First Responder Families Podcast

First Responder Families Podcast is a show dedicated to the the health and wellness of families of our first responders and military personnel.

Episodes

When the Nervous System Never Clocks Out: Neurorehabilitation for First Responders

March 6, 2026 • 32 mins

First responders run toward what most of us run from. But what happens to the brain and body after years of crisis, adrenaline, trauma, and high-stakes decision-making?

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Bishop, a licensed psychologist specializing in neurorehabilitation, to explore what chronic exposure to trauma does to the nervous system—and, more importantly, how healing is possible.

We talk about:

How tra...

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EMDR in a Nutshell: What First Responders and Families Need to Know

February 6, 2026 • 27 mins

EMDR in a Nutshell: What First Responders and Families Need to Know

In this episode, we sit down with Annalee Moody, LMHC, a passionate clinician who specializes in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Annalee breaks down EMDR in clear, everyday language and explains how this powerful therapy helps first responders resolve traumatic memories and moral injury that often come with the job. Through her clinical experi...

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Why Resolutions Fail and Habits Work

January 2, 2026 • 41 mins

Atomic Habits vs. New Year’s Resolutions breaks down why resolutions fail—and habits stick—through the lens of behavioral science. Ivona Bhadha guides first responder families through the habit loop and James Clear’s 4 Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. You’ll learn why lasting change depends on social support and immediate rewards—and why every behavior actually make...

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Mindfulness - A Powerful Tool for Reducing Stress and Amplifying Joy with Dr.Gus Castellanos

December 5, 2025 • 42 mins

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Gus Castellanos, retired neurologist, sleep specialist, and UMass-certified MBSR teacher, to explore his remarkable journey from medical practice, through addiction and recovery, to becoming one of South Florida’s most respected mindfulness instructors.

We discuss:

how mindfulness builds resilience, supports recovery, and reduces stress
his personal experience overcoming addiction through...

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The Recovery Roadmap: Integrity, Adventure & Lasting Change with Michael Herbert

November 7, 2025 • 49 mins

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Herbert, author of The Recovery Roadmap: A Guide to Freedom and Adventure, to explore what it means to build a life in recovery that is honest, meaningful, and resilient. Michael brings over 35 years of experience as a recovery strategist, counselor, and interventionist — and he’s walked his own path through addiction, healing, and growth.

You’ll hear:

The concept of “finding somethi...

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Holding Space for First Responder Families Impacted by Trauma, Mental Illness, and Addiction

October 3, 2025 • 50 mins

In this episode, Ivona Bhadha, LCSW and Director of Family Services at FHE Health, joins Neely Carlton Lyons and Erin McNamee from the Family Recovery Collective to share her journey of developing specialized support for first responder families impacted by trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges. She describes the unique pressures these families face, including common patterns such as caretaking, rescuing, and secret keep...

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