The Things We All Carry

Episode 123: Overcoming Traumas with Firefighter Author Jim Burneka Join us on the latest episode of 'The Things We All Carry' podcast. In episode 123, Stack discusses the importance of self-care amidst chaotic times, emphasizing mindfulness, exercise, proper nutrition, and mental health support. This week's guest is retired firefighter and author Jim Burneka, who shares his journey in the fire se...

Welcome back to The Things We All Carry podcast! In episode 122, join us for an inspiring conversation with Rob Garnett, the Managing Director of One More Wave and former Navy SEAL. This episode delves into Rob's personal journey—from his extensive military career to his impactful work in supporting disabled veterans through surf therapy. Learn about the mission and values of One More Wave, an org...

In this episode of 'The Things We All Carry,' we continue our insightful conversation with Alex from Emergency Resilience. Join us as we delve into Alex's personal and professional experiences with ketamine, discussing its potential benefits for first responders, veterans, and active-duty military. We explore the importance of mental health, the use of alternative therapies like psychedelics, and...

Welcome to Episode 120 of "The Things We All Carry". This week we delve into a thought-provoking conversation with Alex, also known as Emergency Resilience on Instagram and TikTok. Alex brings a wealth of experience as a paramedic and continuing education coordinator, but our discussion goes beyond her professional roles. We explore her personal journey with ketamine, discussing what it entails, w...

Welcome to Episode 119 of "The Things We All Carry." Today marks the continuation of our conversation with Eric, a seasoned firefighter, former paramedic, and emerging standup comedian. As I mentioned last week, Eric's journey spans nearly 25 years in the firefighting profession, alongside 17 years of marriage and the joys of fatherhood to a teenage daughter. Through his comedic endeavors, Eric ha...

Welcome to Episode 118 of "The Things We All Carry." Today, I'm excited to introduce Eric from central Florida. With nearly 25 years in the firefighting profession, Eric's journey has been marked by dedication and resilience. A former paramedic, he's been married for 17 years and is a proud father to a teenage daughter. However, amidst the challenges of the job, Eric found solace in humor. Transfo...

Welcome to Episode 117 of "The Things We All Carry." This week, we have Jake from Houston joining us. Jake's journey began when he reached out to me on TikTok, and after a few attempts to connect, we decided to dive into his story blindly. As Jake shares his experiences, I'm learning about them in real-time, making this a unique and spontaneous conversation. With 17 years of service under his belt...

Welcome to Episode 116 of "The Things We All Carry." Today, I'm joined by John Talin from Massachusetts. John, a Lieutenant and paramedic at Hyannis Fire, contacted me through Mike Nasti at the Tip of the Spear Leadership Podcast, and Mike couldn't have been more right in recommending him for the show. With 24 years in the fire service, John has a wealth of experience. He also served as a former c...

Welcome to Episode 115 of "The Things We All Carry." Today, we're joined by Cody, who reached out to us through Stephen Sims from Episode 102 and 106. Cody's journey begins in Houston, where he served as a firefighter for five years at Station 55. Amidst the pressures of the job, including traumatic calls and systemic issues within the department, Cody faced additional challenges such as low pay,...

Welcome to Episode 114 of "The Things We All Carry." Today, we have a special episode featuring Joey from Conscious Movements and TJ from the Keep the Promise Podcast. Both Joey and TJ have previously shared their stories on the show, with Joey most recently in Episode 107 and TJ featured in several episodes since the beginning. This episode centers around the topic of leaving the fire service, ex...

Welcome to Episode 113 of "The Things We All Carry." Today, we're joined by Kyler, an advanced EMT from central Utah with a unique and powerful story to share. Kyler's journey unfolds from his experiences within the Latter-Day Saints Church to the devastating loss of his mother to suicide at the age of 18. As a volunteer firefighter and EMT, Kyler has encountered multiple suicides on the job, conf...

Welcome to Episode 112 of "The Things We All Carry." This week, we are privileged to have Dr. Glenn Landry as our guest. Dr. Landry is a renowned sleep expert and authority on circadian rhythms, with over 30 years of experience in the field. Based out of Vancouver, Canada, Dr. Landry is the founder of Elite Sleep, a company dedicated to helping individuals optimize their sleep quality and overcome...

Welcome to Episode 111 of "The Things We All Carry." Today, we have a deeply important conversation with Tara Lorens from North Dakota. Tara's story is one of immense courage and resilience in the face of tragedy. After the devastating loss of her husband, Doug, to suicide, Tara has been left grappling with financial uncertainty and legal complications. She discovered that she lacks ownership of t...

Welcome to Episode 110 of "The Things We All Carry," where this week, Stack presents a special roundtable discussion featuring four former guests. Tyler from Wisconsin (Episode 37), Ian (Episode 39), Bryan (Episodes 55, 56, 57, and 58), and Mike (Episode 75), all from Virginia join together to delve deeper into their stories and experiences. In this candid and heartfelt conversation, these courage...

In this Episode Zach, a military veteran and full-time firefighter from a small farm community in Ohio, opens up about his life and personal struggles. He speaks about the guilt he carries following a friend's suicide in 2014, traumatic incidents involving children he's witnessed as a paramedic matching in age to his own son, and the significant psychological impact of a false accusation of sexual...

Welcome to Episode 108 of "The Things We All Carry," where each episode offers a unique perspective on personal growth and transformation. In this installment, Stack sits down with Jason Warn, the owner-operator of Mindfulness Medic, a lifestyle, mindset, and wellness brand. Jason shares his inspiring journey of overcoming obstacles and transforming his life through the implementation of his six p...

Welcome to Episode 107 of "The Things We All Carry." In this insightful episode, we sit down with Joey, a former firefighter paramedic from Florida who spent 12 years serving in Panama City Beach. Joey shares his journey of grappling with PTSD and transitioning out of the fire service about two and a half years ago. This conversation delves into Joey's experiences navigating life beyond the fire s...

Welcome to Episode 106 of "The Things We All Carry." Today, we're joined by Travis, a dedicated firefighter EMT from Johnson County, Kansas, whose journey is as inspiring as it is insightful. Travis shares candidly about his path to the fire service, from his tumultuous teenage years to his commitment to serving his community. With five years as a career firefighter and a previous stint as a volun...

Welcome back to "The Things We All Carry," and brace yourselves for a surprise episode drop on an unexpected day. Today, I deviate from the usual schedule to present a conversation that stands out on its own merit. In this episode, I sit down with Steven Sims, a seasoned firefighter hailing from Houston, Texas. With over a decade of experience in the fire service, Steven brings a unique perspectiv...

Welcome to Episode 104 of "The Things We All Carry," where we embark on a poignant exploration of hospice care, end-of-life transitions, and the invaluable guidance provided by our guest, Julie McFadden, famously known as Hospice Nurse Julie. In this deeply personal episode, the host reflects on a pivotal moment during his mother's end-of-life journey, where Julie's expertise provided clarity and...

Welcome to Episode 103 of "The Things We All Carry." In this installment, we delve into a personal journey intertwined with friendship, resilience, and the profound impact of life's experiences. The episode opens with a nostalgic reflection on camaraderie as the host recounts cherished memories of concert escapades with a close friend, Mark. Their shared adventures traversing cities, attending sho...

Welcome to Episode 102 of "The Things We All Carry." In this installment, the host engages in a captivating conversation with Stephen Sims, a seasoned firefighter with a unique life story. Known as TXsickboy on Instagram or unklesims on Instagram, Stephen his journey through the fire service since 2007. Stephen currently serving as the ladder chauffeur at station 55 in Houston, opens up about a pr...

Welcome to Episode 101 of "The Things We All Carry." Today, we're diving into a crucial aspect of our lives—one that many of us carry but often find challenging to explore. I'm thrilled to welcome back Destiny Morris, a licensed marriage and family therapist from California, specializing in the unique challenges faced by first responders, their spouses, and relationships. In her practice, Destiny...

Welcome to a milestone episode, folks! This is Episode 100 of "The Things We All Carry." Today, we have an incredibly special guest with us, none other than Ben Vernon, a Fire Captain hailing from the heart of San Diego. Ben's journey is nothing short of remarkable; he's devoted nearly two decades to the fire service, experiencing both the world of career firefighting and volunteer work. In this g...

Episode 99 iwith Chris Bowers…Director of Programs  withLeashes of Valor. Leashes of Valor is a non-profit in Fredericksburg, Virginia that trains service dogs for post-9/11 veterans. These highly trained dogs help veterans who have experienced PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, or Military Sexual Trauma.  Chris joined the show to share his story and give us the background about the organization. You c...