Forge Resilience Podcast

Unlock the secrets behind the complexities of local politics in Pflugerville, Texas. This episode of the Forge Resilience podcast reveals the critical funding challenges facing the Pflugerville Fire Department, also known as Travis County ESD  2. Discover how a vacated sales tax from Austin Transit shaped the department's growth and operations in a rapidly expanding city. We honor the pivotal...

In this episode we were honored to interview David Berez. David retired as a Police Officer on January 1, 2020. Since retirement he has formed Six 4 Consultants LLC and works as a Public Safety Consultant and Master Resiliency Trainer. In this episode Dave shares his story tells us how one phone call from his son kept him from making the decision to end his life. Starting his work in public safety...

In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey and innovative initiatives of Chief Joel Rivera who has not only achieved personal milestones like completing a Ph. D. and running marathons but has also become the Chief of Police in Weslaco, Texas. He has transformed his department by implementing a model resilience and mental health program. Episode Highlights:Personal Journey to Leadership: Ch...

In this podcast we talked to Joe Collins. Joe retired from law enforcement after 35 years of dedicated service. He served as Chief of Police in Two Rivers, Wisconsin since 2005. He has since moved to the Houston Texas area and he and his wife Colleen are enjoying the warm Texas weather! Joe is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, session 236.He currently serves as the Public Safety Liaison for...

Chief Lattimore's story made us want to start podcasting again! A 27 year law enforcement veteran from a small police department near Houston, Texas that has been through multiple critical incidents walks us through his experience of dealing with trauma on his own (shoving it down) and how he made the decision to get the help he needed and deserved so he could truly LIVE. Chief Lattimore&apos...

In this podcast we talked with Jessica Robledo, Chief of the Pflugerville Police Department. She retired from Austin Police Department after a distinguished 30 year career before her arrival in Pflugerville in 2017. In this podcast she talks about leadership and tells about her traumatic childhood and difficult experiences early in life that made her the strong and resilient leader she is today. C...

In this podcast we interviewed Shawn & Jeff Thomas, a dual law enforcement couple from King County Sherriff's Department that is on a mission to help First Responders normalize mental health issues and access resources when they need them most. After going through their own personal struggles and growth they decided to fill a void and create a conference platform that not only links first...

Lt. Col Dave Grossman has been on the road for more than 200 days a year since he retired from the US Army. He relentlessly works to support the US military and first responders through speaking engagements and his books. In this podcast we were honored to have him talk to us about the sheepdog philosophy, resiliency, sleep, and the importance of spirituality. All of LTC Grossman's books can...

LTC Dave Grossman is a prolific author and speaker and coined the "Sheepdog" philosophy that most military and first responders are familiar with. He is one of the greatest trainers in military science and psychology of our time. LTC Grossman is an Army Ranger, paratrooper, and taught Psychology at West Point. He is a best selling author with four books and two children's books curr...

On October 1st, 2017, Bryce Wellman went from enjoying a concert in his home-town of Las Vegas to suddenly having to take cover to as bullets ripped into the crowd. Bryce shares his story of survival- from terror to thriving and helping others. Bryce is a dispatcher at the Cedar Park Police Department and is committed to helping his community, Police Officers, and fellow dispatchers.

In this episode we talked to Vanessa Frost-Piedrahita, the Fitness and Wellness Coordinator for the Pflugerville Fire Department. Vanessa came to Pflugerville from a Division 1 Strength Coaching position and has built a program that is dynamic and holistic. She has an uncanny ability to make the complex simple and to connect with people. If you want to connect with Vanessa directly here is her inf...

In this episode, we had the opportunity to talk with two engaging and insightful people, Dr. Vicent Pham, a doctor who specializes in chronic pain and works at the VA hospital in Austin, Texas and his girlfriend, Rachel Roselli, who is a professional graphics designer and Star Wars expert! They are passionate about rock climbing, traveling, and helping people live a healthier life. You can follow...

In this podcast we discuss how shame can affect you and your relationships without you even knowing it. Being able to identify the things that trigger shame in you and your loved one can help build a strong and stable relationship. For more on this topic please watch Brene Brown's TED Talk on this topic: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame/transcript?language=en Also, her...

I had the great honor of co-facilitating a resilience course with these two incredible people in Rapid City, South Dakota. Joe Maranowicz and Tony Barthuly are both inspiring, honest, and committed to improving the lives of police officers through resilience training. Joe Maranowicz is a Deputy Chief with Addison Police Department, a suburb of Chicago, and has been serving within his department si...

In this brief episode we are talking with our family about technology and communication.

In this podcast we sat down with Steve Cummings and his fiance, Gina Shiotani. Steve talks about his experience in the 173rd Airborne Infantry including his deployment to Afghanistan. He will also discuss the resilience strategies he found to be most effective post combat and in life.

Chief Master Sergeant John "JC" Chacon, and his wife Brandi, join the show to talk about how he integrates resilience in his life and Air Force career. In this episode we discuss how JC has used resilience skills to get him through his challenges post deployment and also the work he has done to promote wellness for first responders across the country. JC is the sheepdog's sheepdog!

This week we sat down with Travis Cox, a veteran turned strength and conditioning coach for the San Antonio Spurs, turned business executive. Travis got real with us as they discussed how mentors, connections to the veteran community, his faith, and his work with non profit organizations has helped him to thrive. He served 8 years in the Reconnaissance community. If you are unfamiliar with what th...

In this episode we discuss one of the strategies that we credit for our happy marriage for the past 15 years, the 5 Love Languages.

In part 2, Greg Stevens discusses how he dealt with 40 years of being a patrol officer, addressing trauma, and the importance of having a strong support network.

In this podcast we talk with Greg Stevens, retired police officer and Medal of Valor recipient from Garland, Texas. He tells the story of the events that occurred on March 3rd, 2015 when he prevented two terrorists from entering the Culwell Center in Garland, He talks about the importance of training and how it can help when the moment chooses you.

This podcast features Mark Powers, Ph. D., the Chief of Trauma Research at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He researches PTSD and Resilience and boils it down to solid nuggets of information that everyone can use in daily life.