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.

In this episode, Erin speaks with Doug White, a United States Air Force Veteran, where he was a Security Forces Specialist, and a career spanning 25 years in Law Enforcement as Deputy Sheriff in Florida.

Since retiring in July 2023, Doug has become a mental health advocate for the First Responder and Veteran community, sharing his own personal story and struggles in the published memoir "Hiding In Plain Sight; The Truth About Trauma, Service and the Way Forward." He also is a podcast host, with "Tell This Story" where he shares important conversations with First Responders and Veterans.

Doug tells Erin about being raised with a strong sense of service, which led him to join the Air Force. His role as a Security Specialist involved service at US-SOCOM, including returning to active duty after 9/11 to continue to serve his country.

Prior to the events of 9/11, Doug had already began his career in Law Enforcement with a major agency in Florida, where his roles ranged from FTO, instructor, patrolman, supervisor and he goes into detail about his time as a certified bomb technician. He served for 25 years with this department with dedication, tenacity and commitment, but eventually, to the detriment to his mental health and personal relationships.

A cumulation of exposure to trauma, poor coping skills and lack of sleep after a promotion had Doug on midnight shifts, unfortunately left him struggling both physically and psychologically. He shares with Erin about experiencing suicidal thoughts and ideation one night in 2019, leaving him all alone in a car park one night, with a firearm in his hand. This was a turning point for Doug and with the incredible support of his wife Michelle, he was able to start receiving some help.

He didn't retire until July 2023, so endured the rest of his career dealing with PTS and some other mental health challenges, but this is evidence of Doug's immense resilience and ability to rise when faced with adversity. After retirement, Doug began to journal and realised his story and experience was one worthy of sharing. To explain that post traumatic growth is possible and share the mistakes he made along the way, like prioritising his career opportunities over dedication to his family, something he has worked hard to rectify since.

His book "Hiding In Plain Sight" truly is a raw, heartfelt read, that speaks not only to Veterans and First Responders, but their spouses and partners too. As they discuss, Doug is very much still in the trenches when it comes to his healing journey, but everything about this man is decent, authentic and inspiring. Through his podcast and foundation "Tell This Story", Doug's mission is a powerful one and is resonating with this community all over the country.

It was an absolute privilege to speak with Doug and this is a really special episode that we both hope you enjoy listening to. His pull-no-punches style resonates because of its pure authenticity and I encourage everyone to read his book, which you can find here: https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-Plain-Sight-Service-Forward/dp/B0DJRY7W72

Please follow him on FB/IG at Tell This Story or jump on his website https://dougwhiteofficial.com/ to reach out for a speaking engagement or information about his podcast.

Reach out to 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 

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, Erin speaks with Vance Row, a former police officer with the Ocean City PD for over 20 years and current dispatcher for their police and fire departments, the Founder of "Yoga Rescue" a practice that combines breath work, movement and mindfulness, which is used to combat mental health challenges and suicidality in the First Responder and Veteran community and a "Guide" at Boulder Crest Foundation, who offers programs for military members, Veterans and the First Responder community focusing on post traumatic growth.

Vance tells Erin about how he got his start in law enforcement, some of the varied roles he performed and the extent of the extended hours required when you hold a position at a popular beach side town. He explains about how he ended up acquiring his polygraph examination qualification and the toll it took on him, both being time intensive and psychologically heavy as the person hearing everyone's confessions and revelations that they may never have shared before.

To deal with the heaviness of that role, the extended hours he was working and resulting burnout, Vance relied heavily on alcohol as a coping mechanism. This was exacerbated by a LOD injury that resulted in months off work, surgery and with more time to think than ever before, he shares about experiencing suicidal thoughts and ideation.

After being confronted by his wife about his spiraling drinking, Vance realised something needed to change, so he chose to stop and has been sober for over 5 years. He turned to the practice of yoga and after discovering the immense benefits for himself, how it calmed the storm within in, he felt compelled to share this practice and skill with the First Responder and Veteran communities, understanding how it could serve, heal and be a wonderful resource for them. For their overall wellness and in particular, their mental health, for which he is such a strong advocate.

He became a qualified instructor and this is how Yoga Rescue was born! Please check out their website here: https://www.yoga-rescue.com/

Vance has also recently become involved with the Boulder Crest Foundation, who provide important programs for Veterans, Active Military Members, First Responders and their families, at no cost, to help them heal from the the things they experience and endure as a result of their profession. He is a "Guide" and explains the wonderful and unique benefits of programs offered all over the country by this organisation. Find out more here: https://bouldercrest.org/

Vance and Erin also briefly discuss the First Responder documentary PTSD-911 and the Director, Conrad Weaver, and the important impact it's having in showing the realities of life as a First Responder. Please find more information here: https://ptsd911movie.com/

It was a true honour and pleasure to speak with Vance. To have him openly discuss his personal struggles, hear his passion about the practice of yoga and his first-hand understanding of how it can benefit those in the emergency services communities. Please follow him on the socials: yoga.rescue (IG) and "Yoga Rescue" on FB.

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 

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 the practice of Self Compassion.

What it is, what's involved and how it can be a beneficial resource for the First Responder and Emergency Services population. In terms of learning to have grace for yourself, offering kindness and compassion in the way you would to your best friend and how holding space for mistakes or disappointments, without letting them overwhelm or engulf you allows for greater perspective and forgiveness of common human challenges.

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, Erin speaks with Tim Gardiner, a USMC Veteran and National Guard member, where he served as a Landing Specialist, a former Law Enforcement officer of 13 years with Birmingham PD and current Probationary Parole Officer with a State Bureau.

Tim was and continues to be an advocate for the mental health and wellness of his members, implementing an officer safety and wellness program and establishing a peer support team that catered to over 1000 members at BPD. He provides initial and continuing education on relevant mental health subjects in classes he teaches all over the country, such as trauma, suicide prevention, resilience and compassion fatigue.

Tim is also a founding member and chairman of the board of non-profit organisation "Operation Righteous Valor", whose mission is to assist Veteran, First Responders and their families in a time of crisis.

Tim talks to Erin about how he ended up joining the Marines and what his role as a Landing Support Specialist entailed, how he drifted a little after leaving the service and ended up performing a few First Responder and security roles before landing in Law Enforcement.

He shares about the time he was a little down on his luck and a kind police officer showed him compassion and support when he really needed it, an encounter that would go on to shape the way he conducted himself throughout most of his career, especially in his position as a SRO. He even discusses a time in his life when he endured his own suicidal thoughts and ideation, which has greatly helped him to empathise and show compassion to those he's interacted with since.

Tim shares about the grief he experienced along with his police department after the loss of a number of colleagues to suicide and a good friend in a LODD. It fueled an already burning passion to implement appropriate mental health resources that he had already been asking for and to be involved in the welfare of his friends and colleagues in a real, impactful way.

Tim shares how "Operation Righteous Valor" came to be, what their mission is in terms of providing hope, assistance and resources to Veterans, First Responders and their families in a time of crisis and what his ultimate vision is for the future.

This was an absolutely wonderful conversation to have, with someone who cares deeply about the mental health and wellness of this population and has put in the work to be a resource and help as many people as possible, either in his capacity as a police officer, a veteran, a parole officer and with the non-profit Operation Righteous Valor. Tim is kind, introspective, honest and reflective of the beautiful essence of southern hospitality.

You can follow Operation Righteous Valor on Facebook under their name or head to their website ⁠www.oprv.org⁠ to check out their next fundraising event or donate to a very worthy cause. 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 

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 a resource to activate or induce a state of calm and relaxation in our body, called Bilateral Stimulation. More specifically, the auditory cued kind.

Similarly to how I shared in the last episode about the the benefits of Deep Diaphragmatic Breathing and how it can be utilised to return our bodies back to equilibrium, from a stress response into a relaxation response, Bilateral Stimulation can act in a similar way, by stimulating each hemisphere of our brains in an alternating fashion, activating our parasympathetic nervous system.

I discuss how Bilateral Stimulation forms part of EMDR therapy and that it's been shown to be significantly beneficial to those experiencing the after effects of trauma exposure, particularly those in the First Responder and Veteran communities. However the auditory kind I'm sharing about is not the same used in that kind of therapeutic setting, but rather a kind of music that is readily available and easy for you to access, should be you interested or inclined to see if it's an appropriate resource for you.

I share the benefits of B.S and the positive effects it has on our bodies, the unique benefits it could offer someone in a First Responder role and how it interacts with our brain.

In this episode I also share the exciting news that I am joining The Thin Line Rock Station as one of their Hosts, every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, 2-4pm EST.

This is a radio network dedicated to those serving on the front lines in the First Responder and Emergency Services community and I couldn't be more thrilled! So check them out on the socials, their website via: ⁠https://www.thethinlinerockstation.com/⁠ or you can download their app and listen in!

I hope you find something interesting in hearing about Bilateral Stimulation in today's episode and if you choose to give it a try, let me know how you go!

As promised during the episode, here is a playlist from Spotify for you to check out: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1E4wueTsxIfFXI?si=0t4h2MgBQFaEV7KNa_D3kg⁠ and one from YouTube has soft music with actual lyrics, but the same bilateral sensation: ⁠https://youtu.be/efcuh7wRomo?si=IzFM14Rm4AZLgFgp⁠

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! 

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, Erin speaks with Mike Morgan, a Law Enforcement Veteran with 30 years experience across two departments, a mental health advocate for the First Responder community and a proponent for the healing benefits of plant-based medicines, in particular, Ayahuasca.

Mike talks to Erin about the first ten years of his policing career, spent with Atlanta PD and how extreme that experience was, attending multiple murder scenes in just his first shift. He left to return closer to his roots in New York, spending the next 20 years with the Suffolk County PD. Although a very different style and level of policing, it did not leave him unscathed psychologically by any means.

Mike shares about mounting stress, that led to an opioid addiction, which he thankfully overcame after a stint in a rehab facility. He also tells Erin about one of the toughest calls of his career, a job to attend a 2yo little girl, found floating unresponsive in a backyard pool. In his vivid description, Mike shares about having to perform CPR with another colleague, how grateful the parents were that they were able to revive their daughter, despite suffering a hypoxic brain injury and how his guilt made him feel so conflicted for being nominated for an award as a result of this job.

After suffering an OTJ injury in September 2020 and undergoing surgery, Mike retired in October 2022. Having such an extensive career as a First Responder, Mike had learnt to bury anything that brought up difficult emotions, but in his retirement, soon realised these kinds of things don't stay buried. After watching a podcast where former Navy SEAL Eddie Penney was openly emotional about some of his experiences, Mike felt some part of him crack wide open, experiencing flashbacks from his career and understanding he needed some help.

Not feeling like traditional medicine was the right path for him, he turned to plant-based medicine and found healing through Ayahuasca. This also led to Mike finding his new mission; to be an advocate for the mental health and wellness of First Responder and Veterans, in particular, healing through plant-based medicines, especially after his own experiences and success. One such organisation who has the same mission and Mike is a supporter of, is No Fallen Heroes Foundation; https://nofallenheroesfoundation.org/

It was so lovely to speak with Mike and learn about Ayahuasca! You can follow him on Instagram at: @theresilientwarrior5778. We both hope you enjoy listening to this episode!

(Since we recorded this episode, Mike's IG changed to the one listed above, so it's different to the one he mentioned during our conversation. He also reached out to the parents of Dana, the little girl they were able to rescue from the swimming pool. She is doing well, but her healthcare and assistance needs are expensive, so Mike has set up a GoFundMe page. Please consider donating: https://gofund.me/57bdafa5)

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

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! 

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

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, 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 some information that I've been learning in my psychology class this semester. Namely about researching the benefits of Deep Diaphragmatic Breathing and how it can be utilised to return our bodies back to equilibrium, from a stress response into a relaxation response.

I discuss some of the effects that chronic exposure to stress can do to our body, both physically and psychologically and how important it is, especially as a First Responder or Emergency Services Member, to have tools, resources and the knowledge to be able to calm ourselves down when required.

I speak about the empirical research, backing up the health benefits of engaging in this kind of breathing technique and share it in the hope it will be of some kind of benefit, armed with the knowledge of how it can provide you a sense of control over your own nervous system.

So this week, I share with you information from my researched assignment, on how Deep Diaphragmatic Breathing can be utilised to combat stress, what happens to our body when we experience our stress response, often known as the "Fight or Flight" response and how to mitigate the negative impact of chronic stress we experience as First Responders, by engaging in practices like this.

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! 

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, Erin speaks with Chris "Kable" Martinez, a former US Army Ranger, who recently retired from a 24 year policing career, serving with two Police Departments in Floria. Since leaving and experiencing some of his own personal struggles, Chris has focused on becoming an advocate for the mental health and wellness of the Veteran and First Responder communities, by becoming a certified mindset coach and breath-work facilitator. This prompted him to share his knowledge of how breath work can benefit that community, by writing a book.

Chris tells Erin about joining the US Army, becoming a Ranger and how an instructor was pivotal in showing him that he had the potential to be a leader. After leaving the military, the reality of starting a family prompted him to find a steady job to provide for them, so he looked to policing. Something he never imagined for himself!

Chris talks about how much he enjoyed the first eight years of law enforcement at Hialeah PD, only leaving for financial and career opportunities to a newer police department at Miami Gardens. He was able to qualify to be on their SWAT Team, work in patrol and as an RTO throughout his 16 years of service there.

Towards the end of his career, the cumulative trauma exposure of 24 years of policing and an additional 4 years in the army performing reconnaissance Ranger missions began to take their toll. Chris shares openly about his awful mental health spiral, leading to drug addiction, infidelity and separating from his family, which almost broke him. He talks about the suicidal ideation he experienced and how close he came, before seeing his own daughter hospitalised for her own attempt, which prompted him to make a change.

He went to his local church and submitted himself to God, having a visceral experience that made him feel like he now knew what his mission would be, moving forward. After reconciling and rebuilding trust with his family, Chris has been committed to leading his life authentically, which includes sharing his own personal struggles and the things that have helped him along the way in his own healing journey.

Although knowing he will never be truly "healed" from some of his PTSD symptoms, he invested in learning all he could to be in a position to help himself and others. While his faith is a crucial part for Chris, he also believes that physical health and perspective also play a role. He became a qualified life/mindset coach and breath work facilitator. That lead to Chris writing a book on breath work and creating an accompany journal, specifically aimed at helping those in the First Responder and Veteran community.

His book, "The Calm Warrior; Breath Work Practices For Mental Resilience" is available now! You can contact him via [email protected] for speaking engagements or coaching sessions and follow on IG @kable_official

It was wonderful to speak with Chris. Although deeply personal and painful, he shares for the purpose of helping others. 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

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! 

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, Erin speaks with Josh Grandinetti, an active duty Firefighter and Paramedic with over 15 years experience, who currently holds the rank of Captain with the Eloy Fire District in Arizona. Josh is the Founder of "Foundation Fortified", an organisation bringing the immense benefits of Mindfulness Training to First Responders, with practices uniquely designed and tailored for them. Josh is also a Certified Mindfulness Instructor, with a trauma sensitive certification.

Josh tells Erin about a chance encounter that led him to completely change his initial career trajectory and become a firefighter. He discusses his early career experience, getting hired at 19 and how he ended up working at his current department in Eloy, an epic skydiving location, which Erin has some experience with.

Josh talks about always having a unique sense of wonder and intrigue, even as a kid, that eventually drew him along the path of discovering the practice of mindfulness meditation; essentially having an awareness of our moment to moment experiences, through acknowledgement, acceptance and a complete lack of judgement.

He has been a practitioner for over eight years and realised how beneficial it is, not only in his capacity as a Firefighter, but in every other aspect of his life as well. It occurred to him how consequential mindfulness could be, if utilised correctly by the First Responder community, to help with their overall health, stress response and wellness.

You only have to listen to Josh speak for a few moments to understand how passionate an advocate he is for the practice of mindfulness. He kindly takes the time during this conversation, to explain in detail what the practice of mindfulness actually is, how it's performed, who it's for and the kind of benefits one can expect to receive from it.

Josh became a mindfulness instructor and his organisation "Foundation Fortified" was able to come to fruition after an on-duty injury sidelined him this past year. He tells Erin about what Foundation Fortified wants to offer First Responders, as well as being a resource for the partners, spouses and children of those members. He also believes teaching and implementing this practice to recruits at the academy level, so they have it a resource for the entirety of their career, will prove immensely beneficial.

Josh is full of knowledge, experience and passion for mindfulness, not only as a practitioner, but as a teacher. His unique insight into what it's like to perform a First Responder role positions him perfectly to be able to offer this unique, specially designed practice as a tool to enrich the lives and overall wellness of fellow Emergency Services Members.

It was a true pleasure to speak with Josh and we both hope you enjoy listening to this episode!

Please follow him on social media at Foundation Fortified;

Check out his website: ⁠https://www.foundationfortified.org/⁠

and find some mindfulness meditations on his YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_2osLcuwVDNzqh6E49l5Rg⁠

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_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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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, Erin speaks with Kenny Mitchell Jr, a Firefighter with over 22 years experience in VA, who retired as a Lieutenant this past April. Kenny is also the Founder of Operation Yellow Tape, an organisation empowering First Responders to build upon their strength, resilience and hope. Their mission is dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health in the First Responder profession and community by offering education, resources and support, including their 3rd Annual OYT Conference coming up on September 14th!

Kenny tells Erin about how the events of 9/11 dramatically changed his career trajectory, taking him from the life of a graphic designer, to feeling inspired to want to serve on the front lines, by joining the fire department.

While he loved and thrived in his new role, he could see the impact of the job could be heavy on someone's mental health, so he joined the peer support network of his fire department in 2009.

Despite knowing the importance of maintaining your mental health and wellness, Kenny endured a tragic and devastating personal loss in 2013, which irrevocably changed his world. He was left engulfed by grief, suffering from depression and experiencing infrequent thoughts of suicidal ideation.

This mental health struggle lasted for 7 years, until the sudden loss to suicide of one of Kenny's close friends and colleagues, Tom. He knew something needed to change, so he began sharing his own personal struggles, realising how many fellow First Responders were experiencing the same kind of mental health challenges, but no one was speaking about them.

Whilst scribbling notes at his friend's funeral, Kenny wrote "There are too many of us to ever feel alone" and the concept of Operation Yellow Tape was born.

Kenny reached a point towards the beginning of 2024, where he could acknowledge his cup was getting full and it was time for him to walk away from his firefighting career, feeling proud of all he'd accomplished. He now spends his time dedicated to Operation Yellow Tape, giving presentations to First Responder and civilian groups alike, about the importance of maintaining our mental health and being proactive about seeking assistance. He also still participates in training MAYDAY/RIT.

First Responder Mental Health and Wellness is deeply personal for Kenny; you don't have to speak to him for very long to know how passionate he is about the work he does with OYT.

They have their 3rd Annual OYT Conference coming up on September 14th in North Chesterfield, VA. You can obtain tickets here: ⁠⁠https://www.kennymitchelljr.com/oyt⁠⁠

It was an absolute pleasure to speak with Kenny and have him share his story and experience. (Third time was the charm for us!) We both hope you enjoy listening to this episode and you can follow Kenny on social media @kennymitchellfire or you can go check out his website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kennymitchelljr.com/meetkenny⁠⁠

You can also find his podcast "Operation Yellow Tape" wherever you find your podcasts!

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!