53 episodes

On a plane, the flight attendants tell you to put on YOUR oxygen mask first before you help others; because you CAN’T help anyone unless you help yourself first!

This podcast is for public safety professionals or anyone who cares for others in high-stress environments. We are focused on helping us all live the best life possible.

Please join us as we delve into the depths of mental health, physical health and fitness, wellness, professional development, and improving relationships, and maybe have a little fun in the process. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/youroxygenmaskfirst/support

Your Oxygen Mask First Unicorn Wellness

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.9 • 16 Ratings

On a plane, the flight attendants tell you to put on YOUR oxygen mask first before you help others; because you CAN’T help anyone unless you help yourself first!

This podcast is for public safety professionals or anyone who cares for others in high-stress environments. We are focused on helping us all live the best life possible.

Please join us as we delve into the depths of mental health, physical health and fitness, wellness, professional development, and improving relationships, and maybe have a little fun in the process. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/youroxygenmaskfirst/support

    Firearms and Mental Health

    Firearms and Mental Health

    Trigger warning: discussion on firearms, suicide, and violence.

    As the discussion around firearm ownership and accessibility becomes more and more heated in America, the conversation around mental health can be overshadowed.  Politics and passion aside; focusing on having accessible mental health care without judgment for everyone (including those who own firearms) is critical.

    We recorded this episode a few months ago, however, I did not publish it when I planned due to multiple suicides by firearm deaths that happened in our community at the time.  I felt the timing was not appropriate at that moment with these incidents still fresh.  The more I held on to release, the more incidents kept happening around the country.  I realized there would never be a "right" time to talk about it.  The right time is now.

    In this episode, I talk to Jake Wiskerchen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Zephyr Wellness, and Michael Sodini, Founder of the non-profit Walk the Talk America. They have partnered to make mental health resources more accessible to firearm owners, as well as delivering training to mental health professionals to be more culturally competent when treating people in crisis who own firearms (are afraid of the ramifications of disclosing that information).

    It was an eye-opening conversation and I learned so much more about the importance of treating the source of the problem and not just the symptom.

    To learn more about their programs:


    Jake Wiskerchen: https://www.zephyrwellness.org/
    Michael Sodini : https://walkthetalkamerica.org/


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    Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/youroxygenmaskfirst/support

    • 1 hr 46 min
    Living Ideation: A New Approach to Suicide Prevention and Intervention

    Living Ideation: A New Approach to Suicide Prevention and Intervention

    “Did you really want to die?"
    "No one commits suicide because they want to die."
    "Then why do they do it?"
    "Because they want to stop the pain.”
    ― Tiffanie DeBartolo, How to Kill a Rock Star

    There are many misconceptions floating around now surrounding suicide.  I even subscribed to some of them at the beginning of this podcast journey, out of my own grief and misunderstanding.  

    Today, we flip some of those narratives on their heads with Dr. Steven Nicholas, Ed. D, MFT, NCC.  Dr. Steve is taking an innovative approach to those seeking to end the pain by showing us that connection could be the key to keeping those who want to end the pain from dying by suicide. He details this idea (and more) in his new book "Living Ideation: A New Approach to Suicide Prevention and Intervention".

    You can find Dr. Steve's book at most major book retailers, including Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736488902/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_fabc_EY6PE6XH1GXRZKD5DG9T.

    Email: contact@livingideation.com


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    Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/youroxygenmaskfirst/support

    • 55 min
    First In Wellness

    First In Wellness

    What if you could have your own personal health and wellness coach to guide you through a program that teaches you and your co-workers proper nutrition, stress management, sleep hygiene, and a kick-ass workout program?

    First In Wellness is a new organization that is doing just that! In this episode, we chat with Danielle Cook Kawash, a registered dietitian and the founder of the program; with her trusty sidekick Simon Matthews, Psychologist, and Director of Coaching.

    We will hear all about their new pilot program they are running with a fire department in California and hear some secret tips on how to change your habits to live a happier and healthier life!

    To learn more about the program:

    firstinwellness.com

    danielle@firstinwellness.com

    simon@firstinwellness.com



    Resources:

    www.ouraring.com

    www.geteversleep.com


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    Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/youroxygenmaskfirst/support

    • 1 hr 12 min
    Erin Craw | Communication in First Responder Mental Health

    Erin Craw | Communication in First Responder Mental Health

    The way we communicate about mental health can dramatically shift the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. This is especially true in the world of a first responder and how we talk about depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide can make or break a responder in crisis.  

    I am excited to introduce you to Erin Craw, a second-year Ph.D. student at Chapman University.  She is delving into the world of mental health for first responders and her dissertation is taking a look at how messaging and communication impacts the mental health of first responders and how improving the narrative can help save lives.

    Connect with Erin:
    craw@chapman.edu
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-s-craw-ma-73b66487/
    https://www.academyhour.com/


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    Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/youroxygenmaskfirst/support

    • 53 min
    Dr. Kimberly Miller | Exploring Bias and Privilege

    Dr. Kimberly Miller | Exploring Bias and Privilege

    Talking about bias and discrimination can be difficult, but it is necessary conversation... especially for first responders.  In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kimberly Miller about her upcoming intensive course that is a no-blame, no-shame look at racism, privilege, implicit bias and ethics and is filled with tools, resources, and strategies on how you can heal relationships in your community, and establish trust and legitimacy.

    To learn more about Dr. Kimberly Miller or her classes, visit or contact her at: 


    Website: https://www.kimberlymillerphd.com/
    email: dr.miller@kimberlymillerconsulting.com
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkimberlymiller/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kimberly-A-Miller-Associates-225461697591731/


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    Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/youroxygenmaskfirst/support

    • 46 min
    NNPSN: Resilience In Uncertain Times

    NNPSN: Resilience In Uncertain Times

    We are facing uncertain times with information changing by the minute.  How is a first responder or hospital/EMS worker supposed to cope in the face of the COVID-19 crisis?  In this raw and unedited episode (recorded in a firehouse...don't worry, we didn't touch anything), we sit down with Dr. Steve Nicholas, who is a trauma-informed clinician who works with first responders and Northern Nevada Peer Support Network President Derek Reid to discuss how to navigate this uncharted territory and how to show up for work and at home with a sense of purpose. We discuss anxiety, "spinning", and the danger of isolation and what you can do to find connection in the absence of physical connection.  We all hope this helps!


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    Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/youroxygenmaskfirst/support

    • 31 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
16 Ratings

16 Ratings

Let's Get You Organized! ,

Great podcast!

Erin has amazing guests with amazing stories! Love the inspiring info on this podcast. Keep up the great work!

No BS Sweetheart ,

Phenomenal and needed topics

This podcast is exactly what people in high-stress careers need in their life. Too many times, helpers have to shove their needs to the side and it can be detrimental in the long-run. Erin does an excellent job sharing what needs to be said, even if it's not the easiest topic, along with having more fun and just as beneficial topics. Erin is so natural and engaing in her interviews, she sounds like she's been doing this forever--a natural. Everyone should listen to this as it is so needed and not discussed as much as it should be.

sk8r_boy90 ,

Great idea!

I don’t work in the public service sector but after discovering this show I can see how useful this show is. I can’t imagine how much stress a firefighter or even a police officer face an the daily. Being able to listen to different ways to cope with it would be invaluable to me. So great job Benjamin on creating something truly useful and necessary.

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