Midwest Mayhem Podcast

In this episode of Midwest Mayhem Podcast: Voices of Valor, Tyler & Lochie sit down with longtime firefighter and EMS provider Rick Whaley for a powerful conversation about nearly four decades of service to communities across Southeast Missouri. From joining the Elvins Fire Department in 1988, to serving as chief, assistant chief, EMT, and longtime member of the St. Francois County Ambulance Distr...

In this episode of Midwest Mayhem’s Voices of Valor, we sit down with Sarah Branson — a critical care paramedic, EMS educator, program director, mother of four, and passionate advocate for mental health in emergency services. Since entering EMS in 2015, Sarah has worked across ground EMS, flight EMS, and EMS education, dedicating her career to both patient care and shaping the next generation of p...

With 21 years in the fire service, Joe Wilkes has dedicated his life to serving others—starting as a volunteer firefighter and building into a full-time career. Along the way, he’s experienced both the rewarding moments and the ones that leave a lasting impact. Early in his career, a pediatric call changed everything—shaping how he understood the emotional toll first responders carry and the impor...

In this episode of Midwest Mayhem, we sit down with Samantha Nahlik — a critical care paramedic with over a decade of experience at Washington County Ambulance District, and a leader focused on driving change in EMS through education and leadership. Samantha shares what it’s really like navigating the EMS world — from working under false leadership, to finding your place, to stepping up and becomi...

In this episode of Midwest Mayhem Podcast – Voices of Valor, we sit down with Guest #15, Nathan Johnston—a U.S. Navy veteran whose journey from aviation ordnance to entrepreneurship is rooted in discipline, leadership, and purpose. Nathan served over seven years in the United States Navy as an Aviation Ordnanceman, specializing in H-60 helicopter weapons systems. Throughout his career, he earned m...

Anthony Dyer is an author, storyteller, and advocate for personal growth and deeper understanding of the human experience. Best known for his book MoonChild, Anthony explores themes of identity, purpose, emotional struggle, and transformation through powerful and thought-provoking storytelling. Drawing from his own life experiences, Anthony brings a raw and authentic perspective to his work—connec...

In this episode of Voices of Valor, Tyler sits down with Justin Duncan, MSc., BS, NRP, EMT-CP, CCEMT-P, CP-C, FP-C, Chief Executive Officer of the Washington County Ambulance District and one of Missouri’s most respected EMS leaders. With over 20 years of clinical EMS experience and more than 15 years in executive leadership, Justin has helped shape EMS operations, policy, and innovation across Mi...

In this powerful episode of Midwest Mayhem’s Voices of Valor, we sit down with Dale Whitener — Army veteran, firefighter, EMT, and Deputy Chief — whose life has been defined by service, resilience, and the unbreakable will to keep showing up when others need help most. Dale’s journey began in the U.S. Army as an E-4 Specialist attached to a Combat Engineer company, where taking the Combat Lifesave...

In this powerful episode of Voices of Valor, we sit down with Sheila Struckmeyer, FNP-C — former Flight Nurse with Survival Flight during its time based in Iron County, Missouri. Sheila shares her journey in emergency medicine, the deep bonds she formed with the crews of Iron County Ambulance District, and how those relationships shaped her passion for supporting first responders both professional...

Born and raised in Leadwood, Missouri, Dylan Miner is a husband, a father, a volunteer fire lieutenant, and a career firefighter. Dylan joins Tyler & Lochie for an honest and powerful conversation about courage, mental health struggles, and the role faith and religion have played in shaping his journey—both on and off the job. This is a story of resilience, purpose, and finding strength when it ma...

In this powerful episode of Voices of Valor, we sit down with Maddy Gartner, an EMS professional with 10 years of experience, including 9 years with SFCAD. Maddy is not only a dedicated first responder, but also a wife and a new mom to 5-month-old twin girls. Maddy shares her journey with raw honesty—opening up about the lasting effects of bullying during her high school years, the mental-health-a...

In this episode of Voices of Valor, we sit down with Sara Ladas, a 911 dispatcher, Captain at 911, Dispatch Chaplain, and mom of two, for an honest and meaningful conversation about service, leadership, and compassion behind the headset. Sara shares what it’s like to be the calm voice on the other end of the line during someone’s worst moment, the responsibility that comes with leading within disp...

In this powerful Season 1 finale of Voices of Valor, we sit down with Adam Wells, a highly respected law enforcement professional, military veteran, instructor, pastor, and community leader whose career spans more than two decades of service. Adam brings a remarkable background — including a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Forensic Psychology, and ongoing doctoral work focused on Cri...

In this powerful Season 1 finale episode, we sit down with Justin Barton — a firefighter, dispatcher, and now patrol deputy whose journey through public safety has been shaped by service, loss, resilience, and the harsh realities that many never see. Justin began his career in July 2018 as a volunteer firefighter with Leadwood Fire Protection District. In 2019, he joined Irondale Fire, encouraged...

Brandon Hall, a Captain with the Leadwood Fire Protection District for 17 years, sits down with us for a raw and deeply personal conversation. In this episode, Brandon opens up about the loss of his mother, the impact it had on his life, and the long, honest road that led him toward sobriety. His story is one of resilience, reflection, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward in the face o...

In this deeply powerful installment of Voices of Valor, we sit down with Sadie Harlin, widower of the Late Ashtin Harlin — EMT-P, for a conversation filled with strength, truth, and heart. Together, we reflect on Ashtin’s life — not just as a devoted paramedic, but as someone shaped by the experiences, pressures, and demands of both EMS and the military. Sadie shares the realities of how those wor...

Join Tyler as he sits down with former Leadington Fire Department Assistant Chief Tommy Hill, the third guest in our Voices of Valor series. This episode of the Midwest Mayhem Podcast is filled with laughter, tears, and the unbreakable bond of the fire service as Tyler and Tommy share stories that hit close to home. From moments of courage to honest conversations about burnout, brotherhood, and me...

Buckle up, because this Halloween, the Midwest Mayhem crew takes an imaginary backroad ride through some of Missouri’s most haunted legends. From the eerie Long Banta House in Potosi, to the chilling Bonne Terre Mansion, the abandoned Old Iron County Hospital, the infamous St. Joseph Hills Mental Institution, and the ghostly glow of the Diamond Diner / Tri-County Truck Stop — we hit them all. Alon...

In this episode of Midwest Mayhem, Judge Michael Randazzo joins Tyler and Lochie for an insightful conversation about how small-town life shapes the courtroom. From lessons learned in his early years to the powerful stories shared in his new book “Presiding Over Shadows,” Judge Randazzo opens up about faith, family, and the people who influenced his path.

Join Tyler & Lochie for the first episode of the brand-new series "Voices of Valor", featuring special guest Critical Care Paramedic Sydney Horton. Together, they dive into what it’s really like to work in EMS — the challenges, the unforgettable moments, and the deep sense of purpose that comes with serving others.

“Stronger Together: Suicide Awareness Month Special” is a heartfelt episode of Midwest Mayhem dedicated to raising awareness, sharing stories of hope, and reminding us all that no one faces the struggle alone.

Join Tyler & Lochie as they interview Joe Exotic from the Netflix series "Tiger King" and his takes on Prison health care, the Netflix documentary, and more.

This one hits different. In Episode 3, we step away from the usual chaos to dive into something real — mental health. Host Tyler Barton sits down with mental health advocate Lochie Barton for an honest, heartfelt conversation about the silent battles so many of us fight, especially in the first responder world. From laughter to tough truths, this over-an-hour-long episode is raw, unfiltered, and p...