I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness - A First Responder Mental Health Podcast

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma informed and certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

This week, we have another returning guest in Josh Grandinetti! Since his last appearance (Episode 36 if you'd like to go back and listen in, before engaging with this conversation) Erin and Josh have struck up a wonderful, close and supportive friendship, including both hosting their own respective shows on The Thin Line Rock Station.

When they last spoke, Josh was on injury leave from Eloy Fire Department as a Captain and gradually building his mindfulness meditation platform for First Responders, "Foundation Fortified".

Since that time, he has medically retired from his firefighting career and assumed a new role as a Paramedic with Mesa Fire Department, began hosting "Midweek Mindfulness" every Wednesday from 12pm EST on the radio station and built Foundation Fortified to be an extensive mindfulness platform, with both free content and subscriber programs available.

Josh recently released a wonderful 5 min meditation called "Doff The Clock" and after listening to it and hearing how powerful it was, Erin asked if Josh would be happy to jump on the podcast and share it with the listeners....so here they are!

Having established a warm friendship over the last 12 months, Erin and Josh talk about the meditation he shared and the purpose behind it; to help First Responders separate and decompress after a shift, before returning home to their families and loved ones. They discuss the enjoyment they get from being a part of The Thin Line Rock Station and their annual Christmas show they host together.

They even venture down the path of talking about the difference between compassion vs empathy for First Responders, what it really means to "work on yourself" and share a few laughs along the way.

This conversation is basically one they would have with each other naturally every few weeks, they just decided to record it for you on this occasion! Josh also kindly allowed Erin to include his "Doff The Clock" mindfulness meditation at the end of the episode, so keep listening to the very end to hear that.

We both hope you enjoy listening to this episode!

You can follow Josh on the socials via @foundationfortified or go check out the website: https://www.foundationfortified.org

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erinjanecoaching.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinjanecoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Call or Text: +1 617 396 4695

YouTube Ep: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/gT2gJM3r2OQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Find "Holding Space with Erin Jane"; every Tuesday & Thursday 2-4pm EST on The Thin Line Rock Station! 

Listen here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thethinlinerockstation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma-informed certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

This episode is part of a bonus series, Mindfulness Mondays.

Friend of the podcast and former guest Josh Bailey jumped on today with Erin, to cover off the busy and important month of June, which encompasses Men's Mental Health Awareness Month and PTSD Awareness Month.

(They actually recorded this on June 27th, PTSD Awareness Day)

Josh is an Australian Defence Force Veteran, former Police Officer and a Provisional Psychologist. He is also an informed and knowledgeable Mental Health Speaker, Writer and Advocate for the First Responder and Veteran Community.

Erin and Josh decided to jump on and have a chat, given their shared law enforcement history and how important they believe it is to draw attention to the plight of Men's Mental Health and the incidence of Post Traumatic Stress, especially amongst the First Responder and Veteran populations. They discuss what this month has meant, what they think is working, what needs improving and overall, just bringing awareness that it's ok to talk about these things.

As a practical takeaway and simple strategy to incorporate into your everyday coping skills, Josh shares his "Triple A Strategy", a mindfulness technique for managing thoughts. This helps provide people with insight into the consequences of their actions:

1. Awareness (the thought has entered your head, stop and give it your attention). 

2. Acknowledgement (look for evidence, is it true? Do I need to act on this thought? Why, Why not, Can I ignore it?)

3. Acceptance (accept the consequences of your actions) 

Josh is also a contributor to "The Thick End" where you can find his blog series, https://thethickend.com/blogs/the-coal-face

Most recently, Erin contributed a couple of articles to Battalion 1 Consultants, in regards to Firefighter Safety Stand Down Week 2025, which you can find here:

https://www.b1cfirstresponders.com/post/a-response-to-the-things-we-see-doesn-t-mean-you-re-broken

https://www.b1cfirstresponders.com/post/let-personal-agency-empower-you

I'm excited to continue this bonus series of episodes, to compliment (not replace!) the wonderful conversations I am privileged to have and to share some brilliant resources with you, moving forward.

Thanks to Josh Bailey for taking the time to jump on with Erin! You can follow him on IG: @joshs_psychology_

If there's some kind of practice you'd like me to share on here, or a particular mindfulness narrative you would find beneficial, please reach out.

Otherwise, please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, would like to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erinjanecoaching.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinjanecoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Call or Text: +1 617 396 4695

You can watch the episodes as video on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@Erin-Jane-Coaching?si=XI8q0z3mhmzO_a7_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Feel free to watch, listen, share and subscribe! 

You can also catch me on the Thin Line Rock Station (a radio network dedicated to First Responders) every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, 2pm-4pm EST.

Listen in here: ⁠⁠https://www.thethinlinerockstation.com/our-djs⁠⁠ or download their app to your phone!

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma informed and certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

This week, Erin had the distinct pleasure of reconnecting with one of her favourite former guests, Travis Gribble! A former police officer with 24 years experience across both Michigan and Arizona. He held various positions throughout his law enforcement career, including SWAT member & Team Leader and Patrol Sergeant.

In retirement he founded My Arena; a First Responder Mental Health Education and Advocacy organisation, whose mission is to help first responders navigate the mental health challenges during their careers and educate agencies on how to appropriately handle critical incidents for the employees involved and provide critical response care when needed.

You can go listen to Episodes 5 and 6 to hear more about Travis' career, some of his personal mental health challenges and the drive behind My Arena.

This episode was an opportunity for Erin and Travis to catch up (officially) and for Travis to speak about the changes he's incorporated in his life since that original conversation. Most recently, the difficult decision to hit pause on his My Arena organisation, when he felt pulled in a different direction.

Travis shares about the immense privilege it was, travelling around the country, sharing his story and getting to connect with so many wonderful First Responders, both personally and professionally. But he was left with an overwhelming sense of "I've brought the importance of looking after their mental health to their attention, now what?"

He tells Erin about how the opportunity to attend the Struggle Well Experience with The Boulder Crest Foundation came about and how truly transformative it was for him personally.

So much so, he has taken on a role with them as a Guide, helping other First Responders navigate that life changing path of where Post Traumatic Growth can take them. Because of how passionately he feels about this new role, Travis has closed down his My Arena organisation and speaking engagements for the rest of 2025, choosing to focus on impacting this community in this hands on, immersive way.

Neither Travis nor Erin are speaking on behalf of The Boulder Crest Foundation in any capacity, Travis is simply sharing his personal experiences from his own perspective. However, both encourage anyone who listens to this episode and is interested in learning more, to go check out: https://bouldercrest.org/

We both hope you enjoy listening to this conversation and hearing more about the impact incorporating Post Traumatic Growth into your life can make.

Follow Travis on IG: my_.arena or search "Travis Gribble".

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erinjanecoaching.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinjanecoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Call or Text: +1 617 396 4695

YouTube Ep: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/gT2gJM3r2OQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Find "Holding Space with Erin Jane"; every Tuesday & Thursday 2-4pm EST on The Thin Line Rock Station! 

Listen here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thethinlinerockstation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma informed and certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

This week, Erin speaks with AK Dozanti, a former Deputy Sheriff and Criminal Court Victim's Advocate, with a Master's Degree in Criminology and Victimology. She is a First Responder Wellness Coach and Specialist, a qualified yoga instructor, Founder of Life Saver Wellness Academy and most recently, a published author of the "Beat The Burnout".

AK takes the time to chat with Erin about her background in law enforcement and victim advocacy work and her personal experience with burnout, which caused her to seemingly abruptly leave a policing career she loved.

They both discuss their passion of providing wellness coaching to the First Responder population and AK details the trajectory that brought her to where she is now, offering training and education to departments all over the country.

She has always maintained a strong focus on burnout since her own struggle with it and after dedicating a lot of time and effort to research it, known as "occupational phenomena" to incorporate it into her presentations, felt inspired to share all that she'd learned, in the hopes of preventing others going down a similar path.

Burnout is obviously something not unique to First Responders, characterised by chronic stress and exhaustion, but experienced more frequently due to the nature of their roles. AK wanted to not only educate, but offer explanations as well as real wold strategies to....beat the burnout.

This was such a beautiful conversation to engage in and as both women admit, probably long overdue!

With both Erin and AK being former law enforcement officers, current wellness coaches for First Responders, with strong interests in the realm of psychology and the ultimate connection....being Boy Mums! They discovered how much they truly have in common and are part of a special tribe of women working in this field, who are here to support and raise each other up.

Their passions and goals align in the most authentic way, of just wanting to help First Responders thrive instead of struggle and make no mistake; this won't be the last you see Erin and AK together.

We both hope you enjoy listening to this episode!

Please find AK at: https://akdozanti.com/

Follow her on the socials, both FB, IG & TikTok: @akdozanti

Or find her book: https://www.amazon.com/Beat-Burnout-Prevention-Solutions-Frontline/dp/B0DW6PPGML?ref_=ast_author_dp

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erinjanecoaching.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinjanecoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Call or Text: +1 617 396 4695

YouTube Ep: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/gT2gJM3r2OQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Find "Holding Space with Erin Jane"; every Tuesday & Thursday 2-4pm EST on The Thin Line Rock Station! 

Listen here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thethinlinerockstation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma informed and certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

This week is a special episode! Erin talks to Josh Bailey, a Veteran of the Australian Defence Force, both enlisted and as a reservist and former police officer with the Australian Federal Police.

Josh is the VERY FIRST return guest (you can check out our first conversation, Epsiode 26) and having developed a strong friendship since that initial podcast episode, Erin and Josh have kept in regular contact with each other.

Australia and the USA have many things in common, one thing being some of ways in which they commemorate those who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice for their country, in military service.

Erin and Josh were talking around Anzac Day (April 25th) and discussing some of the raw, powerful emotions that can come up for people around these revered occasions. With Memorial Day coming up here in the United States, they decided to book end a conversation about this topic, between those two dates.

Whether you have served, are a First Responder and Veteran or support and love someone who is, this episode is for you.

Josh and Erin talk about the history behind Anzac Day, Memorial Day, Remembrance Day and Veteran's Day respectively, the meaning they hold for veterans and civilians alike and some complicated emotions that can be brought up around these types of occasions.

They discuss the ways grief can show up, Josh talks about the strategy of Awareness, Acknowledgement and Acceptance and the importance of leaning on your mates and loved ones during challenging times.

This episode is just two people having a conversation, bringing awareness so others can know how incredibly common it is to wrestle with difficult emotions around these kinds of commemorative occasions and that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Utilising different coping skills and strategies and understanding there are resources available, should you need them, is the point. Plain and simple.

They share some Australian-based resources and organisations doing some great work, please feel free to check them out:

https://aussiefrontline.com.au/ & https://aussiefrontlinefoundation.org.au/

Phoenix Foundation: https://www.phoenixaustralia.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=700566919&gbraid=0AAAAADhz5jnBrUROH0etTgvo4jQorNGCf&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7M30tuOmjQMVIElHAR1XYxLwEAAYASAAEgK2ifD_BwE

https://soldiersandsirens.com.au/

https://linktr.ee/itsahardchoclife

Additionally you can follow Josh on IG: @joshs_psychology_

We hope you find some benefit in listening to this conversation. Please feel free to reach out to either of us if you need some assistance navigating the path of finding some help.

If in the United States, reach out to Erin and she will be happy to send you some recommendations, or legitimately just google "Military and First Responder mental health support" and there are more than we could list here.

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erinjanecoaching.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinjanecoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Call or Text: +1 617 396 4695

YouTube Ep: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/gT2gJM3r2OQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Find "Holding Space with Erin Jane"; every Tuesday & Thursday 2-4pm EST on The Thin Line Rock Station! 

Listen here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thethinlinerockstation.com/⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma informed and certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

This week, Erin speaks with Chris Moore, an active duty Firefighter with over 30 years of service in departments in VA, where he currently serves as a Captain with the Chesapeake FD. Chris is an outspoken advocate for the mental health, wellness and suicide prevention amongst the First Responder, after experiencing his own mental health challenges, including a PTS diagnosis and suicide attempt.

Chris travels across the country, sharing his story, in the hope of bringing awareness and reducing the associated cultural stigma that's so heavily entrenched when it comes to mental health. He was also interviewed and featured in the PTSD-911 documentary, directed by Conrad Weaver.

Chris tells Erin about his childhood, growing up as the son of a Vietnam Veteran father, who went on to become a police officer after returning from the war. He remembers the sense of pride and service that instilled in him and explains what drew him towards a career in firefighting over law enforcement.

He spent 8 years as a volunteer, until finding a position with Chesapeake FD, where he's spent the last 24 years serving his community.

Chris details to Erin about his bucket beginning to overflow in 2017, with the cumulative nature of a First Responder role catching up to him and eventually reaching out for some help in 2018. He was given some coping tools and strategies, to replace the unhealthy ones he had developed along the course of his career and was travelling well....until he wasn't.

He opens up to Erin about falling into an incredibly dark place psychologically in March of 2022, to the point he made a suicide attempt, waking up in the hospital to the image of his wife (at the time) and son at his bedside.

From the depths of despair, Chris was able to fight hard and regain his mental health, with the help of therapy, new coping skills and strategies and a powerful experience attending a Save A Warrior program.

Chris travels across the US, sharing his powerful mental health journey, his story of resilience and letting others know they're not alone. Additionally, he shares his personal number for people to reach out to, if they need a peer to talk to and listen. He has had over 2500 people contact him.

This conversation was incredibly impactful and truly beautiful to be a part of. Chris is raw, honest, authentic and holds nothing back. He shares the good and the bad, the things many people would want to shy away from. It's a testament to the work he has done on himself and how passionate he is in trying to help others, so they don't end up in the dark place he found himself psychologically.

We both hope you enjoy listening! And let's wish Chris a wonderful wedding day tomorrow!

You can find Chris on

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100048453519257

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-moore-2ab5b9234/

Or his number is: 757 536 3373

More info for Save A Warrior: https://saveawarrior.org/

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erinjanecoaching.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinjanecoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Call or Text: +1 617 396 4695

YouTube Ep: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/gT2gJM3r2OQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Find "Holding Space with Erin Jane"; every Tuesday & Thursday 2-4pm EST on The Thin Line Rock Station! 

Listen here: ⁠⁠https://www.thethinlinerockstation.com/⁠⁠

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma informed and certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

This week, Erin speaks with Heidi Chance, a retired detective with over 27 years in law enforcement, including 25 years with Phoenix PD. She worked as an undercover detective investigating human trafficking cases for 13 of those years and through her hard work, dedication and experience, rescued countless victims. She is a SME (Subject Matter Expert) in the field of sex trafficking and since retiring from her position with the PD, founded "A Chance for Awareness", an organisation dedicated to raising the awareness of sex trafficking, where Heidi provides training and courses, to help law enforcement members and civilian participants understand the methodology  and characteristics of groomers and offenders, as well as about the potential vulnerabilities of victims. She most recently became a published author with the book "Talk To Them: Navigating Difficult Conversations with Youth in the Digital Age".

Heidi told Erin about her childhood, growing up with a father in law enforcement, that really fueled her passion to become a police officer. She spent time in patrol and as an SRO, but found her true calling in the realm of sex trafficking and human trafficking. She details the beginning of her role, when the focus was primarily on the sex worker, through the transition into seeing them as a victim and the criminal focus turning on the actual traffickers.

Heidi and Erin discuss the ever changing aspects of criminality and how advances in technology changed the way human trafficking occurs, forcing law enforcement to have to keep up with the constantly evolving nature of their tactics. She also discusses the impact this line of work had on her family life and the lack of mental health and wellness resources offered to those performing these roles, something that should be addressed.

Her years of experience made her realise there was a huge intelligence gap in terms of the methodology of traffickers being known and the right ways to interact with them, even teaching civilians about the dangers involved. After retiring from Phoenix PD, she wanted to continue her passionate work in the field, so she founded "A Chance For Awareness" in March of 2022. Heidi provides awareness of sex trafficking in the community through keynote presentations, workshop/training events, law enforcement coaching and training and online courses. 

She has recently published the book "Talk To Them", a comprehensive guide of actionable strategies, personal anecdotes, and expert analysis aimed at fostering open communication, initiating difficult conversations with our kids and teens to ensure their safety online.  You can purchase it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D37K9NRR?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_FQRR9J0BT7MKHX42FV3R&peakEvent=5&dealEvent=0&skipTwisterOG=1&bestFormat=true

This was a lovely and very informative conversation to have! I'm so grateful to Heidi for taking the time to speak with me and am truly inspired by her dedication to helping the victims of human and sex trafficking. Please check out her website here: https://www.achanceforawareness.com and follow her on the socials FB: A Chance For Awareness and IG: a_chance_for_awareness

We both hope you enjoy listening to this episode!

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erinjanecoaching.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinjanecoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Listen here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thethinlinerockstation.com/⁠⁠⁠ Tues/Thurs 2-4pm EST "Holding Space with Erin Jane".

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma informed and certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

In this first episode for 2025, Erin speaks with Bart Wichowski, a United States Army Veteran, who served as an MP for 8 years and continued his policing career into positions with the Dept of Veteran Affairs, before landing with New Britain PD in CT. Since retiring from law enforcement, Bart has become a licensed mental health clinician, taking a special interest in treating trauma and PTSI in First Responders, Veterans and Active Duty Military members.

Bart tells Erin about his military service, his deployment to Iraq during the aftermath of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the duties he performed over there as a member of the Military Police, including the development of the Iraqi Police Force, CPP and joint operations with local forces. Bart also shares about an incident that occurred on December 27th, 2003 where he was wounded in action from an explosion, receiving the Purple Heart.

After his service, he became a federal law enforcement officer with the Department of Vet Affairs, but after 7.5 years, was after something more challenging, so he joined the New Britain PD in CT. Bart thoroughly enjoyed his time at this department, working as an FTO, joining the crisis negotiation team, as well as involvement in CIT and training co-ordination.

Bart maintained a strong interest in the mental health field throughout his career and had chosen to pursue his Masters. This enabled him to clearly see a gap in service when it came to police officers dealing with civilians experiencing mental health challenges, so he spearheaded and developed a Mental Health Unit for his PD, where he spent the last two years of his policing career.

He tells Erin about some of his own personal struggles with his mental health, including some suicidal ideation during a challenging period and the process of supporting his daughter through her own battles too, along with his wife.

Knowing how crucial it is for First Responders, Veterans and Active Duty Military Members to receive culturally competent care, after 20 years in Law Enforcement, Bart knew it was time to retire and go help this community in a different capacity.

He now provides clinical therapy services as an LPC-A with Headspace LLC and you can reach out to him professionally via his Psychology Today profile:⁠https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/bart-wichowski-wethersfield-ct/1279931⁠ or follow him on IG with the handle @bartwski258

This was such a lovely conversation to have! Bart is warm, open, engaging and I'm so glad he's in a position to be helping First Responders with their mental health, combining all his years of law enforcement and military service to truly understand this population well.

We both hope you enjoy listening to this episode!

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erinjanecoaching.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinjanecoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Call or Text: +1 617 396 4695

YouTube Ep: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/gT2gJM3r2OQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Additionally, you can listen in every Tuesday and Thursday, 2pm-4pm EST to hear Erin Jane as Host/DJ on The Thin Line Rock Station! 

Listen here: ⁠⁠https://www.thethinlinerockstation.com/⁠⁠

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma-informed certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

This episode is part of a bonus series, Mindfulness Mondays.

This week, I share about some of my own personal reflections and learning when to decide to take a step back and prioritise the meaningful things in life, when you truly need to. Wrestling with the anxiety and guilt, that can come along with feeling like you're being pulled in a multitude of different directions, only to be left feeling that nothing you do is ever enough.

So this Mindfulness Mondays episode is dedicated to Focus on February (or Fuck It February, as I'm calling it) which grants a permission structure of sorts, to turn towards yourself purposefully and decide what you truly want to give your time, love, energy and attention to this month.

With February being the shortest month of the year, it's a time to really take stock of what's important in your life. And let's be honest, we can all take 28 days (or 25 given we're a few days in already!) and focus on something important to us. Whether that is a relationship or our marriage, being more present with our kids, prioritising your mental health and wellness, taking a technology detox, learning a new skill or engaging in a hobby you've been wanting to start, anything.

I share about what I'm focusing on this month while visiting my beautiful homeland of Australia and additionally, discuss the launch of Foundation Fortified's Subscriber Content this past weekend. How truly talented its founder, Josh Grandinetti is as a mindfulness meditation instructor and facilitator, what an incredible resource it is and how it can be a beneficial resource for the First Responder and Emergency Services population.

Feel free to check out their content and subscriber options here: https://www.foundationfortified.org/membership or follow Foundation Fortified on the socials;

IG: https://www.instagram.com/foundation_fortified/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/p/Foundation-Fortified-61560257165834/?mibextid=JRoKGi

YouTube: UC_2osLcuwVDNzqh6E49l5Rg

I'm excited to continue this bonus series of episodes, to compliment (not replace!) the wonderful conversations I am privileged to have and to share some brilliant resources with you, moving forward.

If there's some kind of practice you'd like me to share on here, or a particular mindfulness narrative you would find beneficial, please reach out.

Otherwise, please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, would like to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erinjanecoaching.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinjanecoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Call or Text: +1 617 396 4695

You can watch the episodes as video on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@Erin-Jane-Coaching?si=XI8q0z3mhmzO_a7_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Feel free to watch, listen, share and subscribe! 

You can also catch me on the Thin Line Rock Station (a radio network dedicated to First Responders) every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, 2pm-4pm EST.

Listen in here: ⁠https://www.thethinlinerockstation.com/our-djs⁠ or download their app to your phone!

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma informed and certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

In this episode, (which Erin recorded on New Years Eve) she does a quick recap on the year that was with the podcast.

In 2024, with I Will Hold Space Space For Your Darkness we had over 30 episodes! Including a few solo ones and the bonus series of Mindfulness Mondays.

We also had an incredible list of guests, who kindly gave their time to come on and have some deep, heartfelt, honest, raw and riveting conversations.

I'm so grateful to each and every one of them and have not only had the opportunity to make some truly wonderful connections and friendships, but also learnt about many different aspects available to First Responders in the mental health and wellness realm.

2024 has been a big year and a busy year! Looking forward to see what 2025 brings.

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erinjanecoaching.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinjanecoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Call or Text: +1 617 396 4695

YouTube Ep: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/gT2gJM3r2OQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Additionally, you can listen in every Tuesday and Thursday, 2pm-4pm EST to hear Erin Jane as Host/DJ on The Thin Line Rock Station!

Listen here: https://www.thethinlinerockstation.com/