January 30, 2024 • 54 mins
When Mary Beth from LifeSaver's Emergency Room joined us alongside Brandy, our certified advocate, the air was charged with a sincere commitment to addressing the mental health needs of Houston's veterans. We traversed the landscape of available support, from the Crime Victim Service Provider Program to the pivotal role of the Compact Act in crisis intervention. Our conversation laid bare the vital connection between accessible care and the wider community's role in fostering recovery—a poignant reminder that reaching out is not just okay, but essential.
The episode took an emotional turn as we untangled the complexities of mental health awareness, where bravery isn't just about service but also about facing one's psychological battles. We delved into the nuances of the 988 hotline, the life-saving 'press of 1', and the importance of sharing stories to dismantle the stigma that too often silences suffering. Brandy's personal narrative of growth from receiving aid to giving back encapsulated the journey many veterans undergo, highlighting the transformational power of compassion and solidarity.
Our discussion broadened to embrace first responders, revealing a tapestry of support including therapy, community events, and the shared thread of military service that weaves through generations. We celebrated the unifying force of community events, like the interdepartmental softball game, and anticipated the health fairs that promise to fortify these bonds. As we concluded, the focus was resolutely on hope and the celebration of recovery, urging anyone grappling with darkness to seek the glimmer of support waiting to guide them back to light.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is Charlie Mike the podcast Veterans helping
veterans.
Talking about things happeningin the veteran community, things
we've experienced and overcome,such as addictions, ptsd,
depression, legal trouble, andwe also promote veteran-owned
businesses.
If you're talking about it,we're talking about it.
(00:24):
This is Charlie Mike thepodcast.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Yo, what's going on everybody?
Welcome back to another episodeof Charlie Mike the podcast.
As always, your host, raul, andyour co-host is William.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Yo, what's going on?
Y'all, Welcome to the ParallelPodcast, where you'll locate
just south of Houston, Texas.
Glad to have you guys here.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Man.
Yep, it's a rainy Friday it isfor us here.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
I don't know when this will come out when you guys
are listening, but it is rainyFriday, new year, new weather,
new weather.
You know, last year they saidit didn't freeze at all here in
Texas.
Didn't we have that freeze lastyear no, it was before that.
I'm still traumatized.
They said the entire year itdidn't get below freezing.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Well, they have some Arctic Blast supposedly coming
at the end of January.
They're going to make up for it, it's.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Texas.
They're going to make up for itin one week.
I don't like it.
I don't like the cold either.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I don't mind it as long as electricity stays on,
but that's when it gets rough.
So what's going on, man, let'stalk a little bit about.
Actually, let's introduce ourguest.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Oh, okay.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Oh, you got something .
No, I got nothing, brother.
Yeah, let's introduce ourguests and get them talking.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Yeah let's do it.
So our very first guest.
If you may remember from theepisode we did with the badges
Battle of the Badges, that was alot of fun to have some folks
come on from HFD, hpd, and thenwe came by way of Ms Brandy, so
she's here to join us again,talk about some of the resources
she has available, and shebrought a guest along.
(01:55):
I want to introduce your guest.
Speaker 4 (01:57):
I did.
This is Mary Beth, and she isour behavioral intake
coordinator at LifeSaver'sEmergency Room.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
Hi, thank you so much for having me today.
As Brandy said, my name is MaryBeth and we work at LifeSaver's
Emergency Room and we are sopassionate about having
accessible care to all of ourpatients, and so we're excited
to be here today and talk abouthow we can help you and what
resources are available, andwe'll dive more into it.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Awesome.
Yeah, and that's exactly whatthis episode is about is being
able to share those resources,especially here locally.
I'm sure there's a lotavailable nationwide, but we are
Houston based.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Yeah, definitely, definitely, so tell us a little
bit about yourself.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
All right, so my background is in public health.
I graduated back in 2013 fromEast Carolina University with my
degree in public health andwent into all types of
modalities of care followingthat, including just general
health, weight loss and wellness.
But the root of most problemsis our mental wellness, and so
(03:06):
that's where my passion grew andwhat I've dedicated the past
few years to growing andassisting, and so, with
LifeSaver's Emergency Room, theopportunity arose to expand our
behavioral health program andmake sure that, when we see
patients in crisis, that we helpthem have a smooth transition
to continuing care.
We want to make sure thatanyone who comes into our door
(03:28):
feels like they're heard,they're seen and that this is
the first step to whatever roadthat they're on, and we're here
for them.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Amazing.
So tell us again, Brandy, whatis your role with LifeSaver's?
Speaker 4 (03:43):
So I kind of wear a few different hats.
I coordinate our events andthen I also am our generic
Heights location marketer andmost recently I become our
coordinator for our Crime VictimService Provider Program.
And so what that is ifanybody's a victim of a crime,
(04:05):
you can receive healthcare at nocost to you through our
emergency room.
So what we do is build a state.
They have the Crime VictimsFund and we get paid that way.
So if somebody comes in withtheir family violence or victim
of a hit and run, you know,somebody just walks by and
(04:26):
decides to slap you for noreason, you can come in and
you're not paying anything outof pocket, and so it's been a
great resource.
The only thing is you have tohave a police report.
So it helps bridge that gap too.
It helps victims come forwardand gives others who are
struggling in the same boatmaybe it's ongoing family
(04:48):
violence, and with that also I'ma certified advocate.
So I'm with them whether it'scalled to the scene or meet them
at the emergency room, and I'mthere with them the entire time.
If they need transportation, weprovide that as well.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Amazing.
Yeah, man, it's a cool service.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yeah, I didn't know about it.
I'll be honest with you.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
The height's the only location.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
For this program.
Yes, okay, but if somebody'scloser to our Willowbrook or
Summerwood location, we canactually transport them to
heights.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
All right, all right.
And then is this you work thesame location.
Speaker 5 (05:25):
So I work in all three locations.
Okay, so behavioral health weaddress it everywhere.
You know, before I started withLifeSaver Summerhood Emergency
Room, we saw a lot of patientswho had behavioral health issues
that were unaddressed and theydidn't have those resources and
collaborations in thesurrounding Houston area to
connect them with.
And so that's where I've reallybeen putting a lot of my
(05:47):
efforts into is when we see aproblem, we're now able to
connect them with continuingcare.
And we have so many amazingresources in our Houston area
that a lot of people don't knowabout, and one of those, for
instance, is the Compact Act,which is directly related to
veterans.
So we are currently lookinginto it.
(06:09):
But there are facilities thatcan help veterans, whether
they're registered with a VA ornot, to get care with any type
of suicidal ideation, whetherit's thoughts, it's
premeditation, writing out, youknow, a plan, any of those
things.
If anyone has experienced thosecircumstances, there's care
(06:30):
available that they can get forfree.
And these locations they do nothave to be a VA location.
They can be an emergency room,they can be a psychiatrist's
office and if they're, as longas they're registered with the
VA, we're able to.
As long as they're registeredwith this Compact Act, they do
not have to be registered withthe VA in order to get this free
(06:51):
care.
So it's a huge elimination ofworrying about costs.
It's a huge elimination ofworrying about what type of
benefits do I have to have?
You don't have to have anybecause it's a federal act.
It's across the country, buthere in Houston all you have to
do is, you know, a quick Googlesearch or talk to somebody and
they can help connect you withone of these places and if
(07:14):
you've ever had these thoughtsor inner struggles, they can get
you the rights on the rightsteps.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Yeah, that's powerful stuff, man.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
It is, it is, it definitely is.
You know, being a veteran andexperiencing that side of mental
health, as you know, it'sreassuring to hear about these
programs that are out there forveterans that you know a lot of
people don't know about, andit's that was new to me.
Speaker 5 (07:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
You know, and I've struggled, and William has
struggled himself with differentyou know, obstacles in life and
it's well, that's amazing.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
Yeah, you know, and it's interesting because one of
the things that Vets alwayscomplain about is like hey, I'm
not registered with the VA, oryou know, that's, that's for
somebody else.
I mean, I still hear that withmy dad, you know, recently we
were talking about that.
Just, you know, somebody elseneeds to benefits more than me,
so they never registered.
Won you kind of get thisassumption that if I'm not
(08:15):
registered with the VA then Idon't get some of that help?
Obviously you're here denyingthat.
Speaker 5 (08:20):
No, we can get you the help that you need 100%, and
you know this act was approvedin January of 2023.
And prior to working withlifesavers, I myself had not
even heard of it, and so it'ssomething that I don't know why
there isn't more mention of it,but I'm here today to bring it
(08:40):
to your awareness and make surethat everyone knows like you
don't have to be registered witha VA as long as you are
honorably discharged.
You served 100 days.
You can get help.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
That's a big.
I'm definitely looking into itand getting more information.
Yeah, so how is how did youbecome involved with all of that
?
Let's talk about what led youto the mental health aspect.
Is it something that personalexperiences, or was it?
Speaker 5 (09:12):
So, yes, two years ago, you know, I learned that
life can hand you anything.
You don't have to plan it, youdon't have to, you know, think
that I'm in a situation that canturn into something else.
It can literally change in thesnap of a finger.
And so mine was a domesticsituation where my fire flight
(09:34):
was initiated and I had to, youknow, go into survival mode and
following that, for the firsttime ever, I saw therapy.
I knew like I needed help andso I went through therapy and,
with my background in publichealth and wellness overall, I
was like what am I doing?
(09:54):
You know, I was like I have theknowledge, I have the
experience and I want to makesure other people know that they
can get help too.
We are all humans.
We're not supposed to beperfect, we're not supposed to
be okay all the time.
And when we go through theselife circumstances that throw us
for a loop or are unplanned,and we go into these survival
(10:17):
mode instincts, it changes theway we think, it changes the way
we operate and we need help togo back to the way we want to
operate normally, because itfloods your brain with so many
different hormones and itaffects the way your synapses is
fired, like there's a wholesystemic reaction that occurs,
and so I want to bring awarenessto the fact that it's okay not
(10:41):
to be okay and I know Imentioned that to you earlier,
but it really is and I listen tosongs that say that because
every day we don't have to beperfect.
Every day we're human beingsand we're presented with life
choices, and we live in a worldwhere there's so many things
outside of our choice that allwe can do is use the tools at
our disposal, and so we want tohelp and we're here to help.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Have you seen veterans taking advantage of
this lately?
I mean, I know you said this isa new act right January's, but
have you guys been able to seeany of the so, In place.
Speaker 5 (11:17):
That's one of the reasons why it's so important
that I want to bring that uptoday is because I don't see a
lot of veterans using it, and Idon't think it's because they
don't want to use it.
I think it's because they don'tknow it's there.
You know, like both of you,today you are in a space where
you talk about a whole widerange of care and like life
(11:39):
events that veterans go through,and either one of you had heard
of it before, and so I'm reallyexcited today to like bring
awareness to the fact that itexists and also how it can work
with other veteran acts andresources that are available so
that people can get help.
Whether it's suicidal ideation,whether it's substance use
(12:01):
disorders, you know we don'tplan for these things to happen
because we're human, but they dohappen and we're going to get
you help.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
So tell me some more about what else it covers.
You said I mean you said so.
How does someone take advantageof this act?
Then you know?
Suicidal ideation, or Right.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
So with the Compact Act specifically, it's to help
those with mental health crises.
So anyone with, like, asuicidal ideation, that has to
be present in order for it tofall in line with the Compact
Act.
And when you think of suicidalideation, it can be thoughts of
harming yourself and disclaimer.
You know I don't want anyone tofeel triggered by this
(12:43):
conversation, but you know itcan be like the thought of
writing a letter to loved ones.
It can be planning outsomething going to the store and
buying like tools that you wantto, that you think will be a
means to an end, and so withthat, you know, if you recognize
(13:06):
that you've had these thoughts,you might need to allow
yourself to be vulnerable andtalk to somebody and so anything
that goes along with thosethoughts.
You know, if it's come to lightthat, if it's come to light
that you have a general anxietydisorder, ptsd, these things can
be treated alongside with it.
(13:26):
Because you know the suicidalideation is almost a result of
things that are going untreatedand things that we may ignore,
things that we think make usweak.
And we're not weak, like I said, like there's so many things
that occur within your brainthat you can't control.
You can't control if you breakyour arm.
Most of the time you know Ifyou do something crazy like
(13:49):
jumping off a roof, that'slikely going to happen.
But if you know you see somestuff that human beings
shouldn't see and you go intoyour fight or fight response or
you're triggered, it's okay toneed help to make those triggers
lessen and to smooth out theway your brain needs to operate
(14:14):
and you feel like you alwayshave to be ready to fight, ready
to run, or you know what is inthe moment's notice.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
I feel like I have veterans in the nutshell right
there.
Huh yeah, I'm always ready tofight.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
What's the and I feel like you know, within the last
few years it's mental health hasbeen a you know, a topic
discussion and it's becomingmore okay.
I wouldn't say you know, I wantto say more okay because more
people are talking about it, youknow, and it's important that
it's become.
(14:44):
I want to know I'm not going tosay that it's.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
It's not a taboo subject anymore.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Yeah, there you go, that's it, that's 100%.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
And you know you mentioned, too, that, being able
to be vulnerable and we talkedabout it on the show too that
vulnerability is a strength andI want to thank you for bringing
that up because I can see, youknow, when we start bringing up
these memories.
You know, especially with Idon't know your whole story of
what happened, but you can feelthe same emotions come back
right and same thing with you,brandi, the last time you were
(15:14):
on.
You know being able to shareyour situation, but it's through
the stories and thevulnerabilities that allows us
to get stronger, and you reallyhave been sized that.
I don't want to say thank youfor that, because it's folks
like you all that make this showpossible.
Right, we don't know everything.
We've tried to bring on a lot ofveterans to come on and share
their stories and still heretoday we're talking to two
(15:40):
ladies who didn't serve but havea passion for those who did and
have information and you're notwilling just to be like I'm not
just going to say these otherveterans need to know about this
, and I think that's a greatresource for veterans to realize
that there's a lot of areasthat we can go and get help.
This is one of them, you know,and if the thoughts of the
(16:01):
suicide ideation are with youright now, don't forget to call
988 and press 1,.
If you're a veteran We'vetalked about a lot, especially
through the holiday seasonthat's an important number.
But if you think that there's away that you don't qualify like
, there's ways that folks likeyou all will help get us the
help that we need 100%.
Speaker 5 (16:23):
And to add to that, if you ever do feel a sense of
suicidal ideation and you wantto speak to somebody but you
want to speak to someone inperson you can go to your local
emergency.
They will help you.
They're not there to judge you.
They are there to aid you inany crisis.
You don't have to be bleeding,you don't have to have a broken
(16:44):
arm, you don't have to have thebilitating symptoms.
You know An emergency ranges inso many ways, and so don't
discount what you're feeling,don't discredit what you've been
through.
Embrace it and grow from it,because you are one strong
individual.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Now is the Excuse me if I'm wrong the Compact.
Speaker 5 (17:08):
Act, the Compact Act.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Is it for veterans specifically, or it is?
Speaker 5 (17:12):
So anybody who has been honorably discharged served
100 days.
It is for you.
You do not have to be aregistered vet, you just have to
have served for 100 days andthen honorably discharged.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Do you know if there's any programs available
for Out there?
I'm just curious for firstresponders of any type that's
similar to that.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
So at our emergency room we do have our first
responders program which allowsus to treat first responders and
anyone listed on their healthinsurance at no out-of-pocket
cost to them.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
That's awesome.
Speaker 4 (17:49):
We just build their insurance.
Yeah, that's good and then, ofcourse, if they need anything
further referrals or anythingalong those lines we can
actually put them into MaryBeth's care and she can point
them in the right direction ofadditional program resources and
(18:09):
help.
There's a lot of overlapbetween our programs.
One of our favorite stories totell is we were honed out.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Wait, what Like?
Speaker 3 (18:22):
are you ready?
Speaker 4 (18:24):
Yeah, yeah, say that one more time.
We were Ho-Nah.
We went to go visit ConstableRosen and I don't know if you
guys are familiar with KathyKathy Griffin, I believe that's
her name or Kathy Griffith butshe is married to longtime
anchor Jose Grinian and she nowworks for Constable Rosen and
(18:48):
she has this program and shecalls it the Ho-Program.
It is Helping Others Excel.
Okay.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
I was very, I was tiptoeing around.
Speaker 5 (19:03):
I didn't know what you were doing.
I think they were reallyworried about what guests they
brought today for a second.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
I think every listener is like tell me more
about this Ho-Program.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
So it's a group of these very strong, phenomenal
women who have dealt with familyviolence, sex trafficking,
different assaults, and so theyall come together.
It's a support group.
They're to help one another,and whenever we asked what the
name of the support group was,she said well, you're at a home
(19:35):
meeting and we're looking ateach other like, I'm sorry, a
what?
Speaker 2 (19:39):
So our response was normal A reaction.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
She tells us she's like well, we're all Hoes and
we're like good we get into Meetthem.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
One of us.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Yeah, and so it's.
You go from a ho to hoes andit's helping others excel
successfully and she's donephenomenal work and she's just
she's an amazing person.
And it was funny.
We actually had a meetingyesterday and we were telling
them about this whole class andshe was like what I said well,
(20:12):
you see, kathy runs it, she goes.
Oh, all he has to say was Kathysay no more.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
We understand.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
That's awesome.
So what's the story behindbeing Ho-Napped?
Speaker 5 (20:24):
Well, we went there just to, you know, check in,
make sure they're doing good,share some materials with them.
She's like I have a class thatwe need you guys to come speak
to.
We're like okay, and on our waydown she goes.
By the way, you're officiallyHoes.
We're like where are we going?
And so it's in the courthouse.
(20:46):
So you know we're professionalHoes and Classy.
That was a resume, and we wentto this class and we heard some
very vulnerable stories women,men, that have been through some
unimaginable circumstances.
(21:07):
But they're in this space wherethey're lifting each other up
and they're acknowledging whatthey went through, but again
telling them okay, you've donethis, but here are these tools
and now you need to do this.
And so it's not justdiminishing what they've gone
through, but it's telling themuse this as a step.
(21:27):
You know, this isn't yourdefining moment.
You are here today.
You obviously see that thingsneed to change, Things need to
happen, and we're going to tellyou how to do it and we're going
to help you along the way.
So it's an amazing supportgroup and it provides
encouragement, hope and just aplace to talk and be vulnerable
(21:51):
and, you know, feel like youhave that sense of belonging
somewhere.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
Yeah.
So we call each other at thebeginning of the week and we're
like, hey, are we going to?
Speaker 3 (22:01):
be Hoes this week.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
We do the same thing.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
I'm glad you guys are helping others excel.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Yeah, the same acronym for us.
Yeah, exactly, I love it.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
I'm curious, could you tell me more?
Pull the curtain back, a littlebit like if a veteran were to
reach out for help or come toyou all with crisis.
What does that look like?
Speaker 5 (22:34):
Great question.
So let's say a veteran comes toour doors and let's I'm going
to use a substance use disorderas an example Okay, they're
experiencing withdrawal symptoms, but they don't know that
they're experiencing withdrawalsymptoms.
They're coming in becausethey're extremely nauseated and
(22:56):
you know, they explain like I'ma vet, I'm here, but we're going
to acknowledge that.
But we're still going to lookat them like the person they are
.
You know, and any time, anytimesomeone comes in to one of our
emergency rooms, we have anregistration process.
They go through, they fill outtheir paperwork.
We have like a clear history,we have identified what benefits
(23:16):
they have and you know, we'reclear with what your estimated
cost will be while on site.
So let's say, someone gets backto the room and we ask them okay
, what makes you?
What's made you feel better?
Like, how long have you beennauseous?
What's made you feel better?
Oh, I usually drink at night,and that usually helps it.
And it's kind of like a click,like, okay, how often do you
(23:38):
drink?
And oh, I drink like two orthree at night.
Okay, what else do you do?
And then the story unfolds.
And so that's when you know ourmedical.
We have board certifiedphysicians who are going to
address that and be like listen,let's look at.
You know some of theseresources.
(23:59):
This isn't going to be easy tohear, but I have someone that
you can talk to you and we canconnect you with someone that
can help you with theseresources.
And so through that process,you know, we might connect them
with a VA run program foralcohol addiction or, if they
want something that'sindependent, we can do that as
well, but it we really want theperson to feel like they have a
(24:22):
choice, to feel like they get tobe heard and help them
understand these next steps,because that can be scary and
when you don't realize you havea problem and all of a sudden
someone's telling you you can beimmediately you're in denial.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Defensible yes.
Speaker 5 (24:36):
Yes, and so that's totally normal.
But if we bring that to yourawareness and you think about it
and you want to come back, youcan call me, you can call us.
We are there for you.
And if you go through, you know, during that denial phase, you
might slip back a little bit,start experiencing some heavier
symptoms and need help again,and then the crisis emerges.
(24:58):
But now you're aware, and soit's okay to take a minute and
digest that information.
But if you feel like thatdoesn't apply to you, we can
still connect you with resources.
I'm still going to give youinformation that you might think
about and then reach out to alater date.
I don't have to, but I'm goingto make sure that you have the
(25:19):
materials you need.
Speaker 3 (25:22):
And for me, it's just , there's a lot of people that
care, right, and we've heardthat so many times before.
But thank you for allowing us,like, a peek behind the curtain.
You know, like, okay, what'sthis?
What's going to happen when?
If you do call, these are someof the reasons why you should
call, and I think that's a kindof want to call.
(25:42):
Just, you know, I feel like Iwant folks to know that there's
a safe way out there.
You know, I think there's otherthan the VA.
People get stuck on the VA,like, okay, well, you don't have
to go through the VA, there'sdefinitely other programs out
there, and we're talking to oneof them.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
That's a lot of veterans especially.
They got like a bad taste aboutthe VA and and that stops them
from seeking help or from fromasking for help, because they
feel like that the VA is notthere to assist you know, and
well, like I say myself, and Ithink William is in the same
boat I don't let me speak foryou, but I felt like that RV a
(26:22):
hearing.
Houston is one of the best andI've honestly never had, you
know, a horrible or a bad momentthere, but in I've heard some
stories you know, that, that,yeah, that's like oh yeah, you
know, and there's storieseverywhere and it doesn't take a
(26:43):
lot to put a bad taste insomeone's mouth.
Speaker 5 (26:46):
But I just want to remind everybody that don't let
someone else's story defineyours and to try different
things.
If one thing doesn't work,don't let that stop you.
Don't use that as an excuse.
You know it's hard to find thecourage to do.
Take one step at a time.
But if one step doesn't work,just keep walking.
Just keep going.
(27:07):
You'll find your answer.
There are so many differentmodalities of therapy.
There's so many differentmodalities of behavioral health
assistance, you know, and if youdon't like one, don't think
that's going to ruin the rest ofthem.
If you don't like one provider,don't let that ruin the rest of
them, because there are so manyhealth professionals out there
(27:27):
and sometimes it might take aminute.
I know, when I first soughttherapy, my first therapist and
I did not click and it wasnothing against him, it's just
we did not speak the samelanguage, you know, and he'd be
like, how did that make you feel?
And I was like they can ask methat one more time.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (27:45):
You know, like I do not want to answer that question
one more time and I took a stepback.
I was like I'm just going to goand talk to someone else and
see what else is out there, andbest decision I ever made.
You know, I did my research.
I found someone that had like asimilar background to me to
where, you know, I personally amChristian, and so I looked for
(28:06):
resources that were tied to thatand I felt like it spoke more
of my language and more to whatI was growing up, raising to
believe in my life experiences,and so there's different avenues
for each aspect.
And so, speaking of, like,different therapies, you have
talk therapy, you have assisted,like integration type therapy,
(28:31):
to where, if you're takingmedication and you want to talk
to somebody During thatmedication, they can help you
process things when your brain'smore able to process it.
And so, you know, just kind ofexplore, use that Google search
button and, you know, find whatyou feel would be most in line
to what your needs are.
Because this is this can be acatered experience.
It's not a cookie cutter Likeeverybody's got to have the same
(28:55):
thing.
It can be like your personalindividual plan and that's out
there 100%.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
Like you say your experiences with therapists and
things of that nature.
I remember my first one.
I didn't enjoy it at all.
He kept telling me that Iseemed angry, and that was the
question.
That's what.
That's his statement.
That he said probably like 40times in our conversation, to
the point when I, when I walkedin there, I wasn't angry, but
(29:23):
when I left, I was right.
Speaker 5 (29:25):
Don't put me in a box .
Speaker 2 (29:27):
Yes, let me catch you outside.
You seem angry.
Speaker 3 (29:33):
Table flip.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
I love my therapist.
Speaker 4 (29:37):
In fact, I'm the reason my therapist needs
therapy.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
She's great.
Speaker 4 (29:41):
I mean any kind of minor inconvenience, and she's
like yes, how can I help youtoday?
You can just hear it in hervoice like and why did I take
her as a patient?
She's great, I love her.
Speaker 5 (29:56):
And also, too, like when you have a therapist for a
certain amount of time, it'sokay to like, feel you might
have outgrown that therapist andstart talking to a new one,
because they're all specialized.
Speaker 3 (30:10):
I'm not saying that about your therapist brandy I
would never come between thatrelationship.
Speaker 5 (30:14):
But you know like some might specialize in some
things and some might specializein others, and so it's okay.
You know we're all medicalprofessionals and our end goal
should be you getting better toseeing you less frequently to.
You know we don't.
If you feel like someone justwants you more and more, and
more and more and more,recognize red flags.
(30:35):
That's all I'm going to say.
Speaker 2 (30:37):
Yeah, I like it.
I like the part where you saidthat it's okay to outgrow it and
I feel like that that I'veexperienced that a lot recently,
especially like, okay, I go toNA and then my NA groups.
I started to try to go back andI had taken a break and I feel
like, okay, Nothing against thepeople that go there, Nothing
(31:02):
against the you know theorganization or whatever the
case may be, but but it's justlike this isn't, this isn't me
anymore.
Speaker 4 (31:09):
I feel like that's the end goal, though, right.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
Yeah, I agree, and I feel like, okay, I see a lot of
the same people here stuck inthe same situation and I said I
feel like I'm not better.
Right, but I'm better.
Speaker 5 (31:23):
I'll get him but yeah , yeah, yeah Well sometimes we
can find a comfort in thoseplaces that and it's hard to
uncomfortable, you know likegrowing and changing, or
accepting change, or acceptinglike new things.
It's uncomfortable and soputting us in those places of
uncomfortability andvulnerability helps us continue
(31:45):
to grow.
So I commend you for, you know,recognizing that, because again
it could be like, oh, I'msupposed to be here, but you
might not.
You might be at a place nowwhere you need the next step,
the next level Right, and notjust that too.
Speaker 4 (31:57):
But you know, going back every once in a while and
just seeing everybody else andthen realizing how far you've
come and being, you know,thankful and grateful that you
overcame so much.
You know it's kind of like man,I was once in their position
and I fought and I got past that.
(32:19):
So sometimes it's it's nice tokind of take a peek back and
just to remind yourself how faryou come.
Speaker 5 (32:26):
I would also like to add to that.
So a lot of veterans theyrespond I'm not speaking for
everybody but, like in myexperience, it's when they have
someone they relate to and theysee similar experiences with.
They've been through similarcircumstances.
You know, you've been throughbasic training, you've had your
sense of self-strip, like you'veseen stuff.
(32:47):
You've been taught to thinkcertain ways like and then
coming back into this world thatwe live in that's so uncertain,
that has so much political likeangst and there's a lot that is
out of control.
To see where you are, to seewhere you're living, to see how
your life gives them hope andyou know, if you've been through
(33:11):
something and you know someonethat may be on a path to
destruction, just try to be intheir life.
You don't have to give themthat advice, you don't have to
like tell them what to do, butshow up because they're going to
see that and that's going tohelp them more than anything.
Because I've spoken to a lot ofveterans who've been through
(33:33):
things I can't even imagine andthey say like their biggest
motivator was seeing someoneelse succeed, seeing someone
else get through it, knowingthat they can.
So I commend.
Speaker 3 (33:47):
Man, that's pretty cool.
Yeah, it's awesome to hear,because I feel it means a lot,
that you're not a veteran sayingthe same things and I don't
want to shed light like we'rebetter than you in any any way.
We know we really appreciateyou guys time being here, but I
want to.
I think it's important to hearthe perspective of somebody else
right, an outside perspective,a professional perspective,
(34:10):
where it's like this is myExperience with other veterans
and we say it all the time andyou know we can be in this like
echo chamber, where's all theveterans are saying the same
thing, but we're not that we'reright, but like listen, this is
somebody else that has theexperience of dealing with us on
the other side and it's willingto share more, like listen,
there's a lot that we can do.
(34:31):
Sharing that story, sharing thehope man.
That like really hits home forus.
Thank you for sharing that itreally does.
Speaker 2 (34:37):
It kind of hit me in the feelings Well we appreciate
you.
Speaker 5 (34:42):
You know I have family members who have served
and I might not have servedmyself, but the amount of
respect and and justgratefulness I have for each and
every one of you is like it's.
It's there, and you know we seea narrative that's controlled
so much these days and it's hardto know what people are really
feeling or what they really See.
(35:03):
So Again, just let's not putourselves in a box, let's just
try to help each other.
Speaker 3 (35:11):
Go be some hose.
Help others excel successfullybro.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hearholding around man Lee.
Speaker 2 (35:22):
I'm gonna stay away from.
Speaker 5 (35:25):
He's gonna be the leader.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
And don't don't be offended by this in the podcast,
with thank you, hose, forcoming, just that one part,
that's the only part that peopleclip.
Speaker 3 (35:50):
The context oh man, no, that's what I'm all to keep
tells a little bit more about.
You said you had family toserve.
You know, pay homage to them,so yeah.
Speaker 5 (36:00):
So both my grandfathers were in the army.
My mom's dad was in the KoreanWar, he was a tank driver, and
my father's dad he was stationedin Germany for two years so he
didn't see anymore.
But you know both grandfatherstotally different timelines and
age groups, but I I hear all thestories that I have uncles who
(36:22):
were airmen and you know fluplanes and have cousins who were
in the Marines.
Like I feel like all branchesthey're all so different but
they're all so important.
Some better than other, no, butyou know I definitely have a
(36:47):
passion for making sure thateveryone feels hurt and seen
that's awesome.
Speaker 3 (36:50):
I really, really, really appreciate it.
It's so cool to hear againbecause we could be in our boxes
.
You know, we can be aroundveterans and like think One
certain way and it's like no,like the amount of influence
that we have that they've hadlike we.
We love to hear the oldergeneration getting their love to
oh yeah, 100% 100% my Grandpawas Merchant Marine.
(37:16):
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, we had one of those herefor the Fourth of July event we
did head, 103 years old, asharpest attack he was.
Speaker 2 (37:27):
He was awesome they.
So they came here for thefourth of July we didn't have
been and then from here theywent straight to minute made and
they got honored at the Astrosgame.
So it was, it was for it wasfor we had for war war two, you
know and then one of the guyswas actually in Korea war,
korean war.
He was in Vietnam, yeah, and hewas in Just what war to?
Speaker 5 (37:51):
yeah he's just just um Wow.
Speaker 2 (37:55):
Yeah, we just like yeah.
Speaker 1 (37:59):
Than me.
Speaker 2 (38:00):
Oh yeah, I can know I still wouldn't fight him.
Speaker 4 (38:07):
I know a great emergency room you.
Speaker 5 (38:12):
Freak a fire miles just make sure you bring that
police report.
Speaker 3 (38:17):
I wouldn't admit it.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
What, what have you been up to tell us a little
business the last time we seenyou?
Speaker 4 (38:27):
man.
So what have I been up to?
I feel like there's just beenso much going on.
My oldest daughter turned 16next week, and so I've been, you
know, crying into my pillowevery night.
16, yeah, 16.
She's like, she's so mean,she's like five foot tall and
she's just, she's an angrylittle person.
Speaker 3 (38:47):
Were you that way, not anymore.
Speaker 2 (38:50):
I plead the fifth, you know straight is like an
angry person.
Speaker 4 (38:54):
Oh.
So it's kind of funny becauseyou know we're talking about
family and the Marie or familyin the branches, and so I Was
actually going to enlist intothe Marines, and I'm not sure if
I talked about this last time Iwas on here.
But yeah, life had other plans.
I was at meps and that's how Irealized that.
(39:16):
You know, 16 years ago I wasgoing to have oh, oh, yeah, it
was oh.
Yeah my great.
I'm trying to, you know, dosomething great with my life and
Pregnant yeah.
Speaker 2 (39:32):
Oh man.
Speaker 4 (39:33):
That's so.
I was this close, this close,no, but um, she's great.
She uh, you know she's playsvarsity for her school softball
and then she always keeps usbusy with softball my youngest,
she's my volleyball player.
But we've just really beenworking hard on all these
community events that we'redoing.
Speaker 3 (39:55):
Tell us about the 9-11 event.
How did that turn out?
Speaker 4 (39:58):
Oh, it was amazing.
Hpd lost.
The final score was 8 to 3.
Hfd came and they dominated.
Speaker 2 (40:08):
It was was it the more practice I.
Speaker 4 (40:11):
Don't know what it was you know.
Hpd, though they had alreadyplayed almost half a season of
baseball, so Technically theyhad been getting the more
practice and you know, hfd justput together some guys at the
last minute, and I mean they.
Speaker 3 (40:32):
How was the event?
Is there more planned?
Speaker 4 (40:35):
Oh yeah, we're actually.
I'm gonna make it A annual verycool.
Yes, we're excited.
Our goal is to when they haveit at minnow maid, yeah that.
And then they also went toDallas.
A couple months ago, hpd wentto Dallas to play their fire
department.
They had a double header, andso they each won one.
(40:55):
Oh I believe sometimes duringthe summer they're actually
gonna go play Chicago PD.
Speaker 2 (41:02):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 4 (41:02):
Yeah, so it's, it's happening, all the things are
happening.
Speaker 2 (41:06):
I'm so excited for these guys are great.
Speaker 4 (41:09):
They're like my.
My brother is now.
I'll go visit stations andthey're like hey, brandy, I'm
like it's pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (41:19):
That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (41:20):
That's amazing to hear.
Um, you know, when it comes toevents and things like that, let
us know so we can shareinformation in any way we can
assist?
Speaker 4 (41:27):
Absolutely.
We're actually, you know I canjust be good at.
We're actually going to behaving a couple health fairs
this month, okay, cool.
We're gonna be having them atour Willowbrook and Heights
location.
The one at Willowbrook is goingto be January 13th and the one
over at Heights is going to beon the 20th.
Speaker 2 (41:44):
The 20th, the 20th of January, yeah, okay, okay, I
think this one should be outaround that time, but yeah,
around the 20th.
Speaker 3 (41:53):
So yeah, you might get lucky.
Yeah, I love getting lucky yeah.
Speaker 5 (42:05):
We're sliding back to the whole talk.
Speaker 1 (42:09):
We didn't bring it up .
Speaker 4 (42:13):
You were thinking it, but you said Both are brains,
you can see?
Speaker 5 (42:19):
Yeah, the same brains .
Speaker 3 (42:21):
Same brains.
Speaker 4 (42:21):
So and then also want to point out to you that our
ERC is a lot of Motor at motorvehicle accidents, so we work
with a lot of personal injuryattorney and there's a lot of
personal injury attorneys outthere that are veterans.
Yeah and I've been able to growcloser to some of them and talk
with them, and so we've createdthis partnership like it's.
(42:46):
It is crazy how everything kindof intertwined, because we come
out, we have Medics, first aidambulance that come to events to
do standby just in case anybodygets injured, and so we were at
a marathon hosted by theHouston bar Association.
Well, one of their sponsors wasJohnny Havens law firm.
(43:10):
He's an army veteran and sothen I connected with him and
he's like let's see how we canwork together, and so it's just
really, really great.
Whenever, especially when youmeet people you know that are
inspiration For other programsthat you're doing, right and it
just it builds that relationship.
(43:30):
So I just wanted to, you know,share the love to all my veteran
personal injury attorneycontact.
Speaker 3 (43:37):
There is one here in Perelin.
Speaker 4 (43:38):
Yes, there is.
I saw his billboard on the wayhere.
Speaker 3 (43:41):
I was like marine.
No, that's great.
I mean glad to hear that thatthe 9-11 events gonna be a
yearly event pretty cool.
Oh yeah, hopefully we can findways to continue to stay, stay
active with that.
Speaker 4 (43:59):
So they actually play out here in parents.
The Season should be kickingoff at the end of February, and
so the law dogs play.
They'll be playing every Sundayout here in Perelin playing
here.
Speaker 2 (44:12):
Well, I know here, but you know, I wonder where
somewhere in.
Speaker 3 (44:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (44:21):
I don't, there's a.
There's a couple streets downthat way I don't go past just
because it's so much traffic.
Speaker 5 (44:26):
I should say you have a driver.
Speaker 3 (44:30):
No, I'm kidding, Jelly is not here, right?
Speaker 1 (44:33):
now Bitterman yeah.
Speaker 2 (44:37):
Gally, that's great.
Speaker 3 (44:39):
You ladies have any last party shots before we wrap
up?
Any Anything on your heart thatyou want to let veterans know
that listening to this, I wouldjust like to kind of recap all
the words I've been speaking.
Speaker 5 (44:50):
Just, you know, have a sappy, emotional, motivational
speech here real quick, myfavorite.
But you know, I just want toremind everybody that, veteran
or not, lifesavers emergencyroom and hopefully all other
emergency rooms, wherever you'reclosest, if you ever do have
any thoughts or ideations,someone's there to help you.
(45:12):
And, like I said before, it'sokay not to be okay.
You don't have to be strong allthe time and we really
appreciate you.
And so just remember that ifyou've overcome some something
and you see someone else goingthrough something as well, just
be there for them.
You don't have to coach them,you don't have to give them
(45:33):
speeches.
You know, just show up.
And if you ever do think thatthat help is not out there,
that's not true we're here todayto tell you that's not true.
And you know we want you tosucceed, we want you to live a
full and beautiful life, becauseno matter what life moments
(45:54):
throw at you, it's there and youjust have to walk through the
darkness for a second to see thelight, but we're there for you.
Speaker 4 (46:03):
We want you to excel successfully.
Speaker 3 (46:09):
I mean to really capitalize.
I feel like someone should putthat on a shirt it's okay to not
be okay.
Speaker 2 (46:15):
Oh yeah, hey, you can find it at Charlie.
Mike.
Military Paro.
Speaker 4 (46:20):
It was late on the back of that thing, oh man it
was.
Speaker 3 (46:24):
I'm just going to have to go online real quick,
you know you've hit on some somephenomenal points, you know,
and and and for vets out there,like showing up.
You know showing up means somuch.
Sharing this podcast means alot to us too, and that's what
we're here to do is make sure toshow up and be there for you,
and it's not always the thingsthat you say, it's just being
there, being present.
You know it means that much tosomeone else.
Grannie, can you tell us how dowe get in touch with Life Saver
(46:47):
?
Speaker 4 (46:47):
Yeah, of course.
So you can call us directly.
We share our personal cellphone numbers with all of Harris
County, so you can call me at409-996-7284.
Or you can also reach out toour marketing email, that's
marketing at lifesaversercom.
(47:09):
And we monitor that email 24seven.
And if we don't get back to yousoon, then by all means I don't
care what time of night it is.
I have people call two, threeo'clock in the morning, so
you're not going to be the first.
And then, mary Beth, I'm sorry,I don't know your number off
(47:29):
the top of my head.
It's on my phone.
No, does anybody know anybody'sphone?
Speaker 2 (47:32):
number I don't even know my own.
Speaker 5 (47:35):
Oh man.
Speaker 2 (47:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (47:36):
Okay, my phone number is 713-805-7242.
And feel free to reach out ifyou're someone that's in crisis,
if you are someone that wantsassistance on how to navigate
someone else Experiencing acrisis, or if you're someone
that can provide assistance toothers and you want to
collaborate, give us a call.
(47:56):
Reach out.
That was my next question.
Speaker 3 (47:57):
That was the next question.
You know, because I'm sure youknow, somebody has not heard of
compact act yet.
You know and not that I expectyou to be the subject matter
expert, but I do know like, if Iever had questions, probably be
the one of the first people Icall.
Speaker 5 (48:13):
Oh yeah, I can tell you where to go, I can tell you,
you know what kind of care youmight want to expect and I can
tell you what's going to beneeded, you know like whenever
you always have your ID andinsurance card with you.
You know, and just be ready tolisten and you don't have to do
much else, Right?
Speaker 4 (48:34):
And I also want to kind of add to that too Maybe
it's not you personally, maybeit's a relative or one of your
close friends and you're reallyworried about them.
Give us a call.
I mean, at the very least wecould take them out for a cup of
coffee and you know, just makesure that they're aware you know
, hey, you're, you're not alone,you're not going to be judged
Like, if you just want to talk,we'll be there, or we have
(48:58):
somebody that you know.
We believe that would be agreat fit for you to talk to,
even if it's just as a friend.
Speaker 5 (49:06):
Yes, and I would like to say one more thing.
So, like two years ago, I wasin a place where I felt so
broken I was starting completelyover.
The life that I had built wasgone, the life that I knew gone.
And I'm here today talking topeople.
I'm here today like sharingawareness and telling them that
(49:30):
there's hope out there.
And let me tell you there isbecause you know I've had a full
circle moment that the crisiscenter who was able to help me,
I now get to help and you couldbe in a similar position.
You know you don't have to dosomething so that you can help
others.
I'm not saying that, but, likeI'm saying that you know you
(49:51):
have the strength, you arestrong and we got you.
Speaker 3 (49:55):
I think it's powerful because some of the same things
that you and I talk about, like, give it back to the veteran
community, because they're theones that gave me this platform.
Speaker 2 (50:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (50:03):
You talk about it with NA and a lot too, it's like
and the court system?
Hey, I'll give it back to thatplace because they helped me get
here.
Even though this is a veteranpodcast, you can hear the
perspective from somebody elsewho I think veterans.
We live on the extremes extremestress, extreme deployment,
extreme drinking, all that jazz.
Speaker 2 (50:25):
But extreme divorce.
I won't share those storiesthat would make a good show
actually.
Extreme divorce when I divorceis finally, as I'm coming back,
that's right.
Speaker 4 (50:36):
I hope now for marrying on the ID channel.
Speaker 2 (50:41):
Right after extreme home makeovers.
Speaker 3 (50:44):
But we're not alone.
You know, we're not alone.
We're not all that different,we're very similar in many ways.
So hey, if you guys are outthere in your struggle, and
don't forget to reach out tolifesavers, or you can call
988-PRESS-1.
Speaker 2 (50:57):
Again, we appreciate you guys coming up.
Do you have any?
Speaker 4 (51:01):
I don't other than happy new year.
If you have a new yearresolution, then congrats to you
.
Speaker 5 (51:08):
It's okay.
It's okay.
We don't have to be perfect,right.
Speaker 4 (51:12):
I made my new year's resolution like two days after
the new year and I was drivingand I decided I'm going to write
a book.
I'm going to write a novel.
Speaker 3 (51:21):
You're talking about it For real.
Speaker 4 (51:22):
For real.
Speaker 5 (51:24):
We're going to have our hoes explain it.
Speaker 4 (51:26):
Yes, it is going to be about my journey at
lifesavers and all of the thingsthat I see and come across, and
it's going to be very comical.
Just a little sneak peek.
Speaker 3 (51:39):
You heard it here first.
Yes, charlie, mike is exclusive.
Speaker 4 (51:43):
There was one day I just bought a brand new car and
I get to the ER and there isthis man, we will call him Bob.
Bob was aggressively knockingon my door, on my trying to open
my car door, and knocking on mywindow.
And no, I'm not going to do mywindow, you're trying to get
(52:04):
into my car already, absolutelynot.
And so he goes to the front ofmy car and this man goes balls
to bumper on my new car.
Speaker 2 (52:14):
Are you what?
Yes, alrighty.
Yes, did you?
I mean what happened First.
I was in shock.
Speaker 4 (52:29):
I honked at him and then he just more aggressively
went balls to bumper on my poornew car and then I started
recording him and I have thepolice on the phone.
I'm like there's a man that hashis genitals on the hood of my
car, Can you please come here?
And they're like ma'am, juststay in your car.
I'm like, well, I wasn't goingto get out.
(52:52):
And so I show them the videoand they're like oh yeah, he's a
serial flasher.
I'm like I just got my car gotassaulted by the serial flasher.
Speaker 3 (53:09):
So many more questions yeah.
Speaker 4 (53:11):
So that's just like a little part of what's going to
be in this.
Speaker 3 (53:13):
Toon in the next episode?
Speaker 4 (53:14):
Yeah, so whenever it comes out, then I'll be, I'll be
back, I'll even sign up for youguys.
Speaker 2 (53:21):
Yeah, we want to hear it.
Yeah, so you guys be careful ifyou're around Brandy's work.
Speaker 4 (53:27):
There's a boss.
I haven't seen him in about ayear.
Speaker 2 (53:31):
So hopefully he's locked up, yeah, or got some
help.
The serial flasher yeah, justso nonchalantly though.
Speaker 4 (53:39):
Oh yeah, that's the serial flasher.
I'm like, oh great, now he hasa name, oh he has a name.
Speaker 2 (53:44):
Yeah, he's got Facebook page.
You ain't seen him.
Speaker 5 (53:45):
Probably like, like where's the gas?
Speaker 4 (53:47):
can man?
Speaker 2 (53:48):
Oh yeah, that's.
That's it Actually.
I think he's in jail.
Speaker 4 (53:51):
Yeah, he is.
Speaker 2 (53:52):
Yeah, that's good.
Yeah, well, we learned a lottoday on this podcast.
We learned about the serialflasher, yeah we learned about
the compact act.
We learned about some hoes yeah.
There we go, you guys.
(54:15):
Thank you again for coming onthe show.
Speaker 5 (54:16):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (54:17):
You guys be sure to follow my man, William, on all
his social media platforms forhis daily motivational videos.
At mustache wisdom.
You got something coming up.
Oh, this will be out after.
This will be out after.
Speaker 3 (54:28):
But hey, if you're in the Paralign area, every second
Wednesday I do a lunch andlearn.
So if you're, you can comecheck us out at the Paralign
Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 2 (54:37):
Yeah, so, as always, be sure to check out Charlie
Mike military apparel.
Get you some swag and thank youfor tuning in.
And Charlie Mike.
This is Charlie Mike the podcast Veterans helping
veterans.
Talking about things happeningin the veteran community, things
we've experienced and overcome,such as addictions, ptsd,
depression, legal trouble, andwe also promote veteran-owned
businesses.
If you're talking about it,we're talking about it.
(00:24):
This is Charlie Mike thepodcast.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Yo, what's going on everybody?
Welcome back to another episodeof Charlie Mike the podcast.
As always, your host, raul, andyour co-host is William.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Yo, what's going on?
Y'all, Welcome to the ParallelPodcast, where you'll locate
just south of Houston, Texas.
Glad to have you guys here.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Man.
Yep, it's a rainy Friday it isfor us here.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
I don't know when this will come out when you guys
are listening, but it is rainyFriday, new year, new weather,
new weather.
You know, last year they saidit didn't freeze at all here in
Texas.
Didn't we have that freeze lastyear no, it was before that.
I'm still traumatized.
They said the entire year itdidn't get below freezing.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Well, they have some Arctic Blast supposedly coming
at the end of January.
They're going to make up for it, it's.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Texas.
They're going to make up for itin one week.
I don't like it.
I don't like the cold either.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I don't mind it as long as electricity stays on,
but that's when it gets rough.
So what's going on, man, let'stalk a little bit about.
Actually, let's introduce ourguest.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Oh, okay.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Oh, you got something .
No, I got nothing, brother.
Yeah, let's introduce ourguests and get them talking.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Yeah let's do it.
So our very first guest.
If you may remember from theepisode we did with the badges
Battle of the Badges, that was alot of fun to have some folks
come on from HFD, hpd, and thenwe came by way of Ms Brandy, so
she's here to join us again,talk about some of the resources
she has available, and shebrought a guest along.
(01:55):
I want to introduce your guest.
Speaker 4 (01:57):
I did.
This is Mary Beth, and she isour behavioral intake
coordinator at LifeSaver'sEmergency Room.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
Hi, thank you so much for having me today.
As Brandy said, my name is MaryBeth and we work at LifeSaver's
Emergency Room and we are sopassionate about having
accessible care to all of ourpatients, and so we're excited
to be here today and talk abouthow we can help you and what
resources are available, andwe'll dive more into it.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Awesome.
Yeah, and that's exactly whatthis episode is about is being
able to share those resources,especially here locally.
I'm sure there's a lotavailable nationwide, but we are
Houston based.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Yeah, definitely, definitely, so tell us a little
bit about yourself.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
All right, so my background is in public health.
I graduated back in 2013 fromEast Carolina University with my
degree in public health andwent into all types of
modalities of care followingthat, including just general
health, weight loss and wellness.
But the root of most problemsis our mental wellness, and so
(03:06):
that's where my passion grew andwhat I've dedicated the past
few years to growing andassisting, and so, with
LifeSaver's Emergency Room, theopportunity arose to expand our
behavioral health program andmake sure that, when we see
patients in crisis, that we helpthem have a smooth transition
to continuing care.
We want to make sure thatanyone who comes into our door
(03:28):
feels like they're heard,they're seen and that this is
the first step to whatever roadthat they're on, and we're here
for them.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Amazing.
So tell us again, Brandy, whatis your role with LifeSaver's?
Speaker 4 (03:43):
So I kind of wear a few different hats.
I coordinate our events andthen I also am our generic
Heights location marketer andmost recently I become our
coordinator for our Crime VictimService Provider Program.
And so what that is ifanybody's a victim of a crime,
(04:05):
you can receive healthcare at nocost to you through our
emergency room.
So what we do is build a state.
They have the Crime VictimsFund and we get paid that way.
So if somebody comes in withtheir family violence or victim
of a hit and run, you know,somebody just walks by and
(04:26):
decides to slap you for noreason, you can come in and
you're not paying anything outof pocket, and so it's been a
great resource.
The only thing is you have tohave a police report.
So it helps bridge that gap too.
It helps victims come forwardand gives others who are
struggling in the same boatmaybe it's ongoing family
(04:48):
violence, and with that also I'ma certified advocate.
So I'm with them whether it'scalled to the scene or meet them
at the emergency room, and I'mthere with them the entire time.
If they need transportation, weprovide that as well.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Amazing.
Yeah, man, it's a cool service.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yeah, I didn't know about it.
I'll be honest with you.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
The height's the only location.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
For this program.
Yes, okay, but if somebody'scloser to our Willowbrook or
Summerwood location, we canactually transport them to
heights.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
All right, all right.
And then is this you work thesame location.
Speaker 5 (05:25):
So I work in all three locations.
Okay, so behavioral health weaddress it everywhere.
You know, before I started withLifeSaver Summerhood Emergency
Room, we saw a lot of patientswho had behavioral health issues
that were unaddressed and theydidn't have those resources and
collaborations in thesurrounding Houston area to
connect them with.
And so that's where I've reallybeen putting a lot of my
(05:47):
efforts into is when we see aproblem, we're now able to
connect them with continuingcare.
And we have so many amazingresources in our Houston area
that a lot of people don't knowabout, and one of those, for
instance, is the Compact Act,which is directly related to
veterans.
So we are currently lookinginto it.
(06:09):
But there are facilities thatcan help veterans, whether
they're registered with a VA ornot, to get care with any type
of suicidal ideation, whetherit's thoughts, it's
premeditation, writing out, youknow, a plan, any of those
things.
If anyone has experienced thosecircumstances, there's care
(06:30):
available that they can get forfree.
And these locations they do nothave to be a VA location.
They can be an emergency room,they can be a psychiatrist's
office and if they're, as longas they're registered with the
VA, we're able to.
As long as they're registeredwith this Compact Act, they do
not have to be registered withthe VA in order to get this free
(06:51):
care.
So it's a huge elimination ofworrying about costs.
It's a huge elimination ofworrying about what type of
benefits do I have to have?
You don't have to have anybecause it's a federal act.
It's across the country, buthere in Houston all you have to
do is, you know, a quick Googlesearch or talk to somebody and
they can help connect you withone of these places and if
(07:14):
you've ever had these thoughtsor inner struggles, they can get
you the rights on the rightsteps.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Yeah, that's powerful stuff, man.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
It is, it is, it definitely is.
You know, being a veteran andexperiencing that side of mental
health, as you know, it'sreassuring to hear about these
programs that are out there forveterans that you know a lot of
people don't know about, andit's that was new to me.
Speaker 5 (07:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
You know, and I've struggled, and William has
struggled himself with differentyou know, obstacles in life and
it's well, that's amazing.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
Yeah, you know, and it's interesting because one of
the things that Vets alwayscomplain about is like hey, I'm
not registered with the VA, oryou know, that's, that's for
somebody else.
I mean, I still hear that withmy dad, you know, recently we
were talking about that.
Just, you know, somebody elseneeds to benefits more than me,
so they never registered.
Won you kind of get thisassumption that if I'm not
(08:15):
registered with the VA then Idon't get some of that help?
Obviously you're here denyingthat.
Speaker 5 (08:20):
No, we can get you the help that you need 100%, and
you know this act was approvedin January of 2023.
And prior to working withlifesavers, I myself had not
even heard of it, and so it'ssomething that I don't know why
there isn't more mention of it,but I'm here today to bring it
(08:40):
to your awareness and make surethat everyone knows like you
don't have to be registered witha VA as long as you are
honorably discharged.
You served 100 days.
You can get help.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
That's a big.
I'm definitely looking into itand getting more information.
Yeah, so how is how did youbecome involved with all of that
?
Let's talk about what led youto the mental health aspect.
Is it something that personalexperiences, or was it?
Speaker 5 (09:12):
So, yes, two years ago, you know, I learned that
life can hand you anything.
You don't have to plan it, youdon't have to, you know, think
that I'm in a situation that canturn into something else.
It can literally change in thesnap of a finger.
And so mine was a domesticsituation where my fire flight
(09:34):
was initiated and I had to, youknow, go into survival mode and
following that, for the firsttime ever, I saw therapy.
I knew like I needed help andso I went through therapy and,
with my background in publichealth and wellness overall, I
was like what am I doing?
(09:54):
You know, I was like I have theknowledge, I have the
experience and I want to makesure other people know that they
can get help too.
We are all humans.
We're not supposed to beperfect, we're not supposed to
be okay all the time.
And when we go through theselife circumstances that throw us
for a loop or are unplanned,and we go into these survival
(10:17):
mode instincts, it changes theway we think, it changes the way
we operate and we need help togo back to the way we want to
operate normally, because itfloods your brain with so many
different hormones and itaffects the way your synapses is
fired, like there's a wholesystemic reaction that occurs,
and so I want to bring awarenessto the fact that it's okay not
(10:41):
to be okay and I know Imentioned that to you earlier,
but it really is and I listen tosongs that say that because
every day we don't have to beperfect.
Every day we're human beingsand we're presented with life
choices, and we live in a worldwhere there's so many things
outside of our choice that allwe can do is use the tools at
our disposal, and so we want tohelp and we're here to help.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Have you seen veterans taking advantage of
this lately?
I mean, I know you said this isa new act right January's, but
have you guys been able to seeany of the so, In place.
Speaker 5 (11:17):
That's one of the reasons why it's so important
that I want to bring that uptoday is because I don't see a
lot of veterans using it, and Idon't think it's because they
don't want to use it.
I think it's because they don'tknow it's there.
You know, like both of you,today you are in a space where
you talk about a whole widerange of care and like life
(11:39):
events that veterans go through,and either one of you had heard
of it before, and so I'm reallyexcited today to like bring
awareness to the fact that itexists and also how it can work
with other veteran acts andresources that are available so
that people can get help.
Whether it's suicidal ideation,whether it's substance use
(12:01):
disorders, you know we don'tplan for these things to happen
because we're human, but they dohappen and we're going to get
you help.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
So tell me some more about what else it covers.
You said I mean you said so.
How does someone take advantageof this act?
Then you know?
Suicidal ideation, or Right.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
So with the Compact Act specifically, it's to help
those with mental health crises.
So anyone with, like, asuicidal ideation, that has to
be present in order for it tofall in line with the Compact
Act.
And when you think of suicidalideation, it can be thoughts of
harming yourself and disclaimer.
You know I don't want anyone tofeel triggered by this
(12:43):
conversation, but you know itcan be like the thought of
writing a letter to loved ones.
It can be planning outsomething going to the store and
buying like tools that you wantto, that you think will be a
means to an end, and so withthat, you know, if you recognize
(13:06):
that you've had these thoughts,you might need to allow
yourself to be vulnerable andtalk to somebody and so anything
that goes along with thosethoughts.
You know, if it's come to lightthat, if it's come to light
that you have a general anxietydisorder, ptsd, these things can
be treated alongside with it.
(13:26):
Because you know the suicidalideation is almost a result of
things that are going untreatedand things that we may ignore,
things that we think make usweak.
And we're not weak, like I said, like there's so many things
that occur within your brainthat you can't control.
You can't control if you breakyour arm.
Most of the time you know Ifyou do something crazy like
(13:49):
jumping off a roof, that'slikely going to happen.
But if you know you see somestuff that human beings
shouldn't see and you go intoyour fight or fight response or
you're triggered, it's okay toneed help to make those triggers
lessen and to smooth out theway your brain needs to operate
(14:14):
and you feel like you alwayshave to be ready to fight, ready
to run, or you know what is inthe moment's notice.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
I feel like I have veterans in the nutshell right
there.
Huh yeah, I'm always ready tofight.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
What's the and I feel like you know, within the last
few years it's mental health hasbeen a you know, a topic
discussion and it's becomingmore okay.
I wouldn't say you know, I wantto say more okay because more
people are talking about it, youknow, and it's important that
it's become.
(14:44):
I want to know I'm not going tosay that it's.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
It's not a taboo subject anymore.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Yeah, there you go, that's it, that's 100%.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
And you know you mentioned, too, that, being able
to be vulnerable and we talkedabout it on the show too that
vulnerability is a strength andI want to thank you for bringing
that up because I can see, youknow, when we start bringing up
these memories.
You know, especially with Idon't know your whole story of
what happened, but you can feelthe same emotions come back
right and same thing with you,brandi, the last time you were
(15:14):
on.
You know being able to shareyour situation, but it's through
the stories and thevulnerabilities that allows us
to get stronger, and you reallyhave been sized that.
I don't want to say thank youfor that, because it's folks
like you all that make this showpossible.
Right, we don't know everything.
We've tried to bring on a lot ofveterans to come on and share
their stories and still heretoday we're talking to two
(15:40):
ladies who didn't serve but havea passion for those who did and
have information and you're notwilling just to be like I'm not
just going to say these otherveterans need to know about this
, and I think that's a greatresource for veterans to realize
that there's a lot of areasthat we can go and get help.
This is one of them, you know,and if the thoughts of the
(16:01):
suicide ideation are with youright now, don't forget to call
988 and press 1,.
If you're a veteran We'vetalked about a lot, especially
through the holiday seasonthat's an important number.
But if you think that there's away that you don't qualify like
, there's ways that folks likeyou all will help get us the
help that we need 100%.
Speaker 5 (16:23):
And to add to that, if you ever do feel a sense of
suicidal ideation and you wantto speak to somebody but you
want to speak to someone inperson you can go to your local
emergency.
They will help you.
They're not there to judge you.
They are there to aid you inany crisis.
You don't have to be bleeding,you don't have to have a broken
(16:44):
arm, you don't have to have thebilitating symptoms.
You know An emergency ranges inso many ways, and so don't
discount what you're feeling,don't discredit what you've been
through.
Embrace it and grow from it,because you are one strong
individual.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Now is the Excuse me if I'm wrong the Compact.
Speaker 5 (17:08):
Act, the Compact Act.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Is it for veterans specifically, or it is?
Speaker 5 (17:12):
So anybody who has been honorably discharged served
100 days.
It is for you.
You do not have to be aregistered vet, you just have to
have served for 100 days andthen honorably discharged.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Do you know if there's any programs available
for Out there?
I'm just curious for firstresponders of any type that's
similar to that.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
So at our emergency room we do have our first
responders program which allowsus to treat first responders and
anyone listed on their healthinsurance at no out-of-pocket
cost to them.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
That's awesome.
Speaker 4 (17:49):
We just build their insurance.
Yeah, that's good and then, ofcourse, if they need anything
further referrals or anythingalong those lines we can
actually put them into MaryBeth's care and she can point
them in the right direction ofadditional program resources and
(18:09):
help.
There's a lot of overlapbetween our programs.
One of our favorite stories totell is we were honed out.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Wait, what Like?
Speaker 3 (18:22):
are you ready?
Speaker 4 (18:24):
Yeah, yeah, say that one more time.
We were Ho-Nah.
We went to go visit ConstableRosen and I don't know if you
guys are familiar with KathyKathy Griffin, I believe that's
her name or Kathy Griffith butshe is married to longtime
anchor Jose Grinian and she nowworks for Constable Rosen and
(18:48):
she has this program and shecalls it the Ho-Program.
It is Helping Others Excel.
Okay.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
I was very, I was tiptoeing around.
Speaker 5 (19:03):
I didn't know what you were doing.
I think they were reallyworried about what guests they
brought today for a second.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
I think every listener is like tell me more
about this Ho-Program.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
So it's a group of these very strong, phenomenal
women who have dealt with familyviolence, sex trafficking,
different assaults, and so theyall come together.
It's a support group.
They're to help one another,and whenever we asked what the
name of the support group was,she said well, you're at a home
(19:35):
meeting and we're looking ateach other like, I'm sorry, a
what?
Speaker 2 (19:39):
So our response was normal A reaction.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
She tells us she's like well, we're all Hoes and
we're like good we get into Meetthem.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
One of us.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Yeah, and so it's.
You go from a ho to hoes andit's helping others excel
successfully and she's donephenomenal work and she's just
she's an amazing person.
And it was funny.
We actually had a meetingyesterday and we were telling
them about this whole class andshe was like what I said well,
(20:12):
you see, kathy runs it, she goes.
Oh, all he has to say was Kathysay no more.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
We understand.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
That's awesome.
So what's the story behindbeing Ho-Napped?
Speaker 5 (20:24):
Well, we went there just to, you know, check in,
make sure they're doing good,share some materials with them.
She's like I have a class thatwe need you guys to come speak
to.
We're like okay, and on our waydown she goes.
By the way, you're officiallyHoes.
We're like where are we going?
And so it's in the courthouse.
(20:46):
So you know we're professionalHoes and Classy.
That was a resume, and we wentto this class and we heard some
very vulnerable stories women,men, that have been through some
unimaginable circumstances.
(21:07):
But they're in this space wherethey're lifting each other up
and they're acknowledging whatthey went through, but again
telling them okay, you've donethis, but here are these tools
and now you need to do this.
And so it's not justdiminishing what they've gone
through, but it's telling themuse this as a step.
(21:27):
You know, this isn't yourdefining moment.
You are here today.
You obviously see that thingsneed to change, Things need to
happen, and we're going to tellyou how to do it and we're going
to help you along the way.
So it's an amazing supportgroup and it provides
encouragement, hope and just aplace to talk and be vulnerable
(21:51):
and, you know, feel like youhave that sense of belonging
somewhere.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
Yeah.
So we call each other at thebeginning of the week and we're
like, hey, are we going to?
Speaker 3 (22:01):
be Hoes this week.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
We do the same thing.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
I'm glad you guys are helping others excel.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Yeah, the same acronym for us.
Yeah, exactly, I love it.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
I'm curious, could you tell me more?
Pull the curtain back, a littlebit like if a veteran were to
reach out for help or come toyou all with crisis.
What does that look like?
Speaker 5 (22:34):
Great question.
So let's say a veteran comes toour doors and let's I'm going
to use a substance use disorderas an example Okay, they're
experiencing withdrawal symptoms, but they don't know that
they're experiencing withdrawalsymptoms.
They're coming in becausethey're extremely nauseated and
(22:56):
you know, they explain like I'ma vet, I'm here, but we're going
to acknowledge that.
But we're still going to lookat them like the person they are
.
You know, and any time, anytimesomeone comes in to one of our
emergency rooms, we have anregistration process.
They go through, they fill outtheir paperwork.
We have like a clear history,we have identified what benefits
(23:16):
they have and you know, we'reclear with what your estimated
cost will be while on site.
So let's say, someone gets backto the room and we ask them okay
, what makes you?
What's made you feel better?
Like, how long have you beennauseous?
What's made you feel better?
Oh, I usually drink at night,and that usually helps it.
And it's kind of like a click,like, okay, how often do you
(23:38):
drink?
And oh, I drink like two orthree at night.
Okay, what else do you do?
And then the story unfolds.
And so that's when you know ourmedical.
We have board certifiedphysicians who are going to
address that and be like listen,let's look at.
You know some of theseresources.
(23:59):
This isn't going to be easy tohear, but I have someone that
you can talk to you and we canconnect you with someone that
can help you with theseresources.
And so through that process,you know, we might connect them
with a VA run program foralcohol addiction or, if they
want something that'sindependent, we can do that as
well, but it we really want theperson to feel like they have a
(24:22):
choice, to feel like they get tobe heard and help them
understand these next steps,because that can be scary and
when you don't realize you havea problem and all of a sudden
someone's telling you you can beimmediately you're in denial.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Defensible yes.
Speaker 5 (24:36):
Yes, and so that's totally normal.
But if we bring that to yourawareness and you think about it
and you want to come back, youcan call me, you can call us.
We are there for you.
And if you go through, you know, during that denial phase, you
might slip back a little bit,start experiencing some heavier
symptoms and need help again,and then the crisis emerges.
(24:58):
But now you're aware, and soit's okay to take a minute and
digest that information.
But if you feel like thatdoesn't apply to you, we can
still connect you with resources.
I'm still going to give youinformation that you might think
about and then reach out to alater date.
I don't have to, but I'm goingto make sure that you have the
(25:19):
materials you need.
Speaker 3 (25:22):
And for me, it's just , there's a lot of people that
care, right, and we've heardthat so many times before.
But thank you for allowing us,like, a peek behind the curtain.
You know, like, okay, what'sthis?
What's going to happen when?
If you do call, these are someof the reasons why you should
call, and I think that's a kindof want to call.
(25:42):
Just, you know, I feel like Iwant folks to know that there's
a safe way out there.
You know, I think there's otherthan the VA.
People get stuck on the VA,like, okay, well, you don't have
to go through the VA, there'sdefinitely other programs out
there, and we're talking to oneof them.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
That's a lot of veterans especially.
They got like a bad taste aboutthe VA and and that stops them
from seeking help or from fromasking for help, because they
feel like that the VA is notthere to assist you know, and
well, like I say myself, and Ithink William is in the same
boat I don't let me speak foryou, but I felt like that RV a
(26:22):
hearing.
Houston is one of the best andI've honestly never had, you
know, a horrible or a bad momentthere, but in I've heard some
stories you know, that, that,yeah, that's like oh yeah, you
know, and there's storieseverywhere and it doesn't take a
(26:43):
lot to put a bad taste insomeone's mouth.
Speaker 5 (26:46):
But I just want to remind everybody that don't let
someone else's story defineyours and to try different
things.
If one thing doesn't work,don't let that stop you.
Don't use that as an excuse.
You know it's hard to find thecourage to do.
Take one step at a time.
But if one step doesn't work,just keep walking.
Just keep going.
(27:07):
You'll find your answer.
There are so many differentmodalities of therapy.
There's so many differentmodalities of behavioral health
assistance, you know, and if youdon't like one, don't think
that's going to ruin the rest ofthem.
If you don't like one provider,don't let that ruin the rest of
them, because there are so manyhealth professionals out there
(27:27):
and sometimes it might take aminute.
I know, when I first soughttherapy, my first therapist and
I did not click and it wasnothing against him, it's just
we did not speak the samelanguage, you know, and he'd be
like, how did that make you feel?
And I was like they can ask methat one more time.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (27:45):
You know, like I do not want to answer that question
one more time and I took a stepback.
I was like I'm just going to goand talk to someone else and
see what else is out there, andbest decision I ever made.
You know, I did my research.
I found someone that had like asimilar background to me to
where, you know, I personally amChristian, and so I looked for
(28:06):
resources that were tied to thatand I felt like it spoke more
of my language and more to whatI was growing up, raising to
believe in my life experiences,and so there's different avenues
for each aspect.
And so, speaking of, like,different therapies, you have
talk therapy, you have assisted,like integration type therapy,
(28:31):
to where, if you're takingmedication and you want to talk
to somebody During thatmedication, they can help you
process things when your brain'smore able to process it.
And so, you know, just kind ofexplore, use that Google search
button and, you know, find whatyou feel would be most in line
to what your needs are.
Because this is this can be acatered experience.
It's not a cookie cutter Likeeverybody's got to have the same
(28:55):
thing.
It can be like your personalindividual plan and that's out
there 100%.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
Like you say your experiences with therapists and
things of that nature.
I remember my first one.
I didn't enjoy it at all.
He kept telling me that Iseemed angry, and that was the
question.
That's what.
That's his statement.
That he said probably like 40times in our conversation, to
the point when I, when I walkedin there, I wasn't angry, but
(29:23):
when I left, I was right.
Speaker 5 (29:25):
Don't put me in a box .
Speaker 2 (29:27):
Yes, let me catch you outside.
You seem angry.
Speaker 3 (29:33):
Table flip.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
I love my therapist.
Speaker 4 (29:37):
In fact, I'm the reason my therapist needs
therapy.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
She's great.
Speaker 4 (29:41):
I mean any kind of minor inconvenience, and she's
like yes, how can I help youtoday?
You can just hear it in hervoice like and why did I take
her as a patient?
She's great, I love her.
Speaker 5 (29:56):
And also, too, like when you have a therapist for a
certain amount of time, it'sokay to like, feel you might
have outgrown that therapist andstart talking to a new one,
because they're all specialized.
Speaker 3 (30:10):
I'm not saying that about your therapist brandy I
would never come between thatrelationship.
Speaker 5 (30:14):
But you know like some might specialize in some
things and some might specializein others, and so it's okay.
You know we're all medicalprofessionals and our end goal
should be you getting better toseeing you less frequently to.
You know we don't.
If you feel like someone justwants you more and more, and
more and more and more,recognize red flags.
(30:35):
That's all I'm going to say.
Speaker 2 (30:37):
Yeah, I like it.
I like the part where you saidthat it's okay to outgrow it and
I feel like that that I'veexperienced that a lot recently,
especially like, okay, I go toNA and then my NA groups.
I started to try to go back andI had taken a break and I feel
like, okay, Nothing against thepeople that go there, Nothing
(31:02):
against the you know theorganization or whatever the
case may be, but but it's justlike this isn't, this isn't me
anymore.
Speaker 4 (31:09):
I feel like that's the end goal, though, right.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
Yeah, I agree, and I feel like, okay, I see a lot of
the same people here stuck inthe same situation and I said I
feel like I'm not better.
Right, but I'm better.
Speaker 5 (31:23):
I'll get him but yeah , yeah, yeah Well sometimes we
can find a comfort in thoseplaces that and it's hard to
uncomfortable, you know likegrowing and changing, or
accepting change, or acceptinglike new things.
It's uncomfortable and soputting us in those places of
uncomfortability andvulnerability helps us continue
(31:45):
to grow.
So I commend you for, you know,recognizing that, because again
it could be like, oh, I'msupposed to be here, but you
might not.
You might be at a place nowwhere you need the next step,
the next level Right, and notjust that too.
Speaker 4 (31:57):
But you know, going back every once in a while and
just seeing everybody else andthen realizing how far you've
come and being, you know,thankful and grateful that you
overcame so much.
You know it's kind of like man,I was once in their position
and I fought and I got past that.
(32:19):
So sometimes it's it's nice tokind of take a peek back and
just to remind yourself how faryou come.
Speaker 5 (32:26):
I would also like to add to that.
So a lot of veterans theyrespond I'm not speaking for
everybody but, like in myexperience, it's when they have
someone they relate to and theysee similar experiences with.
They've been through similarcircumstances.
You know, you've been throughbasic training, you've had your
sense of self-strip, like you'veseen stuff.
(32:47):
You've been taught to thinkcertain ways like and then
coming back into this world thatwe live in that's so uncertain,
that has so much political likeangst and there's a lot that is
out of control.
To see where you are, to seewhere you're living, to see how
your life gives them hope andyou know, if you've been through
(33:11):
something and you know someonethat may be on a path to
destruction, just try to be intheir life.
You don't have to give themthat advice, you don't have to
like tell them what to do, butshow up because they're going to
see that and that's going tohelp them more than anything.
Because I've spoken to a lot ofveterans who've been through
(33:33):
things I can't even imagine andthey say like their biggest
motivator was seeing someoneelse succeed, seeing someone
else get through it, knowingthat they can.
So I commend.
Speaker 3 (33:47):
Man, that's pretty cool.
Yeah, it's awesome to hear,because I feel it means a lot,
that you're not a veteran sayingthe same things and I don't
want to shed light like we'rebetter than you in any any way.
We know we really appreciateyou guys time being here, but I
want to.
I think it's important to hearthe perspective of somebody else
right, an outside perspective,a professional perspective,
(34:10):
where it's like this is myExperience with other veterans
and we say it all the time andyou know we can be in this like
echo chamber, where's all theveterans are saying the same
thing, but we're not that we'reright, but like listen, this is
somebody else that has theexperience of dealing with us on
the other side and it's willingto share more, like listen,
there's a lot that we can do.
(34:31):
Sharing that story, sharing thehope man.
That like really hits home forus.
Thank you for sharing that itreally does.
Speaker 2 (34:37):
It kind of hit me in the feelings Well we appreciate
you.
Speaker 5 (34:42):
You know I have family members who have served
and I might not have servedmyself, but the amount of
respect and and justgratefulness I have for each and
every one of you is like it's.
It's there, and you know we seea narrative that's controlled
so much these days and it's hardto know what people are really
feeling or what they really See.
(35:03):
So Again, just let's not putourselves in a box, let's just
try to help each other.
Speaker 3 (35:11):
Go be some hose.
Help others excel successfullybro.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hearholding around man Lee.
Speaker 2 (35:22):
I'm gonna stay away from.
Speaker 5 (35:25):
He's gonna be the leader.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
And don't don't be offended by this in the podcast,
with thank you, hose, forcoming, just that one part,
that's the only part that peopleclip.
Speaker 3 (35:50):
The context oh man, no, that's what I'm all to keep
tells a little bit more about.
You said you had family toserve.
You know, pay homage to them,so yeah.
Speaker 5 (36:00):
So both my grandfathers were in the army.
My mom's dad was in the KoreanWar, he was a tank driver, and
my father's dad he was stationedin Germany for two years so he
didn't see anymore.
But you know both grandfatherstotally different timelines and
age groups, but I I hear all thestories that I have uncles who
(36:22):
were airmen and you know fluplanes and have cousins who were
in the Marines.
Like I feel like all branchesthey're all so different but
they're all so important.
Some better than other, no, butyou know I definitely have a
(36:47):
passion for making sure thateveryone feels hurt and seen
that's awesome.
Speaker 3 (36:50):
I really, really, really appreciate it.
It's so cool to hear againbecause we could be in our boxes
.
You know, we can be aroundveterans and like think One
certain way and it's like no,like the amount of influence
that we have that they've hadlike we.
We love to hear the oldergeneration getting their love to
oh yeah, 100% 100% my Grandpawas Merchant Marine.
(37:16):
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, we had one of those herefor the Fourth of July event we
did head, 103 years old, asharpest attack he was.
Speaker 2 (37:27):
He was awesome they.
So they came here for thefourth of July we didn't have
been and then from here theywent straight to minute made and
they got honored at the Astrosgame.
So it was, it was for it wasfor we had for war war two, you
know and then one of the guyswas actually in Korea war,
korean war.
He was in Vietnam, yeah, and hewas in Just what war to?
Speaker 5 (37:51):
yeah he's just just um Wow.
Speaker 2 (37:55):
Yeah, we just like yeah.
Speaker 1 (37:59):
Than me.
Speaker 2 (38:00):
Oh yeah, I can know I still wouldn't fight him.
Speaker 4 (38:07):
I know a great emergency room you.
Speaker 5 (38:12):
Freak a fire miles just make sure you bring that
police report.
Speaker 3 (38:17):
I wouldn't admit it.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
What, what have you been up to tell us a little
business the last time we seenyou?
Speaker 4 (38:27):
man.
So what have I been up to?
I feel like there's just beenso much going on.
My oldest daughter turned 16next week, and so I've been, you
know, crying into my pillowevery night.
16, yeah, 16.
She's like, she's so mean,she's like five foot tall and
she's just, she's an angrylittle person.
Speaker 3 (38:47):
Were you that way, not anymore.
Speaker 2 (38:50):
I plead the fifth, you know straight is like an
angry person.
Speaker 4 (38:54):
Oh.
So it's kind of funny becauseyou know we're talking about
family and the Marie or familyin the branches, and so I Was
actually going to enlist intothe Marines, and I'm not sure if
I talked about this last time Iwas on here.
But yeah, life had other plans.
I was at meps and that's how Irealized that.
(39:16):
You know, 16 years ago I wasgoing to have oh, oh, yeah, it
was oh.
Yeah my great.
I'm trying to, you know, dosomething great with my life and
Pregnant yeah.
Speaker 2 (39:32):
Oh man.
Speaker 4 (39:33):
That's so.
I was this close, this close,no, but um, she's great.
She uh, you know she's playsvarsity for her school softball
and then she always keeps usbusy with softball my youngest,
she's my volleyball player.
But we've just really beenworking hard on all these
community events that we'redoing.
Speaker 3 (39:55):
Tell us about the 9-11 event.
How did that turn out?
Speaker 4 (39:58):
Oh, it was amazing.
Hpd lost.
The final score was 8 to 3.
Hfd came and they dominated.
Speaker 2 (40:08):
It was was it the more practice I.
Speaker 4 (40:11):
Don't know what it was you know.
Hpd, though they had alreadyplayed almost half a season of
baseball, so Technically theyhad been getting the more
practice and you know, hfd justput together some guys at the
last minute, and I mean they.
Speaker 3 (40:32):
How was the event?
Is there more planned?
Speaker 4 (40:35):
Oh yeah, we're actually.
I'm gonna make it A annual verycool.
Yes, we're excited.
Our goal is to when they haveit at minnow maid, yeah that.
And then they also went toDallas.
A couple months ago, hpd wentto Dallas to play their fire
department.
They had a double header, andso they each won one.
(40:55):
Oh I believe sometimes duringthe summer they're actually
gonna go play Chicago PD.
Speaker 2 (41:02):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 4 (41:02):
Yeah, so it's, it's happening, all the things are
happening.
Speaker 2 (41:06):
I'm so excited for these guys are great.
Speaker 4 (41:09):
They're like my.
My brother is now.
I'll go visit stations andthey're like hey, brandy, I'm
like it's pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (41:19):
That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (41:20):
That's amazing to hear.
Um, you know, when it comes toevents and things like that, let
us know so we can shareinformation in any way we can
assist?
Speaker 4 (41:27):
Absolutely.
We're actually, you know I canjust be good at.
We're actually going to behaving a couple health fairs
this month, okay, cool.
We're gonna be having them atour Willowbrook and Heights
location.
The one at Willowbrook is goingto be January 13th and the one
over at Heights is going to beon the 20th.
Speaker 2 (41:44):
The 20th, the 20th of January, yeah, okay, okay, I
think this one should be outaround that time, but yeah,
around the 20th.
Speaker 3 (41:53):
So yeah, you might get lucky.
Yeah, I love getting lucky yeah.
Speaker 5 (42:05):
We're sliding back to the whole talk.
Speaker 1 (42:09):
We didn't bring it up .
Speaker 4 (42:13):
You were thinking it, but you said Both are brains,
you can see?
Speaker 5 (42:19):
Yeah, the same brains .
Speaker 3 (42:21):
Same brains.
Speaker 4 (42:21):
So and then also want to point out to you that our
ERC is a lot of Motor at motorvehicle accidents, so we work
with a lot of personal injuryattorney and there's a lot of
personal injury attorneys outthere that are veterans.
Yeah and I've been able to growcloser to some of them and talk
with them, and so we've createdthis partnership like it's.
(42:46):
It is crazy how everything kindof intertwined, because we come
out, we have Medics, first aidambulance that come to events to
do standby just in case anybodygets injured, and so we were at
a marathon hosted by theHouston bar Association.
Well, one of their sponsors wasJohnny Havens law firm.
(43:10):
He's an army veteran and sothen I connected with him and
he's like let's see how we canwork together, and so it's just
really, really great.
Whenever, especially when youmeet people you know that are
inspiration For other programsthat you're doing, right and it
just it builds that relationship.
(43:30):
So I just wanted to, you know,share the love to all my veteran
personal injury attorneycontact.
Speaker 3 (43:37):
There is one here in Perelin.
Speaker 4 (43:38):
Yes, there is.
I saw his billboard on the wayhere.
Speaker 3 (43:41):
I was like marine.
No, that's great.
I mean glad to hear that thatthe 9-11 events gonna be a
yearly event pretty cool.
Oh yeah, hopefully we can findways to continue to stay, stay
active with that.
Speaker 4 (43:59):
So they actually play out here in parents.
The Season should be kickingoff at the end of February, and
so the law dogs play.
They'll be playing every Sundayout here in Perelin playing
here.
Speaker 2 (44:12):
Well, I know here, but you know, I wonder where
somewhere in.
Speaker 3 (44:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (44:21):
I don't, there's a.
There's a couple streets downthat way I don't go past just
because it's so much traffic.
Speaker 5 (44:26):
I should say you have a driver.
Speaker 3 (44:30):
No, I'm kidding, Jelly is not here, right?
Speaker 1 (44:33):
now Bitterman yeah.
Speaker 2 (44:37):
Gally, that's great.
Speaker 3 (44:39):
You ladies have any last party shots before we wrap
up?
Any Anything on your heart thatyou want to let veterans know
that listening to this, I wouldjust like to kind of recap all
the words I've been speaking.
Speaker 5 (44:50):
Just, you know, have a sappy, emotional, motivational
speech here real quick, myfavorite.
But you know, I just want toremind everybody that, veteran
or not, lifesavers emergencyroom and hopefully all other
emergency rooms, wherever you'reclosest, if you ever do have
any thoughts or ideations,someone's there to help you.
(45:12):
And, like I said before, it'sokay not to be okay.
You don't have to be strong allthe time and we really
appreciate you.
And so just remember that ifyou've overcome some something
and you see someone else goingthrough something as well, just
be there for them.
You don't have to coach them,you don't have to give them
(45:33):
speeches.
You know, just show up.
And if you ever do think thatthat help is not out there,
that's not true we're here todayto tell you that's not true.
And you know we want you tosucceed, we want you to live a
full and beautiful life, becauseno matter what life moments
(45:54):
throw at you, it's there and youjust have to walk through the
darkness for a second to see thelight, but we're there for you.
Speaker 4 (46:03):
We want you to excel successfully.
Speaker 3 (46:09):
I mean to really capitalize.
I feel like someone should putthat on a shirt it's okay to not
be okay.
Speaker 2 (46:15):
Oh yeah, hey, you can find it at Charlie.
Mike.
Military Paro.
Speaker 4 (46:20):
It was late on the back of that thing, oh man it
was.
Speaker 3 (46:24):
I'm just going to have to go online real quick,
you know you've hit on some somephenomenal points, you know,
and and and for vets out there,like showing up.
You know showing up means somuch.
Sharing this podcast means alot to us too, and that's what
we're here to do is make sure toshow up and be there for you,
and it's not always the thingsthat you say, it's just being
there, being present.
You know it means that much tosomeone else.
Grannie, can you tell us how dowe get in touch with Life Saver
(46:47):
?
Speaker 4 (46:47):
Yeah, of course.
So you can call us directly.
We share our personal cellphone numbers with all of Harris
County, so you can call me at409-996-7284.
Or you can also reach out toour marketing email, that's
marketing at lifesaversercom.
(47:09):
And we monitor that email 24seven.
And if we don't get back to yousoon, then by all means I don't
care what time of night it is.
I have people call two, threeo'clock in the morning, so
you're not going to be the first.
And then, mary Beth, I'm sorry,I don't know your number off
(47:29):
the top of my head.
It's on my phone.
No, does anybody know anybody'sphone?
Speaker 2 (47:32):
number I don't even know my own.
Speaker 5 (47:35):
Oh man.
Speaker 2 (47:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (47:36):
Okay, my phone number is 713-805-7242.
And feel free to reach out ifyou're someone that's in crisis,
if you are someone that wantsassistance on how to navigate
someone else Experiencing acrisis, or if you're someone
that can provide assistance toothers and you want to
collaborate, give us a call.
(47:56):
Reach out.
That was my next question.
Speaker 3 (47:57):
That was the next question.
You know, because I'm sure youknow, somebody has not heard of
compact act yet.
You know and not that I expectyou to be the subject matter
expert, but I do know like, if Iever had questions, probably be
the one of the first people Icall.
Speaker 5 (48:13):
Oh yeah, I can tell you where to go, I can tell you,
you know what kind of care youmight want to expect and I can
tell you what's going to beneeded, you know like whenever
you always have your ID andinsurance card with you.
You know, and just be ready tolisten and you don't have to do
much else, Right?
Speaker 4 (48:34):
And I also want to kind of add to that too Maybe
it's not you personally, maybeit's a relative or one of your
close friends and you're reallyworried about them.
Give us a call.
I mean, at the very least wecould take them out for a cup of
coffee and you know, just makesure that they're aware you know
, hey, you're, you're not alone,you're not going to be judged
Like, if you just want to talk,we'll be there, or we have
(48:58):
somebody that you know.
We believe that would be agreat fit for you to talk to,
even if it's just as a friend.
Speaker 5 (49:06):
Yes, and I would like to say one more thing.
So, like two years ago, I wasin a place where I felt so
broken I was starting completelyover.
The life that I had built wasgone, the life that I knew gone.
And I'm here today talking topeople.
I'm here today like sharingawareness and telling them that
(49:30):
there's hope out there.
And let me tell you there isbecause you know I've had a full
circle moment that the crisiscenter who was able to help me,
I now get to help and you couldbe in a similar position.
You know you don't have to dosomething so that you can help
others.
I'm not saying that, but, likeI'm saying that you know you
(49:51):
have the strength, you arestrong and we got you.
Speaker 3 (49:55):
I think it's powerful because some of the same things
that you and I talk about, like, give it back to the veteran
community, because they're theones that gave me this platform.
Speaker 2 (50:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (50:03):
You talk about it with NA and a lot too, it's like
and the court system?
Hey, I'll give it back to thatplace because they helped me get
here.
Even though this is a veteranpodcast, you can hear the
perspective from somebody elsewho I think veterans.
We live on the extremes extremestress, extreme deployment,
extreme drinking, all that jazz.
Speaker 2 (50:25):
But extreme divorce.
I won't share those storiesthat would make a good show
actually.
Extreme divorce when I divorceis finally, as I'm coming back,
that's right.
Speaker 4 (50:36):
I hope now for marrying on the ID channel.
Speaker 2 (50:41):
Right after extreme home makeovers.
Speaker 3 (50:44):
But we're not alone.
You know, we're not alone.
We're not all that different,we're very similar in many ways.
So hey, if you guys are outthere in your struggle, and
don't forget to reach out tolifesavers, or you can call
988-PRESS-1.
Speaker 2 (50:57):
Again, we appreciate you guys coming up.
Do you have any?
Speaker 4 (51:01):
I don't other than happy new year.
If you have a new yearresolution, then congrats to you
.
Speaker 5 (51:08):
It's okay.
It's okay.
We don't have to be perfect,right.
Speaker 4 (51:12):
I made my new year's resolution like two days after
the new year and I was drivingand I decided I'm going to write
a book.
I'm going to write a novel.
Speaker 3 (51:21):
You're talking about it For real.
Speaker 4 (51:22):
For real.
Speaker 5 (51:24):
We're going to have our hoes explain it.
Speaker 4 (51:26):
Yes, it is going to be about my journey at
lifesavers and all of the thingsthat I see and come across, and
it's going to be very comical.
Just a little sneak peek.
Speaker 3 (51:39):
You heard it here first.
Yes, charlie, mike is exclusive.
Speaker 4 (51:43):
There was one day I just bought a brand new car and
I get to the ER and there isthis man, we will call him Bob.
Bob was aggressively knockingon my door, on my trying to open
my car door, and knocking on mywindow.
And no, I'm not going to do mywindow, you're trying to get
(52:04):
into my car already, absolutelynot.
And so he goes to the front ofmy car and this man goes balls
to bumper on my new car.
Speaker 2 (52:14):
Are you what?
Yes, alrighty.
Yes, did you?
I mean what happened First.
I was in shock.
Speaker 4 (52:29):
I honked at him and then he just more aggressively
went balls to bumper on my poornew car and then I started
recording him and I have thepolice on the phone.
I'm like there's a man that hashis genitals on the hood of my
car, Can you please come here?
And they're like ma'am, juststay in your car.
I'm like, well, I wasn't goingto get out.
(52:52):
And so I show them the videoand they're like oh yeah, he's a
serial flasher.
I'm like I just got my car gotassaulted by the serial flasher.
Speaker 3 (53:09):
So many more questions yeah.
Speaker 4 (53:11):
So that's just like a little part of what's going to
be in this.
Speaker 3 (53:13):
Toon in the next episode?
Speaker 4 (53:14):
Yeah, so whenever it comes out, then I'll be, I'll be
back, I'll even sign up for youguys.
Speaker 2 (53:21):
Yeah, we want to hear it.
Yeah, so you guys be careful ifyou're around Brandy's work.
Speaker 4 (53:27):
There's a boss.
I haven't seen him in about ayear.
Speaker 2 (53:31):
So hopefully he's locked up, yeah, or got some
help.
The serial flasher yeah, justso nonchalantly though.
Speaker 4 (53:39):
Oh yeah, that's the serial flasher.
I'm like, oh great, now he hasa name, oh he has a name.
Speaker 2 (53:44):
Yeah, he's got Facebook page.
You ain't seen him.
Speaker 5 (53:45):
Probably like, like where's the gas?
Speaker 4 (53:47):
can man?
Speaker 2 (53:48):
Oh yeah, that's.
That's it Actually.
I think he's in jail.
Speaker 4 (53:51):
Yeah, he is.
Speaker 2 (53:52):
Yeah, that's good.
Yeah, well, we learned a lottoday on this podcast.
We learned about the serialflasher, yeah we learned about
the compact act.
We learned about some hoes yeah.
There we go, you guys.
(54:15):
Thank you again for coming onthe show.
Speaker 5 (54:16):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (54:17):
You guys be sure to follow my man, William, on all
his social media platforms forhis daily motivational videos.
At mustache wisdom.
You got something coming up.
Oh, this will be out after.
This will be out after.
Speaker 3 (54:28):
But hey, if you're in the Paralign area, every second
Wednesday I do a lunch andlearn.
So if you're, you can comecheck us out at the Paralign
Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 2 (54:37):
Yeah, so, as always, be sure to check out Charlie
Mike military apparel.
Get you some swag and thank youfor tuning in.
And Charlie Mike.
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