Midwest Mayhem Podcast

Tyler Barton
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Midwest Mayhem isn’t just a podcast — it’s a movement built from the heart of Missouri. We shine a light on the stories that often go unheard — from the firehouse to the front lines, from the backroads of small-town Missouri to the people who keep those towns running. Each episode blends real conversations, raw emotion, and a little bit of chaos the Midwest way — with laughter, heart, and hometown pride. Through our Voices of Valor series, we honor first responders, veterans, dispatchers, and other hometown heroes who’ve lived the moments most people only read about. These are stories of courage, mental health, resilience, and the powerful bonds that hold our communities together. At Midwest Mayhem, we believe every call, every laugh, and every story matters — because this is where quiet towns have loud voices, and heroes finally get the mic.

  1. S2/E8 Guest #15(Voices of Valor: Nathan Johnston)

    5D AGO

    S2/E8 Guest #15(Voices of Valor: Nathan Johnston)

    In this episode of Midwest Mayhem Podcast – Voices of Valor, we sit down with Guest #15, Nathan Johnston—a U.S. Navy veteran whose journey from aviation ordnance to entrepreneurship is rooted in discipline, leadership, and purpose. Nathan served over seven years in the United States Navy as an Aviation Ordnanceman, specializing in H-60 helicopter weapons systems. Throughout his career, he earned multiple commendations, advanced through the highly competitive Meritorious Advancement Program, and played a key role in maintaining mission-ready aircraft during deployments aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. His leadership and attention to detail contributed to thousands of hours of safe, successful operations handling high-level ordnance systems. After transitioning out of the Navy in 2022, Nathan carried that same work ethic into the civilian world, gaining experience in the firearms industry before co-founding Frontline Armory in 2024—a veteran-owned business built on the mission: “Empowering Veterans. Equipping Our Community.” In this episode, Nathan opens up about: Life in the Navy and the realities of aviation ordnance Leadership under pressure and earning advancement through performance The transition from military to civilian life Building Frontline Armory from the ground up His passion for supporting veterans and strengthening his local community This is a conversation about service, identity, and continuing the mission beyond the uniform.

    2h 31m
  2. S2/E7 Guest#14 (Vocies of Valor: Anthony Dyer)

    MAR 20

    S2/E7 Guest#14 (Vocies of Valor: Anthony Dyer)

    Anthony Dyer is an author, storyteller, and advocate for personal growth and deeper understanding of the human experience. Best known for his book MoonChild, Anthony explores themes of identity, purpose, emotional struggle, and transformation through powerful and thought-provoking storytelling. Drawing from his own life experiences, Anthony brings a raw and authentic perspective to his work—connecting with readers who are navigating their own paths through adversity, self-discovery, and healing. His writing challenges conventional thinking while encouraging individuals to look inward, embrace their journey, and find meaning in both the light and the dark moments of life. Beyond writing, Anthony is passionate about conversations that matter—especially those centered around mental health, personal development, and breaking stigmas that prevent people from speaking their truth. In this episode, Anthony joins Midwest Mayhem to share the story behind MoonChild, the inspiration that fueled his journey as an author, and the deeper message he hopes will resonate with anyone searching for purpose and clarity in their own life.

    1h 18m
  3. S2/E6 Guest #13 (Voices of Valor: Justin Duncan)

    MAR 6

    S2/E6 Guest #13 (Voices of Valor: Justin Duncan)

    In this episode of Voices of Valor, Tyler sits down with Justin Duncan, MSc., BS, NRP, EMT-CP, CCEMT-P, CP-C, FP-C, Chief Executive Officer of the Washington County Ambulance District and one of Missouri’s most respected EMS leaders. With over 20 years of clinical EMS experience and more than 15 years in executive leadership, Justin has helped shape EMS operations, policy, and innovation across Missouri and beyond. In addition to leading the Washington County Ambulance District, he also serves as President of the Missouri EMS Association, President of the SHO-ME MIH Network, and Chief Clinical Officer & Co-Founder of Paralign Health. But this conversation goes far beyond credentials. Justin opens up about the heartbreaking loss of a dear friend within his own district—a loss that nearly drove him out of the career he loves. He shares the emotional toll of leadership in EMS, the challenge of leading while grieving, and the responsibility of staying strong for the people who depend on you. We also discuss servant leadership, the realities of rural EMS, Mobile Integrated Healthcare, and the future of emergency medical services, along with Justin’s passion for advocating for the men and women working on the front lines. It’s an honest and powerful conversation about loss, leadership, resilience, and purpose.

    2h 43m
  4. S2/E5 (Voices of Valor: Dale Whitener)

    FEB 27

    S2/E5 (Voices of Valor: Dale Whitener)

    In this powerful episode of Midwest Mayhem’s Voices of Valor, we sit down with Dale Whitener — Army veteran, firefighter, EMT, and Deputy Chief — whose life has been defined by service, resilience, and the unbreakable will to keep showing up when others need help most. Dale’s journey began in the U.S. Army as an E-4 Specialist attached to a Combat Engineer company, where taking the Combat Lifesaver course first sparked his passion for emergency medicine. That spark turned into a lifelong calling. He went on to serve multiple fire districts, rising through the ranks from firefighter to Fire Chief, and now serves as Deputy Chief running stations 2 and 5 while also acting as liaison to the ambulance district and 911 center. In EMS, Dale’s career has taken him from dispatch to the street — from PRN EMT to becoming the first EMS Captain for his district, leading crews and mentoring providers. But behind the uniform is a story few could imagine enduring. After suffering a devastating personal loss, Dale faced some of the darkest moments a first responder can experience — moments that nearly made him walk away from the job, and from everything. In this episode, he opens up about grief, trauma, nightmares, and the mental weight responders carry… and the people who helped him fight his way back. This is more than a story about emergency services — it’s a story about survival, brotherhood, healing, and why purpose can still shine through even the heaviest storms.

    1h 41m
  5. S2/E4 Guest #11 (Voices of Valor: Sheila Struckmeyer

    FEB 20

    S2/E4 Guest #11 (Voices of Valor: Sheila Struckmeyer

    In this powerful episode of Voices of Valor, we sit down with Sheila Struckmeyer, FNP-C — former Flight Nurse with Survival Flight during its time based in Iron County, Missouri. Sheila shares her journey in emergency medicine, the deep bonds she formed with the crews of Iron County Ambulance District, and how those relationships shaped her passion for supporting first responders both professionally and personally. Now a dedicated advocate for first responder mental health, Sheila works directly with agencies to lead critical incident stress debriefings after difficult calls, helping responders process trauma and continue serving their communities with strength and resilience. Drawing from her own experiences with profound personal loss, she brings a rare level of empathy, understanding, and authenticity to the work she does. This episode is a powerful reminder that behind every uniform is a human being — and that asking for help is not weakness, but courage. Turning Courage Into Conversation.

    2h 51m
  6. S2/E3 Guest #10 (Voices of Valor: Dylan Miner)

    FEB 6

    S2/E3 Guest #10 (Voices of Valor: Dylan Miner)

    Born and raised in Leadwood, Missouri, Dylan Miner is a husband, a father, a volunteer fire lieutenant, and a career firefighter. Dylan joins Tyler & Lochie for an honest and powerful conversation about courage, mental health struggles, and the role faith and religion have played in shaping his journey—both on and off the job. This is a story of resilience, purpose, and finding strength when it matters most.

    2h 26m

  7. JAN 16

    S2/E2 Guest #9 (Voices of Valor: Maddy Gartner)

    In this powerful episode of Voices of Valor, we sit down with Maddy Gartner, an EMS professional with 10 years of experience, including 9 years with SFCAD. Maddy is not only a dedicated first responder, but also a wife and a new mom to 5-month-old twin girls. Maddy shares her journey with raw honesty—opening up about the lasting effects of bullying during her high school years, the mental-health-altering calls she’s experienced throughout her EMS career, and the emotional toll that comes with answering the call day after day. She also discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding career in emergency services with motherhood, marriage, and personal well-being, offering insight that will deeply resonate with first responders and their families alike. This episode highlights resilience, vulnerability, and the strength it takes to keep showing up—for your community, your family, and yourself. 🎙️ Voices of Valor is a platform dedicated to sharing the stories of firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, and veterans—because every story matters. 🖤 Turning courage into conversation.

    1h 46m

  8. JAN 9

    S2/E1 Guest #8 (Voices of Valor: Sara Lada)

    In this episode of Voices of Valor, we sit down with Sara Ladas, a 911 dispatcher, Captain at 911, Dispatch Chaplain, and mom of two, for an honest and meaningful conversation about service, leadership, and compassion behind the headset. Sara shares what it’s like to be the calm voice on the other end of the line during someone’s worst moment, the responsibility that comes with leading within dispatch, and the unique role of serving as a chaplain for those who answer the calls no one else hears. As a mother and a faith-driven leader, Sara also opens up about how she uses religion as a guiding tool — both in her personal life and in supporting others through crisis, trauma, and loss. This episode highlights the often-unseen strength of dispatchers, the importance of mental health and peer support, and the role faith and purpose can play in resilience. It’s a powerful reminder that valor isn’t only found in the field — it’s found in the voices that guide help, comfort, and hope when it matters most.

    1h 29m
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About

Midwest Mayhem isn’t just a podcast — it’s a movement built from the heart of Missouri. We shine a light on the stories that often go unheard — from the firehouse to the front lines, from the backroads of small-town Missouri to the people who keep those towns running. Each episode blends real conversations, raw emotion, and a little bit of chaos the Midwest way — with laughter, heart, and hometown pride. Through our Voices of Valor series, we honor first responders, veterans, dispatchers, and other hometown heroes who’ve lived the moments most people only read about. These are stories of courage, mental health, resilience, and the powerful bonds that hold our communities together. At Midwest Mayhem, we believe every call, every laugh, and every story matters — because this is where quiet towns have loud voices, and heroes finally get the mic.

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