Audio Episodes (Click Thumbnail for Video Version)
May 10, 2023
The Resilient 911 Professional—Can Dispatchers Survive & Thrive? | S3 E19
Join us in this episode of Responder Resilience, as we hear from Jim Marshall, CEO and Cofounder of the 911 Training Institute. Jim specializes in providing science-driven training, tools, and resources that foster the optimal well-being of 9-1-1 professionals. With his expertise, 9-1-1 Professionals can confidently manage calls involving mental crises and suicide. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation about serving the unique psychological needs of the Very First Responders who serve and protect us every day!
9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Ptsd And Emdr Resilience Tools Stress And Burnout EMS
December 28, 2022
Lead with Balance: Mastering Work-Life Success | S2 E52
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.
Resilience Tools Relationships And Marriage Work-Life Balance
December 26, 2022
Lessons from The Line: The Art of Fully Involved Leadership | S2 E51
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.
Resilience Tools Leadership And Command
December 14, 2022
Resilience in the Fire Service with Chief Bobby Halton | S2 E50
In this episode, David speaks with Chief Bobby Halton, editor-in-chief of Fire Engineering magazine and education director of FDIC.
Resilience Tools Spirituality Leadership And Command
December 07, 2022
Staying Fit for Duty: Conquer Your Job Stress and Trauma | S2 E49
Our guest is Scott Medlin, a Marine Corps and Law Enforcement Veteran, Author, Speaker, and host of The 10 Code Mindset podcast. Scott Medlin mentors police officers using powerful tools that enable them to make self-care and life fulfillment a priority, even when they're constantly being called to serve.
Mental Health And Therapy Stress And Burnout Law Enforcement
November 30, 2022
Company Officer: Front Line Leaders For Mental Wellness | S2 E48
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.
Peer Support Retirement And Transitioning Leadership And Command Addiction And Recovery
November 23, 2022
The Silent Epidemic in Police Officer Mental Health | S2 E47
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.
Ptsd And Emdr Mental Health And Therapy Retirement And Transitioning Law Enforcement
November 16, 2022
US Police & Fire Championships-Olympics Style Events for 1st Responders | S2 E46
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.
Exercise, Meditation, Yoga, Reiki
November 09, 2022
Shatterproof: A Journey of Courage, Inspiration and Hope | S2 E45
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.
Stress And Burnout Law Enforcement Addiction And Recovery
November 02, 2022
PTSD911: Documentary Film About Responder PTSD | S2 E44
Conrad Weaver, Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker, Podcast Host, Producer and Director of PTSD911
9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Resilience Tools Stress And Burnout
October 26, 2022
Mental Health Cops: Connecting with Empathy | S2 E43
Join us for a conversation with Ernie Stevens from the Emmy Award Winning HBO Documentary, Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops.
Mental Health And Therapy Law Enforcement Crisis Intervention
October 19, 2022
Motivational Check: From Hostage Negotiator to Cancer Warrior | S2 E42
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.
Resilience Tools Law Enforcement Toxic Exposures And Cancer
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, Parkland 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
April 27, 2022
Yoga for Responders: Powerful Tools for Stress Relief
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.
Resilience Tools Stress And Burnout Exercise, Meditation, Yoga, Reiki
April 20, 2022
First Responder Addiction Treatment: New Approaches
On this episode, Bonnie and David speak with Michele Giorgianni, First Responder Liaison at Aware Recovery Care and Jason Palamara, Director of Veteran & First Responder Engagement at Forge VFR. Our topic: Substance Abuse Disorder treatments for First Responders.
Retirement And Transitioning Law Enforcement Addiction And Recovery
April 13, 2022
The Spiritual Side of First Responders and Military
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.
Military Resilience Tools Spirituality
April 07, 2022
2NDGO: Creating Community and Purpose for Veterans and Responders
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.
Military Resilience Tools Retirement And Transitioning
March 30, 2022
Building Morale Through Positive, Proactive Leadership
On this episode, we’ll be speaking with John Lynch, Town of Wilton, CT Chief of Police & Emergency Management Director, and Nick Paproski, Director Of ALS Operations at Vintech Management Services, about what you can do to become an engaged, proactive leader.
Peer Support Law Enforcement Leadership And Command EMS
March 25, 2022
Responder Relationships: Challenges and Solutions
Caryn Czarnecki has been married to a career firefighter for twenty years, and will share the many unique challenges that come with being a spouse of a first responder. We’ll review some of the real life issues faced by first responder spouses, with Linda Rost, LCSW.
Relationships And Marriage
March 16, 2022
COPLine: The 24/7 Helpline for Police and Their Families
Guest, Stephanie Samuels, Founder and President of COPLine, a confidential, 24 hour, toll free helpline for law enforcement professionals and their families that is answered by retired police officers. For the past 20 years COPLINE has served as a resource to help law enforcement cope with the stresses of the job.
Peer Support Retirement And Transitioning Law Enforcement
March 09, 2022
K9 First Responders: Connecting in Crisis
In this episode, we speak with Bradford Cole, Executive Director of K9 First Responders, Inc. about Connecting in Crisis: Lessons from the halls of Sandy Hook to the halls of Congress.
Peer Support K9 And Equine Therapy CISD-CISM Sandy Hook Shooting, Parkland Shooting
March 02, 2022
Real Stories: Healing PTSD with EMDR
On this episode of Responder Resilience we hear from a veteran, firefighters, paramedics, police officers and dispatcher who have used EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to overcome traumatic stress.
Ptsd And Emdr Resilience Tools
February 23, 2022
Grace Under Fire - Spirituality In The Trenches
Matt Domyancic, the Tactical Chaplain, offers his modern spiritual approach to help police officers and firefighters who are "in the trenches".
Mental Health And Therapy Spirituality Law Enforcement
February 16, 2022
Family Matters: First Responding to Your Marriage
Family Matters: First Responding to Your Marriage, and Challenges of Firefighter Relationships, with Anne and Captain Mike Gagliano of Seattle Fire Department (Ret.)
Resilience Tools Relationships And Marriage Retirement And Transitioning Spirituality
February 09, 2022
Finding The Right Therapist, When Your Comfort Zone Is Chaos
With Deputy Fire Chief / Paramedic Bernie Meehan Jr., a true icon of emergency services in Connecticut, about Peer Support and Finding an Appropriate Clinician in the “New” Emergency Services.
Ptsd And Emdr Peer Support Resilience Tools Mental Health And Therapy CISD-CISM Fairfield County Trauma Response Team Sandy Hook Shooting, Parkland Shooting Stress And Burnout
February 02, 2022
About Animal Control Officers: Welcome to the Jungle
Guest, Ray Connors, Retired Chief, State of Connecticut Animal Control Unit
Stress And Burnout Animal Control And Hoarding
January 26, 2022
StandFast Alliance: Empowering Our First Responders
Guest, Eve Bucca, Executive Director, FDNY Honorary Battalion Chief, HeartMath Coach and Trainer
Heartmath Fdny 9/11 Military K9 And Equine Therapy Resilience Tools