The Things We All Carry

BONUS Courtney-VA

Today's episode is a deviation from the norm. I've identified a few people or groups I think would bring benefit to the audience. This is a first in a series of bonus episodes. I'll record and release randomly. Today, I'm joined by Courtney. She's a nurse practitioner in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Courtney's recently opened a business focused on medical marijuana certificates here in Virginia.  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

Kevin-Maryland

Kevin is a Volunteer from the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  He sheds a different light on mental health from a Volunteer perspective. Kevin discusses family life, some calls, his trauma, and life 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

Shawn-Virginia

Today's episode is a conversation I had with Shawn out of Virginia. He started his career as a volunteer in the Buffalo area, spending 12 years as volunteer before embarking on a journey. As a career firefighter,  he is currently assigned to a ladder truck, as he approaches his 30th year in the fire service. Shawn shares his thoughts on and experiences with trauma, PTSD, and 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

Dan-Virginia

This week I’m joined by Dan for a discussion about the traumas he’s seen and experienced, the effect of the traumas, and his battle to defeat his demons. Originally from New York, Dan moved to Virginia for the job in 2015. He's been with his present department for seven years. He's got 16 years total experience. Dan speaks about his family history, his fire service history, some of the calls he's run and the recovery's been through because the time we sat down to talk about this, his recovery's been pretty amazing and he's still in the middle of a 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

Greg-Minnesota

Greg is a young firefighter with a few years of EMT service and Fire experience under his belt. He has just started a new rookie year after completing another fire academy. Greg was gracious enough to spend some time with me to share his story. He opens up about his childhood, his background and experiences in fire and EMS, as well as the work he’s put in to overcome struggles. 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

Brian-Virginia

 This week I sit down with Brian. Brian has been in the Fire Service for a total of 19 years between Volunteer and Career service. He’s currently a Lieutenant in his department. My first contact Brian was about 18 months ago when I reached out to him after a tragedy and he’s been a friend and supporter ever since. Sharing your personal history doesn’t come easy and as You’ll hear in the show, Brian doesn’t enjoy public speaking. I think he was eloquent and very forthcoming throughout. I appreciate the fact he disregarded his fear and joined me for this conversation. 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

Marshall-Virginia

I'm proud to call Marshall both a friend and a brother.... we work in the same Fire Department. I've known Marshall for a number of years but this conversation is deeper than anything I'd known previously. Marshall discusses his battle with cancer, life after cancer, losing a crew member, and his personal struggles at home. I can't thank him enough for the time and investment he gave. 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 Virginia

Matt made the short drive to sit down and have this conversation. We discuss the trauma he's experienced and the road he has taken to recovery. Be aware this episode has discussion of pediatric death. 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- Virginia

Jess sat down and discussed childhood, the fire service, trauma, and recovery. I have to thank her for her openness and her willingness to be vulnerable. Be aware that this show has themes related to abuse and childhood trauma. 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

@tj_leather

TJ of @tj_leather joined me for a conversation surrounding the LODD (Line of Duty Death) of his shift mate in 2018. You can find TJ on Instagram @tj_leather 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