REACT: A First Responder Podcast

Brianna McCarty
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Mental Health

Hosted by a former police officer, this podcast is breaking the silence around trauma, stigma, healing, and the courage it takes to keep showing up. Raw, honest conversations that remind us we're not alone.

  1. Jun 23

    Blurred Lines

    In part one of this two part conversation, I sit down with police officers, Dan Mercer and Clint Brooks who are co-authors of Blurred Lines to discuss the realities of policing that often go unspoken. We explore the childhood experiences and family influences that draw many of us to this profession, the desire to be a hero, and how unresolved trauma can shape our path.  In this episode, we discuss the culture of dark humor, self-medication, and the challenge of learning how to leave the job behind at the end of the shift. The conversation dives into critical incidents, the images that never seem to leave, and the difference between what the public sees as heroism and what officers experience as controlled chaos.  We also discuss PTSD, emotional detachment, moral injury, complacency and the toll that high performance can take on those who dedicate themselves to the profession. Through powerful personal stories, including a life-altering vehicle crash that left one officer permanently injured, we examine what happens when the job demands everything from you - and what it feels like when you’re ultimately viewed as just a number.  This episode is an honest look at the invisible wounds of policing, the weight officers carry long after the call is over, and the difficult work of learning how to live beyond the badge.  To purchase a copy of Blurred lines, you can do so on Amazon with the link below. https://a.co/d/07XiOTWS Dan Mercer and Clint Brooks have also continued the work they do with Echopoint Leadership. Through Echopoint you can book the officers for a public speaking event, sign up for critical incident aftermath training, learn more about retreats designed for first responders and contact them for strategic advisory.  https://echopointleadership.com/ Echopoint Leadership in partnership with Trinity church is hosting a 2026 retreat in Arizona. Check out the Echopoint Leadership website for more information.  If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow along on my other socials.  https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr# https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026 If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at bmtmccarty@gmail.com  I am most active in LinkedIn at Brianna McCarty. You can converse with me there, see what else I’m up to and find other updates.  I host a once a month virtual peer group strictly for first responders active or not. This is a safe space to connect with people who understand the things we don’t often talk about. This isn’t therapy and there is no obligation to talk. You can simply be with like minded people and find healing in realizing you’re not alone. You can email or message me on any of my socials for the link. Hope to see you there! If you would like to support the work that I am doing to improve mental health awareness and reduce stigma in the first responder community, please visit the REACT for Responders website. Reactforresponders.org  There are many ways to help, including: Making a donation to support our mission Volunteering your time and expertise as a training, peer support officer, or subject matter expert Sharing resources or connecting us with organizations that may benefit from our work Sharing your story - either as a guest on the podcast or anonymously for me to share your story on your behalf.  Every story shared helps raise awareness, start important conversations, and move us one step closer to changing the culture surrounding mental health in the first responder profession.  Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, first responder community.

    1h 24m

  2. Jun 10

    The fight back

    Frank Voce, a Police officer in New York and founder of Reps For Responders joins me to share his story of mental health through the badge and his journey of resilience. In 2018/2019 Frank struggled with his mental health and fortunately found the strength to seek help. This is Frank’s truth of hitting his rock bottom, something we as a culture are afraid of, and quite literally fighting his way back to being whole. After this, Frank has felt called to help first responders become the best version of themselves they can.   Through his experiences and strength, he founded a non profit to improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of first responders. Reps For Responders provides support for substance abuse, mental health battles, fitness and nutrition and recovery coaching.  You can visit the website to learn more about Frank and Reps for Responders.  Any purchase of merch goes right back into the non-profit to keep their mission alive.  https://www.repsforresponders.org/ https://www.repsforresponders.org/shop You can find Reps for Responders on IG! Follow them at Reps_for-Responders Every Sunday at 7pm EST, Frank and his team host Responder Talk via zoom. First responders from around the work connect to talk about any physical or mental health topics. To learn more or join the meeting, email info@respsforresponders.org If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow along on my other socials.  https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr# https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026 If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at bmtmccarty@gmail.com  I am most active in LinkedIn at Brianna McCarty. You can converse with me there, see what else I’m up to and find other updates.  I host a once a month virtual peer group strictly for first responders active or not. This is a safe space to connect with people who understand the things we don’t often talk about. This isn’t therapy and there is no obligation to talk. You can simply be with like minded people and find healing in realizing you’re not alone. You can email or message me on any of my socials for the link. Hope to see you there! If you would like to support the work that I am doing to improve mental health awareness and reduce stigma in the first responder community, please visit the REACT for Responders website. Reactforresponders.org  There are many ways to help, including: Making a donation to support our 501(c)3 Volunteering your time and expertise as a training, peer support officer, or subject matter expert Sharing resources or connecting us with organizations that may benefit from our work Sharing your story - either as a guest on the podcast or anonymously for me to share your story on your behalf.  Every story shared helps raise awareness, start important conversations, and move us one step closer to changing the culture surrounding mental health in the first responder profession.  Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, first responder community.

    57 min

  3. May 5

    Choosing Life Over the Badge - Part Two

    Today’s guest, Brian Rogers used to be a patrol deputy for the largest Sheriff's office in Oregon. He was an FTO, combatives instructor, narcotics investigator, on the riot team and more!  PTSD doesn’t just come from one moment. It builds. Call after call. Year after year. Quietly changing the way you think, react and live.  Now add to that department betrayal.  In part one of Brian’s story he speaks about the identity, the pressure, and the reality of what happens when the job doesn’t just stay on the job. As you’ll hear, after more than 16 years he was forced to make an impossible decision.  The badge… Or walk away to treat the PTSD and save yourself, your marriage and your family.  Today, he is thriving and would never look back.  This is a conversation about the slow weight of the profession and the incredible resilience and strength to reclaim your life.  Brian Rogers is also a host of his own podcast, Shielded Voices Podcast where the mission is to break the silence and bring light to the humans behind the badge. They are everywhere you can find your favorite podcasts. Check out the link below directly to their podcast where you can learn even more about Brian and his Co Host.  https://open.spotify.com/show/7npT0bTh84ECbclchwNKnt?si=0e51745f57e94bab https://www.shieldedvoices.com/home You can also find Shielded voices on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube at Shielded Voices.  If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow along on my other socials.  https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr# https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026 If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at bmtmccarty@gmail.com  I am most active in LinkedIn at Brianna McCarty. You can converse with me there, see what else I’m up to and find other updates.  I host a once a month virtual peer group strictly for first responders active or not. This is a safe space to connect with people who understand the things we don’t often talk about. This isn’t therapy and there is no obligation to talk. You can simply be with like minded people and find healing in realizing you’re not alone. You can email or message me on any of my socials for the link. Hope to see you there!

    1h 2m

  4. Apr 20

    Choosing Life over the Badge

    Today’s guest, Brian Rogers, used to be a patrol deputy for the largest Sheriff's office in Oregon. He was an FTO, combatives instructor, narcotics investigator, on the riot team and more!  PTSD doesn’t just come from one moment. It builds. Call after call. Year after year. Quietly changing the way you think, react and live.  Now add to that department betrayal.  In part one of Brian’s story he speaks about the identity, the pressure, and the reality of what happens when the job doesn’t just stay on the job. As you’ll hear, after more than 16 years he was forced to make an impossible decision.  The badge… Or walk away to treat the PTSD and save yourself, your marriage and your family.  This episode is not where Brian’s story ends Stay turned for Part 2.  Today, he is thriving and would never look back.  This is a conversation about the slow weight of the profession and the incredible resilience and strength to reclaim your life.  Brian Rogers is also a host of his own podcast, Shielded Voices Podcast, where the mission is to break the silence and bring light to the humans behind the badge. They are everywhere you can find your favorite podcasts. Check out the link below directly to their podcast where you can learn even more about Brian and his Co Host.  https://open.spotify.com/show/7npT0bTh84ECbclchwNKnt?si=0e51745f57e94bab https://www.shieldedvoices.com/home You can also find Shielded voices on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube at Shielded Voices.  If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow along on my other socials.  https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr# https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026 If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at bmtmccarty@gmail.com  I am most active in LinkedIn at Brianna McCarty. You can converse with me there, see what else I’m up to and find other updates.  I host a once a month virtual peer group strictly for first responders active or not. This is a safe space to connect with people who understand the things we don’t often talk about. This isn’t therapy and there is no obligation to talk. You can simply be with like minded people and find healing in realizing you’re not alone. You can email or message me on any of my socials for the link. Hope to see you there!

    1h 14m

  5. Apr 12

    Give Blue Hope

    This episode is not my typical episode, but it is a very important one.  Not only will we be remembering a fallen officer today, but sharing a resource for families should they ever need support in this unfortunate situation.  Two years ago today, April 12, Officer Ross Bartlett was on a routine traffic stop when he was struck by a distracted driver and killed. Leaving behind a family he loved dearly.  What happens when we expect the system and department to be prepared and support our families through these tough times and they don’t?  This is something officer Barlett’s family had to deal with.  There was no say in how Officer Bartlett was laid to rest. No counseling for the family. No emotional support. No financial support.  I had the opportunity to sit down with Tiffany Yant, the daughter of Officer Bartlett and discuss her experience.  Tiffany found purpose in her pain and is not a part of an incredible organization, Give Blue Hope.  Give Blue Hope helps with the financial gaps for the family of the fallen officer. But for Tiffany and her team, it goes far beyond that.  They are there to make sure you are supported with counseling resources and structured support.  Tiffany and her team aren’t just doing a job, they care about you and your family.  They will remember the anniversaries, the birthdays…  They will be there whenever you need to reach out to someone.  They will just be there. No questions asked.  One way in which they are unique, they will help you become prepared before something like this happens.  Tiffany is setting out to change the way we operate before a Line of duty death, taking out the guess work for the family we leave behind.  Do you want a public funeral?  Does your family know what bills are to be paid?  Does your family know how to access your bank account?  The list goes on and Give Blue Hope has you covered.  If you would like to reach out to Give Blue hope and Tiffany, or just learn more, please visit the link below.  https://www.givebluehope.org/ Tiffany can also be found on Facebook and Linkedin at Tiffany Yant.  The founder of Give Blue Hope, Curtis DeBerg, is also on Linkedin.  If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow along on my other socials.  https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr# https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026 If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at bmtmccarty@gmail.com  I am most active in LinkedIn at Brianna McCarty. You can converse with me there, see what else I’m up to and find other updates.  I host a once a month virtual peer group strictly for first responders active or not. This is a safe space to connect with people who understand the things we don’t often talk about. This isn’t therapy and there is no obligation to talk. You can simply be with like minded people and find healing in realizing you’re not alone. You can email or message me on any of my socials for the link. Hope to see you there!

    31 min

  6. Apr 6

    Demons, Angels and the weight of the job

    This episode hits different.  I decided to throw the script away for a more authentic conversation that went where we needed it to go.  I sat down with Dennis Pishok, someone who spent 18 years as a firefighter before transitioning into law enforcement. We talk about what those long shifts really cost you, how the job impacts family, life and why - despite everything - so many first responders feel called to serve,  We get into the differences between fire and police work, the constant weight of the calls, and the realities the people outside of this profession don’t always see.  But more than that, this conversation dives into trauma, peer support, group therapy, and what it actually looks like to take care of yourself in real time and in a career that often doesn’t leave room for self care.  Dennis has also written a book, Demons and Angels, where he shares his experience with trauma, and finding the way forward.  https://a.co/d/0cgXoi6J This didn’t feel like an interview, it felt more like peer support.  If you’re in this job, or you love someone who is, this conversation will resonate.  If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow along on my other socials.  https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr# https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026 If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at bmtmccarty@gmail.com  I am most active in LinkedIn at Brianna McCarty. You can converse with me there, see what else I’m up to and find other updates.  I host a once a month virtual peer group strictly for first responders active or not. This is a safe space to connect with people who understand the things we don’t often talk about. This isn’t therapy and there is no obligation to talk. You can simply be with like minded people and find healing in realizing you’re not alone. You can email or message me on any of my socials for the link. Hope to see you there!

    1h 6m

  7. Mar 25

    Can one hour change a culture?

    Today’s guest is a Sheriff local to me, Sheriff Rob Tadelman. Sheriff Tadelman began his career in 2004. During his career he has worn several hats within the Sheriff’s office and two deputies have been killed in the line of duty during his time there. While he wasn’t Sheriff at that time, he was able to see how things operated in those unfortunate incidents. Tadelmen has been Sheriff since 2022 and has been focusing on his own “pie in the sky” idea to better support his deputy. These shifts are never easy and take a great deal of time, but that didn’t slow Sheriff Tadelman down or lose sight of his purpose.  Sheriff Tadelmen explains how he plans to introduce an hour a day to his department staff where they can slow down, destress and access mental health resources. We talk about what this change actually looks like behind the scenes.  Ever wonder how clinicians might be vetted?  Have you ever had the administration deny a request and question if things could have gone differently?  It was refreshing to sit down with someone in leadership who was willing to step up, start the conversation and fight for change.  I'm curious, what’s a change you would make if you were Sheriff? If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow along on my other socials.  https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr# https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026 If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at bmtmccarty@gmail.com  I am most active in LinkedIn at Brianna McCarty. You can converse with me there, see what else I’m up to and find other updates.  I host a once a month virtual peer group strictly for first responders active or not. This is a safe space to connect with people who understand the things we don’t often talk about. This isn’t therapy and there is no obligation to talk. You can simply be with like minded people and find healing in realizing you’re not alone. You can email or message me on any of my socials for the link. Hope to see you there!

    1h 10m

  8. Mar 9

    Routine call turned violent

    What starts as a routine call can quickly change.  In this episode, I sit down with a full time police officer who has built his career around both protecting others and supporting those within this profession. He serves as a peer support officer and a member of the critical incident stress management team. Alongside all the work in law enforcement, he is currently finishing up his masters in clinical mental health and counseling, specializing with the first responder and military community. His goal is to bridge the gap between the realities of this profession and the mental health support often needed but rarely sought.  During our conversation, we discuss the danger of complacency in policing and how quickly a routine call can escalate. He shares a powerful story about responding to what appeared to be a standard medical call, but quickly turned violent when a firearm was introduced - forcing a split-second fight for control.  This episode is a conversation about vigilance, culture, and the growing movement of first responders working to support their own mental health needs.  Today’s guest represents a new generation of officers working to change the way the profession approaches resilience, support and service. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow along on my other socials.  https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr# https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026 If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at bmtmccarty@gmail.com  I am most active in LinkedIn at Brianna McCarty. You can converse with me there, see what else I’m up to and find other updates.

    1h 13m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Hosted by a former police officer, this podcast is breaking the silence around trauma, stigma, healing, and the courage it takes to keep showing up. Raw, honest conversations that remind us we're not alone.

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