Carry On Fire Family

Married to a firefighter and wondering how anyone does this? Licensed marriage and family therapist and "firewife" Caitlyn Munger of Meet the Mungers joins me to talk first responder family life. Her husband left for an 18-day strike team deployment the day after their honeymoon. Nobody warns you about that part. We cover: Parenting routines that hold up through unpredictable firefighter shifts A...

Summary Jacqueline Toomey, known as the sleep lady of the fire service, shares her journey from wellness teaching to developing sleep recovery programs for first responders. This episode explores the critical impact of sleep on firefighter health, safety, and longevity, offering practical solutions and scientific insights. Key Topics The connection between sleep deprivation and the leading causes...

In this episode Jessica Rome Mays has lived fire life, and she has lived the grief that can come with it. She tells us how she turned that loss into Families Behind the Flames, a community built to hold fire families up. We talk about why communication gaps hurt departments, what auxiliary programs get wrong (and right), how to deal with gossip, and why being vulnerable is not weakness. If you’re...

Audra is joined by Shiloh Reed, a photographer, relationship coach, somatic practitioner, and professional with a background in marriage and family therapy. Shiloh shares how stress affects the body and why it can take time for firefighters to transition from high alert at work to being present at home. In This Episode Shiloh's journey into psychology, trauma support, and photography Her work with...

In this episode, we explore the profound impact of suicide within the fire service community, sharing personal stories, departmental responses, and ways to foster mental health awareness and support among first responders and their families. key topics Impact of suicide on firefighter families Department response to firefighter suicides Mental health stigma in the fire service Importance of commun...

Firefighter turned trauma expert Ali Rothrock joins the show to unpack what it really takes to survive and heal from trauma in the fire service. Ali entered the fire service in 2005 and spent years navigating the challenges women in firefighting still face: harassment, safety failures, and isolation from the crews meant to protect them. That accumulated trauma led to a PTSD diagnosis, which Ali de...

Carry On Fire Family and Wildfire and Resistance sit down to explore the complex intersection of social issues, politics, and the fire service community. We highlight the importance of open dialogue, understanding, and advocacy for systemic change within fire departments and related communities. key topics The impact of politics on fire service policies The role of fire spouses in advocacy and cha...

In this episode, Christine Brandt shares her journey as a fire family wife, emphasizing the power of vulnerability, doing less on purpose, and building authentic connections. She discusses her experience with social media detox, the importance of initiating relationships, and how to navigate the unique challenges of fire family life. keywords key topics The importance of vulnerability in relations...

In this episode Faith Reimers, a seasoned wildland fire wife, shares her experiences navigating the unique challenges of supporting her firefighter husband during long fire seasons. From the emotional toll of extended absences to managing step-parenting and financial planning, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical advice for fire families. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Wildland...

Felicia Kelly shares her transformative journey from a successful entrepreneur to a paramedic, emphasizing the importance of life architecture over motivation. Discover her Rich Method for Living, designed to help high-capacity professionals build sustainable structures for success and fulfillment. takeaways Motivation is fleeting; architecture is sustainable. Relationships require intentional acc...

In this episode, we get deep into the essentials of leadership in fire services, the pitfalls of current promotion systems, and how to truly prepare for leadership roles. With Mike from Front Seat Academy, we explore how capable firefighters are often unfairly filtered out and how leadership should be about influence, not rank. Timestamps: 00:00 - The danger of lack of leadership versus skills in...

This episode features Jennae Leisey and Bre Spencer from the Thinline Collective, sharing their insights on supporting first responder families, building community, and fostering positivity amidst the challenges of first responder life. They discuss the importance of mental health, family support, and creating supportive networks for first responder spouses. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Thin...

In this interview, Amanda shares her journey as a female firefighter in a male-dominated field, addressing issues like workplace culture, harassment, and the importance of resilience. She discusses her experiences with motherhood, faith, and mental health, offering valuable insights for aspiring firefighters and their families. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Amanda's Background 01:06 Entering the...

In this episode of Carry On Fire Family, Nichole ODonnell shares her journey from adversity to becoming a firefighter, author, and motivational figure. She discusses the importance of grit, resilience, social media influence, and building a community that supports growth and change. Resources Fire Engineering Books - https://fireengineeringbooks.com Nichole ODonnell's Instagram - https://www.insta...

In this episode of Carry On Fire Family, host Audra sits down with Elise Vermillion , seasoned fire wife and author of The Firewife Guidebook, a guidebook for fire spouses, to unpack the emotional realities of life in a fire family. From long shifts and missed holidays to the loneliness that no one prepares you for, Elise shares what it really means to love someone in the fire service. Together, t...

In this episode of Carry On Fire Family , Audra talks with financial planner Christina Cooley-Ber about financial planning for first responders , including pensions, retirement planning, and how couples can get on the same page financially. We cover: Retirement planning for first responders Understanding pension options The emotional side of money decisions Small steps that build real financial co...

Season 2 starts NOW! In this powerful and deeply moving episode, I’m joined by Rachael Heard, the widow of Captain Kyle Heard of the Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District. Rachael shares her story of losing Kyle suddenly to a heart attack at just 43, and the unimaginable grief that followed. She opens up about raising their two children without their father, navigating a new identity after loss, a...

Firefighter cancer is real and so is the impact it leaves behind. In this episode, I’m joined by Caylie Valenta, widow of firefighter Andy Valenta, who lost his life to melanoma. Caylie shares her journey through grief, motherhood, and advocacy, and how honoring Andy’s legacy led to the creation of the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation . We talk about early detection, firefighter cancer risks, and...

In this episode, I reflect on my very first season of solo podcasting and everything that came with it. Juggling family life, emotional bandwidth, and showing up consistently even when life felt heavy. I share what this season taught me about myself, my marriage, and the patterns I didn’t realize I was carrying for years. I open up about how hyper-independence showed up in my relationship, how our...

Co-parenting is hard enough, but co-parenting with a firefighter, especially after a divorce, comes with a whole different set of challenges. As a firewife of 18 years, I’ve lived the reality of shift work, emotional exhaustion, missed holidays, and the pressure that comes with raising kids in a first responder home and I've seen and experienced when it can all fall apart and you feel like there's...

In this episode, Mike Ettenberg opens up about his journey from fire medic to founder of Frontline Optics. He shares what it was really like working through the chaos of COVID-19, why he ultimately chose to leave the fire service, and how that transition reshaped his mental health and family life. Mike also dives into the inspiration behind his sunglasses brand, designed specifically for first res...

In this honest and deeply human conversation, Audra and Brittany Thomas-Vestal dig into a topic that fire families rarely say out loud: the quiet, ongoing grief of being a fire spouse. They explore: The invisible grief that comes with missed moments, long shifts, and constant worry How chronic stress impacts marriages, mental health, and family dynamics Why so many fire spouses feel guilty for str...

In this episode of Carry On, Fire Family , host Audra sits down with Christina Harter to talk about the realities of life as a fire wife; the pride, pressure, and purpose that come with being married to a firefighter. Christina shares her honest perspective on balancing marriage, motherhood, and career while navigating the unique rhythms of fire family life. Together, they explore the power of aut...

In this honest and heart-centered conversation, Audra and Brittany get into what it’s really like being part of a fire family, from the unpredictable schedules to the emotional weight that comes with it. Brittany opens up about her journey through postpartum depression, rediscovering herself after motherhood, and how fashion became a lifeline back to confidence and identity. They talk about the re...

In this episode, Kristen Hampson opens her heart and shares what it’s like to build a life as a fire family wife and mom. Balancing love, motherhood, and the unpredictability that comes with a first responder’s world. She talks about walking through postpartum anxiety and depression, navigating pregnancies during a global pandemic, and finding light in the middle of it all. Kristen’s story is one...