The Things We All Carry

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

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