Surviving Your Shift, Building Peer Support
Struggling to support your peers after a tough call, or unsure how to even start a peer support team? You’re not alone. Surviving Your Shift is the podcast for first responders, healthcare workers, and frontline professionals who want to build effective peer support programs, learn peer counseling skills, and bring training to their organizations. I’m Dr. Bart Leger, a retired first responder and board-certified traumatic stress expert with 25+ years of experience training peer supporters. Whether you’re starting a peer support program from scratch or want to be a stronger peer supporter, you’ll learn how to build trust, navigate tough conversations, and bring training to your organization. This is your go-to podcast for peer support training, first responder wellness, and frontline mental health. Hit play, and let’s equip you for success.
Episodes
Most peer support programs start strong… then fade out. In this episode, we’ll talk about how to sustain your team, keep engagement high, and ensure your peer support program remains trusted and effective for the long haul.
Most peer support teams start with good intentions, a few trained peers, a launch meeting, maybe even some early wins. But what happens after six months? Or a year?
If your team is starting to fade, ...
Skeptical culture? Stigma? Silence? Learn how to promote peer support in a way your department will actually hear. Retired Sgt. Gabe Lira shares real solutions that work.
How do you promote peer support without sounding like HR or a TED Talk?
It’s one thing to build a peer support team. It’s another thing to get your department to trust it. If you’ve ever hit resistance, heard the line “We don’t need that,” or wondered ...
If your people don’t trust your peer support team, it won’t work. In this episode, you’ll learn how to protect confidentiality, build psychological safety, and create a culture where people know it’s safe to reach out.
What good is a peer support team if no one feels safe enough to use it?
Confidentiality isn’t just a policy, it’s the foundation of trust. And if your people don’t believe their conversations will be kept...
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just train it right. In this episode, I’ll show you exactly what kind of training your peer support team needs to be equipped and ready when it matters most.
Does your peer support team actually have the training they need, or are they just winging it?
Caring isn’t enough. Without the right training, peer supporters may overstep, or God forbid, do harm. And that can be disastrous fo...
Confused about what a peer supporter is actually supposed to do? This episode breaks down the real role of peer support and what not to do, to keep the team trusted, safe, and effective.
What’s the real role of a peer supporter, and where’s the line between helping and overreaching?
Too many programs launch without clearly defining the role of a peer supporter. That leaves team members unsure of what to say, when to ref...
Not everyone is wired for peer support—and choosing the wrong people can do more harm than good. In this episode, I’ll show you how to choose the right team members your people can actually trust.
How do you know if someone’s the right fit for your peer support team?
Let’s be honest—just because someone wants to be on the team doesn’t mean they should be. In fact, putting the wrong people in peer support roles can do re...
Thinking about launching a peer support program but unsure where to start? In this episode, I’ll walk you through the exact steps to build a team your people will actually trust and use.
Thinking about starting a peer support program in your department or organization, but feel overwhelmed by where to begin?
You’re not alone. A lot of agencies know they need something in place, but either launch too quickly without stru...
Are there warning signs in your department you’re missing? In this episode, learn five red flags that signal it’s time to build—or rebuild—a peer support team that actually works.
Is your department ignoring the signs that your people are struggling?
When good people are burning out, leaving the job, or silently suffering through trauma, it’s not “just part of the job.” It’s a red flag. And if you don’t have a trusted, ...
What is peer support—and why does it matter so much in high-stress jobs? In this episode, you’ll learn how it works, what it’s not, and why it’s saving lives on the front lines.
Ever wonder what peer support actually is—and why it seems like everyone’s talking about it lately?
Too many departments are using the term without really knowing what it means—or how to make it work. Worse, some well-meaning programs fail becau...
Peer support can save careers—and lives. This episode reveals why Surviving Your Shift is narrowing its focus and how it will equip you to build a strong peer support culture in your organization.
Are you tired of seeing your coworkers burn out, break down, or just barely get by, and wondering what you can do to help?
You’re not alone. Many first responders and frontline professionals feel called to support their peers,...
Feeling “off” but can’t explain why? This episode unpacks the hidden signs of long-term traumatic stress in first responders and frontline workers—and what you can do about it.
Are you more irritable, distant, or emotionally numb than you used to be?
You might think it’s just burnout, but what if it’s something deeper—like long-term traumatic stress?
If stress is piling up and showing up in unexpected ways, this episode ...
Coming home after a tough shift and still feeling “on the clock”?
Today’s episode breaks down practical strategies to create boundaries between work and home, helping first responders reclaim personal time and be fully present for what matters most.
Have you ever felt like work stress follows you home?
It’s all too common for first responders and frontline professionals to replay calls, zone out, or snap at loved ones a...
Do negative thoughts play over and over in your head after a tough call, wondering what you could’ve done differently?
It’s easy to fall into a cycle of self-criticism that erodes your confidence and makes it hard to move forward. That nagging voice in your head can feel like a constant weight pulling you down.
But what if there was a way to break that loop and rewrite those stories? Cognitive Reframing can help you pro...
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the constant demands of the job? The fast pace, critical decisions, and unpredictable nature of frontline work can add up, even when we think we’re in control.
Frontline work brings intense pressure, and managing stress is essential. In today’s episode, you’ll learn a quick, adaptable mindfulness technique that you can use anytime to find calm amidst chaos.
Today’s episode introduces th...
Are you equipped to recognize and prevent suicide in those around you?
Many people miss the signs of mental health struggles and feel helpless when loved ones are at risk. This episode dives into actionable ways you can make a difference.
Shayna Klassen, National Training Director for QPR Institute, shares her journey from addiction and recovery to becoming a leader in suicide prevention. Discover the life-saving impact...
Growing up in a family rooted in law enforcement and education, Alan Cormier shares how his journey led him to advocate for mental health support within the first responder community. From impactful personal experiences to founding the nonprofit “With You,” Alan’s story is one of resilience and community care.
What are the signs that burnout and stress are affecting your health and relationships?
Burnout and t...
Managing stress in high-pressure careers can feel overwhelming. Today’s guest, Dr. Anna Fitch Courie, Chief Wellbeing Officer at Clemson University, shares practical strategies to help you stay mentally and physically healthy in demanding environments.
Do you often feel overwhelmed by the constant demands of your high-stress job?
Many professionals in high-pressure careers neglect their own wellbeing, leading to burnout...
Are you struggling with burnout, stress, or feeling overwhelmed as a first responder? Retired firefighter paramedic Matthew Matty Fiorenza joins us to share his journey through PTSD and anxiety and how he’s now helping first responders find healing and support. Tune in for practical steps to protect your mental health.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the demands of being a first responder?
It’s common to experience burno...
Are you anxious about what life will be like after you retire? In this episode, Dr. Medina Baumgart, author of the book Surviving Retirement: Finding Purpose and Fulfillment Beyond the Badge, shares practical strategies to help you survive and thrive in retirement.
Have you ever wondered what life will look like after you hang up your uniform for the last time?
Retirement can bring more anxiety than excitement for many ...
Join Bart Leger as he interviews Tiffany Atalla, a trauma therapist specializing in first responder family support. Learn how Tiffany combines her personal experience and professional expertise to strengthen first responder families and provide innovative trauma care techniques.
What does it take to support first responders and their families in the toughest times?
If you’re a first responder or someone close to them, y...
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