In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan sits down with Ryan Tillman to discuss the emotional, cultural, and psychological weight carried by first responders.

Ryan shares his journey into law enforcement, the unseen trauma officers absorb from call to call, and how identity, culture, and public perception intersect with mental wellness in public safety.

This conversation goes beyond viral videos and headlines to focus on the human cost of the job, and why investing in first responder mental health is essential for long-term well-being.

For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:
https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/
888-443-4898

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan talks with Tom Crewse, Retired Battalion Chief, program alumnus, and now an employee at First Responder Wellness.

Tom shares what it looked like to grow up believing your value is tied to work, how that mindset shaped him in the fire service, and what it cost in life outside the job. He also opens up about the moment he finally had to be honest with himself, and the turning points that helped him rebuild from the inside out.

Today, Tom works with alumni and runs groups at FRW, using his story to help other first responders find a healthier path forward.

For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:
https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/
888-443-4898

If you are a first responder, or you love someone who is, this story will hit home. In today's episode we talk about:

• The culture of "suck it up, keep moving, give me the keys and I'll do it right
• Why alcohol + PTSD is such a dangerous combination
• Why the opposite of addiction is really connection
• How gratitude, humility, and facing the pain became his way out
• What culturally competent, first-responder-only treatment felt like, and why that community mattered.

For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:
https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/
888-443-4898

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Chris Logan (Director of Clinical Operations at First Responder Wellness) sits down with Whitney and Adam from Open Water, an organization that uses paddleboards, outriggers, and time on the water to help first responders break out of isolation and reconnect with life.

They talk about how the water is a “non-judgmental” space that doesn’t care about your rank or your past, and how that environment becomes the perfect place to rediscover fun, community, and purpose again.

If you’re a police officer, firefighter, dispatcher, EMS, any first responder struggling with trauma, burnout, addiction, or feeling emotionally numb, this conversation is for you, or for the person on your shift who needs it but won’t say it out loud.

In this raw and honest interview, our guest opens up about his hidden battle with alcoholism, from secret drinking and denial to detoxing alone, hospitalization, and finally entering treatment at First Responder Wellness.

He shares the moment he told his wife “I can’t stop drinking,” and what recovery has given back to his life, his family, and his purpose in law enforcement.

This story is about honesty, redemption, and hope, and a reminder that no one has to do this alone.

For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:
https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/
888-443-4898

Today our host Chris Logan talks with retired Westminster PD officer Cord about the real toll of the job, the suicide of his first FTO, and how the tragedy pushed Cord into mental health advocacy. They cover identity beyond the badge, why "heroes don't ask for help" is deadly, peer support, and a push for annual, confidential wellness visits for police, fire, dispatch, and EMS.

If you're a first responder, clinician, or leader, share this with your team. It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help. It's a sign of strength. 

For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:
https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/
888-443-4898

Rozzy's story is raw and real. From losing his dad to suicide at 11, to becoming a cop at 20, to taking in his 15-year-old nephew, he carried the weight for years without ever processing it. 

Through hard work Rozzy found healing and a new purpose. Today, he is no longer defined by his past and he wants every first responder to know that asking for help isn't weakness, it's strength.

For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:
https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/
888-443-4898

Today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast, we sit down with our very own Dr. Rose Maynard, PsyD, AMFT. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with advanced training in trauma-focused care and a deep passion for supporting first responders and their families.

Coming from a family with a strong history of military and paramilitary service, Dr. Maynard's commitment to serving first responders is both personal and professional. 

For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:
https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/
888-443-4898

Today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan (Director of Clinical Operations) sits down with Will, a former law enforcement officer and First Responder Wellness alumni. Will opens up about living as a high-functioning alcoholic, balancing the appearance of success with a hidden struggle, and the long journey to recovery. 

In this powerful conversation, Will shares how denial and "rock bottom" looked different for him, what finally pushed him to change, and how First Responder Wellness played a role in his healing. His story is raw, and filled with hope for anyone battling addiction while trying to keep life looking "put together" on the outside.

If you or someone you know is struggling, remember you're not alone, and help is out there.

For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:
https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/
888-443-4898

Dr. Stephen Odom is the founder of First Responder Wellness and a nationally recognized behavioral health expert with over 30 years of experience in healthcare, psychology, and leadership. A licensed marriage and family therapist, Dr. Odom has led treatment programs across the country and advised hospitals, universities, and public safety agencies. His passion for serving first responders comes from his own family’s background in military, law enforcement, and healthcare, and he has dedicated his career to creating programs that address their unique needs.

In this episode, Dr. Odom discusses the cultural shift he’s seeing, first responders seeking help earlier, before crisis, and why lasting change must come from the top down. From “hire to retire,” he emphasizes that leadership’s commitment to mental health is just as critical as strategy and tactics.

For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:

https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/

888-443-4898