Rescue the Rescuer

Join Doug and Karen Monda as we discuss their story and the foundation they created, Survive First.Doug is the Founder of Survive First, Inc. and has a long standing history in law enforcement. He retired from law enforcement as an undercover narcotics agent with the Cocoa Police Department, a city in Brevard County, Florida in 2017. He began his career in public safety in 2001. In his second year of service, Doug joined the S.W.A.T. team, and subsequently attended Marine Scout Sniper Training, earning his certification with Blackwater. He spent 15 years on the Cocoa Police Department S.W.A.T. team. During his service on S.W.A.T., his experience as a sniper and team leader played a critical role in the safety of teammates and success of countless missions. During his career he has also worked with agencies consisting of D.E.A., F.B.I., ATF, Border Patrol, U.S. Marshalls Office, Department of Homeland Security and NASA.
Doug’s training has earned him extraordinary success in the field. Recently, he was named 2016 Officer of the Year. Additionally, throughout his career, he earned many other awards for his hard work and dedication to the City of Cocoa.
In 2013, Doug’s own mental health became impacted from his long career in law enforcement. His own experience with treatment for PTSD, depression, and attempted suicide was the catalyst that drove the founding of Survive First Foundation. Doug is now a national keynote speaker. He speaks on the impacts of a first responders job on mental health and family. His mission is to spread awareness of PTSD, depression, and suicide in first responders, hoping to break the stigma, so that help may be received before it is too late.
In his spare time, Doug enjoys spending time with his family, surfing and competing in the sport of triathlon. he has competed in the national and world championships and is a four-time Ironman triathlon finisher. Doug was a former professional soccer player and coached several teams for the YMCA, as well as youth and high school soccer teams. He currently serves as a board member for the YMCA of Cocoa and chairs their Youth Scholarship Fund.
As a member of the Board of Directors for Survive First, Doug helps set the strategic goals and objectives for the foundation.Karen is the wife of Survive First Foundation’s founder, Douglas Monda, and a proud step mother of five. She received both her Master of Arts degree and Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Communicative Disorders, from the University of Central Florida. Karen has a long history of fundraising for national and global non-profit organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Florida Wildlife Hospital, the Humane Society of the United Stated, and the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. She has a long-standing passion for helping others in need and currently co-chairs the YMCA of Cocoa Youth Scholarship Fund.
Karen’s personal experience as a law enforcement spouse, who has fought alongside her husband to win the battle over depression, PTSD, and attempted suicide, has been the drive behind her passion for Survive First Foundation and ensuring that all first responders and their families receive the support and treatment they need when mental health becomes a daily struggle.
In her spare time, Karen enjoys spending time on the beach with her family. She maintains a healthy lifestyle by running. Karen enjoys running the marathon distance, and has been honored to qualify for and run the Boston Marathon. She believes in physical fitness as a catalyst for a healthy and happy life and encourages people to find a physical activity they can enjoy.
Karen oversees all communications and media content for Survive First Foundation. She also coordinates and plans fundraising events and drives for the foundation. As a member of the Board of Directors, Karen helps set the strategic goals and objectives for the foundation

Join the award winning film makers Atlee James and I as we discuss his upcoming project, Heroes Rescue. have a passion for what I do and believe it shows through in my work. I’m gratified by delivering final products to clients and witnessing the result. Described as energetic, positive and a pleasure to work with, I know that my clients appreciate my collaborative approach. This includes asking the challenging questions, fully understanding your intended target audience and knowing what resonates with them.
I founded Potential Pictures Inc. in 1999, after I graduated from UBC with a B.Sc. in Environmental Chemistry and a minor in Film and Production, but I’ve been a director and filmmaker almost my entire life. My first time directing was a Grade 9 social studies project, using a rented camera from Overwaitea Foods. From that point on, I was hooked.
Inspired by hotel life (when I was a bellhop during University), my colleagues and I made honest, insightful, comic vignettes about life as a bellman. I was making reality TV long before Survivor was even a twinkle in Mark Burnett’s eye. Never one to stop learning directing and producing, I achieved 10,000 hours of “mastery”, sometime around 2009.
I’ve worked with brands such as: Nike, Toronto Raptors, YMCA, TELUS and Bayer and count Doctors of BC, UBC Athletics, UBC Sports Hall of Fame, BC Hydro, Fraser Health Authority, Via Sport, Shoes.com, UFV, Ftsy, Metrics XP, 60 Minutes Kids Club, The Personal Sport Record, HUB International among my loyal clients. PotentialPictures.com

Join Zak Williams, the son of the late Robin Williams, and I as we discuss some tough topics. We talked about having a famous father, the tragic loss to suicide, and life after such a loss. Zak is compassionate and sweet soul who I really enjoyed talking to. The advice he gave to suicide survivors is priceless and needed.

Join Dr. Kevin Blankenship, the subject of the hot Netflix Documentary Recovery Boys, as we discuss the unique recovery program he created called Jacob's Ladder. evin Blankenship, MD
Founder & Medical Director
​The son of a coal miner, Kevin grew up in a small town in southern West Virginia. After graduating from high school, Kevin joined the U.S. Army to serve his country. After military service, Dr. Blankenship earned degrees in pharmacy and medicine and went on to complete his emergency medicine residency at West Virginia University. He became board certified in emergency medicine and worked in numerous medical settings throughout West Virginia.

In 2014 an immediate family crisis with addiction brought Kevin face-to-face with the significant issue of this growing epidemic and the lack of recovery options throughout our country. Inspired by this experience, Dr. Blankenship has dedicated himself professionally to being part of the solution through directly serving the recovery industry and indirectly combating the stigma surrounding this issue in today's society. This dedication is what has become Jacob's Ladder.

Join Dr. Samantha Dutton, Dean @ Phoenix University and I discuss PTSD and First Responders. The study that they put together truly had some eye opening information and we really had a great conversation about these important and necessary topics. Dr. Samantha Dutton is currently a Program Dean and the Director of the Social Work Program in the College of Humanities & Sciences, where she is creating the Bachelor of Science Social Work program. The program is currently in the accreditation process. Previous to this she held positions of Deputy Commander of Medical Operations at Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center as well as the Medical Squadron at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. She also commanded the Mental Health Clinic at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Her military experience spans 27 years with increasing levels of leadership. She has been the recipient of numerous Air Force level awards and was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom where she was the lone mental health practitioner for 2500 personnel.
Dr. Dutton’s passions include military transition, single parents serving in the military and ensuring veterans have access to services. She has spoken in different forums surrounding these passions as well as publishing an article on single parents in the Air Force. Dr. Dutton created the military social work curriculum for another online institution where she brought real world experience and research to the program.
Dr. Dutton is married and has 4 children and a granddaughter.
The Study-file:///C:/Users/SteveSpeaker/Desktop/UOPX%20First%20Responders%20Results.pdf

Joe Gorton CMHC is an empathetic, effective, and motivated therapist.  He is experienced with a broad range of mental and behavioral disorders specifically with addiction. Joe has seen first hand the destructive nature of those affected by the opioid crisis and trauma.  He has worked in many levels in the social work field and has been the Clinical Director at some of Utah's most prestigious recovery treatment centers. He is the CEO of Stepstone Connect which provides online counseling to clients all over the nation. Other career highlights have surrounded presenting at the Salt Lake Comic Convention in regards to the psychology of Batman and other nerdy ventures. 

Mike Higginsstarted working in the film community and after creating documentaries for local non-profits and meeting therapists and social workers he was inspired to go back to school and received a master's degree in Social Work. He is now a healthcare social worker with 12 years experience in various settings specializing in substance abuse, inpatient therapy and crisis management. He recently helped start Stepstone Connect  to address the missing piece of the mental health to provide quality care which is access. Stepstone Connect provides online therapy access to anyone, anywhere. Mike is also certified in EMDR and is trained as a Gottman Level 1 therapist in couples counseling. 

https://stepstoneconnect.com/

#ptsd  #firetresponder #firefighter #police #emt #paramedic #military #hope #chnage #therapy #psychiatrist

Join My Friend to the North in Canada, Dan Bowers and I as we discuss the unique program he created for families of first responders.

A retired Detective Sergeant, Dan spent over 30 years with the Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.).  His resume includes; Criminal Investigator, Communications Centre/911 Supervisor, Intelligence Officer and O.P.P. Liaison to Interpol International Fugitive Investigations Section.

Prior to his career in policing, Dan spent 4 years as a proud member of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Dan retired in 2008 and began his work as a consultant and training facilitator in the fields of private security and policing.  He is a dynamic and passionate speaker who has lectured both here at home in Canada and internationally.

Dan has been living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety for many years.  Personal experience, as it relates to the effects on family, has taught him that early detection is critical for anyone who may be affected by PTSD.  Subsequently, providing meaningful awareness and training has become his passion.

Dan has always been extremely proactive in matters concerning police and public safety.

His philosophy is straight forward; knowledge and experience must be shared where it can help others.

https://firsteyes.ca/about-us/  #ptsd #mentalhealth #ems #police Military #firefighter # nurse Doctor #socialworker #family #depression #health #hope

Join Alabama Flight Medic Daniel Mills and I discuss his very personal and raw battle with mental health and substances. He has recovered and come out on the other side and is doing a lot to help others not only as a prehospial provider but as a major advocate for mental health. Daniel M. Mills is a seasoned 16-year veteran in fire and EMS in Alabama. He is married to his best friend and a father of 2, Brynleigh and Aaron. Daniel was a professional firefighter for over 12 years before leaving the fire service to fly full time as a flight paramedic. He has been a critical care flight paramedic for over 6 years now, as well as a trauma/neuro researcher. He is a veteran of the US Navy where he served as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman with the United States Marine Corp for 8 years. Daniel has overseas time to the Middle East, Africa and Spain. He has been an educator now for over 10 years. He currently flies full time and runs the 911 Buddy Check Project. Daniel is also a recovering addict from a 15 plus year addiction problem. #PTSD #Addiction #Mental Health #cocaine #alcohol #parameidc #firefighter #nurse # EMT #police #cop #military

 

Join Award Winnig filmaker Jim Ellis , Former Undercover Agent Victor Resendez, and I as we discuss the documentary they are creating that highlights what it really is like to be a police officer. They go deep into the life of a cop and the very real toll it takes on them in every way. The name of the film is Keeping the Peace.

Victor Resendez

Victor Resendez of La Mesa, California spent 33 years in law enforcement including time as a deputy sheriff in Tulare County, an undercover agent in the Mexican Drug Cartels and 27 years as a Special Agent for the California Department of Justice. He was an instructor for the police academy, and is presently working as a technical consultant for an upcoming television show for Fox21 Studios.

Jim Ellis

Jim Ellis, owner of Legacy Productions, is an award-winning playwright, author and videographer embracing a higher purpose to support organizations and businesses in broadcasting a message that makes a difference in our world. He filmed, edited and produced the acclaimed documentary "Indoctrinated; The Grooming of our Children into Prostitution" about the issues facing prostituted youth in our society. View: https://youtu.be/uBqm4VLogxY

 

Show Sponsors- Stepstoneconnect.com, RescuedConsulting.com

PTSD,Police,First Responder,Mental Health, Depression, Addiciton

Join Former Chicago FD Paramedic Leah Siwinski and I discuss her journey from darkenss and innto the light. 

I began my EMS career in 2005 and later joined the Chicago Fire Department. My role as a paramedic and my desire to help others has always been more than just a job for me, it was a calling, it’s who I am. I have been called to many tragic scenes and have been on many stressful calls, but being a responding paramedic to a fatal call involving one of my own changed me. I was diagnosed with PTSD in 2014 and deemed “unfit” to work as a paramedic because of my diagnosis. Because of PTSD I have struggled with thoughts of suicide, symptoms of depression, self harm and other symptoms associated with PTSD, all while fighting to have my injury acknowledged by my department and my peers.  In my search for support and assistance, I found resources for struggling first responders to be limited and in some cases non-existent. Because of my struggles I have made it my mission to ensure that no other first responder has to struggle alone. I am now the Executive Vice-President of Illinois Firefighter Peer Support and a first responder mental health advocate. I strive to make sure that no other first responder ever feels alone or unsupported. My goal is to educate both first responders and the general public on the prevalence of first responder mental health and what it can actually look like in those who struggle with it.

https://www.ilffps.org/