Dispatched & Dysfunctional

Chris Stockton
  • 5.0 (7)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Dispatched & Dysfunctional Because sometimes the worst calls make the best stories. ⚠️ The stories here are graphic, emotional, and laced with dark humor. They’re based on real EMS and first responder experiences — the kind that stick to your ribs long after shift change. This isn’t about polished hero tales. It’s about the silence after the tones drop, the jokes that keep us from breaking, and the weight we carry home in our boots and gear. Some episodes will make you laugh until your stomach hurts. Others will hit like a gut punch. All of them are real. 💬 “I’d rather hear your story than read your eulogy.” 🧠 Need support right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more.

  1. 4D AGO

    ou Made It Home… But You Didn’t Come Back

    Title: Overcoming Burnout: Insights from a Former Corporate Executive Turned Burnout CoachBurnout is more than just fatigue; it deeply affects mental, emotional, and physical health. In this episode, Nicole Johnson shares her journey from corporate leadership to coaching, offering strategies to recognize and recover from burnout before it takes a severe toll.This conversation delves into the aftermath of ignoring burnout signs and the impact on life and career. Nicole provides insights into navigating recovery. Key Topics:The hidden costs of burnout on high achieversEffective and harmful leadership responsesThe role of stigma and the need for community supportTools for stress release and recoveryShifting from work-life balance to harmonyTransforming relationships through curiosity over judgment⚠️ Listener discretion advised. This episode discusses mental health challenges, including stress and burnout. If you’re struggling, reach out for support. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Timestamps: 00:50 - Introduction to burnout 01:43 - Nicole's burnout journey 03:17 - Fatigue vs. depletion 04:09 - Importance of boundaries 05:29 - Loss of energy and joy 06:47 - Transition to coaching 07:01 - Misconceptions about burnout 08:05 - Myth of self-sufficiency 09:01 - Redefining self-care 10:22 - Daily stress relief practices 11:28 - Mental health risks for responders 12:18 - Practical recovery tips 13:45 - Stress and physical health 15:27 - Societal attitude shifts 15:55 - Awareness of stressors 16:43 - Personal capacity focus 17:12 - Recovery through lifestyle 18:40 - Movement as self-care 19:13 - Burnout isn’t failure 20:28 - Rediscovering joy and identity 22:27 - Importance of asking for help 23:26 - Emotional and physical stress manifestations 24:11 - Micro recovery techniques 25:14 - Long-term recovery journey 26:28 - Building support systems 27:22 - Realigning priorities 28:42 - Genuine workplace support 29:14 - Burnout as a systemic issue 30:42 - Impact of connectivity and demands 31:34 - Restoring agency 32:42 - Emotional capacity awareness 33:46 - Listening without judgment 34:44 - Permission in emotional support 36:02 - Curiosity in relationships 37:54 - Kindness reducing stigma 38:42 - Simple questions' impact 40:03 - Encouragement for self-worth 41:13 - Connecting with Nicole Resources & Links:Drop More Hold Less — free energy audits and coachingDrop More Hold Less (Substack) — insights and storiesConnect with Nicole Johnson:WebsiteSubstackThis episode emphasizes that burnout isn’t a failure—it's a systemic issue needing awareness, community support, and self-care. Small actions and curiosity can lead to change.

    43 min

  2. MAR 26

    The Four Rules of Nursing That Could Save Your Career—and Your Sanity Guest Derek Hadinger

    The conversation delves into the impactful experiences of healthcare professionals and the profound impact they have on patients. It highlights the power of humor in healthcare and the challenges and emotional toll of patient care. The importance of patient-focused care, family dynamics, and the positive impact of healthcare professionals on patients are also discussed. Additionally, the conversation emphasizes the role of healthcare professionals, the power of listening, and the importance of compassionate care and mutual respect in healthcare. The conversation emphasizes the significance of advocacy and empathy in healthcare, highlighting the importance of human connection and trust in patient care. It delves into the challenges and rewards of being an advocate for patients and the impact of genuine empathy on patient outcomes. Takeaways Impactful patient experiencesThe power of humor in healthcare Advocacy and empathy are crucial in healthcareThe importance of human connection and trust in patient care Chapters 00:00 The Value of Listening and Understanding in Healthcare

    1h 3m

  3. MAR 19

    Unlocking Neurodivergent Potential in EMS

    The conversation covers the challenges and experiences of individuals with dyslexia and ADHD, as well as the unique approach to education and career development for neurodiverse individuals. It also delves into the importance of understanding and addressing the needs of neurodiverse individuals in emergency situations. The conversation covers a range of topics related to neurodiversity, ADHD, dyslexia, and the advantages and challenges associated with these conditions. It also delves into the unique abilities and specialties of neurodivergent individuals, as well as the importance of effective communication and understanding in emergency situations. Takeaways Paramedics and emergency responders encounter unique challenges when dealing with neurodiverse individuals.Understanding the specialized needs and interests of neurodiverse individuals is crucial in emergency situations. Neurodivergent individuals have unique abilities and specialties that give them an advantage in certain fields.Effective communication and understanding are crucial in emergency situations, especially when dealing with neurodivergent individuals. Chapters 00:00 Challenges in Emergency Response11:49 Supporting Neurodiverse Individuals in Emergency Situations33:32 Driving and Neurodiversity40:00 Importance of Effective Communication45:21 Medical Treatment and Communication52:05 Advantages of Neurodivergent Specialties01:00:44 Compensation and Specialties

    1h 4m

  4. MAR 13

    Stop the Threat. Stop the Stigma. A. Meyers - Police Capt, Survival, & the Cost of Carrying It Alone

    A routine call to Walmart turned into a deadly force encounter — and nothing in Adam Meyers’ career prepared him for what came next. Adam is a police captain with over two decades in law enforcement. In this episode, he walks us through the critical incident that changed his life, the investigation that followed, the weight of public scrutiny, and the quiet years of struggling in silence while still wearing the badge. This conversation isn’t about tactics or policy. It’s about the aftermath — what happens to first responders when the call is over, the scene is cleared, and everyone expects you to be “fine.” We talk about: The unseen cost of deadly force incidentsLeadership responses that help — and those that cause harmHow stigma keeps responders silentSubstance abuse, risky coping, and surviving long enough to ask for helpWhy communication matters more than policyWhat “Stop the Threat. Stop the Stigma.” really meansThis episode is raw, honest, and necessary — especially for command staff, supervisors, and anyone carrying more than they admit. ⚠️ Listener discretion advised. This episode contains heavy themes, including trauma, substance abuse, and suicide ideation. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone.

    59 min

  5. MAR 13

    The System Is Broken Not the People Graham Judd

    A routine shift in EMS becomes a lifetime of watching the system fail — and Graham Judd stopped waiting for it to change. Graham is a veteran paramedic and EMS leader with over two decades in emergency medicine. In this episode, he breaks down why EMS isn't just struggling — it's broken by design, and the people paying the price aren't the patients. This isn't about medical protocols or response times. It's about what happens when good people work in dysfunctional systems — when education intimidates instead of elevates, when business decisions send messages your people hear loud and clear, and when leadership forgets that "taking care of the community" starts with taking care of the crew. We talk about: Why EMS is 50 years behind where it should be — and stayed thereHow leadership failures drive burnout faster than any call volumeThe hidden cost of running "taxi cab transfers" on highly trained paramedicsWhy pay wouldn't matter as much if leadership knew how to leadWhat it means to have "a front row seat to everyone else's tragedy"Why EMS has the highest suicide rate of all public safety careersThe phone call at 2 AM that changed everything — and why it shouldn't be rareWhat it looks like to walk away when the system refuses to healThis episode is raw, unfiltered, and overdue — especially for anyone in command, anyone burning out quietly, and anyone who's ever thought "this could be better." ⚠️ Listener discretion advised. This episode contains heavy themes, including burnout, mental health struggles, and suicide ideation. If you're struggling, you're not alone.

    1h 31m

  6. FEB 8

    Behind The Screen Name Jimmy Apple EMS Avenger

    In this episode of Dispatched & Dysfunctional, I’m joined by Jimmy Apple — better known online as the EMS Avenger. If you’ve ever watched his content and thought, “Finally… someone bringing receipts,” you already get why this conversation matters. Jimmy isn’t here to perform or sell a brand. He’s a pediatric and neonatal critical care paramedic with 20 years of 911 experience, and he talks straight about the stuff most people in EMS avoid: how burnout actually starts, why empathy is the first thing to die, and what “asking for help” turns into inside systems that punish honesty. We get into: Why “I’m just tired” is often denial in disguiseThe difference between exhaustion and burnout (and why burnout needs a reset, not a nap)Why EMS culture still treats help like weaknessPediatric critical care realities: the medicine and the familiesWhy dark humor stopped being a pressure valve and became a toxic industryHow to speak up before you’re broken — and what to do when you’re already thereThis one’s heavy, honest, and needed. Follow / connect with Jimmy (EMS Avenger): Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/EMS-Avenger-61575840471120/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emsavenger/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emsavenger?lang=en If you need help right now: Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org Jimmy mentioned upcoming conference appearances throughout 2024–2025, including Atlanta, Texas, Arkansas, Chattanooga, Oregon, Western Pennsylvania, Austin, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, Sweden, and Orlando.

    1h 11m

  7. FEB 5

    Tunnel Vision With Dr. Andre Walton

    Stress doesn’t just make you tired — it narrows you. In this episode of Dispatched & Dysfunctional, Chris sits down with Dr. Andre Walton to talk about tunnel vision, burnout, and what happens when smart, trained people lock onto the wrong thing and miss the real danger. From a near-miss involving first responders and a train, to the concept of presenteeism — showing up but not actually being there — this conversation digs into how stress shuts down awareness, why burnout spreads through teams, and how leadership blind spots make it worse. If you’ve ever felt yourself running on autopilot, losing perspective, or shrinking under the weight of the job, this episode puts words to what you’ve been feeling. Guest Dr. Andre Walton Burnout Coach | Educator 🔹 Burnout resources & programs: https://www.plan4change.org/burnout 🔹 Main website: https://www.plan4change.org 🔹 Free resource – Business Growth Hacks: https://plan4change.coach/free-resource-banish-burnout-a-matter-of-balance 🔹 Speaking / Podcast / Booking: https://www.hiredrandre.com 🔹 Book a conversation: https://app.simplymeet.me/hiredrandre 🔹 TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Mj5wzsYBQ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/plan4change Topics Covered Tunnel vision under stress Burnout and decision fatigue Presenteeism in high-stress professions Leadership blind spots Why awareness fails before people break Podcast Disclaimer These stories are based on real-life EMS, military, and healthcare experiences. Calls are real. Providers are real. Names and details have been changed to protect privacy. Any medical or mental health discussion is personal experience — not protocol. Use your damn brain. Follow your local guidelines. When in doubt, call med control. If you’re struggling, don’t do it alone. Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

    1h 1m

  8. JAN 29

    Burnout Isn’t Your Fault — But It Is Your Problem | David Shar

    Burnout doesn’t come from being weak. And it doesn’t come from caring too much. It comes from broken systems that reward overextension, punish honesty, and slowly disconnect people from the work they signed up to do. In this episode of Dispatched & Dysfunctional, I sit down with David Shar — founder of Illuminate PMC and an Industrial–Organizational psychologist — to talk about what burnout actually is, why it spreads through teams like a virus, and why the best people usually burn out first. We get into: Why burnout isn’t about workload — it’s about barriers, leadership, and culture The three real components of burnout: emotional exhaustion, reduced accomplishment, and depersonalization Why “I’m fine” is often a warning sign How meaningful work can make people easier to exploit The difference between being nice and being kind as a leader Why high performers burn out first: “In order to burn out, you have to be on fire first.” If you’ve ever clocked out of work and felt like you clocked out of life too — this episode will hit close to home. Guest: David Shar Websites: davidshar.com | illuminatepmc.com Connect: LinkedIn (search: David Shar) Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

    1h 2m
See All (42)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Dispatched & Dysfunctional Because sometimes the worst calls make the best stories. ⚠️ The stories here are graphic, emotional, and laced with dark humor. They’re based on real EMS and first responder experiences — the kind that stick to your ribs long after shift change. This isn’t about polished hero tales. It’s about the silence after the tones drop, the jokes that keep us from breaking, and the weight we carry home in our boots and gear. Some episodes will make you laugh until your stomach hurts. Others will hit like a gut punch. All of them are real. 💬 “I’d rather hear your story than read your eulogy.” 🧠 Need support right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Stockton
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Chris Stockton
  • Show Website
    Dispatched & Dysfunctional