Midwest Mayhem Podcast

Tyler Barton
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Midwest Mayhem isn’t just a podcast — it’s a movement built from the heart of Missouri. We shine a light on the stories that often go unheard — from the firehouse to the front lines, from the backroads of small-town Missouri to the people who keep those towns running. Each episode blends real conversations, raw emotion, and a little bit of chaos the Midwest way — with laughter, heart, and hometown pride. Through our Voices of Valor series, we honor first responders, veterans, dispatchers, and other hometown heroes who’ve lived the moments most people only read about. These are stories of courage, mental health, resilience, and the powerful bonds that hold our communities together. At Midwest Mayhem, we believe every call, every laugh, and every story matters — because this is where quiet towns have loud voices, and heroes finally get the mic.

  1. Sep 25

    The S.TA.B.L.E.S (Guest Varina Luttrull)

    In this episode of Midwest Mayhem Podcast, we sit down with Varina Luttrull, Executive Director of The STABLEs Equine Therapeutic Foundation in Farmington, Missouri. Founded in 2023, The STABLEs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing equine-assisted services to children and adults of all ages and abilities. Through riding instruction, horsemanship, horse care, and the powerful connection between people and horses, their mission is centered around supporting, teaching, advocating, bonding, loving, empowering, and serving their community. Varina brings more than 13 years of experience in the therapeutic riding industry and over 35 years of experience with horses. As a certified instructor through PATH International and Equi-First Aid USA, her background includes therapeutic riding instruction, horse training, barn management, herd management, and equine care. But for Varina, this mission is also personal. As the mother of a daughter with physical and physiological challenges, she has witnessed firsthand the impact equine-assisted services can have on individuals and their families. We talk about Varina’s journey, the story and mission behind The STABLEs, how therapeutic riding works, the incredible role horses can play in building confidence and independence, and what it takes to operate a nonprofit organization dedicated to making these services available to the community. We also dive into the horses, volunteers, instructors, challenges, successes, and the people who make The STABLEs what it is today. This episode is about much more than horseback riding. It’s about connection, confidence, compassion, and giving people an opportunity to grow—both in and out of the saddle. Learn more about The STABLEs Equine Therapeutic Foundation at their official website.

    The S.TA.B.L.E.S (Guest Varina Luttrull)

  2. Sep 11

    S2/E15 Guest #20 (Voices of Valor: Kevin Eckhoff)

    Join Tyler and Lochie for another episode of Voices of Valor as they sit down with Guest #20, Kevin Eckhoff. Kevin began his career with the State of Missouri in 1995 before joining the Missouri Department of Corrections in 1996. He spent the majority of his career at Potosi Correctional Center, working his way from Corrections Officer to Sergeant and eventually Lieutenant. During his career, Kevin served on the Eastern Region Crisis Negotiation Team and as a Gang Task Force Coordinator. Known for his ability to communicate, problem-solve, and gain compliance without being the stereotypical “tough guy,” Kevin built a career spanning nearly three decades before retiring in 2023. In 2024, Kevin published *Many Hats: The "Many Hats" of a Corrections Officer*, sharing his experiences and lessons from a career behind the walls. Join us as we talk corrections, crisis negotiation, leadership, Kevin’s book, and life beyond the uniform—including his days as a rodeo cowboy, passion for sprint car racing, and amateur photography. This is Voices of Valor Guest #20 — Kevin Eckhoff. Turning Courage Into Conversation.

    S2/E15 Guest #20 (Voices of Valor: Kevin Eckhoff)

  3. Sep 4

    The Firehouse Round Table E1

    Welcome to the very first Firehouse Round Table! Presented By: Muddy River Training LLC Host Tyler Barton sits down with firefighters Dylan Miner, Josh McAtee, and Andrew Hopkins for an open and unfiltered conversation about the fire service — the good, the bad, and the things that sometimes need to be said. Around the table, we dive into leadership, training, firehouse culture, accountability, volunteer vs. career departments, expectations placed on volunteers, and the challenges facing today’s fire service. With different backgrounds and experiences represented at the table, the guys share their perspectives on what works, what doesn't, and what we can do to continue moving the fire service forward. There are serious conversations, different opinions, plenty of laughs, and a little mayhem along the way.

    The Firehouse Round Table E1

  4. Aug 21

    Mayhem Returns To The Mic!!

    We’re catching up on what we’ve been up to, covering some of the recent events that happened while we were away, and talking about what’s coming next for Midwest Mayhem Podcast!

    Mayhem Returns To The Mic!!

  5. May 22

    S2/E12 Guest #19 (Voices of Valor: Rick Whaley)

    In this episode of Midwest Mayhem Podcast: Voices of Valor, Tyler & Lochie sit down with longtime firefighter and EMS provider Rick Whaley for a powerful conversation about nearly four decades of service to communities across Southeast Missouri. From joining the Elvins Fire Department in 1988, to serving as chief, assistant chief, EMT, and longtime member of the St. Francois County Ambulance District, Rick shares the highs, hardships, lessons, and brotherhood that come with a lifetime in the fire service. In this episode, we discuss:• Life in the fire service across multiple generations• Leadership, brotherhood, and dedication to the job• Mental health and emotional struggles in first responders• Grief, loss, and perseverance through difficult moments• What continues to inspire firefighters to answer the call year after year This episode is filled with experience, honesty, heart, and powerful perspective from someone who has spent decades serving others. 🎧 Midwest Mayhem Podcast — Turning Courage Into Conversation.

    S2/E12 Guest #19 (Voices of Valor: Rick Whaley)

  6. May 8

    S2/E11 Guest #17 (Voices of Valor: Sarah Branson)

    In this episode of Midwest Mayhem’s Voices of Valor, we sit down with Sarah Branson — a critical care paramedic, EMS educator, program director, mother of four, and passionate advocate for mental health in emergency services. Since entering EMS in 2015, Sarah has worked across ground EMS, flight EMS, and EMS education, dedicating her career to both patient care and shaping the next generation of providers. This conversation goes far beyond medicine and dives into the emotional realities many first responders silently carry. Sarah opens up about losing a student to suicide, the guilt that followed, and the realization that while trying to support everyone around her, she had neglected her own mental health. We also discuss postpartum mental health in first responders, and how previously compartmentalized trauma resurfaced after becoming a mother. Sarah shares how one specific call continues to impact the way she cares for her children today, even after years of therapy and healing. As an educator and leader in EMS, Sarah talks about how teaching helped her better understand people, personality differences, and the importance of giving grace to others. The episode also explores living with OCD, breaking misconceptions surrounding mental health, and the struggles of being misunderstood in professional environments. This episode is raw, emotional, honest, and incredibly important — not just for first responders, but for anyone learning how to carry trauma, support others, and still find purpose through it all.

    S2/E11 Guest #17 (Voices of Valor: Sarah Branson)

  7. May 1

    S2/E10 Guest #17 (Voices of Valor: Joe Wilkes)

    With 21 years in the fire service, Joe Wilkes has dedicated his life to serving others—starting as a volunteer firefighter and building into a full-time career. Along the way, he’s experienced both the rewarding moments and the ones that leave a lasting impact. Early in his career, a pediatric call changed everything—shaping how he understood the emotional toll first responders carry and the importance of addressing it. That experience led Joe to help start Pulaski County FRSST (First Responder Stress Support Team), an organization focused on helping first responders navigate stress, trauma, and the unseen side of the job. In this episode, we talk about the calls that stay with you, the mental weight of the fire service, and why supporting each other off the scene is just as critical as the work done on it. This one is real, raw, and an important conversation for anyone in the first responder community. 🎙️ *Voices of Valor — Turning Courage Into Conversation*

    S2/E10 Guest #17 (Voices of Valor: Joe Wilkes)

  8. Apr 24

    S2/E9 Guest #16 (Voices of Valor: Samantha Nahlik)

    In this episode of Midwest Mayhem, we sit down with Samantha Nahlik — a critical care paramedic with over a decade of experience at Washington County Ambulance District, and a leader focused on driving change in EMS through education and leadership. Samantha shares what it’s really like navigating the EMS world — from working under false leadership, to finding your place, to stepping up and becoming the kind of leader others need. With experience in multiple roles throughout her career, she brings a well-rounded perspective from both the field and the classroom. We also discuss balancing life as a paramedic while going through pregnancy, the challenges providers face every day, and what it takes to educate and build the next generation of EMS professionals the right way. This conversation is real, honest, and packed with insight from someone who’s lived EMS from every angle — on the truck and in the classroom.

    S2/E9 Guest #16 (Voices of Valor: Samantha Nahlik)
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About

Midwest Mayhem isn’t just a podcast — it’s a movement built from the heart of Missouri. We shine a light on the stories that often go unheard — from the firehouse to the front lines, from the backroads of small-town Missouri to the people who keep those towns running. Each episode blends real conversations, raw emotion, and a little bit of chaos the Midwest way — with laughter, heart, and hometown pride. Through our Voices of Valor series, we honor first responders, veterans, dispatchers, and other hometown heroes who’ve lived the moments most people only read about. These are stories of courage, mental health, resilience, and the powerful bonds that hold our communities together. At Midwest Mayhem, we believe every call, every laugh, and every story matters — because this is where quiet towns have loud voices, and heroes finally get the mic.

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