What You Should Know | S2 E27
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.
Ptsd And Emdr Resilience Tools Mental Health And Therapy
July 02, 2022
Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma | S2 E26
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.
Ptsd And Emdr Resilience Tools Mental Health And Therapy Law Enforcement
June 24, 2022
FrontlineCT: Breaking the Mental Health Stigma | S2 E25
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.
Peer Support Mental Health And Therapy EMS
June 18, 2022
Post-Traumatic Transformation: Using Negative Experiences to Help Others | S2 E24
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.
Spirituality Law Enforcement Addiction And Recovery
June 08, 2022
“Living Blue”-Writing The LEO’s Guide to Resilience and Mental Health | S2 E23
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.
Peer Support Resilience Tools Stress And Burnout Retirement And Transitioning Law Enforcement Nypd
June 01, 2022
Never Forget: Lessons Learned at the NY Telephone Fire | S2 E22
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.
Fdny Toxic Exposures And Cancer
May 25, 2022
Energy Healing: Alternative Stress Relief for First Responders | S2 E21
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.
Resilience Tools Exercise, Meditation, Yoga, Reiki
May 18, 2022
Functional Medicine: A Natural Path for Responders | S2 E20
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.
May 11, 2022
CISD: Helping Responders Cope with Traumatic Events | S2 E19
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.
After Action Reviews CISD-CISM
May 04, 2022
Bulletproof Spirit—Protecting and Healing Mind and Heart
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.
Resilience Tools Stress And Burnout Spirituality Law Enforcement