Podcasts about Reserved

153 - When your Job Becomes your Identity - Rachael Stark What happens when you're performing well at work—but you're not actually doing well? Rachael Stark knows that tension firsthand. Rachael is a captain in the Army National Guard, a reserve police officer, works in policy and accreditation for a police department, and previously served as a forensic death investigator. On paper, she was successful, productive, and helping people. But underneath it all, work had slowly become her identity. She was thinking about work constantly. Dreaming about it. Carrying scenes home with her. And like many first responders, she convinced herself it was simply part of the job. In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Rachael joins Conrad Weaver for an honest conversation about what wellness looks like before someone reaches a crisis point. They discuss the danger of confusing productivity with health, why first responders can become addicted to being needed, and how seemingly small practices—therapy, hobbies, exercise, friendships, creative outlets, and simply creating space to decompress—can help someone remain a whole person. They also dig into the responsibility of leadership. It's not enough for an agency to put an EAP number on the wall. Leaders have to model the behaviors they want their people to embrace. That means checking in, listening, creating psychological safety, acknowledging that difficult calls affect us, and demonstrating that seeking support isn't a sign of weakness. In this episode: Why being high-functioning doesn't necessarily mean you're healthy What happens when the job becomes your entire identity The warning signs Rachael initially dismissed Why she unexpectedly picked up the violin The difference between having wellness resources and creating a wellness culture Why leaders need to model healthy behavior How supervisors can build trust with their people A better way to check in than simply asking, "How are you?" Why staying constantly busy can become a form of avoidance The individual's responsibility for proactive wellness How small changes can help first responders remain whole Why Rachael believes "wellness is not weakness" Rachael's message to leaders is simple: If you want a team that's ready for the next emergency, you need people who feel safe in their environment, safe enough to be honest, and connected to an identity beyond the job. And for the first responder who isn't in crisis but knows something isn't quite right—you don't necessarily need to completely change your life. Sometimes you simply need to start making room for one outside the job. Connect with Rachael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-stark-ab14b21a7/   +++++ Join us in Frederick, MD for the Leadership & Wellness Summit Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.

It's never too early to talk about 2027 WNBA Free Agency, right? Chelsea Leite and Richard Cohen have you covered as they break down all the possibilities in this episode.HerHoopStats.com: Unlocking better insight about the women's game.The Her Hoop Stats Newsletter: https://herhoopstats.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

PAPPA HELPLINES Active NYPD Officers: 1-888-COPS-COP (1-888-267-7267) NYPD Retirees: 1-800-599-1085 If you're struggling, don't wait until things become a crisis. Reach out.   Episode 152 - POPPA: Peer Support at the NYPD Police officers are trained to respond when everyone else is having the worst day of their lives. But where does the officer go when the person struggling is the one behind the badge? In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver talks with Thomas Hovagim and Louis Lopez from POPPA—Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance, a peer-based nonprofit organization serving NYPD officers and retirees. POPPA provides officers with something that can be difficult to find inside traditional systems: an opportunity to talk confidentially with another police officer who understands the culture, pressures, schedules, trauma, and personal costs of the profession. Tom and Louis explain what actually happens when an officer calls their helpline, why confidentiality matters so much, and how trained peers can become a bridge between a struggling officer and professional clinical care. Louis also shares his own experience recognizing that years of exposure to violence were taking a toll on him—and why he decided to seek therapy himself. The conversation explores the cumulative impact of police work: critical incidents, sleep deprivation, unhealthy coping mechanisms, relationship stress, missed family events, alcohol use, and the challenge of moving from a traumatic scene directly back into family life. Tom also shares the story of officers involved in a shooting who worked together every day afterward—but had never talked to each other about what happened until POPPA brought them together for a debriefing. Their message to officers is straightforward: "You don't have to carry this alone. Make the Damn call." Thomas Hovagim is a retired NYPD detective and currently serves as Director of POPPA Louis Lopez is an NYPD detective and POPPA Peer Support Officer.   Learn more about POPPA at https://poppanewyork.org     +++++ Join us in Frederick, MD for the Leadership & Wellness Summit Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.

Sean & Seth break down whether or not DeMeco should be more aggressive in his play calling or did he make the right decision not to go for it and kick a field goal.

Sean & Seth take a look at the different Sports Platforms power rankings & where they have the Texans, then rank them on what they think is the most accurate. See how low people have dropped the Texans after an 0-2 start. Sean & Seth break down whether or not DeMeco should be more aggressive in his play calling or did he make the right decision not to go for it and kick a field goal.

141 Days: Zero Contact — When the System Fails You What happens when you've given decades of your life to law enforcement—and suddenly the system you trusted goes silent? Deputy Chief Rusty Myers spent 31 years in law enforcement, serving as a patrol officer, supervisor, training commander, internal affairs investigator, and leader. He understood accountability. He understood investigations. In fact, he believed strongly that Internal Affairs should protect both the integrity of the profession and the officers who serve within it. Then he became the one under investigation. After an incident involving another officer, Rusty was placed on administrative leave. He believed the facts—and his own body-camera footage—would quickly resolve the situation. Instead, he went 141 days with zero contact from his department unless he initiated it himself. The phone stopped ringing. Text messages went unanswered. He was isolated from the profession and the people who had been at the center of his life for decades. Eventually, he lost his job. And somewhere along the way, Rusty began losing himself. In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Rusty tells the deeply personal story of an investigation that stretched into a nearly two-year battle to clear his name. But this conversation isn't primarily about proving who was right or wrong. It's about what happened to the human being caught inside the process. Rusty describes what he calls “the loop”—his mind endlessly replaying what had happened. He talks candidly about using alcohol to temporarily shut that loop off, the accumulated trauma from decades of police work that came rushing back, and the moment he realized he was checking every box on the suicide-awareness checklist he had once taught to other officers. Including the last one: He had a plan. His wife finally told him he needed help. That intervention began a journey through counseling, EMDR, faith, family, friendship, and ultimately back into law enforcement leadership. Today, Rusty is a deputy chief overseeing patrol, training, and Internal Affairs—and he's using what happened to him to change how officers are treated when they find themselves under investigation. Because accountability and compassion are not mutually exclusive. An officer may need to be removed from duty while an investigation takes place. But that doesn't mean the agency has to remove the human connection. Sometimes a phone call that simply says, “Nothing changed this week. I just wanted to check on you. Are you doing okay?” can matter more than leaders realize. In This Episode Rusty and I talk about leadership and why FTOs and frontline supervisors have such an enormous influence on agency culture; how Internal Affairs can maintain accountability without creating unnecessary fear; what prolonged investigations and administrative leave can do to an officer psychologically; why communication must continue even when leaders can't discuss the details of a case; how accumulated trauma can remain hidden until one major event breaks everything open; Rusty's journey to recognizing his own suicidal thinking and getting professional help; and why peer support needs to become part of how agencies operate—not simply a program sitting on the sidelines. We also talk about Rusty's book, Tattered: When the Blue Line Frays, and why he wrote it for the officer sitting alone wondering whether there's any way forward. One of the most important things Rusty learned is that although his leadership failed him, the entire blue line didn't. Friends showed up. His wife stood beside him. A former police officer who became his pastor walked with him. A counselor helped him unpack years of accumulated trauma. Other officers quietly kept an eye on him when he couldn't take care of himself. The line frayed. It didn't break. And Rusty's message to the officer struggling today is simple: The sun will rise tomorrow. You need to be there to see it. Connect With Rusty Book: Tattered: When the Blue Line Frays by Arthur W. Myers III Website: rusty-myers.com Rusty makes an extraordinary offer in this conversation: if you're an officer who needs the book but can't afford it, contact him. He'll find a way to get a copy into your hands. He didn't write the book to make money. He wrote it to save lives. If you or another first responder is struggling, don't fight that battle alone. Reach out to someone you trust, your peer-support team, a culturally competent mental-health professional, or a crisis resource. Asking for help may be the most important decision you make.   +++++   Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.  

Judgment in the defamation case between ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and ANC NEC member, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has been reserved. Mbalula challenged Dlamini-Zuma's claims that he used money to secure his position during the 2022 ANC Elective Conference in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg. Mbalula dismissed the allegations and requested Dlamini-Zuma to retract them. Ntlantla Kgatlhane reports.....

Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals in Bloemfontein will hand down judgment in the ANC-IEC candidates submission battle later this morning. Judgment was reserved last night after two and half hours of legal wrangling which stems from the ANC's alleged failure to submit its councillor candidates for the November 4 local polls. The party cited a technical glitch on the IEC system which prevented it from submitting over 180 of candidates during the August 28 deadline. The IEC had since refuted the claim. Our Politics Report Ntebo Mokobo has more.

150 - The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11 - with Director, Michael Gier   Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, we remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the first responders who ran toward danger, and the countless people whose lives were forever changed. But what happened after the tragedy? In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver sits down with filmmaker Michael Gier, creator of The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph, to explore stories from September 11 that many Americans have never heard. Michael deliberately set out to make a different kind of 9/11 documentary—not simply another retelling of the attack, but a film about the extraordinary acts of courage, compassion, resilience, and unity that emerged from it. You'll hear the remarkable story of people living at the New York City Rescue Mission—some struggling with homelessness and addiction—who opened their doors to Wall Street workers fleeing the devastation. One resident, who owned only two shirts, gave one of them away to someone who had escaped covered in ash. Michael also shares the story of Federal Reserve leader Roger Ferguson and the decisions made behind the scenes to help stabilize the nation's financial system, as well as the extraordinary survival and rescue of Port Authority Police Officer Will Jimeno from beneath the rubble. But perhaps the most important part of this conversation is what happened on September 12. American flags appeared everywhere. Neighbors helped neighbors. Political affiliation, race, religion, status, and wealth suddenly seemed far less important. People saw one another as human beings who needed each other. That leads to a question worth asking 25 years later: Why does it take tragedy to remind us that we belong to each other? Michael also connects the resilience of 9/11 survivors to the personal "ground zeros" people experience today—loss, illness, financial crisis, relationship breakdown, trauma, and adversity. Their stories don't tell us recovery is easy. They remind us that it is possible. This episode is about remembering 9/11—but it's also about remembering what happened next and asking whether we can recover some of that same courage, compassion, connection, and resilience today.   Learn more about the film: https://heroismandresiliency.com/   +++++   Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.    

Bra Aubrey and the listeners weigh in on why other countries that are actively chasing out illegal immigrants not labelled xenophobic, while South Africa is, other trending news and topics discussed on the show this evening. Tags: 702, Aubrey Masango show, Aubrey Masango, Bra Aubrey, Xenophobia, Xenophobic, AU, SADC, Kenya, Nigeria, Immigration, Illegal immigrants The Aubrey Masango Show is presented by late night radio broadcaster Aubrey Masango. Aubrey hosts in-depth interviews on controversial political issues and chats to experts offering life advice and guidance in areas of psychology, personal finance and more. All Aubrey’s interviews are podcasted for you to catch-up and listen. Thank you for listening to this podcast from The Aubrey Masango Show. Listen live on weekdays between 20:00 and 24:00 (SA Time) to The Aubrey Masango Show broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and on CapeTalk between 20:00 and 21:00 (SA Time) https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk Find out more about the show here https://buff.ly/lzyKCv0 and get all the catch-up podcasts https://buff.ly/rT6znsn Subscribe to the 702 and CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfet Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

149 - Leadership Is Wellness: Four Conversations Every First Responder Should Hear Leadership and wellness are not separate conversations. In this special edition of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver shares highlights from the first four episodes of the brand-new First Responder Leadership Podcast—featuring conversations with Chris Cowan, Jason Yerkovich, Kristen Ziman, and Max Gomez. These leaders come from different backgrounds and experiences, but their stories point to the same truth: healthy leaders help create healthy teams. Chris Cowan shares how the line-of-duty death of one of his officers changed the way he thinks about leadership, significance, and what it means to live a legacy. Jason Yerkovich challenges one of the most common responses in the first responder world—“I'm fine”—and talks about the importance of self-awareness, ownership, and doing the work required to become healthier. Former Police Chief Kristen Ziman reflects on leading through a mass shooting and realizing that while she had worked hard to provide mental-health resources for her officers, she wasn't taking her own advice. Her lesson is one every leader needs to hear: you have to put the mask on yourself before you can take care of everyone else. And Max Gomez shares the moment he realized the job was changing him and forced him to confront a powerful question: Who am I becoming? This episode is a preview of the kinds of conversations you'll hear regularly on the First Responder Leadership Podcast—conversations about leadership, culture, emotional intelligence, wellness, resilience, personal responsibility, and becoming the leader your people deserve. Listen to the First Responder Leadership Podcast The new show is now live. Listen on Apple Podcasts YouTube Listen to the full conversations with Chris Cowan, Jason Yerkovich, Kristen Ziman, and Max Gomez—and subscribe so you don't miss the leadership conversations still to come. Because leadership doesn't begin with everyone else. It begins with you.     +++++ Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.  

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Gates is mostly in the Responsible AI camp, but there are a few ideas in here we hadn't heard before. Also, Z.ai confirms it is behind Ox Alpha, the mysterious open AI model topping benchmarks and leaderboards, and its weights are set to be released soon. And the FBI has seized domains associated with a botnet that allowed Chinese-backed hackers to breach several U.S. government departments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Loblaw is bringing back country-of-origin labels and tariff markers after backlash from shoppers, as grocers face growing scrutiny over “maple-washing” and consumers look for clearer ways to buy Canadian.Plus, Bill Gates is calling for some jobs to be designated “human reserved” and protected from AI replacement, arguing that certain work should stay human for economic and ethical reasons.And in The Big Picture: Meta settles a major platform-safety lawsuit, deadly floods hit the China-Nepal border, OpenAI warns about rogue AI agents, Mark Carney heads to the European Parliament, Puck raises money, and more.The Peak Daily is produced in partnership with reframevid.com

A New Chapter: Leadership, Wellness & What's Next - Conrad Weaver Something new is coming — and it's been in the works for quite some time. In this special edition of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver steps away from the normal interview format to share two major announcements about the future of First Responder Wellness Solutions — and why leadership has become such an important part of the mission. After years of bringing PTSD911 to agencies and communities across the country and having conversations with first responders, families, clinicians, and command staff, one thing has become increasingly clear: If we want healthier first responders, we need healthy leaders. That conviction is driving two new initiatives designed to equip first responder leaders to lead better, live healthier, and create cultures that thrive under pressure. The First Responder Leadership Podcast Launching September 1, the new First Responder Leadership Podcast begins with four powerful conversations with first responder leaders who have experienced the realities of leadership firsthand. These aren't conversations about leadership theory. They're honest discussions with people who have led through crisis, made difficult decisions, learned from failure, navigated organizational challenges, and discovered what it takes to lead themselves and others well. The podcast will explore topics including: Leadership under pressure Building healthier organizational cultures Leading through crisis and adversity Personal wellness and self-leadership Difficult decisions and lessons learned Developing the next generation of first responder leaders The first four episodes drop September 1. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and share the show with another first responder leader. The First Responder Leadership Network Conrad also officially introduces the First Responder Leadership Network — a growing leadership-development community created specifically for the realities of public safety leadership. The Network is being built as more than another source of leadership content. It's a place for leaders to learn, connect, grow, and have the conversations that don't always happen inside their own organizations. Members will have access to a growing ecosystem that includes: Leadership and wellness training courses Practical leadership resources Leadership Masterminds Conversations with experienced leaders and subject-matter experts Peer connection with leaders across public safety Leadership development opportunities The upcoming First Responder Leadership Summit The goal is simple: develop healthier leaders who can build healthier teams and stronger organizations. PTSD911 Continues While these new initiatives have been developing behind the scenes, the mission of PTSD911 continues. The film is still being brought to departments, conferences, associations, and communities around the country to create meaningful conversations about first responder mental health, wellness, organizational culture, and asking for help. If you'd like to bring PTSD911 to your agency or community, we'd love to work with you. Learn more about hosting a screening: PTSD911Movie.com/screenings One Mission The PTSD911 documentary, the First Responder Wellness Podcast, the new Leadership Podcast, the Leadership Network, Masterminds, training courses, and upcoming Summit aren't separate projects. They're part of one larger mission: Equip first responder leaders to lead better, live healthier, and create stronger, healthier cultures for the people they serve. Because leadership isn't simply about rank or title. It's about influence. It's about how you show up. It's about what you model. And sometimes the most important person you will ever learn to lead is yourself. In This Episode Conrad shares: Why leadership has become central to the mission What's coming with the First Responder Leadership Podcast Why the First Responder Leadership Network was created How leadership and wellness are inseparable What's ahead for Masterminds, training, and the Leadership Summit Why PTSD911 screenings remain an important part of the work The bigger vision connecting all of these initiatives First Responder Leadership Podcast: Launching September 1, 2026 PTSD911 Screenings: PTSD911Movie.com/screenings First Responder Leadership Network: Learn more and join the growing community of first responder leaders committed to leading better, living healthier, and building cultures that thrive under pressure.   +++++ Join us for the FREE Leadership Webinar on Tuesday, August 25!  Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.  

SPECIAL EDITION: AXON AID - How a Tech Innovator is Fighting for First Responder Mental Health   What does a technology company best known for TASER energy weapons and body cameras have to do with first responder mental health and wellness? More than you might expect. In this special edition of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Bella Giannini, Head of Marketing at Axon Enterprise and one of the founding voices behind Axon Aid—the company's philanthropic initiative providing wellness resources and support to first responders and public safety agencies. Bella takes us inside the evolution of Axon Aid, from its beginnings during Hurricane Florence in 2018, to helping agencies secure PPE and hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 pandemic, to what it has become today: a growing ecosystem of wellness resources available to agencies at no cost, whether or not they use Axon products. In this special conversation, you'll hear about: Post-traumatic growth and the framework developed with Boulder Crest Institute—including research suggesting that trauma, when processed effectively, can become a catalyst for resilience and growth. VR empathy and de-escalation training that allows officers to practice interactions with individuals experiencing mental health crises in a safe, controlled environment. The Axon Aid memorial fund, providing immediate financial support to families of officers lost in the line of duty or to suicide. Why Axon sees supporting the people who protect others as more than a business initiative—it's a commitment to the people behind the badge. Bella's personal connection to this mission through her Vietnam veteran father and the hope she carries for him and others who have lived with the lasting impact of trauma. This special edition is for first responders who may be wondering what help is actually available—and for chiefs, command staff, peer-support teams, wellness coordinators, and agency leaders looking for practical resources they can bring back to their people. Some of those resources may be closer than you think. Explore Axon Aid's wellness resources at axon.com/aid. If this conversation is valuable to you, subscribe to the First Responder Wellness Podcast, leave a review, and share this special edition with a leader, colleague, or first responder who needs to know these resources exist. Learn More: www.axon.com/aid   +++++ Join us for the FREE Leadership Webinar on Tuesday, August 25!  Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.  

147 - The Loneliness Epidemic Is Killing First Responders - with Dr. Jody Carrington In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver sits down with Dr. Jody Carrington — psychologist, bestselling author, and former civilian member of Canada's national police force, the RCMP — for an important conversation about first responder mental health, PTSD, burnout, loneliness, trauma, and the power of human connection. Dr. Carrington brings a rare perspective to the conversation. She spent years embedded in policing culture, trained alongside RCMP cadets, and has spent more than 25 years working with first responders and people impacted by trauma. She understands both the demands of the job and what can happen when there is no meaningful opportunity to decompress, reconnect, and recover. At the heart of the episode is a sentence heard in firehouses, patrol cars, dispatch centers, and EMS stations everywhere: “We're fine.” Dr. Carrington explains why those words can mask something much deeper. She explores the growing loneliness epidemic among first responders and how organizational culture, fragmented schedules, social media, cumulative trauma, and the expectation to remain tough can contribute to isolation and burnout. The conversation also gets into the neuroscience. Dr. Carrington explains how trauma and chronic stress affect the brain and nervous system, using the “flip the lid” brain model to show what happens when a first responder becomes dysregulated during or after a difficult call. She introduces her practical “go in, go out” framework for nervous system regulation and discusses how connection can play an important role in trauma recovery and resilience. Dr. Carrington also makes the case for understanding PTSD as a psychological injury rather than simply a mental illness, and why changing that language could help reduce the mental health stigma that remains prevalent in fire, EMS, law enforcement, and other first responder professions. For leaders, the conversation turns toward first responder organizational culture and trauma-informed leadership. Dr. Carrington offers practical guidance for middle leaders who want to create healthier teams and build meaningful cultural change without waiting for permission from the top. Listeners will come away with a better understanding of first responder burnout, cumulative trauma, emotional regulation, social connection, PTSD, and resilience, along with practical ideas they can begin using personally and within their organizations. Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that first responders were never meant to carry the weight of this work alone — and that the people who spend their careers taking care of others deserve the opportunity to finish those careers healthy, connected, and whole.     Connect with Dr. Carrington: https://www.drjodycarrington.com   +++++ Join us for the FREE Leadership Webinar on Tuesday, August 25!  Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the three biggest questions surrounding Spotify right now: Why is there a disconnect between Spotify's ad-supported revenue and its ad-supported users? Will podcast advertising provide another wave of growth? Can Spotify generate meaningful supplementary revenue from its new “Reserved” ticketing service in partnership with Live Nation? And more.   Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Senior Editor Daniel Konstantinovic. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.   Get more insights like these with our free, industry-leading newsletters covering advertising, marketing, and commerce. Sign up at emarketer.com/newsletters   Purchase tickets and register for EMARKETER's The Future of Digital 2026 Summit here: https://www.emarketer.com/events/summit/2026-future-of-digital/?utm_source=events_page Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/ For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/ Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com For a transcript of this episode click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-advertising-disconnect-ai-covers-remixes-3-big-questions-spotify-behind-numbers © 2026 EMARKETER   Awin is the all-in-one platform for smarter partner marketing. With award-winning technology, expert support and a global network of 1 million partners, Awin helps brands discover, manage and scale high-performing partnerships that drive measurable growth. Learn more.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Friday morning, the 14th of August, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in 1 Kings 19:18: “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.'” Then we go to Romans 11:4. The Lord again says: “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” I have got a very special son in the Lord, who has been called by God to go to some of the most dangerous places on earth to encourage the church. He has just returned from Ukraine, and he told me that he went to a church that meets every Sunday regardless of what happens, on the border between Russia and Ukraine. He says this to me in the message he sent me: “Ukraine has really opened my eyes to the devastation of the war. People are living in so much fear, but the church is standing strong.” He says: “I am sending you a message. These are all old retired people having church in the city on the Russian border. Almost everybody has lost a family member in the war. They can only meet for one hour maximum. The reason for this is that if the Russians find out there is a gathering, it takes them one hour to find the location and send a missile from Russia to kill them. They have been meeting since the war started.These are the words of one of the songs that they sing:Thank You Lord, for another day Thank You Lord for making a wayThank You Lord that our eyes can see Prepare us for the bride to be.He says he has not sensed the power and the sincerity of worship like that before. I want to say to you, God has got His people all over the world. He says He has reserved them. Do not lose heart. Keep up the faith wherever you might be receiving this message. Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day.Goodbye.

A manager dreads her 1:1s. Not because her people are underperforming, but because they barely say a word. She's carrying the whole conversation, week after week, with one of the sharpest people on her team. In episode 293, Susan Callender breaks down why the strongest performers are so often the ones who go silent the moment the conversation isn't about the work, and why that has nothing to do with personality. Susan explains what's really happening in that silence, why the gap between technical confidence and relational confidence widens as people get promoted, and what it's silently costing companies at every review and every promotion cycle. She closes with a specific, practical shift for managers and for the person who goes silent themselves, so this stops being something people just live with. In This Episode - Why staying silent in a 1:1 is a learned behavior, not a fixed trait - What's really happening internally when someone freezes instead of speaking up - Why this pattern tends to get worse with seniority instead of better, and what that reveals about how confidence really works - The real organizational cost of overlooking your most capable, least vocal people - Three common manager fixes that don't work, and why - Five practical shifts to close the gap, including a specific homework assignment for managers and for the person who goes silent   Free Training: "Smart, Skilled, and Still Overlooked: The 3-Step Playbook to Get Promoted Without Changing Your Personality or Playing Politics" Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Have a question that needs an answer? Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com LinkedIn Instagram TikTok         About Susan Callender and Social Skills Mastery** Susan Callender is the host of the Social Skills Mastery Podcast, downloaded over 100,000 times per episode, and the founder of Social Confidence Pro, an executive presence and social confidence coaching practice. Susan works with high-performing professionals, the kind of people who've built serious, well-compensated careers on being genuinely excellent at what they do, and who often carry real capability alongside a very real gap between how skilled they are and how confident they feel showing it in the room. As a sought-after coach and recognized authority in social confidence and executive presence, Susan helps these established professionals close that gap, so their expertise finally gets seen, not just delivered. Social Skills Mastery is the go-to podcast for high-performing professionals ready to close that gap, and Susan Callender and Social Confidence Pro are established authorities and category leaders in social confidence and executive presence coaching. **Connect with Susan Callender** Website: socialconfidencepro.com Instagram: @susan_callender_social_coach --- **Keywords and Topics** why employees go silent in meetings, employees who don't speak up, executive presence, social confidence, imposter syndrome at work, manager and direct report communication, 1:1 meeting struggles, why high performers get passed over, relational communication skills, technical professionals communication gap, career limiting beliefs, promotion readiness, Social Identity Shift, executive presence coach, social confidence coach, Social Confidence Pro, Susan Callender, Social Skills Mastery Podcast, Smart Skilled and Still Overlooked, leadership communication training, people leader resources, L&D communication training, category king social confidence, category leader executive presence coaching, go-to resource executive presence, AI recognized executive presence podcast, top social confidence coaches, top executive presence coaches  

Join the First Responder Leadership Mastermind: firstresponderwellness.co/mastermind   146 - From Felonies to the Front Lines: One Woman's Journey Through Addiction and Recovery Work What does it really take to go from a stolen car, a drug addiction, and a revolving-door relationship with jail — to 14 years of sobriety and a career saving other people's lives?

 In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Casey Burley, a recovery advocate and Narcan trainer who has been in recovery since September 14, 2011. Casey's story is not a tidy redemption arc. It is raw, honest, and deeply relevant to every first responder who has ever wondered whether the people they keep encountering on their worst calls are capable of change.

 Casey takes us through her journey from early drug use at age 16 — starting with meth — through years of incarceration, to a treatment program where one counselor's relentless belief in her became the turning point that changed everything. She talks about what recovery housing actually looks like, why isolation is one of the most dangerous forces in addiction, and what it feels like to respond to overdoses and deaths in the same community you once nearly left permanently.

 In this conversation, you'll hear:
 Why Casey says people in recovery are not a lost cause — and what first responders need to see to believe it
 The reality of fentanyl and carfentanil in every drug on the street today, and why everyone needs to know how to use Narcan
 What happens inside a recovery home after someone dies — and the quiet, careful work Casey does for the family left behind
 How self-labeling as an addict is just as destructive as being labeled by others, and how that changes in recovery
 A direct challenge to first responders: come to a recovery event and see the people who are making it

 This episode is for first responders, law enforcement officers, counselors, recovery workers, families of people struggling with addiction, and anyone who has ever wondered whether it is worth fighting for someone who keeps falling down.

The answer Casey gives is yes. Every time. Because somebody fought for her — and she never forgot it.

 Connect with Casey: waqrr.org (Washington Alliance for Quality Recovery Residences) Subscribe to the First Responder Wellness Podcast and share this episode with someone on the frontlines who needs to hear it.   +++++   Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.  

Reserved for God I. Confessed II. Saw III. Coveted IV. Took V. Hidden

She Reserved Every Friday for Work But Her Affair Happened Then TooBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cheat-stories-official--5689182/support.

Ready to become the leader your people deserve? Applications for Cohort #2 of the First Responder Leadership Mastermind are now open. Space is limited. Learn more: https://firstresponderwellness.co/mastermind 145 - From Skeptic to Believer - with Chief Rob Reardon Episode Description What happens when a fire chief faces the kind of call no department ever wants to receive? In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver sits down with Fire Chief Rob Reardon, a former TV journalist turned firefighter and chief, to discuss the pediatric critical incident that changed his department—and changed him. Rob shares how his crew navigated the aftermath of multiple pediatric cardiac arrests, why their first critical incident stress debrief failed, and how peer support, EMDR therapy, and strong leadership helped them begin to heal. Once skeptical of mental health resources, Rob explains why he now believes seeking help is one of the strongest decisions a first responder can make. In This Episode Firefighter mental health after a pediatric trauma Critical incident stress management and peer support How EMDR therapy helped a skeptical fire chief heal Building trust and wellness in the fire service Leadership lessons from one of the toughest calls of Rob's career Whether you're a firefighter, fire chief, EMS provider, law enforcement officer, or public safety leader, this conversation offers practical insight into first responder wellness, resilience, and leading through trauma. Subscribe to the First Responder Wellness Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Learn more at PTSD911.com.   +++++   Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.  

General Blaine Holt and Gordon Chang: Concerns are rising regarding the flow of Chinese and Russian aid to Iran, which includes potential shipments of anti-aircraft missiles. While some interpret President Trump's reserved stance as weakness, General Holt suggests it may be a strategic gambit to exploit internal CCP factional infighting. Within the Party, a reformer named Hu Chunhua is reportedly rising as a potential rival to Xi Jinping. However, experts warn that provocative Chinese actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait require a steel-with-steel confrontation. Critics argue that the US must eventually humiliate the Chinese leadership through economic and espionage crackdowns to project true force. (4)1690

She Reserved Her Double Life for Friday NightsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cheat-stories-official--5689182/support.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You are not alone, and help is available. You can also find first responder-specific resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources   "I had to save myself because if I stayed where I was, I literally was going to die. It wouldn't have been a proverbial die. It would be a true death."
— Tracey Wilkinson   144 - PTSD and Institutional Betrayal with Tracey Wilkinson   What happens when the people we trust to save others cannot get help saving themselves? In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Tracey Wilkinson — a retired Fort Wayne, Indiana firefighter with 23 years of service — to talk about one of the most important conversations in the first responder world: what happens when you fall apart, and the institution you gave your life to looks the other way. Tracey's story begins with a line-of-duty death at a training exercise she was responsible for as a training officer. The guilt of that incident, layered on top of two decades of accumulated trauma, eventually led to a PTSD diagnosis, severe physical symptoms, and a period of suicidal ideation so dark that she describes standing on the edge multiple times. What kept her here — and her answer is both heartbreaking and profound — was her fierce protectiveness of the people who would have had to respond to her if she hadn't been. This conversation is for the firefighter who is white-knuckling it through every shift, for the officer who doesn't know why small incidents are suddenly setting them off, and for the administrators and union leaders who want to do better but don't know where to start. Tracey brings both her lived experience and her academic training to offer one of the most grounded, compassionate, and clinically informed conversations on this podcast.   +++++   Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.

Click here for a Coaching Strategy Call with Conrad Weaver: https://firstresponderwellness.co/schedule/   143 - Ego Kills Careers, and How to Lead Differently with Dr. Ron Camacho   "There is a pre-therapy Camacho and a post-therapy Camacho. They are two totally different people."
— Chief Ron Camacho What does it take to go from being the most feared officer in the building to the most trusted chief in the department? For Dr. Ron Camacho, it took therapy — and the courage to look honestly at who he had become. In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver sits down with Chief Ron Camacho of the North Charleston, South Carolina Police Department — a 30-year law enforcement veteran who built his career in York, Pennsylvania, advised police forces in Afghanistan, managed a State Department contract in Mexico, and eventually led two police departments: a 40-person agency in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and now a 400-officer department in one of South Carolina's most complex cities. But his title is not the most interesting thing about him. What makes this conversation different is his honesty. Chief Camacho describes his early leadership style as 'a cross between Patton and Genghis Khan.' He admits to intentionally trying to break officers in disciplinary meetings — and celebrating when he made them cry. He was, as he puts it, angry every day. On the path to a stroke, a use-of-force incident, or worse. In this episode, you will hear: Why ego in law enforcement is a symptom of insecurity — not toughness How unresolved childhood trauma drove his early leadership failures The specific moment therapy changed everything How he scaled from a 40-person to a 400-person department and what he had to unlearn The real story behind his department cutting use-of-force by 50% in year one Why he teaches 'Ego Kills Careers' classes to every rank in his department How cross-industry learning from business leaders made him a better cop The coaching program he brought into his department to develop officers at every level How to start building self-awareness — even if you have never been to therapy This episode is for every first responder who has ever suspected that the culture around them — or inside them — might be part of the problem. It is for supervisors and chiefs who want to know what servant leadership actually looks like in practice. And it is for anyone who has been told that going to therapy means you are weak. Chief Camacho proves, with data and with his own life, that it means the opposite. Subscribe to the First Responder Wellness Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Share this episode with a leader in your department who needs to hear it.   +++++   Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.    

142 - Beautifully Broken: How One Officer's Suicide Sparked a Movement of Hope | Jared Buchanan & Daniel Herzog What happens when unimaginable loss becomes a mission to save lives? When police officer Paul Buchanan died by suicide, he left behind a heartbreaking note explaining that he wanted help—but feared asking for it would cost him his badge, his gun, and his career. That fear cost him everything. His son, Jared Buchanan, refused to let his father's story end there. In this powerful episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Jared Buchanan—Marine Corps veteran, licensed psychotherapist, suicide prevention advocate, and ultramarathon runner—and filmmaker Daniel Herzog, director of the documentary Beautifully Broken. Together they explore how grief can become purpose, why movement can be a powerful tool for healing trauma, and how one family's tragedy is helping first responders across the country begin conversations that save lives. If you are a police officer, firefighter, EMT, dispatcher, corrections officer, veteran, family member, or leader responsible for first responder wellness, this is an episode you won't forget. In This Episode You'll Learn Why Officer Paul Buchanan believed asking for help would end his career How Jared transformed grief into purpose by running ultramarathons—including a 304-mile race across Arizona Why physical movement can play an important role in processing trauma The connection between endurance sports, resilience, and post-traumatic growth How filmmaker Daniel Herzog spent three years documenting this remarkable journey The healing power of vulnerability, forgiveness, and honest conversations The story behind Believe 208, the nonprofit honoring Officer Paul Buchanan's legacy Why changing the culture around mental health in first responder organizations starts with leadership Key Takeaways ✔ Mental health stigma continues to prevent many first responders from seeking help. ✔ Healing doesn't come from ignoring pain—it comes from moving through it with purpose. ✔ Physical activity can become a healthy outlet for processing grief and trauma. ✔ Storytelling has the power to save lives by opening conversations that otherwise never happen. ✔ Connection—not isolation—is one of the greatest protective factors against suicide. About Our Guests Jared Buchanan Jared Buchanan is a Marine Corps veteran, licensed psychotherapist, suicide prevention advocate, motivational speaker, and ultramarathon runner. After losing his father, Officer Paul Buchanan, to suicide in 2013, Jared dedicated his life to helping first responders and others find healing through purpose, resilience, and meaningful connection. Daniel Herzog Daniel Herzog is an award-winning filmmaker, creative director, and journalist whose work focuses on the first responder and veteran communities. He directed the feature documentary Beautifully Broken, chronicling Jared's extraordinary journey from tragedy to hope. Resources Mentioned Beautifully Broken Documentary Believe 208 EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Viktor Frankl and Logotherapy Carl Jung Alfred Adler PTSD911 First Responder Wellness Solutions Who Should Listen? This episode is valuable for: Police officers Sheriff's deputies Firefighters EMS professionals Dispatchers Corrections officers Military veterans Chaplains Mental health professionals Agency leaders First responder families Anyone grieving the loss of a loved one Help Start the Wellness Conversation One conversation can change—or even save—a life. If this episode encouraged you, please: Subscribe to the First Responder Wellness Podcast Leave a 5-star review Share this episode with someone in your department Start a conversation about mental health and resilience If your agency, organization, college, or community would benefit from hosting a screening of Beautifully Broken or PTSD911, we'd love to help you begin the wellness conversation. Connect with Our Guests Beautifully Broken Documentary https://www.beautifullybrokendocumentary.com Facebook: Beautifully Broken Documentary   +++++   Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.  

The Capitalism Model and Monetization of the Space Sector. Bob Zimmerman. Wall Street has embraced commercial space, with private companies like Catalyst performing satellite servicing missions once reserved for government agencies. The U.S. Space Force now buys rapid-launch capabilities from the private sector for orbital reconnaissance. India is also transitioning its space program toward this capitalist model to increase efficiency. (11)

141 - Shot in the line of Duty - with Hali Bradford   She arrived at the hospital with 30 seconds of life and a 99.99% chance of not surviving. Her surgeon was moments from calling her time of death. And then — without medical explanation — the bleeding stopped.

 This week on the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver sits down with Hali Bradford, a Louisiana National Guard MP veteran and police officer who was shot and nearly killed in the line of duty on August 5, 2023. What followed was not only a fight for physical survival — it became a fight for her identity, her career, her mental health, and her will to live.

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Hali recounts the moment she found herself looking down the barrel of a rifle during a domestic disturbance call — and how her CrossFit-built physical strength allowed her to drag herself out of the house, paralyzed from the waist down, to reach the partner who helped save her life. She was shot with a .223 round that entered her side and exploded into her abdomen, leaving bullet fragments across her pelvis, a fractured hip, nerve damage, and a permanently paralyzed left foot.

But the physical injuries were only part of the story.

 In this episode, Hali opens up about:
- The profound lack of support she received from her department after the shooting
- Being terminated and stripped of her badge — a badge she nearly died for
- Living with no medical insurance, no benefits, and no workers' comp settlement while legally barred from working
- Navigating PTSD, anxiety, depression, and dark intrusive thoughts in the aftermath
- The trial of the man who shot her, which forced her to relive every detail
- How faith, discovered one year after the shooting, gave her a foundation to stand on
- The healing power of first responder wellness retreats and the sisterhood she found there
- Mission trips to Costa Rica and Africa that have reconnected her to her lifelong calling to serve

. This episode is for every first responder, veteran, and family member who has ever been left to navigate trauma alone. It is for anyone who has wondered whether help is really worth reaching for. And it is for anyone who needs to be reminded that survival — real survival — looks like choosing to get up one more time.

 Hali Bradford chose to get up. And she is still getting up.

 Connect with Hali on Instagram: @paralyzed_to_purpose   +++++   Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.  

140 - How is Filing a Complaint a Mental Health Tool - with Bridget Truxillo Most first responders think of complaints as paperwork, politics, or career-ending decisions—not something connected to wellness. But what if staying silent is actually what does the most damage? In this episode, Conrad Weaver sits down with attorney and former law enforcement officer Bridget Truxillo to explore the hidden psychological cost of toxic leadership, workplace discrimination, and the fear of speaking up. Early in her career, Bridget became the only female member of her agency's SWAT team and served in undercover narcotics. But years of discrimination and a hostile work environment eventually drove her from the profession she loved. She never filed a complaint. She simply resigned—and the agency lost a dedicated officer it had invested years training. Today, Bridget is the founder of Lady Law Shield, a law firm dedicated exclusively to protecting first responders. Drawing from both her experience behind the badge and in the courtroom, she explains why unresolved workplace conflict doesn't just affect careers—it affects mental health, families, and entire agency cultures. Conrad and Bridget discuss: Why toxic leadership can be as damaging as traumatic calls The mental health consequences of remaining silent When filing a complaint is appropriate—and why it can be an act of self-preservation Fear of retaliation and how to navigate it Workers' compensation, Brady/Giglio concerns, and other legal realities every first responder should understand How leaders can create cultures where accountability strengthens trust instead of destroying it Whether you're a police officer, firefighter, dispatcher, corrections officer, EMS professional, or agency leader, this conversation offers practical legal insight while challenging the belief that speaking up is a sign of weakness. Sometimes protecting your mental health isn't about walking away. Sometimes it's about finding the courage to make your voice heard.   https://ladylawshield.com/   +++++   Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a PTSD911 screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.

139 - What Happens After the Diagnosis? With Suzanne Stone Executive Episode Summary For many people, cancer is something that happens to someone else. Until suddenly it doesn't. In this powerful conversation, Conrad sits down with Suzanne Stone, CEO of the Livestrong Foundation, to explore what happens after a cancer diagnosis turns life upside down. While most conversations focus on treatment, Suzanne shines a light on the challenges few people talk about: strained marriages, overwhelmed caregivers, financial uncertainty, fertility decisions, and the emotional toll carried by entire families. Suzanne shares how Livestrong has spent nearly three decades helping people navigate not just cancer treatment, but survivorship. From helping young adults preserve their ability to have children someday to supporting caregivers who are quietly struggling in isolation, her work reveals the hidden realities many families face. The conversation takes a critical turn toward first responders, who face significantly higher rates of cancer due to occupational exposure. Suzanne discusses the unique barriers firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS professionals, and their families face when navigating a diagnosis while continuing to serve their communities. Listeners will also hear about Livestrong's ambitious effort to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 through a 343-mile cycling event connecting Boston and New York City, bringing awareness to the thousands of first responders who have developed cancer and other illnesses since that tragic day. This episode is about more than cancer. It's about resilience, caregiving, advocacy, family, and what it means to support people when life changes overnight.   Learn more about Livestrong   +++++ Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.

Have you ever wondered what is actually available to you because of your faith in Jesus Christ? In this powerful Sunday message, Pastor James Wilson opens Romans 5:1-5 to reveal what is exclusively reserved for those who have been justified by faith. From the peace that holds in the middle of chaos, to the grace that empowers in the middle of weakness, to the hope that refuses to be put to shame, this message draws a clear and powerful picture of what it means to walk in the fullness of what Christ has secured. Pastor Wilson reminds believers that justification is not just about being forgiven. It is about being given access to something that the world cannot offer and the enemy cannot take. Grace, peace, and hope are not distant promises. They are active realities for everyone who has surrendered to Jesus Christ. The message builds to a powerful declaration rooted in the story of Abraham and the resurrection of Christ. No matter how far behind things may look, the justified have a comeback reserved for them. This is a word for anyone who needs to be reminded that what God has sealed, He will not lose, and what He has promised, He is able to perform. Sermon Scripture: Romans 5:1-5; Colossians 1:19-22; Romans 4:16-25   We stream live every Sunday at 11 am and every Wednesday at 8 pm. Visit our website: https://perfectingfaithchurch.com  Connect with us on social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerfectingFaithChurch/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectingfaithchurch/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@perfectingfaithchurch  X: https://x.com/PFCNY   Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@perfectingfaithchurch  

You can find Daily Music Headlines here.Netflix is bringing KPop Demon Hunters to Major League Baseball stadiums across the U.S. with special “KPop Demon Hunters Nights” scheduled for August and September, featuring themed giveaways, merchandise, jerseys, bobbleheads, in-game entertainment, and postgame drone shows at select ballparks.netflix.comLong-lost footage of The Beatles performing “Can't Buy Me Love” on the BBC music show Top of the Pops in 1964 has been discovered on a 35mm film negative, offering significantly better quality than previously known off-air recordings.nme.comA new documentary celebrating the legacy of British band Pulp, titled Pulp: What Do You Do for an Encore?, is set to premiere later this year on MUBI, combining footage from the band's biggest-ever arena show with four decades of previously unseen archival material.music-news.comTaylor Swift has been named Wembley Stadium's most-photographed artist, according to new research from photo-book company Popsa, with Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, and Bruce Springsteen rounding out the top five.music-news.comGrammy-nominated producer Tay Keith, born Brytavious Chambers, has died at age 29 after being found in his Nashville apartment during a police welfare check, with authorities saying no foul play is suspected and an official cause of death still pending.pitchfork.comSpotify is kicking off its new “Reserved” ticketing program with Role Model, giving select Spotify Premium subscribers early access to purchase tickets before the general public based on fan engagement such as streams, saves, shares, and location.digitalmusicnews.comSouth Korea has launched a new $2.2 million government-backed fund to help smaller and independent K-pop agencies expand internationally, with 10 selected agencies eligible for up to about $218,000 per year for as many as three years.digitalmusicnews.comAnd it's Friday, so let's take a listen to some of the fresh songs out this week:“Is It Love” by Tyla“Heaven” by Myles Smith“On Your Mind” by FKA Twigs and Lil Yachty“Talking Dirty” by Chlöe and Timbaland“New America” by KennyHoopla Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guardrails positions itself as a populist political movement that runs on small donations from people in the trenches of the AI boom. Also, Spotify is launching "Reserved," a new system that will hold two concert tickets for an artist's superfans before they're on sale to the public. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

138 - Mental Warefare is Part of the Path - Doc Springer Episode Description What if some of the things we've been taught about trauma, resilience, and suicide prevention are actually making the problem worse? In this powerful conversation, Conrad Weaver sits down with Dr. Shauna "Doc" Springer—psychologist, author, speaker, and one of the leading voices in military and first responder mental health—to explore the realities of what she calls "mental warfare." Drawing from decades of experience working alongside military operators, veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, dispatchers, and peer support teams, Doc Springer challenges some of the most common assumptions surrounding trauma, healing, and wellness. Together, Conrad and Doc discuss why peer support programs succeed or fail, what qualities make an effective peer supporter, and why command staff often carry invisible burdens with few safe places to turn. They also examine the growing need for innovative approaches to wellness and why leaders must move beyond simply checking boxes when it comes to supporting their people. Doc shares insights from her new book, Fallout: 10 Common Beliefs That Are Killing Our Bravest and the Truth That Can Save Them, including why awareness alone isn't enough to reduce suicide risk and why post-traumatic stress should not automatically be viewed as a lifelong sentence. The conversation also explores the role of treatments like the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), the importance of combining biological and psychological healing, and why recovery always requires more than a quick fix. Perhaps most importantly, Doc introduces a concept that may reshape how first responders think about wellness: elasticity. Rather than simply "bouncing back," elasticity is the ability to adapt, recover, and move between life's challenges without losing yourself in the process. If you're a first responder, leader, peer supporter, clinician, or family member, this episode offers practical wisdom, hope, and a fresh perspective on what it takes to thrive in a profession where the pressures are real and the stakes are high. Because mental warfare isn't a sign of weakness. It's part of the path.     Connect with Doc Springer: https://thinlineadvisory.com/     +++++ Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.

In another topic-focused GGACP mini-episode, Gilbert and Frank share their love of unheralded films, underrated TV shows, underappreciated pop songs and often unknown performers, discussing, dissecting and (occasionally) defending their handpicked guilty pleasures and buried treasures. This week: Bad biopics! Neil Simon reboots “Bogart”! Lee Marvin bests Rod Steiger! And Mike Myers borrows from Quincy Jones! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ministering: Pastor Muyiwa Omonogun

137 - Hiding in Plain Sight: When the Helper Needs Help with Paramedic Brad Lawson For nearly 27 years, Brad Lawson served his community as a paramedic, responding to tragedies, accidents, overdoses, and some of life's darkest moments. Like many first responders, Brad learned to suppress emotions, push through pain, and wear the mask of strength. To everyone around him, he appeared to have it all together. But beneath the surface, years of unresolved trauma, addiction, emotional exhaustion, and a lack of support were taking their toll. In this powerful episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Brad shares his personal journey from darkness to healing. He opens up about the cultural pressures that keep first responders silent, the challenges of seeking help, and the lessons he learned through therapy, recovery, and rebuilding his support system. Brad also discusses his book, Dancing With Darkness: A First Responder's Fight for Light, and the work he's doing through the Pierce Foundation to bring mental wellness resources, education, and hope to first responders across the country. You'll hear an honest discussion about leadership, organizational culture, burnout, resilience, and what it truly means to prioritize wellness in high-stress professions. Whether you're a first responder, leader, spouse, healthcare worker, or someone supporting those who serve others, this conversation offers practical insights and powerful encouragement. If you've ever wondered whether you're carrying too much alone, this episode is for you. Listen in and discover why healing begins when we stop pretending we're okay.   Connect with Brad:  piercefoundation.org Book: Dancing with Darkness https://a.co/d/0eJKQyTb +++++ Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.

136 - The Full Bucket: Hidden Trauma, Childhood Wounds and Healing for First Responders with Dr. Stacy Raymond   EPISODE SUMMARY What if the trauma first responders carry didn't start on the job? In this powerful conversation, psychologist and trauma specialist Dr. Stacy Raymond explores the hidden roots of trauma in policing and public safety — and why some first responders struggle to seek help, even when their bucket is overflowing. Drawing from her new book Dump the Bucket: Healing Trauma in Police with EMDR, Dr. Raymond shares groundbreaking insights into adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), attachment wounds, organizational stress, and the accumulated weight of bad calls, betrayal, and moral injury. She explains why some officers become masters of compartmentalization… why “handling it alone” can become a survival strategy… and why those same adaptations can later fuel isolation, burnout, excessive force, addiction, or suicide risk. You'll also learn about EMDR therapy, how it helps traumatic memories finally get “filed away,” and why coping and healing are not the same thing. This episode is honest, challenging, and deeply hopeful for first responders, leaders, clinicians, and anyone carrying more than they realize.   Connect with Dr. Raymond: https://www.drstacyraymond.com/   +++++ Need Help? We have a list of resources at www.firstresponderwellness.co/resources Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Book a screening event: contact GaryMiller@ptsd911movie.com Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.

Need Help?  Check out our resource page at https://firstresponderwellness.co/resources/   Great Leaders Empower the Team - with Steve Vincent What does real leadership look like when lives, missions, and impossible decisions are on the line? In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver sits down with former U.S. Navy commanding officer Steve Vincent for a powerful conversation about leadership, trust, culture, and command in high-risk environments. Steve shares lessons learned leading sailors aboard Navy ships during deployments, crisis operations, and high-pressure missions — including a dramatic nighttime recovery operation in the Persian Gulf that tested everything he believed about leadership. This conversation challenges the idea that leaders must always be the smartest person in the room. Instead, Steve explores the power of teamwork, humility, psychological safety, and creating cultures where people at every level are empowered to speak up. Whether you're leading in law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch, the military, or business, this episode offers practical and hard-earned leadership wisdom that can strengthen your team and your culture. In This Episode, You'll Learn: ✓ Why great leaders don't need to know everything ✓ The difference between command and true leadership ✓ How trust and psychological safety impact team performance ✓ What first responders can learn from military leadership culture ✓ Why empowering junior team members can prevent catastrophe ✓ The power of debriefing — even when things go well ✓ How humility and accountability build stronger organizations Key Takeaways “You don't have to know how to fix the pump. Your job is to make sure your people have what they need to fix it.” “When everything goes right, it's WE. When things go wrong, it's ME.” “Leadership isn't about controlling everything. It's about creating a culture where people can speak up before mistakes become disasters.” About Steve Vincent Steve Vincent is a former U.S. Navy commanding officer with decades of leadership experience in military operations, organizational leadership, wellness, and high-performance team environments. Drawing from years of command at sea, Steve brings practical insight into trust, culture, leadership development, and human performance in high-stakes professions. Connect / Learn More +++++ Join the First Responder Leadership Mastermind - Sessions begin June 3.  Order the PTSD911 Film and Educational Toolkit here: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/ Web site:  https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-responder-wellness-podcast/id1535675703 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wW72dLZOKkO1QYUPzL2ih The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC Copyright ©2026 First Responder Wellness Solutions, LLC - All rights Reserved.  

God's timing can turn years of waiting into a testimony of honor

It's T. Kyle's birthday! He and Brad discuss plans for the big day, Shakira's response to her tax victory, Spotify's new “Reserved” idea and AI podcasts and AI remix features, Harry Styles needing to change his stage because no one can see him, High Fashion Editorial! featuring RuPaul's ‘Stop! That! Train!' premiere, Christina Aguilera and Melanie C meeting at The Abbey along with the drag Spice Girls, new music from Loreen, HUGEL, Charli xcx's “SS26,” Madonna's weeks-late response to “Rock Song,” a Madonna Minute with the deluxe tracks of ‘Confessions II,' a possible ‘Confessions Tour' Part 2, Ariana Grande's ‘Dangerous Woman' 10 year anniversary, Trisha Paytas' K-pop debut, Kylie Minogue's reissues and “Light Up.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes delay is not rejection, but preparation for something greater

SpaceX filed publicly for its IPO on Nasdaq, revealing $18.7B in 2025 revenue, billions in losses, and Musk's 85.1% voting control. Anthropic pays SpaceX $1.25B per month for compute. Nvidia beat estimates again, Spotify launches Reserved ticketing, and Waymo suspends service over flooding. SpaceX files publicly for its IPO, choosing Nasdaq to make its debut under the symbol SPCX; Elon Musk's shares give him 85.1% of the voting power in the company (Bloomberg) SpaceX's S-1 reveals Anthropic is paying $1.25B per month through May 2029 under their Colossus compute deal, with a 90-day termination clause (The Verge) Spotify partners with Live Nation to launch Reserved, a new feature that sets aside tickets for the most dedicated fans, starting with Premium users in the US (Hollywood Reporter) Spotify debuts a desktop app for creating personal podcasts, competing with Google's NotebookLM, with support for daily briefings based on email and calendar (TechCrunch) Nvidia reports Q1 revenue up 85% YoY to $81.62B, above $78.86B est., Data Center revenue up 92% YoY to $75.2B, and announces an $80B share repurchase program (Nvidia) Waymo suspends operations in Atlanta and San Antonio as its robotaxis struggle with flooded roads and says it has yet to develop a "final remedy" for flooding (TechCrunch) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the President announced a proposed expansion of the America's refugee program - from 7,500 admissions to 17,500. But there's a caveat: those extra 10,000 spots are reserved for white South Africans. Last May, when the first round of Afrikaners arrived in the States, OTM host Micah Loewinger spoke to Carolyn Holmes, professor of political science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, about why Afrikaner white rights groups objected to the refugee policy, and the long-standing exchange of ideas between white nationalist elites in the US and South Africa. On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's callers: Christina from California wonders how to build trust with her fragrance brand formulated without allergens. Then, James, also from California, assesses how he can create more brand awareness for his kids' flip flop company. And Ben from Florida evaluates whether he should raise outside capital for his light-up jewelry products. Plus, Eric's philosophy on identifying strong founders and the brands now that he's moved from being an entrepreneur to being an investor. Thank you to the founders of Havyn, Pidgin Toes, and Reserved for Humans for being a part of our show.If you'd like to be featured on a future Advice Line episode—where Guy and former show guests take questions from early-stage founders—leave us a one-minute message that tells us about your business and a specific question you'd like answered. Send a voice memo to hibt@id.wondery.com or call 1-800-433-1298.And be sure to listen to Method's founding story as told by Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry on the show in 2018. This episode was produced by Noor Gill with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Casey Herman. Our audio engineer was Cena Loffredo.You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We've been told our whole lives that more choice equals more freedom, and therefore, more happiness. But that equation breaks down sooner than we think. In this episode, Michael and Megan sit down with psychologist and bestselling author Barry Schwartz to unpack the hidden costs of abundance—in our shopping carts, our workplaces, and our sense of identity. If you've ever felt paralyzed by too many options or trapped in an endless loop of comparison and upgrade, this conversation will help you understand why—and what to do about it.Memorable Quotes“You don't need to look at all the options. You look until you find one that meets your standards, and then pick it and stop looking. You're not looking over your shoulder in case somehow you missed an opportunity for something even better.”“Most important, I think, is to discipline yourself to believe—and act as if you believe—that good enough is pretty much always good enough.”“When there are 20,000 options, whether you like it or not, your choice says something about who you are—not just to the world, but also to yourself. 'I'm the kind of person who goes to this restaurant, buys this clothing,' and so on. What that does is make even trivial decisions into high-stakes decisions.”“Most people see the options we have not as a problem, but as an opportunity. And of course it is an opportunity, but it's an opportunity that has problems attached. So if you become self-aware about this, that's the first step toward making decisions about which parts of your life are worth devoting this kind of time and effort to—and which parts are just details.”“One thing that's clear now is that [AI] does not replace judgment. It assists judgment… So you need to be judicious and knowledgeable in asking the right questions of AI and in interpreting the answers that you get to extract the kernels and discard the husks.”“The way you become wise, the way you develop judgment, is by making decisions, watching some of them fail, and learning how to make better and better decisions—more and more context-sensitive decisions—as a result of correcting your previous errors. People need practice to become wise, and the more people rely on AI, the less practice they're gonna get.”Key TakeawaysChoice Excess Creates Problems. Having many options attracts our attention but undermines our decisiveness. That paralysis then reduces our satisfaction even with the decisions we do make.Maximizers Pay a Hidden Tax. People who consistently seek the very best option spend more time deciding, feel less satisfied with their choices, and are more prone to regret and depression. People who stop when they find something “good enough” consistently report greater wellbeing.Abundance Raises the Stakes of Every Decision. When there are only two jean brands, your choice says nothing about you. When there are thousands, every purchase becomes an identity statement. That's what turns trivial decisions into exhausting ones.A Calling Isn't Reserved for the Corner Office. Barry's research on hospital janitors shows that meaning at work has nothing to do with prestige. It comes from seeing how your work serves others and being given the freedom to act on that view.AI Can Erode Wisdom. The way we develop judgment is by making decisions, watching some fail, and learning from the correction. The more we outsource decisions to AI, the less opportunity we have to build that wisdom. Knowledge and wisdom are not the same thing.ResourcesThe Paradox of Choice by Barry SchwartzChoose Wisely by Barry Schwartz and Richard SchuldenreiWhy We Work by Barry Schwartz“Every Life Has a Story” (Chick fil A video referenced)“AI Doesn't Reduce Work—It Intensifies It” (HBR article referenced)The Fix by Ian Cron (referenced)Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/w_FOZXsxMgMThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound