Behind The Shield

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Bringing the greatest minds in mental and physical wellness to the men and women who serve our communities.

James Geering


    • Jan 1, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 50m AVG DURATION
    • 872 EPISODES

    4.9 from 576 ratings Listeners of Behind The Shield that love the show mention: first responders, firefighters, james does a great job, public safety, fire service, thank you james, everyone can learn, strong work, james brings, shield, walter, overcoming, law enforcement, cameron, insightful questions, fired, military, rogan, typically, i'm hooked.


    Ivy Insights

    The Behind The Shield podcast is an incredibly valuable resource for anyone in the armed forces or first responder professions, as well as those dealing with PTSI or seeking physical and mental wellness. Hosted by James Geering, this podcast features interviews with a wide range of guests who share their experiences and provide insight and advice on various topics. James's interview style allows the guests to be truly heard, creating a space for meaningful conversations. The information provided on physical and mental wellness is invaluable and has the power to change perspectives and habits for the better.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is its ability to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level. Hearing other people share their experiences can be incredibly comforting and reassuring, especially for those going through similar situations or dealing with PTSI. James's compassionate and caring demeanor shines through in his interviews, making it clear that he genuinely wants to help his audience.

    Another positive aspect of this podcast is its multi-faceted approach to wellness. It covers a wide range of topics that are important for overall well-being, including physical fitness, mental health, nutrition, leadership development, and overcoming traumatic events. This comprehensive approach ensures that listeners receive a well-rounded perspective on wellness and can implement positive changes in various aspects of their lives.

    However, one potential drawback of this podcast is that it may not appeal to everyone outside of the armed forces or first responder professions. While there are certainly valuable insights and lessons for anyone to learn from this podcast, some episodes may feel more specific to these professions. However, if someone is interested in learning about these fields or gaining a deeper understanding of what first responders go through, they may still find value in listening.

    In conclusion, The Behind The Shield podcast is an incredible resource for members of the armed forces or first responder professions who are seeking tools for improving and maintaining wellness. James Geering's compassionate interviewing style allows guests to share their stories while providing valuable insight on physical and mental well-being. While the podcast may have a more specific target audience, its multi-pronged approach to wellness makes it relevant and valuable for anyone interested in personal growth and development.



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    Latest episodes from Behind The Shield

    John Knox - Episode 870

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2024 154:51


    John Knox is a veteran firefighter, arson investigator, dispatcher and former law enforcement seach and rescue technician. One month ago, after 21 years of service with LAFD, John was terminated over a COVID vaccine mandate. We discuss his journey into policing, some of his rescue stories, his unique role during 9/11, his journey into the fire service, chasing arsonists, organisational betrayal, mental health and much more.

    Justen Keating - Episode 869

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2023 118:22


    Justen Keating is the Founder of Keating Global Risks, and has over 20 years of experience in the National Security, and Intelligence Community. He is a veteran of the US Marine Corps with multiple combat tours in the Middle East and is a former Independent Contractor for CIA, where he ran clandestine protective operations in Central Asia and the Middle East for over a decade. We discuss his journey into the military, his 9/11 story, close protection, the Afghanistan withdrawal, his powerful mental health story, jiujitsu and much more.

    Jonny Lee Miller - Episode 868

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2023 137:14


    Jonny Lee Miller is a veteran actor, jiujitusu player and volunteer firefighter. We discuss his Grandfather's work in James Bond, Jonny's journey into acting as a child, Trainspotting, addiction, celebrity, his powerful recovery story, the healing power of martial arts, entering the fire service, volunteerism and much more.

    Rob Wilkins - Episode 867

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2023 134:37


    The Honorable Rob Wilkins is a retired US Air Force Master Sergeant, a fitness expert, and a former member of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (PCSFN) appointed under President Trump and President Biden. In this episode, we discuss his journey into the military, hiring standards, the obesity epidemic, training the tactical athlete, the Weider brothers, bodybuilding, school nutrition, physical education, the military and first responder recruitment crisis, the Transcend Foundation and much more.

    Da Rulk II - Episode 866

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2023 77:40


    Da Rulk is a strength and conditioning coach and the creator of RFT. In this second conversation we discuss the important wellness lessons from the pandemic, cold water immerson and resilience, training the fire service, ocean lifeguarding, the Iron Neck, his partnership with 5.11 and much more.

    rft rulk iron neck
    Allan Chiasson And Edward Ford - Episode 865

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 115:19


    Allan Chiasson a Navy Corpsman veteran and active duty firefighter/paramedic. Ed Ford is a Marine veteran and former contractor. We discuss their journey's into the military, tactical medicine, the world of contracting, protecting the military's mail, losing brothers in combat, mental health, organisation betrayal, transition and so much more.

    Suzanne Stein - Episode 864

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2023 105:22


    Suzanne Stein is a social documentary/street photographer knwon for her raw and truthful lens. We discuss her own turbulent childhood, her mental health story, finding photography, homelessness in America, how "Tranq" is destroying lives, censorship, art and so much more.

    Staz II - Episode 863

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2023 75:17


    Anthony "Staz" Stazicker is a former British Special Operations soldier and the co-founder of ThruDark. In this second conversation we discuss the impact the pandemic had personally and for his business, community through jiu jitsu, the impact of the Afghanistan withdrawal, mental health, his new book "The Hard Road Will Take You Home, 7x and much more.

    Aaron Zamzow - Episode 862

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 125:19


    Aaron Zamzow is a veteran firefighter, personal trainer and the man behind Fire Rescue Fitness. In this conversation, we take the gloves off and address some unpopular topics regarding firefighter performance and longevity. These include annual fitness standards, training in bunker gear, the firefighter work week, functional training, leadership and much more.

    Cameron Strouss - Episode 861

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2023 100:03


    Cameron Strouss is a Clinical/Functional Herbalist, Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild, Certified Aromatherapist, Master Gardener, medicine maker extraordinaire, forager of 14 years and clinician of 9 years. We discuss the physical and psyhological childhood trauma that modern medicine was unable to help, her journey into the world of Herbalism, the power of Kava, healing the nervous system, pain management, foraging and much more.

    Tip Cullen - Episode 860

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2023 155:07


    Tip Cullen was born in Northern Ireland and served 37 years in the Royal Marines before transitioning out to persue acting. We discuss his childhood during the troubles, the commonality of man, his journey into the British Military, protecting his country in uniform, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, mental health, his journey into Drama, his new film Sunray and much more.

    Sergio Saenz - Episode 859

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 104:46


    Sergio Saenz is an Air Force veteran and the founder of Agape Heroes. We discuss his journey into the military, IT in warfare, his transition story, the power of plant medicine, the two firefighter lives pyschedelic therapy saved, Kambo and much more.

    Trung Ngyuen - Episode 858

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 126:13


    Trung Nguyen is a Vietnamese immigrant, US Army Ranger veteran and former SWAT officer. We discuss his family's powerful immigration story, growing up in Chicago's ganglands, his journey into the military, war, LAPD, The Defund movement in Chicago, organisational betrayal, the Mercy Hospital shooting, his company We Go Home, his non-profit and so much more.

    Bobby Burke II - Episode 857

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2023 110:19


    Bobby Burke is an renowned actor, martial artist and 22 year volunteer firefighter. In this second conversation we discuss the importance of volunteerism, the actor's strike, some recent notable fires, technical advisors in first responder films, the inability to save, shared suffering, the stunt performer, storytelling and much more.

    Kevin Adler - Episode 856

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2023 87:15


    Kevin Alder is the man behind Miracle Messages and the author of "When We Walk By". We discuss how homelessness affected his family, multi-generational trauma, the 1906 earthquake, the foster system, corrections, addiction, the healing power of community, connecting unhoused men and women with their families, how each one of us can positively impact this issue and so much more.

    miracle messages kevin adler
    Jason Picollo - Episode 855

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 97:57


    Jason Picollo is an Army Veteran, retired Federal Law Enforcement Officer, author and podcast host. We discuss his journey into the military, recruitment, fitness, human trafficking, immigration, terrorism, the war on drugs, addiction and much more.

    Hugh Bruder - Episode 854

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2023 171:24


    Hugh Bruder is a 43 year veteran of the fire service, IASIS provider and current Fire Chief of Boytnon Beach in Florida. We discuss his journey into the US Air Force Fire Department, entering the municipal fire service, firefighter fitness, mental health, microcurrent neurofeedback, Peer Support, the financial benefits of investing in firefighter wellness, changing the work week, becoming a "Destination Fire Department", mentorship, recruitment, retention and much more.

    Rick Rochelle II - Episode 853

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2023 122:52


    Rick Rochelle is a mountaineer, wilderness medic, Director of NOLS and President of All American Leadership. We discuss wrestling as a youth, his journey into climbing, some of his career medical saves, his powerful mental health journey, leadership in the fire service, the importance of training, wildland firefighting and so much more.

    Josh Otero - Episode 852

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 115:36


    Josh Otero is a gymnast, Entrepreneur an the founder of The Warrior GMR Foundation. We discuss being a student athlete, gymanstics and longevity, the world of finance, Crossfit, his journey into the world of E-Sports, mental health, obesity, military recruitment, mentorship and so much more.

    Dave Mazany - Episode 851

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2023 113:57


    Dave Mazany is a professional MMA fighter, wrestler and probationary Las Vegas firefighter. We discuss collegiate Decathalon, his journey into martial arts, cage fighting in South Africa, training with Chute Boxe, traumatic brain injury, his journey into the fire service, firefighter fitness, mental health and much more.

    Trevor Williams - Episode 850

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 132:20


    Trevor Williams is a Missionary, firefighter and the creator of "The Williams Key". We discuss his childhood in South Africa, the power of travelling, his personal experience in the Haitian earthquake, entering the fire service, forcible entry, entrepreneurship, mental health and much more.

    Travis Denman - Episode 849

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2023 159:33


    Travis Denman is a former Army Green Beret, coach and student pilot. We discuss his journey into the miitary, pre 9/11 deployments, the near Haitian invasion, South East Asia, the Thai cave rescue, school safety, tactical philosophy in law enforcement, mental health, transition and much more.

    Cody Gibson - Episode 848

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2023 109:56


    Cody GIbson is a High School teacher, wrestling coach and UFC fighter. We discuss his journey into the combat sports, the power of education, mentorship, his MMA path, overcoming loss, physical education, fatherhood and so much more.

    DD Finder - Episode 847

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 143:18


    DD Finder is a former Peace Corps humanitarian, Flight Nurse and the author of "Ready Left, Ready Right." We discuss his journey into vounteerism, Emergency Medicine, his path into Flight Nursing, his ICU experience during the pandemic, his own powerful mental health story, the power of sleep and so much more.

    Sachin Latti And Shaun Taylor II - Episode 846

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 79:55


    Sachin Latti is a former Candian Border Agent and ultra runner. Shaun Taylor is a founding member of Canada's JTF2 and a Human Performance Coach. In this unique episode, you will hear the result of someone simply showing up when another is struggling. Sachin reached out to Shaun after finding himself in a dark place and the post traumatic growth that followed sets a beautiful precedent in the mental heath conversation.

    canada sachin human performance coach shaun taylor jtf2
    Bill Kyser - Episode 845

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2023 116:41


    Bill Kyser is a Vietnam Veteran, former lifeguard, firefighter, paramedic, rescue diver and trainer. We discuss his journey into the military, his experiences in South East Asia, Ocean Lifeguarding, entering the fire service, commercial diving, training the tactical athlete, mental health, transition, the power of NuCalm and so much more.

    John Guarnieri - Episode 844

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 137:01


    John Guarnieri is the Chief Operating Officer of Silver Spear Security and is currently the Head of Security for the band Shinedown and Motley Crue. We discuss his journey into the Secret Service, the importance of training, fitness, the insurrection, his transition story, security and rock, mental health and much more.

    Timmy Gleason - Episode 843

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 159:22


    Timmy Gleason is a veteran Miami firefighter and member of USAR TF-2. We discuss losing his home to a hurricane as a child, his journey into the fire service, the Haitian earthquake, Hurricane Ian, the Surfside collapse, his own powerful mental health story, addiction, suicide, post traumatic growth and so much more.

    Jeff Orrange And Raul Rivas II - Episode 842

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2023 80:50


    In this unique episode, I had the chance to interview two of my friends live at the Brothers Helping Brothers Conference in Ohio. Both were impacted by the attack at the Pulse Nightclub in different ways. Jeff had created the Orlando Firefighters' Peer Support team a few short years prior to the event. Raul was one of the SWAT officers that ultimately neutralized the assailant. We discuss their early lives and journeys into the first responder professions, mental health, active shooter training, the gensis of the Peer Support team, SWAT training, Raul's powerful story from the incident, the aftermath and so much more.

    Barry Bruder - Episode 841

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 108:45


    Barry Bruder is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Micro Current Neurofeedback company IASIS. We discuss his early life, chidhood trauma, his powerful mental health story, neuroscience, addiction, post traumatic growth, children of the AIDS crisis, TBIs, Autism, the healing power of Micro Current Neurofeedback and so much more.

    Sebastian Junger IV - Episode 840

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 76:19


    Sebastian Junger is an award winning author, journalist and filmmaker. In this fourth conversation, we discuss his upcoming book on mortality, the near death experience that spawned it, the importance of national service, rebuilding tribalism, overcoming division through community, blood donation and so much more.

    Julie Lewis - Episode 839

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2023 127:26


    Julie Lewis is a 39 year AIDS survivor, public health educator and the author of Still Positive. We discuss her journey into education, the outbreak of AIDS, the blood transfusion after childbirth where she contracted the virus, the emotional and mental impact on herself and her family, mortality, growth, the incredible medical advancements in treatment, her non profiit and so much more.

    aids julie lewis
    Christy Warren - Episode 838

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 141:19


    Christy Warren is a retired California firefighter, podcast host and the author of "Flash Point". We discuss her early life, her journey into Emergency Medicine, joining the fire service, some of the calls that began to haunt her, her powerful mental health story, the tools she used to heal, lessons from her guests, writing and much more.

    Nick O'Kelly - Episode 837

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 135:00


    Nick O'Kelly is a former U.S. Army Green Beret and Special Operations Blackhawk Pilot. We discuss his early life, his journey into the military, Special Forces selection, serving in South East Asia, transitioning into Aviation, Organizational Stress, returning to the SF community as a pilot, his own powerful mental health story, NuCalm and so much more.

    Del Jolly - Episode 836

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2023 153:19


    Del Jolly is the Co- Founder and President of Umbo and Co-Founder, Director at Unlimited Sciences, a psychedelic research non-profit. We discuss his journey into entrepreneurship, the healing power of CBD, THC, psychedelics, mental health, traumatic brain injury, MMA, the health benefits of nutritional mushrooms, performance and so much more.

    David Leask - Episode 835

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 121:28


    David Leask is a 24 year veteran of the fire service and a cancer survivor. We discuss his early life, hockey, his journey into EMS, the LA Riots, entering the fire service, career wildland fires, his cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy, mental health, returning to duty, sleep and much more.

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    Heather McAllister - Episode 834

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 138:03


    Heather McAllister is the brand training director and lead instructor of Wolf Brigade. We discuss her journey into strength and conditioning, weightlifting myths, training the female athlete, aging, overcoming injury, mace work, art and so much more.

    Sean Evangelista - Episode 833

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2023 152:55


    Sean Evangelista is a former Tier One Navy SEAL and the founder of "30 Seconds Out". We discuss his traumatic childhood, going through the "Scared Straight" program, climbing, his journey into the Navy, his perspective on war, his transition story, mountaineering, Ski Patrol, entrepreneurship and so much more.

    Rasul Rasekh - Episode 832

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 96:38


    In this special episode I welcome Rasul Rasekh, a mujahideen fighter who has defended his native country of Afghanistan since the Soviet invasion. Rasul fought alongside the allied nations and brought diplomacy to his countries many tribes. Since the withdrawal, the Afghan people have suffered at the hands of oppressors, poverty, weather and starvation. Hundreds of children perish on a daily basis. This is a call to actiong for both Afghanis and the international communities to help.

    Jimm Walsh And Tony Gillan - Episode 831

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 109:18


    This episode brings together two firefighters and previous guests who had career and life altering injuries. Chief Jimm Walsh suffered a stroke just weeks before being named as Fire Chief of his department, forcing his medical retirement. Lieutenant Tony Gillan was struck by a falling halligan, shattering his cervical spine. We discuss their physical and mental rehabilitation journeys, the importance of firefighter fitness, the hiring crisis, mentorship, bridging the generational gap, retirement, mental health and so much more.

    John Fairbanks - Episode 830

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2023 271:36


    John Fairbanks is a University of Florida Football Alumn, educator, strength and conditioning coach and cofounder of the Gym Owner's Revolution. We discuss his early life in California, playing in UF's glory years with Tim Teboe, his perspective on education, processing grief, farming, coaching, helping gym owners navigate the business side, podcasting and so much more.

    Joe Roberts - Episode 829

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 107:31


    Joe Roberts is a renownded Candian entreprenur, author, speaker and the man known as The Skid Row CEO. We discuss his early life, his journey into addiction and homelessness, his powerful post traumatic growth story, pushing a shopping cart across Canada, drug prohibition, the world of business, the kindness he experienced along the way and so much more.

    Mike Chadwick - Episode 828

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 110:41


    Mike Chadwick is a former Paratrooper, Special Forces Support Group Operator, Royal Army Physical Training Corps Instructor and the author of "Red On Revolution". We discuss how his early life led him into the military, his time as a paratrooper, training the military tactical athlete, his philosophy on programming, firefighter fitness, mixed martial arts, revocery, aging, mental health and much more.

    Brett Sobieraski - Episode 827

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2023 157:00


    Brett Sobieraski is a veteran law enforment officer, ultra endurance athlete and the author of "Gray Man". We discuss growing up as the son of a cop, his own journey into policing, SWAT, finding himself deconditioned, how running became pivitol in his physical and mental health journey, the healing power of altruism, kindness hiding in plain sight, 8 States for Maz, Wolf Brigade and so much more.

    Jared Vermeulen - Episode 826

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2023 171:42


    Jared Vermeulen is a firefighter and the author of "The Modern Fire Officer". We discuss his Cicilian/Dutch upbringing, surfing, his journey into the fire service, his department's progresssive work schedule, sleep deprivation, leadership, his powerful mental health story and so much more.

    Craig Shoemaker - Episode 825

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2023 130:16


    Craig Shoemaker is a stand up comedian, writer, actor and the man behind "Winning with Humor". We discuss Craig's early life, his journey into comedy, the impact of censorship on stand up, his own physical and mental health struggles, the tools he used for healing, the power of laughter and so much more.

    Chris Robishaw - Episode 824

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2023 118:23


    Chris "Robie" Robishaw is a US Army Green Beret veteran, humanitarian and member of the Human Performance Porject 7x team. We discuss his journey into the military, special forces selection, his perspective on leadership, the soldier's lens on war, building international relations with allied forces, his transition story, the Kabul evacuation, his work in the Ukraine, veteran mental health, overcoming cancer and so much more.

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    Iain Ward - Episode 823

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 160:48


    Iain Ward is a fitness trainer and the man known as "The King of Chemo". At just 31 years old, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and decided to use it as purpose. He has since performed numerous endurance events to raise money for charity through social media. We discuss his initial dream of becoming a firefighter, nursing, strength and conditioning, the NHS, the incedible "awake" brain surgery, some of his upcoming endurance events, mental health and so much more. Be sure to follow him @thekingofchemo on all social media platforms to help fundraising. https://thekingofchemo.com

    Rex Hambly - Episode 822

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 67:18


    Rex Hamlby is a veteran wildland firefighter for the Bureau of Land Management and the man behind the "Battle of San Pasqual Staff Ride" and "The Last Chance Survival Simulation Workshop". We discuss his journey into the fire service, the importance of fitness in wildland firefighting, preparing communities for wildfires, the importance of prevention through prescribed burns, mental health, some of his career fires and so much more.

    James Jackson - Episode 821

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2023 103:54


    Dr James Jackson is a Neuropsychologist, professor and the author of "Clearing the Fog". We discuss his journey into psychology, sleep deprivation and mental health, PTSD, the cognitive impact of Long COVID, brain fog, traumatic brain injury, cognitive rehabilitation, post traumatic growth and so much more.

    Tyson Shumway - Episode 820

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 115:08


    Tyson Shumway is a California Law Enforcement Officer and member of the Fieldcraft Survival team. We discuss his journey into policing, the power of mentorship, school safety, the importance of weapons training, his unique lens on road safety, training the tactical athlete, mental health, Wolf Brigade and so much more.

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