Mental Agility for Forensic Scientists

Jennifer Dillon
  • 5.0 (8)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Jen Dillon shares her story and chats with both peers and experts to cultivate a culture of resiliency and sustainability in the field of forensic science. Forensic scientists experience a unique set of stressors including vicarious trauma and burnout due to their chronic exposure to traumatic content on the job. The goal is to create a community to build an awareness and a self-care practice to mitigate these stressors and create a healthier, more productive workplace.

Episodes

  1. 08/03/2021

    Building Physical, Mental, and Emotional Resilience in First Responders - Kortney Stock

    Join Jen in a discussion with Forensic Scientist Kortney Stock, who is also trained as a Yoga For First Responders (YFFR) instructor.  YFFR  offers yoga classes to public safety that are job-specific and culturally informed for the purposes of processing stress, building resilience, and enhancing job performance. Kortney shares with great authenticity and vulnerability as she describes her journey as a practitioner of forensic science and the inner work she has completed to keep a healthy mindset.  Kortney explains the power of using YFFR as a tool to process the inevitable stress encountered in the first responder and forensic community.  She will be bringing a specialized YFFR workshop to the MAFS 2021 Fall Meeting, so be sure to register and check it out! Host: Jen Dillon -  Jdillon4n6@gmail.com Sponsored by: Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists - mafs.net Music: Joseph McDade Yoga For First Responders - yogaforfirstresponders.org

    52 min

  2. 06/29/2021

    Unique Stressors in the Drug Chemistry Discipline - Audra Yovanovich

    Drug chemists work the highest number of cases in a forensic laboratory and are tasked with handling emerging synthetic drug variations and how they are dealt with via ever changing drug laws.  Topics in this episode include the real and perceived stress surrounding the presentation of fentanyl and carfentanyl in the laboratory submissions, and the fear factor involved with the responsibility of handling drugs and the publicized cases of analysts who have abused that privilege.  Audra shares some personal stories about the stressors she has experienced on the job. Host: Jen Dillon -  Jdillon4n6@gmail.com Sponsored by: Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists - mafs.net Music: Joseph McDade

    1h 6m

  3. 05/03/2021

    The Four Agreements - Part 2

    Jen Dillon dissects the second half of the four agreements as described by author Don Miguel Ruiz. She shares how applying the agreements to the workplace has helped with her ability to show up as the best version of herself - without self-judgment, blame, or guilt about what that version may look like on any given day.  This book is about the relationship we have with ourselves, and the perception of who we think we SHOULD be vs. who we are actually being.  Jen describes her take on the application of the agreements to the field of forensic science, and how we can improve upon our work and ourselves if we take the time to hone these skills.  This episode completes the discussion on the book and covers agreements: 3. Don't make assumptions 4. Always do your best Host: Jen Dillon -  Jdillon4n6@gmail.com Sponsored by: Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists - mafs.net Music: Joseph McDade

    42 min

  4. 02/28/2021

    The Four Agreements - Part 1

    Join Jen Dillon as she delves into the first half of the four agreements as described by author Don Miguel Ruiz. She shares how applying the agreements to the workplace has helped with her ability to show up as the best version of herself - without self-judgment, blame, or guilt about what that version may look like on any given day.  This book is about the relationship we have with ourselves, and the perception of who we think we SHOULD be vs. who we are actually being.  Jen describes her take on the application of the agreements to the field of forensic science, and how we can improve upon our work and ourselves if we take the time to hone these skills.  This episode is an introduction to the book and covers the first two agreements: 1. Be impeccable with your word 2. Don’t take anything personally Host: Jen Dillon -  Jdillon4n6@gmail.com Sponsored by: Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists - mafs.net Music: Joseph McDade

    43 min

  5. 01/18/2021

    Yoga Nidra - A Systematic Relaxation Technique

    Join Jen as she describes the ancient practice of yoga nidra and how it can be used as a technique to systematically downshift our brain wave states to the most restorative level. Healthy brain wave activity is important for mental health, and many of us are spending too much time in the hyper-aroused states, leading to feelings of exhaustion.  By spending some time in the slower brain wave states, we may experience great restoration in a limited amount of time. In fact, 1 hour of advanced yoga nidra practice is said to be equivalent to 4 hours of deep sleep! She explains the health benefits of the practice - from coping with daily stress to resolving trauma, chronic pain and insomnia. She also delves into the science behind sleep and the associated brain wave states and describes what a yoga nidra experience is like should you be interested in trying it out. Host: Jen Dillon - jdillon4n6@gmail.com Sponsored by: Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists - mafs.net Music credit: Joseph McDade

    36 min

  6. 12/13/2020

    Chance for Change - Amy Jeanguenat

    In this conversation, Amy and I discuss how our own mindfulness practices have been put to work during this global pandemic. We talk about how the role of reflection and re-evaluation of our life goals have provided a chance for growth and opening up when so many may feel like shutting down.  Amy provides a practical path to create change by getting a clear understanding of our priorities and values so we may then take manageable steps toward fulfilling the goal.  She shares many of her personal practices and how to develop a day-to-day way of mindful living so we can move toward being our best self.  This is a great chance to reflect on 2020 and set ourselves up to move forward in 2021. Host: Jen Dillon -  jdillon4n6@gmail.com Sponsored by: Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists - www.mafs.net Music: Joseph McDade

    46 min

  7. 11/22/2020

    Developing a Wellness at Work Plan - Dr. Richard Janka

    Dr. Janka explains the differences between a wellness program and disease management and emphasizes that we all need to develop resources, have a plan and support system in place for our well-being.  But we don’t have to wait until we experience a critical incident to put our plans into action.  He breaks down what happens physiologically and emotionally when we experience a traumatic event and explains what vicarious trauma is and how the technique of compartmentalization can be applied to prevent personalization of our work.  Finally, Dr J and I talk about workplace peer support programs and how we might be able to integrate them into a forensic setting.   Host: Jen Dillon jdillon4n6@gmail.com Sponsored by Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists: www.mafs.net Music Credit: Joseph McDade

    50 min

  8. 05/20/2020

    Calm and Connected - Jen Elder

    On this episode, I speak with my good friend and yoga soul sister, Jen Elder, who serves as the Wellness Program Manager at a state women's prison.  Jen and I discuss how the practice of yoga is so much more than the physical postures, how taking a trauma-informed approach to the practice can lead to healing on a holistic level, and exactly what it looks like when you are supporting the mental well-being of both the staff and offenders of a prison population.  She reminds us that the only real cage we can put ourselves in is the rabbit hole of our mind, and she strives to empower and heal the women she serves to climb out of that space so they may build a brighter future for themselves.  Our talk includes a discussion on COVID-19 and mental health in the workplace, and how the silver lining in all of this is the way we've become more connected.  Music credit: Joseph McDade Sponsored by the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists  mafs.net Host: Jen Dillon - jdillon4n6@gmail.com

    44 min

  9. 04/07/2020

    Restore With Self-Care - Juliet Oppenheim

    Jen shares a conversation with Juliet Oppenheim, a first responder and yoga instructor, about how a dedicated self-care practice can help reduce the recovery time needed after a stressful incident on the job and prevent burnout.  Host: Jen Dillon - jdillon4n6@gmail.com Sponsored by: MAFS - mafs.net Music credit: Joseph McDade

    41 min

  10. 03/19/2020 · BONUS

    Learning To Ride The Waves

    Special bonus episode discussing ways to ride the waves of stress during the COVID-19 health crisis.

    18 min

  11. 02/23/2020

    The (Forensic) Science of Stress

    The purpose of this program is to provide a platform in which we can develop a set of skills to cultivate resiliency and sustainability in the workforce.  This episode breaks down the science of stress and describes how we can shift our mental patterns to support a healthy autonomic nervous system. Host: Jen Dillon - jdillon4n6@gmail.com Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists: www.mafs.net Music credit: Joseph McDade

    21 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Jen Dillon shares her story and chats with both peers and experts to cultivate a culture of resiliency and sustainability in the field of forensic science. Forensic scientists experience a unique set of stressors including vicarious trauma and burnout due to their chronic exposure to traumatic content on the job. The goal is to create a community to build an awareness and a self-care practice to mitigate these stressors and create a healthier, more productive workplace.

Information