Over a Cup

In this 23rd episode, Ali Rothrock marks the end of Season 1 of Over a Cup. Stay tuned for Season 2 in 2020!

In this episode of Over a Cup, we are talking about the Pulse Nightclub shooting that took place on June 12, 2016 in Orlando Florida. Ali speaks with Orlando firefighters Brian Stilwell and Jeff Orrange. Brian was working the night of the shooting and was forced to shelter in place in his station before tending to patients and shuttling them to the hospital. Jeff was a part of the peer response team that responded to the aftermath. Jeff tells us about what went right and the lessons learned. Brian and Jeff speak about the mental health impacts that this incident had on the first responders and the resources they used to get a stay well. If you want to book a class from the Hurd group and get a 25% discount for mentioning this episode, email [email protected]

In episode 21 Ali recaps the last 10 interviews with powerful snipets pulled from each conversation.

In this powerful 20th episode, Ali speaks with Wyoming firefighter Feike van Dijk. In 2014, Feike and his wife Noelle lost 2 of their 5 children in a house fire. Less than a year after this tragedy, Feike felt that he wanted to give back to the community who had supported their family. He also wanted to overcome the demon of fire that had terrorized their family. He accomplished both by becoming a firefighter. Feike tells us how empowering firefighting has been for him and the relationship he’s gained with the responders who showed up to his house on that fateful night. Feike tells us about his two boys Noah and Zephy that died and the long recovery journey of his then 9 month old, Remy. Remy was burned over 35% of his body and was in a coma for 24 days. Feike tells us about the moment Remy woke up in the hospital and smiled for the first time. This image of Remy smiling for the first time can be viewed on our social media. Feike talks to us about the ability that we all have to make a choice in moments of tragedy or hardship, that we can choose how we respond and react. His story is heartbreaking but empowering at the same time and is so powerful for all first responders. In Clinician’s Corner Dr. Bisek tells us how to incorporate family into our therapy sessions. A big thank you to our product sponsor Nyad Inc! If you or someone you know would like to apply for a Nyad sponsored scholarship to access the On the Job & Off educational platform, email [email protected].

On our 19th episode, Ali speaks with Olivia from Yoga for First Responders. Olivia tells us about how she got started in the yoga practice and why she decided to adapt her training specifically for firefighters. Olivia understands the assumption about yoga is that she is just teaching people to “stretch better” but she sees the benefit as the mental and neurological control that the practice of yoga gives firefighters. “The trauma, loss, death, and destruction that first responders are seeing needs to be addressed and without that we are seeing high statistics of stress-based physical and mental health problems.”   Olivia tells us how a yoga practice can practically help firefighters regulate after a middle of the night call, help them rest more effectively and how to help their minds be better prepared to perform under stress. Yoga for First Responders YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBU0mRTMl-GkNjo8AAS92iw   Yoga For First Responders Website: https://www.yogaforfirstresponders.org/   In Clinician's Corner Dr. Bisek talks to us about how to deal with having anxiety while on the job.  Recommended Book: The Upside of Stress: https://www.amazon.com/Upside-Stress-Why-Good-You/dp/B00UVUDCKE/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+upside+of+stress&qid=1568747780&s=gateway&sr=8-1 A big thank you to our product sponsor Nyad, Inc! To be awarded a Nyad scholarship to the On the Job & Off annual membership platform please email [email protected]

On this 18th episode of Over a Cup, host Ali Rothrock talks about her company On the Job and Off. On the Job and Off produces this podcast, but it also an online platform dedicated to building more resilient first responders.  On the Job and Off provides courses on various facets of mental health, on ending sexual harassment and sexual violence in the fire service and on addiction as it relates to first responders. To become a member and access all our courses visit www.onthejobandoff.com Our sponsor Nyad is generously giving away 10 indvidual annual memberships. To nomiate yourself or someone else for one of these scholarships, email [email protected] and let her know why.

On April 14, 2012 Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills woke up in a hospital in Germany after spending 4 days in a coma. It was his 25th birthday. 4 days earlier he had been blown up by an IED in Afghanistan and was now a quadruple amputee. I was honored to speak with Travis and to hear his story first hand. He is the epitome of resilience and is someone who honestly does not dwell on the past. As Travis says “you can’t always control the situation but you can control your attitude.” Despite missing all four limbs Travis says he doesn’t think of himself as different than any other person. He just “has a few more steps to get ready in the morning.” Travis shares his story and recovery journey with us and also talks about the importance of getting mental health help when you need it. Travis and his wife Kelsey run the Travis Mills Foundation, which is a non-profit for recalibrated warriors and their families. To learn more about this amazing organization visit https://travismillsfoundation.org/

On today's episode of Over a Cup, EMS Captain Jeremy Hurd tell us how stumbled upon his role as a chaplain. As a brand new department chaplain, one of Jeremy's first tasks was leading a LODD funeral for Lt. Rafael Vazquez who was shot and killed.  Jeremy tells us how he found his way in this new role, the beauty of "the gift of presence" and how a chaplain could support you in your life. Jeremy also tells us the beautiful story of how a simple text he sent saved the life of Ray's widow.  To listen to Jeremy's podcast on Fire Engineering Radio called "Chaplain's Corner":  https://www.blogtalkradio.com/fireengineeringpodcast/2019/08/01/chaplains-corner

On June 24th, 2015 firefighter / paramedic Ben Vernon was stabbed on duty by a random bystander. The entire attack took only a few seconds, but Ben came very close to being killed. With his lung punctured and ribs broken, Ben thought he just needed to physically heal and then he’d be back to who he was before. Unfortunately, the path forward wasn’t that easy. Ben tells us about his road to recovery including the challenges he faced in finding a clinician who was a good fit for him. He tells us the success he finally found with therapy and EMDR and what he wants first responders to know about speaking up and getting help. To hear more from Ben & Alex and watch the video of the incident click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4nBVt6ODB0&t=61s To learn more about our product sponsor and to use the 20% off promo code OVERACUP visit www.SaferStraps.com SaferStraps offer the industries' only fully waterproof, field cleanable and laser sealed radio strap and tactical belts on the market.

In 1995, firefighter Chris Fields become famous for a photo that was taken on an infamous day. At the Oklahoma City Bombing, Chris was photographed holding the body of 1 year Baylee Almon who had been murdered in the explosion. That picture would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize.  Chris talks to us about the moments surrounding that picture and about how the bombing was the catalyst that forced him to deal with years of unprocessed trauma he had been dealing with. He talks to us about what led him to rock bottom and the turning point that got him to where he is today. In Clinician’s Corner, Dr. Anne Bisek talks to us about the difference between a critical call and a traumatic one. To learn more about our product sponsor, Fire Department Coffee visit their site here: https://www.firedeptcoffee.com/ Please use caution while looking at our social media for this episode as we included the two pictures of Chris with Baylee.