After the Call

Some people choose medicine as a career. Others are called to it. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Heather Dirkmaat of Natural Pediatrix, and honestly, after this conversation, you'll understand why so many families trust her with the people they love most. Dr. Heather shares her story, her heart, and the "why" behind the work she does. It's a beautiful reminder that great...

What if helping a first responder was as simple as giving up one coffee a month? In this episode, we're introducing the After Watch Foundation's Got Your 6 Campaign. For just $6 a month, you can help provide confidential peer support, therapy resources, family support, crisis response assistance, training, and other critical services for active and retired first responders and their fami...

In this episode, we sit down with Alia, co-founder of Tinted Salt, a holistic wellness studio in Chandler, AZ. Alia shares her journey into holistic health, how she discovered the healing power of natural therapies like halotherapy (salt therapy), and what inspired her and her husband to open Tinted Salt. Tune in to hear how she's helping people relax, recharge, and reconnect with their wellb...

This week, retired firefighter Steve shares his story of prescription drug dependency, recovery, and what it took to reclaim his life. The reality is that struggles like these are far more common in the first responder community than most people realize. That's exactly why we need to talk about them. The more we normalize these conversations, the more people we help. Listen now and share with...

In this episode, we sit down with Chad from Mental Joe to talk about the battles most people fight in silence. Chad opens up about his personal journey through trauma, mental health struggles, addiction, and the road to healing — turning pain into purpose along the way. Mental Joe is more than a brand. It’s a movement focused on breaking the stigma around mental health, creating conversations that...

We sit down with Alpha Responder and its founder, Kent Shelley, for a conversation centered around service, transition, and purpose. Drawing from his background in military police, Kent shares pieces of his journey and the experiences that shaped his mission to support others on similar paths. This is a conversation about perspective, resilience, and finding meaning beyond the uniform.

In this episode, Audra Weeks, Patrick, and Veronica have an open and honest conversation about trauma, healing, and the paths that don’t always get talked about. They explore alternative forms of therapy, including experiences with psilocybin and ayahuasca, sharing how those forms of therapy have shaped their perspectives and forced them to confront parts of themselves they might have otherwise av...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with the heart and soul behind Freedom Coffee Co. — a brand built on purpose, sacrifice, and remembrance. Located in Arizona City, Hope has created more than just a coffee company—she’s built a mission. Each bag of coffee honors fallen heroes, carrying their stories forward in a way that is both meaningful and deeply emotional. Her “why” is something you don’t...

Welcome back to the podcast, Jena Toscano . This conversation is powerful because it’s not just theory anymore… it’s proof. The equine program is doing exactly what it was designed to do. Real people are showing up, doing the work, and experiencing real change. Relationships are being repaired. Walls are coming down. People are starting to feel again, trust again, and reconnect with the people who...

What happens when the person trained to save everyone else needs saving? This week, we sit down with Mark , a retired Glendale Firefighter Paramedic who spent his career at the front lines of other people's worst days. Mark opens up with raw honesty about his personal battle with PTSD and the heavy toll of a life in emergency services. But this isn't just a story about the struggle—it’s...

This week on After The Call , the OG crew is back and absolutely unfiltered. Join Patrick, Veronica, Tori, and Josh as they dive headfirst into the current events shaking the first responder community — including the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two DPS troopers. It’s real talk about real loss, the weight the job carries, and the ripple effects these incidents have across the...

From the big cheese to “Forrest” 🐎 Veronica, CEO and one of the founders of After Watch Foundation, sits down to share her why and the road that led her here. This episode is raw and real. Veronica opens up about the tough realizations, the hard fights, and the moments that could have broken her but didn’t. She made it out alive, stronger, and more determined than ever. Now she’s focused on one t...

Some stories don’t just get told. They hit you right in the chest. Patrick Kreuzer, COO of After Watch, shares his why, the calls that never leave you, and what ultimately led him into retirement. He opens up about gut-wrenching moments that would stop most people in their tracks and how he still found a way to keep moving forward in life. This is not just a story about stepping away from the job....

Christy Perez recently retired after an incredible career as a 911 dispatcher in Tennessee, and she didn’t just do the job — she changed it for the better. Known for her leadership, heart, and relentless commitment to doing things the right way, Christy left her center as a true legend. In this episode, Christy pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to be a dispatcher. She shares unforget...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jorge Castro , a paramedic with over 30 years of service who has spent his career showing up for people on the worst days of their lives. From his early years with AMR to his current role with San Bernardino County Fire , Jorge has built a reputation that’s rare in emergency services: unwavering kindness, humility, and genuine compassion for every patient...

This week, we sit down with local firefighter-turned-paramedic Josh Grandinetti , who opens up about the injury that ended his fire career, the transition that followed, and the deep work he’s done to stay grounded through it all. Josh gets candid about trauma, coping, and what real mindfulness looks like in the life of a first responder. He’s so dialed in on helping others rise above their strugg...

On this episode of After the Call, we sit down with two of the coolest women in the game—Guided Journeys. They’re changing the lives of first responders every day through ketamine therapy, helping break cycles of trauma, depression, and burnout in ways traditional treatment often can’t. If you’ve ever wondered how ketamine therapy actually works, why it’s helping so many responders heal, or how to...

On today’s episode, we sit down with Jena Toscano. A horsewoman, healer, and the heart behind Toscano Farms’ partnership with After Watch Foundation. Jena shares the story of how she first connected with horses, the lessons they’ve taught her, and why these animals are uniquely powerful in helping first responders process trauma and recover from PTSD. From emotional regulation to rebuilding trust,...

Chris and Autumn Timmins are on a mission to change how first responders view, understand, and interact with autistic individuals. Through their nonprofit, Preston’s Pursuit, they train first responders to recognize the signs of autism, approach calls with compassion, and protect some of our most vulnerable community members. In this episode, they share the powerful story behind Preston’s Pursuit,...

On this episode, Kate from Bishops Mission opens up about her journey and it is a tear jerker in all the best ways. She shares how her dogs saved her life and helped her find her purpose. Bishops Mission is dedicated to showing agencies that care does not end once a service dog is placed. It continues throughout the dog’s entire career. Kate explains with so much heart that dogs carry a heavy load...

On this episode of After the Call , Patrick sits down with first responder wives to talk about what life is really like behind the badge, the uniform, and the chaos. They share the unfiltered truth about stress and why marrying a first responder should probably come with a manual. Patrick also opens up about something deeply personal… his alarming love for rice pudding. Which, honestly, might be t...

In this episode, we sit down with Marcos Perez , a former Detention Officer and current Police Officer who now owns Midwestern Meats in Mesa, Arizona. Marcos and his team are giving back in a big way this Thanksgiving by donating complete meals to first responder families in need. Marcos shares stories from his time as a Detention Officer, how he balances his time as a current police officer and b...

This episode will move you. Ty Doolittle began his journey as a Marine, then became a police officer serving years in the gang unit. He faced chaos, trauma, and the heavy weight that comes with protecting others. Through it all, his wife Karen stood by his side as he fought through PTSD and learned how to heal. Today, Ty and Karen run Serving First Responders , a lifeline for those who have spent...

In our first episode, the After Watch Foundation shares why we exist — to make sure no first responder faces their battles alone once the sirens fade.  We talk about how peer support, education, and community are changing the way departments approach mental wellness — and how After Watch is standing watch for those who’ve always answered the call. This is where healing begins. This is After Watch...