8158 Podcast: Stories of Sacrifice

DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, and experiences shared in this episode belong solely to the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the 8158 Podcast, its hosts, sponsors, or affiliates. The stories shared are based on personal experiences and perspectives. While every effort is made to present information responsibly, the podcast does not verify or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of...

What happens when the people trained to save everyone else are left fighting their own battles alone? In this powerful episode of  8158 Podcast: Stories of Sacrifice , Rico sits down with Jared — a former law enforcement officer and corrections captain whose career began in the aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. After decades serving in jails, on the streets, in disaster response, and in...

What happens when the first responder is the one answering the phone? 🚨📞 In this episode of  8158: Stories of Sacrifice , Rico sits down with  Frankie , a 911 dispatcher raised in a family of first responders. From growing up with a law enforcement father and EMT mother to becoming the calm voice during someone’s worst moment, Frankie shares the unseen sacrifices dispatchers carry every day.  Fr...

What starts as two strangers meeting through TikTok… turns into cruises, life-changing friendships, EMT milestones, late-night support, DoorDashed comfort food, and proving that family isn’t always blood. 💙🚑 On this  8158 Off Duty  episode, Rico sits down with  Maisi and Katie , two EMS professionals from opposite sides of the country whose friendship formed online and became something deeper —...

What happens when success on paper no longer feels like purpose in your soul? In this powerful episode of  8158 Podcast: Stories of Sacrifice , we sit down with  Andrea Law —a nurse, mental health advocate, and voice for first responders—whose journey from corporate leadership to bedside care is anything but ordinary.  Andrea opens up about her transition from serving as a COO at the Better Busine...

What can happen in four seconds… can change everything. In this powerful episode of  8158 Podcast: Stories of Sacrifice , Rico sits down with retired Sergeant J. Packy Dempsey—a military veteran, former K-9 officer, and author of  The Fastest Four Seconds . With over 25 years in law enforcement and service in the Alabama National Guard, Packy shares a story that is as intense as it is life-changin...

This week on  8158: Stories of Sacrifice , Rico sits down with former law enforcement commander and founder of the nonprofit Shepherd’s Light Foundation, Shepherd’s Light Foundation, Dewayne Brown.  Dewayne opens up about growing up without his parents, finding purpose through firefighting and law enforcement, and eventually rising through the ranks as a K9 officer, undercover narcotics agent, SWA...

What happens when the call doesn’t end… even after you leave the scene? In this powerful episode of  8158: Stories of Sacrifice , we sit down with firefighter Cody, who shares his raw and unfiltered journey through 15 years in the fire service—marked by purpose, trauma, and ultimately, survival. From a childhood shaped by adversity to answering some of the most devastating calls imaginable, Cody o...

What happens when a life built around service is shaped by trauma, loss, and resilience? In this powerful episode of  8158: Stories of Sacrifice , BriAnn sits down with Sarah—also known as  Tattooed EMT —to unpack a story that spans military life, law enforcement, personal tragedy, and the front lines of EMS. Raised overseas as a Navy child, Sarah grew up navigating a world most never experience—b...

DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, and experiences shared in this episode belong solely to the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the 8158 Podcast, its hosts, sponsors, or affiliates. The stories shared are based on personal experiences and perspectives. While every effort is made to present information responsibly, the podcast does not verify or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of...

The stories shared are based on personal experiences and perspectives. While every effort is made to present information responsibly, the podcast does not verify or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any statements made by guests. This content is provided for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be interpreted as factual claims, professional advice, or official repres...

DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, and experiences shared in this episode belong solely to the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the 8158 Podcast, its hosts, sponsors, or affiliates. The stories shared are based on personal experiences and perspectives. While every effort is made to present information responsibly, the podcast does not verify or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of...

DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, and experiences shared in this episode belong solely to the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the 8158 Podcast, its hosts, sponsors, or affiliates. The stories shared are based on personal experiences and perspectives. While every effort is made to present information responsibly, the podcast does not verify or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of...

In this Off Duty episode of 8158 Podcast: Stories of Sacrifice, Rico sits down with returning guest Anthony Crane — better known as “The Mouth From the South” from Slightly Unhinged Radio — for an unfiltered conversation about life after trauma, finding purpose, and turning pain into something positive.  What starts as stories about tequila in Mexico, Cuban cigars, cruise ship adventures, and prom...

What happens when the job you love starts to break you? In this powerful episode of 8158 Podcast: Stories of Sacrifice , Rico sits down with paramedic and EMS educator Michael Gray to talk about the realities behind the badge—and the mental toll that often goes unseen. From working brutal 24–96 hour shifts to navigating high-call-volume systems during COVID, Michael shares what it feels like to hi...

What starts as curiosity can turn into a lifetime of service… and a journey you never saw coming. In this episode of 8158 Podcast: Stories of Sacrifice , we sit down with Michael “Dusty” Smith —a former sheriff’s deputy, paramedic, and lifelong first responder whose path began on a volunteer fire department in 1998 and evolved into a career filled with triumphs, setbacks, and powerful lessons. Dus...

What does it really take to survive the emotional weight of emergency medicine? In this powerful episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice , Rico sits down with Mary Cazes , better known online as Mary the Moody Medic , a paramedic serving in the New Orleans area who has built a platform advocating for first responder mental health and honest conversations about life on the job. Mary shares her journe...

What if one of the most powerful tools for helping first responders survive trauma… had four paws? In this episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice , Rico sits down with Janeen Baggette , a combat veteran, former law enforcement officer, and founder of the nonprofit Canines for Freedom and Independence . Janeen shares how her experiences in the military and law enforcement exposed her to the toxic cu...

What happens when the shift ends and the uniform comes off? In this episode of 8158: OFF DUTY , Rico sits down with Keagan Rivedal for a candid conversation about life beyond the job. From the realities of working in emergency services to the personal experiences that shape who first responders are outside of work, this episode dives into the human side of the profession. Keagan shares stories abo...

Episode Description Behind every flashing light and ambulance siren is a first responder carrying stories most people will never hear. In this powerful episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice , Rico sits down with paramedic and EMS educator FeralMedic911 , whose journey into emergency medicine began with a deeply personal mission—to give other families more time with their loved ones after witnessin...

For more than 30 years in EMS , Michael has seen the best and worst of humanity. But behind the uniform and years of service was a reality many first responders face but rarely talk about— the cumulative trauma that builds over time. In this powerful episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice , Michael shares his deeply personal journey from the early days of his EMS career to devastating losses that c...

When the uniform comes off… who are first responders really? In this episode of 8158: OFF DUTY , Rico sits down with returning guest Rob Mitchell , a law enforcement officer who recently completed advanced training as a crisis and hostage negotiator . From tense encounters with armed suspects to talking someone out of a barricaded vehicle, Rob shares what it’s really like to rely on patience, comm...

What happens when the people trained to save others are the ones who need saving? In this powerful episode of the 8158 Podcast: Stories of Sacrifice , Rico sits down with Rick Ramsay , co-founder of QRF (Quick Reactionary Force) —a groundbreaking mobile app created specifically to help veterans and first responders in crisis . After losing brothers to suicide during his time serving in the U.S. Ma...

In this episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, Rico sits down with AK Dozanti — former law enforcement officer, wellness educator, author, and advocate for first responder mental health — for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about service, trauma, healing, and purpose after the badge. AK shares her upbringing in rural southeastern Ohio and the profound personal losses she experienced duri...

Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of PTSD, addiction, suicidal ideation, and other potentially triggering topics. Listener discretion is advised. Episode Description (8158: Stories of Sacrifice) You’re listening to 8158: Stories of Sacrifice — where we honor the bravery of first responders and the families who stand behind them. Real people, real stories, real heroes. This is 8158. In t...