In this episode in joined by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman. Retired U.S. Army Ranger, paratrooper, former West Point psychology professor and author of On Killing and On Combat walks us through how we unpack the psychology of stress, trauma, and resilience.
Grossman has spent decades training military, law enforcement, and first responders on what actually happens to the mind and body under extreme pressure, from tunnel vision and time distortion to the adrenaline crash that follows a major incident. His insights reveal how we can prepare ourselves and our teams not only to survive high-stress encounters but to grow stronger from them.
We explore the concept of the “bulletproof mind,” the science of stress inoculation, and the leadership practices that help protect responders long after the crisis ends. From tactical breathing and after-action reviews to the moral weight of service and survivor’s guilt, Grossman provides a framework for resilience that applies equally to the battlefield, the fireground, and everyday life. This conversation is about more than tactics, it’s about how to lead with empathy, build cultures of support, and navigate the realities of service in today’s world.
You can find many of his books available on amazon HERE
Or reach out to him HERE
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