First Responder Wellness Podcast with Conrad Weaver

56 - It's OK to Stop and Rest In this episode, Ryan Dedmon shares his journey from being a police dispatcher to becoming an advocate for mental health and wellness among first responders. He discusses the impact of trauma, the importance of therapy, and the stigma surrounding mental health in public safety. Ryan emphasizes the need for balance in life, the significance of community support, and th...

55 - From Cop to Mental Health Advocate ABOUT THIS EPISODE In this conversation, Brad Shepherd shares his transformative journey from law enforcement to recovery advocacy. He discusses the spiritual and community aspects that influenced his path, the challenges of addiction, and the profound impact of 12-step programs. Brad emphasizes the importance of accountability, courage in seeking help, and...

54 - You Can't Lose if You Keep Showing Up   ABOUT THIS EPISODE Monica Crawford, founder of Five-0 Fierce and Fit, discusses her work as a nutrition and fitness coach for female first responders. She shares her own journey from law enforcement to entrepreneurship and the importance of creating resources to help first responders navigate toxic work environments. Monica emphasizes the significance o...

53 - Where are all the good leaders? ABOUT THIS EPISODE Today, my guest is Morgan Englund. He's a former actor turned paramedic and firefighter, and shares his experiences and insights on the challenges faced by first responders in terms of mental health and wellness. He discusses the toxic culture within the first responder community and the lack of support for mental health issues. Englund empha...

In this episode, Adam Davis, a former law enforcement officer, shares his journey of overcoming childhood trauma, addiction, and suicidal thoughts to find healing and purpose. He has written several books and speaks to first responders about finding hope and healing. His message of love and grace resonates with many, as he receives numerous messages and testimonials about the impact of his work. A...

In this conversation, Matthew (Matty) Fiorenza discusses his journey of recovery after the release of the PTSD911 documentary, his daily practices that support his mental health, and the launch of his nonprofit foundation aimed at helping first responders. He reflects on the importance of spiritual connection in his recovery and shares insights on the incremental changes that have led to his curre...

51 - How can I Overcome the Darkness? The Power of Faith and Authentic Leadership In this conversation, Host, Conrad Weaver interviews Jason Sautel, a former firefighter, about his experiences and struggles with mental health in the first responder community. They also discuss the role of faith in healing and the need for support systems within the fire service. The conversation touches on topics...

50 - What's the Most Important Issue in Policing? In this conversation, Chief Steve Dye discusses the challenges and importance of supporting and improving the wellness of police officers. He emphasizes the need for strong leadership, the impact of media portrayal on recruitment and retention, and the importance of self-responsibility and compliance in interactions with law enforcement. Chief Dye...

49 - Can I Rewire my Brain? A Protocol for Healing the Hero On this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Dan Jarvis discusses his work with Healing the Hero, a Christian faith-based ministry focused on healing PTSD, depression, and anxiety among first responders, veterans, and other individuals. He explains the protocol they use, which involves visual disassociation and rewiring the br...

48 - How to Remember the Heroes Who Die by Suicide? A monument for the Heroes. Karen Solomon, the president of FirstHelp, discusses the organization's mission to support first responder families after a suicide and provide prevention and resilience training. She shares her personal connection to the issue and how it led her to start the organization. Karen explains the stigma surrounding suicide i...

47 - Investing in Spiritual Well-being with Chad Depew ABOUT THIS EPISODE Chad Depew, a police chief in Southwest Ohio, discusses the importance of investing in the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of first responders. He shares his personal journey in law enforcement and the challenges he faced in terms of mental health and wellness. Chad emphasizes the need for first responders to prio...

46 - Coaching for Well-Being: A Proactive Approach for First Responders Jennifer Anderson, founder and CEO of First Responder Coaching, shares her personal experience as the spouse of a first responder who suffered a mental health break. She discusses the early signs she noticed and the challenges they faced in finding resources. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of proactive support and difficul...

45 - Collaborative Healing: Creating a Supportive Environment for First Responders Mark Bouchard, a Canadian police officer and current coordinator of the RCMP's National Tactical Medicine Program, discusses the importance of mental health support for first responders. He shares his personal journey of experiencing trauma and struggling with PTSD, and how he eventually sought help and took control...

We're on break, but in this episode, Host Conrad Weaver provides updates on the PTSD911 documentary and the First Responder Wellness Podcast. He announces the upcoming season of the podcast, featuring guests who are leaders in the First Responder community and are working on mental health and wellness initiatives. Conrad emphasizes the importance of self-care and encourages listeners to share thei...

From the Archives is our Summer Break Series of Podcasts that highlight some of the most listened to content from previous shows. What is Moral Injury? Today on the show we talk about the difference between moral injury and post traumatic stress disorder. And we learn about the things that first responders can do to help heal moral injuries.  ABOUT OUR GUEST Rita Nakashima Brock, Rel. M., M.A., Ph...

From the Archives is our Summer Break Series of Podcasts that highlight some of the most listened to content from previous shows.   Mark Meincke is the host of the popular Operation Tango Romeo podcast - The Trauma Recovery Podcast. Today he's my guest on the PTSD911 Presents Podcast; we talk in depth about trauma and it's effects on the human experience. TRIGGER WARNING: Some of the dialogue on t...

From the Archives is our Summer Break Series of Podcasts that highlight some of the most listened to content from previous shows. 22-Are you losing your religion? - Jeremy Wade Jeremy Wade, a former police officer, shares his journey of finding faith and wellness in the midst of the challenges of being a first responder. He discusses the early experiences that tested his resolve and faith, the tol...

From the Archives is our Summer Break Series of Podcasts that highlight some of the most listened to content from previous shows. Today we have Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman on the show. The episode first aired LIVE on YouTube on December 1, 2021. About Lt. Col. Dave Grossman Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is an internationally recognized scholar, author, soldier, and speaker who is one of the world’s foremos...

44 - Do it Like it's Your Last Shot with Brenda Lee In this conversation, Brenda Lee discusses the importance of emotional intelligence and self-care for first responders and high-level executives. She shares her personal journey of overcoming trauma and the need for self-reflection. Brenda emphasizes the significance of taking time for oneself and creating a morning routine. She also highlights t...

43 - Real Leadership Comes from Courage with Brandon Evans Brandon Evans, a firefighter and entrepreneur, shares his personal journey of overcoming trauma and burnout in the fire service. He discusses the challenges faced by first responders in terms of mental health and the lack of adequate training and support. Brandon conducted an international research study on the state of mental health withi...

42 - Overcoming Trauma Together with Scott McPherson Scott McPherson shares his experience as a firefighter EMT and Army infantry officer and discusses the importance of addressing the soul wounds of first responders. He explains that soul wounds are perceived or actual actions that transgress deeply held moral values, and they can result from critical incidents with unfavorable outcomes, betrayal...

41 - Healing Invisible Wounds with Russ Hanes What do you do when you’re a first responder and you're struggling and making bad decisions at work and you realize this is not working out for you?  That’s where Russ Hanes was at after 17 years of working in law enforcement, corrections, and 911 dispatch.  Fortunately for Russ, he was finally able eventually get his life together but it meant leaving...

40 - We are what we eat with Megan Lautz Today on the First Responder Wellness podcast I have a conversation with a nutritionist who talks about how our diet impacts our mental health, and really everything else about us. My guest is Megan Lautz. She is a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer on a mission to help first responders optimize performance, recover faster, and enjoy long, healthy re...

39 - Don't Forget Where you Came From with Marc Hill My guest today is Marc Hill  Marc is a seasoned firefighter and paramedic who is best known as the author of "Two Dark Thirty.” We talk about what fire departments do and don't do to prepare rookies for the traumas they will face. We also talk about the responsibilities that leaders have to take care of the rank and file firefighters - "Don't fo...

38 - When Cancer Hits Home with Vickie Speed Today is May 15th and its Peace Officers Memorial Day. So I think it’s appropriate that today’s podcast covers a topic that is sometimes not discussed among law enforcement and that is the subject of cancer.  My guest today is Vickie Speed. As the CEO of Blue Cancer Connect, Vickie Speed is a dedicated advocate for law enforcement families affected by c...