First Responder Wellness Podcast Conrad Weaver

44 - Do it Like it’s Your Last Shot with Brenda Lee

In this conversation, Brenda Lee discusses the importance of emotional intelligence and self-care for first responders and high-level executives.

43 - Real Leadership Comes from Courage with Brandon Evans

Brandon Evans, a firefighter and entrepreneur, shares his personal journey of overcoming trauma and burnout in the fire service. He discusses the challenges faced by first responders in terms of mental health and the lack of adequate training and support. Brandon conducted an international research study on the state of mental health within the fire service, highlighting the need for prevention and support to prevent suicides and PTSD leaves.

Scott McPherson shares his experience as a firefighter EMT and Army infantry officer and discusses the importance of addressing the soul wounds of first responders. He explains that soul wounds are perceived or actual actions that transgress deeply held moral values, and they can result from critical incidents with unfavorable outcomes, betrayal, or failure to meet performance standards. Scott emphasizes the need for open and honest conversations about these experiences and the importance of community support in the healing process. He also discusses the Reboot Recovery program, which combines the science of trauma recovery with scripturally based conversations to help first responders and their spouses find healing.

What do you do when you’re a first responder and your struggling and you’re making bad decisions at work and you realize this is not working out for you?  That’s where Russ Hanes was at after 17 years of working in law enforcement, corrections, and 911 dispatch. 

Fortunately for Russ, he was finally able eventually get his life together but it meant leaving the job he loved. 

But he still wanted to help people. So, he launched the Invisible Wounds Project, a non-profit that helps improve the lives and mental health of veterans, first responders and their families. 

Today we’ll hear a little about his story and about an innovative new initiative his nonprofit is launching this month!  Stay tuned for his story.

40 - We are what we eat with Megan Lautz

Today on the First Responder Wellness podcast I have a conversation with a nutritionist who talks about how our diet impacts our mental health, and really everything else about us.

My guest is Megan Lautz. She is a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer on a mission to help first responders optimize performance, recover faster, and enjoy long, healthy retirements. In this episode we dive into all things nutrition. What you should eat, fad diets, and all the things that you’ve probably heard about but have been ignoring… So come along for this inspiring conversation.

39 - Don’t Forget Where you Came From with Marc Hill

My guest today is Marc Hill Marc is a seasoned firefighter and paramedic who is best known as the author of ”Two Dark Thirty.” We talk about what fire departments do and don’t do to prepare rookies for the traumas they will face. We also talk about the responsibilities that leaders have to take care of the rank and file firefighters - ”Don’t forget where you came from.”