Behind the Badge

Behind the Badge

By Behind The BadgeEducation
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Behind the Badge episodes

  • 010: Behind the Shield, Beyond the Job - James Geering

    In this episode, we sit down with James Geering—former firefighter, qualified Exercise Physiologist, stuntman, author, and the voice behind the Behind the Shield Podcast. James shares his journey from frontlines to podcast host, and the passion that drives his mission to support first responders and their families. With over 1000 episodes under his belt, James reflects on what he’s learned from some of the world’s top minds in mental health, performance, and resilience. This episode is about honoring service—and finding ways to sustain those who give everything to others.

    You can find more on James and Behind the Shield here:

    Behind the Shield Podcast with James Geering

    Music thanks to:

    ⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠

    Thanks to our sponsor:

    ⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠

    Discount code 'BADGE10'

    ⁠The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes⁠

    Discount code 'BTB15'

    You can keep up to date by following us here:

    ⁠Instagram⁠

    We hope you enjoy the show, please subscribe & leave a rating.

    1 hr 32 min
  • 009: Stillness After the Storm - Chris Thompson-Lang

    In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Chris Thompson-Lang—Army veteran and co-founder of Frontline Yoga. Chris shares his experiences from early childhood, including domestic violence, his 14 years of military service, including deployment to Afghanistan, and the mental health struggles that followed.

    We explore how contemplative practices like yoga became a lifeline in his healing journey, and how Frontline Yoga is now offering that same path to other Veterans and First Responders—free of charge. This is a conversation about confronting pain, choosing vulnerability, and finding peace in stillness.Listener discretion is advised.

    You can find out more about Frontline Yoga here:

    Frontline Yoga – providing yoga to professionals on the frontline

    Music thanks to:

    ⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠

    Thanks to our sponsor:

    ⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠Discount code 'BADGE10'

    ⁠The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes⁠

    Discount code 'BTB15'

    You can keep up to date by following us here:

    ⁠Instagram⁠

    We hope you enjoy the show, please subscribe & leave a rating.

    1 hr 58 min
  • 008: Unity in the Uniform - Mali Briggs

    In this episode, we speak with Mali Briggs—first responder and founder of Aussie Frontline, an organization dedicated to supporting those who serve on the frontlines. Mali shares insights from his 16 years of experience in the field, shedding light on the challenges faced by first responders in creating a positive and supportive community. We discuss the importance of culture, connection, and how Aussie Frontline is helping build a network of strength and support for those who dedicate their lives to service.If you want more on Aussie Frontline you can check them out here:

    Aussie Frontline | First Responder Community & Education Hub

    Music thanks to:

    These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD

    Thanks to our sponsor:

    SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination SoapDiscount code 'BADGE10'

    The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes

    Discount code 'BTB15'

    You can keep up to date by following us here:

    Instagram

    We hope you enjoy the show, please subscribe & leave a rating!

    1 hr 12 min
  • 006: The Science of Stress - Mandy Kennedy
    In this episode, we chat with Mandy, a former Queensland Police Service officer who left her career as a forensic scientist at the peak of her health and wellbeing. Mandy shares her insights into the science of stress—what it is, how it impacts our minds and bodies, and most importantly, how we can manage it. With her experience in policing and forensics, Mandy offers practical strategies for managing stress in high-pressure careers, and shares the tools that helped her maintain peak health in a demanding profession.Want more on mastering stress? Mandy can be found here:Mandy Watene (@mindwixau) • Instagram photos and videos
    1 hr 26 min
  • 005: The Resilience Shield - Ben Pronk DSC
    In this episode, we sit down with Ben Pronk, Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) recipient and former Commanding Officer of the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), to explore the concept of resilience. Ben shares his experiences from two decades of service, including his deployments to Timor Leste, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and how resilience became his cornerstone in overcoming the toughest challenges. We dive into his co-authored book The Resilience Shield and discuss practical ways to build mental toughness, bounce back from adversity, and apply these principles to both military life and everyday challenges.Want more on the Resilience Shield? Hit this link: Master your mindset and overcome adversity | The Resilience Shield
    1 hr 23 min
  • 004: Beyond the Flames: Transitioning to Retirement - Nick Gahan
    In this episode, we sit down with Nick Gahan, a current-serving Station Officer and PhD researcher, to discuss the mental, physical, and emotional challenges faced by retired firefighters. Through his research, Nick has gathered powerful narratives on the transition from active service to retirement, exploring the holistic impact it has on firefighters’ wellbeing. We dive deep into the importance of wellness in the later stages of a first responders career and how we can better support those who have dedicated their lives to keeping others safe.
    1 hr 7 min
  • 003: Retreat, Recover, Rebuild - Sam Parkhouse
    In this episode, we chat with Sam Parkhouse about the holistic wellness retreats created specifically for injured New South Wales Fire and Rescue staff. Sam explains the importance of providing a safe space for first responders to heal—physically, mentally, and emotionally—after the demanding and traumatic nature of their work. We explore the power of retreat-style recovery programs and the ways these experiences are helping firefighters rebuild their strength and find balance.
    1 hr 26 min
  • 002: Neuroscience of the Mind - Lee Cheesman
    In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of neuroscience with Lee “Cheesy” Cheesman as he explains how the brain plays a critical role in mental health. Lee unpacks the science behind mental wellness, how our brains are wired, and the ways this knowledge can help us better understand mental health challenges. We explore practical insights from neuroscience that can aid in healing, resilience, and recovery—empowering us all to make informed choices in managing our mental wellbeing.
    1 hr 34 min
  • 001: A Son’s Perspective on Mental Health - Jordan
    In this deeply personal episode, Jordan shares the emotional journey of his fathers battle with mental health. Jordan opens up about the challenges of living with a loved one who is struggling, the emotional toll of losing his father.We discuss the importance of understanding mental health from a familial perspective and how having these tough conversations can help break the silence surrounding mental illness.Listener discretion is advised
    27 min

About Behind the Badge

From the publisher's feed

Hosted by Australian firefighters Josh Alpen and Jason Anderson, Behind the Badge is a podcast about life in service — beyond the uniform, beyond the job, and beyond what most people see.