Behind The Shield

James Geering
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  • Mental Health
  • Updated twice weekly

Bringing the greatest minds in mental and physical wellness to the men and women who serve our communities.

  1. Tim and Angela Houweling II (How Psychedelics are Saving First Responder Lives) - Episode 1257

    1 day ago

    Tim and Angela Houweling II (How Psychedelics are Saving First Responder Lives) - Episode 1257

    Tim Houweling and Angela Graham-Houweling are two firefighters with almost 40 years of experience combined in emergency services including Fire, EMS, and Search & Rescue. They have witnessed firsthand the growing mental health challenges faced by first responders. Over the years, they have lost several friends and family members to depression and PTSD. After navigating their own mental health journeys, they felt compelled to create a path to support others. Angela Graham. is the Co-Founder of The S.I.R.E.N. Project. IShe was a Firefighter/Engineer/HAZMAT Spec. for almost 20 years with Santa Clara County Fire Dept. in Silicon Valley. Prior to that she was a D1 & professional softball pitcher. She has a loving husband, who is a Fire Capt., and a 7-year-old son. For the first five years of her son's life she was a single mother. For years she struggled with mental health trying every modality available. A friend of hers, who happened to be a special forces operator, connected her to providers of Entheogenic Medicines. It completely changed her life. The change was so profound that Angela and her husband decided to start The S.I.R.E.N. Project to make these medicines available to all First Responders and their Spouses. Tim Houweling works as a Fire Captain, Paramedic, and Hazmat Technician on a Type 1 Heavy Rescue for a San Francisco Bay Area Fire Department. Tim has also been a professional dog trainer since 2004. Tim is also co-founder of the S.I.R.E.N Project which helps first responders access sacred medicine served by indigenous people. Tim began his career with search and rescue dogs in 2005 and has certified six dogs: Deuce, Tater, Georgie, Charley, Carl and Rory in various disciplines from wilderness area search to US&R live-find and human remains detection. He is the Canine Coordinator and a Canine Search Specialist with one of the 28 FEMA Urban Search & Rescue teams in the United States. In that role, he has deployed eighteen times to various US&R environments including post-fire searches, debris flows, floods, explosions, and hurricanes. He is also a member of the canine component of the Yosemite Search and Rescue team (“YODOGS”). In addition to being a Canine Search Specialist, Tim is qualified as a Search Team Manager, Technical Search Specialist, Rescue Specialist, and Finance Specialist. He is a FEMA Evaluator and FEMA instructor. He has served on the Board of Directors of the California Rescue Dog Association, which has the most search wilderness dogs in the United States. He founded a non-profit, HD Search Dog Fund, Inc., that provides training and gear to our nation’s search and rescue dogs. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Extension Studies/History from Harvard University with his thesis on “The Origin and Evolution of Search and Rescue Dogs in California.” He also serves on the Board of Directors of First Responder Therapy Dogs, Inc., and is on the Executive Board of his local IAFF Union. In addition, he is passionate about improving first responder mental health. With his wife Angela, he co-founded The S.I.R.E.N. Project to help first responders access sacred medicine served by indigenous people (www.thesirenproject.org). These medicines have proven more effective than western medicines in treating post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI.) https://www.thesirenproject.org/news-events/announcement-the-415-gala-september-2026

    55 min
  2. Justin Wren (Mixed Martial Arts, Childhood Bullying and Saving Pigmy Tribes) - Episode 211

    3 days ago ·  Bonus

    Justin Wren (Mixed Martial Arts, Childhood Bullying and Saving Pigmy Tribes) - Episode 211

    Justin Wren is an MMA Heavyweight and founder of the organization "Fight for the Forgotten". We discuss his early life, bullying, combat sports, addiction, the pygmies and much more. Almost a decade ago the world got to know Justin Wren through his successful mixed martial arts career in the UFC – from starring in the Spike reality show “The Ultimate Fighter,” to becoming a dominating force in the heavyweight division, to his MMA record of 15-2. Today, the world knows this 6-foot-3-inch, 265-pound fighter for the size of his heart. Following a six-year struggle with addiction and depression in his early career, Justin stepped away from MMA to seek out purpose and passion for his life. What he found was a forgotten tribe of Mbuti Pygmies deep in the jungles of the Congo, beaten down by economic enslavement, disease, and hopelessness. Through his Fight for the Forgotten initiative, 1,500 members of this formerly enslaved people group are now free and flourishing on 3,000 acres of their own land with access to clean water and their own farms. “I still love MMA, and my work in the Congo didn’t change that,” he says. “But it did change me. I’m not fighting for myself anymore. I’m fighting to bring attention and change to those who don’t have a voice.” A champion Greco-Roman wrestler, Justin's life changed when he traveled to Congo to help the Pygmies. This ethnic group, indigenous to Africa, is preyed upon by armed rebels, being killed, raped and even eaten. Having fought for himself as an MMA fighter for his entire life, Justin urges us to use the tools around us to fight for the forgotten. Today Justin “The Big Pygmy” Wren has expanded his Fight for the Forgotten to empower all those who don’t have a voice. He regularly speaks to raise awareness for those affected by the water crisis, as well as those who are bullied, and those suffering from depression and addiction.

    1hr 29min
  3. James Owen (Gang Violence, Firefighter Mental Health and the Murder of Captain Dave Rosa) - Episode 1256

    5 days ago

    James Owen (Gang Violence, Firefighter Mental Health and the Murder of Captain Dave Rosa) - Episode 1256

    Captain James Owen is a retired Long Beach Fire Department Captain, author of The Last Patient: A Memoir of Resilience and Recovery, speaker, recovery advocate, and founder of Camp Pivot, a platform dedicated to helping first responders, veterans, high-stress professionals, and their families confront trauma, rebuild trust, and recover with discipline. James spent nearly three decades in emergency response and public safety, including more than two decades with the Long Beach Fire Department. His career included service as a firefighter, paramedic, fire captain, incident commander, peer support member, and responder to all-risk incidents across one of Southern California’s busiest urban environments. His background spans paramedicine, fireground command, wildland response, hazardous materials, urban search and rescue, maritime operations, and leadership inside high-pressure public safety systems. But James’s work today is not built on rank alone. It is built on cost. For years, he ran toward other people’s emergencies while quietly carrying his own. Childhood instability, cumulative trauma, death, divorce, addiction, organizational betrayal, physical injury, and the slow erosion of identity all became part of the story he would eventually have to face. Like many first responders, James learned how to function under pressure long before he learned how to process what pressure was doing to him. The job rewarded control, performance, humor, and silence. Eventually, silence became too expensive. That reckoning became The Last Patient https://captainjamesowen.com/

    2h 18m
  4. Michael Easter (Seeking Discomfort, Journalism and the Solving the Obesity Crisis) - Episode 628

    6 days ago ·  Bonus

    Michael Easter (Seeking Discomfort, Journalism and the Solving the Obesity Crisis) - Episode 628

    Michael Easter is a journalist, professor and the author of "The Comfort Crisis". We discuss his journey into writing, the metamorphosis of the magazine industry, the concept of Misogi, the obesity epidemic, seeking discomfort, the importance of boredom and so much more. Michael is a leading voice on how humans can integrate modern science and evolutionary wisdom for improved health, meaning, and performance in life and at work. He travels the globe to embed himself with brilliant thinkers and people living at the extremes. He then shares his findings and experiences with people around the world in his books and podcast and TV appearances. He is the author of The Comfort Crisis, a bestseller. The Comfort Crisis been translated into 10 different languages and adopted by Major League Baseball teams, top-ranked NCAA D1 football programs, top-tier universities and law programs, major corporations, and tier-one military units. His work shows that science has many answers. But it also proves that many aspects of the human experience and living well cannot be measured. To that end, his work combines the statistical and mystical. It melds topics ranging from medicine and anthropology to theology and philosophy, along with case studies of everyday people doing extraordinary things. He believes that new discoveries and a deeper understanding don’t happen from behind a screen. To that end, Michael’s investigations have taken him to meet with monks in ancient monasteries in Bhutan, lost tribes in the jungles of Bolivia, US Special Forces soldiers in undisclosed locations, gene scientists in Iceland, drug kingpins in Iraq, CEOs in Fortune-500 boardrooms, and elsewhere. Michael’s work and ideas have appeared in over 60 countries. They’ve been endorsed by directors of the CIA and Navy SEALs, gold medal-winning Olympians, leading physicians, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, Buddhist and environmental leaders, and more. His writing has appeared in Men’s Health, where he’s a Contributing Editor, and Outside, Men’s Journal, Cosmopolitan, Vice, Esquire, Scientific American, and Women’s Health. He’s also talked about his work and ideas on the world’s largest, most influential podcasts, like The Joe Rogan Experience, Art of Manliness, Impact Theory, NPR, EconTalk, and more. He’s spoken to or consulted for various top-tier universities, medical schools, Fortune-500 companies, government agencies, and some of the country’s largest nonprofits. When he’s not on the ground reporting, Michael is a professor in the journalism department at UNLV. He co-founded and co-directs the Public Communications Institute, a think tank at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). He lives in Las Vegas on the edge of the desert with his wife and their two dogs, Stockton and Conway.

    1hr 32min
  5. Charles Johnson (The Sopranos, Hollywood Screenwriting and Grooming Standards in Uniform) - Episode 1255

    18 Jun

    Charles Johnson (The Sopranos, Hollywood Screenwriting and Grooming Standards in Uniform) - Episode 1255

    Charles R. Johnson is an entrepreneur, operator, and strategist with over two decades of experience spanning entertainment, technology, economic development, and consumer products. As the Founder and CEO of The Bump Serum, he leads the development and growth of a performance-driven skincare brand focused on solving pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), commonly known as razor bumps—a condition he spent years personally working to overcome before turning that experience into a scalable solution. Johnson’s career began in Hollywood as a Writers Guild of America member, working with studios including Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures. He collaborated with industry leaders such as Frank Renzulli and contributed to projects across major networks including ABC, CBS, Starz, and The CW. This foundation in storytelling and production later informed his approach to brand building, marketing, and strategic communication. Transitioning from creative to operational leadership, Johnson expanded into film distribution and digital media, managing cross-functional teams spanning editing, marketing, public relations, and development. He went on to play a key role in raising $10 million in Series A funding for a streaming video platform, where he served as COO and helped shape business strategy, content acquisition, and monetization models in an evolving digital landscape. As a technology entrepreneur, Johnson is also a patent holder, having developed an advertising technology solution designed to generate incremental revenue for streaming platforms. As President of Pause Commercials, he built partnerships across OTT ecosystems, integrating solutions across mobile, web, and connected TV platforms. In parallel, Johnson has worked internationally as a business strategist and consultant, advising companies in Brazil, Sweden, and Canada on market entry, growth strategy, and operational turnaround. His work in economic development includes leading large-scale, multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the California Jobs First Program with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, where he helped coordinate over 150 stakeholders and contributed to securing $19 million in funding to support regional job creation and investment strategies. Johnson holds an MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management. He is also committed to mentorship and community impact, volunteering with organizations like Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship to support underserved youth in building entrepreneurial skills. Across every role, Johnson brings a systems-driven approach to execution—combining creative insight, technical understanding, and operational discipline to build, scale, and refine complex ventures. Whether developing a consumer brand, structuring a media platform, or leadingcross-sector initiatives, his work is defined by a focus on precision, adaptability, and long-term value creation. https://thebumpserum.com/

    2h 7m
  6. Jorge Carvajal II (Tactical Athlete Performance, Lessons from the Pandemic and Mental Health) - Episode 1254

    17 Jun

    Jorge Carvajal II (Tactical Athlete Performance, Lessons from the Pandemic and Mental Health) - Episode 1254

    Jorge Carvajal is a veteran Performance Coach and Tactical Performance Consultant with more than 30 years of experience developing elite athletes and high-performance operators at the highest levels. His background includes training thousands of athletes at the University of Florida, University of Nebraska, and the U.S. Olympic Training Center, along with professionals from the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and the World Surf League Big Wave Tour. He has also provided specialized performance training for firefighters, SWAT and Special Response Teams, and military personnel. Respected for his no-excuses, evidence-driven approach to force development, mobility, durability, and performance, Jorge builds explosive, resilient athletes and operators engineered to perform under pressure and endure over time. Today, he continues to consult with elite teams and individuals, develop cutting-edge performance content, and help high performers unlock new levels of strength, resilience, and competitive edge. https://x.com/carvperformance

    2h 11m
  7. Dr Stacy Cecchet (Hunting Pedophiles, Psychopaths in Power and First Responder Mental Health) - Episode 1253

    14 Jun

    Dr Stacy Cecchet (Hunting Pedophiles, Psychopaths in Power and First Responder Mental Health) - Episode 1253

    Dr. Stacy Cecchet, Ph.D., ABPP, is a forensic and operational psychologist with over a decade of experience supporting law enforcement, tactical teams, investigative units, and other high-demand professionals. Her work focuses on behavioral analysis, investigative strategy, offender typologies, interview strategy, human performance under stress, and functional wellness in operational environments. She consults on complex and high-risk investigations and provides training to investigators, undercover units, tactical teams, K9 handlers, peer support teams, and command staff. Her work helps agencies apply psychological science to improve operational decision-making, performance, stress management, and long-term readiness. Dr. Cecchet considers it a professional responsibility and an honor to support those who serve in these demanding roles. https://drstacycecchet.com/

    2h 53m
  8. Nate Block (Crisis De-escalation, Reducing Recidivism and the Oklahoma City Bombing) - Episode 1252

    13 Jun

    Nate Block (Crisis De-escalation, Reducing Recidivism and the Oklahoma City Bombing) - Episode 1252

    Nathanael “Nate” Block is a leadership and culture development coach, crisis de-escalation instructor, and public-sector leader committed to helping people and organizations operate with clarity, courage, and purpose. He is the owner of Stewardship Dynamics, where he teaches leadership, communication, and culture development to teams seeking to build healthier, more effective organizations. Nate also serves as an instructor with Jumpstart Mastery, a high-performing crisis de-escalation training company known for equipping professionals to navigate conflict, pressure, and high-stakes human interaction with skill and composure. In addition to his training and consulting work, Nate serves in public service with Thurston County as Program Manager of the Thurston County Resource Hub, a drop-in center supporting justice-impacted individuals with behavioral health, housing, employment, healthcare, legal, and basic-needs resources. A former firefighter and crisis negotiator, Nate brings a grounded, real-world perspective to leadership, culture, and crisis communication. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Management through Johns Hopkins University, where his studies continue to shape his approach to leadership, systems change, and public service. Nate’s work is shaped by the belief that strong leadership is ultimately an act of stewardship: caring well for people, building trust, and creating environments where both individuals and teams can thrive.

    1hr 53min
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About

Bringing the greatest minds in mental and physical wellness to the men and women who serve our communities.

Information

  • Creator
    James Geering
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1k
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Behind The Shield

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