Parenting doesn’t pause when they’re on duty—and neither do we. In this episode of Shell Shocked & Sam Spilled, we talk about the invisible labor of first responder families: solo parenting, carrying the mental and emotional load, answering hard questions from our kids, and loving this life while feeling exhausted by it. This isn’t a complaint—it’s honesty. If you’ve ever held it all together while they were on shift, this episode is for you. You are not alone.

First Responders Children's Foundation link:

https://1strcf.org/

Disclaimer:

Shell Shocked & Sam Spilled is a podcast created for conversation, connection, and community. The content shared is based on the personal experiences and perspectives of the hosts and guests and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This podcast does not provide medical, mental health, or professional advice and should not be considered a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not create a professional or therapeutic relationship between the hosts and listeners.

The views expressed do not represent all first responders, spouses, departments, or agencies. Guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or the podcast.

Some episodes may include discussions of sensitive topics, including PTSI, trauma, substance use, marriage stress, and emotional challenges. Listener discretion is advised.