Bonnie and David speak with Chief Albe Bassett of the New Canaan, CT Fire Department about the importance of self-awareness and self-leadership. An accomplished leader and instructor in the Connecticut fire service community, Chief Bassett talks about core values and the key qualities of authentic leadership. We also discuss the…
We’re joined by Neil Gang, Chief of the Pinole, California Police Department since 2014, who has served in law enforcement for over 34 years. Neil is the author of the Asher Model 7 Point Approach to a Culture of Wellness, and the host of the 6th Pillar Podcast. His innovative…
Ever felt the rage of another driver who’s 20 feet away in another lane? Or walked into a house during an emergency call and instantly felt the anxiety and tension? First responders and trauma therapists are compassionate, empathetic people, constantly in situations with extreme trauma, anger, pain, hostility or violence.…
Our guest is Johnni Redick, a retired Assistant Chief with the California Highway Patrol, and a 29-year veteran of one of the largest police agencies in the country. Redick rose through the ranks in law enforcement to break through the “less-than-1%” ceiling for women of color in executive leadership. We…
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,…
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…
In this episode, David speaks with Chief Bobby Halton, editor-in-chief of Fire Engineering magazine and education director of FDIC. Chief Halton talks about the virtue and importance of resilience in the fire service, and discusses the personalities of firefighters that sets them apart as leaders. We discuss what the privilege…
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. According…
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. As a leader/officer/supervisor, how do we recognize…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Sonny Provetto is a former state trooper, EMDR clinician and a trauma consultant for police departments and emergency responders nationwide. He runs the Vermont Center for Responder Wellness, a comprehensive treatment center for first responders, which uses a multi-disciplinary approach to healing traumatic stress. Sonny talks about a tool he…
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…
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…
