The Weight We Carry

Clinton Ewing shares his journey as a firefighter and paramedic. His early life experiences shaped his desire to serve in public safety. The impact of 9/11 was a significant motivator for his career choice. Teamwork is essential in emergency response situations. Early calls as an EMT were challenging and eye-opening. The emotional toll of witnessing trauma affects first responders. Mental health s...

Season 3 Finale Description:This Season 3 finale is a must-watch: Dennis Carradin issues a blunt, life-saving challenge on suicide prevention — especially for first responders and healthcare workers. With urgency and compassion, Dennis insists suicide is 100% preventable and shows how simple acts — a phone call, a conversation, a hug — can change the course of someone’s life. If you care about men...

In this powerful episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, Bart sits down with Dr. Keven McNeill — a seasoned first responder with nearly 30 years of experience, including firefighting, policing, and advocacy. Keven shares raw insights into the mental health struggles faced by first responders, his own battles with PTSD, and the journey to healing.✨ What you'll learn in this episode:Keven’s ins...

Life Behind the Radio — Jillian Hodges on Public Safety, Mental Health & ResilienceDescription:In this episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, Bart Heaney interviews 911 dispatcher Jillian Hodges about her 15-year career in dispatch, the toughest calls she’s faced, the deep bond between dispatchers and responders, and how public safety work impacts mental and physical health. Jillian shares ra...

🚑 The Weight We Carry: Mental Health, Peer Support & Healing in EMS | First Responders & Public SafetyIn this compelling episode of Weight We Carry, Bart Heaney and his wife Brittany chat with Hunter Burley, an EMT firefighter from North Carolina, about the emotional challenges faced by first responders. Hunter shares his journey from small-town EMS to urban emergency services, highlighti...

🚒 Welcome to the Weight We Carry Podcast, where we shine a light on the mental health challenges faced by first responders — firefighters, EMTs, and public safety heroes alike. In this powerful episode, Bart Heaney sits down with Richie Nye, a firefighter EMT with a journey rooted in family, loss, and resilience. Together, they explore mental health struggles like anxiety and depression, breaking...

Navigating Mental Health in Public Safety | Firefighter & Paramedic Mental Health Stories Welcome to The Weight We Carry podcast! In this impactful episode, firefighter-paramedic Taylor Leturgey shares his personal journey through the mental health challenges faced by first responders. Hosted by Bart Heaney, this conversation dives deep into the emotional impacts of critical incidents, PTSD, a...

🔥 Welcome to the latest episode of the Weight We Carry podcast! 🔥In this heartfelt, insightful episode, hosts Bart and Brittany Heaney sit down with *Paramedic Crew Chief Adam Studebaker* to dive deep into the realities of *mental health in first responders* and *emergency services**. Discover how personal loss can shape career paths, the importance of **support systems**, and practical **coping...

🔔 Subscribe now and join our mission to support mental health for first responders! 🔔In this impactful episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, host Bart Heaney sits down with Kelly Mendendorp, a dedicated social worker and volunteer firefighter, to discuss the vital topic of *mental health* in *first responders**. Kelly shares her inspiring journey from **firefighting* to *social work**, sheddin...

Summary In this episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, Keeley Williams-Johnson, a paramedic from New Orleans EMS and a former star of the show Nightwatch, shares her journey in public safety, the challenges of mental health, and the evolution of EMS. She discusses her experiences with PTSD, the impact of Hurricane Katrina, and the importance of self-care and support for first responders. Keeley e...

Summary In this episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, Bart Heaney speaks with Jacob Courtney, a paramedic from Tennessee, about the mental health challenges faced by first responders. Jacob shares his personal journey, including his childhood influences, early career experiences, and the impact of critical incidents on his mental health. They discuss the importance of vulnerability, the role of...

Summary In this episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, Bart and Brittany Heaney engage with members of the Pittsburgh Firefighters Peer Support Team, discussing the critical role of peer support in addressing mental health challenges faced by first responders. The conversation covers the differences between traditional mental health models and peer support, the importance of leadership in fosteri...

summaryIn this episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, hosts Brittany and Bart Heaney interview Dean Gladstone, a lifeguard and star of Bondi Rescue. Dean shares his journey through mental health challenges, including the impact of a brutal attack that left him with PTSD. He discusses the importance of support systems, the role of breathwork and cold therapy in recovery, and the significance of me...

Summary In this episode of The Weight We Carry Podcast, Bart Heaney and Brittany Heaney welcome Drew Antol, an EMT, to discuss his journey in emergency medical services and the mental health challenges faced by first responders. Drew shares his experiences from childhood, the impact of witnessing his father's health struggles, and the trauma he encountered during significant incidents in his caree...

summaryIn this episode of The Weight We Carry Podcast, host Bart Heaney and his wife Brittany interview Kaitlyn Bair, a first responder who shares her journey through the challenges of mental health and addiction. Kaitlyn discusses her upbringing in a family deeply rooted in emergency services, her early inspirations, and the pressures she faced. She candidly opens up about her struggles with alco...

mental health, first responders, dispatchers, trauma, PTSD, support, resources, Deborah Green, public safety, law enforcementsummaryIn this episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, Bart Heaney speaks with Deborah Green, a retired 911 dispatcher with nearly 30 years of experience. They discuss the mental health challenges faced by first responders, the importance of seeking help, and the impact of t...

keywordsmental health, first responders, 911 dispatcher, peer support, PTSD, crisis intervention, public safety, coping mechanisms, resilience, community supportsummaryIn this episode of the Weight We Carry Podcast, Bart Heaney and Abbie Ellis discuss the often unseen mental health challenges faced by first responders. Abbie shares her personal journey from growing up in Harmony, North Carolina, t...

Keywords: mental health, first responders, peer support, CISM, stress management, PTSD, compassion fatigue, emergency services, resilience, public safetytakeaways Mental health challenges are prevalent among first responders. Peer support and CISM are essential for emotional well-being. Stigma around mental health is decreasing but still present. Recognizing signs of distress is crucial for interv...

summaryIn this episode of the Weight We Carry Podcast, Bart Heaney speaks with Captain Norm Prycl from McCandless Franklin Park Emergency Medical Services Authority. Norm shares his journey in emergency services, discussing the challenges he faced as a young paramedic, the emotional toll of critical incidents, and the importance of mental health support for first responders. He emphasizes the need...

summaryIn this episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, Bart Heaney interviews Court Gordon, a young firefighter and 911 dispatcher, who shares his unique journey through childhood challenges, including living in a homeless shelter, the loss of a close friend, and his mental health struggles. Court emphasizes the importance of therapy, support systems, and mentorship in navigating the complexities...

Summary In this episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, hosts Brittany and Bart Heaney engage with Captain Holly Sherman, a paramedic field training officer from New Orleans EMS. The conversation delves into the mental health challenges faced by first responders, the unique pressures of working in a high-stress environment, and the importance of addressing mental health stigma within the community...

mental health, first responders, public safety, PTSD, leadership, training, resilience, coping strategies, community support, emotional well-beingsummaryIn this episode of The Weight We Carry Podcast, Bart and Brittany Heaney sit down with Scott Garing, Chief of Fire and Emergency Services for Cranberry Township. Scott shares his journey through public safety, the impact of his military service, a...

In this episode of the Weight We Carry Podcast, Bart Heaney speaks with Tyler Kelly, a paramedic and deputy chief, about his journey into public safety, the challenges faced by first responders, and the importance of mental health support. Tyler shares his experiences, including his first major call involving a pediatric cardiac arrest, the impact of losing a colleague in the line of duty, and the...

keywords mental health, first responders, substance abuse, recovery, podcast, firefighter, resilience, hope, trauma, support summary In this episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, Bart and Brittany Heaney sit down with Chris Cerci, a retired firefighter who shares his powerful journey through loss, addiction, and recovery. Chris opens up about the impact of losing his father at a young age, his s...

John Lucas has been in EMS and public safety since he was 15.Growing up in a public safety family influenced John's career choice. Mental health awareness in first responders has evolved significantly. Firefighters have more time to process calls compared to EMS.Memorable calls can have a lasting impact on first responders. Every call teaches valuable lessons about the job. Finding healthy escapes...