David Alemian sits down with John Huvane—21-year NYPD veteran and now VP of First Responder Engagement at Tunnel to Towers—to unpack the Foundation’s rapid response to the June 29, 2025 ambush in Idaho. Huvane details how Tunnel to Towers immediately engaged local leaders and families, committed to paying off the mortgages for Battalion Chiefs Frank Harwood and John Morrison, and continues to support injured firefighter Dave Tisdale. Beyond mortgage relief, the conversation dives into mental-health services, emergency home repairs, and the long-term community the Foundation builds for surviving families. Huvane also makes a blunt policy case: municipalities should insure and protect first-responder families before tragedy strikes.

Highlights

• Tunnel to Towers will eliminate the mortgage burden for the Harwood and Morrison families—so children aren’t uprooted from schools, doctors, and community during their hardest hour.
• Families receive ongoing wraparound care: counseling at no cost, financial planning (no products sold), emergency home repairs, and connection to a survivor community.
• The Foundation’s impact is scaling: 200+ mortgages paid off this year, plus 60 smart homes built with accessibility tech that restores independence for catastrophically injured heroes.
• Huvane’s challenge to policymakers: create guaranteed, municipality-funded life insurance for police, fire, and EMS—improving recruitment, retention, and morale while preventing financial devastation.

Notable Quote

“We should not exist. The federal and local governments should do everything and anything for the survivors.” — John Huvane



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In this episode, Isabel Dassinger and co-host Isaiah Spark welcome Jeffrey Makhno, Liaison of Adult Programming and Community Engagement at his local library. Together, they explore how reading reduces stress, the evolving role of libraries as vibrant community centers, and the power of books to transport us beyond daily pressures.

Highlights from the conversation:

• Reading as a Stress Reducer: Jeffrey explains how books let us step away from worries and immerse ourselves in new worlds, lowering stress and improving overall well-being.
• Libraries as Community Hubs: No longer just quiet spaces, today’s libraries offer cooking classes, yoga, game nights, art exhibits, trivia, and even delivery services for those who can’t attend in person.
• Building Connection: Libraries provide meaningful opportunities for friendships, social interaction, and lifelong learning—especially valuable for those who may feel isolated.
• Books that Inspire: Jeffrey shares some of his favorite titles, from Mrs. Astor Regrets to Mercury and Me, highlighting how biographies and history can deeply engage readers.

Quote from the episode:

"Whatever you have going on in your life—work, family, relationships—for the time you're in those pages, you're engulfed, you're engaged. The outside world has been turned off." — Jeffrey Makhno

Call to Action

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On this episode of Back Stage Pass, host Jeff Senour sits down with Marine veteran, nonprofit leader, and media visionary Joe Ramirez. From his service in the Marine Corps to running a successful security company, Joe’s journey has been defined by resilience, service, and vision. Today, he leads one of the most influential American Legion posts in the nation, spearheading initiatives that uplift veterans, first responders, and their families.

• Joe shares how his journey began in the Marine Corps, despite his father urging him to join the Air Force.

• He reveals how his leadership at the American Legion evolved into the creation of the Military Veteran Awards Gala, honoring veterans and first responders in the arts and media.

• Joe discusses the launch of Veteran TV, a streaming platform dedicated to veteran stories and family-friendly content.

• Jeff and Joe reflect on the importance of inspiring youth, supporting Gold Star families, and preserving unity in America through storytelling and music.

“If it’s not out there, we’ll just create it ourselves. There’s a place for us—and together we can be strong.” – Joe Ramirez

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Host David Alemian sits down with Alan R. Cates—award-winning journalist, trauma educator, and board-certified expert in emergency crisis response—to unpack why PTSD remains a hidden cost driver in public safety and how proactive wellness saves both careers and budgets. Drawing on decades of interviews and research, Cates explains delayed-onset PTSD, the outsized risk faced by small departments, and why peer support consistently outperforms top-down, clinician-mandated models for acceptance and real-world outcomes.

• Departments that invest in peer support retain more personnel and slash “stress retirements,” with real-world cases showing millions in savings over time.

• Delayed-onset PTSD can surface years after an incident; routine check-ins and proactive outreach (not waiting for officers to self-report) are essential.

• The #1 early warning sign families and supervisors should watch for: chronic sleep disruption—a dead-giveaway of severe trauma long before other symptoms peak.

• Small and rural agencies face the greatest staffing risks: losing one or two responders can cripple operations—making wellness funding mission-critical, not optional.

“If you don’t look after the quality of a responder’s life, you’ll pay for it—in turnover, in lawsuits, and in lost public trust.” — Alan R. Cates

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In this episode of Veteran Coach Courtney, Tanner sits down with Edward “Ed” Kirkman, a Coast Guard veteran, former Des Moines police officer, and now co-owner of Highland Cha Cha Bakery. Ed takes us through his remarkable journey—from growing up in a working-class Catholic household, to life-changing service in the Coast Guard during New York’s busiest rescue years, to the challenges of law enforcement during the crack epidemic, and now building second-chance opportunities for others through his bakery.

Highlights include his raw stories from 9/11-era New York, rescuing lives on the harbor, lessons learned from losing everything as a kid in the 80s, and how he and his wife turned a 1940s bakery into both a thriving business and a community of hope. His insights on faith, resilience, leadership, and the importance of giving people a second chance are powerful reminders of why service never ends.

• Ed shares how his grandfather’s WWII Coast Guard service pushed him away from the Marines and into a life at sea.

• Within 45 minutes of arriving at his first Coast Guard station, Ed was responding to suicides and barge accidents in New York Harbor.

• He recalls being officer of the day during the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, leading evacuations and supply runs.

• Transitioning to the Des Moines Police Department, Ed faced the realities of gang violence and drug corridors during the 90s crack epidemic.

• Today, he and his wife Cha Cha run Highland Cha Cha Bakery, where they hire “second chance” employees and create a culture of redemption.

“You cannot take it back once you’re gone. One more day, one more phone call can change everything. Reach out—especially if you’re a veteran or first responder. There are still people who need your help.” – Ed Kirkman

Follow Coach Courtney on WSNtv to hear more inspiring stories of service, resilience, and leadership.
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Be Your Own Advocate with Isabel Dassinger
In this episode, Isabel welcomes Isaiah Spark, a bodywork practitioner with over 30 years of experience helping people release trauma, tension, and stress stored in the body. Raised in the mountains of Northern California in a natural, physical lifestyle, Isaiah developed a deep understanding of how emotional pain shows up physically—and how it can be released through fascia work, resistance, and safe integration. Together, they explore how trauma lives in the body, why fascia is considered the “emotional body,” and practical ways to transform resistance into strength and healing.

Highlights:

• Trauma and stress accumulate in the body when experiences go unprocessed, showing up in fascia, muscles, and even organs.

• True healing requires both physical release and emotional integration—talk therapy alone isn’t always enough.

• The fascia system is key: it stores both physical and emotional tension, and targeted resistance work can unlock lasting change.

• Healing isn’t about avoiding discomfort—it’s about facing resistance safely, applying enough force to unwind stored trauma, and rewriting our internal narrative.

Quote:
“The body is the subconscious made manifest.” – Isaiah Spark

Call to Action:
Follow Back Stage Pass on WSNtv for more inspiring conversations about healing, growth, and self-advocacy.

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On this episode of Back Stage Pass, host Jeff Senour sits down with Grammy-winning musician, philanthropist, and healer Jet Edwards. Known for his servant’s heart and decades of impact in music and beyond, Jet shares his incredible journey from writing his first hit at 14 to becoming an international artist and humanitarian.

Highlights from the conversation:

• Jet wrote his first hit song Lonely Man at just 14 and was strongly influenced by his gospel-singing father.

• He has been honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Service Award and recognized on the Georgia Senate floor as a World Ambassador of Goodwill.

• Jet served as A&R Director for Jackson Records, working closely with the legendary Jackson family.

• His nonprofit, Believers Today, uses music as “instrumental healing” to bring people together across cultures and communities.

• He is actively involved in humanitarian causes, from Hoofing Against Violence—a horseback ride to raise awareness about gun and domestic violence—to supporting Haiti 180 amid the country’s ongoing crisis.

Quote from Jet Edwards:
“God has used me as an instrument and I try to accept it—to do things that are larger than me, bigger than I could ever dream of.”

Jet also gave a powerful live performance of his song Stand for the Flag, Kneel for the Cross, closing the show with inspiration and heart.

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Jeff Senour sits down with George Dassinger—publicist, writer, teacher, and industry veteran—whose career has spanned decades in music and entertainment. From flying celebrities like Johnny Carson and Bob Hope to working with legends like Metallica, the Bee Gees, and Linda Ronstadt, George shares stories of humanizing icons, the importance of networking, and lessons learned from both successes and mistakes. Their conversation also explores how the music industry has changed, the fading depth of music appreciation, and why building relationships still matters more than ever.

1. Celebrities are just people — George reminds us that even the biggest stars have struggles, dysfunctions, and egos, and working with them means remembering their humanity.
2. Networking is a lifelong skill — From carrying stacks of vinyls in college to building industry connections, George stresses that face-to-face relationships—not just texts—are what open doors.
3. The power of teamwork — Whether in aviation, bands, or publicity campaigns, success comes from collaboration and learning from mistakes, not overnight wins.
4. Longevity in music takes patience — George advises young artists to build one fan at a time, embrace charity work, and create authentic campaigns rather than chasing instant fame.

“Overnight sensations only happen after ten years of working your ass off.” – George Dasinger

If you’re an aspiring musician, creator, or dreamer—take George’s advice: invest in people, build your story, and create with purpose. Start small, give back, and let your dedication open doors you never imagined.

In this episode, Charles McFall sits down with Neil Schoepp, a former NYPD officer turned FDNY firefighter with 24 years of combined service. Neil shares his journey from law enforcement to the fire service, the mental shift that came with the transition, and how that ultimately led him into real estate, coaching, and mindset training. The conversation digs into the power of visualization, breaking hesitation, and rewiring negative self-talk through Neil’s AIR method—Awareness, Interrupt, Replace. Neil explains how survival-driven thinking shapes our default negativity, why proximity to the right people matters, and how reframing our thoughts can change our lives both in and out of uniform.

• From Police to Fire: Neil’s path from the NYPD to FDNY and how the change shifted both public perception and his personal mindset.

• Mindset as the Master Key: The discovery that mindset—especially interrupting negative thought loops—affects every decision and outcome.

• The AIR Method: Awareness of thoughts, interrupting unhelpful patterns, and replacing them with empowering beliefs.

• Hesitation Kills: A rooftop fire rescue story showing how quick, committed action can be the difference between control and catastrophe.

• Triple F Filter: Focus, Feelings, Facts—a practical tool to challenge limiting beliefs.

• Choosing Response Over Reaction: How reframing events preserves energy and control in daily life.

"Mindset is the one domino that knocks everything else over. Once you control your thinking, you control your life."

Learn more about Neil Schoepp’s coaching, mindset tools, and speaking engagements by following him on Instagram ⁠@neilschoepp⁠ or visiting his website at neilschoepp.com.Support EMS advocacy, career development, and the mission to build a stronger profession at oneems.com—because when we change our thinking, we change the future of EMS.

In this episode of Be Your Own Advocate, Dr. Peters—licensed chiropractor and exercise physiologist—shares how poor posture is quietly damaging our health at younger and younger ages. From “tech neck” to spinal degeneration, he explains how forward head position impacts not only the spine but also breathing, emotional well-being, and overall longevity. Learn how posture misalignment accelerates arthritis, why the World Health Organization calls it an epidemic, and the simple exercises you can do daily to protect your spine, improve oxygen flow, and boost your confidence.

Actionable Points for the Audience:

1. Check Your Posture Often – Throughout the day, pause and pull your shoulders back, bringing your ears in line with your shoulders.

2. Elevate Your Screen – Keep phones, tablets, and laptops at eye level to avoid prolonged forward head tilt.

3. Strengthen and Stretch Daily – Do exercises like wall angels to strengthen your upper back and stretch your chest muscles.

4. Use Chin Tucks – Gently push your chin straight back (not up or down) 10 times, twice daily, to help realign your head over your shoulders.

5. Lighten the Load – If you or your kids carry backpacks, keep them light and wear both straps to distribute weight evenly.

6. Create an Ergonomic Workspace – Adjust chairs, desks, and monitors to support good posture all day.

Quote:
"Your spine is the highway for your body’s signals—when it’s blocked, everything slows down. Protect it, and you protect your future." – Dr. Peters