The Things We All Carry

TJ_Re-Release

Our stories are very personal, but the lessons learned are universal. I look forward to bringing you these stories as well as a variety of voices, both inside and outside of our community. During the next few weeks, I will highlight and re-release a few previous episodes. New episodes will return January 11th, and I am beyond grateful for the response this show has received and the support each of you gave in the last six months. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thethingsweallcarry.substack.com

Matt H Re-Release

Our stories are very personal but the lessons learned are universal. I look forward to bringing you these stories as well as a variety of voices, both inside and outside of our community. During the next few weeks, I will highlight and re-release a few previous episodes. New episodes will return January 11th, and I am beyond grateful for the response this show has received and the support each of you gave in the last six months.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thethingsweallcarry.substack.com

Chris- Utah Re-Release

As the year draws to an end I wanted to take time to thank each of you for listening and supporting this endeavor. A simple idea born  of a local tragedy has created a community that now reaches internationally. Someone I never had the chance to meet made an impact on my life when he decided to end his. At that moment I knew someone had to create a platform to expose the traumas, the emotions, and the stories of First Responders. I also realized we all needed to hear the stories of triumph and recovery. This show has provided just that….a platform for survivors to tell their stories. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thethingsweallcarry.substack.com

Mary - A Discussion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Today I'm joined by Mary Koval, a sociologist from the Richmond, Virginia area. I first heard of Mary from her presentation at a fire service diversity conference. That conference was centered around diversity, equality and inclusion within the fire service. Mary and I sat down and discussed issues surrounding women in the fire service, power dynamics and how stereotypical beliefs affect both the women and those dynamics. This conversation, ranges and topics yet barely scratches the surface of what needs to be discussed.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thethingsweallcarry.substack.com

Ian-Virginia

Back in November. I had the chance to sit down and speak with Ian. Ian is a firefighter here in Virginia. His story begins in Temecula, California, where he lived until he joined the army after 9/11. He served in Iraq as a forward observer attached to an armor battalion out of Fort Hood Texas What this means is that he had the chance to direct fire and hear things go boom a lot. He left the army to pursue firefighting again and eventually found his way to Virginia. His story is one of combined traumas from childhood to the Army to firefighting. He discusses his time at the Center of Excellence and the Mental Mayday project he is currently working on. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thethingsweallcarry.substack.com

Jeremy Johns-VA

Jeremy served three tours in Iraq prior to joining the fire service. The situations he was faced with and have overcome are astounding. Jeremy has transformed his negative experiences into something which everyone can benefit from. He is the founder and the face of the resilient rescuer, which highlights overcoming adverse events and traumatic experiences. In relation to first responders and military personnel.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thethingsweallcarry.substack.com

Tyler- Wisconsin

Today I'm joined by Tyler.   Tyler has been a firefighter for 18 years in Wisconsin, 12 of those years in EMS. He is currently a paramedic and serves as a captain in his department. Tyler's life has taken twists and turns leading up to where he is now. He reached out to me and shared his story and the article he wrote for a firehouse magazine. His professional and private life became inexorably linked one day in 2013.  This episode focuses on his life, that fateful day, his recovery and his message to anyone fighting their own demons.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thethingsweallcarry.substack.com

Multiple Calls Podcast-Ontario

Scott has been a firefighter for 24 years, as well as a medic, his page and his podcast are dedicated. To continuing and bettering fire traditions and the service as a whole. I first heard of Scott and multiple calls when I read his "50 Rules for the Senior Firefighter". An extensive yet not exhaustive list of rules that can guide a firefighter as he or she progresses into the longevity of a fire career. Scott's work has grown to include the 25 Rules for the Fire Service Instructor and his new project "The Connected Warrior". We spend time discussing all three, but spend the majority of the time with the connected warrior. A huge, thanks to Scott for taking time from his busy schedule to sit down and spend time talking with me. It never ceases to amaze me when people are this generous with their   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thethingsweallcarry.substack.com

Stephanie(Five After MIdnight)-VA

Today, I'm joined by Stephanie. Stephanie is a firefighter paramedic from my region in Virginia. She has nearly 20 years of service on the job. I first heard from her when she reached out on Instagram to tell me she was using my episodes as a teaching tool. Her episode speaks volumes about the treatment of females in the fire service and in the world in general. Stephanie's story is at times raw and heartbreaking yet there are moments that are uplifting and help restore some faith in the meaning of crew and humanity.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thethingsweallcarry.substack.com

Five After Midnight-TTWAC

This is technically a bonus episode but not an episode…this my interview as a guest on the Five After Midnight Podcast. The show is hosted by Stephanie who happens to be my guest on this weeks episode. I thought I would put this episode out as a prequel of sorts. Stephanie is a local FF/Medic from my neck of the woods in Virginia. She hosts her show for Fire Engineering. Head over to their show and check out the variety of hosts and topics. What follows is our off the cuff discussion about mental health in the fire service. Stephanie had her hands full wrangling our combined ADHD and my scattered brain. I look forward to releasing her episode of TTWAC this Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thethingsweallcarry.substack.com