In this episode, we are joined by Cinnamon Reiheld, MSW, LISW, a trauma specialist with extensive experience working with first responders. Recognized for her straightforward and practical approach, she skillfully translates clinical concepts into everyday advice for responders. Since Cinnamon isn’t licensed in Michigan and isn’t affiliated with local systems, she provides an unbiased, third-party perspective. This allows her to offer honest, practical guidance on what to look for in a therapist, what to avoid, and what culturally sensitive care should encompass. Cinnamon also hosts "After the Tones Drop" (www.afterthetonesdrop.co), a podcast dedicated to mental health and wellness for first responders, featuring honest discussions about the impacts of the job and effective support strategies. In this episode, we discuss how responders may unknowingly develop unhealthy habits, why these behaviors often seem normal in this profession, and early warning signs not to ignore. We also cover red flags, green flags, and important factors for choosing a clinician who truly understands frontline trauma.

Minds on the Frontline Podcast is brought to you by the Frontline Strong Together 5 Program. FST5 provides streamlined access to behavioral and mental health services, as well as crisis resources for Michigan’s frontline workers and their families. NEED HELP NOW? If you are a frontline worker in Michigan or an immediate family member experiencing any crisis, whether work-related, substance abuse, depression, relationships, finances, or other challenges, reach out by calling 1-833-34-STRONG or visit FST5.org for more information.

Minds on the Frontline is available on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

• Link to YouTube episode: https://tinyurl.com/vxhktj6w
• Link to Buzzsprout: https://mindsonthefrontlinepodcast.buzzsprout.com/
• YouTube: frontlinestrongtogether2346
• Facebook: FrontlineStrongTogether and Minds on the Frontline
• Instagram: mifst5 and FrontlinePodcast
• LinkedIn: Frontline-Strong-Together-5 and Minds on the Frontline Podcast

In this episode, we welcome Mike Sauger, a Warren police officer and President of the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police, to discuss how Michigan identified gaps in mental and behavioral health support for first responders and how those gaps led to the creation of Frontline Strong Together 5. Drawing on decades of experience in dispatch, patrol, and statewide labor leadership, Mike shares the law enforcement perspective on how critical incidents were historically handled and why many officers and dispatchers navigated trauma with limited formal support. We discuss how leaders within the Fraternal Order of Police, the Police Officers Association of Michigan, and the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union began recognizing the same warning signs across disciplines and how early conversations, supported by state funding, helped shape a coordinated, statewide system to support first responders and their families.

Minds on the Frontline Podcast is brought to you by the Frontline Strong Together 5 Program. FST5 provides streamlined access to behavioral and mental health services, as well as crisis resources for Michigan’s frontline workers and their families. NEED HELP NOW? If you are a frontline worker in Michigan or an immediate family member experiencing any crisis, whether work-related, substance abuse, depression, relationships, finances, or other challenges, reach out by calling 1-833-34-STRONG or visit FST5.org for more information.

Minds on the Frontline is available on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

• Link to YouTube episode: https://tinyurl.com/vxhktj6w
• Link to Buzzsprout: https://mindsonthefrontlinepodcast.buzzsprout.com/
• YouTube: frontlinestrongtogether2346
• Facebook: FrontlineStrongTogether and Minds on the Frontline
• Instagram: mifst5 and FrontlinePodcast
• LinkedIn: Frontline-Strong-Together-5 and Minds on the Frontline Podcast

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Michael Lutz, a retired urologist and President of the Michigan Men’s Health Foundation, to discuss men’s health, prevention, and the long-term health risks faced by first responders. Drawing on more than 40 years of experience in Metro Detroit, Dr. Lutz focuses on prostate cancer screening, early detection, and preventive care. We examine how shift work, disrupted sleep, chronic stress, environmental exposures, and workplace culture increase risks for cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalance, and mental health challenges, and why routine screenings are often delayed due to stigma and misconceptions about masculinity. Dr. Lutz also explains how the Michigan Men’s Health Foundation provides free, community-based screenings across Michigan, helping reduce barriers to care while reinforcing prevention as an essential part of long-term health for those on the frontlines.

Minds on the Frontline Podcast is brought to you by the Frontline Strong Together 5 Program. FST5 provides streamlined access to behavioral and mental health services, as well as crisis resources for Michigan’s frontline workers and their families. NEED HELP NOW? If you are a frontline worker in Michigan or an immediate family member experiencing any crisis, whether work-related, substance abuse, depression, relationships, finances, or other challenges, reach out by calling 1-833-34-STRONG or visit FST5.org for more information.

Minds on the Frontline is available on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

• Link to YouTube episode: https://tinyurl.com/vxhktj6w
• Link to Buzzsprout: https://mindsonthefrontlinepodcast.buzzsprout.com/
• YouTube: frontlinestrongtogether2346
• Facebook: FrontlineStrongTogether and Minds on the Frontline
• Instagram: mifst5 and FrontlinePodcast
• LinkedIn: Frontline-Strong-Together-5 and Minds on the Frontline Podcast

In this episode, Kathryn Dunklow, EMS Administrator for the Traverse City Fire Department, shares her experiences with frontline work, leadership, motherhood, and unseen struggles. Her journey from rural, fire-based EMS to leadership shaped her resilience, especially after her twins' birth in 2021. Kathryn talks about postpartum depression and anxiety, early signs she missed, and realizing she needed help. Her honesty highlights the cultural pressures women face and the emotional weight responders carry silently. We discuss postpartum mental health signs, how peers and leaders can support, and what support should look like for pregnant and postpartum responders.

Minds on the Frontline Podcast is brought to you by the Frontline Strong Together 5 Program. FST5 provides streamlined access to behavioral and mental health services, as well as crisis resources for Michigan’s frontline workers and their families. NEED HELP NOW? If you are a frontline worker in Michigan or an immediate family member experiencing any crisis, whether work-related, substance abuse, depression, relationships, finances, or other challenges, reach out by calling 1-833-34-STRONG or visit FST5.org for more information.

Minds on the Frontline is available on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

• Link to YouTube episode: https://tinyurl.com/vxhktj6w
• Link to Buzzsprout: https://mindsonthefrontlinepodcast.buzzsprout.com/
• YouTube: frontlinestrongtogether2346
• Facebook: FrontlineStrongTogether and Minds on the Frontline
• Instagram: mifst5 and FrontlinePodcast
• LinkedIn: Frontline-Strong-Together-5 and Minds on the Frontline Podcast

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Rob Dunne and Damon Gorelick from the Detroit East Medical Control Authority. Dr. Dunne, an emergency medicine and EMS physician, is the Medical Director for DEMCA and the Detroit Fire Department. Damon Gorelick, the Executive Director of DEMCA, oversees system operations, coordination, and partnerships across EMS, dispatch, hospitals, and public health. They explain what a Medical Control Authority is, how MCAs work in Michigan, and their importance to fire, EMS, police, dispatch, and corrections. The episode also discusses mental health challenges faced by responders and how MCAs connect providers and families to wellness resources like FST5.

Minds on the Frontline Podcast is brought to you by the Frontline Strong Together 5 Program. FST5 provides streamlined access to behavioral and mental health services, as well as crisis resources for Michigan’s frontline workers and their families. NEED HELP NOW? If you are a frontline worker in Michigan or an immediate family member experiencing any crisis, whether work-related, substance abuse, depression, relationships, finances, or other challenges, reach out by calling 1-833-34-STRONG or visit FST5.org for more information.

Minds on the Frontline is available on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

• Link to YouTube episode: https://tinyurl.com/vxhktj6w
• Link to Buzzsprout: https://mindsonthefrontlinepodcast.buzzsprout.com/
• YouTube: frontlinestrongtogether2346
• Facebook: FrontlineStrongTogether and Minds on the Frontline
• Instagram: mifst5 and FrontlinePodcast
• LinkedIn: Frontline-Strong-Together-5 and Minds on the Frontline Podcast

This episode is an honest, evidence-based discussion about one of the most common coping mechanisms in frontline culture: Alcohol. From celebrations to stress relief, drinking has long been a part of the rhythm of public safety life. But what is it really doing to our bodies, minds, and overall well-being? We welcome Dr. Andrew King, an Emergency Physician, Medical Toxicologist, and Addiction Medicine Specialist at Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center, as well as the Medical Director of the Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center. During this episode, we discuss what alcohol does to the brain, along with its short- and long-term health effects and the myths that continue to obscure our understanding of “healthy” drinking. We also look at how alcohol use can become a coping mechanism for unresolved trauma or ongoing stress, and why showing compassion rather than judgment is essential in helping someone who might be struggling. 

Minds on the Frontline Podcast is brought to you by the Frontline Strong Together 5 Program. FST5 provides streamlined access to behavioral and mental health services, as well as crisis resources for Michigan’s frontline workers and their families. NEED HELP NOW? If you are a frontline worker in Michigan or an immediate family member experiencing any crisis, whether work-related, substance abuse, depression, relationships, finances, or other challenges, reach out by calling 1-833-34-STRONG or visit FST5.org for more information.

Minds on the Frontline is available on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

• Link to YouTube episode: https://tinyurl.com/vxhktj6w
• Link to Buzzsprout: https://mindsonthefrontlinepodcast.buzzsprout.com/
• YouTube: frontlinestrongtogether2346
• Facebook: FrontlineStrongTogether and Minds on the Frontline
• Instagram: mifst5 and FrontlinePodcast
• LinkedIn: Frontline-Strong-Together-5 and Minds on the Frontline Podcast

This episode features Lieutenant Lindsey Thompson from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Police Services Division. A mother who started law enforcement later after working in other fields, Lindsey discusses postpartum depression, trauma, challenges for women in male-dominated fields, the difference between “big-T" and “micro” traumas, and the importance of transparency and proactive mental health care to reduce stigma and build resilience.

Minds on the Frontline Podcast is brought to you by the Frontline Strong Together 5 Program. FST5 provides streamlined access to behavioral and mental health services, as well as crisis resources for Michigan’s frontline workers and their families. NEED HELP NOW? If you are a frontline worker in Michigan or an immediate family member experiencing any crisis, whether work-related, substance abuse, depression, relationships, finances, or other challenges, reach out by calling 1-833-34-STRONG or visit FST5.org for more information.

Minds on the Frontline is available on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

• Link to YouTube episode: https://tinyurl.com/vxhktj6w
• Link to Buzzsprout: https://mindsonthefrontlinepodcast.buzzsprout.com/
• YouTube: frontlinestrongtogether2346
• Facebook: FrontlineStrongTogether and Minds on the Frontline
• Instagram: mifst5 and FrontlinePodcast
• LinkedIn: Frontline-Strong-Together-5 and Minds on the Frontline Podcast

This episode of Minds on the Frontline features Meaghan Lotz, a registered dietician, certified strength and conditioning specialist, and tactical strength coach who works with fire, EMS, law enforcement, and corrections. Through her company, Rescue RD, she helps frontline workers manage the real challenges of shift work, stress, and demanding schedules with practical, judgment-free strategies. In this episode, Meaghan discusses how nutrition affects mental health, why traditional advice often doesn't suit the lifestyles of most first responders, and provides simple, realistic steps anyone can take to improve their eating habits.

Minds on the Frontline Podcast is brought to you by the Frontline Strong Together 5 Program. FST5 provides streamlined access to behavioral and mental health services, as well as crisis resources for Michigan’s frontline workers and their families. NEED HELP NOW? If you are a frontline worker in Michigan or an immediate family member experiencing any crisis, whether work-related, substance abuse, depression, relationships, finances, or other challenges, reach out by calling 1-833-34-STRONG or visit FST5.org for more information.

Minds on the Frontline is available on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

• Link to YouTube episode: https://tinyurl.com/vxhktj6w
• Link to Buzzsprout: https://mindsonthefrontlinepodcast.buzzsprout.com/
• YouTube: frontlinestrongtogether2346
• Facebook: FrontlineStrongTogether and Minds on the Frontline
• Instagram: mifst5 and FrontlinePodcast
• LinkedIn: Frontline-Strong-Together-5 and Minds on the Frontline Podcast

This episode of Minds on the Frontline takes us deep inside the unseen reality of what it means to flip the switch during a crisis, and what happens when it won’t flip back. Our guest, Justin Templeton, is a seasoned firefighter, Paramedic, and company officer who responded to the Oxford High School shooting. He openly discusses the mental toll of that day, the importance of peer support, and the long path to post-traumatic growth. Together, we explore themes of resilience, leadership, memory gaps, and how first responders can genuinely care for themselves and each other.

Minds on the Frontline Podcast is brought to you by the Frontline Strong Together 5 Program. FST5 provides streamlined access to behavioral and mental health services, as well as crisis resources for Michigan’s frontline workers and their families. NEED HELP NOW? If you are a frontline worker in Michigan or an immediate family member experiencing any crisis, whether work-related, substance abuse, depression, relationships, finances, or other challenges, reach out by calling 1-833-34-STRONG or visit FST5.org for more information.

Minds on the Frontline is available on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

• Link to YouTube episode: https://tinyurl.com/vxhktj6w
• Link to Buzzsprout: https://mindsonthefrontlinepodcast.buzzsprout.com/
• YouTube: frontlinestrongtogether2346
• Facebook: FrontlineStrongTogether and Minds on the Frontline
• Instagram: mifst5 and FrontlinePodcast
• LinkedIn: Frontline-Strong-Together-5 and Minds on the Frontline Podcast

This episode of Minds on the Frontline examines how trauma changes the brain and what that means for those who serve. Dr. Tanja Jovanovic, a well-known neuroscientist and professor at Wayne State University, joins us to explain how stress, trauma, and PTSD physically affect brain function and how that understanding can help frontline workers recover.  We discuss how childhood adversity, genetics, and repeated exposure to trauma can impact mental health, and why PTSD is more than just a diagnosis. It’s a neurological response. Dr. Jovanovic also shares compelling research on fear processing, brain plasticity, and recovery, including emerging treatments that offer real hope.

Minds on the Frontline Podcast is brought to you by the Frontline Strong Together 5 Program. FST5 provides streamlined access to behavioral and mental health services, as well as crisis resources for Michigan’s frontline workers and their families. NEED HELP NOW? If you are a frontline worker in Michigan or an immediate family member experiencing any crisis, whether work-related, substance abuse, depression, relationships, finances, or other challenges, reach out by calling 1-833-34-STRONG or visit FST5.org for more information.

Minds on the Frontline is available on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

• Link to YouTube episode: https://tinyurl.com/vxhktj6w
• Link to Buzzsprout: https://mindsonthefrontlinepodcast.buzzsprout.com/
• YouTube: frontlinestrongtogether2346
• Facebook: FrontlineStrongTogether and Minds on the Frontline
• Instagram: mifst5 and FrontlinePodcast
• LinkedIn: Frontline-Strong-Together-5 and Minds on the Frontline Podcast