Being married to law enforcement isn't easy — the stress, the trauma, the long hours, and the silence can leave police spouses feeling invisible and alone. In this episode, Dr. Ellen Kirschman, author of I Love a Cop, shares what every law enforcement couple needs to know about protecting their relationship and building resilience as a first responder family.

Episode Summary (value + takeaways) In this conversation with Dr. Ellen Kirschman, we cover:

Why law enforcement families often feel unsupported and isolated

How trauma and stigma impact police officers and their spouses

The reality of burnout for both officers and partners

Resources like I Love a Cop and the First Responder Support Network retreats

Practical advice for spouses to set boundaries, find balance, and reconnect

Dr. Ellen Kirschman is an award-winning police psychologist, author of I Love a Cop, Counseling Cops, and the Dot Meyerhoff mystery series. She has worked with law enforcement families for over 40 years and volunteers with the First Responder Support Network in California.

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00:00 – Welcome & intro 02:00 – Who is Dr. Ellen Kirschman? 06:00 – The origins of I Love a Cop 14:00 – Why police families feel isolated 20:00 – Trauma, PTSD, and first responder retreats 30:00 – Burnout for spouses & families 40:00 – Police marriage advice & communication 55:00 – Closing thoughts