Just a Girl and Her Firefighter

Kristi Hilmer

We celebrate this First Responder life here. A place to be unapologetically you, and discover how other Firewives, or other First Responder wives are not just surviving but thriving. Together, let's dive into the wonderful, wild world of First Responder life! A place where we can share our stories of success, struggle, the messy middle, and all of the in between! If you are married/dating/engaged to a Firefighter, Paramedic, EMT, Military, etc this is the place for you! So let's dive in and have some fun! 

  1. 09/25/2025

    A Deep Dive with QrfUP

    Send a text Empowering First Responders: The QRF Up Initiative with Ramseys In this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer speaks with Ramseys, the founder of QRF Up, an organization dedicated to providing holistic and immediate support to first responders and their families. Ramseys explains how their innovative SOS application works, enabling users to connect with licensed therapists and peer support within minutes. QRF Up addresses not only mental health needs but also provides physical assistance, creating a comprehensive safety net. The conversation delves into the origins, successes, and the impact of QRF Up, emphasizing the importance of empathy and continuous support for those who constantly face traumatic situations. Ramseys also discusses plans for expanding the initiative globally and how others can get involved. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:00 Meet Ramsey: Founder of QRF Up 02:25 How QRF Up Works 05:40 The Origin Story of QRF Up 07:03 Challenges and Learnings from the Pilot Program 08:43 The Importance of Empathy and Compassion 13:26 Balancing Work and Home Life 18:39 Creating Safe Spaces for Emotions 19:08 Challenges in Providing Support 19:34 Importance of Trauma-Specific Therapists 20:18 Peer Support and Flexibility 22:21 Success Stories and Department Integration 24:19 Continuous Support and Mental Health 27:54 Family Involvement and Resources 29:30 Future Vision and Global Impact 31:01 Getting Involved and Expanding Support 32:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Join our Community- The FireWife Collective App https://app.heartbeat.chat/thefirewifecollective/invitation?code=8A4E57 Find me on IG https://www.instagram.com/our.firstresponder.life/ Snap a screenshot when you listen and tag us!!!! And of course, subscribe and share with all your friends!

    34 min

  2. 09/18/2025

    Cassie's Journey: Fire Life and Sourdough

    Send a text Navigating Firefighter Family Life: An Interview with Cassie In this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer welcomes fellow firewife Cassie to discuss the unique challenges and joys of being married to a firefighter. Cassie shares her personal journey, from meeting her husband to managing a growing family while he travels out of state for work. The conversation delves into the unpredictable firefighter schedule, celebrating holidays unconventionally, and finding flexibility within family life. Cassie also talks about venturing into a home-based sourdough bread business, offering tips for beginners and insights on balancing business commitments with family responsibilities. The episode wraps up with a fun rapid-fire Q&A and a firefighter trivia segment. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:10 Meet Cassie: A Firewife's Perspective 02:45 Navigating Firefighter Schedules 06:03 Raising a Family Amidst Chaos 11:09 Starting a Sourdough Business 17:04 Sourdough Tips and Tricks 19:49 The Importance of Warmth 20:03 Unpredictable Schedules and Holiday Adjustments 23:46 Family Time and Firefighter Life 25:41 Rapid Fire Questions and Trivia 34:33 Sourdough and Shipping Stories 36:26 Conclusion and Community Invitation Join our Community- The FireWife Collective App https://app.heartbeat.chat/thefirewifecollective/invitation?code=8A4E57 Find me on IG https://www.instagram.com/our.firstresponder.life/ Snap a screenshot when you listen and tag us!!!! And of course, subscribe and share with all your friends!

    37 min

  3. 09/11/2025

    Flame Deacon: Innovating Firefighter Safety

    Send a text Celebrating One Year of Just a Girl and Her Firefighter with Tara's Inspiring Journey In this special first anniversary episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer sits down with Tara, a veteran and the founder of Flame Decon. Tara shares her incredible journey from military service to creating a product line focused on firefighter wellness, inspired partly by the aftermath of 9/11. The episode delves into the challenges and rewards of starting a business dedicated to removing carcinogens from firefighters' skin using a unique blend of activated charcoals. The discussion also highlights the broader impacts on fire families, such as fertility issues and children’s health, emphasizing the need for wellness solutions. Kristi and Tara also touch on the importance of community, human connection, and sharing stories to support each other in the fire service lifestyle. Tune in for an episode full of heartfelt moments, practical advice, and the celebration of a supportive community. 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:59 Celebrating One Year 02:27 Introducing Tara and Flame Decon 02:59 Tara's Background and Business Journey 04:19 Firefighter Wellness and Flame Decon Products 15:01 Challenges and Growth of Flame Decon 18:32 Tara's Military Inspiration 19:48 Unexpected Medical Discharge 21:26 Family Tragedy and Career Shift 22:30 Supporting Military Families 23:51 Health and Wellness Advocacy 25:13 Firefighter Family Challenges 29:25 Cultural Reflections and Personal Stories 32:48 Rapid Fire Questions 35:21 Exciting Community Announcement Join our Community- The FireWife Collective App https://app.heartbeat.chat/thefirewifecollective/invitation?code=8A4E57 Find me on IG https://www.instagram.com/our.firstresponder.life/ Snap a screenshot when you listen and tag us!!!! And of course, subscribe and share with all your friends!

    38 min

  4. 04/25/2025

    From Missions to Community: A Firefighter Wife's Perspective

    Send a text Building Community and Impact: Kristi Hilmer's Journey with Mission of Hope In this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer returns after a brief hiatus, sharing stories from her transformative missions trip to the Dominican Republic. She reflects on her experiences serving Haitian refugees with Mission of Hope and discusses the importance of community, connection, and giving back. Joined by her friend Miranda Burcham, they recount their journey in network marketing, the impact of Vision 90, and the race to provide 11 million meals for Haitians in need. Together, they highlight the power of collective effort in making a difference and the personal growth that comes from serving others. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:02 Recent Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic 01:54 Fire Wife Collective and Community Building 04:34 Introducing Miranda and Mission of Hope 06:16 Miranda's Journey with Mission of Hope 10:57 Race to 11 Million Meals 15:08 Experiencing the Impact of Aid in Haiti 16:17 The Importance of Helping Beyond Our Own Walls 17:02 Mission of Hope and Fire Families 17:28 Personal Stories and Lasting Impressions 18:40 The Power of Giving and Personal Growth 21:27 A Heartfelt Story of Loss and Hope 24:06 The Urgency of Aid and the Role of Mission of Hope 25:54 Encouraging Participation and Support 29:11 Conclusion and Call to Action Learn about Mission of Hope Here: https://missionofhope.com Join our Community- The FireWife Collective App https://app.heartbeat.chat/thefirewifecollective/invitation?code=8A4E57 Find me on IG https://www.instagram.com/our.firstresponder.life/ Snap a screenshot when you listen and tag us!!!! And of course, subscribe and share with all your friends!

    29 min

  5. 02/13/2025

    Community and Courage with Kaci Walden

    Send a text Navigating First Responder Life: Firefighting, Family, and Community In this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristy Hilmer interviews Kaci Walden, a mother and wife living in the Texas Panhandle. Kaci shares her experiences of being married to a firefighter while raising two boys and working full-time. The episode delves into the impact of a devastating wildfire on their community, the emotional challenges of firefighter life, and the importance of communication and mental health. Kaci also talks about the support system within the fire service and the small-town community's unity during tough times. Tune in for heartfelt stories, practical advice, and a discussion on balancing family life with the demands of a first responder career. 00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter 00:59 Meet Casey Walden: Life in Texas 02:36 The Devastating Wildfire Experience 04:41 Impact on Family and Community 17:49 Balancing Firefighter Life and Family 34:49 Fire Trivia and Fun Questions 39:38 Closing Remarks and Community Invitation Join our Community- The FireWife Collective App https://app.heartbeat.chat/thefirewifecollective/invitation?code=8A4E57 Find me on IG https://www.instagram.com/our.firstresponder.life/ Snap a screenshot when you listen and tag us!!!! And of course, subscribe and share with all your friends!

    40 min

  6. 01/30/2025

    The Life Behind the Mustache: Firefighter Fenton Unplugged Part 2

    Send a text In this episode of Just a Girl and Her Firefighter, host Kristi Hilmer continues her conversation with Firefighter Fenton and his wife, Stephanie. They discuss the challenges of managing a demanding job while maintaining a healthy family life. Fenton shares personal experiences of realizing the importance of family over work, the pressures of overtime, and the turning points that led to prioritizing home life. The episode delves into the impact of the firefighter job on personal relationships and offers advice for new firefighters and their families. The couple also touches on the importance of self-care, community, and the invaluable lessons they've learned along the way. The episode concludes with some light-hearted anecdotes and rapid-fire questions, adding a touch of humor to their insightful discussion. 00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter 00:59 Recap of Last Week's Episode 02:08 The Struggles of Balancing Work and Family 03:42 A Turning Point: Prioritizing Family 04:08 Personal Stories of Sacrifice and Realization 05:04 The Impact of Overworking on Family Life 07:02 Making the Tough Decision to Step Back 12:54 Advice for New Firefighters and Their Families 20:35 Finding Community and Self-Care 25:04 Flipping the Script 25:11 Funny Stories from the Shift 26:11 Parenting Mishaps 31:18 Rapid Fire Questions 36:46 Best Life Advice 40:50 Conclusion and Farewell Join our Community- The FireWife Collective App https://app.heartbeat.chat/thefirewifecollective/invitation?code=8A4E57 Find me on IG https://www.instagram.com/our.firstresponder.life/ Snap a screenshot when you listen and tag us!!!! And of course, subscribe and share with all your friends!

    42 min

  7. 01/23/2025

    The Life Behind the Mustache: Firefighter Fenton Unplugged Part 1

    Send a text In this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer chats with Firefighter Fenton and his wife Stephanie about life as a firefighter family. They discuss how their journey began, homeschooling their four children, and how the 'Firefighter Fenton' character was created by accident. The couple opens up about the challenges of balancing demanding jobs, family life, reintegration, and maintaining health. Stephanie shares her struggles and strategies for staying connected as a family, while Brett emphasizes the importance of transitioning smoothly between work and home life. They also talk about overcoming the overwhelming demands of Brett's role as a Public Information Officer. This heartwarming conversation is packed with insights, tips, and experiences from a couple dedicated to making it all work amid the chaos. 00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter 00:59 Meet Firefighter Fenton and His Wife 01:28 The Origin of Firefighter Fenton 03:29 Balancing Family Life and Firefighting 04:52 Homeschooling and Flexible Schedules 09:05 Reintegration Challenges 14:32 Maintaining Health and Well-being 15:48 Leadership at Work and Home 23:14 Struggles and Overcoming Challenges 26:13 Next Week's Preview Join our Community- The FireWife Collective App https://app.heartbeat.chat/thefirewifecollective/invitation?code=8A4E57 Find me on IG https://www.instagram.com/our.firstresponder.life/ Snap a screenshot when you listen and tag us!!!! And of course, subscribe and share with all your friends!

    28 min

  8. 11/14/2024

    That's a wrap on Season 1

    Send a text Navigating Transitions in First Responder Life In the season finale of Just a Girl and Her Firefighter, host Kristi Hilmer reflects on the journey of creating a supportive community for firewives and first responders. She discusses the challenges and strategies for managing department transitions, sharing her personal experiences and offering advice on mental preparation, schedule adjustments, effective communication, and the importance of community. This episode aims to normalize and provide insights into the often isolating experiences of first responder families, emphasizing integrity, honesty, and support through change. 00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter 01:12 Reflecting on Season One 02:47 Navigating Department Transitions 04:59 Preparing Mentally for Changes 07:22 Managing Schedules and Communication 10:58 The Importance of Community 14:01 Final Thoughts and Gratitude Join our Community- The FireWife Collective App https://app.heartbeat.chat/thefirewifecollective/invitation?code=8A4E57 Find me on IG https://www.instagram.com/our.firstresponder.life/ Snap a screenshot when you listen and tag us!!!! And of course, subscribe and share with all your friends!

    15 min
See All (17)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

We celebrate this First Responder life here. A place to be unapologetically you, and discover how other Firewives, or other First Responder wives are not just surviving but thriving. Together, let's dive into the wonderful, wild world of First Responder life! A place where we can share our stories of success, struggle, the messy middle, and all of the in between! If you are married/dating/engaged to a Firefighter, Paramedic, EMT, Military, etc this is the place for you! So let's dive in and have some fun! 

Information

  • Creator
    Kristi Hilmer
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Just a Girl and Her Firefighter
  • Show Website
    Just a Girl and Her Firefighter