Resilience Development in Action

Resilience Development in Action

Discover practical resilience strategies that transform lives. Join Steve Bisson, licensed mental health counselor, as he guides first responders, leaders, and trauma survivors through actionable insights for mental wellness and professional growth. Each week, dive deep into real conversations about grief processing, trauma recovery, and leadership development. Whether you're a first responder facing daily challenges, a leader navigating high-pressure situations, or someone on their healing journey, this podcast delivers the tools and strategies you need to build lasting resilience. With over 20 years of mental health counseling experience, Steve brings authentic, professional expertise to every episode, making complex mental health concepts accessible and applicable to real-world situations. Featured topics include: • Practical resilience building strategies • First responder mental wellness • Trauma recovery and healing • Leadership development • Grief processing • Professional growth • Mental health insights • Help you on your healing journey Each week, join our community towards better mental health and turn your challenges into opportunities for growth with Resilience Development in Action.

Episodes

June 11, 2025 43 mins

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Bruce Wasser shares his journey of losing his father at age 15 and how this profound loss shaped his decision to become a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War and ultimately led to his 33-year teaching career.

• Growing up in Seattle with his father Joe, a WWII veteran who instilled values of teamwork, equality, and community
• Devastating loss of his father to cancer just 14 months after diagnos...

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What happens when the strongest among us need support? In this powerful conversation, Elizabeth Ecklund takes us on an extraordinary journey from fighting fires in Antarctica to fighting stigma in mental health. As someone with 15 years of experience spanning firefighting, emergency medical services, and nursing, Elizabeth brings a rare perspective to the critical conversation about first responder mental health.
...

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Steve Bisson welcomes Cyndi Doyle, licensed professional counselor, retired police spouse, and founder of Code for Couples, to discuss the unique challenges faced by first responder relationships and strategies for building resilience.

• Meeting Cyndi Doyle - licensed professional counselor specializing in first responder relationships for over 20 years
• Understanding the "married but single" p...

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The walls we build to protect ourselves from trauma can become our prisons. This powerful truth emerges as Dr. Charlie Powell returns to share groundbreaking developments with his "Healing Heroes: No Mind Left Behind" documentary, now evolving from a television series into a theatrical release scheduled for November 11th.

Charlie takes us deep into the intricate relationship between PTSD and addicti...

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The weight of witnessing trauma daily doesn't just disappear when the uniform comes off. For our first responders—those who run toward danger while others flee—the psychological impact accumulates silently, often with devastating consequences.

Beth Salmo, licensed professional counselor and owner of Thin Line Counseling, joins us to unveil the realities of mental health in emergency services. Drawing fro...

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The journey from outward success to inner collapse—and the path back to authentic living—takes center stage in this compelling conversation with Nick Jonsson, international bestselling author and executive coach.

Nick's story begins with transformation through adversity when a motorcycle accident in his twenties forced him from construction work to academia, eventually propelling him up the corporate lad...

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What happens when those who run toward danger need help themselves? In this compelling conversation, host Steve Bisson sits down with Kevin Cornine, a former fire captain and battalion chief who's transitioning to a new role as a mental health counselor focused on supporting first responders.

Kevin shares his powerful story of serving 15 years in fire rescue while watching colleagues struggle with the pr...

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Michael Sugrue shares his powerful journey from military service to law enforcement to his medical retirement due to post-traumatic stress injury, revealing how he almost became one of the alarming first responder suicide statistics and his mission to now "smash the stigma" around mental health.

• From Air Force security forces officer to 14 years with Walnut Creek Police Department, serving in vari...

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What happens when a decorated Naval Lieutenant Commander, triple-boarded physician, and healthcare executive exhausts every conventional treatment for his debilitating PTSD? Dr. Charles Powell takes us on his extraordinary journey from the frontlines of military medicine to the cutting edge of psychedelic healing.

After 16 years of military service and building a successful healthcare organization, Dr. Powell...

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Caren Paskel's journey from struggling with mental health issues to becoming a beacon of resilience and self-belief captivates from the first moment of our conversation. Her story begins at age 16 when a yoga class provided her first genuine spiritual connection—a transformative experience that would become her lifeline through depression, unhealthy relationships, and physical ailments.

What makes Caren&...

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Therapy has long been shrouded in mystery, leaving many to wonder what actually happens once that office door closes. Steve Bisson pulls back the curtain on these therapeutic misconceptions with refreshing candor and humor. Gone are the days of viewing therapists as perfect, emotionless professionals who maintain rigid boundaries and never reveal their humanity.

Swearing in therapy? Absolutely appropriate. As...

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Trauma lies at the heart of most psychological suffering, yet our understanding of it continues to evolve. In this profound conversation with the returning "Mental Men" panel of experienced therapists, we explore how mental health treatment has transformed from psychoanalysis that sometimes minimized real trauma to approaches that honor lived experiences and their lasting impacts.

When Dr. Christoph...

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First responders—police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and emergency room personnel—face unique psychological stressors that extend far beyond trauma exposure. In this insightful Podcourse, I'm joined by Steve Bisson, LMHC, to explore the complexities of first responder mental health and how therapists can effectively support this population.

Purchase this Podcourse here!

You will gain an in-depth under...

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What happens when the therapist needs therapy? In this vulnerable and illuminating conversation, clinical counselor Jennifer Schrappe opens up about her personal wake-up call that forced her to confront years of self-neglect while caring for others. With over 20 years of experience in mental health and standing at the intersection of therapeutic practice and pastoral ministry, Jennifer shares the moment she realized t...

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In this engaging episode focused on mental health and resilience, we reflect on the evolution of our podcast as we shift towards the theme of "Finding Your Way: Resilience Development in Action." Therapy plays a crucial role in not only individual growth but also in creating strong support systems for professionals—particularly first responders who encounter daily challenges that others may not understand. J...

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What if you could heal trauma and emotional pain through movement? Join us as dance movement therapist Lisa Manca, alongside guest co-host Courtney Romanowski, unveils the transformative power of dance therapy. Lisa brings her expertise from forensic and psychiatric settings, offering unique insights into how movement can aid personal growth and healing. We tackle the challenges mental health professionals face in int...

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Jessica Jamison returns to our studio, unfolding her transformative journey from the weight loss industry to becoming a dedicated advocate for those battling eating disorders. Her shift aligns deeply with her personal values, shedding societal expectations and embracing authenticity. Jessica's story highlights a powerful transition, illustrating how past experiences of rejection and fear can shape self-perception...

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What if the very nature of your job required you to lock away grief, only for it to accumulate and weigh heavier with each call? Join us for a compelling discussion as we unravel the unique emotional landscape navigated by first responders like EMTs, paramedics, and police officers. These everyday heroes are often thrust into situations that demand stoic professionalism despite the emotional toll of repeated trauma. W...

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In this episode, Tina Djuretic shares her transformative journey of healing from childhood trauma and toxic relationships through writing her memoir, "Finding My Sovereignty." She discusses the importance of acknowledging generational trauma, finding spiritual guidance, and the healing power of sharing one's story.

• Tina’s experience growing up in a strict religious environment
• The imp...

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This episode delves into the critical distinctions between coaching and therapy, emphasizing coaching's role in fostering personal growth for professionals. Listeners gain insights on decision-making, overcoming isolation in leadership roles, and the importance of self-care through the coaching process.

• Distinction between therapy and coaching is clarified 
• Emphasis on the forward-focused nature ...

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