First Responder Wellness Podcast
A podcast for first responders and the people who lead them. This show features conversations about mental health and wellness with leaders from the first responder community.
First Responder Wellness Podcast with Conrad Weaver
The First Responder Wellness Podcast with Conrad Weaver is where mental health, resilience, and real solutions meet for police, fire, EMS, dispatch, and the families who support them.
No fluff. No corporate wellness speak. Just honest conversations with first responders, mental health professionals, and leaders who've lived it — covering burnout, PTSD, suicide awareness, peer support, shift work, marriage, and what it actually takes to have a long, healthy career in this profession. Every episode is designed to leave you with something you can actually use.
If you serve, lead people who serve, or love someone who does — this podcast was made for you.
Listen on:
Episodes
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
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 monthly recovery radio show on WPKZ. Tara serves on several boards for local non-profit health and human service organizations and is a person in long term recovery. January 2023, she celebrated 26 years of continued sobriety. Her life revolves around helping others and being a voice for the disenfranchised. She is passionate about breaking the stigma of addiction and educating others about the disease.
Connect with Tara:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-rivera-mba-984b8a60/Banyan Treatment Centers: https://www.clearbrookinc.com/locations/massachusetts/Radio Show: https://soundcloud.com/kzoneradio/12-5-23-clear-brook-road-to-recovery-radio-show-with-tara-rivera
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIEWeb site: https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/ptsd911-digital-toolkit-pre-orders-only
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2023 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
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) - “Wrist Lock: The Martial Arts’ Influence on Police Use of Force” (2022) - “The Making of a Cheer Team” (2021), “Repeat Offender” (2019), “The Wounded Blue” (2019), & “The Basketball Family” (2017) as well as the Six Part Docuseries “Voices of the Blue” (2020) - and continues to focus on developing projects at the feature film level & series level.
Connect with Jason:
http://www.lightningdigitalentertainment.com/
Learn more about Wrist Lock: http://www.lightningdigitalentertainment.com/wrist-lock.html
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIEWeb site: https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/ptsd911-digital-toolkit-pre-orders-only
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2023 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
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 current position, he served as the First Responder Liaison for Ohio Mental Health & Addiction Services. Steve is a retired lieutenant from the Ohio State Highway Patrol where he served for 36 years, completing his career assigned to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Office of Personnel / Ohio ASSIST program. Steve has been involved in peer support with the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Member’s Assistance Team (MAT) since its inception in 2002 and previously served as the Operational Commander. Prior to retirement, he oversaw all aspects of the team including policies, activations and training.
He has been active in peer support since being CISM trained in 1993. He was deployed to New York City twice after the 9/11 attacks and worked with the NYPD peer support program, POPPA.
He helped bring the Post Critical Incident Seminars to Ohio. He has been utilized as a peer in South Carolina, Kentucky, Texas and Georgia, for their PCIS / STLS programs.
He serves as the lead trainer for several training programs offered by OCJS, having provided training to a number of public safety and civilian agencies across Ohio. Steve graduated from Franklin University, with honors, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety Management with minors in leadership and public relations.
Steve is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Staff & Command.
Steve is trained in both group and individual peer support by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. He is also a certified QPR; Question, Pursued & Refer and Mental Health First Aid instructor.
Steve retired with 36 years of service with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and served in a number of assignments including; Commander of Cadet Training, the Patrol’s Motorcycle Unit, the Ohio Statehouse Detail as well as several field supervisory positions. In 1992, he received the Ohio Distinguished Law Enforcement Valor Award, the highest award for valor in Ohio.
Learn more about the program in Ohio.
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIEWeb site: https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/ptsd911-digital-toolkit-pre-orders-only
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2023 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
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 retirement.
Her book, "Surviving Retirement: Finding Purpose and Fulfillment Beyond the Badge," combines real-life insights, professional expertise, and practical strategies to help retiring cops and their spouses prepare for and navigate the changes inherent in retirement from a law enforcement career.
She is married to a now-retired police officer and knows firsthand the challenges that officers and their spouses experience throughout a law enforcement career and into retirement. Dr. Baumgart shares her expertise with law enforcement officers, spouses, and retirees through presentations that are informed by her experience, research, and clinical practice.
CONNECT WITH DR. BAUMGART
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbaumgart/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/dr_baumgart/
WEBSITE: https://www.drbaumgart.com/
BOOK: On Amazon.
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIEWeb site: https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/ptsd911-digital-toolkit-pre-orders-only
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2023 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
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 number of documentaries and training videos and he Currently lives in New Hampshire with wife and is a father to three amazing children.
Connect with Keith:
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-hanks-traumatic-strength-44218b229/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/keith.hanks.5
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIEWeb site: https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/ptsd911-digital-toolkit-pre-orders-only
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2023 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Lesson's from One Critical Incident
Learn how a critical incident in 1991 shaped Mike Ming's career as a fire fighter. 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.
ABOUT MIKE MING
Mike started his fire service career as a volunteer in hometown of Forestville, CA in 1991. He worked as seasonal firefighter (CDF then, CAL FIRE) from 1994 until 1998 and went full time in 1998. In 2000 he became a permanent employee where he worked operationally in All-Hazard response (wildland, structural, medical, hazmat, aviation, etc.) until 2014. In 2014 Mike was promoted to Battalion Chief in the Employee Support Services program (ESS) and in 2018 promoted to Deputy Chief program manager of ESS. As the Deputy Chief wrote a Budget Change Proposal (BCP) and submitted to legislature for approval and sought permanent funding and more positions. The proposal was successful and he grew the staff from 5 positions to 27 with a permanently funded budget. In 2020 Mike was promoted to Staff Chief program manager of the newly branded BHWP. Mike retired January of 2023, and he makes an appearance in the PTSD911 documentary. (Although you're not likely to recognize him.)
Mike lives in Sonoma County, CA with his partner Sequoia. They have 2 adult daughters. Mike and Sequoia love the wilderness, surfing, primitive survival skills, great food and traveling to new places.
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIEWeb site: https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/ptsd911-digital-toolkit-pre-orders-only
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2023 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Hashtag Buddycheck with Stephen Powers
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!
ABOUT OUR GUEST
During my 25 years as a first responder and the time served in the Marines, I was exposed to multiple critical incidents and was negatively impacted by vicarious trauma which affected both my professional and personal life. As an officer I was trained in Basic Crisis & Hostage Negotiating, Resources for Resilience, Veteran Trauma and Engagement, partnered with the Recast Program in Charlotte- all of which have helped me learn to address trauma and resilience. I also served as a member of the Charlotte Mayor’s Initiative for Suicide Prevention in Veterans as well as partners with local agencies to advocate for suicide prevention.
In the course of my time as a sworn officer and now in retirement, I serve as Crisis Intervention Team Instructor for Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, Rowan, and Stanly Counties in NC and present on topics with a central focus on Vicarious Trauma: Officer Wellness and De-Escalation Techniques: Crisis Communication. Throughout my career I was trained federally and locally as a Peer Support Officer, and I am currently certified as a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist. I have also received certification in Crisis Incident Stress Management (CISM) through International Critical Incident Stress Foundation Inc. (ICISF) in Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention & Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention. I have also received certification in QPR, NC Certified WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) and completed the Professional Compassion Fatigue Counseling course & received a diploma issued through the CTAA (Complementary Therapists Accredited Association).
My wife and I founded Hashtag BuddyCheck, which is an approved 501c(3) nonprofit. Our mission is to provide proactive education, support and connections to vetted local and national resources for first responders and their spouses.
If you are struggling please #ReachOut to me if you feel comfortable or one of the quality organizations that exist for first responders specifically. If you know someone who may be struggling please #ReachIn as they may not be able to ask for help. #BuddyCheck™️
Connect with Stephen: hashtagbuddycheck@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HashtagBuddyCheck
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIEWeb site: https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/ptsd911-digital-toolkit-pre-orders-only
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2023 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
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.
ABOUT OUR GUESTRita Nakashima Brock, Rel. M., M.A., Ph.D. is the Senior Vice President for Moral Injury Recovery Programs at Volunteers of America. She leads the organization’s efforts to deepen understanding about moral injury in the many populations who experience it. The center builds on Volunteers of America’s work, spanning more than a century, of helping veterans and others who live with this emotional trauma.A noted theologian, Dr. Brock was the Founding Director of the Soul Repair Center at Brite Divinity School, at Texas Christian University, where she also was a Research Professor of Theology and Culture. She is co-author of Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral Injury after War and Proverbs of Ashes: Violence, Redemptive Suffering and the Search for What Saves Us. She is a leading national expert on moral injury in combat veterans and has offered trainings for VA mental health providers, for professional chaplains, and for veterans and their families. A few yeas ago Dr. Brock and her team also began working with first responders.
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.
Connect with Dr. Brock:https://www.voa.org/moral-injury-resources/rita-nakashima-brock-ph-d/
Disclaimer: The views of guests on the First Responder Wellness Podcast are not necessarily the views of the producers and host of the show.
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIEWeb site: https://ptsd911movie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/ptsd911-digital-toolkit-pre-orders-only
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2023 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
You're Normal if You're Not Ok - Saly Glassman
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.
ABOUT SALY GLASSMANSaly Glassman was employed by Merrill Lynch (now Bank of America) for 39 years. In addition to her financial advisory skills, Saly has been known as an instructor, innovator, author, and problem solver. When her younger partners acquired her business, Saly had the opportunity to integrate her 60 year passion for horses with her goals of contributing to the mental health needs of Southeastern Pennsylvania. As a graduate of Cornell University, majoring in psychology, Saly has been driven to make a difference in the mental health world by developing a unique equine assisted therapy, learning and training program that offers an alternative approach to traditional mental health services. Driven by her passion to address the stigma of seeking help in the law enforcement community, she has vigorously advocated for constructive mental health protocols within the first responder community.
Saly is an Associate Member of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, and is certified in the following law enforcement trainings: ABLE (Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement), ICAT (Integrating Communications, Assessments and Tactics), Resiliency Training for Law Enforcement, and CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management).
Connect with Saly: https://facebook.com/KindleHillFoundation
LinkedIn
Instagram
Disclaimer: The views of guests on the First Responder Wellness Podcast are not necessarily the views of the producers and host of the show.
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First Responder Wellness Podcast
Patreon Channel: https://www.patreon.com/FirstResponderWellnessPodcast
PTSD911 Documentary: https://ptsd911movie.com/
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/ptsd911-digital-toolkit-pre-orders-only
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Law Enforcement and Wellness with Sherri Martin
Today's episode we talk about how the National Fraternal Order of Police provides wellness resources for their members.
Sherri Martin serves as the National Director of Wellness Services for the Fraternal Order of Police. A career police officer, Sherri has extensive experience in crisis negotiation and intervention, serving most of her law enforcement career as a patrol supervisor and lead crisis negotiator. While a member of the Charleston Police Department in South Carolina, where she served the majority of her career, she achieved the rank of Lieutenant, and was responsible for the development of programs in the areas of officer wellness and crisis intervention within the community.
Sherri earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from the Citadel, where she was chosen by faculty to receive the J. Patrick Leverett Award presented to the most outstanding graduate student in the Psychology program.
While pursuing a Postgraduate Certificate in Forensic Psychology, which she completed in 2020 at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Sherri led the Fraternal Order of Police National Officer Wellness Committee in a landmark survey of police officers on the subjects of critical stress, stigma, and use of wellness services.
Additionally, Sherri has experience as a clinical therapist, having served military clients diagnosed with PTSD and Clinical Depression during research conducted at Ralph H. Johnston Veterans Affairs Hospital in South Carolina. She is licensed as a Professional Counselor Associate in the State of Connecticut.
Sherri is a member of the National Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide, led by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, is a published author and frequent presenter on officer wellness and police suicide.
Sherri also currently serves as the 2nd Vice President in the Connecticut FOP State Lodge.
Connect with Sherri: LinkedIn
National FOP Wellness
Local Vetted and Approved Wellness Providers
National Fraternal Order of Police 2021 Critical Issues in Policing Survey
Disclaimer: The views of guests on the First Responder Wellness Podcast are not necessarily the views of the producers and host of the show.
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First Responder Wellness Podcast
Patreon Channel: https://www.patreon.com/FirstResponderWellnessPodcast
PTSD911 Documentary: https://ptsd911movie.com/
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/ptsd911-digital-toolkit-pre-orders-only