8158 Podcast: Stories of Sacrifice

What if one of the most powerful tools for helping first responders survive trauma… had four paws?

In this episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, Rico sits down with Janeen Baggette, a combat veteran, former law enforcement officer, and founder of the nonprofit Canines for Freedom and Independence. Janeen shares how her experiences in the military and law enforcement exposed her to the toxic culture and mental health struggles many ...

What happens when the shift ends and the uniform comes off?

In this episode of 8158: OFF DUTY, Rico sits down with Keagan Rivedal for a candid conversation about life beyond the job. From the realities of working in emergency services to the personal experiences that shape who first responders are outside of work, this episode dives into the human side of the profession.

Keagan shares stories about the challenges, the moments that st...

Episode Description

Behind every flashing light and ambulance siren is a first responder carrying stories most people will never hear.

In this powerful episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, Rico sits down with paramedic and EMS educator FeralMedic911, whose journey into emergency medicine began with a deeply personal mission—to give other families more time with their loved ones after witnessing the care his own mother rece...

For more than 30 years in EMS, Michael has seen the best and worst of humanity. But behind the uniform and years of service was a reality many first responders face but rarely talk about—the cumulative trauma that builds over time.

In this powerful episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, Michael shares his deeply personal journey from the early days of his EMS career to devastating losses that changed everything. After surviving the ...

When the uniform comes off… who are first responders really?

In this episode of 8158: OFF DUTY, Rico sits down with returning guest Rob Mitchell , a law enforcement officer who recently completed advanced training as a crisis and hostage negotiator. From tense encounters with armed suspects to talking someone out of a barricaded vehicle, Rob shares what it’s really like to rely on patience, communication, and empathy to resolve dang...

What happens when the people trained to save others are the ones who need saving?

In this powerful episode of the 8158 Podcast: Stories of Sacrifice, Rico sits down with Rick Ramsay, co-founder of QRF (Quick Reactionary Force)—a groundbreaking mobile app created specifically to help veterans and first responders in crisis.

After losing brothers to suicide during his time serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army, Rick made it hi...

In this episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, Rico sits down with AK Dozanti — former law enforcement officer, wellness educator, author, and advocate for first responder mental health — for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about service, trauma, healing, and purpose after the badge.

AK shares her upbringing in rural southeastern Ohio and the profound personal losses she experienced during her teenage years that unknowing...

Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of PTSD, addiction, suicidal ideation, and other potentially triggering topics. Listener discretion is advised.

Episode Description (8158: Stories of Sacrifice)

You’re listening to 8158: Stories of Sacrifice — where we honor the bravery of first responders and the families who stand behind them. Real people, real stories, real heroes. This is 8158.

In this powerful episode, Rico sits dow...

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode discusses suicidal ideations and extreme content that may be triggering to some. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, Rico sits down with Tanya Stamos — a U.S. Navy disabled veteran and the founder of Operation RJS, a nonprofit created in honor of her father, Richard James Stamos, a Vietnam combat veteran who passed away from lung cancer connected to his service.

In this episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, Rico sits down with Dena Campbell, a 14.5-year NYPD officer who never planned on wearing the uniform—until a “backup plan” turned into a calling.

Dena shares what it was like coming on the job in 2011, learning policing through Operation Impact, working through Hurricane Sandy, and surviving the chaos of 2020—a season she describes as feeling like you were “an extra on a movie set.”

Bu...

Disclaimer: This episode discusses suicidal ideations and other heavy topics that may be triggering to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, we sit down with Nikki—a former correctional officer from Canada, current Thin Line Rock Station DJ, the host of Sirens, Slammers, & Service, and the owner of Blue Line Fitness.

Nikki walks us through her journey from a childhood dre...

8158 Podcast: Stories of Sacrifice — Off Duty Series

When the uniform comes off, the real conversations begin.

In the first episode of our Off Duty series, we’re sitting down with Jason Andrews for an honest, unfiltered conversation about life outside the badge. This isn’t about calls, ranks, or resumes—it’s about who you are when the shift ends.

We talk about the weight first responders carry long after the sirens stop, how identi...

⚠️ Trigger Warning / Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation, PTSD, infant/child death, and loss. Some content may be distressing. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

In this powerful episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, Rico sits down with Patrick — a United States Marine Corps veteran (0311 Infantry) and retired law enforcement officer — to talk about the moments that shaped him… and the calls tha...

In this episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, we sit down with Josh Grandinetti—a former firefighter, EMS Captain, and first responder whose career was forever changed by injury.

Josh grew up in Arizona with a strong family foundation, learning responsibility early by working alongside his father’s business at just 10 years old. That work ethic eventually led him into the fire service, where he spent 15 years as a firefighter and ...

Joe Childers has lived a lot of life — and worn a lot of hats.

From growing up in West Virginia to serving Eastern Kentucky for more than 30 years in fire and EMS, Joe’s journey is filled with grit, humor, and heart. He started young — lifeguarding at 14, joining the fire department at 16, becoming an EMT in 1993 and a paramedic in 1997 — all while playing and coaching football for decades.

In this episode, Joe (aka DJ Jabba) share...

Some healing doesn’t happen in silence — and some healing doesn’t happen through words at all.

In this episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, we’re joined by Horses4Heroes, a nonprofit creating powerful spaces for healing through equine-assisted programs designed for first responders, veterans, and the children of those who serve.

Horses have an incredible ability to sense emotion, build trust, and meet people exactly where they ar...