Clearing the MindField

Doctor Tracy Hejmanowski (don't worry, pronunciation included) is a Veteran, a licensed clinical psychologist and the Founder of the First Responder Projects, which serves First Responders & their families via therapeutic retreats. She also serves active duty First Responders struggling with CPTSD, Moral Injury, Compassion Fatigue and all that comes with that.

Doc H brings a very interesting and compelling insight into the world of Veterans & First Responders. Mental Health matters, and we know that Veterans and First Responders are strong, healthy resilient people. Doc H talks with me about how to make them even stronger.

Commander Randi Glossman Rose through the ranks of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to lead the Wellness Section. Her feels that her many years of experience on Patrol, Investigations etc. led her to a firm understanding of what the men and women she serves need to help them find a way forward.

Police Officers deal with a staggering number of critical incidents in a career, and in days past were left to carry those burdens alone. Can leadership be a part of the cultural change needed to help carry those burdens? Randi has some powerful ideas for changes, as she strives to lead the way for a large and complex Sheriff's Office. Lots to learn in this one.

The podcast episode features Richard Burns, a former police officer and Navy veteran, who shares his journey from childhood to law enforcement and military service. He discusses critical incidents, mental health struggles, and the impact on his well-being. Richard's experience highlights the importance of seeking therapy and developing emotional intelligence to navigate trauma and mental health challenges. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by first responders in dealing with mental health struggles and the lack of support from their colleagues and organizations. It highlights the need for a cultural shift and a national mental health initiative to address these issues and provide better support for first responders.

Takeaways

• Importance of seeking therapy for mental health support
• Development of emotional intelligence to navigate trauma and mental health challenges Mental health struggles are often overlooked and misunderstood in the first responder community.
• A cultural shift and a national mental health initiative are crucial to address the challenges faced by first responders and provide better support.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Clearing the Mine Field
• 05:06 Joining the Military and Law Enforcement
• 16:01 Transition to the Navy and Deployment
• 29:07 Impact of Critical Incidents and Mental Health Struggles
• 42:36 Seeking Therapy and Emotional Intelligence
• 47:45 Divine Intervention
• 53:44 Struggles with Workman's Comp
• 58:55 Coping with Loss
• 01:05:15 Adjusting to Life After Retirement
• 01:23:17 Creating a Mental Health Initiative

Chris "Chappy" Cottle experiences all of the struggles, vicarious and direct trauma that other Firefighters experience, but his own struggles didn't stop him from answering the call to serve those who serve others.

Support comes in many forms, and recovery takes many different paths, walked by many different people, and the Chaplaincy has been a staple in Military & First Responder Communities. Chappy shares his own lived experience with us today.

Amber "Boats" Cage faced adversity, disillusionment and setbacks while serving her people around the world at sea. One dark night, when things look hopeless, a chance intervention kept her connected to the world.

Amber didn't just move on. She proved that helped people help people, and she has spent her life since continuing her own journey while helping others heal.

Check out this conversation with our Here Tomorrow teammate.

"Burn Your Uniforms & Forget You Were in the military." That's what Jim was told when he came home. Years later, the "welcome home" signs made him feel anything but welcome.

Mama was home when he left. Jim did what many of our dads did and joined up before he could be drafted only to receive his draft notice a few weeks after he went in. Arriving just after the infamous Tet Offensive, Jim shouldered responsibilities most 19 year olds don't have to think about.

Jim has the distinction of being the only Vietnam Veteran on this season.

There's always more to the story; a man making his way through what has become an iconic story in American lore and even pop culture. He was portrayed in the now unforgettable war movie, Blackhawk Down, but there was life there before and after those harrowing 18 hours in Mogadishu.

Rangers lead the way. Follow Mike Goodale as he shares his story.

Jared responded to a routine shop lifting call, but he found himself in a fight for his life. Shot multiple times in the face and body, Jared dug deep, responded as a well-trained Operator can and won another day on earth with his family and comrades.

In this episode, we discuss a winning vs. survival mindset, what it takes to move forward after an encounter like this and how it impacts family and career. This is a story for the books.

Surf's up and guitar is shredding. Jeremy and I discuss the healing power of fatherhood, becoming a warrior in a garden, the pressure of expectations on the job and bringing humanity into the job. This one is chock full of solutions.

Nick Padlo went from small town life, to West Point, to helping the Iraqi people rebuild their armed forces. When he returned to the States, he struggled with finding a sense of purpose and a mission to sustain him, but it was a long road in recovery. Today, he leads Sophros recovery, helping others find their way into recovery and wellness. He shares his story here with us.