First Responders' Bridge: The Podcast

To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/

Kyle Overmyer is a father, husband, and former Sheriff of Sandusky county, OH. He will be discussing overcoming addiction and crime to get to the successful place he is in today.  To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/

In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Patrick J. Kenny, a seasoned veteran with over 38 years in the fire service. Patrick, who retired in January 2021 after serving as Fire Chief in Hinsdale and Western Springs, Illinois for 25 years, brings a wealth of experience and insights. Beyond his distinguished career, Patrick is also an international best-selling author, known for his impactf...

In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Patrick J. Kenny, a seasoned veteran with over 38 years in the fire service. Patrick, who retired in January 2021 after serving as Fire Chief in Hinsdale and Western Springs, Illinois for 25 years, brings a wealth of experience and insights. Beyond his distinguished career, Patrick is also an international best-selling author, known for his impactf...

Amy Bock, the proprietor of Resilience Counseling and Consultation in Westerville, Ohio, has been delivering trauma-informed counseling services since obtaining her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Counseling from THE Ohio State University in 2013. Amy is a certified first responder counselor, focusing her expertise on assisting first responders and their families. To donate to First Responders B...

Kerry-Ann Burnett-Astree, a Christian and mother of three, is the Board Chair and CEO of Married 2 the Badge. As a widow of a law enforcement sergeant, she is deeply passionate about empowering women to flourish in all aspects of their lives. Kerry-Ann advocates that every law enforcement wife should have the necessary support to excel in her role as a spouse and supporter to her partner. Married...

Rhonda Grizzell embarked on her policing journey in 1994 and dedicated 26 years to the Columbus, Ohio Police Department, achieving the rank of Commander. Her impactful contributions include founding the Columbus Police Peer Assistance team. Transitioning in 2020 to the role of Deputy Chief for the Reynoldsburg, Ohio Police Department, Rhonda played a pivotal role in initiating the Metro Peer Assis...

With 17 years of experience in law enforcement, Sergeant Chuck Albers currently serves in Central Ohio's wellness bureau, leading a team of clinicians and law enforcement professionals. Their shared mission is to improve the well-being and health of police officers within the department. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/

Chief Neil Gang has worked in law enforcement since 1988. He is currently the Chief of Police for the city of Pinole Police Department in Pinole, California. Chief Gang is the author of the "ASHER model: A 7 Point approach to a culture of wellness." In 2020 he was awarded the Public Safety Hero of the Year by Congressman Mike Thompson and is a national keynote speaker on Officer wellness...

Matt Calhoun has spent the past 20 years working in the financial services industry as a financial advisor. Prior to joining the Edward George Wealth Management Group, Matt worked for Morgan Stanley where he obtained the title of Vice President. Matt went on to earn his Bachelor's degree in business education from THE Ohio State University. While at OSU, he played fullback for the Buckeyes. A...

Steve Click retired from the Ohio State Highway Patrol after serving in various roles, including patrol, the motorcycle unit, and as a lieutenant at the Ohio Highway Patrol Training Academy. His career culminated as the Lieutenant of the Ohio Assist Program. Presently, he serves as the Director of the Ohio Office of First Responder Wellness. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more inform...

Bryan Mason has been a police officer with the city of Columbus police department since 2006. Bryan has been involved in several critical incidents and now uses those experiences to help other officers. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/

We sit down with Anthony Johnson, a dedicated police officer with a remarkable story of transformation and community impact. Anthony grew up in a challenging neighborhood where trust in law enforcement was scarce, including his own skepticism. His life took a dramatic turn when an encounter with a compassionate police officer altered his perception of law enforcement. Anthony not only became a pol...

Today we have Cindy Ell joining us. Cindy is the founder and president of the Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation. The foundation was established in 2004 to provide international outreach support and resource assistance programs for firefighters and family members that are stricken by cancer. The foundation is creating state of the art programs for cancer education, awareness, research, and prevention...

Jim King is a 30 year firefighter. He is the Vice President of the California Police Athletic Federation, which is the governing body for the US Police and Fire Championships and the World Police and Fire Games. http://cpaf.org/ To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/

Peter Facinelli made his acting debut in 1995, appearing in Rebecca Miller's "Angela" and has worked consistently ever since. He has been on TV shows such as Law & Order, Fastlane, Glee, SWAT, Magnum PI, FBI and Nurse Jackie where he played Dr. Fitch Cooper. In 2008, he won the role of Dr. Carlisle Cullen in the wildly popular Twilight (2008) and its sequels. He is joining us to...

Join us for a conversation with K.J. Watts, a second-generation firefighter and Assistant Fire Chief, as well as the co-founder of the Phoenix Project. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by first responders, K.J. emphasizes the importance of openness, trust, and active support within the first responder community. Visit www.thephoenixproject.life to learn more about K.J. the Phoenix...

In this episode, we're joined by Rob Sagle, Deputy Chief of the Special Operations Bureau, who delves into the intricate world of administrative stress experienced by First Responder leaders. With real-life examples, Rob sheds light on the delicate balance these leaders must maintain. He emphasizes the importance of self-care in this demanding role, providing valuable insights into stress man...

Alison Fienning, MSW, LISW-S, LMHC, CCTP, EMDRt, is a dedicated mental health professional with over a decade of experience in the field. She is the owner of Pinpoint Behavioral Health Solutions. Alison is deeply connected to the first responder world, being the spouse of a firefighter. Through her dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment, she continues to be an influential force in the f...

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Lorenz, a firefighter and chaplain with Columbus Fire, who embarked on his firefighting career at the age of 39. Joe shares his deep connection to faith and how it has shaped his journey as a first responder and chaplain. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/

In this episode, we sit down with Michael McSellers, a Virginia State Trooper and former Marine. Michael shares his personal journey explaining why it's okay not to be okay, and why we were never meant to carry our burdens alone. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/

Join us as Laura Thomas, a police dispatcher, discusses the highs of supporting officers' safety and the struggle of sending officers to dangerous situations. Listen as Laura candidly opens up about the cumulative stress that wears on dispatchers, the haunting uncertainty that accompanies each call, and her own struggle with mental health. Her journey reminds us of the weight carried by those...

In this episode, Jesi Arter shares her journey from marrying a firefighter to the unimaginable reality of becoming a suicide widow and a single mother. Jesi's story sheds light on the complexities of mental health and how family members of first responders can spot the warning signs and begin the journey of getting them help. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go t...

In this episode, Jamie and Brandon Qualls take listeners on an emotional journey through the hidden struggles of first responder families. Tune in as they share their struggles and the slow, determined crawl towards healing, reminding us of the importance of seeking help, even in our darkest moments. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge...

Jeff Dill is a retired fire captain and founder of Fire Fighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FFBHA). Their mission is to shed light on and address the often overlooked behavioral health challenges faced by firefighters and EMS personnel. From depression and PTS to anxiety, addiction, and the alarming issue of firefighter suicides, Jeff highlights the importance of understanding, discussing, and sup...