The First Responder Wellness Podcast

In this episode of The First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan sits down with Fred, a retired Los Angeles firefighter and Deputy Chief, to talk about 35 years in the fire service, the calls that stayed with him, and the cost of always trying to “stay strong.” Fred shares what it was like starting his fire career at Fire Station 9 on Skid Row, working some of the busiest assignments in Los An...

In this episode, Chris Logan sits down with Joel Edwards, CEO of First Responder Wellness, to talk about the story, mission, and heart behind FRW. Joel shares how his own recovery journey shaped the way he views treatment, why traditional treatment models often fall short, and how First Responder Wellness was built to provide a different kind of care for those who serve our communities. From build...

In this episode, we sit down with Devin O’Day to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes with first responders. PTSD, alcohol, burnout, and the moments that push people to the edge. This conversation goes deeper than awareness. We break down: - Why there’s never a “good time” to get help - What people are actually thinking in their darkest moments - The real barriers that keep people...

In this episode, we sit down with clinical experts to talk about why alcohol becomes such a common coping tool, especially for first responders. From nervous system overload to environmental triggers and learned patterns, this conversation breaks down what’s really happening beneath the surface. For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us: https://frhealth.com/...

Today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast, we sit down with John, who shares his story of living with depression after decades in law enforcement. For years, John built a career around strength, composure, and solving the worst days of other people’s lives. But privately, he was struggling. In this honest conversation, he talks about what depression really felt like, the pressure to always be...

Learn more or sign up: https://firstresponderhealth.foundation/ We’re running Ragnar, 200 miles from Coronado to Huntington Beach, to raise awareness for first responder mental health and suicide prevention. In this episode, First Responder Wellness CEO Joel Edwards sits down with host Chris Logan to explain what Ragnar is, why First Responder Wellness is doing it, and how you can get involved, wh...

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan sits down with Julie Cramer, FRW’s Compliance & Organizational Development Manager. Julie opens up about her path in law enforcement, a serious traffic collision that caused spine and head injuries, and how that incident ultimately ended her career. After finalizing a medical retirement in 2012, she describes a difficult seas...

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Mike shares his story with honesty and accountability, from working as a vice narcotics detective, to addiction, to crossing lines he never imagined he would cross. This is not a story about shock value or scandal. It’s a story about how addiction strips away choice, how quickly things can unravel, and why recovery requires truth, structure,...

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan sits down with Ryan Tillman to discuss the emotional, cultural, and psychological weight carried by first responders. Ryan shares his journey into law enforcement, the unseen trauma officers absorb from call to call, and how identity, culture, and public perception intersect with mental wellness in public safety. This conversatio...

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan talks with Tom Crewse, Retired Battalion Chief, program alumnus, and now an employee at First Responder Wellness. Tom shares what it looked like to grow up believing your value is tied to work, how that mindset shaped him in the fire service, and what it cost in life outside the job. He also opens up about the moment he finally h...

If you are a first responder, or you love someone who is, this story will hit home. In today's episode we talk about: The culture of "suck it up, keep moving, give me the keys and I'll do it right Why alcohol + PTSD is such a dangerous combination Why the opposite of addiction is really connection How gratitude, humility, and facing the pain became his way out What culturally compet...

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Chris Logan (Director of Clinical Operations at First Responder Wellness) sits down with Whitney and Adam from Open Water, an organization that uses paddleboards, outriggers, and time on the water to help first responders break out of isolation and reconnect with life. They talk about how the water is a “non-judgmental” space that doesn...

In this raw and honest interview, our guest opens up about his hidden battle with alcoholism, from secret drinking and denial to detoxing alone, hospitalization, and finally entering treatment at First Responder Wellness. He shares the moment he told his wife “I can’t stop drinking,” and what recovery has given back to his life, his family, and his purpose in law enforcement. This story is about h...

Today our host Chris Logan talks with retired Westminster PD officer Cord about the real toll of the job, the suicide of his first FTO, and how the tragedy pushed Cord into mental health advocacy. They cover identity beyond the badge, why "heroes don't ask for help" is deadly, peer support, and a push for annual, confidential wellness visits for police, fire, dispatch, and EMS. If y...

Rozzy's story is raw and real. From losing his dad to suicide at 11, to becoming a cop at 20, to taking in his 15-year-old nephew, he carried the weight for years without ever processing it.  Through hard work Rozzy found healing and a new purpose. Today, he is no longer defined by his past and he wants every first responder to know that asking for help isn't weakness, it's strength...

Today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast, we sit down with our very own Dr. Rose Maynard, PsyD, AMFT. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with advanced training in trauma-focused care and a deep passion for supporting first responders and their families. Coming from a family with a strong history of military and paramilitary service, Dr. Maynard's commitment to serving first...

Today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan (Director of Clinical Operations) sits down with Will, a former law enforcement officer and First Responder Wellness alumni. Will opens up about living as a high-functioning alcoholic, balancing the appearance of success with a hidden struggle, and the long journey to recovery.  In this powerful conversation, Will shares how denial and &qu...

Dr. Stephen Odom is the founder of First Responder Wellness and a nationally recognized behavioral health expert with over 30 years of experience in healthcare, psychology, and leadership. A licensed marriage and family therapist, Dr. Odom has led treatment programs across the country and advised hospitals, universities, and public safety agencies. His passion for serving first responders comes fr...