Ashlea Dillard

Sit Around the Fire

Health EN ↓ 61 episodes

Welcome to Sit Around the Fire — the space where stories ignite transformation. Hosted by a former first responder turned licensed professional counselor and certified hypnotherapist , this podcast blends real-life experiences , powerful teachings, and practical tools for mental and physical health . Each episode invites you to slow down, reflect, and find your spark again. Together, we explore mindfulness, stress management, trauma recovery, and PTSD healing — all through the lens of someone who’s lived it. You’ll hear raw conversations with first responders, veterans, and mental health exper...

Author

Ashlea Dillard

Episodes

#009 Pam Howes: Family, Flight, and Finding Balance 27.01.2025 52:38

Send us a text Pam's journey into emergency medical services started with an unplanned decision that blossomed into a nearly three-decade-long career. What began as a spontaneous leap into an EMT class has evolved into a remarkable life in EMS, from working with MedTrans Ambulance and Pride Mark Paramedics to soaring the skies as a flight nurse. Pam’s experiences offer a powerful narrative on the...

#008 "Hi. My name is Ashlea, and I am a recovering 'fawner.' 20.01.2025 43:22

Send us a text Unlock the mystery of the fawn response, a survival mechanism that might be influencing your relationships more than you realize. Can the art of appeasement be a hidden threat to your authenticity? Join us as we dissect how inviting a metaphorical lion to tea might be more than just a quirky metaphor—it’s a coping strategy that can lead to codependency and self-abandonment. This epi...

#007 The Fainting Goat: Freeze Response 13.01.2025 27:04

Send us a text What if the very mechanism meant to protect you could also hold you back? Join us as we unravel the intricate dance between the body's freeze response and functional freeze, vivid reflections of our physiological battle when faced with overwhelming stress and trauma. Picture a gazelle frozen under a predator's gaze—it's a vivid metaphor for how our own nervous systems react under th...

#006 The Ditirro's: Enduring Partnership: Balancing Fire Service Life, Family, and New Beginnings with LeAnne and Danny 07.01.2025 57:33

Send us a text 🔥Let's Be Friends https://www.facebook.com/share/1EjJ6tMtyk/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.instagram.com/sitaroundthefire.co?igsh=MTN2OTljNTNqYjJwaw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr https://www.tiktok.com/@sitaroundthefire.co?_t=ZP-8zNMiGL9hl8&_r=1

#005 Pete DePrez: Reframing Trauma, Mental Health, and Recovery 16.12.2024 1:33:09

Send us a text What if the heroes who rush toward danger need saving themselves? Join us as Pete, a former sheriff deputy, SWAT member, FTO, and fire arms instructor in Colorado, opens up about his arduous journey through trauma, mental health struggles, and recovery. With service spanning over a decade, Pete shares his deeply personal story, from a head injury at 18 months old to the relentless c...

#004 UFC Match: FIGHT: Attack before the threat attacks 11.12.2024 32:23

Send us a text Discover the hidden connections within your brain and how they shape your responses to stress and trauma. Ever wondered why certain situations trigger intense emotions out of nowhere? We explore the concept of emotional flashbacks and neurotags, revealing how past experiences intertwine with present triggers to ignite these powerful reactions. Through relatable scenarios, we explain...

#003 Protective Output: FLIGHT "Can I Escape?" 02.12.2024 40:08

Send us a text Unlock the secrets of your brain's survival instincts as we explore the protective outputs of the nervous system, focusing on the well-known responses of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. Learn how understanding these mechanisms can empower you to manage anxiety and improve your emotional regulation. We'll discuss how the amygdala, our brain's alarm system, sometimes triggers heighte...

#002 Mike Major: Embrace the Change: A Journey Through Stress, Healing, and Gratitude 24.11.2024 1:24:31

Send us a text What if the toughest battles are the ones we fight within ourselves? Retired firefighter and paramedic Michael Major joins us for a raw and insightful exploration into the emotional and psychological challenges faced by first responders. Having dedicated over 23 years to a high-stakes career, Michael opens up about how the pressures of his job affected his personal life, relationshi...

#001 Unlock the Secrets of Your Nervous System 19.11.2024 45:32

Send us a text Ever felt like your mind and body are playing a game of tug-of-war? Join us as we unravel the mysteries of mastering the nervous system, guided by personal stories and hands-on experiences with neurosomatics and applied neurology. Together with my co-host Winston, we promise to unlock the secrets of how the intricate dance between the brain and body can transform patterns of thought...

Get Excited for What's to Come.... 14.11.2024 5:09

Send us a text Tune in for a quick preview on what's to come with the Sit Around the Fire Podcast. I will be sharing a bit of my heart and the "why" behind this unique platform. I cannot wait to sit around the fire with you. Link to the website below! 🔥Let's Be Friends https://www.facebook.com/share/1EjJ6tMtyk/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.instagram.com/sitaroundthefire.co?igsh=MTN2OTljNTNqYjJwaw...

Sit Around the Fire Launches! 12.11.2024 0:53

Send us a text Get a preview of what is to come with the new Sit Around the Fire Podcast! 🔥Let's Be Friends https://www.facebook.com/share/1EjJ6tMtyk/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.instagram.com/sitaroundthefire.co?igsh=MTN2OTljNTNqYjJwaw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr https://www.tiktok.com/@sitaroundthefire.co?_t=ZP-8zNMiGL9hl8&_r=1