Podcasts about EMT

A motorcycle rider goes down in a serious, almost puzzling crash—and from the moment EMS arrives, the signs of internal bleeding are there. The problem? What happens next (and what doesn't) sparks a deep dive worth having.In this episode, we break down how bleeding is identified in trauma patients, where providers sometimes hesitate or miss opportunities, and how those decisions impact outcomes. We dig into hemorrhage control fundamentals like direct pressure and hemostatic agents, then go deep on TXA—when it helps, when it doesn't, and what the future of blood products could look like in ground EMS.If trauma care, bleeding control, and honest call review discussions are your thing, this episode is one you don't want to miss. Get CE credit here: https://medicmaterialscmeacademy.thinkific.com/Podcast Links: LISTEN on your FAVORITE platform, just choose your LINK...https://linktr.ee/MedicMaterialsPodcast Do you have a great call you want us to review on a future episode? Email it to us: info.medicmaterials@gmail.com Grab some SWAG: https://medic-materials-llc.square.site/Send the show an email: info.medicmaterials@gmail.com Visit our Website: https://www.Medic-Materials.com/ See ALL our Links on our LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/MedicMaterials Want your own custom wooden American Flag? Contact US Military Veteran Jared for more information. Instagram @Ledslinger85 DISCLAIMER: This audio is for Demonstration purposes only. The information provided in this audio is no replacement for proper EMT/Paramedic training, education and or practice. The skills, techniques, ideas and theories offered in this audio represent the individual participants featured in this audio and are not intended to showcase the only method of performing these skills. Please continue to consult with your local EMS system, Agency Standard Operating Procedures/Medical Director, Your Local and State Protocols and your EMS educator for clarification and further proper EMT/Paramedic training.

Send us a textIf you're the one everyone turns to, you might be carrying more than you realize. We sit down with psychotherapist and mental wellness consultant Leah Marone to unpack the “serial fixer” habit—why it thrives in first responder culture and how it quietly fuels burnout, resentment, and frayed relationships. Leah works extensively with police, fire, EMS, and dispatch, and she brings sharp, compassionate insights you can use today without adding hours to your schedule.We break down the real difference between therapy and consulting, then rebuild the foundation of wellness with small, sustainable practices: bookending your mornings and nights, using micro resets during daily transitions, and reclaiming self-care as single-task presence instead of numbing or multitasking. Leah introduces a practical rule that changes conversations fast—support, don't solve—along with validation skills that help teammates, partners, and kids think more clearly and take ownership. You'll hear how the fixer impulse can become “compassion as control,” why quick advice often backfires, and how to replace that urge with grounded presence.Expect concrete tools and memorable metaphors. The internal “balloon” lets you notice pressure before it pops, and that shaken “soda bottle” reminds you to release slowly, not explode. We also cover sleep hygiene as the no‑nonsense cornerstone of recovery, data collection to challenge “dark cloud” thinking, and first responder-ready ways to downshift from high gear without losing your edge. If you want stronger boundaries, steadier energy, and deeper connection, this conversation will help you change your default settings.To reach Leah, here is the link to her work: https://linktr.ee/leahmaronelcswIf this resonates, tap follow, share it with a teammate who needs lighter armor, and leave a quick review so more first responders can find these tools. Your support helps this community stay sharp, safe, and human.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

Home inspection is one of the most popular second careers and side businesses for first responders, and for good reason. In this episode of The Ride Along Home Inspection Podcast, we talk with a working firefighter and home inspector about why firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders often excel as home inspectors. We break down how skills from emergency response—risk assessment, situational awareness, building knowledge, and communication under pressure—translate directly into better home inspections. We also discuss how inspection experience can make first responders safer and more effective in their primary careers. Whether you're a firefighter, EMT, or police officer exploring home inspection as a second career, or a homebuyer curious why inspectors with first-responder backgrounds bring extra value, this episode explains the crossover skills, challenges, and real-world benefits from both sides of the job. Chapters:  00:00 Home Inspection Basics: What Inspectors Look for and Why It Matters 05:33 Firefighters as Home Inspectors: Why First Responders Excel in Inspections 11:13 Home Inspection Safety: Identifying Fire, Electrical, and Life-Safety Risks 16:45 How Home Inspectors Explain Safety Hazards to Homebuyers 22:25 Real Fire Hazards Found During Home Inspections (Real-World Examples) 27:50 Home Inspection Takeaways for Buyers, Inspectors, and First Responders The Links: Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://pages.theridealong.show/newsletter  Leave us a VOICEMAIL here: http://theridealong.show  Key Points: - Why home inspection works as a second career - Skills firefighters bring to inspections - Inspection training vs fire training - Advice for first responders getting started - How Ryan Miller integrates his firefighting experience into home inspections - Effective communication is key in delivering inspection findings - Home inspectors should educate clients about real hazards - Fire safety knowledge enhances home inspection practices - Understanding structural integrity is crucial for both firefighters and inspectors - Home inspections can reveal hidden dangers in properties - The importance of addressing common fire hazards like dryer vents - Inspectors should balance honesty with sensitivity to clients' concerns. - Real estate agents and buyers must understand the implications of inspection reports - The role of the home inspector is to inform, not to kill deals.    

Philip Goldsmith, PT, MSPT, EMT, DScPT, is the President of APTA Home Health and a clinical expert in home health care. He joins Jimmy LIVE from APTA Private Practice's Graham Sessions for a candid conversation on:Why physical therapists aren't practicing at the top of their licenseHow home health is leading innovation in PTThe psychology of “permission-seeking” in our professionA revolutionary CEU opportunity — on a cruise shipWhat Graham Sessions is (and isn't) talking about yetThe legacy PTs can leave when they own their full scope???? Learn more about “ACHH at Sea” → https://aptahomehealth.org

A 19-year-old was given a scholarship to become an EMT after helping an elderly couple after a car crash. STORY: https://www.wdjx.com/texas-roadhouse-roadside-hero-gets-emt-scholarship/

Helen Hynson Vettori (https://www.helenhynsonvettori.com/) is a former EMT/paramedic and retired senior medical intelligence analyst at the Department of Homeland Security. We have her on the show to share her insights and the two sci-fi thriller novels she wrote based on her experiences. Helen channeled her real-world emergency response and pandemic-planning experience into her sci-fi disaster thriller series, beginning with Black Swan Impact and followed by Black Swan Shock. A “Black Swan” event is a term used to describe a catastrophic incident that no one could have foreseen or imagined because of its unprecedented impact. Helen didn't imagine crisis from the outside, rather she spent years preparing for biological threats, including pandemics, and then watched COVID unfold in real time. That insider perspective and her frustration with confusing messaging and federal missteps became the fuel for fiction that feels uncomfortably plausible. Dr. Joe Holley from Paragon Medical Education Group joined the podcast as well as our disaster emergency management expert Becky DePodwin and our disaster weather expert Dan DePodwin. The episode is co-hosted by Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis. Scroll down for Podcast Discussion Summary Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well. Podcast Discussion Summary Winter Storm Impact and Preparations The meeting focused on a major winter storm expected to impact large parts of the United States, with Dan providing detailed forecasts of snow, ice, and travel disruptions across multiple regions. The group discussed the storm’s potential effects on various cities, including Oklahoma City, Atlanta, and the Northeast, emphasizing the danger of ice accumulation and power outages. They also advised listeners to consider rescheduling flights and prepare for travel disruptions, particularly in the affected areas. The conversation ended with an introduction to their guest, Helen Hinson Vittori, a former EMT and intelligence analyst at the Department of Homeland Security, who will discuss her experiences during the pandemic. Emergency Response Expert’s Pandemic Novel Helen shared her extensive background in emergency response, including her work as a paramedic, her role in biothreat planning at DHS, and her experience creating pandemic response plans. She retired in 2018 but became concerned about the government’s response to COVID-19 in 2020, which led her to write a sci-fi political thriller novel called “Black Swan Impact” that explores a catastrophic pathogen event in the year 2113. The novel served as a cathartic way for her to process the chaotic response to the pandemic she had witnessed firsthand. Emergency Preparedness Through Personal Writing Helen shared her experience as an emergency manager and author, discussing how writing provided her with both peace and a mission to educate others about emergency preparedness. She emphasized that individual preparedness is crucial for both personal and community-level disasters, and highlighted a book club question in her second book, “Black Swan Shock,” that encourages readers to assess their own emergency preparedness. Federal Pandemic Planning and Leadership Helen shared her experience working on federal pandemic plans and witnessing their partial abandonment during the actual crisis, expressing disappointment in leadership’s failure to communicate effectively and adhere to established protocols. The discussion explored how better preparation and public education could improve future responses to pandemics and other disasters, with Helen emphasizing the importance of all-hazard planning that starts at the individual level. The group agreed to have Helen return for another podcast episode, and several connections were made between participants for future discussions. Wrap up and updates The team went through contact information and Joe shared that Paragon is working on a new cadaveric-based simulator for pericardial tamponade training. The team encouraged listeners to stay safe and check out Helen’s books. The group discussed the role of specialized training, with Jamie highlighting the sponsorship of the Disaster Podcast by Paragon Medical Education Group. Catch the full episode using the player above or on your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to subscribe to the Disaster Podcast for weekly insights from leaders in disaster response and research!

This week: Gates surprises Joshua with a day trip to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game, Neela returns to work and makes a cool save, the ER staff are all getting free spa treatments from a grateful patient's mom, Pratt treats a former NFL player with a bad hip, Chaz is getting hazed by his new EMT partner, Morris scares a small child, a new desk clerk joins the staff, and Abby's downfall truly begins after Joe is brought to the ER with a head injury.

In this episode of EMS One-Stop, Sophie Fuller — better known across social media as Paramedic Sophie — joins host Rob Lawrence for a candid, energizing conversation about what it really feels like to work in EMS right now: pride, the pressure, the burnout, and the culture issues that too many providers have been taught to silently absorb. Sophie is a critical care ground paramedic, flight paramedic, educator and president of the Tennessee Association of EMS Providers (TAEMSP), and she brings a provider-first lens to everything from leadership visibility, to mental health and pay equity. Together, Rob and Sophie dig into why Sophie started creating content in the first place (hint: burnout and the need to connect), how social media can be used as a force for good, and what “healthy” EMS culture should look like in practice. Sophie shares practical advice for crews and leaders alike: Be human Say the uncomfortable thing Stop normalizing harm Build systems that “care back” for the people doing the work Memorable quotes “We're just working in systems that haven't yet learned how to care back for the provider.” — Sophie Fuller “Management by walking about. Don't be stuck in the office. Don't say my door is always open because that relies on people coming in to see you. Get out and go and see them.” — Rob Lawrence “We love this job and that distracts us from the fact that it's also hurting us.” — Sophie Fuller “Just because it's normal doesn't mean it's healthy.” — Sophie Fuller “We confuse trauma with tradition.” — Sophie Fuller Additional resources: Follow Paramedic Sophie on: YouTube Tik Tok “The Next Shift : A mentorship workbook for EMTs and Paramedics” | E-Book, by Sophie Fuller “To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System” - PubMed Episode timeline 01:00 – Rob introduces Sophie Fuller (“Paramedic Sophie”) and frames the influencer vs. “effluencer” concept 02:14 – Sophie's origin story: graphic design → hospital tech → EMT → volunteer fire → paramedic → critical care → flight 06:16 – TAEMSP: why Tennessee needed a provider-level association and the shift toward legislative advocacy 08:05 – Why she started with social media: two full-time 911 jobs, low pay, burnout and the need for an outlet/connection 09:32 – Defining EMS burnout: the “jar on the shelf” and cumulative strain that becomes chronic fatigue 13:26 – Sophie's guidance to providers: vulnerability, telling the truth and not letting naysayers silence needed conversations 16:00 – Sophie's message to leadership: don't be the “Wizard of Oz” — show up, communicate and stay connected to crews 20:26 – EMS culture: self-sacrifice, silence, “earning your place through suffering,” and confusing trauma with tradition 23:10 – Sophie's book “The Next Shift”: a field guide to “learn, lead and last” in EMS 26:03 – Mistakes and “just culture”: reporting, mentoring, anonymous reporting systems, and learning vs. blame 32:08 – Closing challenge: stop normalizing harm; speak up for culture and patient care 33:14 – Where to find Sophie online and how large her platform has become Enjoying the show? Email editor@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for a future episode. 

Send us a textThe toughest calls rarely end when the sirens go quiet. We sat down with Alaska-based counselor Morgan Yaskus to explore how real support for police, fire, EMS, dispatchers, and paramedics takes shape in small communities where everyone knows your truck, your shift, and your business. Morgan spent three years on a nonprofit-led mobile crisis team working alongside first responders through MOUs, navigating scenes that were neither strictly medical nor criminal. That proximity reshaped how debriefs happen, how trust is earned, and why cultural competence matters more than any script.We get honest about the barriers that keep first responders from care: parking outside a therapy office that sits between the firehouse and PD, the risk of being recognized by neighbors, and the thin bench of clinicians who truly “get it.” Morgan breaks down what helpful looks like—clear boundaries, discreet logistics, and a therapist who understands dark humor without pathologizing it. We challenge voyeuristic “worst call” questions and focus instead on regulation, meaning-making, and peer-informed support that fits the tempo of the job.Beyond the room, access and policy loom large. Telehealth opened doors, but interstate licensure compacts and reimbursement rates remain sticking points in places with higher costs of living. We talk ethical realities in rural practice, the trade-offs when conflicts of interest are unavoidable, and the duty to serve when the alternative is no care at all. If you're a responder, a clinician, or a leader trying to build a healthier department, you'll leave with practical steps for debriefs, privacy, and finding culturally competent help.If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with your team, and join us for Part 2!To reach Morgan, go to www.bewildandrooted.comFreed.ai: We'll Do Your SOAP Notes!Freed AI converts conversations into SOAP note.Use code Steve50 for $50 off the 1st month!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

What happens when a nonprofit loses critical federal funding overnight? And how can we prepare for even greater funding shifts ahead?In this episode, we explore the changing landscape of charitable funding—what's happening now, what's coming with the 2026 federal budget, and how nonprofits can build resilience in the face of uncertainty.My guest is Kendall Webb, a pioneer in digital philanthropy and the Founder & Executive Director of Charity Bridge Fund—a new, nonpartisan platform that connects donors with nonprofits that have lost federal funding. With over 25 years of experience at the intersection of giving, technology, and impact, Kendall brings both a big-picture perspective and practical advice for today's nonprofit leaders.

Snowstorms slammed the Northeast and parts of the Midwest over the weekend, causing whiteout conditions for drivers. Rob Marciano has more. Prince Harry is back in a London court, along with a slew of other high-profile figures, fighting the publisher of the Daily Mail over invasion of privacy and illegal information gathering tactics. Ramy Inocencio has more. Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a board-certified dermatologist, joins "CBS Mornings" to share her tips for saving your dry winter skin. Billy Bob Thornton joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss the second season of the hit series "Landman," which he stars in as oil executive Tommy Norris. Thornton talks about his immediate chemistry with Ali Larter and why the show resonates with viewers. On this edition of "Beg-Knows America," David Begnaud shares the story of a young worker who saved a couple from a car wreck and is later surprised with a scholarship to become an EMT from the people he rescued. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A bluebird day, a backcountry mayday, and a helicopter that vanishes behind a ridge. That's where Valerie's story grips you—and it doesn't let go. Born and raised in Jackson, Wyoming to EMT parents, she spent a decade as a volunteer firefighter and EMT before moving behind the console as a 911 dispatcher. What she reveals from the headset is a masterclass in calm under pressure, interagency coordination, and the emotional gymnastics it takes to reset between tragedies. We walk through the real work of dispatch—shadowing, ride‑alongs, multi‑screen radios, and the muscle memory that frees up brainspace to hear what a caller isn't saying.To watch the full episode in studio, visit: https://youtu.be/StSMICo96aYValerie breaks down how she anticipates field needs, sends backup before it's requested, and uses tiny clues to paint a map others can't see. You'll hear the story of a child flickering a bedroom light to guide officers to a violent home, the mountain town chaos of holiday weekends and canyon wrecks, and why location is the first thing you should say when you dial 911. Then the helicopter crash: AFF goes silent, a witness says, “I think your helicopter just crashed,” and hours of searching yield no smoke, no debris, no coordinates. Valerie orchestrates ground teams, aircraft, and agencies while holding the mental picture together until a lone snowmobiler with a radio finds the wreck under trees. One rescuer dies, two survive, and a community grieves. She later voices the last call at the funeral—proof that dispatch carries the weight even when unseen. We also face the cost.Valerie describes the 3:15 a.m. calls that never leave, the cultural stigma around mental health, and the night she asked for help and got punished for it. She argues for better dispatcher training that builds anticipatory thinking and for support systems that don't brand vulnerability as weakness. Today she channels her skills into logistics—still dispatching, now without the mortal stakes. If you've ever wondered what happens between your panic and the moment help arrives, this conversation brings clarity, respect, and practical wisdom. Subscribe, share with a friend who works in public safety, and leave a review telling us what changed how you think about 911—and what you'll do differently the next time you call.

In Episode 318 of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with longtime EMS clinician, educator, and storyteller Mike Verkest to discuss clinical practice, quality improvement, Mobile Integrated Healthcare, and the role of storytelling in EMS.Mike is a career EMS clinician and educator with nearly 30 years of experience in prehospital medicine. He has been podcasting since 2015 and has hosted and produced The Second Shift, The EMS Show, and The EMS Lighthouse Project, using conversation and storytelling to explore the people, challenges, and future of EMS.With nearly 30 years in prehospital medicine, Mike shares lessons learned from the street, the classroom, and system-level leadership, along with why honest conversation and reflection matter in a task-driven profession.If you value thoughtful leadership and real conversations in EMS, Episode 318 is worth your time. Subscribe to Medic2Medic wherever you get your podcasts and share with a colleague.https://www.spreaker.com/episode/episdoe-318-mike-verkest--69490740Greg's path through EMS, flight medicine, leadership, and technologyThe experience of surviving sudden cardiac arrest as an EMS clinicianSeeing cardiac arrest care from the patient's perspective

In this episode of The Valley Today Community Health series, host Janet Michael talks with Dr. Kevin Volkema, a board-certified family medicine physician at Valley Health Primary Care Greenwood, about the critical importance of primary care. From Chicago Suburbs to the Shenandoah Valley Dr. Kevin Volkema's journey into medicine began with a simple nudge. Growing up in Wheaton, Illinois, just outside Chicago, he received encouragement from two unlikely sources during high school: his own primary care physician and his chemistry teacher. Both pulled the 16-year-old aside and suggested he consider a career in medicine. Initially, Dr. Volkema didn't think much of their advice. However, during his sophomore year at the University of Illinois, he decided to take a leap of faith. He earned his EMT license and began volunteering at a clinic for the uninsured. That experience changed everything. "I really, really enjoyed that year," Dr. Volkema recalls. "Most importantly, I enjoyed working at that clinic for the uninsured. That's really where the foundation grew of this appreciation for community health and community service and this grassroots effort of making change for individuals." Today, Dr. Volkema serves as a board-certified family medicine physician at Valley Health Primary Care Greenwood. He splits his time between patient care and his role as regional medical director, bringing both clinical expertise and administrative insight to the growing Winchester community. He moved to the area this past summer with his wife, a neonatologist at Valley Health, after completing a stint in Charlottesville where she finished her fellowship. The Power of One: Understanding Primary Care's Impact When most people think of healthcare, they envision dramatic scenes from television—emergency rooms, operating theaters, intensive care units. Yet Dr. Volkema emphasizes that this high-stakes, acute care represents only a fraction of actual healthcare delivery. "The reality is that's not the majority of health or the majority of healthcare," he explains. Primary care, by contrast, serves as the quarterback, the home base, the front door to the healthcare system. The statistics backing this claim are remarkable. According to a major study published in JAMA, just one primary care physician for every 10,000 people produces measurable effects: decreased mortality, reduced hospitalization rates, fewer emergency room visits, lower healthcare costs, and improved chronic disease management. "One person could affect 10,000 lives," Dr. Volkema emphasizes. "That's a pretty huge impact." More Than Just Availability: The Three A's of Primary Care Dr. Volkema shares wisdom from one of his mentors, who told him that patients care about three things when choosing a primary care physician: they want someone who is able, affable, and available. Fail on any of these three, and success becomes impossible. Increasingly, availability has become the biggest challenge. This explains why many people default to urgent care facilities—they're open when patients need them. Nevertheless, urgent care cannot replace the continuity and comprehensive oversight that primary care provides. Valley Health has recognized this critical need and made substantial investments in primary care infrastructure. The organization has built new clinics, including the Greenwood location where Dr. Volkema practices, remodeled existing facilities, and aggressively recruited physicians to serve the growing community. Building Relationships That Save Lives Primary care thrives on continuity. Dr. Volkema particularly enjoys seeing entire families—parents, grandparents, and children—because understanding family dynamics provides crucial context for individual health. "Who you live with, how you sleep, if you're stressed, if you are eating a healthy diet, if you exercise—those are gonna influence everything," he notes. "But if I don't even understand the basics about who you are as a person or how your life works, how am I supposed to help you with your chronic medical conditions?" This relationship-building extends beyond physical health. Surprisingly, primary care serves as the largest provider of mental health services in the United States. When people experience depression, anxiety, or grief, they typically turn to their primary care physician first—not because PCPs are psychiatrists, but because patients trust them. "We've built that relationship. We've put in the effort to develop that connection with them so that when things do arise, they feel comfortable talking with us," Dr. Volkema explains. The Four Horsemen: Preventing Chronic Disease Dr. Volkema frames chronic disease management around four pillars, sometimes called "the four horsemen": cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Much of primary care's preventive focus centers on delaying or preventing these conditions from developing. Through lifestyle modifications and mindful attention to habits, patients can potentially push back diagnoses by a decade or more. Instead of developing a chronic condition at 55, thoughtful prevention might delay onset until 65 or 75. Importantly, Dr. Volkema stresses that it's never too late to start. Impressive research demonstrates that individuals 65 and older who begin exercise and weightlifting routines show measurable improvements in bone density, muscle mass, metabolic health, and overall function. "There's never a time that's too late to start," he assures patients of all ages. "It can always make a difference." Bridging the Gap Between Generalist and Specialist Primary care physicians sometimes face skepticism about their breadth of knowledge compared to specialists' depth. Dr. Volkema acknowledges this reality while highlighting two significant advantages primary care physicians possess. First, there's that crucial continuity of care. A specialist may know everything about one body system, but they lack the benefit of a 3-, 5-, or 15-year relationship with the patient. They don't understand the full context of someone's life, medical history, and individual circumstances. Second, primary care physicians identify and fill gaps in care. When Dr. Volkema sees patients who have only followed with specialists, he consistently discovers concerning omissions: missed cancer screenings, unknown medication interactions, and unassessed common medical conditions. "It's keeping an eye on all these different facets of an individual's life and an individual's care to make sure that there's not only a hyper fixation on one type of problem or one concern, and that all the other factors are still being addressed as well," he explains. Practical Access: Getting Care When You Need It Valley Health Primary Care Greenwood currently employs five providers—three physicians, one physician assistant, and one nurse practitioner. Three additional physicians will join the practice in 2026, with one starting in May and two more in July. All providers are accepting new patients, dispelling the common misconception that no one is taking new patients in the area. Patients can research providers at valleyhealthlink.com/primarycare or valleyhealthlink.com/findadoctor. The practice offers same-day appointments for urgent needs, though it's not a walk-in urgent care facility. Patients must call to schedule, but the practice holds multiple same-day slots specifically for this purpose. Additionally, a physician assistant dedicates her entire schedule to same-day patients, providing crucial access for both established and new patients. The Greenwood location also features a full-service lab open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Any Valley Health patient can have blood drawn there, regardless of which Valley Health physician ordered the tests. This convenience factor has proven particularly valuable for patients who work in different areas than where they live. When to Seek Care: Earlier Is Better Dr. Volkema emphasizes the importance of seeking care early in an illness. Treatments for conditions like influenza work most effectively when started soon after symptom onset. Tamiflu, for example, provides maximum benefit when begun early in the disease course—the same principle that applies to COVID antivirals like Paxlovid. The practice offers same-day testing for strep throat, influenza, and COVID-19, with results available in 15 to 20 minutes. This rapid turnaround helps patients get appropriate treatment quickly, especially important during seasons when multiple viruses circulate simultaneously. For individuals with complex medical needs who require immediate primary care—perhaps after a hospitalization or recent move to the area—Valley Health operates a transition clinic on Amherst Street near the hospital. This clinic provides bridge care while patients establish with a long-term primary care physician. The Path Forward As Winchester's Greenwood area continues its explosive growth—transforming from farmland into a bustling commercial district—Valley Health's investment in primary care infrastructure positions the community for better health outcomes. Dr. Volkema's message remains clear and hopeful: primary care access exists in the Shenandoah Valley, providers are accepting new patients, and establishing that crucial relationship with a primary care physician represents one of the most impactful health decisions anyone can make. Whether you're managing chronic conditions, seeking preventive care, or simply need someone who knows your complete health story, the door to primary care stands open. The question isn't whether you can find a primary care physician—it's whether you'll take that first step toward better health. After all, as the research shows, one physician really can change 10,000 lives. Perhaps it's time to let them change yours.

Joanna Sokol, a seasoned EMT and paramedic, opens up in this revealing conversation on the EMS Improv podcast. Drawing from 13 years on the frontlines and a trove of personal journals, Joanna discusses the emotional turbulence embedded in EMS—from the constant flood of forgettable calls to the rare moments that “grab you by the throat.” She shares how writing her book, “A Real Emergency,” became a cathartic way to process the human stories often overshadowed by dramatic emergencies portrayed in media. Joanna candidly reflects on the physical and emotional toll EMS careers exact and the harsh reality many face when transitioning to new paths after years in the field. Her perspective on mentorship, resilience, and embracing the everyday reality of EMS work challenges common perceptions and offers raw, valuable insight for providers and those who rely on them alike.

Send us a textStrength without silence. That's the thread running through our conversation with Jeff Dill, a former battalion chief turned licensed counselor and the founder of the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance. Jeff has spent years validating firefighter and EMS suicide data, building workshops from real-world stories, and leading behavioral health efforts for Las Vegas Fire and Rescue. He brings hard-won clarity on what actually helps: simple language, daily habits, and policies that protect people when the job wears them thin.We break down the internal size up, a practical check-in that asks, “Why am I acting this way? Why am I feeling this way?” It helps catch irritability, isolation, and sleep loss before they morph into bigger risks. Jeff draws a vital line between PTSD and moral injury—showing how betrayal, guilt, and shame often sit beneath the surface while treatment chases fear and trauma. Forgiveness becomes a survival skill, not a pass for bad behavior, and we talk about how to practice it without forgetting or restoring unsafe trust.From there, we get tactical. Sleep debt, high call volumes, and 24-hour shifts push good people into impulsive decisions. Cultural brainwashing tells responders to be brave, strong, and self-reliant—until that story keeps them from getting help. We dig into the data, including surprising patterns among women in fire and EMS, and outline what a proactive program looks like: family education, annual mental health checkups, vetted clinicians outside insurance for privacy, real-time aftercare after tough calls, and telehealth to reach rural members. Leaders will hear budget-smart ways to protect training from the chopping block, and crews will gain language for checking on a partner without making it awkward.You can reach Jeff at the following websites:For the Firefighter Behavioral Alliance (FFBA), please go to: https://www.ffbha.org For the moral injury white paper, download it by clicking: https://www.ffbha.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Moral-Injury-White-Paper-2-9-23.pdf For the Firefighter Behavioral Alliance (FFBA) Facebook page, please go to https://www.facebook.com/FirefighterBehavioralHealthAllianceIf you're a firefighter, EMT, dispatcher, or cop—or you love someone who is—you'll walk away with tools you can use today and a clearer picture of how to build a healthier culture tomorrow. Subscribe, share this with your crew, and leave a review so others can find it. You're not alone.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

The team starts to discuss specifics of the expanded scope of practice. First up, the epinephrine auto-injector initiated by EMTs. EMTs are now able to give epinephrine via I.M. and broncho-dilators. Reconstituting Glucagon and administering it via IM is also part of the new EMT expanded scope of practice. Needle chest decompression and blood product administrations for advanced providers are also discussed.

Laurie, an EMT with nearly two decades of experience, joins me to talk about her journey from personal trainer to first responder — and how fitness, discipline, and honesty have shaped her career in EMS. From her earliest days on the ambulance to her current work teaching and promoting health in the field, Laurie opens up about trauma, coping, and the importance of staying both mentally and physically strong.She shares powerful reflections on loss, resilience, and the human side of emergency medicine, while offering insight into how small acts of self-care can make a lasting difference in the lives of providers.Podcast: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1vAokfqG5aifoRBKk9MAUh?si=T8DipSBCQzWfOeiBW3h-Vw⁠FB Page: https://m.facebook.com/groups/nineoneonenonsense/?ref=shareInstagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/911nonsense/⁠X: ⁠https://twitter.com/911Nonsense⁠Bonfire Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/nine-one-one-nonsense/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=store_page_share&utm_campaign=nine-one-one-nonsense&utm_content=defaultContent Warning: This episode contains discussions about death, including graphic and potentially triggering details. Listener discretion is advised. The episode also covers sensitive topics and may not be suitable for all audiences. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues, please seek help immediately. You can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 from anywhere in the U.S. #911nonsense #ParamedicLife #FirstResponderStories #EMSFamily #EmergencyCalls #SavingLives #BehindTheSiren #FirstResponderLife #911nonsense #ParamedicPodcast #PodcastLaunch #PodcastLife #PodcastCommunity #TrueStoryPodcast #NewPodcastAlert #PodcastAddict #PodcastEpisode #PodcastPromotion #PodcastHost #PodcastRecommendations #RealLifeHeroes #EmergencyServices #TrueStories #BehindTheScenes #LifeOnTheLine #AdrenalineRush #HumanStories #OnTheJob #EverydayHeroes #TrueLife

Send us a textIn part 2 with Alexa Silva, we discuss how love doesn't clock out when the tones drop. We sat down to unpack what really happens when a first responder's world of shift work, hypervigilance, and on-call stress collides with the everyday demands of family life—and why even strong couples can drift into silence, scorekeeping, and resentment without clear structure and care.Across a candid, fast-moving conversation, we dig into how intimacy has to evolve over time, especially when schedules are brutal and sleep is scarce. We talk about the danger of tallying sex and affection, the quiet slide into emotional affairs powered by loneliness and praise, and the small, steady actions that rebuild safety: consistent compliments, micro-moments of touch, and explicit “ask for what you need” scripts. You'll hear practical frameworks for decompression after shifts, deciding whether you want listening or solutions, and using shared calendars to lower friction when overtime or call-outs derail plans.We also get honest about money, overtime, and the resentment loop that forms when one partner feels like both parents while the other chases a bigger paycheck. There's a path out: monthly “state of us” check-ins, clear rules for spending, and tradeoffs made in daylight instead of assumptions made in anger. We cover role clarity—your spouse can be your partner, not your therapist—plus the kind of self-care that actually restores a nervous system hammered by trauma exposure. Whether you're a cop, firefighter, medic, dispatcher, or the person holding down the fort at home, these tools meet the reality of your life.If you're ready to replace mind reading with honest asks and turn resentment into repair, hit play. Then tell us what changed after you tried one tool. Subscribe, share with your crew, and leave a review to help more first responder families find the support they deserve.To reach Alexa, here is the link: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/alexa-silva-chelmsford-ma/1140390Freed.ai: We'll Do Your SOAP Notes!Freed AI converts conversations into SOAP note.Use code Steve50 for $50 off the 1st month!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

Today's West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy Podcast for our especially special Daily Special, Metro Shrimp & Grits Thursdays is now available on the Spreaker Player!Starting off in the Bistro Cafe, Trump is losing it as mass protests are forming after his ICE Gestapo murdered Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota.Then, on the rest of the menu, Oregon's attorney general sued three insulin manufacturers and the nation's largest pharmacy benefit managers alleging they colluded together to inflate the price of insulin; while ICE goons prevented EMT's from attending to Renee Good, Bovino's brownshirts invaded a nearby high school, tackling people, handcuffed two staff members and released chemical weapons on bystanders, city schools are now closed indefinitely; and, Mike Pence sounded off against the White House's new "offensive, revisionist history" display mocking Capitol police officers who responded to the insurrection on January 6, 2021.After the break, we move to the Chef's Table where clashes between a Saudi/US-backed gold mining company leaves four dead in Afghanistan; and, Trump is withdrawing the United States from sixty-six international organizations and treaties, most notably everything connected with climate change, democracy and the rule of law.All that and more, on West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy with Chef de Cuisine Justice Putnam.Bon Appétit!The Netroots Radio Live Player​Keep Your Resistance Radio Beaming 24/7/365!“Everyone in this good city enjoys the full right to pursue their own inclinations in all reasonable and, unreasonable ways.” -- The Daily Picayune, New Orleans, March 5, 1851Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/west-coast-cookbook-speakeasy--2802999/support.

Send us a textThe badge asks for everything, then hands you a shift change and a smile. We sat down with returning guest,  licensed clinical social worker Alexis Silva, to dig into the quiet realities behind the uniform: why trust is scarce, why stigma is sticky, and how substance use becomes a steady companion long before it becomes a crisis. Alexis works almost exclusively with first responders, military, and veterans, and brings her own sobriety and family experience to the table. That honesty opens a door many are afraid to touch—because careers are on the line, documentation feels risky, and walking into a room where you don't have to translate the language of the job can be the difference between shutting down and speaking up.We break apart common myths: not every struggle is trauma from the job; for many, it starts with childhood adversity, genetics, and family patterns. Alcohol, THC, and benzos promise relief and steal sleep, fueling irritability, poor decisions, and conflict at home. We unpack the tipping point where use shifts from choice to maintenance—when your body drives the next drink—and why matching care to risk matters. Sometimes inpatient comes first, then outpatient therapy and groups, so progress isn't crushed by daily stress. We also go beyond substances to behavioral addictions like gambling, tracing how the chase hooks into the same adrenaline circuits that make first responders so good under pressure.Across the hour, we map practical steps you can use today: how to assess risk without shame, how to reset routines every few career years, what honest partner check-ins sound like, and how peer support and culturally competent clinicians reduce fear of being “the problem” at the station. If you've wondered whether your coping is helping or hiding, this conversation offers a clear path forward—grounded, direct, and built for people who don't have time for fluff.If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review to help other first responders find it. Your story isn't a liability—it's a starting point.If you want to reach Alexa, please go to https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/alexa-silva-chelmsford-ma/1140390Freed.ai: We'll Do Your SOAP Notes!Freed AI converts conversations into SOAP note.Use code Steve50 for $50 off the 1st month!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

A new poll conducted in Michigan by the Glengariff Group,commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber, reveals that 76% of registeredvoters in the state report they are paying more for groceries this yearcompared to last. Additionally, 68% are facing higher utility bills, and 60%are experiencing increased costs for car and home insurance. Inflation remainsa key concern for voters, with 42.8% believing the state's economy is headed inthe wrong direction. The most commonly cited reasons for this sentiment includeinflation and rising costs of goods, the lack of good jobs or highunemployment, and low wages. Meanwhile, recent polls from The MarketingResource Group indicate that approximately 37% of Michiganders feel thatAmerica is on the right track, while the majority think it is not. This is whyRachel Howard is running for U.S. Senate: to make Michigan voices matter. I'm Rachel Howard, and I am not a typical politician. I am acombat veteran with 14 years of service in our country, as well as a healthcareleader who has dedicated my career to helping others. I understand the realchallenges facing Michigan families and the urgent need for change on theirbehalf. As one of only 500 women ever to receive the Purple Heart, Ihave served in Iraq and Afghanistan, worked as an EMT in metro Detroit, and ledgroundbreaking research at the Department of Veterans Affairs.  The COVID-19 pandemic forced me to confront the sameimpossible choices many Michigan families face, such as juggling careerresponsibilities with childcare when options became unavailable. Thisexperience opened my eyes to the daily challenges families navigate. My service is not finished. I am running for U.S. Senatebecause Michigan needs a fresh perspective to drive progress. For more information, visit:https://www.rachelforussenate.org/

FOREVER Digital Storage - Their mission is to be the complete, permanent, and safe place where millions of families save and enjoy their memories for generations. Please support this sponsor of the podcast.Episode Summary:Today's guest is Lt. Helton Pereira — born in Rio de Janeiro, immigrant at 15, pre-med student turned EMT, firefighter, paramedic, and now Lieutenant in the U.S. Fire Service. He joins us to share how one fire extinguisher instructor changed his life, why firefighters lose love for the job, and why putting life in the right order — Faith, Family, Fitness, Firefighting — is the only way to survive the weight of the fire service and still love it.What We Cover– Immigration and identity– Becoming an EMT and entering fire service by accident– Trauma, loss, and nearly burning out– Protecting marriage and kids while serving a demanding career– Creating a movement and writing a book– Why mentorship matters more than gear or tacticsLinks– The First Things First – Book & Resources: www.TheFirstThingsFirst.com Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we talk about: a burp in the bedroom that caused ripples, a guy who found out some unsavory information about a friend, an EMT who was unable to brake HIPPA, a listener who told their boss they loved them, a redditer who microwaved some batteries and doesn't want to admit to it, and a guy who can't move past his high school girlfriend that is causing issues for his family. Erika also gives us a full update on the Sims Saga and BOY DO WE WANT MORE! This episode is brought to you by: Rocket Money! Go to RocketMoney.com/Judgies to help reach your financial goals faster! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Judgies Merch is Available HERE!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want fun, cool stickers and MORE? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.aurorascreaturecorner.store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Palestine Children's Relief Fund⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Donation Link Edited by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@currentlyblinking⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/currentlyblink⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tiktok.com/@currently.blinking⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Patreon is officially open, if you want to see extra content go check it out!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/JudgiesPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Send us mail! (Addressed However You'd Like)  P.O. Box 58 Ottawa, IL 61350  Leave a Review!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-judgies/id1519741238⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow us on Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/judgiespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/judgiespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Intro Music by: Iván  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/5gB2VvyqfnOlNv37PHKRNJ?si=f6TIYrLITkG2NZXGLm_Y-Q&dl_branch=1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro 6:40 He Burped On My... 13:16 Friend Sleeping With Sis 22:27 Not Telling Friend About STD 36:43 Break 37:57 CJ: Sims Drama Part 2 1:03:47 LS Sound 1:05:54 LS Story 1:13:42 Microwaved Batteries 1:19:52 Helping Son Move On 1:28:07 Outro Story Links: He burped on my...One of my friends is sleeping with his sister and I know about it AITAH For telling my {25F} friends {24M} boyfriend about... DELETED I've been fake investigating a mysterious smell in my apartment for months just to avoid admitting I microwaved some batteries How can my husband 61M and I 60F help our son 32M move past his high school girlfriend? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join "Mind Over Murder" co-hosts Bill Thomas and Kristin Dilley as they discuss the new book "The Worst Day: A Plane Crash, A Train Wreck, and Remarkable Acts of Heroism in Washington, DC" with author Bruce Goldfarb.  It tells the true story of the disaster of Air Florida Flight 90, which crashed into the Potomac River just after takeoff from Washington DC's National Airport in a blizzard. At the same time, a DC Metro train derailed, resulting in multiple deaths-- a tremendous challenge for first responders from throughout the region.Goodreads: The Worst Day: A Plane Crash, A Train Wreck, and Remarkable Acts of Heroism in Washington, DChttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228645067-the-worst-dayAmerican Detective TV series: Colonial Parkway Murders:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp3rNRZnL0EWashingtonian: A Murder on the Rappahannock River:https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/06/27/murder-on-the-rappahannock-river-emerson-stevens-mary-harding-innocence-project/WTKR News 3: One year after development in Colonial Parkway Murders, where do things stand?https://www.wtkr.com/news/in-the-community/historic-triangle/one-year-after-development-in-colonial-parkway-murders-where-do-things-standWon't you help the Mind Over Murder podcast increase our visibility and shine the spotlight on the "Colonial Parkway Murders" and other unsolved cases? Contribute any amount you can here:https://www.gofundme.com/f/mind-over-murder-podcast-expenses?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customerWTVR CBS News:  Colonial Parkway murders victims' families keep hope cases will be solved:https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/colonial-parkway-murders-update-april-19-2024WAVY TV 10 News:  New questions raised in Colonial Parkway murders:https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/new-questions-raised-in-colonial-parkway-murders/Alan Wade Wilmer, Sr. has been named as the killer of Robin Edwards and David Knobling in the Colonial Parkway Murders in September 1987, as well as the murderer of Teresa Howell in June 1989. He has also been linked to the April 1988 disappearance and likely murder of Keith Call and Cassandra Hailey, another pair in the Colonial Parkway Murders.13News Now investigates: A serial killer's DNA will not be entered into CODIS database:https://www.13newsnow.com/video/news/local/13news-now-investigates/291-e82a9e0b-38e3-4f95-982a-40e960a71e49WAVY TV 10 on the Colonial Parkway Murders Announcement with photos:https://www.wavy.com/news/crime/deceased-man-identified-as-suspect-in-decades-old-homicides/WTKR News 3https://www.wtkr.com/news/is-man-linked-to-one-of-the-colonial-parkway-murders-connected-to-the-other-casesVirginian Pilot: Who was Alan Wade Wilmer Sr.? Man suspected in two ‘Colonial Parkway' murders died alone in 2017https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/01/14/who-was-alan-wade-wilmer-sr-man-suspected-in-colonial-parkway-murders-died-alone-in-2017/Colonial Parkway Murders Facebook page with more than 20,000 followers: https://www.facebook.com/ColonialParkwayCaseYou can also participate in an in-depth discussion of the Colonial Parkway Murders here:https://earonsgsk.proboards.com/board/50/colonial-parkway-murdersMind Over Murder is proud to be a Spreaker Prime Podcaster:https://www.spreaker.comJoin the discussion on our Mind Over MurderColonial Parkway Murders website: https://colonialparkwaymurders.com Mind Over Murder Podcast website: https://mindovermurderpodcast.comPlease subscribe and rate us at your favorite podcast sites. Ratings and reviews are very important. Please share and tell your friends!We launch a new episode of "Mind Over Murder" every Monday morning, and a bonus episode every Thursday morning.Sponsors: Othram and DNAsolves.comContribute Your DNA to help solve cases: https://dnasolves.com/user/registerFollow "Mind Over Murder" on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderOverFollow Bill Thomas on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BillThomas56Follow "Colonial Parkway Murders" on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColonialParkwayCase/Follow us on InstaGram:: https://www.instagram.com/colonialparkwaymurders/Check out the entire Crawlspace Media network at http://crawlspace-media.com/All rights reserved. Mind Over Murder, Copyright Bill Thomas and Kristin Dilley, Another Dog Productions/Absolute Zero ProductionsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mind-over-murder--4847179/support.

In this week's episode, like Icarus, both our storytellers fly a little too close to the sun—and learn the hard way that confidence doesn't always equal competence.Part 1: As a kid, JR Denson is determined to master the art of homemade french fries—but then his kitchen experiment goes up in flames. Part 2: Faced with a looming Science Olympiad deadline, Adam Ruben is sure his last-minute “clock” made from a bag of water will do the trick.JR Denson --a Washington, DC native-- is a full-time college educator and a part time emergency medical technician (EMT). He has become increasingly involved in the DMV's storytelling scene ever since accidentally falling into right before the pandemic. JR has performed for both local and national storytelling organizations such as The Perfect Liar's Club, the Stone Soup Storytelling Festival, and NPR's The Moth. Adam Ruben is a writer, comedian, and molecular biologist in Washington, DC. He writes the monthly humor column “Experimental Error” in the AAAS journal Science Careers and is the author of two books: Surviving Your Stupid, Stupid Decision to Go to Grad School, and Pinball Wizards: Jackpots, Drains, and the Cult of the Silver Ball. He has appeared on the Science Channel, the Food Network, the History Channel, the Travel Channel, the Weather Channel, Discovery, Netflix, and NPR and is a writer for the preschool cartoon “Elinor Wonders Why” on PBS Kids. Adam has performed on stage in 34 states and six countries, including two solo shows. He has told stories onstage with Story Collider, Story District, and Story League, and is a five-time Moth Story Slam Champion and a Lead Producer for the DC/Baltimore chapter of Mortified. He has three kids, two cats, and a day job as a molecular biologist for the US federal government that feels less secure every day.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy New Year, FolksTo start the new year, I reflect on the past 5 years of my EMS career and on what I plan to do in the future in this field and in medical education.Of course, I delve into some stories on the road and look back on moments with my previous partners and how my community very much helped shape who I am today and how I am approaching my future.Start off your year strong with a quick new episode from me!Send us a text

To kick off the new year, Medic2Medic presents a Special Edition episode centered on survival, perspective, and purpose.In this powerful conversation, Steve sits down with career EMS professional and public safety technology leader Greg Howard, a sudden cardiac arrest survivor whose story reframes how we think about EMS, provider health, and what truly matters. With more than 25 years of experience across EMS, emergency medicine, fire service operations, and healthcare technology, Greg has helped EMS agencies nationwide improve care delivery, documentation, and data-driven decision-making. That professional journey took a deeply personal turn when Greg suffered and survived sudden cardiac arrest.This episode sets the tone for the year ahead by focusing on awareness, survivorship, and the responsibility EMS has not only to patients, but to its own people. In true Medic2Medic fashion, the conversation also takes a turn toward shared roots and relationships. Steve and Greg reflect on their Pittsburgh area EMS connections, swapping stories and names familiar to anyone shaped by that region's EMS culture. This Special New Year's Edition of Medic2Medic is a reminder that sudden cardiac arrest does not discriminate, even within EMS. It challenges listeners to start the year with intention, awareness, and renewed commitment to caring for both patients and providers.https://bit.ly/4skYJozGreg's path through EMS, flight medicine, leadership, and technologyThe experience of surviving sudden cardiac arrest as an EMS clinicianSeeing cardiac arrest care from the patient's perspective

Send us a textThe most downloaded conversation of the year returns for a reason: it's the raw, practical guide first responders and their families keep asking for. We sit with Sgt. Michael Sugrue—Air Force security forces veteran, Walnut Creek Police sergeant, and author of Relentless Courage—to talk about the weight of hundreds of traumatic calls, how a 2012 shooting upended his life, and the exact steps that pulled him back from the edge.Michael breaks down why suicide remains the top threat for police, fire, EMS, and dispatch: a culture that prizes invincibility, training that skips mental readiness, and an identity so fused to the job that retirement can feel like free fall. He explains how “silent” suicides hide in line‑of‑duty risks, why official counts underreport the crisis, and what leadership must do to turn the tide. We go deep on solutions: culturally competent therapy, confidential peer lines, retreats like West Coast Post‑Trauma Retreat and Save A Warrior, and daily practices—meditation, gratitude, strength work, honest conversations—that sustain real resilience.We also challenge common myths. Therapy doesn't take your gun; it gives you your life back. EMDR helps many but not all; the real power is a personalized toolkit. Early intervention keeps stress acute and treatable; waiting turns injuries into entrenched patterns that cost careers and families. Michael's book, co‑authored with Dr. Shauna Springer, bridges the gap between gut‑level storytelling and clear psychology, giving responders and loved ones a shared language to start hard conversations and map a path forward.If you serve—or love someone who does—this is a roadmap to stay in the fight without losing yourself. Hit play, share it with a partner or teammate, and let's normalize help as a standard of care. If the episode resonates, subscribe, leave a quick review, and pass it to one person who needs to hear it today.You can reach Michael on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgtmichaelsugrue?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_appSupport the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

Send us a message!In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Arlen Busenitz to talk about his unconventional path from a Kansas farm to pastoring a small-town church, volunteering as an EMT, working with NASA through a defense contractor, and ultimately becoming CEO of Destin Dreamers. Before he was running a luxury vacation rental company on Florida's Emerald Coast, Arlen was hauling 500-pound rocks in a 1976 Jeep pickup to pay for college. It's an unlikely origin story but one that laid the foundation for everything he's built since.Packed with practical frameworks, hard-won wisdom, and what Annie coins "Arlenisms," this is the story of how grit, perspective, and a relationship-first philosophy built a standout brand in one of the most competitive vacation rental markets in the country.We cover:1️⃣ Why people do not buy stays, but experiences, outcomes, and peace of mind2️⃣ How calm leadership changes the way teams, guests, and owners respond under pressure3️⃣ Why simplifying operations is the real foundation for scalable growth4️⃣ How to identify owner fit and why saying no protects your team and your culture5️⃣ Practical frameworks for preventing issues and responding clearly when they arise6️⃣ How Destin Dreamers balances systems, structure, and human judgment7️⃣ Where AI fits in guest communication and where it should not8️⃣ What it means to lead in a competitive market without panic or burnoutConnect with Arlen:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abflorida/Website:https://www.destindreamers.com/ Get 20% off any yearly or bi-yearly Lodgify plan, plus free personalized onboarding (a $3,000 value).

Writers Tom Gammill and Max Pross discuss being comedy writing partners and then not being partners on SNL, Gary Shandling's Show, Seinfeld and dozens of great comedies, while Marc Wolodarsky and Jay Kogen, also former writing partners, do the same.  They discuss the state of show business, what's life like after writing, becoming an EMT, writing novels, pilots with puppets, development hell, pitching shows to people who weren't born when we started, Harvard Lampoon, David Letterman, and The Simpsons!  Tom Gammill was writing partners for 40 years with Max Pross before Max dumped him. Their credits include “SNL” “Letterman” “Seinfeld” and “The Simpsons”. After the breakup Tom wrote and starred in the play “A Morning With Ernie Bushmiller” which ran for one performance, and was a Consulting Producer for the final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Wally Wolodarsky began his career as a writer on The Tracey Ullman Show. Writing with Jay Kogen, he received an Emmy. Wally was a writer and producer on The Simpsons for the first four seasons, where he won his second Emmy. With his wife Maya Forbes he has written several features and television shows including Monsters vs. Aliens, A Dog's Purpose and The People vs. O.J. Simpson. Wally produced Infinitely Polar Bear starring Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana. Together, Maya and Wally wrote and directed The Polka King starring Jack Black and The Good House starring Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline. Max Pross spent forty-two years writing for television, and now atones by working as an emergency responder.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writers Tom Gammill and Max Pross discuss being comedy writing partners and then not being partners on SNL, Gary Shandling's Show, Seinfeld and dozens of great comedies, while Marc Wolodarsky and Jay Kogen, also former writing partners, do the same.  They discuss the state of show business, what's life like after writing, becoming an EMT, writing novels, pilots with puppets, development hell, pitching shows to people who weren't born when we started, Harvard Lampoon, David Letterman, and The Simpsons! Tom Gammill was writing partners for 40 years with Max Pross before Max dumped him. Their credits include “SNL” “Letterman” “Seinfeld” and “The Simpsons”. After the breakup Tom wrote and starred in the play “A Morning With Ernie Bushmiller” which ran for one performance, and was a Consulting Producer for the final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm”.Wally Wolodarsky began his career as a writer on The Tracey Ullman Show. Writing with Jay Kogen, he received an Emmy. Wally was a writer and producer on The Simpsons for the first four seasons, where he won his second Emmy. With his wife Maya Forbes he has written several features and television shows including Monsters vs. Aliens, A Dog's Purpose and The People vs. O.J. Simpson. Wally produced Infinitely Polar Bear starring Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana. Together, Maya and Wally wrote and directed The Polka King starring Jack Black and The Good House starring Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline.Max Pross spent forty-two years writing for television, and now atones by working as an emergency responder.”

Episode 315: This episode goes beyond trends and buzzwords. It's a candid discussion about leadership, accountability, education, and execution grounded in decades of experience across multiple EMS systems and cultures. Steve reconnects with longtime EMS leader, strategist, and global EMS advocate Rob Lawrence for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, education, system design, and the future of EMS. Rob is the Director of Strategic Implementation for PRO EMS and its educational arm, Prodigy EMS. Rob brings a rare international perspective, shaped by leadership roles in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the development of EMS systems worldwide. Rob is a prolific writer and broadcaster for EMS1 and Police1.https://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-315-rob-lawrence--69220043I

Send us a textFrom crime and trauma scene cleanup to midnight dispatch and station kitchens, we gathered the most powerful lessons from a year of conversations with first responders, clinicians.Here are the links for all the episodes: Krista Gregg (E.188): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-188Jessica Jamieson (E.192): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-192Beth Salmo (E.204): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-204Elizabeth Ecklund (E.207): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-207Gordon Brewer (E.211): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-211Bill Dwinnells (E.220): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-220Deidre Gestrin (E.221): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-221Adam Neff (E.222): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-222Renae Mansfield (E.225): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-225Amanda Rizoli (E.227): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-227Blythe Landry (E.228): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-228Stephanie Simpson (E.229): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-229Lisa Trusas (E.231): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-231Joe Rizzuti (E.233): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-233Justin Jacobs (E.235): https://Freed.ai: We'll Do Your SOAP Notes!Freed AI converts conversations into SOAP note.Use code Steve50 for $50 off the 1st month!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

Discover Lafayette welcomes a true living legend of service to Acadiana: Dr. Mary B. Neiheisel. Dr. Neiheisel was the 2017 recipient of the prestigious Lafayette Civic Cup, one of the highest honors for civic service in our community. Her journey in Lafayette began in 1966, when she started teaching at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now UL Lafayette), launching 59 years of impact in education, healthcare, and community leadership. With quiet determination, Dr. Neiheisel helped build UL Lafayette's Nurse Practitioner Program, serving as its first coordinator and director and laying the foundation for graduate nursing education across the region. Beyond academia, her heart for service shines through her long-standing work at Faith House of Acadiana, where she serves as a nurse practitioner and advocate for survivors of domestic violence. Her legacy of compassion is now honored through the Mary B. Neiheisel Patron of Hope Award, created in her name to recognize extraordinary servant leadership in our community. From South Texas to Lafayette “I grew up in a very small town in South Texas, about 40 miles from San Antonio, called Stockdale.” Dr. Neiheisel traces her path into nursing back to her mother’s influence. “My mother always said that she concentrated on me being a nurse when she was pregnant. She said it was implanted. Consequently, she bought me the Cherry Ames nursing books when I was very young. Any medical shows on TV? We watched them. My mother started out to be a nurse, but she wanted to get married. And in those days, they did not allow the nurses to be married. So I think, you know, it was just her wish on me.” Dr. Neiheisel received her early education in San Antonio, completing her baccalaureate degree at the University of the Incarnate Word before moving to Austin and later earning her master's degree at the University of Colorado in 1965. She shares how she met her husband, Richard Neiheisel, then a USL history professor, and how that connection ultimately brought her to Lafayette in 1966. USL in the 1960s Reflecting on her early years on campus, Dr. Neiheisel recalls the realities of nursing education at the time: “We were actually in a condemned building.” She describes a small campus, modest facilities, and close-knit classes, noting how both the university and its nursing program have evolved into institutions that are now nationally known. Answering the Call to Teach Dr. Neiheisel explains what drew her to nursing education: “I felt like there was a real need for more faculty, more teachers in nursing, to help students learn the things that would be best in caring for their patients.” She speaks candidly about advocating for nursing education in what was largely a male-dominated academic environment, addressing disparities in pay and recognition while helping shape curriculum, meet state board standards, and recruit new faculty. “In 1984, Acadian Ambulance came to our college to ask about starting an EMT program in our college. And I had worked some in emergency room. Not that much, but I had actually taught some emergency room classes. So I was asked to work with Acadian Ambulance on that program. That was a great experience, Acadian Ambulance is really the business model. They knew what they wanted, and we put this together and then we needed a coordinator for that program in our college. Since I had been working with it, the dean asked me if I would be the coordinator of that program. And I said, no, I’m waiting for the graduate program. And she kind of looked at me like, you’re dreaming. But we continued to talk about our graduate program, and probably it was 1988, we actually were given permission to open our nursing graduate program, and I was offered the position of the first graduate nursing coordinator, which that was really exciting. Building the Nurse Practitioner Program Inspired by Dr. Loretta Ford, whom she calls “the mother of nurse practitioners,” Dr. Neiheisel carried a long-held vision for advanced nursing practice. Dr. Loretta Ford, known as “The Mother of the Nurse Practitioner Program, was a profound influence on Mary Neiheisel. Dr. Neiheisel says, “The year that I graduated with my master’s degree, Dr. Loretta Ford, who is considered the mother of nurse practitioners, the superwoman of nurse practitioners, actually came to our class and told us about the nurse practitioner program that she was starting, and she was a pediatric nurse. So it would be a pediatric nurse practitioner program. I was fascinated by the description that she gave for nurse practitioners and the independence that they would have and the way that they would be able to help patients, help people, help the population, not only in illness but in health, to maintain their health, to prevent disease. And I continued to kind of follow Dr. Ford and read what she was doing and seeing these programs opened. And she did start her program at the University of Colorado. She had six nurse practitioner students that year. There was, again, a lot of opposition to another role for nurses, but there was also a lot of support. She went on a national news. She went all over the country talking about the nurse practitioner program. She went from the University of Colorado to New York, started nurse practitioner programs there. And by that time they were really spreading across the country. In 1988, we finally were able to start our graduate nursing program at USL.” She describes the early challenges, resistance from some physicians, and the persistence required to establish the program. Dr. Neiheisel went back to school herself to become a family nurse practitioner, helping launch the nurse practitioner track and graduating the program's first students in 1995. “It wasn't long before the physicians were employing the nurse practitioners, and now they're employed in clinics and hospitals.” High Standards and Lasting Impact Addressing her reputation as a demanding instructor, Dr. Neiheisel reflects: “I guess I did have high expectations knowing that one day I was going to need their assistance, perhaps played a role in it.” She speaks with pride about her students' success and the responsibility of preparing nurses to be confident, capable, and compassionate professionals. The Evolution of Nursing From glass medicine cups and manual dosage calculations to electronic health records and patient portals, Dr. Neiheisel walks through six decades of change: “Technology has changed things in many ways… but we have lost some of that more personal touch.” She noted that nurse practitioners often help bridge that gap by spending more time with patients and answering their questions. Retirement — and Staying Connected Though she recently retired, Dr. Neiheisel emphasizes that she remains deeply connected to both nursing and the university: “It's not like a total separation. I'm still very proud of our university and my years there.” She continues part-time work at Faith House, attends concerts on campus, and remains engaged with the humanities and music communities. A Life of Civic and Cultural Service Dr. Neiheisel reflects on decades of civic involvement, including United Way of Acadiana, Rotary Club of Lafayette, the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana, Acadiana Center for the Arts, Zonta International, Foundation for Wellness, and the Lafayette Public Library Foundation. Of all her commitments, she says simply: “Faith House is my love.” She shares candidly about learning the realities of domestic violence, supporting women and children, fundraising for shelter operations, and recognizing community leaders through the Mary B. Neiheisel Patron of Hope Award. Named in honor of Dr. Mary B. Neiheisel, the award celebrates those who have gone above and beyond in their support of Faith House and its mission. Each year, the Patron of Hope Award will be presented to an individual who mirrors Dr. Neiheisel's enduring passion for advocacy, service, and hope, Teaching, Challenges, and Why She Stayed On the most rewarding part of teaching: “Meeting students is a blessing, watching them learn. That ‘aha' moment is just so rewarding.” On the greatest challenge of teaching: “Keeping up. It seems like it's changing every five minutes.” And on why she chose to build her life in Lafayette: “The people. The atmosphere, the culture. I feel like I have several Louisiana families.” Life Beyond the Classroom In closing, Dr. Neiheisel shared her love of music, reading, travel, and the arts, along with a lighthearted story about an unsuccessful tomato garden that led her to grow zinnias instead. She speaks fondly of trips to Colorado, visiting her grandchild in Boston, and appreciating both travel and home.

As EMS closes out 2025, host Rob Lawrence is joined by Matt Zavadsky (PWWAG) and Rodney Dyche (Patient Care EMS Solutions) for their second annual EMSIntel.org “year in review” conversation — a fast-moving tour through the biggest stories shaping the EMS profession. Drawing from the EMSIntel news log (now 3,849 stories as of the morning of recording), the trio connects what's making headlines to what EMS leaders are experiencing on the ground: unstable economics, governance pressure, system redesign and rising operational risk. The discussion lands on several recurring themes: economic sustainability as the dominant issue; the real-world politics of tax levies and “essential service” designations; the ongoing obsession with response times (and what they cost); preventable ambulance thefts escalating in severity; and the importance of measuring and publishing clinical outcomes and meaningful performance metrics. The through-line: communities are being forced into more honest conversations about what they can afford — and what EMS should look like going into 2026. | SHARE YOUR STORY: A call for real stories from the EMS field, station and beyond Memorable quotes “Having a thoughtful conversation about what your system needs to look like on the go forward is paramount.” — Rodney Dyche “If you don't talk about yourself, somebody else will, and then you don't control the narrative.” — Rob Lawrence “Our No. 1 focus really needs to be on the economic sustainability of these systems because we are past the breaking point.” — Matt Zavadsky “Response times equals speed; speed equals crashes.” — Rob Lawrence “These theft incidents are … in almost all cases, 100% preventable by an aftermarket device … probably for 100 or $150.” — Rodney Dyche “Response times are expensive. The shorter that you want your response times, the more money it's going to take.” — Matt Zavadsky “Across every provider type … the fee-for-service revenue is 50% to 60% below the cost of providing service. So when somebody says to you, ‘I can do this for free,' ask more questions.” — Matt Zavadsky “Response times are used as a cudgel.” — Rodney Dyche Episode timeline 01:11 – Rob introduces the end of 2025 reflection and 2026 look-ahead; welcomes Matt Zavadsky and Rodney Dyche for the second annual EMSIntel year-in-review. 02:26 – Rodney reports the EMSIntel log count (“3,849 as of this morning”); Rob explains EMSIntel's purpose: curating national EMS stories to identify themes and brief stakeholders. 04:13 – Matt names the year's biggest issue: economic sustainability; the fiscal model is broken and impacts everything else. 06:32 – Matt walks through the “AnyTown EMS” trajectory: communities can't sustain old models, must define service levels, use system intelligence, and redesign for a modern “2028 model.” 09:06 – Matt cites the Medicare/RAND cost collection findings and warns that fee-for-service revenue sits far below actual costs; “ask more questions” when someone promises “free.” 10:12 – The group discusses communities pursuing tax levies and essential-service framing; Rodney contrasts places that pass funding measures with places that don't, and highlights local politics and competing priorities. 11:52 – Matt clarifies that “essential service” means different things to the public versus statute; agencies need trust, transparency and real community education to succeed at the ballot box. 13:50 – Rodney describes the “cost of readiness” misunderstanding (public sees mileage, not readiness); Matt pushes proactive reporting (monthly/quarterly/annual) to build credibility. 15:35 – Matt pivots to response times: they're expensive, clinically relevant in a small fraction of cases, and should be approached with evidence-based expectations and better triage/EMD practices. 18:14 – Rodney connects hot responses to preventable intersection crashes and modern driver realities; the discussion frames safety risk as a growing operational storyline. 20:21 – Matt adds an editorial caution that crashes are not confined to any one sector; points to recent examples including serious injuries during responses. 22:37 – Rob returns to ambulance thefts; Rodney calls most thefts preventable; Matt argues the basic lock discipline exists already and presses for stronger accountability and accreditation-style best practice. 26:11 – Rob flags downstream legal and regulatory risk (litigation exposure after stolen-unit crashes; DEA-controlled substances security implications). 26:52 – Rodney raises staffing; notes fewer staffing stories than 2024 but questions whether the situation is truly better; mentions earn-to-learn pipeline concerns. 28:13 – Matt describes the shift toward tiered deployment and greater EMT utilization, reducing pressure to staff large numbers of paramedics for calls that don't require that level. 30:17 – Matt emphasizes outcomes and meaningful performance metrics; argues many systems still report the wrong measures and should lead with clinical metrics, patient experience, and quality indicators. 31:08 – Rodney reinforces that response times get weaponized in governance decisions; notes boards can be swayed by “advanced skills” narratives rather than outcome data. 33:25 – Forward-looking wrap: Matt highlights daily calls from communities that “can't afford this anymore” and urges leaders to seize the redesign opportunity; Rodney echoes the need for planning and honest community conversations. Additional resources: AAA & AIMHI EMS Media Log: EMS Intel Fast & spurious: America keeps losing ambulances and the fix is cheap Callouts, chaos and career killers: The biggest EMS stories of the year Enjoying EMS One-Stop? Email editor@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for future episodes. 

Send us a textThis week, Rich sits down with Rubicon Trail Foundation board member and Rubicon property owner, John Arenz. From high-adventure Scouting and early days as an EMT/paramedic in Oakland to a 30-year fire service career in Emeryville, John shares how the Rubicon became his lifelong anchor—every summer since 1983.Along with his personal history, John Arenz shares the Rubicon Trail Foundations stance on the re-route – why it's necessary and who's in charge. With John's history, he goes in-depth into the politics surrounding the Rubicon Trail.Support the show

The Disappearing Man in the Desert Our first story comes from David, who was working border patrol on a narcotics and human trafficking assignment near a river in the American Southwest. During what should have been a quiet night shift, David and his partner experienced something that would shake them both—three deliberate, hard knocks on their Humvee's driver's side window, despite no one being visible on their cameras or in the surrounding area. Our second story takes us to the California desert near the Mexican border, where Nevada and their family were on a routine jeeping trip in 2011. What started as a casual outing to take photos turned surreal when they witnessed a figure in a jumpsuit and motorcycle helmet falling from the sky with a half-inflated parachute, the body appearing limp and lifeless. Nevada's uncle, an EMT, grabbed his first aid kit and rushed to help, but when the family reached the spot where the parachuter should have landed behind a rock formation, they found only an abandoned parachute disconnected from any backpack—no person, no blood, no footprints, and no explanation for how someone could vanish so completely in the open desert. Finally, we explore Grace's harrowing experience in her coastal Rhode Island home, where light paranormal activity escalated dramatically when she turned 16, leading to a two-year ordeal involving severe depression, an eating disorder, and what her father believed was possession or oppression. Grace found herself compelled to sneak downstairs every night at midnight and sit frozen in the darkness until 3 AM, experiencing memory gaps and behaviors she couldn't explain—all while her family struggled with how to help her escape whatever had taken hold in their century-old house.

Disasters can strike without warning. In a crisis, every second counts. How do you prepare for a sudden evacuation? It's not a matter of if, but when. In this episode, we confront the challenge of disaster preparedness. We discuss how to protect those who are most vulnerable, including loved ones with dementia. A sudden disaster requires quick action. We reveal a better way to plan. Discover why a written plan isn't enough. Learn about the 5-Pocket Method. Find out what you truly need in an emergency. This episode offers critical, actionable advice. We provide a path to preparedness. Our conversation will empower you. Finally, you can create a disaster plan that actually works. Our Guest: Patrick Hardy aka Disaster Patrick Patrick Hardy is a nationally recognized disaster preparedness professional. He has helped a wide range of organizations, from large corporations to small businesses and families, prepare for emergencies. His expertise comes from a long career that began as an EMT and ambulance first responder. Patrick also consulted on major disaster events, including the 2010 BP Oil Spill. He is a leading expert in his field, creating simple and effective preparedness plans that are now considered best practices. In 2012, he became the youngest person ever to hold the position of National Private Sector Representative to FEMA. In addition to his professional work, Patrick is a dedicated philanthropist, providing pro-bono disaster plans to numerous non-profit organizations. He has published a book and is a frequent guest on national television programs, where he shares his knowledge on family disaster preparedness. His book, Design Any Disaster, was released in 2023. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Related Episodes: Doctor Supports Caregivers Journey Challenges Caregiver Support: Personalized Text Message Connections ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sign Up for more Advice & Wisdom - email newsletter. Please help us keep our show going by supporting our sponsors. Thank you. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Make Your Brain Span Match Your LifeSpan Relevate from NeuroReserve With Relevate nutritional supplement, you get science-backed nutrition to help protect your brain power today and for years to come. You deserve a brain span that lasts as long as your lifespan. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Feeling overwhelmed? HelpTexts can be your pocket therapist. Going through a tough time? HelpTexts offers confidential support delivered straight to your phone via text message. Whether you're dealing with grief, caregiving stress, or just need a mental health boost, their expert-guided texts provide personalized tips and advice. Sign up for a year of support and get: Daily or twice-weekly texts tailored to your situation Actionable strategies to cope and move forward Support for those who care about you (optional) HelpTexts makes getting help easy and convenient. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ List of the Top 20 Alzheimer's Podcasts via FeedSpot! See where we rank. Join Fading Memories On Social Media! If you've enjoyed this episode, please share this podcast with other caregivers! You'll find us on social media at the following links. Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Contact Jen at hello@fadingmemoriespodcast.com Or learn more at Our Website

A scary afternoon for Laura as she tells us about how her son, Charlie, fell off a roof while at work and landed in a well with the EMT's having to cut him out of his clothes. He was in the hospital when we recorded this, and thank God he suffered a fracture in his back instead of what could have happened. Grateful is the only word for this miracle, and it's the best Christmas miracle Laura could ever ask for. Bad things happen around the holidays sometimes, but we need to focus on what we are thankful for, even if it's just the small things. If you're feeling low right now, we're here for ya. We then call Laura's mom because it was her birthday. We bust her for something she does every night. Erik brings it home with some extra spicy Double D Showbiz News, including some inside details about the night leading up to the Reiners' death. Wow. We will be back on Christmas Day with our last show of the year. Already looking forward to a bitchin' 2026! Love your podcast!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/laura-cain-after-dark--4162487/support.SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel, FOLLOW us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, SHARE, LIKE, and by all means COMMENT.  We love your feedback.  Thanks for being part of the Laura Cain After Dark family.  Love your podcast!

Send us a textWhen the lights are flashing and the clock is ticking, we train for everything—except the weight we carry home. We sit down with Coast Guard veteran and grief coach Justin Jacobs to unpack the invisible load of moral injury, the shock of losing the uniform, and the quiet ways unprocessed grief leaks into performance, relationships, and health. From the chaos of capsized boats to the stillness after a tough outcome, Justin names what many feel and few say out loud.We explore how grief hides inside anxiety, depression, and burnout, and why so many transitions—retirement, reassignment, even a “first civilian job”—feel harder than expected. Justin explains decision fatigue after service, when structure vanishes and every choice suddenly feels permanent. He offers a simple reframe: plan early, expect detours, and treat course corrections as progress, not failure. Along the way, we draw clear parallels between the Coast Guard and first responders—rapid action, limited bench strength, and constant pressure to move on to the next call.Most importantly, we get practical. Think “mental PPE”: a shared vocabulary for moral injury, short decompressions after hard calls, peer check-ins that don't try to fix but do make space to feel. We talk about what genuinely helps the bereaved—curiosity, presence, honest permission to tell the whole truth about the person who's gone—and what to retire forever, including hollow platitudes that minimize real pain. Justin's own story of loss and growth brings empathy and precision to every tool he shares.If you serve, lead, or love someone who does, this conversation is a field guide for staying human under pressure and building a culture that protects people as fiercely as it protects the mission. Listen, share with your crew, and tell us what “mental PPE” looks like in your world. If this resonates, follow, rate, and review so more first responders can find it—and subscribe for more candid, actionable conversations.His Instagram is @manlygrief His Website is: http://www.manlygrief.com Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

The Lawyer Stories Podcast – Episode 247 features Rob Levine, owner of Rob Levine Legal Solutions and Rob Levine Law, based in Providence, Rhode Island and helping clients nationwide. Known as "The Heavy Hitter," Rob's story is rooted in a lifetime of service. Before becoming a well-known trial lawyer, Rob served as an EMT, military police officer, and police officer- experiences that shaped his commitment to advocacy and justice. In this episode, Rob opens up about fatherhood, building a mission-driven law firm, and the values that guide his work. He also shares a meaningful connection with host Benny Gold, as both are proud alumni of Roger Williams University School of Law. This conversation is a powerful reminder that great lawyers are built through service, resilience, and staying true to who you are.

It's New Tunesday: new releases from the past week! Give the bands a listen. If you like what you hear, support the bands! Today's episode features new releases by Unique Strain, Handful Of Snowdrops, EmT, The Synthetic Dream Foundation, S:SN & Doing The Devil's Work, Biohacker, Blue Ant, Vonder, RatPajama, IAMTHESHADOW, Vioflesh, Redder Moon, Endless Me, Chemical Waves, Still Patient, Scheitan, Senex IV, and Her Own World!

Mindsets to avoid burnout – Julie humanizes the patient and understands that whatever difficult things we are dealing with are temporary and have gratitudeWe must constantly recognize possible anchor bias and avoid cynicism to appropriately treat our patientsWe talk about our interactions with EMSBoth Julie and I remember working in EMS and the value that EMS brings in their report because they often see a lot of things we don't get from the history of the patientJulies advice for the new APP/ER doc - don't come to premature closure on a diagnosis, don't be afraid to ask questions, pay off your loans over buying the biggest house and latest toysWe talk about the baseline level of stress we deal with We talk about technological changes over time and imaging improvementsShe talks about the challenges that the Covid pandemic presented and the shortages of different things we have now encounteredJulie still finds meaning in finding the hard differential diagnosis and working towards positive patient interactions, the teamwork in the ERI talk about the importance of creating an approachable affect so everyone feels free to voice concernsGo look at the patient when the nurse is concerned Julie talks about the benefit for new EMT's and paramedics to reach out and ask for feedback and follow up on their patients, often we don't have time to pull them asideEMS doesn't have the best mechanisms in place for good feedback on every case like we do in the ER, where we see in real time how accurate our assessment may have been when the work up comes backSupport the showEverything you hear today from myself and my guests is opinion only and doesn't represent any organizations or companies that any of us are affiliated with. The stories you hear have been modified to protect patient privacy and any resemblance to real individuals is coincidental. This is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice nor used to diagnose any medical or healthcare conditions. This is not medical advice. If you have personal health concerns, please seek professional care. Full show notes can be found here: Episodes - Practical EMS - Content for EMTs, PAs, ParamedicsMost efficient online EKG course here: Practical EKG Interpretation - Practical EMS earn 4 CME and learn the fundamentals through advanced EKG interpretation in under 4 hours. If you want to work on your nutrition, increase your energy, improve your physical and mental health, I highly recommend 1st Phorm. Check them out here so they know I sent you. 1st Phorm | The Foundation of High Performance Nutrition

Send us a textThe silence after the last shift can be deafening. We dive into what really happens when the badge comes off and the calls stop, tracing the steep drop from team identity and adrenaline to isolation, substance use, and rising suicide risk. With honesty and urgency, we unpack why retirement hits first responders so hard and outline a practical safety net that works in the real world.We talk through the addictive rhythm of police, fire, EMS, and corrections work—why the culture bonds like family, and why role loss feels like grief, not change management. From the “greatest show in town” to the long, quiet afternoons, we map the transition pitfalls: relationship strain, gambling, financial pressure, heavy drinking, and access to means. Then we move to solutions that stick: QPR training for everyone, union-led outreach to members on injury or IA, and a retiree association built on peer mentors, quarterly meetups, and easy referral to culture-competent clinicians and recovery coaches.Therapy only helps when it respects the culture. We make the case for long-term, stigma-free care that starts at the kitchen table, not a clipboard wall. Leaders play a decisive role, too: fund peer teams, protect privacy, standardize evaluations, and create fair return-to-duty paths that treat mental health injuries like broken bones. Fire service models show how trust grows when unions hold the keys and chiefs clear the way. Our aim is simple—keep people connected, valued, and alive long after the radio goes quiet.If this conversation resonates, share it with your crew, subscribe for more candid tools and stories, and leave a review to help other first responders find us. Your voice can pull someone back from the edge.If you are interested, please visit the Onsite academy at https://onsiteacademy.org/ Visit the NEPBA at https://www.nepba.org/Freed.ai: We'll Do Your SOAP Notes!Freed AI converts conversations into SOAP note.Use code Steve50 for $50 off the 1st month!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

In this week's special episode, Kyle opens up about giving up day trading as a primary income source after coming to grips with the reality of the stresses involved and talks about some new changes to the format. The group then pivots to discussing the real future: Bear and Dan are both going electric with new EVs, complete with a deep dive into DIY solar installation that could save you $50k. Dan shares the inside story of his Vegas job shutting down mid-honeymoon, the economics of Strip entertainment, and why tourism is shifting. Plus: Michael Burry closes his hedge fund after calling 25 of the last 2 crashes.Subscribe, share, and join the trading conversations on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Discord!Sponsors and FriendsOur podcast is sponsored by Sue Maki at Fairway Independent Mortgage (MLS# 206048). Licensed in 38 states, if you need anything mortgage-related, reach out to her at SMaki@fairwaymc.com or give her a call at (520) 977-7904. Tell her 2 Bulls sent you to get the best rates available!If you are interested in signing up with TRADEPRO Academy, you can use our affiliate link here. We receive compensation for any purchases made when using this link, so it's a great way to support the show and learn at the same time! **Use code CHINASHOP15 to save 15%**Visit Airsoftmaster.com to support one of our own!To contact us, you can email us directly at bandoftraderspodcast@gmail.com Check out our directory for other amazing interviews we've done in the past!If you like our show, please let us know by rating and subscribing on your platform of choice!If you like our show and hate social media, then please tell all your friends!If you have no friends and hate social media and you just want to give us money for advertising to help you find more friends, then you can donate to support the show here!Dan:Dan co-founded 2 Bulls in a China Shop with Kyle when their shared passion for active trading ignited during the lockdowns. Their daily discussions about trades, interests, and the valuable lessons learned created the bedrock for what eventually evolved into both the 2 Bulls in a China Shop and Band of Traders podcasts.While navigating the complexities of trading, Dan infused humor into the shows with his self-deprecating wit and candid discussions about their trading experiences. This dynamic duo's chemistry became the catalyst for a podcast that resonated widely, capturing the attention of a diverse audience.Service Unscripted WebsiteHalf-Cocked TalesBear:Bear made the transition from investing to trading at the beginning of COVID. After initial success with options, he quickly learned that his luck was greater than his skill and shifted his focus to futures. Bear has fully embraced the role of emotions and mental capital with the mindset that trading futures is purely an internal struggle that rewards patience, calm, bravery, focus, passion, and commitment. Beyond markets Bear finds joy in his community as a volunteer firefighter and EMT.Follow Bear on TwitterSoundperformancepsychology.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Send us a textWhat does it take to build mental health care that first responders actually trust? We sit down with former Revere police officer Joe Rizzuti, whose journey from stacked line-of-duty trauma and alcohol use to peer support leadership strips away the clichés and gets to what works. Joe's story starts with a tough childhood, a military turnaround, and a policing career shaped by high-stakes cases and a deep love for community. It also includes administrative betrayals, devastating calls, and the moment he walked into On-Site Academy expecting a firearms range and found a lifeline instead.From there, Joe breaks down how cultural competence changes outcomes. If a clinician doesn't understand roll call, shift work, gallows humor, and the weight of cumulative stress, trust collapses. He explains how he vets treatment programs—On-Site for acute resets, First Responder Wellness in California for intensive trauma work, and union-aligned options like IAFF Centers of Excellence—while calling out profit-first models that fail responders. We talk insurance constraints, travel realities, and why credibility is earned one referral at a time.We also tackle the retiree cliff and why too many officers and firefighters struggle within five years of leaving the job. Joe's answer: a coaching model adapted from recovery support that restores purpose, routine, and community long before the badge comes off. The takeaway is clear—care must be team-driven, ego-free, and relentlessly practical. If you lead, remove barriers. If you treat, learn the culture. If you're a peer, keep checking in long after the headlines fade. If you are interested, please visit the Onsite academy at https://onsiteacademy.org/ Visit the NEPBA at https://www.nepba.org/Subscribe, share with a teammate who needs it, and leave a review to help more first responders find this conversation.Freed.ai: We'll Do Your SOAP Notes!Freed AI converts conversations into SOAP note.Use code Steve50 for $50 off the 1st month!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

Send us a textA culture that actually protects first responders doesn't happen by accident—it's built on day-one expectations, family inclusion, and leaders who tell the truth even when the news is hard. We sit down with Doug Wyman to map what real organizational wellness looks like and why “Inside the Box” has become a powerful framework for shifting identity, policy, and practice in policing.We start where most programs fail: leaving wellness to HR or EAP and forgetting families. Doug explains how to onboard spouses and partners with the same care we give new hires, and why a 10–15 minute decompression ritual at the door can prevent years of resentment at home. From there, we dig into the mentorship pipeline—how great FTOs set career goals, normalize therapy, and keep officers engaged long after field training. As rank rises, the view widens; without peer networks and rank-specific training, command staff unintentionally import narrow worldviews into complex events like suicide, deepening stigma and pain.The episode unpacks procedural justice for the inside of the house—dignity, voice, clear motives, and follow-through—to counter “administration betrayal.” We name the Man Box and the Cop Box, exploring how rigid ideals make therapy, medication, or simple human tenderness feel like violations. Doug shows how emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and the Four Agreements become everyday tools that change culture one conversation at a time. And we get practical: field officers should carry the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, because at 3 a.m. on a bridge you need the right questions, not another search tab.If you lead, supervise, dispatch, or love a first responder, this conversation offers a blueprint you can use tomorrow—family education, mentorship, internal fairness, and tools that save lives. Listen, share with your team, and tell us what belongs outside the box. If this resonated, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it to a colleague who needs a better way forward.Go to Doug's LinkedIn website at:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-wyman-6b80852a/details/featured/The Class Inside the Box - Focuses on Organizational Wellness and Post Traumatic growth and is for first line supervisors and command staff. Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

In this episode of The Fighter and the Kid, Brendan and Bryan sit down with comedian and wrestler Nick Simmons, who joins right as the guys finally address the years of Reddit hate, online criticism, and the wild narratives fans have created about the show.They dive into the hilarious but eye-opening ways women underestimate real strength, why self-defense fantasies don't match physics, and how pepper spray, bear spray, and knives work in real-world scenarios.Nick shares his insane PCP pandemic home-intruder story — including the break-ins, the stairwell fight, the loose slice of pizza, and the moment the cops let the guy go… right before he bit one officer's nose and an EMT's Achilles tendon.They compare this to the Anthony Smith intruder fight, breaking down why meth and PCP shut off the “governor” in the brain and create freak-level strength.From there, the guys get into Mongolian and Polynesian genetics, strength competitions, football concussions, stingers, and the brutal gap between normal athletes and genetic freaks.Nick also opens up about moving from NYC to Austin, meeting his girlfriend's intimidating dad, being a regular at iconic NYC clubs, and the new comedic grind of trying to get passed at The Comedy Mothership.The guys finish by roasting each other's outfits, shoes, and the chaos of performing comedy while your friends try to mess with your head backstage.A funny, honest, chaotic episode with one of the best young comics in Austin.DraftKings - Download the DraftKings Pick6 app now and use code FIGHTER. That's code FIGHTER — New DraftKings customers can play just $5, and get $50 in Pick6 credits.O'Reilly Auto Parts- https://oreillyauto.com/FIGHTERTrue Classic - True Classic - Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/fighter ! #trueclassicpodMagic Mind - https://magicmind.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textThe story begins where many first responder lives converge: relentless calls, court dates, and a small department that never truly sleeps. Then the personal hits. Former New Hampshire police chief Doug Wyman opens up about parenting through a son's addiction at the height of the opioid crisis, supporting a younger child through identity shifts, and the morning that changed everything—when his wife died by suicide with his duty weapon. What follows is a rare, unguarded look at procedure meeting grief, and how systems can protect evidence while still protecting people.We walk through what real support looks like after the casseroles stop—peer teams that actually call, clergy who listen more than they preach, and a therapist with true cultural competency. Doug explains why a mind body spirit triangle isn't fluff; it's the backbone of resilience for first responders and families. Spirituality here is practical, not preachy—whether you find it in church, Stoicism, or a clear atheist ethic. Acceptance becomes the turning point. It's not agreement. It's the doorway to choose constructive over destructive, to convert pain into purpose, and to build post-traumatic growth one small habit at a time.We also dig into the cognitive traps that keep people stuck on if and the simple language checks that interrupt self-blame. From there, the focus widens to culture. Strong wellness programs don't live in binders; they live in people. Informal leaders—the ones who can get fifteen colleagues to show up on a Saturday—are the engine. When departments design with those influencers, recruitment and retention rise, and the holdouts become a minority. If you want a team to thrive, build a house you're proud to invite others into.If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a teammate who needs it, and leave a review so more first responders and families can find these tools. And if you or someone you love is in crisis, call 988 right now. You're not alone.Go to Doug's LinkedIn website at:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-wyman-6b80852a/details/featured/The Class Inside the Box - Focuses on Organizational Wellness and Post Traumatic growth and is for first line supervisors and command staff. Freed.ai: We'll Do Your SOAP Notes!Freed AI converts conversations into SOAP note.Use code Steve50 for $50 off the 1st month!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast