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Inside The Ambulance: Saving Lives While Overworked And Underpaid Despite what Hollywood shows us, the daily life of a paramedic rarely includes life or death emergencies. In reality, resources are thin, burnout runs high, and medics often face issues that would be better handled by social workers and lawyers. Joanna Sokol details her experience on the job and why the field is desperate for better worker rights. Guests: Joanna Sokol, author, A Real Emergency Host: Elizabeth Westfield Producer: Kristen Farrah Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Send a textStigma keeps too many first responders silent, and silence can cost careers, health, and lives. We sit down with a former deputy sheriff and burnout expert AK Dozanti to map clear, practical ways leaders and peers can replace fear with trust—without waiting for a crisis to force the issue. From the first honest check-in to a policy that actually protects time for care, we unpack what real support looks like on and off shift.We talk about the gap between leadership and the line, and how to close it with routine, human conversations—quarterly coffee, or even better, side-by-side cruiser rides that make it easier to open up. You'll hear why “the opposite of depression is expression,” how to speak up safely using unions and peer support, and why building a pre-crisis network is the strongest predictor of bouncing back after critical incidents. We also get candid about therapy: EAPs help, but cultural awareness matters. When clinicians understand shift work, critical incidents, and the code of the job, responders stop giving “safe” answers and start telling the truth.We spotlight two resources built for the field. Beat the Burnout reverse-engineers burnout with stepwise guidance and constant actions you can use even when your brain is crispy. Responder Reset delivers 99 “read-this-when” tactics for moments like wired-but-tired or post-incident spikes—grounding, bilateral stimulation, breathing, and proprioceptive tools explained in plain language with tactical trade-offs. Leaders will learn why embedded clinicians accelerate trust, how annual wellness visits normalize care before it's urgent, and how to frame mental health in practical, tactical terms that earn buy-in.If you value practical tools over platitudes, this conversation is for you. Listen, share it with your shift, and tell us: what one change would make your department safer to speak up? Subscribe for more candid, field-tested strategies, and leave a review to help other first responders find this show.Visit her website at: www.akdozanti.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
The father of murdered paramedic Steven Tougher has condemned the NSW Attorney General’s refusal to implement mandatory minimum sentences for those who assault emergency staff, revealing that current penalties can be as low as a $110 fine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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realconversations #singer #songwriter #Nashville #novelist#detective #Missouri #paramedic #chiropractor CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THE SPECIESHosted by Calvin SchwartzMeet HOWARD LEVINSON; “I'm a novelist, journalist, whichmeans I write. And I'm familiar with imagination and fuel. And occasionally, Ithink about making things up. Which brings me to my guest today. HowardLevinson. I could drift on my pet cumulus cloud, and I'd be hard-pressed toconjure up Howard's journey. He lives on a farm in central Missouri. Drivesthree miles on a gravel road from the main road to get to his farmhouse. I toldhim that I look out my back window and see most of my eight million Jerseyneighbors. Howard and I are relative contemporaries. Great bonding. Now hearthis. He's been a paramedic and in law enforcement for 22 years (a cop, withroles in organized crime and terrorism), disaster response (been to Puerto Ricoafter Maria, and New Orleans after Katrina), a chiropractic physician, novelist(3 uniquely different genres), and an accomplished singer-songwriter who toldme Nashville is magical. Howard Levinson is a gift. Eloquent. Passionate.Spiritual. Introspective. A family man. Grandfather. Filled with endless energyto tell stories, whether as a novelist or songwriter. And in the middle of theinterview, he said that he'd like to spend a day with Hemingway. In my writer'sgroup, we talked about Hemingway yesterday. Synchronicity abounds. Howardabounds.” Calvin
Have you longed to integrate your Christian faith into your patient care—on the mission field abroad, in your work in the US, and during your training? Are you not sure how to do this in a caring, ethical, sensitive, and relevant manner? This “working” session will explore the ethical basis for spiritual care and provide you with professional, timely, and proven practical methods to care for the whole person in the clinical setting. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qpah9kh1lttg6cm1jjop9/Bob-Mason-Ethics-of-Spiritual-Care-revised.pptx?rlkey=0emve2ja8282nv8xc4uinq1hg&st=9033htwx&dl=0
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Dr Chris Ganora (R) joins Paramedic and all round good guy Christian (Muzzie) Mortensen (L) and myself for an in-depth chat around personal development, daily challenges and healthy habits. It's Dr Chris's first show and I'm certain he'll be back. Enjoy the chatBig thanks to Cortado Coffee ShopMounties GroupIlanas Delicious Skin FoodWalk It OffRadio Blue MountainsAll guests are face to face in the studio and the show goes live to air each Tuesday through Radio Blue Mountains
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Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker.Three new pieces of research to talk about in today's podcast. First, in the NEJM - could patients stop anti-coagulation after ablation for AF? Conventional practice says no. Does this paper change that?Second, in JAMA - can spinal manipulation, or clinician-guided self-management, or both help with low back pain? This paper is a good crack.Finally, in the BJGP - what do our patients think about advance care planning? Should we be talking about this more, and, if so, in whom and how?ReferencesNEJM Anti-coags after ablation in AFNEJM EditorialJAMA Low back painBJGP Advance care planningwww.nbmedical.com/podcast
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Send a textThe hardest stories rarely get told in the places that need them most. Susan Roggendorf and I open the door to how confidentiality truly works for police, fire, EMS, dispatchers, and medics—and why airtight boundaries are the backbone of real therapeutic change. No nods in public that out you, no name drops across departments, and no casual mentions that break trust. HIPAA is the law, but it is also a lived ethic that lets you speak freely without risking your reputation or your career.We get candid about the therapist–client relationship: professional, paid, and deeply human. It feels friendly at times because safety grows where pain is met with care. We talk about scheduling like chess to avoid back-to-back clients from the same team, navigating community run-ins, and letting clients choose whether to say hello or keep distance. Culture fit matters—dark humor, blunt talk, and straight answers help first responders feel seen. Sometimes the most therapeutic move is five minutes of sports talk to let your nervous system shift gears before you tackle the call you can't shake.We dig into vicarious trauma and why “talk to a friend” isn't enough. Friends can support you; therapists are trained to hear what is unsaid, track patterns over time, and offer clear choices: do you want support or solutions today? That simple question hands back control when so much of the job strips it away. We challenge the quiet shaming of help-seeking and argue for a culture that treats mental health like gear maintenance—nonnegotiable for readiness and longevity.If you've wondered whether a therapist will keep your confidence, or how therapy can actually work for your world, you'll hear real practices that protect privacy and deepen trust. Walk away with language to set boundaries, insight into how clinicians think, and a clearer path to care that respects the badge and the person behind it.To reach Susan, please go to https://psychhub.com/us/provider/susan-roggendorf/1316326036If this conversation helped, follow the show, share it with your crew, and leave a review so more first responders can find it. Your feedback keeps this work moving.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
Those who hope to honor God and advance Jesus' Kingdom face powerful opposition from spiritual, physical, and psychological enemies. Successful launching and long term fruitfulness depends on recognizing and, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, waging war against those enemies.
Episode 1892 - brought to you by our incredible sponsors: Quince - Refresh your winter wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/HARDFACTOR for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Factor - Head to factormeals.com/hardfactor50off and use code hardfactor50off to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year. *Offer only valid for new Factor customers with code and qualifying auto-renewing subscription purchase. Make healthier eating easy with Factor. LUCY - 100% pure nicotine. Always tobacco-free. LUCY's the only pouch that gives you long-lasting flavor, whenever you need it. Get 20% off your first order when you buy online with code (HARDFACTOR). 00:00:00 Timestamps 00:01:00 What happened in 1892? 00:03:40 We missed National Fart Day 00:06:20 Super Bowl commercials and the Puppy Bowl death 00:10:00 Strip club hiding as a coffee shop in Garden Grove gets shut down 00:19:10 Waymos that get stuck are helped out remotely by Philippine workers 00:22:20 Pakistan's deadly kite festival returned after 19 year ban 00:26:50 Man gets remanded for tricking everyone into drinking his pee And much more Thank you for listening and supporting the pod! Go to patreon.com/HardFactor to join our community, get access to Discord chat, bonus pods, and much more - but Most importantly: HAGFD!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stupid News 2-10-2026 6am …He was caught by a group of Llamas …Say, what's in the Ice Cream? …The Worst Paramedic of the Year
South Korean official expelled from party for remark on 'importing foreign women', UK violinist given suspended sentence for sending hundreds of unsolicited nude images of his bow to random women, Paramedic faces charges after allegedly urinating on supervisor's desk, pot of chili and well, everything at work...
In this episode of the Medic2Medic Podcast, Steve sits down with educator, paramedic, writer, and advocate Hilary Gates for a fun, engaging, and wide-ranging conversation about EMS, leadership, education, and human connection.Hilary, who serves as Director of Educational Strategy for Prodigy EMS and is co-founder of Six Minutes to Live, brings insight, honesty, and heart to every topic discussed. Throughout the episode, Steve and Hilary explore her unique path into EMS, her work improving systems of care for cardiac arrest, and her commitment to building meaningful, human-centered education that supports both patients and providers.The conversation moves easily between storytelling, innovation, leadership, and advocacy, reflecting Hilary's ability to blend professional expertise with real-world experience. The tone is warm, thoughtful, and often lighthearted—while never losing sight of the realities of the profession.One of the most powerful moments in this episode comes during a serious discussion about provider wellbeing and mental health. Steve and Hilary speak candidly about the lack of consistent support in parts of the profession, gaps in leadership response, and the absence of a national system to track EMS personnel suicides. They emphasize the urgent need for better data, stronger accountability, and a culture that treats provider mental health with the same priority as patient care.Subscribe to Medic2Medic wherever you get your podcasts and share this episode with someone who believes in building a healthier profession.https://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-321-hilary-gates--69875918
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This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by ZOLL software and data solutions. Optimize EMS performance and outcomes at every stage of operations with interoperable solutions from dispatch, to patient care, QA/QI, billing and beyond. Visit zolldata.com to learn about the complete solution suite. This week on Inside EMS, Chris Cebollero takes on one of the most anxiety-inducing topics in paramedic education: alpha and beta receptors. Sparked by a question from paramedic student April McKenzie, a.k.a., “April Anonymous,” this episode strips away rote memorization and replaces it with something far more useful in the field — understanding the why behind the medicine. There's no fluff here; no cheesy memory tricks that fall apart under stress. Just physiology, practical mental models and a challenge to start practicing medicine with intention. If pharmacology has ever felt random, this episode connects the dots in a way that finally clicks. Quotable takeaways “Every medication you give in EMS is doing one of two things: It's either pushing the gas pedal or it's releasing the brake — that's it. If you don't understand which one you're doing, you're guessing, even if the protocol says you're right.” “We really have to become the ultimate detective of the body.” “Every patient is somewhere between gas and brake at all times. Those systems are constantly working, they're not off. It's just a dimmer switch. Every medication pushes one system or pulls the other system back into play.” Enjoying Inside EMS? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for a future episode.
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Send us a textEver been told to “suck it up” after a call that split your world in two? We challenge that script with a grounded, respectful look at how first responders can access care that actually helps. Steve sits down with licensed clinician and podcaster Susan Roggendorf for a candid, unfiltered conversation about culture, stigma, and practical support for police, fire, EMS, dispatch, ER, ICU, NICU, and corrections.We unpack why the tired question “What's the worst thing you've seen?” is not only unhelpful but harmful—and what clinicians should ask instead. Susan shares her background serving LGBTQ clients and first responders, detailing how role-specific stressors shape symptoms: from dispatchers carrying incomplete stories and auditory flashbacks, to EMS haunted by pediatric calls, to ER staff absorbing wave after wave of crisis without pause. Together, we outline a trauma-informed approach that centers consent, pacing, and control, building skills that fit real shifts: brief grounding, tactical breathing, movement that discharges stress, and cognitive resets you can use between calls.This episode also draws a clear map of the first responder circle without watering it down. We talk moral injury, hypervigilance, sleep disruption, and why peer support must be more than a checkbox. You'll hear podcasting war stories, yes, but also a deeper point: humility and repair are part of resilience, whether in a studio or on a scene. If you've ever sat through a therapy session that felt like a TV script, this is your reset. Expect real language, straight answers, and tools you can put to work immediately.To reach Susan, please go to https://psychhub.com/us/provider/susan-roggendorf/1316326036Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast
Medical missionaries often feel powerful emotional burden from moral injury, and it is a leading cause of departure from the mission field. But we have learned proven methods of preventing and dealing with moral injury. Use God’s powerful methods to protect yourself and your team, and to grow in wisdom and spirit!
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This week Jason and Jake switch professions and learn what it takes to be a paramedic. Mostly it seems to be about playing the same mini games over and over and driving a really annoying vehicle. Email - thebadgamecast@gmail.com Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/thebadgamecast Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/TheBadGameCast/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheBadGameCast Discord - https://discord.gg/H92TpHJ
A round-up of our recent podcasts and columns in the Winnipeg Sun opens Episode 5, and then we review a warning from a West End business owner that "The city feels more like Gotham every day. "In Part 1 - you'll hear how, as predicted by our guest last Sunday, the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region lost another 2 members this week and are down to only 10 dues-paying municipalities in the aftermath of the failed Plan20-50. Plus, a little insight into our exclusive in the Sun about a letter that Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine sent to the General Child and Family Services Authority that resulted in the top two GA directors tabling their resignations.18.08 Part 2- With over 500 incidents requiring city Fire and Paramedic crews to attend to homeless encampments and almost 800 derelict buildings boarded up, Winnipeg is in a serious decline. An open letter from the Executive Director of the Sargent Business Community explained the effect on small businesses like his. "Crime is running rampant in our city," wrote Michael Paille. "We should not have to put our staff through self-defense courses just to work in retail. ""Dealing with shoplifting, vandalism, and violence is not something a business should have to handle alone," Paille stated, but when he evaluated police staffing numbers, he realized that despite a population increase of 200,000 in the last 15 years, there are almost 50 fewer cops."Seniors are being attacked in parking lots, stabbings occur in Walmarts, and drug deals are now as common as a hot dogvendor on a street corner. Where is it safe? You can't even go shopping without fearing for your life. The city feels more like Gotham every day."Listen to the challenges facing businesses like Paille's, and his argument that "We do not need safe injection sites or vans giving out needles."Instead, he believes, "We need to help these people with addiction through community programs and support units that focus on helping them leave drugs and gangs behind to be part of this great city."Coming up in the Sunday Sun - city councillors are scrambling after hard questions were asked about their responsibilities for the proposed drug user facility at 366 Henry Avenue.*******- The Winnipeg Sun has an online subscription offer that's too good to pass up - $9.99 a month - get the details here - Subscribe | winnipegsun.com- PLAN AHEAD FOR VALENTINE'S DAY: Marty will be hosting the 17th Anniversary event as Canadian Wrestling's Elite kicks off the celebration tour across Western Canada on February 14th at the beautiful Ukrainian Labour Temple hall. It's an action-packed night of fun family-friendly sports entertainment with championships on the line and a special tag team match featuring the international star, 'British Bulldog' Davey Boy Smith Jr.!We have a limited number of discount-priced CWE tickets for our readers and listeners - and as a bonus- every order will come with a limited edition "Dr. Marty Goldstein" Trading Card! Email martygoldlive@gmail.com to get your tickets and enjoy a unique way to spend Valentine's Day!
Canada's healthcare system is already failing — and it's about to get worse.In this short, I explain what a potential paramedic strike in British Columbia really means for public safety, 911 response times, and patient care. Based on my lived experience as a former army medic, ex-paramedic, and first responder, I break down why paramedics in BC are not considered an essential service, why negotiations with the province broke down, and why a province-wide strike would cost lives.This isn't a political rant. It's a grounded, lived-experience perspective on Canada's healthcare crisis, paramedic burnout, first responder mental health, and how government policy failures are putting both paramedics and the public at risk.I also connect this to the fallout from British Columbia's drug decriminalization program, the rising overdose crisis, and the impossible conditions paramedics are working under on the front lines.Topics covered:• BC paramedic strike• Canada healthcare crisis• Paramedic burnout• First responder mental health• 911 response times• Public safety• Drug decriminalization in BC• Overdose crisis• Health policy failure• Veteran and paramedic perspectiveIf you're looking for honest conversations about trauma, recovery, modern culture, and the quiet parts nobody says out loud, subscribe for more from Unwritten Chapters.Unwritten Chapters with Matthew Heneghan is a raw, solo channel about life after trauma, modern culture, and the quiet parts nobody says out loud.Hosted by a veteran, former army medic, ex-paramedic, and nonfiction author, the channel explores PTSD, addiction recovery, sobriety, grief, burnout, and identity — not as inspirational slogans, but as lived reality.Alongside the recovery lens, Unwritten Chapters dissects modern culture, politics, media narratives, nostalgia, and social decay through a grounded, lived-experience perspective.There are also behind-the-scenes conversations about writing, creativity, addiction and art, discipline, publishing, and what it's actually like to build a life and career after rock bottom.This isn't a polished self-help channel. It's dark humour, blunt honesty, cultural commentary, and real mental health talk for people who are empathetic but exhausted — veterans, first responders, nurses, partners of medics, folks in or around recovery, and anyone trauma-literate and allergic to bullshit.If you're searching for PTSD stories, addiction recovery, veteran mental health, first responder burnout, cultural commentary, reaction videos with lived experience, or honest conversations about writing and creativity — you're in the right place.New videos weekly.Subscribe if you want company in the chaos, not clichés about positive vibes only.
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.
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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
Chris is given a scenario with a stubborn patient and… a stubborn ambulance Paramedic? Spencer puts Chris on the fire engine this time around, let's see if he burns! Vote!
In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and John Dominguez discuss the complexities of combat medicine, the challenges faced by military medics, and the importance of professionalizing the medical force. They explore the balance between training and operational readiness, the role of paramedic certification, and the lessons learned from historical conflicts. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective mentorship, resource management, and the integration of lessons from global conflicts to enhance the capabilities of military medics in future engagements.TakeawaysThe professionalization of military medics is crucial for future conflicts.Training for medics must balance time constraints with skill requirements.Paramedic certification may not fully prepare medics for combat situations.Tactical medicine requires a unique skill set that differs from civilian practices.Mentorship plays a vital role in developing competent medics.Resource management is essential for effective medical care in combat.Lessons learned from past conflicts can inform current medical training.The importance of mastering the basics cannot be overstated.Combat medicine is a problem within the tactical mission framework.Future conflicts will require innovative approaches to medical care. Chapters01:04 Professionalizing the Medical Force05:16 Challenges in Combat Medicine Training10:51 The Role of Medics in Future Conflicts15:34 Paramedic Certification in Military Medicine19:05 The Importance of Tactical Medicine23:34 Lessons from Historical Conflicts27:56 Mentorship and Leadership in Medical Training32:59 The Balance of Skills and Time in Training39:39 The Future of Combat Medicine45:55 Integrating Lessons Learned from Global Conflicts51:14 The Importance of Resource Management in Medicine55:53 Final Thoughts on Medical Training and ReadinessFor more content, go to www.prolongedfieldcare.orgConsider supporting us: patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective or www.lobocoffeeco.com/product-page/prolonged-field-care
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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.
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An off-duty paramedic saves a girl from an extremely dangerous house fire on Thanksgiving Day in LA. AND This December, the Gary Sinise Foundation brought more than 1,600 Gold Star family members to Walt Disney World in Florida for their annual Snowball Express event. To see videos and photos referenced in this episode, visit GodUpdates! https://www.godtube.com/blog/off-duty-paramedic-saves-girl.html https://www.godtube.com/blog/snowball-express-for-gold-star-families.html Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this candid conversation, Ashlynn O'Dell reflects on the realities of EMS—from first calls amid rural landscapes to navigating complex patient care in unpredictable environments. She shares how EMS became her calling over nursing or firefighting and highlights the often unseen sides of the job: delivering care in difficult living conditions, managing mental health, and staying resilient against workplace judgment. Social media became a powerful outlet, helping her connect with peers and inspire young women entering this male-dominated field. With humor, vulnerability, and insight, she reveals the delicate balance between being serious professionals and embracing levity on the job. The discussion also tackles burnout, workplace culture, and the importance of finding your voice in high-pressure scenes.
In this episode, we step inside the ambulance to explore a question rarely discussed: how safe is the air paramedics breathe when administering methoxyflurane, marketed as Penthrox. While not used in the United States, Penthrox is widely used in Australia and other parts of the world as an inhaled analgesic for prehospital pain management. In this month's journal club, we unpack a controlled laboratory study that measured occupational exposure inside ambulance environments, examine how ventilation changes the equation, and discuss what the findings mean for paramedic safety, system design, and the evolving balance between patient comfort and clinician health. A thoughtful ride through science, safety, and real-world EMS practice.
Joe Linares has served more than 17 years as a Firefighter and Paramedic with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, the busiest fire department in the nation. A United States Marine Corps veteran, Joe continues to live a life of service, discipline, and high performance both on and off duty.He is the owner and founder of two wellness companies, Longevity Farms and Rejuvenate Peptides. Both brands were created from Joe's personal mission to optimize human performance, recovery, and longevity. Through clinical-grade supplementation and education, Joe and his team are helping people look, feel, and perform at their highest level.Joining him is his brother and co-founder, Mike Linares.After failing at six different business ideas in the fitness space, Mike went back to school and became a nurse. In 2012 he launched Simplenursing.com his 7th idea, a study platform that simplifies nursing education, like a video version of spark notes. Often described as the Netflix for nursing students, Simplenursing now features over 5,000 videos, employs over 30+ team members, and has more than 1.5 million subscribers on YouTube. In 2023, Mike exited the company for $115 million.Together, Joe and Mike are combining frontline experience, medical training, and entrepreneurial drive to shape the future of longevity and personal optimization. Joe and Mike founded their longevity brands after spending years experimenting, researching, and biohacking to improve their own performance and support their aging parents. They never set out to create a supplement business, but the demand for what they built grew organically. Today, that family experiment has become a mission-driven company helping others do the same. As a thank you to the Mike Glover audience, Longevity Farms and Rejuvenate Peptides are offering an exclusive discount and a free custom peptide protocol.Use code MG10 or Wolf21 for ten percent off your order at checkout.Longevity Farms: https://getlongevityfarms.shopRejuvenate Peptides: https://rejuvenatepeptides.comEvery listener can request a free custom-designed peptide protocol tailored to their personal goals.For peptide protocols, emailinfo@rejuvenatepeptides.comFor Longevity Farms support, emailsupport@getlongevityfarms.shopCarnivault - The best freeze dried meat for prep or dinner. Use “MG10” to save!https://carnivault.comWastach Wagyu Beef Premium Meat Snacks "MG20" saves 20% off!https://wasatchwagyu.com Follow the underground / mikeglover
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
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
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
Stop a panic attack in 60 seconds with this elite "pocket" tool.If you're experiencing a racing heart, rising heat, or that overwhelming feeling of losing control, this episode is your emergency lifeline. Host Martin Hewlett, a former paramedic and clinical hypnotherapist, shares the exact tactical breathing technique he used in the back of ambulances to stabilize patients in high-stress moments.In this 3-minute guided session, you'll learn Box Breathing (also known as Square Breathing)—a science-backed physiological hack used by Navy SEALs to instantly recalibrate the nervous system.What you'll gain in this 3-minute episode:Instant Calm: Activate your parasympathetic nervous system (the "rest and digest" response) to lower your heart rate.Vagus Nerve Reset: Signal to your brain that the "emergency" is over and you are safe.Clinical Authority: No fluff—just the physiological science of how your body handles adrenaline.Whether you're at your desk, in your car, or at home, keep this episode in your pocket for the next time you feel a wave of anxiety coming.Help others find calm: If this helped you, please Follow the show and leave a review. Your support helps this "mental health first aid" reach those who need it most.
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 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
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