Tell This Story

🔥 When tragedy strikes, some people crumble. Others rise. Marine veteran Jerry Shaffer identified a need and stepped into the gap with purpose by co-founding the Red Star Foundation—a nonprofit supporting the families of veterans and first responders who have died by suicide. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever served, loved someone who has, or simply wants to be part of the solut...

This is an interview from a YouTube that was done by my friend Thomas Sabo from Dana Safety. It was recorded on October 19, 2024, in a parking lot. Why in a parking lot? yer 19th? You'll have to read the book. Our conversation focused on mental fitness and resilience, particularly for law enforcement officers and military personnel. I am Doug White, a retired officer who wrote a book called &q...

🚒 Firefighter | Mental Health | Resilience | Leadership | Physical Fitness | First Responders In this powerful episode of Tell This Story , host Doug White sits down with former firefighter, paramedic, and podcast host James Geering to explore the mental and physical challenges faced by first responders. From firehouse culture to the impact of storytelling and the importance of fitness , they div...

In this powerful episode of Tell This Story, Doug White sits down with Danny Alvarez, a military veteran, attorney, and Florida State Representative, to explore service, leadership, mental health, and resilience. Danny shares his journey—from serving as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer to becoming a PAO for a law enforcement agency, attorney, and policymaker in the Florida House of Representatives. Hi...

Guest: Brianne Brown – U.S. Air Force Veteran & Central Florida Regional Programs Director, The Fire Watch 🔗 Website: www.thefirewatch.org Episode Summary: Veteran suicide is an ongoing crisis, but YOU can be part of the solution. In this special episode of Tell This Story , Brianne Brown shares her expertise on veteran suicide prevention, military transition struggles, and the power of commu...

The future of leadership in law enforcement is evolving. 🚔👊 In this episode of Tell This Story , Doug White sits down with Matt Davis to discuss the changing landscape of leadership in law enforcement —what’s working, what’s broken, and how empathy, trust, and authenticity are shaping the next generation of first responders. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ Why traditional leadership mode...

🔥 Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health & Resilience with Nick O’Kelly 🎖 What happens when high performance meets the hidden weight of mental health struggles? In this episode of Tell This Story , Doug White sits down with Nick O’Kelly —retired Green Beret and Night Stalker —to dive into the mental cost of elite military service , the stigma surrounding mental health in the veteran community, an...

🚒 Firefighter Syndrome is real. The mental and emotional toll on first responders is greater than we acknowledge. In this episode of Tell This Story , Doug White sits down with Jadie Miller , a seasoned firefighter, founder of PYROC , and a leading advocate for brain health in the fire service. They dive deep into the hidden struggles of firefighters , the reality of Firefighter Syndrome , and wh...

" From SEAL to Sleep Expert: Unlocking the Secrets of Sleep with Dr. Kirk Parsley" In this episode of Tell This Story , host Doug White sits down with Dr. Kirk Parsley—a former Navy SEAL turned renowned sleep expert—to uncover the transformative power of sleep. Together, they discuss SEAL Syndrome, the impact of sleep deprivation on performance and health, and the critical role of sleep...

In this episode of "Tell This Story," host Doug White engages in a profound conversation with Travis Gribble , a retired 24-year law enforcement veteran and founder of "My Arena." Travis shares his journey through high-stress situations, the pivotal 2016 incident that transformed his perspective on mental health, and his subsequent path to healing. They delve into the significance of resilience, t...

In this bonus episode of Tell This Story, host Doug White sits down with Dr. Jenn Byrne, Air Force veteran, occupational therapist, and co-founder of Shields & Stripes, to discuss her groundbreaking work in brain health and holistic care. Dr. Byrne dives into the unique challenges faced by service members and first responders, the critical need to change the stigma surrounding brain health, an...

eTMS Mind and Body In this episode of Tell This Story , Doug White sits down with Lena Grunloh, a dedicated physician assistant specializing in mental health care. Together, they explore the transformative effects of ETMS therapy for veterans and first responders. Lena shares her inspiring journey into medicine and delves into the science behind TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), EEGs, and t...

Summary: In this episode of Tell This Story , host Doug White engages in a profound conversation with Erin Jane, a former detective senior constable with the Victoria Police in Australia, crisis counselor, master certified life coach, and advocate for first responder mental health. Erin shares her journey from law enforcement to life coaching, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed care, cu...

Hiding in Plain Sight: A Journey of Healing with Pete Palm In this powerful and unscripted episode of Tell This Story , host Doug White sits down with guest Pete Palm for a heartfelt conversation exploring the profound themes of mental health, post-traumatic stress, and the unique challenges faced by first responders and law enforcement professionals. 💡 What You’ll Learn : How to view post-trauma...

In this episode of Tell This Story , we sit down with Dr. Chris Frueh, a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience working with military veterans and first responders. Dr. Frueh shares his journey into psychology, his work at the VA, and the challenges within the system.   He introduces his work and the concept of Operator Syndrome, delving into its physical and psychological impacts,...

Dr. Medina Baumgart: Navigating Mental Health, Retirement, and Resilience in Law Enforcement Summary: In this insightful episode of Tell This Story , Dr. Medina Baumgart, a board-certified police and public safety psychologist, shares her professional journey and personal experiences as the spouse of a retired law enforcement officer. Together, we explore the emotional and neurological changes fac...

In this thought-provoking episode of Tell the Story , Doug White sits down with Pete Palm, Live at the Cozy Coffee Cafe, to discuss the importance of resilience, leadership, and the impact of trauma on first responders. Together, they explore the concept of institutional betrayal and how it affects individuals and organizational culture. Key highlights include: Why trauma from institutional betray...

In this episode of "Tell This Story," host Doug White engages in a profound conversation with Chief Christopher Workman, a law enforcement veteran with over 23 years of experience and the current Chief of Police for the Town of Cheswold, Delaware. Chief Workman is a staunch advocate for mental health within the law enforcement community, having founded the DeepBlu Project and authored "Silence Beh...

🎙️ Episode Title : Trauma, Resilience, and Faith: A Conversation with Jason Palamara In this episode of Tell This Story , Doug sits down with Jason Palamara, a former law enforcement officer who has turned his experiences into a mission of healing and growth. Together, they explore the challenges faced by veterans and first responders, from grappling with trauma to navigating the transition to civ...

In this episode, Doug White speaks with Davin Cole, a retired lieutenant from the San Francisco Police Department, who shares his journey through a challenging law enforcement career marked by injury, addiction, and recovery. Davin discusses his early aspirations, the impact of a serious injury, the struggle with opioid addiction, and the pivotal moment that led to his arrest for robbing a pharmac...

In this conversation, Doug White and Pete Palm explore the critical themes of leadership, mental health, and resilience within the first responder community. They discuss the importance of being present, the challenges of navigating mental health issues, and the need for cultural competence in support systems. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of building a supportive community or 'tribe' a...

From small-town Missouri to the demanding world of law enforcement, Jess Flores's journey takes an unexpected turn. This episode of Tell This Story introduces Jess, a former law enforcement officer who transitioned into a mindset mentor and transition coach. Jess opens up about her experiences in policing, discussing the hardships, emotional burdens, and struggles with burnout. She emphasizes the...

Episode Title: Faith, Leadership, and Resilience: A Conversation with Pete Palm Episode Summary: In this powerful episode, Doug White sits down with Pete Palm, a veteran and first responder, to discuss the challenges of transitioning from a life of service to civilian life. Together, they explore the importance of faith, vulnerability, and mentorship in fostering resilience and personal growth. Pe...

Summary: In this episode, Doug interviews Felicia Pecora, a U.S. Army combat veteran and retired lieutenant from the Tampa Police Department. Felicia shares her incredible journey through law enforcement, detailing her experiences with critical incidents, the impact of trauma on her mental health, and her path to recovery. She emphasizes the importance of community engagement, the challenges of na...

In this conversation, Doug White, along with guests Thad King and Tyler Huckett, delves into the complexities of military service, the transition to civilian life, and the challenges faced by veterans and first responders. They discuss the unique experiences within the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the struggles of identity and purpose after service, and the importance of self-discov...