First Responder Wellness Podcast with Conrad Weaver

Lead Anyway, Even When Leadership is Broken - Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

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Join our Mastermind Series: https://firstresponderwellness.co/mastermind/
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132 - Lead Anyway, Even When Leadership is Broken - Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
Everyone talks about bad leadership.
But very few people take responsibility for becoming better leaders themselves.
In Part 2 of this conversation, Conrad continues with Dave Grossman to explore what leadership really looks like inside first responder culture—and why so many organizations struggle with it.
Grossman makes it clear: leadership is not about rank. It’s about self-control, service, and consistency.
They unpack the reality of toxic leadership, why it’s not a new problem, and how pressure, poor selection, and lack of development contribute to it. But more importantly, they focus on what individuals can do—right now—to lead, regardless of their position.
This episode is a direct challenge to anyone waiting for someone else to fix the culture.
Because leadership doesn’t start when you get promoted.
It starts the moment you decide to show up differently.
If you’ve ever felt stuck under poor leadership, this conversation will give you a new lens—and a new level of responsibility.
Key Topics Covered
Why toxic leadership is so common
Leadership vs positional authority
Leading up, down, and across
The role of self-control in leadership effectiveness
Servant leadership in high-stress environments
How to influence culture without rank
Encouragement, recognition, and building trust
Key Takeaways
Leadership is a daily practice, not a position
You don’t need rank to influence culture
The best leaders serve, not command
Recognition and encouragement are powerful leadership tools
You can lead—even in a broken system
Notable Quotes
“Nobody respects your temper tantrum. They respect your calm.”
“To be a better leader, you have to be a better person.”
“Your job as a leader is to help them do their job better.”
“Be the leader you wish you had.”
Resources Mentioned
Grossman’s leadership and training materials
Leadership development principles rooted in behavioral science
Mastermind CTA
If this episode challenged you to step up in your leadership, this is exactly what we’re building inside the First Responder Leadership Mastermind, launching June 3.
This is where we take these concepts and actually apply them—together, in a group of leaders committed to raising the standard.
👉 Learn more: firstresponderwellness.co/mastermind
Final Call to Action
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone on your team.
Because culture doesn’t change from the top down.
It changes when leaders—at every level—decide to lead differently.
 
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC
Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.
 

You're Not Broken, You're Leveling Up - Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

Need help? Check out these resources: www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources or Dial 988 for immediate help. 
Level up your leadership:  https://firstresponderwellness.co/mastermind/
 
131 - You're Not Broken, You're Leveling Up - Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
What if the very thing you’ve been told is breaking you… is actually making you stronger?
In this conversation, Conrad sits down with Dave Grossman to unpack what really happens inside the mind and body under stress. From the physiological effects of high-pressure situations to the misunderstood nature of PTSD, this episode challenges one of the most common narratives in first responder culture.
Grossman introduces the concept of post-traumatic growth—the idea that adversity, when processed correctly, doesn’t weaken us… it strengthens us. He explains why elevated heart rate, anxiety, and mental replay aren’t necessarily signs of damage, but signals that the body is adapting and preparing.
You’ll walk away with practical tools to manage stress in real time—simple, actionable techniques like controlled breathing and even something as basic as drinking water to regulate the nervous system.
More importantly, this episode reframes how leaders should guide their teams through trauma—not by dismissing it, but by helping them understand it.
This is not just about surviving stress.
It’s about learning how to grow through it.
Key Topics Covered
The difference between PTSD and post-traumatic growth
What’s actually happening in your body under stress
Why perception determines performance
Tools to regulate the nervous system in real time
How leaders should guide others through high-stress experiences
EMDR and separating memory from emotion
Why most people are more resilient than they think
Key Takeaways
Stress responses are not always signs of damage—they can be signs of adaptation
Leaders play a critical role in how trauma is processed
Calm is trained, not automatic
The body can be brought under control with simple, repeatable techniques
Growth is possible—even after intense experiences
Notable Quotes
“This is not PTSD… this is what it feels like to level up.”
“Two people can feel the same thing—one thinks they’re broken, the other wants to do it forever.”
“Breathing is a leash on the nervous system.”
“The worse it gets, the calmer the leader needs to become.”
Resources Mentioned
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Grossman’s books and training materials
Call to Action
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone on your team.
And make sure you’re subscribed—because in Part 2, we shift from managing stress… to what leadership actually looks like inside real organizations.
 
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC
Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.
 
 

Mental Warfare is Part of the Path - with Rob Magao

Need help? Check out these resources: www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources or Dial 988 for immediate help. 
CODE RED Fundraiser: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lightningdigital/code-red-a-cardiac-wake-up-call
Join our Mastermind Series: https://firstresponderwellness.co/mastermind/
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130 - Mental Warfare is Part of the Path - with Rob Magao
This conversation begins with a hard truth: most people will experience a handful of high-stress emergencies in their lifetime… but first responders live inside that stress—day after day.
In this conversation, Rob Magao pulls back the curtain on what repeated exposure to use-of-force situations actually does to an officer’s mind. It’s not just the moment—it’s the aftermath. The second-guessing. The weight. The accumulation of stress that quietly builds until something breaks.
But the deeper insight isn’t just about trauma—it’s about preparation.
Rob makes a compelling case that the real issue isn’t just the danger officers face… it’s the lack of consistent, realistic training to meet that danger. When training is sporadic, scripted, or insufficient, officers are forced to rely on instinct in moments where instinct isn’t enough.
And that’s where everything changes.
Because confidence—real confidence—is built through repetition, pressure, and consistency. It’s what allows an officer to stay calm, act decisively, and ultimately de-escalate situations that could otherwise spiral.
This episode challenges leaders and officers alike to rethink responsibility:What are you doing daily to prepare for someone else’s worst day?
 
Connect with Rob: https://officersurvivalseries.com
 
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC
Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.
 

The Emotional Toll of Life in the Trauma Unit with Dr. Alicia Mangram

Need help? Check out these resources: www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources or Dial 988 for immediate help. 
CODE RED Fundraiser: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lightningdigital/code-red-a-cardiac-wake-up-call
129 - The Emotional Toll of Life in the Trauma Unit with Dr. Alicia Mangram
What happens when the people trusted to save lives have nowhere safe to process their own pain? In this episode, Conrad Weaver talks with trauma surgeon Dr. Alicia Mangram about burnout inside hospital systems, the emotional toll of caring for the sick and dying, and why wellness in medicine has to become more than a buzzword. Together, they explore leadership, culture, work-life balance, COVID’s lasting impact, and Dr. Mangram’s vision for changing healthcare from the inside out. This episode will resonate with healthcare workers, first responders, leaders, and anyone who has ever carried the weight of caring for others while quietly neglecting themselves.
ABOUT DR. MANGRAM
Dr. Alicia Mangram is an accomplished trauma surgeon and critical care physician with more than 25 years of experience serving in high-stress hospital environments. Her work has placed her at the center of life-and-death care, where she has witnessed firsthand the emotional burden carried not only by physicians, but also by nurses, pharmacists, environmental staff, trainees, and every member of the clinical team. That experience has shaped her growing commitment to wellness, leadership, and long-term sustainability in medicine.
Driven by a desire to change the culture of healthcare, Dr. Mangram created Compassionate Gift, a program designed to support surgeons, physicians, residents, advanced practice providers, and medical students in building what she calls “lifelong durability.” Through her GET Theory—God, Emotions, and Trust—she is working to create safe spaces where healthcare professionals can process hardship, reject stigma, and learn to stay whole while continuing to serve others. Her message is simple but profound: healthcare workers are gifted healers, but they also need healing communities of their own.
 
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC
Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.
 

SLEEP! Stop Counting Hours, Count Cycles with Taylor Montey (Part 2)

"Better sleep often starts with a better environment." - Taylor Montey
Need help? Check out these resources: www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources
or Dial 988 for immediate help. 
SLEEP! Stop Counting Hours, Count Cycles with Taylor Montey
In part two of this conversation, Conrad Weaver and Taylor Montey get practical about sleep in the first responder world. They talk about how to create a better sleep environment in bunk rooms and at home, how alarms and abrupt wake-ups affect the body, whether sleep trackers help or hurt, how alcohol impacts recovery, when naps can be useful, and why even late-night phone scrolling can disrupt rest. This episode is full of realistic, actionable insight for first responders, leaders, spouses, and anyone trying to build healthier rhythms in a career that constantly disrupts them.
 
 
CONNECT WITH TAYLOR:
Instagram: mindset.repsFacebook: mindsetreps
 
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC
Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.
 

Code Red: A Cardiac Wake Up Call with Dr. Jonathan Sheinberg

To Support the Code Red Documentary, Click HereSpecial Edition - Code Red: A Cardiac Wake Up Call with Dr. Jonathan Sheinberg
In this episode, Conrad Weaver sits down with Dr. Jon Sheinberg for a powerful conversation about one of the most overlooked threats to first responders: heart disease. What makes this discussion especially compelling is Dr. Sheinberg’s rare perspective. He has spent decades both as a physician and as a sworn law enforcement officer, giving him firsthand insight into the physical and physiological toll the job takes.
Together, Conrad and Dr. Sheinberg unpack why heart disease affects first responders at disproportionately high rates, why police officers often suffer heart attacks younger than the general population, and how chronic stress, adrenaline spikes, poor sleep, shift work, and diet all combine into a dangerous pattern. They also discuss why traditional cardiac screening often misses the problem and what more proactive screening can look like.
The conversation also introduces Code Red, the upcoming documentary project designed to shine a light on this crisis and help save lives through awareness, education, and early intervention.
 
Need help? Check out these resources: www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources
or Dial 988 for immediate help. 
 
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CODE RED: a Cardiac Wake Up Call is now funding on Kickstarter. Please show your support. 
 
FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC
Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.
 

SLEEP! Stop Counting Hours, Count Cycles

Need help? Check out these resources: www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources
or Dial 988 for immediate help. 
127 - SLEEP! Stop Counting Hours, Count Cycles (Part 1 of 2)
In part one of this two-part conversation, Conrad Weaver sits down with firefighter, lieutenant, counselor, and sleep specialist Taylor Montey to talk about one of the most overlooked issues in first responder wellness: sleep. But this episode goes far beyond bedtime habits. Together, they unpack the connection between sleep, trauma, mental health, shift work, stress, and recovery — and why broken sleep may be quietly shaping everything from memory and emotional regulation to long-term health. This conversation is especially important for first responders, leaders, spouses, and anyone who wants to better understand the hidden toll of chronic exhaustion in the people who serve.
 
CONNECT WITH TAYLOR:
Instagram: mindset.repsFacebook: mindsetreps
 
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC
Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.
 

The Hidden Injury Behind the Anger with Jeff Casselman

Need help? Check out these resources: www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources
or Dial 988 for immediate help. 
 
126 - The Hidden Injury Behind the Anger with Jeff Casselman
What happens when the trauma isn’t just emotional — but neurological? In this powerful episode, Conrad Weaver talks with retired police officer and Army veteran Jeff Casselman about the devastating intersection of PTSD, cumulative concussions, and traumatic brain injury. Jeff opens up about blackout rage, memory loss, seizures, personality changes, and the painful impact those injuries had on his career, marriage, and identity. This is an honest conversation about what policing can cost when injuries go unseen, symptoms get misread, and officers keep pushing through. If you serve in law enforcement, lead first responders, support officer wellness, or love someone in the job, this episode is a wake-up call you need to hear.
CONNECT WITH JEFFBook: A Survival Guide for Cops with TBI & PTSD: Accountability, Moral Injury, and the Cost at Home
Order here: https://a.co/d/0c2d9zqn
LinkedIn
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC
Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.

SPECIAL EDITION: A Proactive Peer Support System First Responders Can Trust

Book a call with Peer Connect: https://firstresponderwellness.co/peerconnect
SPECIAL EDITION: A Proactive Peer Support System First Responders Can Trust
What if peer support in your agency didn’t depend on chance, availability, or who happened to answer the phone? In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver talks with Nik Fiorito of Peer Connect about a system designed to make peer support more proactive, more confidential, and more sustainable for first responder agencies. They discuss how Peer Connect helps responders connect with trusted peers, how supervisors can initiate support without crossing confidentiality lines, and why this matters especially for small, rural, and understaffed departments. Nik also explains how agencies are using Peer Connect to reduce burnout among peer supporters, improve follow-up, and create a more consistent support process for their teams. If your department has a peer support team, wants to build one, or is looking for a better way to care for its people after difficult calls, this conversation is worth your time.
Book a call with Peer Connect: https://firstresponderwellness.co/peerconnect
 
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC
Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.

You Can't Fix Your Family Until You Fix Yourself - Gregory Seibert

Need help? Check out these resources: www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources
or Dial 988 for immediate help. 
 
125 - You Can't Fix Your Family Until You Fix Yourself - Gregory Seibert
What happens when a career built on strength, control, and service slowly hardens your heart? In this episode, Conrad Weaver sits down with former law enforcement officer and criminal justice instructor Greg Seibert for a raw conversation about trauma, anger, marriage, faith, and healing. Greg shares how years of exposure to darkness nearly cost him everything — and how therapy, honest reflection, faith, and community helped him begin to change. This episode is for first responders, spouses, leaders, and anyone trying to understand what happens when survival mode follows you home.
 
CONNECT WITH GREG
 
Spiritual Resources
YouVersion Bible AppA strong everyday tool for reading Scripture, listening to audio Bibles, and following Bible plans. Great for responders with irregular schedules.
BibleProjectExcellent for understanding the big picture of the Bible and how to read it well. Their “How to Read the Bible” resources are especially useful for people who are new to serious Bible study.
Prayers and Promises for First RespondersPrayers & Promises for First Responders is the perfect encouraging resource for police officers, firefighters, EMTs, military personnel, and everyone behind the scenes. Arranged by theme, this book contains inspirational Scriptures, powerful prayers, and thought-provoking questions to help readers draw closer to God and find strength and peace.Trials and hardship are sure to come, but you can stand proudly on the foundation of God’s Word that lasts forever.
The ChosenNot a substitute for Scripture, but a helpful visual way for many people to engage with the life and ministry of Jesus. It’s available free through its app and website.
 
 
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC
Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.