The Get Balanced Podcast, with Dr. Donnie Hutchinson

In this episode, join us as Police Chief Chad DePew, co-founder of Heroic Deeds and the Responders in Faith Conference, shares his inspiring journey of integrating faith with his professional life. Chief DePew will discuss the pivotal role his faith in Jesus has played throughout his career and preview the upcoming Responders in Faith Conference, scheduled for May 7-8, 2025, ... Read More

If you're looking to hear some impactful stories of a Servant & Holistic Leader in the fire service, then Chief Scott Stanton's story will not let you down. You'll learn about his active career in Oregon and as a federal firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service. Chief Stanton is a lifelong learner and instills this trait into the members of ... Read More

We are kicking off season 4 with an incredibly helpful podcast from Chief John Schmidt of Pasco County, who also serves on the board of the IAFC SHS section. John discusses the importance of being mindful that our firefighters are also husbands, wives, brothers, and sisters.  He talks about being intentional with his health and the health of the firefighters ... Read More

In Episode 153, Chief Todd LeDuc (Ret) and I have a discussion with East Hartford, CT IAFF Local 1548 Presiden Brian Gunnoud.  We discuss union leadership, the IAFF Health Trust, Behavioral Health, Life Scan physicals, and much more …

In Episode 152, Chief Todd LeDuc (Ret) and I have a discussion with Chief DeSmith about his career journey including his health and safety officer experience at Renton Regional Fire Authority, his recent experience at FDSOA, and the current health and wellness trends within the fire service.

In Episode 151, Chief Todd LeDuc (Ret) and I discuss Robbi King's career journey, Vector Solutions' learning management system, occupational health, behavioral wellness, and much more.  For more information on Vector Solutions, please visit Vector Solutions.

In Ep. 50, we speak with Dr. Reyna about her personal experience and research on Traumatic Brain Injury. Her husband, Humberto was in a horrific auto accident while on duty as a North Carolina State Trooper.  The accident resulted in 24/365 care.  Listen as she shares her experience as a caretaker and researcher on TBI. If you would like to ... Read More

In Ep 149, Chief Todd LeDuc (Ret) discusses with Dr. Donnie the megatrends in the fire service.  Listen and discover the latest challenges and how the fire service is coming together to discover solutions and support each other.

In episode 148, Chief Todd LeDuc (Ret) and Dr. Donnie discuss with Firefighter Kory Pearn (KP) his journey in creating Crackyl Magazine.  Crackyl is the first magazine dedicated to the health and wellness of firefighters.  For more information and to subscribe, please visit www.crakylmag.com 

In Ep. 147, Chief Todd LeDuc (Ret) delivers a high-level overview of the upcoming Fire Department Safety Officers Association annual Health and Safety Conference.  It will be held at the Tradewinds Island Grand in St. Pete's Beach, Florida from January 15 – 18, 2023.  The conference brings together the most informative firefighter researchers, speakers, and trainers from America.  For more ... Read More

In Ep. 146, we chat with Center for Public Safety Excellence CEO Preet Bassi about her career journey, CPSE programs, health and wellness, mentorship, and much more…..

In Ep 145, Chief Todd LeDuc (Ret) talks in detail about AFG Grant Applications provided by FEMA.  Todd takes a deep dive into the do's and don'ts of writing grant applications.  He also reviews FAQs and does an end-to-end walkthrough of the process.  This is an outstanding educational episode where FREE money is involved.  For more info, please visit www.fema.gov/grants ... Read More

In Ep. 144, I'm talking about breaking work-life balance into three categories.  I discuss the importance of taking Action, being Bullish, and staying Committed to your priorities in life.  Listen as I share some insight on how to balance all the areas in your life through an ABC approach.   Need some additional help?  Please check out my online courses that ... Read More

In Ep. 143, I'm giving you a pep talk on attaining a greater work-life balance.  I discuss the importance of mastering the basics.  Listen as I share some insight on how to balance all the areas in your life.   Need some additional help?  Please check out my online courses that will help you keep your priorities front and center while ... Read More

In Ep. 142, I'm talking about why balancing all the roles we play in life matters. I discuss the practice of work-life balance and how balance ebbs and flows.  Listen as I share some insight on how to remember to balance all the areas in your life.   Need some additional help?  Please check out my online courses that will help ... Read More

In Ep. 141, we are talking with Dr. Brittany Hollerbach, Deputy Director, Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, NRDI-USA.  We discuss Dr. Hollerbach's work on women firefighter health issues, her fire service and academic research journey, Covid, and her research focus on firefighter health & wellness.

In Ep. 140, I'm talking with my oldest daughter, Rachel Hutchinson.  We discuss the challenges (and benefits) of working remotely.  Listen as she shares some insight on how challenging it can be to work remotely regarding one's self-care and work-life balance.  Need some additional help?  Please check out my online courses that will help you keep your priorities front and ... Read More

In Episode 139, we talk with Baltimore County, MD Fire Chief Joanne Rund regarding her career path at Howard County. We then shift to her leading the Baltimore County, MD Fire Dept.  Our discussion points include concerns such as women in the fire service, health and wellness, IAFC Safety, Health & Survival Section, behavioral wellness, and much more.

In Ep. 138, I'm talking about keeping it simple.  We don't need to overcomplicate our lives.  There is a power in simplicity.  The easier it is to do, the more likely you will do it.  Listen as I share some insight on how self-care is foundational to work-life balance and effective relationships at home.  Need some additional help?  Please check ... Read More

In Ep. 137, I'm talking about how food, water, and shelter are the basics of preparing for a hurricane.  This is similar to how self-care is foundational to work-life balance.  Need some additional help?  Please check out my online courses that will help you keep your priorities front and center while you develop a work-life balance implementation plan.  Online Courses

In Ep. 136, I'm talking about scoring more touchdowns in life for and with your family.  You and your spouse are essentially the quarterbacks of your family team.  Teaching and coaching your children through the ups and downs and how to score more wins in life is the highlight of this podcast.  Listen as I share how to successfully get ... Read More

Don't miss this one!  We discuss Chief Goldfeder's four-decade fire service journey, the Secret List and Firefighter Close Calls, his Pass It On book series, recent cancer diagnoses, and his 40+ Fire Campaign sponsored by Life Scan Wellness Centers to raise awareness of the importance of early detection.

In Ep. 134, I share how my work-life balance ebbs and flows.  There are times when we simply run out of time or just have too many competing priorities.  Listen as I share how to successfully get through these times by listening to the early warning signs.  Need some additional help?  Please check out my online courses that will help ... Read More

In episode 133, we discuss Chief Donna Black's career journey from bed and breakfast to the chief of department for the beachside Town of Duck, NC. We also discuss her vision for her term in 2022-2023 as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and much more….

In Ep. 132, my college kids, Gabriella and Hannah are in the guest seats.   I'm blessed to have them in my life and on the podcast to share their perspectives on how parents can support and guide their college students back to school.    Need some additional help?  Please check out my online courses that will help you keep your ... Read More

In Ep 131 of the Life Scan Learning Lab edition, we discuss Chief Rhodes recently retired as chief of dept of the Nashua, NH Fire Dept and the IAFC North East Division Director. We discuss his career, behavioral wellness, Life Scan early detection, and much more.

In Ep. 130, “I'm talking about preparing, guiding and leading your children back to school”.  Whether your children are in elementary, middle, or high school, setting them up for success is a vital part of parenting.  And I believe their success begins with you.  Listen as I discuss the reflect, reset, and rebalance model as a tool on how to ... Read More

In episode 129, Chief Gary Krichbaum (Ret) discusses his fire service career with Prince Georges County, MD Fire Department, his work now at the First Responder Center for Excellence, and a pearl of leadership wisdom!

In Ep. 128, “I'm talking about living your life with enthusiasm to help fulfill your work-life balance”.  Are you waking up in the morning with a smile, happy, and grateful thoughts that fuel your high energy, or are you waking up worrying about the stresses of the day? Our morning habits and routines can make or break our productivity for ... Read More

In Ep. 127, “I'm talking about creating a vision for your work-life balance”.  How do you want things to be in your life with your family relationships, and your physical, mental, social, and spiritual health?   If you can picture it, think it, and speak it, you are creating your vision.  Our physical lives follow our most dominant thoughts.   Listen as ... Read More

In Ep. 126, I'm talking about “How Work-Life Balance is a Strategic Path to Family Success and Fulfillment.  Two of the top universal priorities in life are one's health and family.  Therefore, balancing the demands of work with health and family responsibilities is paramount to success.  Listen as I share evidence-based research on how to take the first step in ... Read More