Clearing the MindField

Brannon Hicks

Clearing the Mind Field is a space where the stories behind the uniform can be shared honestly, openly, and on their own terms. This podcast brings you face-to-face with combat veterans, SWAT operators, police officers, firefighters, and EMTs who have served in high-stakes environments, made difficult decisions, and carried experiences long after the moment has passed. These are individuals who answered the call to serve and are now navigating what comes next.   Here, they speak in their own words. No scripts. No expectations. Just real conversations. Some of these stories may challenge you. Some may resonate deeply. All of them matter.   Each episode explores: Why they chose a life of service What they experienced on the job How those experiences followed them home The impact on identity, relationships, and sense of self And most importantly how they found a way forward   Because this isn’t just about what was carried. It’s about recovery, resilience, and rebuilding a life worth living.   You’ll hear what healing can actually look like from those who have lived it. Honest conversations about what helps, what doesn’t, and what it takes to move forward after trauma and critical incidents.   Clearing the Mind Field exists for two reasons: To reduce stigma around mental health in military and first responder communities by creating space for real, human conversations To offer connection and hope for those still navigating their own path wherever they are in the journey   If you’ve ever served… If you’ve ever carried something hard to explain… If you’re trying to find your way forward…   This is your space.   You’re not alone. And you don’t have to carry it by yourself.  

Episodes

  1. Jun 9

    The Broken Responder

    The podcast episode features Richard Burns, a former police officer and Navy veteran, who shares his journey from childhood to law enforcement and military service. He discusses critical incidents, mental health struggles, and the impact on his well-being. Richard's experience highlights the importance of seeking therapy and developing emotional intelligence to navigate trauma and mental health challenges. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by first responders in dealing with mental health struggles and the lack of support from their colleagues and organizations. It highlights the need for a cultural shift and a national mental health initiative to address these issues and provide better support for first responders. Takeaways Importance of seeking therapy for mental health supportDevelopment of emotional intelligence to navigate trauma and mental health challenges Mental health struggles are often overlooked and misunderstood in the first responder community.A cultural shift and a national mental health initiative are crucial to address the challenges faced by first responders and provide better support. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Clearing the Mine Field05:06 Joining the Military and Law Enforcement16:01 Transition to the Navy and Deployment29:07 Impact of Critical Incidents and Mental Health Struggles42:36 Seeking Therapy and Emotional Intelligence47:45 Divine Intervention53:44 Struggles with Workman's Comp58:55 Coping with Loss01:05:15 Adjusting to Life After Retirement01:23:17 Creating a Mental Health Initiative

    1h 30m
  2. Apr 14

    Sometimes a Hero Brings His Sippy Cup

    In this powerful and unfiltered episode of Clearing the Mind Field, we sit down with Jason Wyman, an Army veteran and former combat medic who knows firsthand what it means to carry the invisible weight of service. Jason opens up about the moments that never left him—the service, the casualties, and the decisions that followed him home. We discuss the difference between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Moral Injury, and how the combination of both nearly cost him everything. This isn’t a surface-level conversation—this is the reality of what happens when the mission ends, but the war inside doesn’t. At his lowest point, Jason found himself battling Suicidal ideation, questioning whether he could keep going. But in the middle of that darkness, one thing cut through the noise—his son. Jason shares the turning point where fatherhood became more than a role—it became a lifeline. A reason to stay. A reason to rebuild. A reason to fight. This episode is about more than survival—it’s about reclaiming purpose, redefining strength, and leading your own recovery when no one else can do it for you. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The reality of life as a combat medic and the weight that followsWhat suicidal rock bottom actually feels like (and how to climb out)How connection, especially as a father, can become the turning pointWhat recovery looks like when you take ownership of it If you’re a veteran, first responder, or anyone carrying something heavy—this conversation is for you. You’re not alone. And there is a way forward.

    56 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Clearing the Mind Field is a space where the stories behind the uniform can be shared honestly, openly, and on their own terms. This podcast brings you face-to-face with combat veterans, SWAT operators, police officers, firefighters, and EMTs who have served in high-stakes environments, made difficult decisions, and carried experiences long after the moment has passed. These are individuals who answered the call to serve and are now navigating what comes next.   Here, they speak in their own words. No scripts. No expectations. Just real conversations. Some of these stories may challenge you. Some may resonate deeply. All of them matter.   Each episode explores: Why they chose a life of service What they experienced on the job How those experiences followed them home The impact on identity, relationships, and sense of self And most importantly how they found a way forward   Because this isn’t just about what was carried. It’s about recovery, resilience, and rebuilding a life worth living.   You’ll hear what healing can actually look like from those who have lived it. Honest conversations about what helps, what doesn’t, and what it takes to move forward after trauma and critical incidents.   Clearing the Mind Field exists for two reasons: To reduce stigma around mental health in military and first responder communities by creating space for real, human conversations To offer connection and hope for those still navigating their own path wherever they are in the journey   If you’ve ever served… If you’ve ever carried something hard to explain… If you’re trying to find your way forward…   This is your space.   You’re not alone. And you don’t have to carry it by yourself.