The Fire Inside Podcast - Peer Support for the First Responder Community

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I talk with Chris Chavous who serves as the Founder and Chair of Support 1. Support 1 is a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit Organization with a specific focus; supporting our Emergency First Responders involved in critical incidents. Emergency First Responders consist of our Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, … 070 – Interview with Chris Chavous of Support 1 Rea...

***Trigger Warning*** In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I talk with (retired) Fire Captain Christy Warren about her career in the fire service and her story of retiring with PTSD. Christy is the host of the Firefighter Deconstructed Podcast.

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I have a conversation with Chaplain Stuart Blade of the Bloomington (IL) Fire Department.

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I share the second half of a presentation I made recently at the Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium in Chicago regarding why a personal faith is an extremely valuable tool in the mental health toolbox of first responders. If you missed the first half of this presentation, go back … 066 – Faith: An Important Tool in the Mental Health Toolbox – Par...

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I share half of a presentation I made recently at the Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium in Chicago regarding why a personal faith is an extremely valuable tool in the mental health toolbox of first responders.

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I talk with Wendy Lund about the value of compassion and gratitude. Wendy Lund is the CEO/Founder of Wellth Management Inc, an organization devoted to building wellness, psychological safety and resiliency proactively using evidence-based theory and interventions.  Her recent MSc in Mindfulness Studies and research investigating the experience of trauma i...

***Trigger Warning*** In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I have a conversation with Chris Fields. Chris Fields is a former member of the Oklahoma City Fire Department. Chris joined the fire department July 12, 1985 promoting through the ranks and retiring as a Major March 1, 2017. Chris was captured in a photo that … 063 – From Instant Fame to Ongoing Trauma – Interview with Chris Fields R...

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I interview Annette Zapp and Chris Marrella who will be presenting at the 2020 Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium in Chicago on February 20-21, 2020. Click HERE to register for the event! Annette Zapp: A 15-year veteran of the fire service, Annette Zapp holds the rank of Lieutenant on a busy suburban Chicago engine … 062 – Creating Mental Resilie...

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I interview Chuck Wehrli who will be one of the amazing presenters at the 2020 Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium in Chicago on February 20-21, 2020. Click HERE to register for the event! Captain Chuck Wehrli is a 4th generation Naperville Firefighter . He started his career as a volunteer from 1971 to 1977 were … 061 – Firefighter Cancer Awarene...

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I interview Joel Brier who will be one of the amazing presenters at the 2020 Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium in Chicago on February 20-21, 2020. Click HERE to register for the event! Joel began his career as a first responder in 1983 at Military Park Fire District in Palm Beach … 060 – First Responder Addiction Education – Interview with Joel...

***Trigger Warning*** In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I interview Brian Knowler who will be one of the amazing presenters at the 2020 Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium in Chicago on February 20-21, 2020. Click HERE to register for the event! Brian is a veteran police officer, retired lawyer, speaker, and author involved in the justice system since 1994. In 2004 … 059 – The Cap...

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I interview Dane and Alison Fienning who will be some of the amazing presenters at the 2020 Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium in Chicago on February 20-21, 2020. Click HERE to register for the event! This eager and passionate couple is focused on smashing the first responder mental health stigma. Alison is a … 058 – Triumph over Trauma – Intervi...

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I interview Dr. Deb Lindh who will be one of the amazing presenters at the 2020 Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium in Chicago on February 20-21, 2020. Click HERE to register for the event! Dr. Deb Lindh (Dr. Deb) is a PTSD Survivor-Warrior, Amazon Best Selling Author, Award-Winning Scholar Practitioner, and … 057 – Practical Mindfulness – Intervi...

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I interview Dr. Chuck Allen who will be one of the amazing presenters at the 2020 Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium in Chicago on February 20-21, 2020. Click HERE to register for the event! Dr. Chuck has been in the mental health field since 1972. He retired … 056 – Conflict and Anger Management in the Fire Station – Interview with Dr. Chuck All...

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I talk with Chief George Hyland of the Argonne Fire Department about a concept he's been developing as he approaches the end of his fire service career. You can email Cheif Hyland at Firelt189@gmail.com Here are the links for the two upcoming training events I mentioned and that I … 055 – Humility, Grace, and Mercy – Interview with Chief George Hyland Rea...

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I talk about one POWERFUL tool for developing and maintaining mental health and wellness. Here are the links for the two upcoming training events I mentioned and that I highly encourage you to be a part of: Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium – February 20-21, 2020 – Chicago, IL In … 054 – One Powerful Tool for Mental Wellness Read More »

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I share some big news about some upcoming changes that are taking place in my life. Here are the links for the two upcoming training events I mentioned and that I highly encourage you to be a part of: Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium – February 20-21, 2020 – Chicago, … 053 – There is a BIG Change Happening in My Life Read More »

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I share two upcoming training events that I highly encourage you to be a part of: Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium – February 20-21, 2020 – Chicago, IL In Honor of the Charleston 9 – Dr. David Griffin – December 7, 2019 – Sioux Falls, SD

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I share the following quote from T.E. Lawrence: "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open … 051 – Surrounded by Sleepwalkers Read More »

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I pose four questions that I believe have the power to transform your life! I am challenging anyone who listens to this episode to submit your answers to these questions in an email to me at jon@thefireinsidepodcast.com with the subject line MY BEST LIFE. I am committed … 050 – Am I Living My Best Life? Read More »

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I share a few lessons first responders can take away from the recent retirement press conference of Andrew Luck, an NFL quarterback who abruptly announced his retirement from professional football in order to pursue his own physical, mental, and emotional health.

Is there a negative behavior or habit in your life that is having a detrimental impact on your emotional/mental health? Would you like to learn how to replace that behavior/habit with a more positive one? In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I talk with Fitness and Nutrition Coach Annette Zapp about how we … 048 – How to Adopt Healthier Habits – Interview with Annette Zapp Read More »

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I talk with Colleen Murphy who serves as the Spouse Coordinator for the Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Team about how to have a strong and healthy marriage in the fire service. Here are the links to the resources Colleen mentions in the show: Mort Fertel (Marriage Max) … 047 – The Keys to a Strong Marriage in the Fire Service – Interview with Colleen M...

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I interview Blake Stinnett of NEXT RUNG about what his organization is doing to provide peer support and licensed counseling to the firefighting community. If you want to connect with NEXT RUNG check out the links below: 1-833-NXT-RUNG NEXT RUNG on Instagram NEXT RUNG on Facebook

In this episode of The Fire Inside Podcast I talk with Battalion Chief Dr. David Griffin of the Charleston Fire Department about his journey from the post-traumatic stress he experienced as a result of a fire that took the lives of 9 of his brothers back in June of 2007 to the post-traumatic growth he … 045 – From PTSD to PTG – Interview with Dr. David Griffin Read More »