Today on the podcast I have a conversation with Kenny Schroeder. Kenny is a firefighter and paramedic down in Kentucky, and he’s a part of a regional peer support network.  We talk about what it takes to have a health career as a firefighter and what it means to win as a first responder. Sports teams spend a lot of money on their athletes to help them be there best so they can win.  What is your agency doing to help you be able to perform at your very best? Are the life choices you’re making enabling you to achieve the win?  These are some of the topics we discuss today on the podcast… so stay tuned.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What does it take to create a wellness program for 8,000+ employees? That’s what Mike Ming was tasked to do a few years ago for Cal Fire, the agency where he spent most of his fire fighting career. Take a listen to my conversation with Mike on how he and his team developed a program that includes preparing new fire fighters at the academy for the traumas of the job.

On the show today Stephen Powers talks about why he and his wife started the Hashtag Buddycheck movement. #BuddyCheck has been used on many social media posts to encourage first responders and others to check on each other. What motivated Stephen and his wife to start this? Listen in to this important conversation!

What is Moral Injury? Today on the show we talk about the difference between moral injury and post traumatic stress disorder. And we learn about the things that first responders can do to help heal moral injuries.

How do horses help with therapy? Today, I talk with Saly Glassman, founder and President of the Kindle Hill Foundation. We talk about her non-profit that helps first responders deal with the traumas they have experienced.