Tales from the Tailboard Podcast

Most first responders and veterans hide their trauma behind dark humor and emotional shutdowns, unknowingly making things worse. Join trauma therapist Melissa Carr as she reveals how these survival tactics can deepen suffering without proper support. Discover how chronic trauma rewires the brain, affecting both work and personal life. Learn about common mental health myths, the role of humor as a...

Most fire, police, and medical personnel feel unheard — but what if your words could save lives long after the call? Firefighter and chaplain Chris Cottle reveals how authentic compassion, small acts of kindness, and vulnerability can prevent tragedy and foster true brotherhood. In a heartfelt conversation, Chris shares how his personal trauma shaped his calling, the power of genuine connection, a...

Most aviation and emergency response mishaps happen not in the air or on the scene — but on the ground. In this eye-opening episode, Isaac Poteet and Sheridan Rhine dissect shocking real-life incidents that expose critical communication failures, overlooked safety protocols, and tragic consequences in emergency services and aviation. From a harrowing LaGuardia runway collision involving a fire tru...

Most first responders reach a breaking point long before they realize it—and Cody Mecham’s raw, unfiltered story of trauma, resilience, and redemption will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by the weight of saving lives. From childhood fire station dreams to fighting PTSD after losing friends and struggling with his own mental health, Cody’s journey is a powerful reminder that heali...

Most first responders hide their dark humor because they know it’s a survival mechanism, not a sign of not caring. But what if embracing that humor could pave the way for mental resilience and open honest conversations? In this episode, Adam Polkinghorn, a veteran EMT, paramedic, and nurse, shares raw insights from nearly two decades in high-stakes healthcare. He reveals how the chaos of the job s...

Most firefighters are risking everything every time they step into a burning building, but what does true risk management look like when your department is all volunteer, underfunded, and chaotic? Sheridan Ryan, a 12-year veteran and leader in both fire and EMS, shares raw stories of life-and-death decisions, leadership at a young age, and how to lead with integrity through chaos and tragedy. In t...

Most emergency responses are rushed, chaotic, and often lack the precise tools needed when seconds count. Dr. Peter Antevy, a board-certified pediatric emergency physician and EMS medical director, reveals the groundbreaking system he created, Handtevy, that’s transforming how first responders deliver pediatric care in the field. Discover how this innovative tool addresses the deadly gap between s...

Sometimes, the most powerful mental health stories come from those who've faced unimaginable loss—and use that pain to drive change. Isaac Poteet shares his raw, unfiltered journey through grief—losing his son, father, brother, and mother—all in just a few years—and how those experiences ignited his mission to break the stigma around mental health in EMS and firefighting. In this compelling ep...

What happens when everything is finally quiet… and your brain doesn’t shut off? In this solo episode of Tales from the Tailboard Podcast , Isaac talks through a moment that felt small at first, but revealed something much deeper — becoming aware of his own thinking while laying in bed, and realizing how often high-stress minds rehearse, anticipate, and stay “on duty” even when there’s no call, no...

28 years in EMS changes how you see the job. In this episode of Tales from the Tailboard Podcast , Isaac sits down with Brian Collins — veteran paramedic, instructor, assistant training coordinator, and human trafficking awareness advocate — for a real conversation about what experience teaches that textbooks can’t. From starting his career in New York City to training providers across the Carolin...

Chrissy Gibas is a retired law enforcement officer, former dispatcher, and first responder peer support advocate. In this episode, Chrissy shares her experience surviving an inmate assault, navigating threats during an FBI investigation, losing trust within her own department, and living with long-term PTSD. We talk about moral injury, silence within the system, compounded trauma, grief, and how s...

Charlie Vellman is an ER nurse with 18 years of experience and the voice behind My Nurse Friend . In this episode, we talk emergency medicine, MICU lessons, burnout, teaching, and how a TikTok Live turned into a real community for healthcare workers. This is a no-bullshit conversation about why the ER is harder than ever—and why some of us still can’t walk away from it. Sponsor: End of Shift Appar...

Captain Ben Hammond joins Isaac on Tales from the Tailboard Podcast to discuss fire service culture, leadership, and mental health from both the career and volunteer perspectives. From rookie expectations and earning your place to kitchen table culture and processing traumatic calls, this conversation delivers real-world insight every firefighter needs to hear. Quick shoutout to End of Shift Appar...

In episode 14 of the TFTT Podcast, host Isaac Poteet and guest Dennis Carradin Jr., a trauma therapist and founder of the Trauma Survivors Foundation, discuss the unique challenges faced by first responders and healthcare workers. Dennis shares his journey from volunteering in the fire service to becoming a trauma specialist, emphasizing the importance of empathy and compassion in EMS. He highligh...

Former paramedic turned EMS defense attorney David Givot joins Tales from the Tailboard to break down the legal realities EMS providers face every day. From abandonment and refusal of care to Good Samaritan laws, AI PCRs, and body cameras, David explains what actually protects your license—and what can end a career fast. This is a must-listen episode for EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and students who...

In Episode 12 of Tales from the Tailboard Podcast, Isaac Poteet talks with firefighter-paramedic Josh Forbis of the Through the Smoke Podcast. They break down fire vs EMS separation, staffing shortages, seniority myths, Mayday realities, training fundamentals, and the hard truths about fitness and accountability in the fire service. A no-BS conversation about culture, competence, and doing the job...

Is EMS headed for collapse? Nurse Andrea Law, an RN in Las Vegas who currently works in home health, joins Isaac Poteet to break down what’s pushing 911 toward the edge: pay vs demand, mandatory overtime, reimbursement problems, hospital overcrowding, rushed discharges, and the growing strain on patient handoffs between EMS and the ER. We also talk culture, why misunderstanding and disrespect crea...

Gary is an ER nurse, former EMT, and the host of Beyond the Call Light. His career spans prehospital care, emergency nursing, broadcasting, and volunteer service — all driven by one thing: helping people where they are, when they need it most. In this episode, Gary shares his journey from working as an EMT to stepping away from first response, becoming a radio host and broadcaster, and ultimately...

Craig Evans, known across social media as The Paramedic Professor, is a 30-year Lieutenant/Paramedic, educator, and lifelong student of the craft. He joins the show to talk about identity in EMS, leadership, culture, training, fire/EMS integration, survival mindset, and why the profession desperately needs people willing to tell the truth — even when it pisses people off. Craig’s experience runs d...

Richard “The Broken Responder” is a veteran, former police officer, and mental health advocate. He joins Isaac Poteet on Tales from the Tailboard Podcast to talk about his journey through military service, law enforcement, trauma, and rebuilding purpose after the uniform. Richard shares the reality of two officer-involved shootings, how therapy and medication became part of his healing process, an...

In this episode, I sit down with Paramedic AF, a fellow first responder, educator, and entrepreneur who’s reshaping what it means to serve with passion. We go deep into EMS culture, leadership, and the difference between should and should not in the world of emergency medicine. This one’s for every EMT, firefighter, and medic who’s ever questioned why things are done the way they are — and what re...

Tales from the Tailboard Podcast - Episode 6: The Mental Health MedicIn this episode, I sit down with Cameron, known as The Mental Health Medic, to have one of the most honest conversations yet about mental health in the fire and EMS world. We dive deep into what it means to take care of ourselves and each other after critical incidents, the reality of how our system handles mental health, and why...

In this episode of Tales from the Tailboard Podcast, host Isaac Poteet sits down with Austin Bowman, better known as Firefighter1423 on TikTok. Austin brings 16 years of experience to the table , 10 years as a volunteer and 6 years as a career firefighter/EMT. With a strong background in technical rescue disciplines and frontline emergency response, Austin shares his journey into the fire service,...

Join us as we welcome Michael Deal, former fire captain of York County, South Carolina, on this episode titled 'From Rookie to Road Boss.' Recorded live on TikTok, this podcast offers insights into his career journey and experiences. Don't miss this engaging conversation!

Episode 3 of the Tales from the Tailboard Podcast features Scot Smith, a captain with 20 years of experience in the volunteer fire service, as we dive into the crucial topic of volunteer firefighter retention. Join us for an insightful conversation exploring the challenges and potential solutions for keeping dedicated volunteers engaged and committed to their vital roles.