The Things We All Carry

Cody Shea-The Call We Carry

Today. I get to introduce my audience to Cody Shea and his brilliant work of art, which is entitled "The Call We Carry" Cody's a firefighter in the state of Washington and an independent filmmaker. Not just any filmmaker now, but an award-winning filmmaker as he recently won the 2022 best first-time filmmaker award from the California Indies film festival. Cody set out to make a five minute promo for his department's peer support And what followed became a full feature documentary on trauma, PTSD, and recovery. His movie does to PTSD and recovery. What my podcast is attempting to do. Highlight our struggles inform you that you aren't alone and show a path to recovery.   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

Dr Joel Martin- Sleep and Fitness

Dr. Joel Martin joins me today for discussion on sleep and fitness and the effect of both on the tactical athlete. Dr. Martin is an associate professor of kinesiology at George Mason university. His research is focused on improving the fitness and health of the tactical athlete populations..... firefighters, police, and military. Side note...This is a rough edit of a show that previously failed to load appropriately. Any mistakes or audio glitches are to be blamed on me. Thanks for listening! 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

Mike-Buffalo

My guest on this episode is Mike, he joined me from his home near Buffalo. Mike has a connection to an earlier episode. Shawn, his cousin and godfather, was my guest on episode 11. Mike reached out after that episode and expressed his desire to relay his own story. He discusses his childhood, military and fire experience, his battle with trauma and mental health, and the road to recovery.  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

Kristie-Sweary Therapy Take 2

Thank you for joining me for another bonus episode of the things we all carry. Kristie of Sweary Therapy is back with another round of answers, to a few questions that have developed along the way. Just a reminder of where I first heard of Sweary Therapy and Kristie, a friend, a fellow firefighter, Jim Martin runs the unusual Buddha page and podcast. Kristie was a guest on his show and I stole this idea from him. Y'all go check him out on Instagram @theunusualbuddha You can also find Kristie on Instagram. She's @swearytherapy  and she has one of the best taglines ever."It's just f*****g therapy y'all" 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

Jordyn-VA

I had the chance to talk with and learn the story of Jordyn Goddard. Jordyn is a firefighter in the state of Virginia and a former educator. We spent about 90 minutes on the phone. The initial plan was to talk, get comfortable, and learn her story. It took about 30 minutes before I realized this, like Adam’s interview in episode 17, was the show. Jordyn spoke passionately and eloquently about grief, her loss, and her work toward recovery. 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

Jess P- VA

Today I'm joined by Jess. For those of you who have listened to earlier episodes, just as the wife of Brian from episode eight. Once Brian's episode was released and she had a chance to listen to the show. A couple of times, Jess reached out to me. She suggested the spouse may be able to add a different light and point of view when it comes to trauma, the effects of trauma on the firefighter. And the effects of it all on a spouse, kids and home life. She sat down with me and we discuss her experience and she gives some advice to other spouses as well. I found this to be a valuable conversation and I hope it reaches the audience that it deserves.  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

DanSun PhotoArt

This week I had my first international guest. Daniel's a 20 year firefighter paramedic from Western He's also the artist and creative genius behind DanSun Photos. Daniel was diagnosed with PTs in 2014 and his art gave him an outlet to express feelings and emotions associated with PTs. Along the way he decided to share his art and was surprised and heartened by the reaction. We spend an hour or so talking about life and a few pieces of his art that stood out to me. I've linked the five pieces we discuss in the show notes. You can find them at thethingsweallcarry.com/blog. 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

Rescue1 CBD

I recently had a phone call and a discussion with Jon from Rescue 1 CBD. Jon is a firefighter in south Florida and the founder and owner of Rescue 1. He is on a mission to, as his bio says,  “ improve our first responders’ sleep, mental health and cut back on the amount of medications required to do those things”Jon and I spend about an hour talking CBD, his company’s purpose, the process they use, the guarantee he offers, and the benefits of CBD. 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

Dr David Griffin--South Carolina

I recently had the privilege of speaking with Dr David Griffin. Many of you will recognize his name as the first in engine driver for the Sofa Superstore Fire that killed 9 firefighters in Charleston SC. Dr Griffin has used his experiences from that day and his entire career for the betterment of the fire service.  The numerous accomplishments he has achieved include a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership, rising to the rank of Assistant Chief in the Charleston Fire Department, and author of four books.  He is also a renowned public speaker shedding light on organizational change in and outside of the fire service. His information can be found on his website at drdavidgriffin.com. 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

Robbie-TN

Today I'm joined by Robbie from Tennessee.  Robbie reached out to me after I put out an initial call for people interested in telling their stories. We played phone tag for a couple of months and we finally got the chance to sit and record. When I first spoke to Robbie, I found myself confused.  My simple mind assumed if I was speaking to someone from Tennessee, expect a Southern accent. Imagine my surprise. When some dudes sending like a surfer from Cali came on the line, we discuss his decision to move his family from California to Tennessee. Some of his trauma, his therapy and the strides he has made. 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