Code Forty4

After our first conversation with Alana Trevino about EMDR therapy, one thing became clear… people wanted to know more. What actually happens during EMDR? Do you have to relive traumatic events? What does a session really feel like? And why are so many first responders finding healing through this process? In this encore episode of Code Forty4, Amy Cortez welcomes Alana Trevino back for a deeper c...

What if the mental health struggles many law enforcement officers experience aren’t only psychological — but physiological ? In this episode of Code Forty4 , Amy Cortez sits down with holistic physician Dr. Heather Heck to explore an often overlooked factor in first responder wellness: nutrition and the body’s ability to recover from chronic stress . First responders are trained to live in constan...

Did you know something as simple as breathing can shift your nervous system? Not your mindset. Not positive thinking. Your actual nervous system. Law enforcement officers live in chronic fight-or-flight mode. Hypervigilance isn’t optional  it’s required for survival. But what happens when that system never resets? In this episode of Code Forty4, Amy sits down with Christina Karkouta, founder of Br...

Today’s episode is not about headlines,  It’s not about statistics. It’s about the quiet moments at home. The subtle shifts. The silence we feel but can’t quite name. In this deeply vulnerable conversation, I sit down with Anna Ulinski , a law enforcement spouse who lost her husband, Ohio State Highway Patrol Sergeant Jared Ulinski, to suicide nearly five years ago. Anna is not a clinician. She is...

In this episode, Amy Cortez interviews Mick Yinger, a retired police officer and co-founder of First Responders Bridge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mental health of first responders and their families. Mick shares his personal journey, the motivation behind starting the organization, and the structure of their retreats designed to provide a safe space for healing and conne...

In this episode of Code Forty4 , Amy Cortez sits down with Steve Click , a retired Ohio State Highway Patrol officer and a current leader in First Responder Mental Health and Wellness with the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Steve brings a rare perspective  blending decades of lived experience in uniform with his work supporting law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and their families across th...

What if the reason trauma doesn’t “fade with time” is because it was never fully processed in the first place? In this episode of Code Forty4 , Amy is joined by Alana Trevino , a licensed independent social worker, EMDR-certified clinician, and the wife of a former law enforcement officer. Together, they break down what EMDR really is — and why it has been so effective for first responders and the...

In this powerful conversation, Amy Cortez shares the harrowing story of her husband, Mike, a law enforcement officer who faced a critical moment of despair. Through their journey, they highlight the unseen struggles that many officers endure, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the importance of breaking the silence. Amy emphasizes the need for families to recognize subtle signs of distress...

Law enforcement officers don’t just carry trauma , they carry guilt. In Episode 7 of the Code Forty4 Podcast, host Amy Cortez shares a powerful story from a post-critical incident seminar that forever changed how she understands the emotional weight officers and dispatchers bring home. This episode explores how guilt forms in moments where outcomes couldn’t be controlled and how that guilt often s...

In this episode of Code Forty4, Amy Cortez shares her personal journey as a spouse of a law enforcement officer, highlighting the subtle signs of struggle that often go unnoticed. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing these signs and understanding the mental health challenges faced by law enforcement officers. Through her experiences, she discusses the impact of trauma on relationships and...

In this episode of Code Forty4, Amy Cortez discusses the importance of mental health support for law enforcement families. She emphasizes the need for a supportive 'village' to help navigate the emotional challenges faced by officers and their families. The conversation covers the stigma surrounding mental health, the importance of establishing trust, and identifying key support members, including...

“You know that moment when your spouse walks in, drops their gear, and says, ‘I’m fine’… but you know they’re not? That moment right there — that’s what where we are going in this episode" In this episode of Code Forty4, Amy Cortez discusses the importance of communication in families of law enforcement officers. She introduces the concept of a 'code word' to facilitate open dialogue about mental...

In this episode of Code Forty4, Amy Cortez addresses the stigma surrounding mental health in law enforcement families. She shares personal experiences and statistics, emphasizing the importance of breaking down barriers and promoting open discussions. Amy highlights the need for regular mental health checkups, similar to dental appointments, to prevent severe consequences. She encourages spouses a...

In this episode of Code Forty4, Amy Cortez discusses the inevitability of critical incidents faced by law enforcement officers and their families. She shares her personal experiences and insights from a life-changing seminar that highlighted the importance of recognizing both major incidents (bears) and the cumulative effects of smaller, everyday traumas (ducks). The conversation emphasizes the ne...

In the premiere episode of Code Forty4, Amy Cortez sheds light on the often-overlooked emotional challenges faced by law enforcement officers and their families. Through personal stories and compelling statistics, she aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the law enforcement community and encourages open, supportive conversations. Join us as we explore the unseen battles and the vi...