Forge Resilience Podcast

In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey and innovative initiatives of Chief Joel Rivera who has not only achieved personal milestones like completing a Ph.D. and running marathons but has also become the Chief of Police in Weslaco, Texas. He has transformed his department by implementing a model resilience and mental health program. Episode Highlights: Personal Journey to Leadership: Chief Rivera's career trajectory, marked by personal accomplishments, has prepared him for a unique leadership role in law enforcement. Cultivating Well-being: Taking charge as Chief of Police in Weslaco, Texas, he recognized the importance of prioritizing mental health and resilience within his department. Immediate Post-Incident Support: One groundbreaking initiative is the mandatory debriefing with a counselor within 48 hours of critical incidents. This practice provides officers with essential emotional support after traumatic events and normalizes counseling. Therapy Dog as Team Member: Meet Shane, the agency therapy dog, who has become an integral part of the team, offering emotional support and comfort to officers and staff. Equipping for Stress Regulation: Chief Rivera ensures that every officer is equipped with a HRV monitor and comprehensive training in self-regulation skills. These tools are vital for managing stress and maintaining well-being. Embedding Mental Health in Training: By making mental health an integral part of training, Weslaco is eliminating the stigma and normalizing discussions about resilience throughout the department. Positive Community Impact: These innovative practices have led to a reduction in use of force and escalated incidents in the community. Chief [Name] believes that mentally resilient officers contribute to healthier community relations. Future of Law Enforcement: Chief Rivera shares his vision for the future, where mental health and resilience programs become the norm across law enforcement agencies, creating a positive and lasting impact. Resources: Chief Rivera's Email Address: joel.rivera@weslacotx.gov Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoel-rivera/ Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the FORGE Resilience podcast Your support is greatly appreciated. Until next time, remember to prioritize your well-being and resilience.

In this podcast we talked to Joe Collins. Joe retired from law enforcement after 35 years of dedicated service. He served as Chief of Police in Two Rivers, Wisconsin since 2005. He has since moved to the Houston Texas area and he and his wife Colleen are enjoying the warm Texas weather! Joe is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, session 236. He currently serves as the Public Safety Liaison for Acadia Healthcare where he advocates for mental health for first responders. Joe is also a Master Resilience Trainer and masterfully facilitates resilience training. Not only does Joe do a great job of inspiring people to learn and practice resilience, he LIVES these practices each day. Joe's phone number is 920-973-7310. Store. This. Number. Thanks for listening and supporting first responder resilience health!

Chief Lattimore's story made us want to start podcasting again! A 27 year law enforcement veteran from a small police department near Houston, Texas that has been through multiple critical incidents walks us through his experience of dealing with trauma on his own (shoving it down) and how he made the decision to get the help he needed and deserved so he could truly LIVE. Chief Lattimore's story is both inspiring and helpful as he describes EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) and lays out simple strategy to improve mental resilience for first responders and leaders.

In this podcast we talked with Jessica Robledo, Chief of the Pflugerville Police Department. She retired from Austin Police Department after a distinguished 30 year career before her arrival in Pflugerville in 2017. In this podcast she talks about leadership and tells about her traumatic childhood and difficult experiences early in life that made her the strong and resilient leader she is today. Chief Robledo has a servant's heart and is an inspiring leader that we can all learn from. For more inspiration from Chief Robledo you can follow her on social media: Facebook @Chief Jessica Robledo, Twitter @PfChiefRobledo and on Instagram @PFChiefJess

In this podcast we interviewed Shawn & Jeff Thomas, a dual law enforcement couple from King County Sherriff's Department that is on a mission to help First Responders normalize mental health issues and access resources when they need them most. After going through their own personal struggles and growth they decided to fill a void and create a conference platform that not only links first responders with resources but also gives a platform to first responders with a story to tell. Learn more about 1st Responder Conferences here: https://1stresponderconferences.org/ Leave us a review if you get a chance! We appreciate all of you. Stay safe and keep moving! Chris & Lacy

Lt. Col Dave Grossman has been on the road for more than 200 days a year since he retired from the US Army. He relentlessly works to support the US military and first responders through speaking engagements and his books. In this podcast we were honored to have him talk to us about the sheepdog philosophy, resiliency, sleep, and the importance of spirituality. All of LTC Grossman's books can be found on Amazon through this link: https://www.amazon.com/Dave-Grossman/e/B001H6MBBM/ref=dp_byline_cont_audible_1 You can also learn more about his work or reach him directly through www.killology.com Thank you to all the Sheepdogs and to all of you that love Sheepdogs. Stay safe everyone! Chris & Lacy

LTC Dave Grossman is a prolific author and speaker and coined the "Sheepdog" philosophy that most military and first responders are familiar with. He is one of the greatest trainers in military science and psychology of our time. LTC Grossman is an Army Ranger, paratrooper, and taught Psychology at West Point. He is a best selling author with four books and two children's books currently available. His newest book "On Spiritual Combat" will be released soon. In this mini-episode, LTC Grossman candidly gives his thoughts on the COVID-19 situation. We will have a full episode with LTC Grossman published soon with lots more great info. To find LTC Grossman's books mentioned in the podcast go to this link: https://www.amazon.com/Dave-Grossman/e/B001H6MBBM/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1 Follow him on Facebook @LtColDaveGrossman Follow us on Facebook @forgeresilience and on Instagram @forge_resilience Email us your thoughts and comments through our webpage: http://www.forge-resilience.com Thanks to all the sheepdogs and those who care for the sheepdogs out there. Stay safe everyone! Chris & Lacy

On October 1st, 2017, Bryce Wellman went from enjoying a concert in his home-town of Las Vegas to suddenly having to take cover to as bullets ripped into the crowd. Bryce shares his story of survival- from terror to thriving and helping others. Bryce is a dispatcher at the Cedar Park Police Department and is committed to helping his community, Police Officers, and fellow dispatchers.

In this episode we talked to Vanessa Frost-Piedrahita, the Fitness and Wellness Coordinator for the Pflugerville Fire Department. Vanessa came to Pflugerville from a Division 1 Strength Coaching position and has built a program that is dynamic and holistic. She has an uncanny ability to make the complex simple and to connect with people. If you want to connect with Vanessa directly here is her info: vfrost@pflugervillefire.org Instagram @vmfrost Connect with us through social media through Facebook @forgeresilience or follow us on Instagram: @forge_resilience Our webpage has downloads and more info: www.forge-resilience.com Thanks for all you do!

In this episode, we had the opportunity to talk with two engaging and insightful people, Dr. Vicent Pham, a doctor who specializes in chronic pain and works at the VA hospital in Austin, Texas and his girlfriend, Rachel Roselli, who is a professional graphics designer and Star Wars expert! They are passionate about rock climbing, traveling, and helping people live a healthier life. You can follow Dr. Pham on Instagram @vincentqpham and Rachel @jediknightrac .Rachel also is a frequent guest on the GeekSpeak podcast and hosts her own podcast, Ashla Analysis. We hope you found this podcast useful. Please let us know what you think! You can follow us on Facebook @ FORGE Resilience. Chris is on Instagram @cjpanama and Lacy is @lacywolff979 or email us at lacy.a.wolff@gmail.com or chriswolff399@gmail.com Thanks for listening and for all you do to make the world a better, safer place to live! Chris & Lacy

In this podcast we discuss how shame can affect you and your relationships without you even knowing it. Being able to identify the things that trigger shame in you and your loved one can help build a strong and stable relationship. For more on this topic please watch Brene Brown's TED Talk on this topic: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame/transcript?language=en Also, here's a link to a great article on the difference between shame and guilt: https://brenebrown.com/blog/2013/01/14/shame-v-guilt/ To contact us directly go to www.forge-resilience.com or find us @FORGE Resilience on Facebook.

I had the great honor of co-facilitating a resilience course with these two incredible people in Rapid City, South Dakota. Joe Maranowicz and Tony Barthuly are both inspiring, honest, and committed to improving the lives of police officers through resilience training. Joe Maranowicz is a Deputy Chief with Addison Police Department, a suburb of Chicago, and has been serving within his department since January 2000. Deputy Chief Maranowicz is a graduate of the Northwestern Public Safety Program for Police Staff and Command, as well as a graduate of the FBI National Academy, 257th Session. Tony Barthuly served the Fond du Lac City Police Department for over 32 years. He worked his way up through the ranks, serving as the Chief of Police prior to his retirement in 2011. Tony was hired as the Director of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Training and Standards Bureau in September of 2011. He was appointed to the Administrator of Law Enforcement services of the Wisconsin DOJ on April 30 2017 and retired in 2019. In the podcast Tony and Joe explain why they think resilience training is important and give some strategies for how to incorporate it into your own departments and agencies. For more information on the training that we do through the FBINAA go to the FBINAA Officer Resilience page: https://www.fbinaa.org/FBINAA/Events/Officer_Resiliency__Safety___Wellness__/FBINAA/OSW/Officer_Safety___Wellness.aspx?hkey=a4d49511-a24a-4e48-80cf-e12ad273a383 For more information on Forge Resilience, downloadable content, etc. go to our webpage: www.forge-resilience.com

In this brief episode we are talking with our family about technology and communication.

In this podcast we sat down with Steve Cummings and his fiance, Gina Shiotani. Steve talks about his experience in the 173rd Airborne Infantry including his deployment to Afghanistan. He will also discuss the resilience strategies he found to be most effective post combat and in life.

Chief Master Sergeant John "JC" Chacon, and his wife Brandi, join the show to talk about how he integrates resilience in his life and Air Force career. In this episode we discuss how JC has used resilience skills to get him through his challenges post deployment and also the work he has done to promote wellness for first responders across the country. JC is the sheepdog's sheepdog!

This week we sat down with Travis Cox, a veteran turned strength and conditioning coach for the San Antonio Spurs, turned business executive. Travis got real with us as they discussed how mentors, connections to the veteran community, his faith, and his work with non profit organizations has helped him to thrive. He served 8 years in the Reconnaissance community. If you are unfamiliar with what that means, which is an elite special operations unity within the marine corps. He served one deployment in Iraq as a point man & designated marksman in a Force Recon Direct Action team. He finished his time in the Marine Corps as the Chief Scout and headed up all sniper training within his recon unit. After returning from military service, like so many veterans Travis struggled to find a direction and found himself moving down a dark path with substance abuse. In the podcast he talks about his struggles with substance abuse and how he found his way back to health and happiness through recovery.

In this episode we discuss one of the strategies that we credit for our happy marriage for the past 15 years, the 5 Love Languages.

In part 2, Greg Stevens discusses how he dealt with 40 years of being a patrol officer, addressing trauma, and the importance of having a strong support network.

In this podcast we talk with Greg Stevens, retired police officer and Medal of Valor recipient from Garland, Texas. He tells the story of the events that occurred on March 3rd, 2015 when he prevented two terrorists from entering the Culwell Center in Garland, He talks about the importance of training and how it can help when the moment chooses you.

This podcast features Mark Powers, Ph.D., the Chief of Trauma Research at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He researches PTSD and Resilience and boils it down to solid nuggets of information that everyone can use in daily life.