The Things We All Carry

Jay-Chicago

This week my conversation is with Jay,  a firefighter/paramedic from a suburban Chicago department. He is a 15 year veteran, including 11 at his current department. I first learned of his story after he  reached out to me via the mystory@thethingsweallcarry.com email. His story stands out to me because of numerous similarities between my life and his and we delve into some of that during the show. 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

James-@behindtheshield911

Today, I'm joined by James gearing. James is an author, a former firefighter of 14 years, a former stunt man, a husband, and a father, and the founder and host of the behind the shield podcast. He is someone I value as a mentor of sorts in this podcast world. Recently I was in Florida for a vacation and not only did James agree to record with me, but he opened his house What follows is our free flow conversation on a few key topics in the fire service today.  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-FLA

Chris is an Orlando area, firefighter with a fascinating story. He shares his experiences as a two time survivor of childhood cancer and as a firefighter. His story highlights a common theme from my guests that none of us are a blank slate when we sign up for the fire service. Chris discusses how the unresolved trauma prior to the fire service and the trauma from the job combined to affect both his professional and personal life. Chris's journey and his recovery make for a very powerful story 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

Jason-VA

Joining us today is Jason. He's a retired firefighter from the Northern Virginia area.He has 27 years of total service, 20 as a career firefighter and seven prior to that, as a volunteer, he has a very interesting story. And some of you're gonna recognize parts of his story. Some of you probably relate to a lot of his story 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

Loren-VA

This is an episode I recorded a few weeks ago with Lauren. Lauren is a firefighter from Virginia, but more importantly, she is a survivor of a rare form of childhood cancer. Her battle with and victory over the illness is a huge part of who she is as a human, a mom and a firefighter.  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

Adam Part2

This episode is more of a question and answer style dialogue between Adam and myself. With Jess joining in during a couple of spots. I wanted this episode to be a conversation in which we get a little deeper into the subjects Adam discussed in Part One.  I want to take the time to thank Adam for sharing and being open to a second interview. I appreciated and enjoyed the time he gave so willingly. 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

Adam-Ohio via VA

Adam is a fire service mentor and a former coworker and someone I've respected my entire career. He had a 20 plus year career that ended prematurely. Today's part one of a two part episode. Part two will be released tomorrow and it will be a conversation between Adam, Jess from episode five and myself. 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

Alexx-VA

I'm joined today by Alexx, a firefighter from a jurisdiction close to my own.  He reached out to me and expressed a desire to share a story so that someone else might learn from it. Alexx sat down with me one afternoon and discussed his upbringing, his time in the Air Force, his fire service career, his legal battles, and his recovery. He's made great strides and the future is bright for Alexx.  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

BONUS Sweary Therapy-FLA

Welcome to another Bonus episode of The Things We All Carry. I’m joined today by Kristie of Sweary Therapy. I first heard of Sweary Therapy and Kristie vis The Unusual Buddha podcast. A friend and fellow firefighter Jim Martin runs that page and podcast, y’all go check him out. ….@theunusualbuddha on Instagram. You can also find Kristie on Instagram, she’s @swearytherapy with the best tagline ever…Its 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

Jose-Virginia

Today’s episode is my conversation with Jose. Not only is he a friend and coworker but he is also one of the most genuine and caring human beings I know. He’s a firefighter and a medic as well as a damned good realtor. Jose shares his early life experiences of growing up in Honduras and his family’s escape to the United States. He also discusses his struggles as a young man finding his way, losing a coworker to suicide, and his own health scare. 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