FIGHT LIKE DAVID

I have followed James on his podcast, "Behind The Shield" and have been impressed by his goal to, "Bring the greatest minds in wellness to the men and women who serve our communities."

James Geering spent fourteen years as a firefighter and paramedic, working on both the east and west coasts of America. He was born and bred in England, moving to America in 2002. James is an Exercise Physiology graduate and lifelong athlete. He is also the host of the Behind the Shield Podcast and the author of "One More Light- Life, Death and Humanity Through the Eyes of a Firefighter".

As a firefighter, he understands the ins and outs of trauma, PTS and addictions that plague our heroes. James and I speak about how first responders see behind the curtain, while citizens get the image of the world on a screen. It is impossible for anyone outside of being a first responder can understand the value of the work we do. James also shares his feelings of childhood trauma in the life of first responders. 

This podcast will provide insight into why sleep depression, trauma and environmental stress is the perfect cocktail for depression, addiction and suicide. 

James and I discuss ways to improve the climate surrounding our Countries disdain surrounding the Thin Blue Line. Please subscribe to the podcast and share it with those who could benefit from learning about addiction, PTS and trauma. Were here to support you! Thank you for leaving a comment and for Chasing The Vase.

A social worker, wife and mom, Heather Chaves is also a mental health advocate and member of the blue line family. As a family member of law enforcement, Heather knows the challenges faced by police officers and their families. From struggles with anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction and more, Heather has an inside view of how the job affects not only the officers but their spouses, children, parents and siblings. Heather is married with two children and lives in Rhode Island. In addition to her career, she is also the cofounder of Blue Love, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement officers and their mental health.

On this podcast we discuss the difficulties officers face when dealing with trauma, addiction, family dynamics and the stigma we face as first responders. Come Chase The Vase with us and learn the tips and tricks on how to cope with family members who work as a first responder.

Scott Medlin, is an L.E.O, author and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Operation Iraqi Freedom and owner of L.E.O motivation LLC. Scott has written two books that focus on the Mental Wellness of first responders. His first book, "Mental Health Fight Of The Heroes In Blue" discusses suicide awareness, the officers well-being, all while offering support to the troops. 

His second book, "101 Health Tips For Police Officers" came out in October 2020. He started L.E.O. Motivation LLC shortly after writing this book. You can view Scott's useful, helpful and inspirational content in his book and on his YouTube channel: "Law Enforcement Motivational Channel. 

In this podcast, Scott and I discuss the effects of PTS and addiction in the lives of first responders. We share tools on how to make the necessary adjustments and when to get involved. As first responders continue to battle the daily wars on the streets, we need to be better prepared in our homes to identify the red flags that are associated with addiction, pts and suicidal ideations. 

Please, like, share and comment on this podcast. Our goal at Chase The Vase is to provide you with the most credible up to date information surrounding PTS, addiction, mental wellness and overall general welfare. Thank you for subscribing to the podcast. 

Welcome to the 38th podcast episode of Chase The Vase. Absolutely honored to have Firefighter and comedian Jason Patton on the show. He is the brainchild behind Fire Department Chronicles, a comedic video series with a hilarious take on the daily struggles of working as a first responder. A fulltime firefighter and paramedic in Jupiter, Florida, Patton’s videos, which launched in 2017, quickly struck a chord with viewers, amassing over 660,000 followers on Facebook, hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram and TikTok and almost 50,000 subscribers on YouTube.

On the surface, Patton’s content aims to spark a fit of laughter. But, if you dig a little deeper, you will see that it’s really about supporting mental health. Patton spoke to Chase The Vase about what makes him tick and why his videos are resonating.

This episode is for all of us struggling with mental wellness. He opens up about his dark days and how he pulled through it. Please share this episode, like it and subscribe so you are notified of all upcoming episodes.

Tom is a highly decorated combat veteran, having served in the Army 25 years, the last 20 in the US Military's most elite Tier One unit, Delta Force. He has been involved in, and led, some of our nation’s most important military campaigns.

Tom fought in and was portrayed in the Oscar Winning 2001 film: Black Hawk Down which was the longest sustained firefight since Vietnam. As a member of Delta Force, he has been deployed countless times and led hundreds of missions including the capture of Saddam Hussein. He is the recipient of numerous medals including 5 Bronze Stars and 2 were for Valorous acts of service.

Jen is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer for 15 years, spending the last three as Director of Film and Photography of an elite Special Operations training company fully embedded with Navy SEALS, Green Berets, and Army Rangers in large-scale realistic training.

During her time embedded with Special Operation warriors, Jen began to see a pattern with the soldiers she worked with. She noticed that many of the carried similar characteristics that her husband Tom was experiencing. Tom was battling complex Post-Traumatic Stress. These similarities sent Jen on a quest to learn how to constructively deal with PTS.

Additionally, Jen is the founder of Virago, a platform for educating and empowering women who are facing the challenges of PTS on the Homefront.

Jen is also the author of Arsenal of Hope: Tactics for taking on PTS. Tom's best-selling book, "All Secure: A Special Operations Soldier's Fight to Survive on the Battlefield and Homefront," was released on November 5, 2019.

Jen, Tom and the Chase The Vase Podcast discuss ways to help men and women take up arms and fight PTS. We invite you to listen to this podcast and to like and share it with anyone who struggles with PTS or addiction. We are here to help. Please leave a review to let us know the next topic. Check out: www.chasethevasechallenge.com for more details on how to combat addiction.

I'm thrilled to have Rodger Ruge on the podcast. He is a certified Human Potential Institute Coach (CHPC), Certified Stress Education Center trainer, podcast host at HeroTalk.org and law enforcement Master Instructor with 30 years of instructional design and facilitation. He is a retired police officer with over wo years in the trenches. He is a survivor of post-traumatic stress. After his career in law enforcement, he works with men and women who struggle with PTS(D) BY EMPOWERING others to the grandest expression of their Human Potential. His greatest joy happens while helping others get 'unstuck',

Rodger understands PTS and provides us with usable, tangible tools that can be immediately deployed in any situation, in any setting. Come Chase The Vase with us and share, like and leave a comment for Rodger or myself.

For additional information on finding sobriety, check out www.chasethevasechallenge.com

I am honored to share the microphone with recovery expert and interventionist Chris Kling. Chris is a United States Marine Sgt. that served with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant until 1990.

After leaving the Marines, Chris was forced with living the "civilian life." He found the transition extremely difficult. He missed the structure and regime that the Marines had instilled in him and he became disheveled with civilian life.

The further he drifted from the Marines, the further he shifted his values of service and honor. Chris found himself smack dab in the middle of crime and substance abuse. Chris was feeding his habit by robbing and stealing from the drug dealers. He was on a collision course and something had to give.

Undenounced to Chris, he had a guardian angel. This angel came in the form of a Scottsdale Police Officer. This officer cared about Chris and his future. Chris shares his story and the impact this officer had in his life. This incident kickstarted his life in recovery and has had rippling effects on those Chris serves.

Today, Chris is a staple in the recovery community and wears his passion for recovery on his sleeve. He works tirelessly with those struggling with addictions to ensure they are treated with dignity and compassion.

Check out www.chasethevasechallenge.com for more details about sobriety and healing.

Conrad Weaver is an Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker, Podcast Host, Speaker, Producer, and Director with a passion for telling stories that matter.  Conrad has been telling stories through documentary films for more than ten years and his films and work have taken him from the slums of Guatemala and orphanages in Ukraine, to the halls of Congress on Capitol Hill, and everywhere in between. Whenever Conrad takes on a film project he dives deep into the culture to get to know the story and become an expert on the subject. His films have won many prestigious awards including a Regional EMMY Award. Whether it’s through his films or his podcast, Conrad’s goal is to inspire others to live a life of meaning and purpose.

In his new documentary PTSD911, he is tackling the battle first responders face when dealing with trauma and PTSD. The documentary is pro first responders and demonstrates the strength that is demonstrates amongst the men and women protecting us. I am honored to promote this film and ask for your support. 

Subscribe to and leave a comment. Let us know how we are doing. We appreciate the feedback. 

Keep Chasing The Vase. Check out our challenge at www.chasethevasechallenge.com.

My guest today is Australian's most popular prison escape artist, Danny Shannon." As a teen, Danny was addicted to ice and heroin and was in and out of jail for drug-related offences for most of his life. Danny was involved in stealing cars, breaking into houses and being chased by police. All of this was a day in a life of his addiction.

Danny's most incredible chase occurred at the Sydney’s Silverwater prison. Danny told reporters, “I was participating in a religious program so of an evening, maybe 50 of us (prisoners) would be in the visiting area,” he said. “I was just going down for the coffee and biscuits. I had been in that jail for some time, and I knew one spot where there was a bit you could climb up on the fence. “At the end of the group we climbed the fence.”

A report in The Daily Telegraph about the escape described how Danny, then aged 25, and a buddy, used garbage bin handles and rags to scale a five-meter razor-wire topped fence.

“It was actually an amazing escape,” he said. “We swam across a shark infested Parramatta River, bleeding, with the water police on our tail. It was a big chase, but we got away. “We were in these thick mangroves. I was in mud up to my neck for two hours and they couldn’t see us.”

Danny managed to evade police for six days until he was captured in Perth.

Danny first experimented with drugs when he was a youth. At 14, he was arrest for the first time. Early in his addiction, he used heroin before trying ice. He remembers spending his 18th birthday in the Parramatta prison. (Narrative from the News.com.)

Danny, a father of three, fell victim to overdose and was revived by the first responders. Danny believes he has a greater mission today and lives his life according. He currently works in a treatment center in Australia and is the creator of the encapsulator.io.

Please subscribe and leave a comment for us. Subscribing to the podcast allows you to be notified when the next episode is available. Keep Chasing The Vase.

Christopher Doyle is a New York Firefighter and recovering addict. He is the Host of The Why Intervention Podcast. Chris is an example of long-term recovery. Given his background in addiction and recovery, Chris believes he can save the lives of those struggling. Over the last six years, Chris has helped convince hundreds of fellow first responders and private clients to accept help for addiction through individual and family interventions.

Chris sheds light on the intervention process and provides amazing insight into the family struggle. Most understand that addiction does not discriminate. It attacks the wealthy, the poor, the sick, the healthy, the happy and the sad. When a family member struggles with addiction, the family dynamic can be an incredible resource for the addict. When thinking about an intervention, the family must think about the approach, the delivery, and the plan for the fallout.

Chris is an amazing resource to family member of First Responders battling with addiction. Reach out to him at @whyintervention.

Please subscribe to the Chase The Vase Podcast at comment on the episode for a chance to win a Rockwell Hero watch. We are interested in your feedback and episode ideas. Your voice is needed.

Keep Chasing The Vase at: www.chasingthevasechallenge.com for information on how to get and stay sober.