First Responder Wellness Podcast
A podcast for first responders and the people who lead them. We focus on conversations about mental health and wellness, leadership, and the stress of the job within the first responder community.
Episodes
In Episode 85 of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Don Brucker shares his 39-year journey through the fire service—and the emotional weight that comes with it. From handling fatal fire scenes to the heartbreaking loss of his beloved dogs, Don opens up about the quiet, often ignored toll of first responder work. But this episode isn't about despair—it's about hope, growth, and leading by example.
He spe...
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EPISODE SYNOPSIS Retired NYPD officer Samantha Sonnett opens up about her personal journey following her diagnosis with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She shares how her chronic illness prompted a major lifestyle overhaul, focusing on cellular health, stress management, hydration, gut health, and nutrition. ...
In the first installment of this two-part series, host Conrad Weaver welcomes back Samantha Sonnett, a retired NYPD officer, for an unfiltered and deeply moving conversation about the realities of law enforcement and its long-term impact on wellness.
Samantha reflects on her 20+ year career with the NYPD, from patrolling the streets to training first responders for high-risk emergencies. She offers a behind-the-...
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82 - Finding Purpose after the Trauma with Kris O'Neill
📝 Show NotesGuest: Kris O’Neill Host: Conrad Weaver Podcast: First Responder Wellness Podcast
🔍 Episode Overview:In this episode, retired officer Kris O'Neill o...
Keep the Truth Tellers Around You with Dr. Jennifer Prohaska
This isn’t your typical feel-good chat about mental health. In this brutally honest and refreshingly grounded episode, Dr. Jennifer Prohaska cuts through the fluff with a clear message: we’re focusing on the wrong end of the problem when it comes to wellness in public safety. Dr. Jen explains why organizational dysfunction, not trauma alone, is what’s pushing people out ...
In this episode of the First Responder Wellness podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Mark Pattison, a former NFL wide receiver turned extreme mountaineer and Sports Illustrated executive. While Mark may not be a first responder in the traditional sense, his life journey is filled with parallels — perseverance, grit, mental toughness, and the daily discipline required to survive and thrive under intense pressure. Mark shares ...
In Episode 79, Conrad Weaver welcomes back Jeremy Wade, former Seattle Police Officer and current founder of Mission First Alliance, a national faith-based organization supporting first responders. This episode features an inspiring and deeply moving conversation about the challenges and victories of living out Christian faith in the demanding world of first responders.
Jeremy shares his personal journey of recommit...
🎙️ Episode Overview In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Rachael Belcher, a seasoned paramedic from Baltimore County with over 25 years of experience in emergency services. Rachael opens up about the emotional and psychological toll of the job, recounting her early days as a 911 dispatcher during 9/11, her evolution into field response, and the bui...
77 - Norman Rocked my World with Tim Eggebraaten
📄 Episode Summary In this compelling episode, Tim Eggebraaten—former police chief, storyteller, and advocate for first responder mental health—joins the show to reflect on his transformative journey through law enforcement. Tim opens up about the deep emotional toll that policing took on his well-being, the critical importance of community connections, and how personal encounters—...
He's not an #$$hole, He's Symptomatic - Erin Maccabee & Cinnamon Reiheld
Episode Summary In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver is joined by Erin Maccabee and Cinnamon Reiheld for a powerful conversation about the mental health challenges faced by first responders. They explore how trauma, desensitization, and high ACEs scores impact emotional well-being, and why compassion, vulnerability,...
In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver talks with Ashley Jones — a seasoned police officer and empowerment coach — as she shares her deeply personal journey through law enforcement and mental health challenges faced by first responders. Ashley opens up about the illusion of brotherhood in the field, the critical need for vulnerability training, and the urgent lack of mental health sup...
In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast LIVE, host Conrad Weaver is joined by Dr. Heather Twedell, widely known as “Dr. T,” a leading psychologist specializing in first responder mental health and wellness. Dr. T shares her deeply personal connection to the first responder community, the origin story of her organization F1RST, and how her work—spanning from local fir...
In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Allen Williford to discuss Paddling for Pennies, an inspiring initiative that raises funds for first responders and their families. Allen shares the origins of this 193-mile endurance paddle and the mental and physical challenges it brings. Together, they dive into the critical importance of mental health support for first ...
Episode Summary In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with veteran officer Tony Godwin from the Garland Police Department. With over 31 years of experience, Tony specializes in internet crimes against children, working tirelessly to protect vulnerable populations. They discuss:
- The challenges of investigating child exploitation and human trafficking
- The mental health toll on off...
72 - Turning Tragedy into Hope for First Responders with Linda Kokoros
Episode Summary:In this deeply moving episode, Linda Kokoros shares her personal journey as a first responder family member navigating grief after the tragic loss of her son, Alex, to suicide. She sheds light on the mental health challenges faced by first responders, the lack of support within law enforcement, and the crucial role of community engagement in rai...
71 - How to Create a Culture of Wellness with Chief Neil Gang
This is from the First Responder Wellness Podcast LIVE event we hosted on February 21.
🎧 First Responder Wellness Podcast 📅 Episode 71 | February 25, 2025 🎙 Host: Conrad Weaver 🎙 Guest: Chief Neil Gang
Episode OverviewIn this special episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Chief Neil Gang, former police chief of Pinole, C...
Register for the LIVE Events here: https://mailchi.mp/ptsd911movie/first-responder-wellness-podcast-live
70 - Searching for Answers with Liz Pol
Episode Summary In this powerful episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, we sit down with Liz Pol, a Chicago police officer with 21 years of service and a mental health professional specializing in forensic psychology. Liz shares her deep expertise in suicide prevention, trauma,...
In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver speaks with Adam Timm about the mental health challenges faced by 911 dispatchers and first responders. Adam, who spent 20 years in 911 dispatch, shares his personal journey of transformation through mindfulness and stress reduction techniques. He reflects on the impact of daily stressors in the di...
68 - Talking About it is Therapy - With Mike Bergin
Episode Summary
In this powerful episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Mike Bergin opens up about the mental health challenges he faced throughout his career in law enforcement, including the profound impact of a police-involved shooting. He discusses the stigma that often prevents first responders from seeking help and how public speaking became a crucial part of his...
Episode Summary:
In this powerful and emotional episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Christy Lister, the former wife of a police officer who tragically took his own life in 2019. Christy shares her personal journey of navigating life after loss, the challenges faced by first responder families, and the critical need for mental health support within law enforcement. She discusses the im...
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