Kitchen Table Talk a Break The Stigma Inc Podcast

Break The Stigma Inc

Join us for real, unfiltered conversations about first responder mental health and wellness. Each episode features voices from firefighters, paramedics, police, medical professionals, and more as we share stories, resources, and strategies for resilience. Together, we break down stigma, build awareness, and create a culture where mental health is just as vital as physical health. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us at the table. Together, we’ll laugh, reflect, learn, and most importantly, break the stigma around first responder mental health and wellness.

Episodes

  1. Resilience or Discipline: Real Talk from the HoM Healing Center

    Apr 3

    Resilience or Discipline: Real Talk from the HoM Healing Center

    In this powerful episode of Kitchen Table Talk, host Michael Long is joined by co-host Nick Robben and special guest Tim Husereau, owner of Hom Healing Center in Pacific, Missouri. Recorded on-site at Tim’s studio, this conversation dives deep into what it truly means to struggle, survive, and grow—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Tim shares his raw and unfiltered battle with long COVID, a condition that derailed his life for 828 days. He opens up about collapsing just trying to get out of bed, repeated hospital visits, severe reactions to medications, sleeplessness, and even psychotic episodes. After spending over $30,000 out-of-pocket, he was ultimately told by a major medical institution that his condition was simply “depression.” What followed was a deep sense of abandonment—from both the medical system and people in his life—and a spiritual breaking point where he questioned everything, including his faith. Out of that suffering came purpose. Tim founded Home Healing Center, a space built from his personal journey to recovery. At the center, he now helps others through tools such as breathwork, yoga, meditation, red light therapy, sauna, and PEMF treatments. He also hosts a weekly men’s group where individuals come together, drop their guard, and have honest, often life-changing conversations. Throughout the episode, Mike, Nick, and Tim explore the power of connection—how simply sitting in a room with others who understand can break isolation and create real healing. Mike shares stories from the firehouse, including a powerful moment with a retired Navy SEAL turned firefighter who reminded him that trauma is not a competition—every story matters. The conversation then shifts to discipline and resilience, sparked by a powerful question: “Do I have discipline because I’m resilient, or am I resilient because I have discipline?” From there, they unpack the reality that discipline often comes through failure, and that growth requires trying—again and again—even when things don’t work the first time. Whether it’s therapy, breathwork, cold exposure, or meditation, the message is clear: keep showing up. Sleep and physical health become another key focus. Tim highlights the importance of proper breathing—especially nasal breathing—to regulate the nervous system. Mike shares his personal journey managing sleep apnea and improving recovery, while Nick discusses the impact of sunlight, vitamin D, and even natural rhythms on mood and sleep. The episode also tackles the modern pressures quietly impacting mental health—constant exposure to negativity, social media overload, and the trap of instant gratification. The group emphasizes the importance of doing hard things, earning your wins, and reconnecting with how we’re designed to function as humans. Threaded throughout the conversation is a common struggle: asking for help. The guys open up about the difficulty of reaching out, the cost of trying to handle everything alone, and the importance of letting others support you before your “bucket” overflows. Their message is simple but powerful—there is always someone in your corner, even when it doesn’t feel like it. By the end of this episode, listeners—especially first responders—will walk away with: A real-world example of resilience through long-term strugglePractical tools to support mental and physical healthA challenge to reflect on their own discipline and support systemsA reminder that struggle can be the beginning of growth—not the endIf you’ve ever felt alone, overwhelmed, or on the edge, this episode is for you. You are not alone. There are people in your corner. Sometimes, you just have to open your eyes a little wider to see them.

    1 hr
  2. Saving Lives on Both Ends of the Leash, How Service Dogs Help Our Heroes Heal

    Jan 24

    Saving Lives on Both Ends of the Leash, How Service Dogs Help Our Heroes Heal

    In this episode of Kitchen Table Talk, we’re joined by Susan and Tim of Missouri Patriot Paws for an honest, eye-opening conversation about the powerful role service dogs play in the lives of veterans and first responders. We go beyond the surface to talk about what service dogs actually do, how they’re trained, and why the relationship between handler and dog is so much more than companionship. Susan shares insight into the rigorous training process, the importance of proper placement, and how Missouri Patriot Paws supports individuals long after a dog goes home. This episode also addresses common misconceptions about service dogs, the challenges many veterans and first responders face after service, and how purpose, structure, and connection can be critical tools in healing. It’s a real conversation about life after the uniform—and how support sometimes comes on four legs. Whether you’re considering a service dog, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand the impact of these programs, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and hope. 🎧 Pull up a chair, join the conversation, and help us continue breaking the stigma around mental health in the first responder and veteran communities. Learn more about Missouri Patriot Paws and how you can support their mission. https://mopatriotpaws.org If this episode resonated with you, share it with a peer—and don’t forget to leave us feedback or a review. Episode Sponsor: Nestwell Roofs and exterior, www.nestwellstl.com

    57 min
  3. 12/26/2025

    More Than the Job: How Firehouse Culture Can Save, or Cost, Your Mental Health

    What happens when the firehouse stops feeling like home? In this episode of Kitchen Table Talk, the conversation gets real—uncomfortable at times, emotional at others, and honest all the way through. Host Michael Long, firefighter/paramedic and founder of Break The Stigma Inc., sits down with co-host Nick Robben and fellow firefighters Nate Miller and Mike Robinson to talk about the part of the job most people never see: how department culture can either keep you going… or quietly break you down. This isn’t a polished leadership talk. It’s a kitchen-table conversation about burnout, loss of purpose, anger, identity, and what it feels like to hate the person you’re becoming—even while wearing the uniform you once loved. The group shares personal stories of career lows, mental health struggles, near-misses, and the moments where one conversation, one crew, or one fresh start made the difference. They challenge the idea that mental health crises only look like rock bottom. Sometimes it looks like wanting to quit the job you swore you’d do forever. Sometimes it looks like silence. Sometimes it looks like drinking more, laughing less, or just feeling “off.” This episode dives into: Why culture doesn’t change by accident—it’s built, protected, and lived every shiftThe power of leaders who say “I don’t know” and crews who actually careHow trust, vulnerability, and connection can prevent crises before they happenWhy noticing small changes in each other can save careers—and livesWhat it really means to love your crew and show up for each otherThis is a reminder that behind every helmet is a human being. That mental health matters just as much as physical health. And that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is pull up a chair, tell the truth, and let someone know they’re not alone. Grab a cup of coffee. Take a seat. You belong at this table.

    1h 8m
  4. “The Breaking Point: Culture, Ketamine, and Changing the Future of First Responder Mental Health”

    12/12/2025

    “The Breaking Point: Culture, Ketamine, and Changing the Future of First Responder Mental Health”

    In Episode 4, Michael Long sits down with co-host Nick Robben and special guest Teena Silkwood for one of the most powerful and raw conversations yet. Together, they break down the reality of mental health crises in first responders — from suicidal ideations and repeated attempts, to the life-saving impact of one person speaking up at the right moment. This episode dives deep into: How old-school culture still prevents first responders from seeking helpThe gap between generations entering the fieldWhy “we’ve always done it this way” is costing livesKetamine treatment, stigma, misconceptions, and real-life outcomesHow departments can implement “mental light duty,” sabbaticals, and proactive wellness policiesThe importance of being a “bully for positivity” in the stationUsing ketamine alongside therapy, EMDR, and modern mental health practicesWhat treatment actually looks and feels like from someone who’s been thereThis episode is emotional, educational, and full of practical strategies that departments, leaders, and responders can implement now. Whether you’re a first responder, an administrator, or someone who cares about supporting those who run toward danger, this conversation is essential listening. Break the Stigma Inc. continues its mission to change the culture, normalize mental health treatment, and provide hope to those who feel like they’re out of options.

    1h 8m
  5. “Behind the Badge: Healing Relationships & Trauma with Dena DiStefano and Lindsay Simons”

    11/14/2025

    “Behind the Badge: Healing Relationships & Trauma with Dena DiStefano and Lindsay Simons”

    In this powerful second episode of Kitchen Table Talk, hosts Michael Long and Nick Robben sit down with two exceptional clinicians — Dena DiStefano, LCSW, C-DBT, CCTP, founder of Balanced Therapy & Wellness, and Lindsay Simons, LCSW, founder of The Empowerment Spot. Together, they break down the unique mental health challenges that first responders and their families face, from relationship strain and communication barriers to the emotional weight of constant exposure to high-stress environments. Dena shares insight from her 20+ years working with adults, couples, and many first responder families, highlighting the ripple effects the job has on partners and home life. Lindsay brings her wilderness-therapy background and explains Brainspotting, a powerful trauma-processing method that helps clients safely access and heal emotional wounds stored in the body. This conversation dives into family dynamics, couples counseling approaches, and how first responders can build healthier, more resilient relationships—both at work and at home. It’s real, honest, and packed with tools for anyone looking to strengthen connection in the face of a demanding career. www.breakthestigmainc.com Guest: Lindsay Simons, MSW, LCSW, Founder of the empowerment spot http://www.theempowermentspottherapy.com/ Dena DiStefano, LCSW, C-DBT, CCTP, founder of Balanced Therapy & Wellness http://www.denadistefano.com/

    1h 6m

About

Join us for real, unfiltered conversations about first responder mental health and wellness. Each episode features voices from firefighters, paramedics, police, medical professionals, and more as we share stories, resources, and strategies for resilience. Together, we break down stigma, build awareness, and create a culture where mental health is just as vital as physical health. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us at the table. Together, we’ll laugh, reflect, learn, and most importantly, break the stigma around first responder mental health and wellness.