39 - Don't Forget Where you Came From with Marc Hill My guest today is Marc Hill Marc is a seasoned firefighter and paramedic who is best known as the author of "Two Dark Thirty.” We talk about what fire departments do and don't do to prepare rookies for the traumas they will face. We also talk about the responsibilities that leaders have to take care of the rank and file firefighters - "Don't forget where you came from." ABOUT THE GUEST Marc Hill is a seasoned firefighter and paramedic who is b...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 39
38 - When Cancer Hits Home with Vickie Speed Today is May 15th and its Peace Officers Memorial Day. So I think it’s appropriate that today’s podcast covers a topic that is sometimes not discussed among law enforcement and that is the subject of cancer. My guest today is Vickie Speed. As the CEO of Blue Cancer Connect, Vickie Speed is a dedicated advocate for law enforcement families affected by cancer. After losing her husband, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Detective Mitch Speed, to jo...
May 15, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 38
37 - Be the Calm in the Storm with AK Dozanti Being the calm in the storm is what first responders do. But when it comes to your own storm, that's another story! Today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast I talk with AK Dozanti a former Deputy Sheriff who talks about her own journey through PTS and depression and what's she's doing now to help other first responders. ABOUT THE GUEST As a former Deputy Sheriff, now First Responder Coach & Specialist, AK Dozanti helps First Responders learn...
May 08, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 37
36 - Supporting Police Officers in Baltimore County with Sgt. John Haddaway How does a large police department take care of its own? How do they make sure that officers are well, healthy and have the tools they need to thrive in their mental and physical well being? Today on the podcast my guest is Sergeant John Haddaway he is a 24 year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department. He currently serves as the Department's Peer Support and Wellness Manager. We talk about how his team supports...
May 01, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Kathy Sullivan is an artist on a mission to help first responders de-contaminate their brains. She is the co-founder of Ashes 2 A.R.T. that refers to Mindful Decontamination which addresses the need to mindfully decontaminate from a shift just as one would be required to physically decontaminate. Kathy launched this program a few years ago with the help of a northern Virginia Fire captain. Listen to this compelling conversation and see how you can begin to de-contaminate your brain. ABOUT THE GU...
Apr 24, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 35
First Responder Wellness Podcast - Special Edition Conrad Weaver, host of the First Responder Wellness Podcast gives his take on the 2024 FDIC convention and the "Wellness Center" at the Lucas Oil Stadium Experience at the conference. . . . +++++ FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIE Web site: https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: / ptsd911movie Facebook: / ptsd911movie YouTube: / @wellnesschannel4first Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd...
Apr 22, 2024•12 min
34 - Go Play in the Puddles with Ricardo Martinez Ricardo Martinez II has one of the biggest 9-1-1 related podcasts out there. He's the founder of the #IAM911 movement and the host of the Dare to be Great virtual events for 911 professionals, plus he loves to play in puddles with his kids. He's my guest today on the podcast... ABOUT THE GUEST Ricardo Martinez II is a creative individual who is using his skills in writing, design, and podcasting to tell the stories of those he works with. For 13 ...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 34
33 - An Unexpected Journey from Cop to Author with Scott Medlin Scott Medlin is a national speaker, five-time author, and the founder of L.E.O. Motivation LLC, is making waves with his transformative work showcased on the rapidly growing YouTube channel and podcast, “The 10 Code Mindset”. Beyond his impactful online and in-person presence, Scott is also featured in the award-winning documentary, “Is There Something Going on At Home?” Dedicated to empowering police officers and first responders a...
Apr 10, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 33
32- Some things I'm thinking about... Listen in as Conrad talks about the podcast, and what's next for the PTSD911 film and upcoming events. Spoiler alert for FDIC.... +++++ FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIE Web site: https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: http...
Apr 03, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 32
31- What Makes a Good Officer go Bad? with Marlon Marrache Why do some good cops go bad? What are the circumstances that cause this to happen? And how do these situations get prosecuted, and do agencies ever get it wrong? Tune in for my conversation with Marlon Marrache today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast and you'll hear answers to these questions a lot more. ABOUT MARLON MARRACHE Sergeant Marlon Marrache recently retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after 24 years of service...
Mar 27, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 31
30 - Raw Thoughts that Transform with Makenzie Tiegs MaKenzie Tiegs is a retired paramedic from Idaho and she’s the host of the raw thoughts podcast. Makenzie’s experience as a wildland firefighter/paramedic also played a role in her journey to where she is today. Join me in this deep and compelling conversation that I can only describe as raw… its kind of what you get when you’re talking with Makenzie. You’ll enjoy this conversation so stay tuned. Connect with Makenzie: https://rawthoughtspodca...
Mar 20, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 30
29 - Finding Purpose in Pain with James Starlin Jim Starlin is the CEO and founder of the Team Alpha Critical Incident Diffusion Unit (C.I.D.U.). Jim has a diverse background in about every aspect of the 1st response community in the his 40 years of service. He has quite a resume of experience as a Fire Fighter /Medic/ 911 Dispatcher / Corrections Officer / Air Medical Telecommunicator / Regional Emergency Manager and Disaster Response Mobile Field Hospital Team Leader Jim is now retired from se...
Mar 13, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 29
28 - W.A.I.T. Why am I Talking? With David Nathanson David Nathanson is a retired Marine who has commanded at every level, from platoon to regiment, including a combat logistics battalion during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He spent more than 30 years in the Marine Corps and we will hear how his life unraveled after his retirement, and how he’s working to put it back together AND help others who suffered in the same way. David Currently serves as the Executive Director for Eagle Oak Retreat, a nonpr...
Mar 06, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 28
27 - Behaviors and Mindsets become Contagious with Jason Mills On this special edition of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Jason Mills talks about his career as a firefighter/paramedic and a flight medic in central Maine and how this work led him into what he's doing now: helping his fellow first responders. Jason is also the founder and CEO of The Resilient Responder - training and consulting business designed to help teach our first responders how to build resiliency. His company also off...
Mar 04, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 27
26 - I didn't want to be a "Banquet Chaplain" with Jeffery Gallagher Rev. Jeffery Gallagher is a Chaplain for the Tolland Fire Department in Connecticut and he is the Lead Chaplain for the Connecticut State Police. When he was first considering becoming a chaplain, he told the fire chief that he wanted to be more than just the "banquet chaplain" who prays over the Christmas banquet. With no prior experience working with first responders he knew he needed some training and was able to take classe...
Feb 28, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 26
25 - FREE Mental Health Services for First Responders How does your city or agency deal with first responders with mental health issues? Are there programs, resources in place to help those who are struggling? Do they treat mental health issues just like a physical health issue? Dr. Mildred Betancourt saw an opportunity to make a difference for the first responders in the city of Irving, Texas. What she created should be a model for all cities to follow. Listen to this important conversation. AB...
Feb 21, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 25
24-What is Law Enforcement Chaplaincy? According to the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC), Chaplaincy offers one of the most impactful support available to law enforcement professionals. The ICPC raises the standard for training and supporting chaplains while they maintain an intentional focus on moral excellence, cutting-edge training, and effective communications to encourage every law enforcement agency to establish and maintain a powerful chaplaincy. Today on the podcast I ...
Feb 14, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 24
23-All in on helping first responders. With Darren Purcell Some first responders go their entire career and don’t realize how the job is impacting them. That's what happened with Darren Purcell. About nine months into his retirement, after 35 years of being a fire fighter and paramedic, the trauma of the job caught up with him. But Darren got help. Darren has turned his recovery into a personal mission to help as many first responders as he can. In 2023, with the help of his church, he launched ...
Feb 07, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 23
22-Are you losing your religion? - Jeremy Wade How do you reconcile your faith - whether you consider yourself a Christian or otherwise - and being a first responder? You’ve seen the darkest side of humanity, and have experienced loss within your own ranks with those who have given up hope. That’s the very thing that Jeremy Wade struggled with while he was an officer with the Seattle police department. Today on the podcast Jeremy talks about this struggle and how he was able to overcome this dic...
Jan 31, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 22
21 - Chasing Curiosity with Cassie Sexton Cassie Sexton spent a number of years as a first responder, first as a jail officer in her southern California community, and finally as a 911 dispatcher. But the job took a toll on her life. Stay tuned for her compelling story and as she shares a few of the things she did to get her health and wellness back to what it should be. ABOUT CASSIE SEXTON Originating from Southern California, Cassie Sexton possesses an extensive background in Law Enforcement, ...
Jan 24, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 21
How is your Peer Support Team doing? With Nik Fiorito Explore the world of PeerConnect, a groundbreaking tool designed to mobilize your Peer Support team. Picture this: your well-trained team is ready to provide the support they've been trained for, but perhaps they find themselves idly waiting for calls. How can you ensure that your peer support team is not only effective but also actively contributing to its intended purpose? Join us in this episode as we delve into a solution crafted by a dyn...
Jan 17, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 20
19 - Inspiring Firefighter Transforms Mental Health Support with Jeremy Fuller Meet Captain Jeremy Fuller, a seasoned firefighter with over two decades of experience. Fueled by a passion for the well-being of his colleagues at the Little Elm Fire Department in Texas, Captain Fuller, alongside Dr. Heather Twedell (Dr. T), spearheaded a groundbreaking wellness plan. In a strategic move, Captain Fuller successfully lobbied city leaders to allocate funds in their budget for mental health support, cr...
Jan 10, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 19
18 - Let's Change the Language with Dr. Phil Baquie Dr. Phil Baquie works with members of law enforcement and a number of "Three Letter Federal Agencies." His LinkedIn Bio says, "I teach warriors left of bang tactics to combat traumatic stress." He's my guest on the podcast today where we talk about changing the language of mental health when working with high level first responders. Tune in to learn more! ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Phil Baquie helps Law Enforcement, military personnel, and security co...
Jan 03, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Year-End Summary with Conrad Weaver Podcast host and filmmaker, Conrad Weaver gives a year-end summary and a sneak peek at what's on tap for 2024. Thank you to all who have been listening to the podcast, and a special thanks to all of the guests who've been on the show. I'm so grateful for everyone who has encouraged, supported, listened to, or shared this show. Let's go into the new year with renewed hope and anticipation of a great year! Be well, take care of yourself and those around you. Mer...
Dec 27, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 17
16 - What is a win? Join me on the podcast today as I chat with Kenny Schroeder, a firefighter and paramedic in Kentucky who is part of a regional peer support network. We delve into the importance of maintaining a healthy career as a first responder and what it means to achieve success in this field. While sports teams invest in their athletes to ensure victory, what is your agency doing to help you perform at your best? Let's explore how your life choices can impact your success as a first res...
Dec 20, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 16
15 - From Social Drinker to Problem Drinker with Tara Rivera This time of year can be especially stressful for many of us. And it’s sometimes easy to think that a drink will help us relax. But what do you do when that drink turns into a problem? Tara Rivera has worked as a Treatment Advocate for almost 7 years and has helped countless people begin their recovery journey. Tara is also an adjunct professor of addiction studies at Anna Maria College. In 2018 she began recording podcasts and hosts a...
Dec 13, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 15
14 - Wrist Lock with Jason Harney Jason Harney, a Gulf War Veteran and retired Police Sergeant turned Documentary Filmmaker, Producer, Director, Editor, and Writer is my guest on the podcast today! We talk about his films, and about Wrist Lock in detail. Wrist Lock is now included with the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit. His company has produced seven feature documentary films - “Vinnisms: The Story of the Cop Comedian” (Coming in 2024) - “Is There Something Going On At Home?” (2023) - “ W...
Dec 06, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Special Edition: Wellness in Ohio with Steve Click How does Ohio treat its first responders? Steve Click is the Director of the Office of First Responder Wellness at Ohio Department of Public Safety. Listen to my conversation with him as he talks about the program they offer for all first responders across the state. ABOUT STEVE CLICK Steven M. Click serves as the Director of First Responder Wellness for the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Office of Criminal Justice Services. Prior to his curr...
Nov 30, 2023•42 min
13 - Surviving Retirement with Dr. Medina Baumgart Today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Host, Conrad Weaver talks with Dr. Medina Baumgart about how retirement affects first responders and what to do about it. Dr. Baumgart has extensive experience working with sworn and civilian personnel in correctional and law enforcement agency settings. Her areas of interest include officer resilience, peer support, critical incidents, post-traumatic stress injuries, suicide, and law enforcement re...
Nov 29, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 13
12 - Smashing the Stigma with Keith Hanks Keith Hanks is a Former Firefighter and EMT, who retired in 2017 after 21 years of service. He has been an Advocate for PTSD and Mental illness awareness, suicide prevention, and breaking the stigma since 2015. Keith is currently working on first book about his own life and experience with PTSD. He has been a National speaker/podcast guest on the subject of PTSD, mental illness, substance/alcohol abuse and suicide awareness. Keith has participated in a n...
Nov 22, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 12
