Minds on the Frontline Podcast

Belleville Fire Chief John Thiede reflects on nearly four decades with the Romulus Fire Department and how those experiences shaped his leadership, relationships, and life beyond work. He recounts rescuing the sole survivor of Northwest Airlines Flight 255, assisting at Ground Zero, and supporting his crew after a fellow firefighter died by suicide. The conversation explores why people may thrive...

In this episode of Minds on the Frontline, Dr. Danielle Taylor, a licensed clinical psychologist and neuroscience researcher, explains how stress and trauma affect the brain and body, how to recognize when normal reactions are no longer resolving, and what happens when someone seeks professional help. This conversation offers practical guidance for law enforcement, fire, EMS, corrections, 911 disp...

In this episode of Minds on the Frontline, licensed professional counselor William Kaczur, MS, LPC, NCE, CISM, reflects on his first fire department ride-along, which took an unexpected turn when he was brought directly to the scene of a fatal motor vehicle crash. William and Mike revisit the call from the perspectives of a clinician and a responder, exploring the organized work beneath the appare...

E85 - SAME EVENT, DIFFERENT WOUNDS: Surviving the Oxford High School Shooting In this episode of Minds on the Frontline, Oxford High School shooting survivor Kylie Ossege and firefighter-paramedic Justin Templeton share what the same traumatic event looked and felt like from opposite sides. Kylie recounts her experience in the hallway, ambulance, and recovery, while Justin describes the response,...

In this episode of Minds on the Frontline, we speak with Dr. Jason Wilkinson, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Wayne State University, about what first responders and their families can expect when seeking clinical care. Dr. Wilkinson explains the initial evaluation process and breaks down treatment options, including QEEG brain mapping, neurofeedback, EMDR, and medication. The c...

In this episode of Minds on the Frontline, we speak with Sarah Hutton and Scott Hurrell about the partnership between FST5 and Dignity Memorial, a network of funeral homes, cemeteries, cremation providers, and memorial service professionals. This partnership helps support Michigan first responders and their families during times of loss by easing the financial and logistical burden of funeral arra...

In this episode of Minds on the Frontline, we talk with Vince Waryas, Operations Director for Universal Macomb and board member with the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services, about the realities faced by private EMS providers. With nearly 30 years of EMS experience, Vince brings a practical perspective on the unique stressors of private EMS, why these providers are often left out of responde...

In this episode, Detroit radio host and part-time law enforcement officer Steve Grunwald joins Geoff Lassers and Mike Mattern for a candid conversation about balancing service and self. Steve discusses work-life balance, the pressure to always show up, the stigma around asking for help, suicide prevention, peer conversations, and the importance of finding healthy ways to decompress. Minds on the F...

This episode will provide a practical, high-level overview of the treatment options available through the Frontline Strong Together 5 Program, with Dr. Klisz-Hulbert explaining how first responders and their families can connect with the right providers and what to expect when seeking help. The conversation will walk through the process from initial contact to ongoing care, highlighting how indivi...

This episode focuses on how to start and build a peer support team within a first responder organization. We discuss what peer support is, how it differs from Critical Incident Stress Management, and how the two systems work together. We also cover team structure, training, clinician involvement, confidentiality, legal protections, and the key components needed to develop a trusted and sustainable...

In this episode, we are joined by Matt Sahr, President of the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union (MPFFU), as we continue our Building FST5 series. Matt represents thousands of professional firefighters across Michigan and brings decades of experience in the fire service and statewide labor leadership. Through the lens of the MPFFU, this conversation explores how the fire service recognized...

In this episode, we are joined by Jim Peyton, Manager of the FST5 Crisis and Resource Line and a retired Detroit firefighter-paramedic, and by Ryan Kilyanek, a line supervisor with experience in corrections and behavioral health response. Together, they provide a clear look at what happens when someone calls the line and who is on the other end of the phone. Through their perspectives, the convers...

In this episode, we are joined by James Tignanelli, President of the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM), as we continue our Building FST5 series. James brings decades of experience representing law enforcement agencies across Michigan and working directly with frontline professionals. Through the lens of POAM, this conversation explores how shared challenges across law enforcement, fir...

In this episode, we are joined by Cinnamon Reiheld, MSW, LISW, a trauma specialist with extensive experience working with first responders. Recognized for her straightforward and practical approach, she skillfully translates clinical concepts into everyday advice for responders. Since Cinnamon isn’t licensed in Michigan and isn’t affiliated with local systems, she provides an unbiased, third-party...

In this episode, we welcome Mike Sauger, a Warren police officer and President of the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police, to discuss how Michigan identified gaps in mental and behavioral health support for first responders and how those gaps led to the creation of Frontline Strong Together 5. Drawing on decades of experience in dispatch, patrol, and statewide labor leadership, Mike shares the law...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Michael Lutz, a retired urologist and President of the Michigan Men’s Health Foundation, to discuss men’s health, prevention, and the long-term health risks faced by first responders. Drawing on more than 40 years of experience in Metro Detroit, Dr. Lutz focuses on prostate cancer screening, early detection, and preventive care. We examine how shift work, disrupted...

In this episode, Kathryn Dunklow, EMS Administrator for the Traverse City Fire Department, shares her experiences with frontline work, leadership, motherhood, and unseen struggles. Her journey from rural, fire-based EMS to leadership shaped her resilience, especially after her twins' birth in 2021. Kathryn talks about postpartum depression and anxiety, early signs she missed, and realizing sh...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Rob Dunne and Damon Gorelick from the Detroit East Medical Control Authority. Dr. Dunne, an emergency medicine and EMS physician, is the Medical Director for DEMCA and the Detroit Fire Department. Damon Gorelick, the Executive Director of DEMCA, oversees system operations, coordination, and partnerships across EMS, dispatch, hospitals, and public health. They explai...

This episode is an honest, evidence-based discussion about one of the most common coping mechanisms in frontline culture: Alcohol. From celebrations to stress relief, drinking has long been a part of the rhythm of public safety life. But what is it really doing to our bodies, minds, and overall well-being? We welcome Dr. Andrew King, an Emergency Physician, Medical Toxicologist, and Addiction Medi...

This episode features Lieutenant Lindsey Thompson from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Police Services Division. A mother who started law enforcement later after working in other fields, Lindsey discusses postpartum depression, trauma, challenges for women in male-dominated fields, the difference between “big-T" and “micro” traumas, and the importance of transparency and proactive ment...

This episode of Minds on the Frontline features Meaghan Lotz, a registered dietician, certified strength and conditioning specialist, and tactical strength coach who works with fire, EMS, law enforcement, and corrections. Through her company, Rescue RD, she helps frontline workers manage the real challenges of shift work, stress, and demanding schedules with practical, judgment-free strategies. In...

This episode of Minds on the Frontline takes us deep inside the unseen reality of what it means to flip the switch during a crisis, and what happens when it won’t flip back. Our guest, Justin Templeton, is a seasoned firefighter, Paramedic, and company officer who responded to the Oxford High School shooting. He openly discusses the mental toll of that day, the importance of peer support, and the...

This episode of Minds on the Frontline examines how trauma changes the brain and what that means for those who serve. Dr. Tanja Jovanovic, a well-known neuroscientist and professor at Wayne State University, joins us to explain how stress, trauma, and PTSD physically affect brain function and how that understanding can help frontline workers recover.  We discuss how childhood adversity, genetics,...

In this episode of Minds on the Frontline, Dearborn Police Officer Stephen Dluzynski shares how the loss of his best friend and fellow officer to suicide became the catalyst for his personal healing and professional mission. Through honest reflection and practical advice, Steve discusses the emotional impact of cumulative trauma, the value of therapy, and how he helped build a peer-driven wellness...

In this episode of Minds on the Frontline , we take an educational, research-driven look at cannabis and its impact on mental health, trauma, and high-stress professions. As cannabis use becomes more common and socially accepted, frontline workers, clinicians, and agency leaders must understand the facts behind the substance, not just the headlines.  This episode does not promote use. It offers cl...