First Responder Wellness Podcast with Conrad Weaver

You Can't Heal What Stays Locked in the Dark - Dr. Cherylynn Lee

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You Can't Heal What Stays Locked in the Dark - Dr. Cherylynn Lee
In this powerful episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with police psychologist Dr. Cherylynn Lee to explore what really happens when trauma goes unspoken inside law enforcement, fire, EMS, and dispatch.
Dr. Lee works inside a California sheriff’s office, deploying to SWAT callouts, supporting officer-involved shootings, and overseeing peer support—while also treating first responders in private practice. In this conversation, she explains why avoidance is one of the most dangerous and misunderstood responses to trauma, and why healing only begins when people are able to tell the full story of what they’ve lived through.
Together, Conrad and Dr. Lee unpack the growing debate around embedded clinicians, the importance of trust and cultural competence, and why dispatchers must be included in critical-incident debriefs. They also discuss how first responders get trapped in a cycle of self-blame and moral injury—and how reframing the story can change everything.
This episode is a candid, deeply human look at why so many in public safety suffer in silence, and what it takes to finally bring what’s been buried into the light. If you’ve ever struggled with something you couldn’t put into words, this conversation offers both clarity and hope.
ABOUT DR. CHERYLYNN LEE
Dr. Cherylynn Lee is a police psychologist specializing in law enforcement wellness, critical incident response, and trauma care for first responders. She works full-time inside a California sheriff’s office in an operational leadership role while also running a private practice serving first responders exclusively. She teaches and publishes widely, including work with Lexipol/Police1 and training support for the FBI.
 
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Register for the First Responder Leadership Mastermind here: https://firstresponderwellness.co/masterclass/
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.
 

How to Survive the Job with Dr. Kevin Gilmartin

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or Dial 988 for immediate help.
 
What happens when the very skills that keep an officer alive on the street start quietly dismantling the rest of their life?
In this episode, Conrad Weaver sits down with Dr. Kevin Gilmartin—one of the pioneering voices in police psychology—to unpack the hidden physiology of the job: hypervigilance, distrust, adrenaline, cortisol, and the “biological roller coaster” that first responders ride every day. Gilmartin traces the evolution of wellness in public safety—from the early days of operational psychology to the modern shift toward peer support as the true trust-bridge into a resistant culture.
But the conversation doesn’t stay theoretical. It gets painfully practical: why officers gain weight even without “donuts,” how chronic stress pushes insulin resistance and heart disease, why many departments still treat wellness as optional, and what changes when leadership stops asking for permission and starts building wellness into the job itself. Gilmartin argues that the goal isn’t just surviving the career—it’s earning a retirement you can actually live.
If you lead, serve, or love someone in public safety, this episode will reframe wellness as leadership responsibility—and as a life-or-death commitment to what happens after the shift ends.
ABOUT KEVIN GILMARTIN
Dr. Kevin Gilmartin is a veteran police psychologist whose career spans the evolution of modern public safety wellness. Mentored early by one of the field’s pioneers, he went on to serve agencies across all 50 states and internationally, bringing a rare combination of operational credibility and deep clinical insight. Over decades, he has consulted with departments of every size—from major metropolitan agencies with robust wellness infrastructure to smaller organizations still battling stigma and outdated beliefs.
Gilmartin’s signature contribution is translating the lived reality of the job into understandable biology: hypervigilance, distrust as officer-safety training, cortisol and glucose cycling, and why off-duty disengagement becomes a slow-moving threat to families, health, and identity. He is also a vocal advocate for peer-driven wellness models and leadership practices that make health unavoidable—because the goal is not simply making it to retirement, but actually being well enough to enjoy it.
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ABOUT FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS SOLUTIONS
First Responder Wellness Solutions (FRWS) is on a mission to transform the health and culture of leadership within first responder agencies. We believe that healthy agencies begin with healthy leaders. Our integrated suite of services is designed to meet leaders where they are and elevate them through practical, scalable tools that build resilience, confidence, and clarity.
Our five core offerings:
Leadership Development Pathway – A system combining live training, mastermind groups, and peer coaching for continuous leadership growth.
Individual & Team Coaching – Confidential coaching solutions that address unique agency challenges and elevate team performance.
Digital Wellness Toolkit – On-demand, self-paced resources, including training modules and leadership tools accessible agency-wide.
National Leadership Summit – A flagship annual event that recharges, equips, and connects leaders from across the country.
FRWS Media Platform – A global reach platform featuring the First Responder Wellness Podcast and future publications, delivering ongoing insights and inspiration.
Through this clear, connected approach, FRWS helps create stronger leaders, healthier agencies, and more resilient communities.
 
FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Register for the First Responder Leadership Mastermind here: https://firstresponderwellness.co/masterclass/
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.

A Year in Review - Highlights from the Top Ten Downloaded Episodes this Year

This special year-end episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast counts down the Top 10 Most Downloaded Episodes of the Year—the conversations that resonated most with first responders, leaders, and their families.
These episodes tackle the issues that matter most right now: trauma and the brain, leadership culture, physical health, sleep and suicide prevention, spiritual wholeness, organizational accountability, and the human cost of silence.
Featuring highlights from Don Brucker, Cinnamon & Erin, Virginia Dixon, David Rhodes, Kimberly Miller, Tony Godwin, Samantha Sonnett, Reagan Falk, Dave Grossman, and Neil Gang, this episode reflects what this community is asking for—and what leaders must respond to.
It’s a moment to reflect, reset, and look ahead as new episodes return in January.
 
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Register for the First Responder Leadership Mastermind here: https://firstresponderwellness.co/masterclass/
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.

Christmas Eve Message from Conrad Weaver

Podcast Episode Summary & Show Notes
Episode Title: A Christmas Message for First RespondersPodcast: First Responder Wellness PodcastAir Date: December 24, 2025Duration: ~7 minutesHost: Conrad Weaver
🎧 Episode Summary:
In this special Christmas Eve episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, we pause to honor and thank the brave men and women who continue to serve their communities during the holiday season. Whether you're on shift or home with loved ones, this heartfelt message is dedicated to you.
Host Conrad Weaver reflects on the sacrifices first responders make—especially during times when most are gathered with family. This short but meaningful episode is a reminder that your service is seen, your wellness matters, and you are deeply appreciated.
📝 Show Notes:
What You'll Hear in This Episode:
A sincere thank you to all first responders working through the holidays
Recognition of the emotional and physical toll of the job
A reminder about the importance of prioritizing wellness and mental health
Encouragement to rest, recharge, and lean on your support systems
A message of hope, appreciation, and holiday wishes
🎄 This Episode Is For:
Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, nurses, corrections officers, and all emergency personnel
First responder families who support their loved ones behind the scenes
Anyone in the service community needing a moment of gratitude and encouragement this holiday
 
 
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Register for the First Responder Leadership Mastermind here: https://firstresponderwellness.co/masterclass/
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.

From Addiction to Purpose - Rich Cheatham's Journey Through Shame and Redemption.

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Register for the First Responder Leadership Mastermind here: https://firstresponderwellness.co/masterclass/
 
From Addiction to Purpose - Rich Cheatham's Journey Through Shame and Redemption.
In this powerful episode, retired fire captain Rick Cheatham opens up about a hidden crisis in the fire service—addiction, shame, and the mental health struggles no one talks about. Rick shares his personal battle with pornography addiction, rooted in childhood pain and magnified by the trauma of the job. With brutal honesty, he describes how his double life nearly destroyed his marriage, and how healing came only when he chose radical honesty and mentorship over silence and shame. This conversation is vital for every first responder, leader, and husband struggling to hold it all together. If you’ve ever wondered how to rebuild trust, find peace, and transform your pain into purpose—this is the episode you need to hear.
ABOUT RICK CHEATHAMRick Cheatham served the city of Anaheim for 25 years as a firefighter and fire captain, retiring in 2020. Beneath the uniform, however, Rick silently battled a devastating addiction rooted in childhood trauma and the accumulated emotional toll of service. After nearly losing his marriage, Rick embarked on a years-long journey of healing—through coaching, mentorship, radical honesty, and spiritual transformation. Now living in Nashville, Rick dedicates his life to helping firefighter husbands overcome their own battles with addiction and shame, guiding them toward restoration, trust, and purpose. His mission is clear: to break the silence, heal the pain, and help men become the husbands and fathers they were meant to be.
https://rickcheatham.com/
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST
Register for the First Responder Leadership Mastermind here: https://firstresponderwellness.co/masterclass/
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.

When the Helper Breaks: The Untold Trauma Inside Corrections

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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST EPISODE #111
When the Helper Breaks: The Untold Trauma Inside Corrections
In this profoundly moving conversation, former corrections sergeant and mental health advocate Syndi Treece shares the emotional truth of working inside America’s prisons—where trauma is constant, connection is complicated, and silence can destroy lives. Syndi opens up about losing nine colleagues in six months, becoming numb from years of suppressing her own pain, and ultimately rebuilding herself through breathwork, vulnerability, and honest community. Now serving as President of the Los Angeles chapter of Promise to Live, Syndi helps first responders and veterans find hope through connection and compassion. This episode is essential for anyone working in public safety, leadership, mental health, or who has ever felt the pressure of being “the strong one.”
 
About SyndiSyndi Trezise is a former corrections sergeant, mental health professional, and U.S. military veteran who now leads the Los Angeles chapter of Promise to Live, a national movement dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health awareness. She teaches first responders, veterans, and communities how to speak openly about struggle and choose life.
Promise to Live — https://promise2live.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.
 

How the Ontario Provincial Police Supports Their People

How the Ontario Provincial Police Supports Their People: How Ontario Built One of the Most Comprehensive First Responder Wellness Systems in North America
Guest: Rob Jamieson, Retired OPP Sergeant & Former President, Ontario Provincial Police Association
Host: Conrad Weaver
Episode OverviewThis powerful and far-reaching conversation with retired Ontario Provincial Police Sergeant and former OPP Association President Rob Jamieson dives into the creation of one of the most comprehensive first-responder mental-health programs in North America. Across his 30-year policing career, Jamieson witnessed firsthand the cost of untreated trauma, the painful impact of stigma, and the devastating consequences of suicide within the OPP.
Rob shares the pivotal turning points—from multiple member suicides, to his own diagnosis of complex PTSD, to listening to grieving families—that drove him to spearhead the development of Encompas, a 24/7/365 concierge-model wellness program serving thousands of OPP members and their families.
He discusses the legislative victories, unlimited psychological benefits, critical crisis interventions, and culture-shifting leadership practices that helped transform mental-health support in Ontario policing. He also highlights the profound financial benefits: the program saves the province millions while keeping members healthier, more connected, and at work.
This episode is a roadmap for leaders who want to build a healthier culture, reduce stigma, and create meaningful, structural support for their responders. Rob’s story is both deeply personal and broadly inspiring—a blueprint for what is possible when leaders decide to truly care for their people.
 
About the GuestRob Jamieson is a retired OPP Sergeant, former President & CEO of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, and a national leader in first-responder mental-health reform. His work helped shape the development of the Encompas Wellness Program—recognized as one of the most integrated and comprehensive mental-health programs for police personnel in Canada.
 
Rob’s BookIn Pursuit of Mental Wellness in the First Responder Community
 Available on Amazon. All proceeds support first responder support 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 ConjoStudios, LLC
Copyright ©2025 ConjoStudios, LLC - All rights Reserved.
 

Gratitude is the Secret Sauce - Conrad Weaver

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Gratitude is the Secret Sauce - Conrad Weaver
In this heartfelt Thanksgiving edition of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver pauses to express deep gratitude to the first responder community and the listeners who support the mission of wellness, healing, and connection. Conrad reads meaningful listener reviews, reflects on the power of community, and emphasizes his role as a connector—bringing leaders, experts, and resources to the microphone to support those carrying the weight of trauma, PTSD, and the daily stresses of public safety work.
He encourages listeners to make this week a “Week of Gratitude” by reaching out to friends, peers, and colleagues with simple messages of encouragement—small actions that can save lives and strengthen connection. Conrad speaks openly about the realities of suicide risk in public safety, the importance of checking on one another, and the profound impact of being seen and supported. He wraps the episode with a reminder that no one is alone, especially during the holiday season, and offers a simple challenge: send a message today to someone you are grateful for.
 
Episode Highlights
A special Thanksgiving message of gratitude for first responders and the podcast community
Listener reviews spotlight: appreciation, connection, and the purpose behind the show
Conrad’s mission: serving as a connector between first responders and healing resources
The importance of community support in reducing mental health risks
A simple weekly practice to help prevent isolation and support peers
The power of gratitude and why it changes the way we think
Encouragement for anyone struggling during the holidays
A call to action: reach out to three people this week
 
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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.
 

Are YOU a High Road Leader?

Here's what Conrad has been thinking about recently, today on the Friday Five...  
High Road Leaders choose Character over Comfort. 
Order High Road Leadership here. 
 
Register for the First Responder Leadership Mastermind Preview here. 
 
Connect with Conrad:💻 firstresponderwellnesspodcast.com🎥 Follow on YouTube & TikTok for challenge updates💬 Share your thoughts in the comments
 
 
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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.

How to Relieve Stress in One Minute with Marie Matteson

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How to Relieve Stress in One Minute: A Practical Tool for First Responders with Marie Matteson
Guest:Marie Matteson, MS – Former Volunteer EMT, Medical Massage Therapist, Stress & Emotion Regulation Specialist, Author of One Minute Stress Release
Episode Description
Stress is baked into the job for first responders—but what if you had a simple, practical tool you could use in about a minute, right in the middle of real life?
In this episode, Conrad sits down with Marie Matteson, a longtime EMS volunteer turned stress specialist, who has dedicated her work to “helping the helpers.” Marie shares how her experience as an EMT, combined with her background in applied health studies and medical massage, led her to develop the One Minute Stress Release technique—something that has helped medics, officers, dispatchers, and even herself through overwhelming situations.
Marie tells powerful stories, including how she supported a police officer who suddenly couldn’t qualify with his weapon due to accumulated stress, and how she personally used this technique to survive the devastating back-to-back suicides of both her parents in 2001. She explains how stress layers in the nervous system, why peer supporters are at high risk for overload, and how a simple hand position and eye movement pattern can help separate the emotional charge from the memory.
If you’re a first responder, a peer supporter, or someone who carries the weight of others’ crises, this conversation gives you a tool you can start using immediately.
Resources Mentioned
Book: One Minute Stress Release by Marie Matteson – available on Amazon
Marie’s Website & Contact:🌐 MarieMatteson.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.