November 6, 2025 • 29 mins
Today’s guest knows a thing or two about carrying weight — not just in uniform, but after it comes off.
She’s a nurse with more than thirty years in healthcare, most of that in hospice and end-of-life care. She’s an author, a coach, and the creator of The Becoming Method® — a practical framework that helps caregivers stop burning themselves alive for the job.
Jenny Lytle has spent decades sitting beside the edge of life, where exhaustion meets grace, and she’s learned one hard truth we all forget: you can’t save anyone if you’ve already bled yourself dry.
We talk about: – Why burnout hides behind “I’m fine.” – The cost of caring and what recovery really looks like. – How to build five-minute self-care resets that actually work. – Faith, balance, and how to stop confusing self-sacrifice with strength.
This one isn’t soft — it’s survival. Because self-care isn’t selfish. It’s the only reason you’ll last long enough to live life after the pager.
Jenny Lytle’s book Self-Care Isn’t Selfish is available on Amazon in Kindle, Audible, paperback, hardcover, and large print — or grab a free digital copy at selfcareisntselfish.com.
This is Dispatched & Dysfunctional. Because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories. And sometimes the best stories… remind us to survive long enough to tell them.
🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional 🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent 🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised. Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both. Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:06):
9 1 1. What's your emergency?
(00:33):
The following contentis graphic emotional.
And includes dark humor that maynot be suitable for all listeners.
Discretion is advised.
Explicit content included.
These stories are based on real lifeEMS and first responder experiences.
The calls are real, the providersare real names, and patient details
have been changed to protect privacy.
(00:54):
Episodes may include trauma, suicideabuse, medical emergencies, mental
health struggles, or things yourHR department would definitely not
approve of any advice, opinions,or discussion of medical procedures
are based on personal experience.
And should never override your localprotocols, medical direction or training.
Use your damn brain.
(01:14):
Follow your guidelines andyour local or agency protocols.
Follow your training.
And when in doubt, call med control.
Most importantly, if you'restruggling, don't do it alone.
Talk to someone, a coworker, afriend, a therapist, or help.
Reach out to me.
I'll answer.
Need help right now.
Text or call 9 8 8 orvisit 9 88 lifeline.org.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (01:41):
Alright, you're listening to dispatch and
dysfunctional, where chaos has a pulseand shift change is never guaranteed.
Today's guest knows a thing or twoabout carrying weight, not just in
uniform, but after it comes off.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (01:51):
off
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (01:52):
She's a nurse with more than 30 years
in healthcare, most of that inhospice and end of life care.
She's an author, a coach, and she's on amission to remind us of something in EMS
in nursing, that culture tends to forget.
You can't pour empty, youcan't pour from an empty cup.
Here's the thing about Jenny.
She's not another burnout storyor a treat yourself influencer
(02:13):
preaching bubble bass and crystals.
She's a nurse who's donethree decades in the trenches.
Hospitals, ICUs, hospice rooms, theplaces where exhaustion meets grace,
and we're carrying too much canhollow you out if you're not careful.
She's held hands at the very edge of life.
She's watched families break, rebuild,and break again, and somewhere
in all that loss she's realizedthe same thing many of us miss.
(02:35):
If you don't fill up your own cup, thisjob will drain it dry and hand it back.
Cracked that realization came becameher mission, a way to help the rest
of us survive the world without losingthe parts of ourselves that make us
want to do it in the first place.
Jenny, before we dive in,I wanna start with this.
You've written self-care isn't selfish.
(02:56):
You've built the becoming method andyou've spent years helping caregivers
stop burning themselves alive for the job.
When someone finishes listening to thisepisode, whether they're a nurse, a
medic, or just someone barely hanging,holding on, holding it together, what
do you want them to walk away with?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: with? (03:10):
undefined
I want 'em to walk away with knowingthat A, really is important to
prioritize self-care and why y andB, that it's simpler than you think.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (03:25):
Very well put.
Very, very well said as well.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: thank you (03:29):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (03:31):
So, Jenny, let's rewind to the start.
What first pulled you into nursing?
Was it a family?
Was it a calling, or did you justwant to want the wild schedule and the
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (03:38):
the
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411: glorious paycheck? (03:38):
undefined
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Well, um, you know, the funny thing (03:42):
undefined
is, Chris, when I. First decidedthat I wanted to become a nurse.
I was young and I liked the thermometer.
I had been sick a lot when I wasyoung, and that's one of the things
that I really remember is thethermometer that the nurses had.
(04:02):
I thought, well, that's kind of cool.
And so that was my original, uh,motivation for becoming a nurse.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (04:08):
I gotcha.
Okay.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: not the most selfless one, but (04:09):
undefined
that's, that's what started it.
And then later, I, I went througha, a time where I wanted to do
something more mental health related.
I was looking at psychology and thingslike that, but I decided right out of high
school to go for, um, practical nursingbecause it was a short program and I
(04:32):
thought that I was going to get married.
Thankfully I didn't, but my mom had wantedme to, uh, to finish college before then.
So I decided to do that.
And, and really, I've loved nursing.
I've, I've always known thatI wanted to work with people
and help people in some way.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (04:47):
I gotcha.
So hospice is a very heavycorner in healthcare.
A lot of us in EMS can handle theblood, the trauma, the chaos, but
the long silence of dying, the wreckthat wrecks is more than people
that admit What drew you there?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: I had a friend whose dad was hospice. (05:04):
undefined
He had been sick, he had cancer, andthen he, um, he went to the ER one day
because he, his abdomen was purple andthat had happened very suddenly and his
lung cancer had metastasized to his liver.
(05:24):
And so he was sent home onhospice with two weeks to live.
And they weren't a super medical family.
So I kind of stayed with them forthose couple of weeks and that was
really my introduction to hospice.
And I thought, you know, this issuch a cool thing, like to be able
to be at home and be surrounded bythe people that you wanna be with and
(05:47):
be able to go out on the porch andsmoke if that's what you wanna do.
And, and.
It was such a, such a unique concept to mebecause I had worked mainly long-term care
and in doctor's offices, things like that.
And so being able to be, um, in thatkind of setting and be comfortable and
live life on your terms for the rest ofyour life, um, was something that really.
(06:10):
It really impacted me.
And so a couple of months after that, Iapplied at the hospice where he, where
he had had his services through, and Iworked there for 12 and a half years.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (06:23):
Wow.
I bet, and I bet that that that helpsthe patients out a lot more in the end
than going to, you know, tertiary careor palliative care in the hospitals.
I think in my mind, it helpsa lot of their mental anguish,
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Home at stage. (06:34):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411: if I'm not mistaken. (06:34):
undefined
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Right. (06:36):
undefined
Well, and you know, itdoes kind of depend.
There are some people whoreally don't want to be at home.
You know, whether that's becausethey're afraid to be at home or
they don't want their family membersto have those kind of memories.
And it's the same way with the families.
There's ones who really want themto be there and want them, you know,
to be in, um, you know, in their ownbedroom and, and things like that.
(06:58):
And others who are kindof put off by that.
One of the things that, you know,that I believe with healthcare in
general, but especially with hospicecare, is, you know, we really need
to meet people where they are.
And I think that's part of what sparkedmy, my desire to personalize things when
it comes to self-care as well, because Isee the importance of, and I've seen that,
(07:21):
you know, for my whole hospice careerespecially of really individualizing.
Care and not just assuming that becausesomething looks or feels right to one
person, that that's gonna be rightto everybody else, even if they have,
you know, the same disease processor a lot of the same circumstances.
We're all unique.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (07:40):
Very true.
Yeah, that's, I, I, I lovehow you just put that.
So I know, uh, from reading yourhistory, uh, I see you went to nursing
and then life threw your curve ball.
You lost your mom, who was also a nurse,
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Mm-hmm. (07:53):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (07:54):
and that changed how you saw the job, right?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Yes, yes. (07:56):
undefined
so mom and I went to school, like Isaid, you know, I went to LPN school
right out of high school and, I,I joke that my mom and I graduated
together twice because, uh, she was
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (08:10):
I.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: when she graduated from high school. (08:10):
undefined
And so she had worked, you know, minimumwage jobs and had worked her way up
into things, but she had always wantedto have a career in nursing as well.
And so when I got outtahigh school, we went to.
Practical Nursing School together.
Oh
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (08:27):
Oh wow.
That's awesome.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Yeah, it was, it was cool. (08:29):
undefined
And, you know, I wish I would'verealized then how, I mean then
it was, it was kind of fun.
But, um, but you know, lookingback now, I really, I really
do cherish that time together.
And we even worked at the sameplace for a while, but I worked
afternoons and she worked midnightsand we worked on opposite ends.
But, um, yeah, she wasdefinitely someone who.
(08:52):
Was a caregiver at heart, youknow, she, she would do anything
for anybody except herself,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (08:58):
Wow.
That's That's awesome.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: taking care of everybody else's needs. (09:01):
undefined
And, and so many of usthat are in are like that.
You know, we, we, we feel likewe're so called to take care of
everybody else, and we'll get toourselves, you know, when we're done.
Well, it's like a to-do list, you know?
When, when does a to-do list get done?
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (09:21):
Right.
That actually brings me into my nextquestion, in all honesty is, here's what
I know from EMS is, you know, we're damngood at patching up other people and
damn terrible at patching ourselves up.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Absolutely. (09:30):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (09:30):
What do you see as the biggest reason nurses, medics
and caregivers fail at self self care?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: as well? (09:35):
undefined
You know, one of the, one ofthe big things that I hear
is feeling that it's selfish.
Um, you know, I've got all these otherpeople to take care of, you know,
I, they're counting on me, so, soI, I don't have time to take care of
myself because that's, you know, thatdoesn't need to be where my mind is.
So that's one of 'em.
Another one is I don't have enough timeand I don't even know where to start.
(09:58):
So, you know, it's so ingrained ina lot of us to focus on everybody
else that when, when you do suggest,you know, okay, well take a little
bit of time for yourself, it'slike, well, what would I even do?
Um, because we don't, we don'ttake the time to figure out
what is it that refills my cup?
What really restores me?
Until we get to that point where,you know, like you said, life
(10:21):
throws us a curve ball and.
can only neglect ourselves for solong before something does happen,
before we realize that, hey, um, I,I've gotta do something different.
And that's kind of what startedmy journey, was my own burnout.
Um, after I said like, I'd beenat the hospice for 12 and a half
years, and, um, it had just come toa point where I, I gave way too much
(10:48):
of myself for way too long, and Iignored all of the symptoms that.
That things were not goingwell and I really needed to
start prioritizing myself.
I eventually came to a point where Ihad to because I was just, I was, I was
miserable I left and I spent quite a bitof time and effort and money to figure
(11:11):
out like, what is it that I need andwhat do I, what do I want, and what do
I want the rest of my life to look like?
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (11:18):
Yeah, I, I can, I can, I can meet you on that one
as I, I, I, I've actually just recentlystarted going to, uh, get help myself,
um, but I noticed I was having a burnoutcrisis in the end when my dad passed,
and I couldn't even cry about it.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (11:34):
it.
Mm-hmm.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (11:35):
I was, uh, the rest of my family's crying.
I'm sitting there like, okay, he's dead.
You know?
There was no.
No compassion in, in the end,in my opinion, to of, of myself.
And that's,
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: burnout. (11:47):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411: I think, part of the burnout (11:48):
undefined
process that I started feeling.
And it really sucked
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (11:51):
and,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411: and I regret it to this day. (11:52):
undefined
But at the same time, I, I'm kindof glad I did hold it together
better than I thought I could.
But it was just the burnout,I think, holding it together.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: right. (12:03):
undefined
And, and that is, you know, I mean, whenwe get to where we're just, when we've
seen so much, we've held so much likespace and trauma for other people that.
I mean, we just, we can't, we can'tdeal with it on our own anymore.
You know, we're, we'rejust, we're, we're full.
And that's, that's the end.
And that's what, that's whathappened with me and, and my
(12:27):
mom to a certain degree as well.
You know, I mean, there was a part ofme that had a lot of regret and I really
did feel a lot, but I still wonder, andshe's been gone for seven and a half
years now, and there's still a part ofme that thinks, you know, I'm not sure
that I'm completely, I'm not sure I'mcompletely through all of that yet.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (12:43):
Right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: you know, and I don't believe we ever (12:44):
undefined
get over the loss of someone, but, butI do believe that, you know, like a lot
of things, if we don't deal with them inthe moment, at some point we're, we're
gonna need to, or it's going to, goingto come back and affect us in some way
and sometimes when we least expect it.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (13:04):
Yeah, I, again, I can attest to that one myself actually.
Uh, going through paramedic school, uh.
I actually wound up having a strokehalfway through due to the stress and
the losing my dad and everything justbuilt up and it actually accumulated
so bad to where I had a TIA, um, and ofcourse they didn't know what caused it.
They were like, oh, that's yourdiabetes, but we can't guarantee that.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (13:26):
Wow.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411: It was like, oh, okay. (13:26):
undefined
Yeah.
So that, that was, that.
That's been an interesting thingand that actually brings me to this
question I got here for you is so.
You know, we've allheard the old suck it up.
Butter Cove approach, laugh itoff, crack a joke, keep moving.
The galas humor keeps usalive until it doesn't.
Let me throw this one at you.
When does this coping stop working?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Ah, know, I think that's different for (13:48):
undefined
all of us, but I do believe that we know,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (13:57):
I.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: know when it's coming. (13:57):
undefined
I mean, we know when things aren'tworking as well as they used to.
We know when we not feeling as much incertain areas, and maybe we're feeling
a little too much in other areas and.
We can push it down and we can ignore itand we can laugh it off for a while, but
you know, it's listening to that, thatvoice sometimes is in your head, you know,
(14:23):
where you kind of get those little, uh,I just know something's not quite right.
I know I need to do something different,but I don't know what it is or.
we don't even get that in our head.
You know, we can be so removed fromthat that we feel it in our body, but
we're not really like thinking about it.
We're not feeling those emotions, butwe're feeling those physical symptoms.
(14:44):
So maybe it's having headaches morethan usual, being, you know, more
tired or less tired or a lot ofmuscle tension, um, stomach upset,
you know, all of those kind of things.
Those were our body saying, Hey,something needs to be different.
You need to do something.
and you know, we get those,we get those warning signs.
(15:06):
And I'm kind of curious, did you get,did you get some signs like that in, in
hindsight, you know, prior to your TIA?
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (15:12):
Yes, ma'am.
I think I did.
I really do.
Um, it, it, it, it's sad that Ididn't catch onto it and I think
that's how, I hate to say it this way.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: that's (15:21):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (15:22):
how I think all healthcare is trained in the end
is, as you said earlier, we're trainedto treat others and not ourselves.
Um, we don't seem to see the signsin ourselves, and if we do, we just
kick it to the curb like it's nothing.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Right, right. (15:38):
undefined
We're gonna, we're gonna take care ofit sometime, or you know, or we feel
like we just need to, you know, likeyou said, suck it up and keep on going.
Oh,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (15:49):
Right,
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: fine. (15:49):
undefined
Or, you know, I mean, how many timesdo you hear people talk about, you
know, oh, I'll sleep when I'm dead.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (15:54):
right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: you know, and I usually say, well, (15:55):
undefined
and that's probably gonna be soonerif you don't, if you don't sleep.
Um, now I say that, and I also workon call nights, and so my sleep's
interrupted too, you know, so I know that.
I know it's.
There's a lot of things that are easiersaid than done, especially in healthcare.
You know, it's,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (16:12):
Right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Prioritizing things like sleep and, you (16:12):
undefined
know, regular meals and all of that.
That's, that's great for nine tofive type people, but it doesn't
always work that simply for us.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (16:24):
Very true.
Very, very true.
So that, that brings me tothis right here as well.
So let's dig into what you came,what came from all that you
created the becoming method.
Break it down for us.
What is it and how does it help someonewho's one bad call away from burning out?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (16:41):
Yes.
So, yeah, I, I said, I, I spent alot of time and effort and money,
um, trying to figure out like, how,how can I, how can I feel better?
How can I live better, live more theway I want to live and still be able to
do the things that I wanna do, do thethings that I feel like I'm called to do?
(17:02):
So I ended up becoming, I ended upcoming up with the Becoming method
because the name of my business isBecoming Your Best with Jenny Lidle, rn.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (17:10):
Right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: I, um, I thought, well, you know, when (17:12):
undefined
I was looking at things, I kind oflooked at the nursing process where,
you know, we assess and diagnose andplan and implement and evaluate and.
I thought, you know, there's, yes,that's kind of what we need to do
with ourselves too, but I wantedto take it a little bit further.
And so the way that I had kind ofdone things was, you know, looking
(17:33):
back when I pulled it all together,because of course I did this in, in
a different way myself to begin with.
I was just kind of pulling pieces togetherand trying to, trying to figure it out.
But, so it's a systematic approach tofiguring out like where we are now.
Where we wanna go and howwe're gonna get there.
And each letter, um, each letteris a particular part of that.
(17:55):
And so like the B forbecoming is baseline.
And with that we're seeing, youknow, how, how are things now?
Like where am I in terms of my stresslevel, in terms of my self-care, um,
my overall life satisfaction, youknow, kind of digging into some of
those things and then looking at.
E is energized and the things thatreally light us up because you know, the
(18:17):
things that, that I do for self-care,the things that really, you know, help
to replenish me when I am running lowor, you know, help to energize me when
I'm feeling like stressed out, butdrained, then those may be very different
than the things that work for you.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (18:36):
Right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: so each of the, each of the letters, um, (18:36):
undefined
really builds on each other and helps to
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (18:43):
Hmm.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (18:43):
a, clear picture of what is it that I can
do that's going to help me live the lifeI wanna live, instead of just, you know,
looking out, like you were talking about,you know, bubble baths and crystals.
You know, are those things that maybe.
Do make me feel great.
You know, there are some people wholove, you know, taking a, a nightly
(19:04):
soak in the bathtub, that's their thing.
For me.
I know that massages, like on a, youknow, every, every month or so, that's
something that really helps me becauseI do carry a lot of tension and I
know that, so I know that helps me.
But on a day-to-day basis, I alsoknow that spending time in nature.
Starting my day with, um, devotionalsand God time for me is I know that
(19:29):
that's something that me better, thatthat helps me be less stressed and
just, um, overall feel more like myself.
But I mean, the reality is do I do allof the things that help me every day?
Nope.
I sure don't because life happens, I helppeople put together a stress relieving
(19:51):
and self-care plan that's personalizedto them, so that when they get stressed.
It's not okay.
You know what?
Like I know that there's thingsthat I need to do different, but
I don't know where to start andI don't have the energy to do it.
So it's kind of having that menu therewhere you're not trying to figure
out what you need to do when you'rein the, in the of being exhausted.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (20:16):
Okay.
Yeah, I like, I like that.
And again, this is bringingus to the next question.
So for the medic who's got no time,no energy, and no clue where to
start, what's one thing they cando in five minutes or less to be
able to ground themselves or reset?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Ah, great. (20:31):
undefined
And this is, you know, this is one ofthe things that I love, um, because there
are so many things we feel like it's,we don't have time, but in reality it's,
there's a lot of things that we know.
And so, and that's what I encourageeveryone is, you know, don't just think,
well, I know that, you know, knowingand doing are two very different things.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (20:51):
Very true.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: So, you know, stop and take a (20:52):
undefined
minute to take a few deep breaths.
You know, if you're able to, now if you'redriving down the road, don't do this.
But if you're able to close your eyesand just, you know, a couple slow,
deep breaths, I mean, it really helpsto re reregulate your nervous system,
helps to slow things down, get usout of that fight or flight mode and.
(21:14):
Enable us to be able to think moreclearly because when we are in, that
always ramped up, always fight or flight.
And there's those of us, you know?
I mean, yes, when you work in emergency,uh, emergency type situations, then yes,
you get to where you can function on that.
when you, when you're not in those.
(21:35):
Fight or flight, you really have to honein on your things that you're doing.
You know, your body doesn'twanna run like that all the time.
And it's hard to shift out of that
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (21:44):
It.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: you know, when you've been like (21:44):
undefined
adrenaline and going, I mean, youknow, I worked in ER for a short
period of time and, um, but you knowwhat, that's like being out there.
You know, I haven't been out therelike in truly horrific situations
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (21:59):
Right,
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (22:00):
and
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (22:01):
and it's not healthy at all for anybody.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: a toll. (22:02):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (22:03):
Right, and, and that, and that's golden.
What you just said too, as well is, youknow, you, and that's what we all forget
is, you know, self-care isn't vacation.
It's a pause, it's a break.
It's a check in for our own selves,for our partners, for our loved ones.
You know, it's something we allneed to get grounded with again
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Right. (22:21):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (22:23):
and
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: you know, so breathing is definitely, (22:23):
undefined
I mean, that's one of the quickestand easiest, and I mean, you can
al you're always breathing, sojust change it up a little bit.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (22:31):
right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: you know, getting out in nature, (22:32):
undefined
if you can do that for a minute ortwo, just to be out, be, you know,
even if it's cold, even if it's hot.
Step outside for a minute.
It doesn't have to be a lovely view.
If it is, then great, but, but justgetting some fresh air and, you know,
hearing what's going on, seeing what'sgoing on, just taking a step away
from all of the hecticness of, um, oflife that, especially life that can
(22:57):
come along with working in healthcare.
You know, being able to dothat for a minute or two.
I love to, you know, kind ofcombine some of those things.
Maybe step outside and take a, youknow, a three to five minute walk.
If I'm able to do that, you know,where I'm breathing a little deeper
and I'm out in nature and I'm justkind of looking and, and taking, you
know, right now it's, I'm in Indiana.
(23:19):
And so I was driving today in between,uh, patients and I was like, wow, you
know, the leaves are just really changing.
They're absolutely gorgeous.
The sun was just shiningthrough 'em just right.
You know, the temperatures are finallynot sweltering and, um, you know,
just being able to really just slowdown and appreciate that for a minute.
(23:41):
Um, is it, it's something that makesus be able to go on and do all of
the other things that we need to dowithout feeling like we're so exhausted
and especially if we throw a littlegratitude for things like that in there.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (23:55):
Yeah.
Yes ma'am.
And that actually brings me, you saidthis a minute ago about your faith is
you've been open openly about your faith
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: mm-hmm. (24:01):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (24:01):
how it shapes your values and keeps you grounded.
That can be tricky in EMS and also ER or.
ICU where people can either leanheavy on it or run away from it.
How has that helped you build susustainable healthcare or self-care?
I'm sorry.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Yeah. (24:15):
undefined
So you know, and that issomething, yes, it is something
that's very important to me.
And I also never, you know, I neverwant to be anybody that's pushy.
Um, I generally have, um, you know,when I, when I'm out and about, when I'm
seeing people, I usually have on likea, a cross necklace, um, or a bracelet.
(24:36):
And that's something that, you know,then sometimes people will kind
of approach me and say something.
And it's just a way because I want, I wantthe patients that I'm interacting with
to, to be, to feel comfortable in, um.
asking me something, in approaching me,if that's something they want to do.
I never want to be anybody, youknow, whether it be in, in work or
in day-to-day life that wants to tryto push my faith on anybody else,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (25:00):
Right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: it's, it's a way for me to (25:01):
undefined
kind of have that soft opening.
Um, but for me it's like I. My faithis just, it's something that's an
undercurrent of everything I do.
Um, I believe that, you know, and Iknow some people believe in coincidence,
(25:21):
some people just believe that, youknow, things just happen and that's,
you know, that, that's fine ifthat's, if that's what you believe.
I personally believe thatGod led me to hospice.
I believe that I've been ledto, um, the majority of the jobs
that I've, that I've been in.
Um, just, I, I believethat the things that.
(25:41):
I'm doing now, um, are what I'msupposed to be doing because I think
there are so many people who are.
Who are frustrated, who are burned out,who are hurting, and they don't know where
to go, they don't know how to change that.
so I love being able to work withpeople to help them figure out like
(26:02):
ways that really work into their lives.
And you know, some of thosepeople are people that share my
faith and some of them aren't.
And either way, that's, youknow, that's completely fine.
just want to be able to serve people.
This way because I think thatit's something that's so needed
and, and because I get it, youknow, I, I know how easy it is to
(26:25):
put ourselves on the back burner.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (26:27):
Right.
So if you could go back, talk to youryoung, younger version of yourself,
fresh scrubs and too many doubleshifts, what would you tell her?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (26:35):
Mm.
You don't have to prove yourself like you.
Yes.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (26:45):
I.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Do a good job, but it doesn't make (26:45):
undefined
you a better person neglect yourself.
And if you want to truly be ableto care for other people, and this
is something that I say a lot is,you know, self-care isn't selfish.
It's essential if we wanna continue tocare for others and live our best lives.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (27:08):
Yeah.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: I would tell her, make time for you. (27:09):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (27:14):
And, and I think that's, that's needed for
all of us in, in any response field,is we should be able to provide for
ourselves and not feel neglectful inproviding care by giving ourselves the
time we need, the self-care, we needthe mental health care that we need.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Absolutely. (27:35):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (27:38):
Um, let's see.
So here's the thing.
EMS nursing caregiving, they'll drain you.
They'll break you if you let them.
And Jenny's stories
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (27:46):
to,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (27:46):
prove something we all need to hear.
Self-care isn't selfish.
It's the only reason you'll last longenough to live life after the pager.
The becoming method.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (27:56):
Book
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (27:56):
book, her story, they're not just soft tools,
they're survivor survival skills.
Eh, pardon me for that one.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: me for that one. (28:01):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (28:03):
Jenny, thank you for joining me today.
For everyone listening, where can anyonegrab your book from or get ahold of
you if they wanted more information?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Yes, absolutely. (28:10):
undefined
Thank you.
Um, so you can get my bookin, um, in Kindle version and.
Paperback and large print,hardcover and audible on Amazon.
And you can also go to my website, whichis jenny lidle.com, J-E-N-N-Y-L-Y-T-L
e.com, and you can grab a freedigital copy there as well as some
(28:36):
other free resources to help get youstarted on your uh, self-care journey.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (28:43):
Awesome, and I'll actually be putting links in
the description as well for everybody.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Well, thank you so much. (28:48):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (28:49):
Yes ma'am.
This is dispatch dysfunctionalbecause sometimes the worst
calls make the best stories andsometimes the best stories remind us
surviving long enough to tell them.
Speaker (28:59):
If you think it's too heavy to say, say it anyway.
It beats a eulogy.
You don't have to apologizefor surviving however you can.
You're not the reason things are heavy.
You're the reason they're still moving.
Need support right now.
Text or call 9 8 8 orvisit 9 8 8 lifeline.org.
You're not alone.
Not in this job, not in this fight.
Wanna share your story or connect?
Visit critical run.com ormessage the Facebook page,
(29:22):
dispatched and dysfunctional.
We're building this for you,for them, for all of us.
9 1 1. What's your emergency?
(00:33):
The following contentis graphic emotional.
And includes dark humor that maynot be suitable for all listeners.
Discretion is advised.
Explicit content included.
These stories are based on real lifeEMS and first responder experiences.
The calls are real, the providersare real names, and patient details
have been changed to protect privacy.
(00:54):
Episodes may include trauma, suicideabuse, medical emergencies, mental
health struggles, or things yourHR department would definitely not
approve of any advice, opinions,or discussion of medical procedures
are based on personal experience.
And should never override your localprotocols, medical direction or training.
Use your damn brain.
(01:14):
Follow your guidelines andyour local or agency protocols.
Follow your training.
And when in doubt, call med control.
Most importantly, if you'restruggling, don't do it alone.
Talk to someone, a coworker, afriend, a therapist, or help.
Reach out to me.
I'll answer.
Need help right now.
Text or call 9 8 8 orvisit 9 88 lifeline.org.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (01:41):
Alright, you're listening to dispatch and
dysfunctional, where chaos has a pulseand shift change is never guaranteed.
Today's guest knows a thing or twoabout carrying weight, not just in
uniform, but after it comes off.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (01:51):
off
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (01:52):
She's a nurse with more than 30 years
in healthcare, most of that inhospice and end of life care.
She's an author, a coach, and she's on amission to remind us of something in EMS
in nursing, that culture tends to forget.
You can't pour empty, youcan't pour from an empty cup.
Here's the thing about Jenny.
She's not another burnout storyor a treat yourself influencer
(02:13):
preaching bubble bass and crystals.
She's a nurse who's donethree decades in the trenches.
Hospitals, ICUs, hospice rooms, theplaces where exhaustion meets grace,
and we're carrying too much canhollow you out if you're not careful.
She's held hands at the very edge of life.
She's watched families break, rebuild,and break again, and somewhere
in all that loss she's realizedthe same thing many of us miss.
(02:35):
If you don't fill up your own cup, thisjob will drain it dry and hand it back.
Cracked that realization came becameher mission, a way to help the rest
of us survive the world without losingthe parts of ourselves that make us
want to do it in the first place.
Jenny, before we dive in,I wanna start with this.
You've written self-care isn't selfish.
(02:56):
You've built the becoming method andyou've spent years helping caregivers
stop burning themselves alive for the job.
When someone finishes listening to thisepisode, whether they're a nurse, a
medic, or just someone barely hanging,holding on, holding it together, what
do you want them to walk away with?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: with? (03:10):
undefined
I want 'em to walk away with knowingthat A, really is important to
prioritize self-care and why y andB, that it's simpler than you think.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (03:25):
Very well put.
Very, very well said as well.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: thank you (03:29):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (03:31):
So, Jenny, let's rewind to the start.
What first pulled you into nursing?
Was it a family?
Was it a calling, or did you justwant to want the wild schedule and the
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (03:38):
the
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411: glorious paycheck? (03:38):
undefined
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Well, um, you know, the funny thing (03:42):
undefined
is, Chris, when I. First decidedthat I wanted to become a nurse.
I was young and I liked the thermometer.
I had been sick a lot when I wasyoung, and that's one of the things
that I really remember is thethermometer that the nurses had.
(04:02):
I thought, well, that's kind of cool.
And so that was my original, uh,motivation for becoming a nurse.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (04:08):
I gotcha.
Okay.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: not the most selfless one, but (04:09):
undefined
that's, that's what started it.
And then later, I, I went througha, a time where I wanted to do
something more mental health related.
I was looking at psychology and thingslike that, but I decided right out of high
school to go for, um, practical nursingbecause it was a short program and I
(04:32):
thought that I was going to get married.
Thankfully I didn't, but my mom had wantedme to, uh, to finish college before then.
So I decided to do that.
And, and really, I've loved nursing.
I've, I've always known thatI wanted to work with people
and help people in some way.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (04:47):
I gotcha.
So hospice is a very heavycorner in healthcare.
A lot of us in EMS can handle theblood, the trauma, the chaos, but
the long silence of dying, the wreckthat wrecks is more than people
that admit What drew you there?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: I had a friend whose dad was hospice. (05:04):
undefined
He had been sick, he had cancer, andthen he, um, he went to the ER one day
because he, his abdomen was purple andthat had happened very suddenly and his
lung cancer had metastasized to his liver.
(05:24):
And so he was sent home onhospice with two weeks to live.
And they weren't a super medical family.
So I kind of stayed with them forthose couple of weeks and that was
really my introduction to hospice.
And I thought, you know, this issuch a cool thing, like to be able
to be at home and be surrounded bythe people that you wanna be with and
(05:47):
be able to go out on the porch andsmoke if that's what you wanna do.
And, and.
It was such a, such a unique concept to mebecause I had worked mainly long-term care
and in doctor's offices, things like that.
And so being able to be, um, in thatkind of setting and be comfortable and
live life on your terms for the rest ofyour life, um, was something that really.
(06:10):
It really impacted me.
And so a couple of months after that, Iapplied at the hospice where he, where
he had had his services through, and Iworked there for 12 and a half years.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (06:23):
Wow.
I bet, and I bet that that that helpsthe patients out a lot more in the end
than going to, you know, tertiary careor palliative care in the hospitals.
I think in my mind, it helpsa lot of their mental anguish,
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Home at stage. (06:34):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411: if I'm not mistaken. (06:34):
undefined
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Right. (06:36):
undefined
Well, and you know, itdoes kind of depend.
There are some people whoreally don't want to be at home.
You know, whether that's becausethey're afraid to be at home or
they don't want their family membersto have those kind of memories.
And it's the same way with the families.
There's ones who really want themto be there and want them, you know,
to be in, um, you know, in their ownbedroom and, and things like that.
(06:58):
And others who are kindof put off by that.
One of the things that, you know,that I believe with healthcare in
general, but especially with hospicecare, is, you know, we really need
to meet people where they are.
And I think that's part of what sparkedmy, my desire to personalize things when
it comes to self-care as well, because Isee the importance of, and I've seen that,
(07:21):
you know, for my whole hospice careerespecially of really individualizing.
Care and not just assuming that becausesomething looks or feels right to one
person, that that's gonna be rightto everybody else, even if they have,
you know, the same disease processor a lot of the same circumstances.
We're all unique.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (07:40):
Very true.
Yeah, that's, I, I, I lovehow you just put that.
So I know, uh, from reading yourhistory, uh, I see you went to nursing
and then life threw your curve ball.
You lost your mom, who was also a nurse,
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Mm-hmm. (07:53):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (07:54):
and that changed how you saw the job, right?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Yes, yes. (07:56):
undefined
so mom and I went to school, like Isaid, you know, I went to LPN school
right out of high school and, I,I joke that my mom and I graduated
together twice because, uh, she was
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (08:10):
I.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: when she graduated from high school. (08:10):
undefined
And so she had worked, you know, minimumwage jobs and had worked her way up
into things, but she had always wantedto have a career in nursing as well.
And so when I got outtahigh school, we went to.
Practical Nursing School together.
Oh
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (08:27):
Oh wow.
That's awesome.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Yeah, it was, it was cool. (08:29):
undefined
And, you know, I wish I would'verealized then how, I mean then
it was, it was kind of fun.
But, um, but you know, lookingback now, I really, I really
do cherish that time together.
And we even worked at the sameplace for a while, but I worked
afternoons and she worked midnightsand we worked on opposite ends.
But, um, yeah, she wasdefinitely someone who.
(08:52):
Was a caregiver at heart, youknow, she, she would do anything
for anybody except herself,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (08:58):
Wow.
That's That's awesome.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: taking care of everybody else's needs. (09:01):
undefined
And, and so many of usthat are in are like that.
You know, we, we, we feel likewe're so called to take care of
everybody else, and we'll get toourselves, you know, when we're done.
Well, it's like a to-do list, you know?
When, when does a to-do list get done?
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (09:21):
Right.
That actually brings me into my nextquestion, in all honesty is, here's what
I know from EMS is, you know, we're damngood at patching up other people and
damn terrible at patching ourselves up.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Absolutely. (09:30):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (09:30):
What do you see as the biggest reason nurses, medics
and caregivers fail at self self care?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: as well? (09:35):
undefined
You know, one of the, one ofthe big things that I hear
is feeling that it's selfish.
Um, you know, I've got all these otherpeople to take care of, you know,
I, they're counting on me, so, soI, I don't have time to take care of
myself because that's, you know, thatdoesn't need to be where my mind is.
So that's one of 'em.
Another one is I don't have enough timeand I don't even know where to start.
(09:58):
So, you know, it's so ingrained ina lot of us to focus on everybody
else that when, when you do suggest,you know, okay, well take a little
bit of time for yourself, it'slike, well, what would I even do?
Um, because we don't, we don'ttake the time to figure out
what is it that refills my cup?
What really restores me?
Until we get to that point where,you know, like you said, life
(10:21):
throws us a curve ball and.
can only neglect ourselves for solong before something does happen,
before we realize that, hey, um, I,I've gotta do something different.
And that's kind of what startedmy journey, was my own burnout.
Um, after I said like, I'd beenat the hospice for 12 and a half
years, and, um, it had just come toa point where I, I gave way too much
(10:48):
of myself for way too long, and Iignored all of the symptoms that.
That things were not goingwell and I really needed to
start prioritizing myself.
I eventually came to a point where Ihad to because I was just, I was, I was
miserable I left and I spent quite a bitof time and effort and money to figure
(11:11):
out like, what is it that I need andwhat do I, what do I want, and what do
I want the rest of my life to look like?
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (11:18):
Yeah, I, I can, I can, I can meet you on that one
as I, I, I, I've actually just recentlystarted going to, uh, get help myself,
um, but I noticed I was having a burnoutcrisis in the end when my dad passed,
and I couldn't even cry about it.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (11:34):
it.
Mm-hmm.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (11:35):
I was, uh, the rest of my family's crying.
I'm sitting there like, okay, he's dead.
You know?
There was no.
No compassion in, in the end,in my opinion, to of, of myself.
And that's,
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: burnout. (11:47):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411: I think, part of the burnout (11:48):
undefined
process that I started feeling.
And it really sucked
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (11:51):
and,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411: and I regret it to this day. (11:52):
undefined
But at the same time, I, I'm kindof glad I did hold it together
better than I thought I could.
But it was just the burnout,I think, holding it together.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: right. (12:03):
undefined
And, and that is, you know, I mean, whenwe get to where we're just, when we've
seen so much, we've held so much likespace and trauma for other people that.
I mean, we just, we can't, we can'tdeal with it on our own anymore.
You know, we're, we'rejust, we're, we're full.
And that's, that's the end.
And that's what, that's whathappened with me and, and my
(12:27):
mom to a certain degree as well.
You know, I mean, there was a part ofme that had a lot of regret and I really
did feel a lot, but I still wonder, andshe's been gone for seven and a half
years now, and there's still a part ofme that thinks, you know, I'm not sure
that I'm completely, I'm not sure I'mcompletely through all of that yet.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (12:43):
Right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: you know, and I don't believe we ever (12:44):
undefined
get over the loss of someone, but, butI do believe that, you know, like a lot
of things, if we don't deal with them inthe moment, at some point we're, we're
gonna need to, or it's going to, goingto come back and affect us in some way
and sometimes when we least expect it.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (13:04):
Yeah, I, again, I can attest to that one myself actually.
Uh, going through paramedic school, uh.
I actually wound up having a strokehalfway through due to the stress and
the losing my dad and everything justbuilt up and it actually accumulated
so bad to where I had a TIA, um, and ofcourse they didn't know what caused it.
They were like, oh, that's yourdiabetes, but we can't guarantee that.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (13:26):
Wow.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411: It was like, oh, okay. (13:26):
undefined
Yeah.
So that, that was, that.
That's been an interesting thingand that actually brings me to this
question I got here for you is so.
You know, we've allheard the old suck it up.
Butter Cove approach, laugh itoff, crack a joke, keep moving.
The galas humor keeps usalive until it doesn't.
Let me throw this one at you.
When does this coping stop working?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Ah, know, I think that's different for (13:48):
undefined
all of us, but I do believe that we know,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (13:57):
I.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: know when it's coming. (13:57):
undefined
I mean, we know when things aren'tworking as well as they used to.
We know when we not feeling as much incertain areas, and maybe we're feeling
a little too much in other areas and.
We can push it down and we can ignore itand we can laugh it off for a while, but
you know, it's listening to that, thatvoice sometimes is in your head, you know,
(14:23):
where you kind of get those little, uh,I just know something's not quite right.
I know I need to do something different,but I don't know what it is or.
we don't even get that in our head.
You know, we can be so removed fromthat that we feel it in our body, but
we're not really like thinking about it.
We're not feeling those emotions, butwe're feeling those physical symptoms.
(14:44):
So maybe it's having headaches morethan usual, being, you know, more
tired or less tired or a lot ofmuscle tension, um, stomach upset,
you know, all of those kind of things.
Those were our body saying, Hey,something needs to be different.
You need to do something.
and you know, we get those,we get those warning signs.
(15:06):
And I'm kind of curious, did you get,did you get some signs like that in, in
hindsight, you know, prior to your TIA?
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (15:12):
Yes, ma'am.
I think I did.
I really do.
Um, it, it, it, it's sad that Ididn't catch onto it and I think
that's how, I hate to say it this way.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: that's (15:21):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (15:22):
how I think all healthcare is trained in the end
is, as you said earlier, we're trainedto treat others and not ourselves.
Um, we don't seem to see the signsin ourselves, and if we do, we just
kick it to the curb like it's nothing.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Right, right. (15:38):
undefined
We're gonna, we're gonna take care ofit sometime, or you know, or we feel
like we just need to, you know, likeyou said, suck it up and keep on going.
Oh,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (15:49):
Right,
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: fine. (15:49):
undefined
Or, you know, I mean, how many timesdo you hear people talk about, you
know, oh, I'll sleep when I'm dead.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (15:54):
right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: you know, and I usually say, well, (15:55):
undefined
and that's probably gonna be soonerif you don't, if you don't sleep.
Um, now I say that, and I also workon call nights, and so my sleep's
interrupted too, you know, so I know that.
I know it's.
There's a lot of things that are easiersaid than done, especially in healthcare.
You know, it's,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (16:12):
Right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Prioritizing things like sleep and, you (16:12):
undefined
know, regular meals and all of that.
That's, that's great for nine tofive type people, but it doesn't
always work that simply for us.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (16:24):
Very true.
Very, very true.
So that, that brings me tothis right here as well.
So let's dig into what you came,what came from all that you
created the becoming method.
Break it down for us.
What is it and how does it help someonewho's one bad call away from burning out?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (16:41):
Yes.
So, yeah, I, I said, I, I spent alot of time and effort and money,
um, trying to figure out like, how,how can I, how can I feel better?
How can I live better, live more theway I want to live and still be able to
do the things that I wanna do, do thethings that I feel like I'm called to do?
(17:02):
So I ended up becoming, I ended upcoming up with the Becoming method
because the name of my business isBecoming Your Best with Jenny Lidle, rn.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (17:10):
Right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: I, um, I thought, well, you know, when (17:12):
undefined
I was looking at things, I kind oflooked at the nursing process where,
you know, we assess and diagnose andplan and implement and evaluate and.
I thought, you know, there's, yes,that's kind of what we need to do
with ourselves too, but I wantedto take it a little bit further.
And so the way that I had kind ofdone things was, you know, looking
(17:33):
back when I pulled it all together,because of course I did this in, in
a different way myself to begin with.
I was just kind of pulling pieces togetherand trying to, trying to figure it out.
But, so it's a systematic approach tofiguring out like where we are now.
Where we wanna go and howwe're gonna get there.
And each letter, um, each letteris a particular part of that.
(17:55):
And so like the B forbecoming is baseline.
And with that we're seeing, youknow, how, how are things now?
Like where am I in terms of my stresslevel, in terms of my self-care, um,
my overall life satisfaction, youknow, kind of digging into some of
those things and then looking at.
E is energized and the things thatreally light us up because you know, the
(18:17):
things that, that I do for self-care,the things that really, you know, help
to replenish me when I am running lowor, you know, help to energize me when
I'm feeling like stressed out, butdrained, then those may be very different
than the things that work for you.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (18:36):
Right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: so each of the, each of the letters, um, (18:36):
undefined
really builds on each other and helps to
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (18:43):
Hmm.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (18:43):
a, clear picture of what is it that I can
do that's going to help me live the lifeI wanna live, instead of just, you know,
looking out, like you were talking about,you know, bubble baths and crystals.
You know, are those things that maybe.
Do make me feel great.
You know, there are some people wholove, you know, taking a, a nightly
(19:04):
soak in the bathtub, that's their thing.
For me.
I know that massages, like on a, youknow, every, every month or so, that's
something that really helps me becauseI do carry a lot of tension and I
know that, so I know that helps me.
But on a day-to-day basis, I alsoknow that spending time in nature.
Starting my day with, um, devotionalsand God time for me is I know that
(19:29):
that's something that me better, thatthat helps me be less stressed and
just, um, overall feel more like myself.
But I mean, the reality is do I do allof the things that help me every day?
Nope.
I sure don't because life happens, I helppeople put together a stress relieving
(19:51):
and self-care plan that's personalizedto them, so that when they get stressed.
It's not okay.
You know what?
Like I know that there's thingsthat I need to do different, but
I don't know where to start andI don't have the energy to do it.
So it's kind of having that menu therewhere you're not trying to figure
out what you need to do when you'rein the, in the of being exhausted.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (20:16):
Okay.
Yeah, I like, I like that.
And again, this is bringingus to the next question.
So for the medic who's got no time,no energy, and no clue where to
start, what's one thing they cando in five minutes or less to be
able to ground themselves or reset?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Ah, great. (20:31):
undefined
And this is, you know, this is one ofthe things that I love, um, because there
are so many things we feel like it's,we don't have time, but in reality it's,
there's a lot of things that we know.
And so, and that's what I encourageeveryone is, you know, don't just think,
well, I know that, you know, knowingand doing are two very different things.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (20:51):
Very true.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: So, you know, stop and take a (20:52):
undefined
minute to take a few deep breaths.
You know, if you're able to, now if you'redriving down the road, don't do this.
But if you're able to close your eyesand just, you know, a couple slow,
deep breaths, I mean, it really helpsto re reregulate your nervous system,
helps to slow things down, get usout of that fight or flight mode and.
(21:14):
Enable us to be able to think moreclearly because when we are in, that
always ramped up, always fight or flight.
And there's those of us, you know?
I mean, yes, when you work in emergency,uh, emergency type situations, then yes,
you get to where you can function on that.
when you, when you're not in those.
(21:35):
Fight or flight, you really have to honein on your things that you're doing.
You know, your body doesn'twanna run like that all the time.
And it's hard to shift out of that
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (21:44):
It.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: you know, when you've been like (21:44):
undefined
adrenaline and going, I mean, youknow, I worked in ER for a short
period of time and, um, but you knowwhat, that's like being out there.
You know, I haven't been out therelike in truly horrific situations
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (21:59):
Right,
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (22:00):
and
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (22:01):
and it's not healthy at all for anybody.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: a toll. (22:02):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (22:03):
Right, and, and that, and that's golden.
What you just said too, as well is, youknow, you, and that's what we all forget
is, you know, self-care isn't vacation.
It's a pause, it's a break.
It's a check in for our own selves,for our partners, for our loved ones.
You know, it's something we allneed to get grounded with again
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Right. (22:21):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (22:23):
and
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: you know, so breathing is definitely, (22:23):
undefined
I mean, that's one of the quickestand easiest, and I mean, you can
al you're always breathing, sojust change it up a little bit.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (22:31):
right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: you know, getting out in nature, (22:32):
undefined
if you can do that for a minute ortwo, just to be out, be, you know,
even if it's cold, even if it's hot.
Step outside for a minute.
It doesn't have to be a lovely view.
If it is, then great, but, but justgetting some fresh air and, you know,
hearing what's going on, seeing what'sgoing on, just taking a step away
from all of the hecticness of, um, oflife that, especially life that can
(22:57):
come along with working in healthcare.
You know, being able to dothat for a minute or two.
I love to, you know, kind ofcombine some of those things.
Maybe step outside and take a, youknow, a three to five minute walk.
If I'm able to do that, you know,where I'm breathing a little deeper
and I'm out in nature and I'm justkind of looking and, and taking, you
know, right now it's, I'm in Indiana.
(23:19):
And so I was driving today in between,uh, patients and I was like, wow, you
know, the leaves are just really changing.
They're absolutely gorgeous.
The sun was just shiningthrough 'em just right.
You know, the temperatures are finallynot sweltering and, um, you know,
just being able to really just slowdown and appreciate that for a minute.
(23:41):
Um, is it, it's something that makesus be able to go on and do all of
the other things that we need to dowithout feeling like we're so exhausted
and especially if we throw a littlegratitude for things like that in there.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (23:55):
Yeah.
Yes ma'am.
And that actually brings me, you saidthis a minute ago about your faith is
you've been open openly about your faith
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: mm-hmm. (24:01):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (24:01):
how it shapes your values and keeps you grounded.
That can be tricky in EMS and also ER or.
ICU where people can either leanheavy on it or run away from it.
How has that helped you build susustainable healthcare or self-care?
I'm sorry.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Yeah. (24:15):
undefined
So you know, and that issomething, yes, it is something
that's very important to me.
And I also never, you know, I neverwant to be anybody that's pushy.
Um, I generally have, um, you know,when I, when I'm out and about, when I'm
seeing people, I usually have on likea, a cross necklace, um, or a bracelet.
(24:36):
And that's something that, you know,then sometimes people will kind
of approach me and say something.
And it's just a way because I want, I wantthe patients that I'm interacting with
to, to be, to feel comfortable in, um.
asking me something, in approaching me,if that's something they want to do.
I never want to be anybody, youknow, whether it be in, in work or
in day-to-day life that wants to tryto push my faith on anybody else,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (25:00):
Right.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: it's, it's a way for me to (25:01):
undefined
kind of have that soft opening.
Um, but for me it's like I. My faithis just, it's something that's an
undercurrent of everything I do.
Um, I believe that, you know, and Iknow some people believe in coincidence,
(25:21):
some people just believe that, youknow, things just happen and that's,
you know, that, that's fine ifthat's, if that's what you believe.
I personally believe thatGod led me to hospice.
I believe that I've been ledto, um, the majority of the jobs
that I've, that I've been in.
Um, just, I, I believethat the things that.
(25:41):
I'm doing now, um, are what I'msupposed to be doing because I think
there are so many people who are.
Who are frustrated, who are burned out,who are hurting, and they don't know where
to go, they don't know how to change that.
so I love being able to work withpeople to help them figure out like
(26:02):
ways that really work into their lives.
And you know, some of thosepeople are people that share my
faith and some of them aren't.
And either way, that's, youknow, that's completely fine.
just want to be able to serve people.
This way because I think thatit's something that's so needed
and, and because I get it, youknow, I, I know how easy it is to
(26:25):
put ourselves on the back burner.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (26:27):
Right.
So if you could go back, talk to youryoung, younger version of yourself,
fresh scrubs and too many doubleshifts, what would you tell her?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (26:35):
Mm.
You don't have to prove yourself like you.
Yes.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (26:45):
I.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Do a good job, but it doesn't make (26:45):
undefined
you a better person neglect yourself.
And if you want to truly be ableto care for other people, and this
is something that I say a lot is,you know, self-care isn't selfish.
It's essential if we wanna continue tocare for others and live our best lives.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (27:08):
Yeah.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: I would tell her, make time for you. (27:09):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (27:14):
And, and I think that's, that's needed for
all of us in, in any response field,is we should be able to provide for
ourselves and not feel neglectful inproviding care by giving ourselves the
time we need, the self-care, we needthe mental health care that we need.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Absolutely. (27:35):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (27:38):
Um, let's see.
So here's the thing.
EMS nursing caregiving, they'll drain you.
They'll break you if you let them.
And Jenny's stories
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (27:46):
to,
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (27:46):
prove something we all need to hear.
Self-care isn't selfish.
It's the only reason you'll last longenough to live life after the pager.
The becoming method.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411 (27:56):
Book
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (27:56):
book, her story, they're not just soft tools,
they're survivor survival skills.
Eh, pardon me for that one.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: me for that one. (28:01):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (28:03):
Jenny, thank you for joining me today.
For everyone listening, where can anyonegrab your book from or get ahold of
you if they wanted more information?
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Yes, absolutely. (28:10):
undefined
Thank you.
Um, so you can get my bookin, um, in Kindle version and.
Paperback and large print,hardcover and audible on Amazon.
And you can also go to my website, whichis jenny lidle.com, J-E-N-N-Y-L-Y-T-L
e.com, and you can grab a freedigital copy there as well as some
(28:36):
other free resources to help get youstarted on your uh, self-care journey.
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (28:43):
Awesome, and I'll actually be putting links in
the description as well for everybody.
squadcaster-3270_1_10-14-2025_170411: Well, thank you so much. (28:48):
undefined
chris_1_10-14-2025_160411 (28:49):
Yes ma'am.
This is dispatch dysfunctionalbecause sometimes the worst
calls make the best stories andsometimes the best stories remind us
surviving long enough to tell them.
Speaker (28:59):
If you think it's too heavy to say, say it anyway.
It beats a eulogy.
You don't have to apologizefor surviving however you can.
You're not the reason things are heavy.
You're the reason they're still moving.
Need support right now.
Text or call 9 8 8 orvisit 9 8 8 lifeline.org.
You're not alone.
Not in this job, not in this fight.
Wanna share your story or connect?
Visit critical run.com ormessage the Facebook page,
(29:22):
dispatched and dysfunctional.
We're building this for you,for them, for all of us.
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