The conversation with Chris Tiller delves into the generational gap in the fire service and the impact of technology on communication and community within the service. It explores recruitment challenges, leadership's role in mental health support, and the evolving identity and community dynamics in the fire service. The conversation delves into the impact of call volume and the types of calls on firefighters, highlighting the strain on the system and the toll it takes on the individuals. It also explores the changing nature of emergency calls and the challenges faced by firefighters in responding to non-emergency situations.

Takeaways

• Generational gap in the fire service
• Impact of technology on communication and community in the fire service Call volume impact
• Types of calls and their toll on firefighters

The conversation delves into the exploration of emotions and their impact on behavior and well-being. It discusses the two methods of dealing with emotions, the importance of stepping out of emotions and processing them, practical steps for dealing with emotions, and the concept of letting emotions burn off.

Takeaways

• Understanding the cascade of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
• The importance of being with and processing emotions

Chapters

• 00:00 Exploring Emotions and Their Impact
• 11:04 Stepping Out of Emotions and Processing Them
• 17:45 Practical Steps for Dealing with Emotions
• 24:14 Letting Emotions Burn Off

Keywords

Emotions, Anxiety, Anger, Depression, Emotional Regulation, Breathe, Sadness, Happiness, Joy, Psychology, Mental Health

In this episode, Ashlea Dillard explores the profound impact of our thoughts on our physical and emotional well-being. She emphasizes the importance of awareness in recognizing negative self-talk and its effects on the subconscious mind. Dillard discusses the consequences of chronic stress and the necessity of breaking free from old patterns that no longer serve us. She encourages listeners to embrace change, let go of limiting beliefs, and actively choose thoughts that empower them to create a new reality.

Takeaways

• Our thoughts send direct signals to our body.
• The subconscious mind operates 24/7, absorbing all messages.
• Negative self-talk can lead to chronic stress and inflammation.
• Awareness is key to interrupting negative thought patterns.
• Letting go of old identities is essential for growth.
• We have the power to choose our thoughts and beliefs.
• Change can happen instantly; it's about choosing differently.
• Our internal dialogue shapes our reality and experiences.
• It's important to question the truth of our thoughts.
• Embracing change leads to freedom and vitality.

Chapters

00:00The Power of Language and Thoughts

10:44Breaking Old Patterns and Choosing Again

20:26Shedding Old Identities for New Beginnings

In this conversation, Ashlea Dillard interviews Robert Tornabene, a retired police officer from Chicago, who shares his insights on mental health, leadership, and the challenges faced by law enforcement officers. Robert emphasizes the importance of self-care, the stigma surrounding mental health in policing, and the need for open communication in relationships. He also discusses the unique challenges faced by Chicago police, including high suicide rates and the impact of political climate on morale. Throughout the conversation, Robert offers valuable advice for new officers and highlights the significance of finding balance and pursuing hobbies outside of work.

Takeaways

• Always try to improve yourself the next day.

Journaling can help explore emotions and track personal growth.

• Cops often build a veneer that makes communication difficult.

• Mental health is a significant issue in law enforcement.

The political climate can heavily impact police morale.

Leadership should prioritize the well-being of officers.

Stigma around mental health prevents officers from seeking help.

• Hypervigilance can lead to serious health issues.

Maintaining relationships outside of work is crucial.

Finding hobbies can help officers decompress and find balance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Key Messages

02:55 Robert's Background and Career Journey

05:51 Challenges in Law Enforcement and Mental Health

09:42 Leadership and Morale in Police Departments

14:52 The Impact of Trauma and Hypervigilance

21:35 Health and Well-being of First Responders

26:20 Establishing Healthy Routines

28:42 The Dynamics of First Responder Relationships

33:03 Navigating Life After Retirement

35:55 Marriage and Communication in High-Demand Careers

40:18 Advice for New Officers

44:58 Prioritizing Mental Health and Well-Being

In this heartfelt conversation, Ashlea Dillard shares her personal journey through grief and loss, emphasizing the importance of accepting and living through these emotions rather than resisting them. She discusses the illusion of returning to a 'normal' state after loss, the unconditional nature of peace, and the significance of finding purpose amidst pain. Ashlea encourages listeners to embrace their authentic emotional experiences and highlights the support available during difficult times.

Takeaways

• Grief and loss are universal experiences that everyone faces.
• The desire to return to 'normal' after loss is a common misconception.
• Peace can be found even in the midst of chaos and grief.
• Surrendering to the present moment is crucial in navigating grief.
• Authentic emotional experiences are essential for healing.
• Resisting emotions can lead to greater pain and suffering.
• Finding purpose can help guide you through difficult times.
• Support systems are vital during seasons of grief.
• Every season of grief is temporary and can lead to growth.
• You are never alone in your journey of grief.

Chapters

00:00Navigating Grief and Loss

02:54The Illusion of Returning to Normal

05:50Finding Peace in Uncertainty

09:11Living Authentically Through Grief

12:02Embracing Growth in Difficult Seasons

14:49The Journey of Healing and Support

This conversation delves into the challenges faced by first responders and military personnel, particularly focusing on mental health issues, identity crises, and the importance of community and support. The discussion highlights the impact of societal pressures, the need for mentorship, and the critical role of human connection in suicide prevention. The speaker shares personal experiences and insights on navigating these complex issues, emphasizing hope and the potential for change.

Takeaways

First responders often face mental health challenges due to their work environment.

Identity can become intertwined with occupation, making transitions difficult.

The military experience can lead to a lack of transferable skills for civilian life.

Mentorship is crucial for personal and professional development in the military.

Human connection is vital in suicide prevention efforts.

Suicide is often a result of societal pressures and conformity.

There are online communities that provide support for veterans and first responders.

Hope and change are possible as long as one is alive.

Education and self-research are important for personal development.

The military needs to focus on the humanity of its members.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to First Responders' Challenges

02:50 The Impact of Identity on First Responders

06:07 Mental Health and the Military Experience

08:59 The Struggles of Transitioning to Civilian Life

11:48 The Importance of Mentorship in the Military

15:09 The Role of Humanity in Suicide Prevention

18:02 Addressing the Suicide Epidemic

20:53 The Power of Hope and Change

23:41 Finding Community and Support

27:05 Conclusion and Resources

Summary

In this heartfelt holiday episode, Ashlea Dillard explores the complexities of joy and emotions during the holiday season. She emphasizes the weight of joy, the importance of receiving, and the power of self-acceptance. Ashlea encourages listeners to embrace their feelings, whether they are joyful or heavy, and to practice being present in the moment. The conversation highlights the significance of love, compassion, and the human experience, reminding us that it's okay to feel a range of emotions during this time of year.

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What if the problem isn’t your partner, but the pattern you’re both trapped in? Today we unpack the hidden scripts that drive your fights—attachment styles, nervous system triggers, and the “I’ll just fix it” reflex that keeps real repair out of reach—and share the small, repeatable moves that make your relationship feel safe again.

Relationship coach and author Monica Tanner joins us to translate attachment theory into everyday language you can actually use. We talk about the anxious spiral that begs to solve everything before bed, the secure partner who thinks space is helpful, and the avoidant impulse to check out when conflict heats up. Monica offers a simple bedtime reassurance line that soothes panic without forcing resolution, plus a framework for asking clearly for what you need so your partner doesn’t have to read your mind.

Then we take a swing at a sacred cow: compromise. Instead of splitting the difference and keeping score, Monica teaches collaboration—mapping the values under each position, naming reservations, and designing a third way that fits both people. From money and travel to sex, parenting, and daily routines, we show how to build your unique “our way” and stop measuring your marriage against social media’s fantasy standards. You’ll also learn gentle practices for tending your adaptive child, co-regulating in hard moments, and turning repair into a ritual so conflicts get shorter, softer, and actually productive.

If you’re ready to move from anxiety to secure connection, from quick fixes to lasting change, this conversation is your roadmap. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help others find the show—what’s one script you’ll try this week?

👉🏻 Pick up a copy of Monica's Book Bad Marriage Advice https://www.badmarriageadvice.com/get-the-book

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The hardest part isn’t the fire. It’s carrying the weight after the sirens fade. We sit down with Travis McGaha—deputy fire marshal, founder of the North Carolina Firefighter Cancer Wellness Alliance, and host of the All Clear Podcast—to unpack a practical, whole-person path to resilience that goes far beyond gear and drills.

Travis shares how cancer prevention opened the door to a wider view of firefighter wellness: mental fitness, cardiac risk, hormones, nutrition, and sleep. He walks us through the cultural shift from taboo to transparency on cancer, and why leadership buy-in turns policies like on-scene decon and annual NFPA physicals into life-saving norms. We dig into a striking story where stress from a fatality investigation drove a 400% spike in insulin—proof that the nervous system and lab numbers are inseparable—and how better testing, trend tracking, and firefighter-savvy clinicians change outcomes.

We also tackle the realities of attention fatigue and dopamine-chasing that erode focus off shift and can show up on the fireground. From journaling and peer support to choosing therapy that actually fits, we lay out tools that build mental strength without losing humanity. Relationships matter here too. Share the “Disney version” at home—honest, bounded, and real—so your family can spot shifts before they become crises. And don’t ignore hormones: testosterone, lipids, and inflammation markers reveal early risks that hit mood, energy, and heart health.

If you’re a firefighter, spouse, or leader looking for actionable steps, this conversation delivers: integrative wellness, smarter physicals, stronger culture, and simple daily practices that keep the fire within burning clean. Subscribe, share this with your crew, and leave a review to help more first responders find tools that last.

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What if the fog, forgetfulness, and mood storms aren’t a failing mind—but an injured one that’s never been treated? We sit down with former Team USA bobsledder William Pearson to trace the slow, frightening slide into CTE symptoms—and the moment oxygen, pressure, and persistence turned the lights back on.

William takes us inside the daily reality of brain trauma that hides in plain sight: random days of clarity, panic waking in unfamiliar rooms, losing track of time, and not recognizing familiar faces. He explains why micro concussions are so dangerous, how standard “rest and wait” advice fails the brain, and why athletes, veterans, and first responders often mistake cognitive decline for character flaws. Then we dig into hyperbaric oxygen therapy—what it does at the cellular level, why some feel immediate change while others need dozens of dives, and how it helped William recover color in his vision, language flow, and stamina for reading, walking, and living.

We also talk about the human side: the role of spouses and friends as early-warning systems, practical routines to avoid high-stakes mistakes on fog days, and tools for calming migraines and sensory overload. William shares his mission to build a free CTE wellness center in the Midwest capable of treating dozens per day, outlines the insurance and policy barriers that keep HBOT out of reach, and invites our community to help open access for athletes and veterans who can’t wait. Along the way, we confront the hard questions—violence risk, missed diagnoses, and scrubbed reporting—and return to a simple, hopeful truth: the brain can heal when given the right conditions.

William’s GoFundMe is: https://gofund.me/93ff9c6e   

• To raise funds to open a CTE Recovery Center for athletes and military veterans battling CTE like symptoms to receive care without the burden of cost

Links to William’s Social Media: @onemanwithachamber

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