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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. 

In this opening line from the classic Charles Dickens novel a A Tale Of Two Cities, never has a quote. It’s so close to home and resonated so deeply as in the appropriate description of season four of The Suffering Podcast.  

In this episode, Kevin Donaldson and Tom Flynn sit down in a retrospective look at the incredible highs, as well as the incredible lows. But as always, there is a lesson in triumph, just as certain, as there is a lesson in suffering.

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David Berez is a retired Police Officer and Drug Recognition Expert, having served more than 20 years with the East Windsor Police Department and a total of 33 years in Emergency Services, including EMS and OEM. Following his retirement, Mr. Berez is now the President and Founder of Six4 Consultants, a Public Safety Consulting Firm. Mr. Berez is also the author of A Resilient Life: A Cops Journey in Pursuit of Purpose, co-author of Wounds to Wisdom, featured columnist, guest speaker and panelist on a variety of Public Safety discussions. In September of 2020, Mr. Berez was trained as a Resiliency Program Officer and Master Resiliency Trainer. He is a facilitator for Resilient Minds on the Front Lines, The Power of our Story, and is working to grow Resiliency for Law Enforcement Retirees in NJ with the State's Resilience Program. In 2022, Mr. Berez was named to the Law Enforcement Advisory Counsel for Citizens Behind the Badge and in 2024 was named as an Ambassador to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. In 2024, Mr. Berez earned his Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania and is the only Police Officer in the country to hold this degree.  Mr. Berez is committed to providing police officers and other first responders the tools of Positive Psychology so that they can present the communities they serve and their families at home with the best version of themselves.

David’s story of resilience is born from challenges and adversities that he has experienced that include transgenerational trauma, adverse childhood experiences, his career in public safety, and other personal hills he was forced to climb. His success today is built on grit, love of learning, and his desire to continue to serve others.

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Shane Crudele is a student athlete at North Arlington HS in lower Bergen County. He is a sophomore varsity QB1 and he also plays Safety! He also is a varsity boys volleyball player as a freshman and will entering his sophomore year in volleyball this spring. Shane maintains a high grade point average and is very academic. Shane has been playing  quarterback since he was 6 and has a passion for football. He definitely aspires to play football in college. Shane has been unfortunate the last few years with injuries. During his 8th grade campaign he tore a tendon in his ankle while playing in the championship game. His freshman year he broke his middle finger on this throwing hand and this current season he fractured his elbow opening day during the 3rd quarter. The injury required surgery and it looked like he would be out for the season! Shane returned to play in the last game of the season. Against the odds and with many people telling him not to play he did. He led the 0-8 Vikings to their first victory 27-0. Shane reasoning is it was more about the team than me. If I could bring them together and compete, end the season on a high note, then we can ride that into next season.

Patrick Donaldson is a high school freshman who has a passion for football since he began playing in 3rd grade. His yearly goal, which include multiple sports, all focus around staying physically fit for football season. During the first game on the 2024 season, Patrick fell and broke his wrist. For the first time in his football career, he was sidelined.  The physical rehabilitation and mental strength, never realizing that his passion will always remain with football.  Patrick was able to return during the season and finish strong as one of the team captains  

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Corporal Detective Steven Byrne, shield 271, of the City of Chester (PA) Police Department has endured a 22+ year career in law enforcement. Cpl. Byrne comes from Ridley Park, a small borough within Delco, Delaware County PA, south of Philadelphia, where his father, Thomas J Byrne Sr retired as the Police Chief in 2012, and two brothers serve as professional firefighter and police officer for their community. 

Cpl. Byrne is an author, entrepreneur, business owner, philanthropist, mental health awareness advocate, youth football coach and a married father of 3.  All of these ventures are used as outlets to try and put balance in the life Cpl. Byrne, who is surrounded by the worst evils mankind can create as a homicide detective in one of the worst crime ridden cities in America. 

After a long yet successful career as a cop and street detective, with less than 4 years to reach retirement, Cpl. Byrne and his family were forced to face the worst fear of any person connected to law enforcement.  Cpl. Byrne was called in to investigate a shooting assault on Saturday 2/17/2024.  Cpl. Byrne and the suspect were both shot following an exchange of gunfire. This was Cpl. Byrne’s third incident in which he discharged his firearm in the course of duty, and the 25th officer involved shooting Cpl. Byrne played a part in during his entire career. 

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Saint's Old Testament: Truth Be Told 

Link to Mental Health Awareness group  co-founded by Steve 

Facebook

Link to my Business Private Group 

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Ana Pais is a dedicated and compassionate mental health professional who specializes in supporting first responders and their families. She earned her Master’s in Forensic Psychology in 2010 and went on to obtain a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2014. As a Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified First Responder Counselor, she is deeply committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals in high-stress occupations.

Certified in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Ana employs a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Somatic Experiencing. Her practice focuses on reducing symptoms of occupational stress injuries and PTSD, teaching coping skills, and fostering resilience. Each therapeutic approach is tailored through a collaborative, strengths-based methodology to meet the specific needs and goals of her clients.

As a first responder wife, Ana brings a unique perspective to her work, which enhances her commitment to supporting those who serve in demanding roles. Her personal experience enriches her understanding and empathy, allowing her to connect meaningfully with her clients and their families.

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Ketamine is emerging as one of the new break through medical treatments for a variety of ailment from Depression and Anxiety to Post Traumatic Stress.  On this episode we feature two board certified doctors who administer these treatment and are here to bear witness to the benefits.

Dr. Joseph Affortunato:

Joseph Affortunato, DO, is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician who co-founded KetaRevive. Dr. Affortunato is devoted to providing exceptional care to all his patients in Bergen and Morris counties, as well as the surrounding areas in northern New Jersey.

Dr. Affortunato is ready to use his experience and expertise to treat patients with chronic pain and mental health disorders with this new and exciting treatment of ketamine infusion.

Dr. Jerome Balbin:

Jerome Balbin, MD, FAAEM is one of the co-founders of KetaRevive. He is a board-certified emergency medicine physician who is passionate about providing exceptional patient care. He is known nationally and internationally as a result of his impact in the medical field with numerous journal publications and leadership roles in his specialty. He is currently an active lecturer for numerous medical and educational organizations. Dr. Balbin completed his undergraduate studies at The College of New Jersey before pursuing his medical degree at Rutgers University - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Balbin went on to complete his residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Montefiore/Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx. Recognizing the importance of improving patient care through education, he then pursued a fellowship in Medical Education & Simulation at New York City Health+Hospitals Simulation Center.

Dr. Balbin’s commitment to his patients is evident in his compassionate and caring approach. He firmly believes in building strong doctor-patient relationships and understanding the unique goals and aspirations of each person under his care. Dr. Balbin is a compassionate healthcare professional who prioritizes patient care above all else especially when taking care of patients at KetaRevive during their ketamine treatments.

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Dave Fischer and Jeff Golden are committed to developing the minds of parents alienated from their children which happens all too often when divorce is the end result.  Both men are members of FACE (Fathers' and Children's Equality).  A membership organization that  educates parents as to their parental rights and custody rights. FACE is not a legal team and does not act as a court representative but rather

shows how to effectively represent themselves in family court.  By showing show how the family court system works so the affected parent can manage and direct their lawyer/ employees rather than allowing lawyers to make decisions for them that will affect families for the rest of their lives.

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Anthony is an individual driven by passion and discipline. His relationship with God comes first and foremost to everything. His wife is second future children would be third and then country.

He’s a product of a single parent home however, father was involved attended sports games has always been there for him and currently is still a huge impact for him. His relationship with his mother is very strong as well.

His addiction to substances started at an early age years old and he suffered until the age of 36, during this time his brother was murdered. Multiple things caused numerous implications and troubles in his life, although success in becoming an Eagle Scout, he gave up possible sports scholarships and went all the way to incarceration in LA County jail and federal prison.

Today is six years clean, married, a business owner, giving back to the community, speaking at Rehabs , helping individuals with personal development, fitness, nutrition, and the future seems very bright. He gives all credit to God and is grateful for the testimony that he has been given.

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Matthew Patunas is a 53 years old retired corrections officer roaming the halls of Rahway State Prison.  Matt grew up in the  small town of Moonachie located in Bergen county NJ.  Growing up in a middle-class family Matt’s father Gene was a union ironworker that owned his own company, while his mother Ann was a stay at home mom. Family was always present having his grandparents live upstairs

Matt met my wife Christina on the same street that we grew up on in Moonachie.  With the prospects of a new family, Matt chose a job in law enforcement, taking the position of a corrections officer. He went into the police academy in 1998.  

Being locked down in one of the most dangerous prisons in the country, Matt roam the halls with authority and fairness.  Earning respect inside prison, either as a guard or a prisoner takes a delicate balancing act, which Matt was able to navigate with success .  

Matt’s career was cut short due to an injury which led him down a self-destructive path which took a lifetime to recover. 

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MR. WALTER HENRY NOLTING, Mr. Nolting has a military career serving both the United States Army & Merchant Marines. He enlisted in 1942 he was only 17 years old. Walter was Honorably Discharged in 1946. 

Listed below are more details. 

Stationed: Fort Devons, MA & Utah, France

Wars & Military operations & Deployments: WWII Utah France Military Awards & Decorations: American Service Metal, Good Conduct Medal & World War II Victory Medal.

Military Career & Accomplishments:

Served 33 months in the Army. He boasts of his duty on Utah Beach in unison with the D-Day invasion.

After the war he joined the Merchant Marines and traveled the world on a ship called The Flying Independence.

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