First Responder Wellness Podcast with Conrad Weaver

Episode Summary In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver talks with Ashley Jones — a seasoned police officer and empowerment coach — as she shares her deeply personal journey through law enforcement and mental health challenges faced by first responders. Ashley opens up about the illusion of brotherhood in the field, the critical need for vulnerability training, and t...

🧠 Episode Summary In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast LIVE, host Conrad Weaver is joined by Dr. Heather Twedell, widely known as “Dr. T,” a leading psychologist specializing in first responder mental health and wellness. Dr. T shares her deeply personal connection to the first responder community, the origin story of her organization F1RST, and h...

📝 Episode Summary In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Allen Williford to discuss Paddling for Pennies, an inspiring initiative that raises funds for first responders and their families. Allen shares the origins of this 193-mile endurance paddle and the mental and physical challenges it brings. Together, they dive into the critical importance...

Episode Summary In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with veteran officer Tony Godwin from the Garland Police Department. With over 31 years of experience, Tony specializes in internet crimes against children, working tirelessly to protect vulnerable populations. They discuss: The challenges of investigating child exploitation and human trafficking...

72 - Turning Tragedy into Hope for First Responders with Linda Kokoros Episode Summary: In this deeply moving episode, Linda Kokoros shares her personal journey as a first responder family member navigating grief after the tragic loss of her son, Alex, to suicide. She sheds light on the mental health challenges faced by first responders, the lack of support within law enforcement, and the crucial...

71 - How to Create a Culture of Wellness with Chief Neil Gang This is from the First Responder Wellness Podcast LIVE event we hosted on February 21. 🎧 First Responder Wellness Podcast 📅 Episode 71 | February 25, 2025 🎙 Host: Conrad Weaver 🎙 Guest: Chief Neil Gang Episode Overview In this special episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Chief Neil Gang, f...

Register for the LIVE Events here: https://mailchi.mp/ptsd911movie/first-responder-wellness-podcast-live 70 - Searching for Answers with Liz Pol Episode Summary In this powerful episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, we sit down with Liz Pol, a Chicago police officer with 21 years of service and a mental health professional specializing in forensic psychology. Liz shares her deep experti...

69 - I was the Angry Dispatcher - Adam Timm Episode Summary In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver speaks with Adam Timm about the mental health challenges faced by 911 dispatchers and first responders. Adam, who spent 20 years in 911 dispatch, shares his personal journey of transformation through mindfulness and stress reduction techniques. He reflects on the...

68 - Talking About it is Therapy - With Mike Bergin   Episode Summary In this powerful episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Mike Bergin opens up about the mental health challenges he faced throughout his career in law enforcement, including the profound impact of a police-involved shooting. He discusses the stigma that often prevents first responders from seeking help and how public sp...

Episode Summary:
 In this powerful and emotional episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Christy Lister, the former wife of a police officer who tragically took his own life in 2019. Christy shares her personal journey of navigating life after loss, the challenges faced by first responder families, and the critical need for mental health support within la...

From Dispatcher to Chaplain: Brandi Powell is on a Mission Episode Summary In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, we welcome Brandi Powell, a seasoned professional with 15 years of 911 dispatch experience and 12 years of ministerial work. Brandi shares her journey from being on the frontlines of emergency response to becoming a certified Law Enforcement Chaplain. She sheds light...

SPECIAL EDITION: Wellness on the Front Lines of the California Fires Matty Fiorenza is on the front lines of the California Fires working with first responders.   In times of need, we often see the true heroes among us! As we watch the brave first responders in action, I feel grateful for their courage and strength. Many families including the firefighters that continue to work, have lost their ho...

REGISTER FOR THE LIVE EVENT 65 - Self-Care Strategies with Dr. Kimberly Miller   Episode Overview In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Kimberly Miller joins Conrad Weaver to share her inspiring journey into psychology and her deep insights into mental health, addiction, and the role of mindset in overcoming life’s challenges. Together, they explore the importance of serving others while maintain...

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for the First Responder Wellness Podcast LIVE event on January 31, 2025 12:00PM EST. On Trauma: A Conversation with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman 🔑 Episode Overview In this powerful and insightful episode, host Conrad Weaver welcomes back Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, a retired Army Ranger, psychologist, and world-renowned author of On Killing and On Combat. With decades of experience t...

Reflecting on 2024: Milestones, Gratitude, and Big Plans for 2025 In this New Year’s special episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver reflects on the achievements of 2024 and shares exciting plans for 2025. Key Highlights from 2024: PTSD911 Documentary: 21 in-person screenings across the U.S., totaling 56 events over two years. 139 agencies are now using the PTSD911 Docu...

Episode Title: Merry Christmas & The Gift of Presence Podcast: First Responder Wellness Podcast Release Date: December 25, 2024 Episode Summary In this heartfelt holiday episode, host Conrad Weaver takes a moment to wish all listeners a Merry Christmas and shares a powerful message on the importance of being present during the holiday season. Acknowledging the sacrifices made by first responde...

63 - Budget. Budget. Budget. A plan for financial wellness with Nick Daugherty the Financial Cop In this conversation, Nick Daugherty shares his journey from being $80,000 in debt as a law enforcement officer to becoming a financial wellness advocate for first responders. He discusses the importance of financial education, the debt snowball method, and budgeting strategies that can help individual...

62 - Is Your Check Engine Light On? - Dr. Brooke Bartlett In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Dr. Brooke Bartlett emphasizes the interconnectedness of mental and physical health, sharing insights from her research on trauma and its effects on the brain and body. She highlights the importance of sleep for emotional processing and provides practical tips for improving sleep hygi...

61 - Is a 24/72 Hour Schedule the Answer? - James Geering In this episode, James Geering shares his journey from aspiring firefighter to first responder, discussing the motivations behind his career choice and the impact of childhood experiences on his path. He emphasizes the importance of mental health support for first responders, the role of community in healing, and the challenges of PTSD. Gee...

THANKSGIVING SPECIAL - A message from all of us at PTSD911 Thank you for your support of the PTSD911 film and the First Responder Wellness Podcast!   Today Matty, Elizabeth, Desiree, and Todd join me for a special THANK YOU to all of you!   +++++ FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST Web site:   https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook....

This is a special edition of the First Responder Wellness Podcast. In this conversation, Jeff Dill, founder of the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, discusses the alarming rise in firefighter suicides, sharing personal insights and data from his organization. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying causes, particularly the impact of relationships and moral injury. Jeff a...

60 - What can a horse do for you? Have you ever asked yourself this question? In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver interviews Elizabeth Tate, a pastoral counselor and equine therapy practitioner. Elizabeth shares her journey into the field of equine therapy, highlighting the profound impact horses have on the healing process for veterans and first responders. The...

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chloe shares her journey from working in professional sports to becoming a registered dietitian focused on nutrition for first responders. She discusses the unique challenges faced by first responders, including irregular eating patterns, stress, and the impact of caffeine and hydration on their health. Chloe emphasizes the importance of nut...

58 - How Full is Your Trashcan? - Meagan McCarthy   It's a strange question to ask... but you'll understand once you take a listen to my conversation with Meagan McCarthy. In this episode, Meagan shares her harrowing experience as a deputy sheriff involved in a critical incident that changed her life. She discusses the physical and mental health challenges she faced following the incident, includi...

57 - I Can't Give, What I Don't Have - Barbara Crump In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver speaks with Barbara Crump, a licensed professional counselor and ketamine-assisted psychotherapist, about the unique mental health challenges faced by first responders and veterans. They discuss the impact of childhood trauma, the importance of therapy, and various thera...