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 Nov 05, 2025
Wednesday Nov 05, 2025
Title: Do Plant-Based Medicines Work? with Todd YoungbloodGuest: Todd Youngblood, Co-Founder of PneumogladiusHost: Conrad Weaver, First Responder Wellness Podcast
In this episode, Conrad Weaver sits down with Todd Youngblood, co-founder of Pneuma Gladius, a company dedicated to expanding access to plant-based medicines for mental health treatment. Todd shares the fascinating history and science behind natural psychedelic substances like psilocybin (magic mushrooms), ayahuasca, and mescaline — and how these naturally occurring compounds are showing tremendous promise in treating anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
The conversation dives into the stigma and myths surrounding psychedelics, the legal landscape evolving across the U.S., and how structured, intentional use of these substances — under proper guidance — can help individuals gain new perspectives on trauma and create lasting change. Todd also explains how these treatments differ from traditional medications, why they’re not meant for long-term use, and how they promote neuroplasticity and personal growth.
Conrad and Todd discuss the parallels between natural wellness approaches — like exercise, breathing, and time in nature — and the growing understanding that healing doesn’t always come from pharmaceuticals alone.
ABOUT TODD YOUNGBLOOD
Todd Youngblood is a veteran advocate and mental health innovator dedicated to helping veterans and first responders heal from trauma, PTSD, and addiction through alternative therapies. As the founder of Pneuma Gladius, a Public Benefit Corporation, Todd is building an ecosystem that combines structured plant-based medicine, safe healing environments, and data collection to advance research and improve outcomes. His work bridges the gap between traditional mental health care and emerging psychedelic therapies, giving those who serve our communities new pathways toward lasting change.
With thousands of hours of experience sitting in men’s circles and guiding others through transformative processes, Todd has seen firsthand the power of connection, ceremony, and structured aftercare. As a trained psilocybin facilitator, he works directly with veterans and first responders, creating safe and supportive environments for healing journeys. His approach is rooted in compassion, community, and accountability—helping individuals move beyond barriers and reclaim their lives.
CONNECT WITH TODD
http://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-youngbloodhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/pneuma-gladiushttps://www.pneumagladius.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 ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2025 ConjoStudios, LLC - All rights Reserved.
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
105 - You Can't Delegate Wellness - Chief Maggie DeBoard (Ret.)
In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver welcomes retired Chief Maggie (of a local law enforcement agency in Virginia) who spent 38 years in the field—26 in a large agency and 13 leading a mid‑sized one. Now in retirement she heads the Foundation for First Responder Wellness & Resiliency, focusing on ensuring first responders have the resources they need.
The conversation explores how wellness in the first responder world has evolved—and how much further it still needs to go. Maggie outlines three kinds of leadership responses to wellness: those who ignore it, those who implement programs “just to check a box,” and those who lead by example, participate, and change culture. She explains that culture and leadership matter more than any flashy program or funding line.
Maggie recounts implementing a wellness program in her agency that included annual wellness checks, peer support, nap/sleep rooms, and tracking outcomes like peer‑contacts and sick leave. In that agency sick leave dropped 16 % the first year, and peer contacts doubled—signs of trust and early success in changing culture.
She emphasizes that wellness isn’t a “bright spotlight” issue—it’s private, personal, often invisible—and yet leadership must own it, not delegate it. She also highlights the risk of invisible injuries (trauma, brain injury, PTSD) and the need for structural support (legislation, workers’ comp, clinician access), especially for dispatch/telecommunicators and retirees who often get overlooked.
Maggie closes with a powerful reminder: “Strong people break too.” She stresses the ongoing work of change, the need for honest culture, and the fact that wellness must be woven into every aspect of agency life—not just a program but a mindset.
Key take‐aways:
Leadership sets the tone: you can’t outsource the priority of wellness.
Culture change takes time (3‑5 years) and it starts with how people treat each other internally.
Wellness programs must include peer support + clinical care + accessible processes—not just apps or check‑the‑box solutions.
Invisible injuries matter and carry high liability if ignored.
Data and measurement matter: outcomes like sick leave, peer contacts, trust indicators signal change.
Retirees, dispatchers, telecommunicators often fall through the cracks.
Even when systems change, strong leadership keeps them alive beyond one leader’s term.
📝 Show Notes
Episode Title: “When Wellness Isn’t a Bright Light: Leadership, Culture & First Responder Care with Retired Chief Maggie”Guest: Retired Chief Maggie – 38 years in law enforcement, past President of Virginia Chiefs of Police, founder of Foundation for First Responder Wellness & ResiliencyHost: Conrad Weaver
In this episode we cover:
Maggie’s background: 26 years in a large agency, 13 years leading a midsize agency + statewide leadership.
How conversations around first responder wellness have evolved and the three leadership types she sees.
Concrete wellness initiatives: annual wellness checks, peer support team, sleep‑room for night shift, culture contract, tracking metrics.
Culture vs. program: why wellness must be embedded in how you treat people, not just what you roll out.
Invisible injuries: brain trauma, PTSD, dispatch/telecommunicator stresses, retirees.
Data, outcomes, and how to make the case for budget/support: survey results, sick leave drop, peer contacts rise.
Advice for leaders: you cannot delegate the ownership of wellness; incremental change is still progress.
Foundation for First Responder Wellness & Resiliency – their work, survey efforts, intended support for retirees and dispatchers.
Final reminder: “Strong people break too.”
Quotes to highlight:
“Wellness is not a bright light issue.”
“You can’t delegate a priority on wellness — you have to take the lead.”
“When your troops don’t trust your leadership, no program will fix that.”
“Strong people break too.”
“There is no one solution to wellness.”
Who should listen?Leaders in law enforcement, fire, EMS – anyone responsible for first responder wellness. Also first responders themselves, peer‑support coordinators, HR/agency wellness staff, and retiree support networks.
Resources / Links Mentioned:
Foundation for First Responder Wellness & Resiliency – survey & education links
https://www.foundationfrwr.org/
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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 ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2025 ConjoStudios, LLC - All rights Reserved.
Friday Oct 24, 2025
Friday Oct 24, 2025
🎙️ Friday Five with Conrad Weaver
A Short Podcast from the First Responder Wellness PodcastTM
Welcome to Friday Five with Conrad Weaver — a quick, five-minute boost to wrap up your week with inspiration, insight, and ideas. Each Friday, I’ll share things that are shaping my world:
Projects I’m working on in film, podcasting, and first responder wellness
Key lessons from books I’m reading
Highlights from events and conferences I’ve attended
Personal practices that keep me healthy and grounded
And wisdom from leaders, thinkers, and first responders who are making an impact
Think of this as a behind-the-scenes look into my journey—delivered in bite-sized episodes that fit right into your Friday routine.
Whether you’re a first responder, a leader, or just someone who wants to live well and lead well, Friday Five is here to give you encouragement, practical takeaways, and a reminder that wellness isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Episodes drop every Friday. Tune in, take five, and start your weekend with clarity and purpose.
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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: / ptsd911movie Facebook: / ptsd911movie YouTube: / @firstresponderwellnesspodcast
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dL...
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2025 ConjoStudios, LLC - All rights Reserved.
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Episode Title: “I Didn't Find Healing, It Found Me" with Jon VargasGuest: Jon Vargas, Firefighter (LAFD Station 92, West LA) & Host of GRAB LIVES podcastHost: Conrad Weaver
Firefighter Jon Vargas (LAFD, Station 92) joins host Conrad Weaver to share his raw journey through burnout, traumatic injury, and recovery. After a head trauma left his nervous system in crisis, Jon faced anxiety, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts—with little support from traditional systems.
He found healing through holistic methods like acupuncture, Kambo therapy, Qigong, and yoga. Now, he’s helping others do the same—calling for more peer support, real leadership, and cultural change in first responder wellness.
In this episode we cover:
Life in Los Angeles fire service: high call volumes, complexity, constant machine of dispatch.
What happens when calls stack up, sleep is lacking, and meaning starts to fade.
Jon’s head trauma on the job, the aftermath of nervous‑system dysregulation (anxiety, paranoia, fight/flight).
The response (or lack thereof) from systems: workers’ comp, neurology, mental‑health care.
Discovering holistic healing: acupuncture, Qigong, yoga, Ayurvedic & Chinese medicine, Kambo therapy.
The role of addiction (alcohol), the transition away from it, and how that unlocked deeper healing.
What “trauma” really means: disconnection from self, soul wounds, fragmented identity.
The culture of large first‑responder agencies: budget crisis, leadership gaps, peer‑support deficits.
The importance of peer support, genuine connection, and community medicine vs. just “therapist on a list.”
The power of self‑leadership: owning your story, owning your healing, stepping into change rather than waiting for it.
Jon’s vision for the future: teaching, bridging first‑responder culture with holistic wellness modalities, helping others find what truly works.
Quotes to highlight:
“It’s not just one call…it’s multiple calls stacked together and combined with lack of sleep.”
“Trauma is what disconnects you from your true self.”
“Be the leader in your own life first, if you’re going to lead people around you.”
“Most of those identities are just masks that you’re wearing and it’s not a reflection of who you truly are.”
Resources / Links Mentioned:
Jon’s podcast: GRAB LIVES (YouTube, Spotify, Apple)
Book: The Concussion Repair Manual by Dr Dan Engel — mentioned as pivotal for Jon’s recovery journey
Modalities discussed: Kambo therapy, acupuncture, Qigong, yoga, Ayurvedic & Chinese medicine
Who should listen?First responders, especially firefighters and EMS personnel; wellness professionals working with first‑responder populations; leaders in emergency services; anyone dealing with cumulative trauma, burnout, or seeking a deeper, holistic approach to healing.
How to use this episode:
Reflect on what “calls stacking up” looks like in your life or workplace.
Consider: what symptoms (physical, nervous system, emotional) are showing up?
Ask: what modalities am I using? What haven’t I tried? Who are my peers I can connect with for real support?
Think about leadership not just externally, but internally: how am I leading myself? What mask(s) am I wearing?
Connect with Jon Vargas:Find the GRAB LIVES podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.
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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 ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2025 ConjoStudios, LLC - All rights Reserved.
Friday Oct 17, 2025
Friday Oct 17, 2025
Friday Five with Conrad Weaver is a short version of the First Responder Wellness Podcast. On this show I give you a quick overview of what I'm learning, reading, or thinking about this week.
Thanks for listening.
Conrad Weaver
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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: / ptsd911movie Facebook: / ptsd911movie YouTube: / @firstresponderwellnesspodcast
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dL...
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2025 ConjoStudios, LLC - All rights Reserved.
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver sits down with Dennis Carradin, a board‑certified trauma expert, counselor, former volunteer firefighter/EMT, and founder of the Trauma Survivors Foundation. Dennis shares his journey into trauma therapy, the realities first responders face, and how poorly understood the psychological weight of their work often is.
They explore how trauma differently affects people, and why training and resilience resources are just as critical at the front end as after a crisis. Dennis describes how stress, shift work, adrenaline, and lack of recovery contribute to both mental and physical health issues—particularly heart disease and suicide risks in first responder populations. He also opens up about his own self‑care, including having therapy as a trauma specialist, and offers guidance on how a first responder can begin seeking help and find trauma‑informed support.
Finally, Dennis introduces the mission and programming of the Trauma Survivors Foundation, including free therapy sessions for survivors and first responders, their peer support and critical incident response strategies, and his forthcoming book On Being a Trauma Therapist.
This is a deeply human, raw, and insightful conversation that offers both empathy and actionable wisdom for anyone who carries the weight of trauma — whether a first responder, healthcare worker, or caregiver.
https://www.thetraumasurvivorsfoundation.org/
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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 ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2025 ConjoStudios, LLC - All rights Reserved.
Wednesday Oct 08, 2025
Wednesday Oct 08, 2025
Finding Rest: Healing the Spirit, Soul, and Body of First Responders
Guest: Virginia DixonHost: Conrad WeaverEpisode Title: Finding Rest: Healing the Spirit, Soul, and Body of First Responders
In this insightful episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver welcomes Virginia Dixon, founder of The Place of Rest and creator of the REST Reconstitution Approach to Healing. Virginia shares how her integrative, data-informed, and spiritually grounded framework helps first responders address trauma and find true wholeness.
Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and spiritual formation, Virginia explains why traditional “diagnose, treat, and cure” models often fail to reach the root causes of mental and emotional pain. She outlines her belief that healing requires understanding the full person—spirit, soul, and body—and that rest is an active, restorative process that sustains life and freedom.
Listeners will hear about:
The powerful connection between spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness.
How trauma and generational patterns influence health and resilience.
Why the current mental health system often leaves first responders misunderstood and unsupported.
Practical ways to restore balance, purpose, and inner peace through rest.
Resources & Links:
The Place of Rest
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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 ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2025 ConjoStudios, LLC - All rights Reserved.
Friday Oct 03, 2025
Friday Oct 03, 2025
🎙️ Friday Five with Conrad Weaver
A Short Podcast from the First Responder Wellness PodcastTM
Welcome to Friday Five with Conrad Weaver — a quick, five-minute boost to wrap up your week with inspiration, insight, and ideas. Each Friday, I’ll share things that are shaping my world:
Projects I’m working on in film, podcasting, and first responder wellness
Key lessons from books I’m reading
Highlights from events and conferences I’ve attended
Personal practices that keep me healthy and grounded
And wisdom from leaders, thinkers, and first responders who are making an impact
Think of this as a behind-the-scenes look into my journey—delivered in bite-sized episodes that fit right into your Friday routine.
Whether you’re a first responder, a leader, or just someone who wants to live well and lead well, Friday Five is here to give you encouragement, practical takeaways, and a reminder that wellness isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Episodes drop every Friday. Tune in, take five, and start your weekend with clarity and purpose.
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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: / ptsd911movie Facebook: / ptsd911movie YouTube: / @firstresponderwellnesspodcast
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dL...
Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization:https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/
The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2025 ConjoStudios, LLC - All rights Reserved.
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Schedule a call to host a screening: https://ptsd911movie.com/screenings
101 - Real Surgeons Don't Cry? - with Dr. Marvin Wayne
In this episode, Conrad Weaver talks with Dr. Marvin Wayne, a trauma surgeon, Vietnam veteran, and internationally recognized EMS leader. Dr. Wayne shares his remarkable journey—from growing up in Detroit, navigating rejection on his way to medical school, and serving as a combat surgeon in Vietnam, to becoming a pioneer in emergency medicine and a global advocate for EMS advancement.
Listeners will hear Dr. Wayne’s deeply personal reflections on loss, trauma, resilience, and the hidden scars of war, as well as his candid thoughts on today’s challenges facing EMS. He discusses the importance of wellness, the struggle to recruit and retain first responders, and why it’s okay for medical professionals to admit vulnerability.
This powerful conversation reminds us that while medicine saves lives, community and compassion sustain the healers.
Read about Dr. Wayne's amazing career: https://www.ems1.com/emt-ems-paramedic-jobs-and-careers/50-years-of-transformative-leadership-the-career-of-dr-marvin-wayne
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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 ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2025 ConjoStudios, LLC - All rights Reserved.
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Episode 100 – Part 2: Finding Faith Healing and Purpose with Matty Fiorenza
In part two of our 100th episode celebration, Conrad Weaver reconnects with firefighter Matthew (Matty) Fiorenza, one of the central voices from the documentary PTSD9-1-1.
Matty opens up about life since the film’s release—the ups and downs of recovery, his faith journey, breakthroughs in treatment (including the powerful impact of the Stellate Ganglion Block), and his new role supporting first responders through treatment programs, speaking, and mentorship.
He also shares the deeply personal story of how his healing journey not only transformed his mental health but also made way for new life—literally—with the birth of his daughter after treatment. Matty’s honesty, humility, and encouragement are a beacon of hope for first responders navigating their own storm.
Support Matty's Non-Profit: https://frprfoundation.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 ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2025 ConjoStudios, LLC - All rights Reserved.
If you missed Part 1, be sure to go back and listen to retired officer Desireé Palmer’s update on her inspiring journey from isolation to purpose. Together, these conversations mark a milestone in the podcast—and in the ongoing story of PTSD9-1-1.