June 2, 2025 • 52 mins
What drives a military logistics specialist to become a champion for veteran suicide prevention? For Brianne Brown, it wasn't just career evolution—it was a calling born from personal experience.
In this powerful conversation, Air Force veteran Brianne Brown pulls back the curtain on her journey from military service to her vital work as Central Florida Regional Program Director for The Fire Watch. With raw honesty, she reveals how her experiences as both a veteran and former spouse of a combat veteran shaped her understanding of the unique challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life.
Brown introduces us to The Fire Watch's innovative community-based approach to veteran suicide prevention. Unlike traditional support models, The Fire Watch trains everyday citizens to recognize warning signs and connect veterans with resources before they reach crisis—a strategy proving essential in Florida, where veteran suicide rates are 2.5 times higher than non-veteran rates.
The discussion delves into the military mindset that can sometimes work against veterans in crisis. "Our motto is to solve the problem and eliminate the threat," Brown explains, revealing how this training can become dangerous when veterans view themselves as the problem. She also explores the complex interplay between psychological, social, spiritual, and physical health that creates true well-being for veterans.
Perhaps most compelling is Brown's perspective on healing: "Healing happens in community, not in isolation." This simple truth drives The Fire Watch's mission to create networks of trained supporters throughout Florida communities.
Whether you're a veteran, know a veteran, or simply care about preventing suicide, this episode offers practical wisdom and a path to make a difference. Brown shares how anyone can complete the free one-hour training at thefirewatch.org to become what she calls a "Watch Stander"—someone equipped to recognize warning signs and connect veterans with life-saving resources.
Ready to stand in the gap for veterans in your community? This conversation will show you how one hour of your time could save a life.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We're insert me into a place because anybody can
benefit from this training.
It's an hour long and it's free.
It doesn't cost anybodyanything.
I also am not trying to sellanybody anything either.
Right, If you're on time,you're late, but if you're early
, you're on time.
But, also at the same time.
Yes, it's respecting people'stime.
Time is currency.
That's one thing you can getback, but that's just a.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Here's another episode of the Leslie Comfey
podcast.
I have the wonderful MissBrianne Brown with me today and,
as always, I always allow ourguests to introduce themselves,
but I want to give her a roundof applause for joining the
platform.
It's Sunday today and, asalways, I always allow our
guests to introduce themselves,but I want to give her a round
of applause for joining theplatform.
It's Sunday today and she cameafter church.
I didn't go to church too,right, didn't go to church too,
(00:55):
ms Brown.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
I did.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Thank you for joining me, ms Brown.
Yes, ma'am.
So, ms Brown, for our companylisteners out there, if you
would please tell them who youare so my name is brian brown,
um, let's get a little personal.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
So I'm originally from florida.
I was born and raised in ocala,um.
I left for the military at 21,turned 22 in boot camp um,
traveled overseas, came backstateside, um.
So I am an air force veteran,um, and now, as my primary role,
once I transition out, Istarted volunteering with the
Veterans Treatment Corps, mentorCorps in the greater Tampa Bay
(01:32):
area.
So for military veterans,transition is not secular, right
.
So I look very different.
My job in the military waslogistics.
I had just gotten a master'sdegree in criminal justice, uh,
and then I ended up in suicideprevention.
So if that doesn't go to showyou right your your path in your
journey afterwards and justkind of finding where you fit in
(01:53):
that space is very different,um, however, so I have been in
the nonprofit space, uh, for thelast five years, um, doing
veteran suicide prevention andand being in that, that arena,
um, that's how I continue toserve and it's definitely a
calling.
So when you answer the call,you become equipped and do the
work.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Do the work, do the work, and that's one thing that
she has been doing.
Ms Brown has been doing thework and I know she's honorably
served eight years in the UnitedAir Force, both active duty and
reserved.
She since transitioning out ofthe military.
She became a leader fornonprofit sector, as she's
indicated as well, and weappreciate her work.
(02:36):
I'm pretty sure there's a lotof veterans out there that know
Ms Brown, but for our comfylisteners, if you don't know now
, you know All right.
So through her work she hashelped hundreds of veterans and
service members to find theirpurpose and build resilience.
Now she's serving as theCentral Florida Regional Program
(02:58):
Directors for the Firewatch.
Ms Brandon spearheads veteranadvocacy and life-saving
training to empower communitymembers to connect veterans with
the help they need before theyreach a crisis point.
And that's what she specializedin her mission.
Clear mission to lift thefallen, restore the broken and
(03:22):
heal the hurting.
Heal the hurting right there inthe heart, right.
So I'm excited to have her apart of the show.
One mission we have here on theLesson Comfort podcast is
provide knowledge and resources.
There are so many factors ofhealth care, there's so many
factors of advocacy out in theworld today and we're bringing
(03:46):
that to you here on our platformand I thank you for joining us
and tuning in and supporting thepodcast.
Now we're on for a journeytoday with Ms Brown and we're
first going to start with themilitary, and I always love.
When I see the military cause,I be thinking like I love war
movies, but Ms Brown had alreadytold me before the show no, I
don't have no war stories, butit's okay.
(04:07):
You served eight honorableyears in the US Air Force, as
we've indicated.
Can you take us back to themoment that you decided to
enlist?
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Ooh.
So I was going to college and Iwas sitting at the back of a
college classroom and, forwhatever reason, I was like, if
this doesn't work out, I think Ineed a back backing.
Right, I need a secondary.
For whatever reason, themilitary came to my head.
Um, I don't come from a heavymilitary family.
(04:38):
Both my grandfather served, uh,one in the Navy, one in the
army, um, but other than myself,right, I never, um, I was the
only one to go into the armedforces.
So I will say that's somethingthat I'm very proud about.
Uh, I think that also speaks tomy character, and being a
female on top of that, it justmeans a little bit more to me,
(05:01):
um.
So, again, it was just, uh, itwas never a thought to me.
So, again, it was just, it wasnever a thought until it became
one.
I took action on that, joinedthe United States Air Force, and
I think it was the bestdecision that I had ever made.
I grew up in a very small town,and that was something that we
talked about earlier.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Right.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
We're both Florida natives, Quentin.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Florida baby.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Hey so I'm originally from Ocala and he's from.
Where are you from again?
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Quentin Florida.
Quentin Florida, Outside ofTallahassee.
I always have to say that 15minutes from outside of
Tallahassee with Gaston County,we are, from a Black American
standpoint with per capita wehave the most Black Americans
per capita in the county, in anycounty in the state.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Yeah well, you know, I'm country living over there
everybody thinks I own horseswhen they they hear like, yeah,
I've gone through there you knowI love ocala.
I'm like are we talking aboutthe same place?
I?
Speaker 2 (05:56):
thought it was like a retirement area.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Well, the villages area is, and that's what
everybody really knows it for,but ocala specifically horses,
and so everybody thinks I own ahorse, just like.
It's this weird concept thatpeople think that when you're in
the air force, that youautomatically flew a plane and I
get it.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
I definitely thought that too about you.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
I'm like I want to know how to fly too and this is
why one of the things right thatwe do now is military culture
education to show that there'ssuch an array of different uh
jobs that one withholds uhwithin the military service so
talk about it.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
What did you do?
How was your experience in theus air force?
Speaker 1 (06:33):
tell me about that well, you can't take the good
without the bad right, I want tohave both I'm from well, I'm
from a small town, so there hadto be something more to life
than this.
Um, my parents were paying forcollege education and I felt
like I could take it on myselfand I had the opportunity to
seize that and I took it.
(06:53):
So off I went and I got totravel the world.
My first duty station was atSpangdalen, so I was in Germany
for a few years.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
What's the city again ?
Spangdalenam germany oh yeah,all right, so I let you
pronounce that one.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Yeah, yeah, um, but it was great because I got to
travel europe and just seethings that I've never been
exposed to.
So not only just architecture,but history and different
cultures that's really right andeven talking about culture
right, military is a culture inand of itself.
It's so diverse from the peopleto the backgrounds and where
(07:31):
they come from.
It's just a whole differentexperience and it makes you see
life and other people um throughthe lens of that, so your
perspective is able to change sofavorite intriguing culture
that you, during your travels,you said man, I traveled all
over.
I think one of my favoritetrips was to athens, was to
(07:52):
greece, yeah, that's great.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Yeah, what about the food is over there, what they
eat?
Speaker 1 (07:56):
you gotta be willing to explore a little bit out of
your comfort zone but there'shey, listen, you don't have no
Burger King over there yes, theyhave all of that over there,
really Burger King.
So listen, I ate Burger Kingbefore I got here.
I know how much you know,people believe in what you're
doing.
I don't eat Burger King likethat um, but they do have some
familiar items over there, but,um, I would always.
(08:19):
One of the things that I woulddo is, every time I would travel
to a different country, I wouldget a shot glass.
I would get a shot glass and Iwould do is every time I would
travel to a different country, Iwould get a shot glass.
I would get a shot glass and Iwould get a postcard, but I
would eat.
I would try to eat one of theirtraditional meals of the
country, just to experience itin a different way.
Um, so it was.
It was awesome, it was great.
From there, I went to Korea, Iwent to Osan uh, that's a
(08:39):
controlled tour, so work hard,play hard up there.
That was an awesome and amazingexperience, because I've always
worked with F-16s and A-10s someof the fighter jets and
eventually made my way back toFlorida over at Herberfield,
which is AFSOC's SpecialOperations Command.
Okay, and that was somethingvery different as well, right,
(08:59):
so this is very high ops tempo,always on the go.
But I found myself kind ofreaching a cross point right
With the and I know you're goingto kind of get into this a
little bit later.
You know I am a veteran, butI'm a former spouse of a combat
veteran as well.
So at that time, when he cameback from his last deployment, I
(09:21):
could tell things were not thesame and he said hey, listen, I
just need time to get readjusted, right, I just need to go
through that.
I said, no problem, do what yougot to do.
If not, you know you need to goseek some help.
Um, but unfortunately this iswhat kind of unfolded right in
the space of suicide, where Ihad otherwise found myself right
(09:44):
, being that caretaker, right bybeing or feeling the feelings
of what about me not getting theinformation that I need to be
successful for him?
Right on the tools, theknowledge, because oftentimes,
again, I've been on both sidesof the same field.
(10:05):
The desperation of wanting tohelp somebody that can't see
beyond hopelessness is adifficult task.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
How's that relationship now?
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Well, I've done it with a child.
I've done it without a child,okay Right, so it's a heavy
topic, but it's in reality areal life thing and so many
people go through it right?
Veteran suicide is two and ahalf times higher just here in
the state of Florida thannon-veteran suicide, but I can
only imagine how many timespeople also feel that burden and
(10:39):
heaviness of wanting to helpother loved ones, see beyond
their pain, and that's reallykind of what that experience and
again, that experience is kindof what led me into the space of
veteran suicide prevention.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Right, right Right.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
We always, often ask these questions of why me, why
me, why did I go through this,why did you know, why did this?
And it's never really revealeduntil afterwards.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
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Engaging content can help yourhome care agency connect with
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Speaker 2 (11:30):
What's one of your most powerful memories when it
relates to advocacy?
Speaker 1 (11:36):
In my job now.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Your job now with the Firewatch.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
So, if I'm being honest, I don't think there's
one specific moment.
I only did a small touchpointof what led me in my own
personal journey into veteransuicide prevention.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Right, it's because I have that lived experience.
So I use that pain of thatstruggle and put it into purpose
.
The test is the testimony right, and this is what allows me the
ability and success to operatein the space in which I do,
because I've been there, beenthere.
(12:16):
And I know what it feels like.
I know what it looks like.
It's not pretty Right, it'sbroken, it's ugly, but it's real
.
And it happens all day, everyday.
So this is part of to answeryour question, my ministry Right
to answer your question myministry, right.
With every conversation I have,whether it be a podcast, whether
(12:38):
I go network, whether I'mbriefing, this is my ministry,
right?
So every single one is part ofthat combined and it just allows
me to continue to keep doingwhat I'm doing in that capacity,
right?
So it's not a one-time thing,it's an every time thing for me,
and I have to because it allowsme and it reminds me not only
(13:02):
of my own personal journey, butthe journey of so many, and also
those who are not with us today.
So, it allows me to stay veryhumble and keep that in mind.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
So we understand the purpose of what you do currently
with the fire watch, but if youwould get more in detail of
what your role is as programdirector, like your functions,
of your job, some of the eventsthat you attend, uh, some of the
advocacy, uh, you know that youguys display as well, so at
least let me tell the audience.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Um, so the fire watch is Florida's fight against or
to prevent veteran suicide.
So we are two things we are aprevention program, but we're
also a community-based program.
So the approach that we'retaking right is no other
approach, um that anothernonprofit is taking to go out
into the community to first notonly show the data for veteran
(13:57):
suicide here in the state ofFlorida, both on a statewide and
local level, but we're teachingindividuals about military
culture, education.
And then, on top of that, we'realso kind of folding in the
suicide prevention piece, whichis based on the SAVE initiative,
s-a-v-e.
So it stands for signs, ask,validate and then encourage and
(14:19):
expedite help.
Right, we want to encourage,engage and equip all individuals
whether you are active duty,guard, reserve or veterans or
somebody who knows a militaryveteran or just cares about
military veterans right, tounderstand what are the signs of
suicide with a miss aboutsuicide, being able to have the
confidence to ask the questionif they see the signs, but, more
(14:41):
importantly, some statewideresources that they could
connect veterans to before right, we said that earlier before
they slip into crisis, which isthe key word, right.
So that's the most importantkey about what we're doing, but
specifically for me.
So we were founded in 2019 upin the northeast Florida area of
Jacksonville, and when theFlorida Department of Veteran
(15:02):
Affairs saw what we were doing,we went statewide.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
So it was originally designed because anybody can go
to thefirewatchorg and they cantake the training online for
free.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
Thefirewatchorg wwwthefirewatchorg.
Yes, ma'am, and it's free.
What's that?
Commercial Free, free, free,free free, free, let it stick,
yeah, let it stick, associate it, whatever you got to do, but
anybody can take it online free.
And that's just because in 2019, right was the height of COVID.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Yes, covid.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
So we wanted a way to enter into the homes of the
people who were isolated at thattime.
So when COVID lifted and wewent statewide in 2021, I was
hired for the Central FloridaRegional Program Director and we
have one for South Florida andagain for Northeast Florida, but
with the goal and intent inmind that we could go into any
(15:52):
place of employment, business,group or organization and
facilitate what we call watchjunior training for them for
free, right.
So standing watch or the firewatch Can you tell a Marine
coined this, the fire watch?
The fire watch you have toeducate people exactly what that
means.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Right.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
But they're standing watch and being vigilant to the
concerns and needs of veteransthat either they encounter or
that are in their life Right.
So we have the opportunity tofacilitate that training to the
mass group of people.
And that's my primary role isthe training.
Of course, I'm a woman, womanshow at the time, so fingers
crossed, we, you know we getsome help here pretty soon, but
(16:33):
we are responsible for takingmeetings right, and one of our
greatest we're a 501c3.
But the greatest currency thatwe ask for is always for people
to take the training and shareit with other friends and family
members that they know right,or insert me into a place
because anybody could benefitfrom this training.
It's an hour long and it's free.
(16:53):
It doesn't cost anybodyanything.
I also am not trying to sellanybody anything either.
Right, it's a free service thatwe provide, but it's
life-changing tools thatsomebody may need, whether
they're in the workplace, andthen it carries beyond the
workplace.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Do you partner with, like JROTC programs or anything
like that at all?
Speaker 1 (17:15):
beyond the workplace do you partner with like jrotc
programs or anything like thatat all?
Uh, so the the one that wereally have started to do
initiation with is floridanational guard.
Okay, that the guard andreserve are kind of in this
weird sticky space where youknow active duty has primary
resources for them, veteranshave resources, but reserve kind
of doesn't have the sameopportunities and availability
and resources to them.
(17:35):
But yeah, so Florida NationalGuard to answer your question,
but I'm outside, I'm networkingall the time.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
You know what she said.
She said she outside.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
In a good way.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Okay, and again thank you for that.
I appreciate that, because oneof the things that I laugh all
the time, um, but you know, ifyou looked at my, I'm sorry
because you know one second, sothat sound.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
There was our comfy comedy moment, so I know you
were on the road, but we have totake a break right now because
I want to see you smile evenmore.
All right, okay now for ourcompany coming moment.
Uh, I always say we coined theshow as Florida's number one
entertainment station, so I tryto incorporate entertainment.
Ok, all right.
(18:20):
So this moment here, I'm goingto be asking you this.
I'm going to give you twooptions, two individuals.
Right, they are celebrities.
You would choose them based onhow you feel, whether you like
them or not.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
OK.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Right, you would date them or not.
It's all your choice in yourbrain.
Okay, alright, and I'd like tostart with the controversy.
Ooh yeah, I'm gonna do WillSmith.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
You guys wanna hear my opinion.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Yes, yes, Will Smith and Chris Rock Are those two
from an acting standpoint.
Which one would you prefer?
Speaker 1 (18:54):
Acting.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
Might go with my boy will will smith okay, all right,
uh, denzel washington.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
And will smith?
Denzel all day.
Denzel all day.
Okay, uh, who's your favoriteactor?
If you had to choose somebody,you don't know, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Honestly, I would say denzel and mark waldberg.
I think they those are the twopeople I would say that never
make a movie that I have notliked yeah, my wife, like
waldberg, she's uh approvingbehind the camera there and I
see her, so for those who can'tsee behind the camera, she's
(19:36):
over there like thank you.
So you're welcome for throwingthat out there, but honestly I
don't have one specific favorite, but those two have never made
a bad movie in my eyes.
And that's all subjective, youknow but they're listen, they're
smooth and Denzel is smooth.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
So what's your favorite Denzel movie, if you
had to name one, Everybody likesTraining Day.
I was thinking that right in myhead.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
I mean that's just everybody likes.
Training Day.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Yeah, because I like to see them in the bad guy role
too.
It's pretty dope.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
Both of them play bad guys, but in all reality, at
the end of the day, they're bothmen of god yes, they are mighty
like mighty men of god, andthat just makes them even more
even more people as people to meand how I view them and like,
yeah, I could, like I couldspend a thousand dollars now to
go to the movie theater to see amovie.
Right, I would, I would do that.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
You could do that, because it's not expensive right
, I don't know, I ain't spendinga thousand dollars, but you
know what?
Speaker 1 (20:38):
I got you.
It's so expensive now to go tothe movies my family call me El
Cheapo.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
So yeah, that ain't me, but anywho, I have another
person.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
I'm in another section artist favorite gospel
artist yeah now you just hurt myheart and I'm feeling kind of
hopeless.
But I'm okay.
Everybody out there um the onethat's on repeat every day when
I come home is yolanda adamsyolanda adams.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Okay, I think for me mine would probably probably be.
He passed away recently too.
Rance Allen he would be my fan.
I know that's real old school,but I'm country, so yeah, it's
got to be Ilana.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
So I would say because you asked me a question,
right, what's my favorite genre?
Speaker 2 (21:26):
of music.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
I'm always going to go with Christian and gospel
first.
I love to worship R&B, r&b, r&b, myb, r&b, my heart and soul.
But you can see it ineverything I do.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
I'm such a passionate person so you're the type you
like to sing in the club.
It comes out in everythingright.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
Say that again you can listen to some other things,
but we'll keep that for anotherday.
We'll keep that for anotherLord's Day, yeah, yeah, yes.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Yes, I know it is Sunday too, golly, all right.
Well, thank you, miss MissBrown, for joining,
participating, I say, in ourcompany moment.
We'd like to add a littlelittle.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Hello.
I'm Norman Harris, owner andCEO of Comfort Measures
Consulting.
We are a health care resourceplatform that specializes in
business development forindependently, privately owned
healthcare organization.
Let's partner together tosupport your business growth
through strategic digitalmarketing and community
engagement.
You can DM us, call us, text me.
(22:23):
I'm here for you.
We're ready to serve you, Thankyou what's your favorite hobby
to do?
Speaker 1 (22:43):
I'm a florida girl and I'm a july baby pool, all
day pool.
Right, I need to be, I need tohave the sun and I need to have
the water and you put me outthere and I'm just, I'm happy,
I'm as happy as can be.
That's one of my favoritethings to do so, always outside.
Um, I enjoy working out umthat's another kind of right.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
The sun is my element um, I don't like the sun at all
.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
I sweat really I'm trying to catch up, but know I
need a little color on my skin,you know, just to kind of
balance things out sometimes.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
You're trying to alleviate your tanning bill.
I see Exactly Well, ms Britt,but I have to say, like with the
sun, I don't know, I getsunburn a lot on my head.
Wear a hat, I'm bald too.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
Wear a hat.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
Problem solved.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Yeah, that's true.
Don't ball too, wear a hat.
Yeah, problem solved.
Yeah, that's true, that wassimple, right?
I don't.
I just don't like being hot.
For one, I think the heatbrings out the negative for,
like the attitudes in people,you know, the heat brings out
attitudes like I feel like ifyou're cooler you, if you're
cold, you tend to be more.
What chill type of cool type ofperson are you hot?
If somebody make you upset you,your temper is gonna flare up
(23:57):
real quick.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
Listen, that's the truth listen, it doesn't matter
the temperature, it doesn'treally matter what the?
Temperature is for me, but ifthat's what it is for you, yeah
I fully support you with that.
You know what I mean.
But I got the florida blood soit doesn't really matter,
because I've been in floridaright and I to Germany, I went
to Korea.
No cold it is.
(24:18):
I hate the cold.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
I absolutely.
I never been so I couldn't sayI hate it.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
All I know is really so go over there and then tell
me if you have that same theorywhen you return, when you come
back, let me know if you havethat same theory but yes so but
that's answers going to.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
The next question goes to describe your
personality too, Uh.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
I mean, I think people can see some of that.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Yeah, I do, I think I'm very much.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
I okay.
Um, I think the one word.
If I had to describe myself inone word, a lot of people say um
, very disciplined.
Speaker 2 (24:51):
Very disciplined, okay, very disciplined very
disciplined.
Okay, yeah, because you madesure he was like hey, one thing
I hate, I don't like people noton time.
I was like, okay, well, I gottamake sure I'm on time with her,
because she gonna put up a postlike yeah, norman platform,
he's late, so I'm stilloperating off of right.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
If you're on time, you're late.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
If you're on, you're right if you're right if you're
on.
Speaker 1 (25:11):
If you're on time, you're late, but if you're early
, you're on time but, also atthe same time.
Yes, it's respecting people'stime for sure, uh time is
currency.
That's one thing you can't getback, but that's just a pet
peeve of mine, right?
Um?
What was the other questionthat you asked me?
uh, you describe yourpersonality very down to earth I
(25:32):
agree with that, I would sayvery down to earth, very
non-judgmental, I can very much.
I consider myself it's almostlike a chameleon right I'm able
to kind of mold into whateverenvironment I am, because I read
the audience and I'm able toread the room and this is the
same for briefings, right,because, um, sometimes I will
get all of like a group of allveterans, sometimes I have all
(25:53):
civilians, sometimes I have across collaboration between the
two.
It's just again, it's knowinghow to read your audience and no
matter what setting you're in,um, and just always be you
authentically andunapologetically, you and I
don't.
Yeah, sometimes we have toenter networking spaces where
maybe we feel like we don'tbelong, maybe where we feel like
(26:16):
we don't fit.
I'm typically the youngest onein the room.
I'll take it.
I'll take it.
I'm happy with the late 30shere.
I'm getting ready to turn 38.
But you have to be able to bewilling to step out and go out
into those uncomfortable places,whether you feel like you don't
belong or not, because, at theend of the day, what I always
(26:37):
remind myself is I remember thisis a calling.
So even when I don't feelequipped, he always inserts me
into the places and in front ofthe people, the right people, to
say what I need to say and todo what I need to do.
At the end of the day.
Right, I'm going to take youout to church today.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Yeah, you did.
Speaker 3 (26:57):
But, again.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
Remember, I told you, this is my ministry.
Speaker 2 (26:59):
So I always have to make sure that.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
I remind that, regardless of what branch I was
in, regardless of what my rankwas job, anything like that If I
let that impose on my thoughtsof me being equipped because
somebody has to do what I'mdoing Right, and if you're not
part of the solution, you'repart of the problem right, and
my goal and my heart is to dothat.
(27:22):
I want to be part of thesolution in some way and I'm
only one piece of the puzzle.
Right, listen, if I could takea big step, I would, but this is
also what our watchtanders aredoing too yeah because they're a
piece of the puzzle too.
They're standing in this gap,right, because if veterans were
(27:45):
to do it themselves, we can't.
We can't do it all themselves,and we also recognize that we
need everybody, and that takes acommunity and we are in the
community, right, um?
And we want everybody to beinvolved and this is another way
, by taking the training thatthey can help stand in that gap
to fulfill the need, not onlyfor themselves.
(28:07):
Right, because the informationand the knowledge is universal
the signs don't change, changethe myth doesn't change.
None of this changes.
So it's really applicable toanybody, just within the dynamic
of the organization.
We just choose to focus onveteran suicide just because the
percentage rate is a little bithigher than non-veterans.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
Gotcha.
Okay, I'm sticking with youright, focusing on who you are,
ms Brown, ms Bree and your topthree values.
What I'm sticking with youright, focusing on who you are,
miss brown, as a person, is brieand right.
Your top three values whatwould you say top three values
right now in life for you?
Speaker 1 (28:41):
yeah I think because I changed season to season.
I think because I changedseason to season.
I would say right nowEmpowerment.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
Empowerment For who?
Speaker 1 (29:07):
You, it could be for me, it could be for anybody, it
doesn't really matterEmpowerment.
I would say empowerment right,because life is going to impose
challenges on you and you haveto learn your way yeah, you seem
like a go-getter for sure youdo yeah right, but we struggle
(29:29):
and we hold on.
It doesn't mean I don't, but ifI don't have some tools and I
don't have that support system,man, I'm just, I'm, I'm gonna,
we all fall in a hole, yeahright I always say there's no
such thing as a self-made uhsuccess store.
You have to have help, have toyeah, but that's the way we were
designed.
Yes, it's to have a helper,that's why your wife is doing it
(29:52):
right.
No matter what, we're socialcreatures, but we were designed
to be this social reintegrationpiece, where we are together and
where we're a community andfellowship and where we grow and
where we support.
Because you know what they sayhealing happens in community, it
(30:12):
doesn't happen alone.
No In isolation, healinghappens in community.
It doesn't happen alone, no, inisolation, healing happens in
community.
Speaker 3 (30:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
But you have to be willing to open yourself up and
be part of that community.
But it's one thing to give, andthis is my third one.
It's another to receive.
I need to learn how to receive.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
How to receive.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Yeah, because when you're pouring so much into
people and encouraging peopleright, I'm so used to being a
giver I'm not so good atreceiving as much the same in
return.
Speaker 2 (30:48):
Gotcha.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
So when it comes my way, it's so very important in
order to also stay fulfilledthat I'm able to to both give
and receive.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
So if I would, try to give you a thousand dollars
right now, you'd be like.
You'd be like no, norman, Idon't know how to receive that
right.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
You saying I said I was learning.
That's a good thing.
I'm messing, I'm learning rightum, and I heard this uh not too
long ago and I love it right sowhen we have a, I'm loving
hearing the posture right.
In all seriousness, it's fineright, and I heard this not too
long ago and I love it right.
So when we have a posture ofour hands being closed, which in
the past I have been, I hold onto things too tight sometimes.
(31:28):
But if I change my posture in aform of keeping my palms open,
it allows me to let go of whatis not for me, but it also
allows me to receive what is so.
My hands cannot be I can't.
This is also a sign ofsurrender, too, so keep that in
the side.
You do that in church, yeah, letme drop drop them right, that
(31:52):
was good but I think I would saythat is, that's my third one
that's a good one, that's givingand receiving yeah, I can tell
you like you're definitelydestined for our keynote
speaking.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
You know that, uh, so you want to know something,
don't?
Speaker 1 (32:06):
tell anybody out there I I get nervous every time
I speak in like group settings.
You're very nervous yeah peopleare like I can't tell.
I'm like I can't, yeah, butagain, this is where my mindset
goes to always remember that I'mnot doing what I'm doing for
myself right it's for all theother people who need it.
(32:28):
So I always tell myself for thegreater good.
So whether it's a podcastinterview, whether it's a news.
So, whether it's a podcastinterview, whether it's a news
interview, whether it's abriefing, whether it's again
going into these networkingplaces with just meeting so many
people, this is kind of where Ialways say bringing this for
the greater good, and it allowsme to press on and carry on and
(32:49):
just keep moving and there's notbeen one time that I ever have
said I regret doing that.
Not one time.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
Not one time.
At Comfort Measures Consulting,we're here to help you navigate
the complexity of health care.
If you're caring for a lovedone as a caregiver, you don't
have resources, you don't knowwhat questions to ask.
You need to have options right.
Give Comfort Measures a call.
Give us a chance.
First consultation is free.
Speak with me.
Give Comfort Measures a call.
(33:15):
Give us a chance.
First consultation is free.
Speak with me.
Comfort Measures Consultant,850-879-2182.
You can also visit our websitewwwcomfortmeasuresconsultingcom.
Talk to you soon.
Whole health.
Speaker 3 (33:35):
Whole health.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Not just a buzzword for you.
What does true whole healthlook like for veterans, and
where are we still falling shortof whole health?
Speaker 1 (33:50):
So I have worked in a space Uh, I worked for a
nonprofit for about two years,um, and they took a holistic
approach to whole health, right,so this is addressing your
psychological, social, spiritualand physical components.
Okay, so you have and even inthe military they're very big on
(34:10):
this right, this is what makesup you like a chair.
Right, you're sitting on.
The chair is like balance.
Okay, so you have these fourdomains and when you're talking
about treatment and care in aholistic realm, one, you have to
be ready, willing and able,okay, two, it's going to feel
(34:31):
uncomfortable doing some of thethings that, holistic whether
it's, I don't care if it's yoga,you know, I've seen some of the
you know, most elite operatorsdoing yoga, right, you?
This is just an example, butwhat I'm saying is they have to
be willing to get out of theirhead to try.
This is like eating the fishyou eat the fish, you spit out
(34:53):
the bones.
You have to be willing to tryanything in order to see what
works for you.
Speaker 3 (34:59):
Right.
Speaker 1 (35:00):
That's the first thing.
Another thing is in the dynamicof these four domains is so
important to make sure thatyou're able to recognize which
area you need the most.
People talk about balance inthese four areas and it's not an
equal slice of the pie.
You're not going to have themall equally right.
(35:21):
In some seasons or areas oflife, one is going to be more
than the other right.
So it's important to not onlyrecognize that.
But let's just take, forexample, right, hey, I need some
social reintegration, so youget into community.
Mental health is absolutelynecessary.
Right, Maybe medication,treatment, care, mental health,
but it's so important thatyou're not treating the wrong
(35:43):
symptom with the wrong treatment.
So I see so many times rightwhere maybe mental health is
overlapping the spiritualcomponent, where they're trying
to take care of a soul issuewith mental health, right.
So I know the VA has started torecognize this spiritual
(36:06):
component as moral injury, whichis more so like a blunt force
trauma to the soul, as moralinjury, which is more so like a
blunt force trauma to the soul,which you can't treat something
with mental health for a soulissue, right.
So it's so important torecognize that because they say
what hope deferred, which is thenumber one sign of suicide,
makes the heart sick the mindsick the body sick.
(36:31):
These are consequences andeffects of what's happening.
But I was in a briefing theother day and I tell people I'm
like you know what's fascinatingis you could walk into a room
and there's so much pain sittingright in front of you with all
the people that are sittingthere.
You would never know becauseyou can't see them wearing it,
(36:52):
because it's all internal andthey're literally dying inside,
right yeah so again I would say,with a holistic approach to
whole health.
I think that's some areas whereI'm not gonna say we're getting
it wrong, but just maybe to be alittle bit more conscious of
Make sure that you're feedingall components and understand
(37:15):
they're not going to all beequal.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
But that takes a special person to be able to
allow one to recognize that, ok,this person that's smiling and
all happy still is living withinternal issues.
How do you get peoplecomfortable with just even it's
opening up to?
You Are using the resourcesbecause people give no.
(37:38):
Things are there but they won'teven reach out to.
Speaker 1 (37:41):
And this is why we teach people to ask the question
if they see the signs.
There are some areas where thatbecomes very gray and remember,
I'm also speaking out of my ownexperience.
I'm not a mental health expert,I'm a minor in psychology but
I'm not a mental.
They need right, I put it intotheir hands.
(38:13):
But there's a lot of gray areaswhen it comes to the science.
But it's encouraging that pieceto ask the question right and I
would rather ask the questionright than not ask.
Even if it's a no answer,that's great.
At least I know the answer isno and maybe they just need some
additional support.
(38:34):
Could be peer support, could beresources, whatever they need.
You would have to discern basedon that uh, veteran specific
need or um.
I've received a yes answeragain.
Either way, asking the questionis gonna know which direction
you need to point thisindividual.
Do they need a resource, do theyneed more intensive treatment
(38:55):
or care, or what is it that theyneed?
Sometimes it's just simply asgoing to the source and saying
what do you need?
Speaker 2 (39:03):
What do you need?
Speaker 1 (39:03):
How can I help?
What do you need?
Because what you need in orderto balance you back out within
this holistic approach is goingto be something very different
than what I need to feel like.
I need some sort of groundingor balance at the same time
Speaking of that.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
What are some things that you say are often
overlooked?
From a behavior standpoint,there are some red flags that a
spouse or a family member couldrecognize in their loved one
that's a veteran that be dealingwith.
It can put on that mask so thatyou're saying, let's think
everything is all good, you knowbeen there, done that right.
Speaker 1 (39:39):
And he, when I tell you I lived with that, he was
good, I had no clue, I had zeroclue and I was part of the plan,
right and I was part of theplan right and I was part of the
plan, a part of a plan that Ididn't even know I was part of
right.
How do you?
Sometimes you just don't.
Now, like I said, I knewsomething was wrong, because you
(40:00):
can tell when they're off onbehavior.
You can not hold them to anaccountability perspective, but
at least with the confrontationof saying, hey, I noticed
something's different, like howcan I best support you, how can
I best help you?
Right, you have to be willingto communicate, but there,
remember, there's only so muchthat people can do.
Speaker 2 (40:21):
There's only so much you can do.
Speaker 1 (40:23):
Yeah, it's really there really is.
And that's the other piece,because I thought in my mind,
not dealing with right thisarena or area of suicide, that
was it not enough that somebodyloves you?
was it not enough that you youknow, what I mean that you have
a child is.
This is not a motivating factor.
And again it goes back to thathopelessness where people are
(40:45):
wearing this veil that they theysee it but they can't see
beyond it.
And it's a misconception thatwe can kind of hold people to,
that we kind of don't have thatright to hold them to because we
can only do so much.
Now you can do your part,because we all have a part to
play in suicide prevention insome way.
(41:06):
But that would be my answer toyou.
Speaker 2 (41:13):
Got it.
That that's great, as always.
So you've, you were able tobridge uh from military to back
to civilian life.
Um, what was some of the?
I guess, if you can just namethis one thing that really
assisted you with uh, makingsure that you utilize resources
I know some things is internalright, you seem like a very
(41:35):
driven person, you're ago-getter, but just let's just
name something that you did tosay, hey, I'm transitioning back
over to civilian life, I mayhave trauma, or you've seen or
know people that have trauma.
What advice would you say?
Speaker 1 (41:49):
Yeah, build a safety care plan.
Make sure you build a safetycare plan.
Make sure you build a safetycare plan, um resources, um
places you can go, specificpeople you can call and your who
your, what your where your whywhatever that is for you, yes,
(42:10):
yes, because what ends uphappening?
One?
Let me give you one piece.
The safety care plan is such agreat prevention tool, but it's
only as good as as it is if youutilize it gotta have to apply
it you have to implement it haveto right, so oftentimes we
might have one, but if you seethat you're starting to go down
(42:31):
this path, people are notutilizing it when they see it
yeah I don't care if it's thefirst step outside of a you know
a place where you're like, oh,something's happening here,
tackle it immediately tackle itimmediately, right so go after
it immediately.
So safety care plan is one ofmy biggest, I would say, as a
prevention tool, because weoften have the misconception
(42:54):
that we are alone.
Speaker 2 (42:55):
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (42:56):
And in some of my briefings I will ask hey, listen
, within the break, thisaudience just alone, who of you
in here would be willing tosacrifice your time?
Right, because the goal is thatyou have to sacrifice your time
.
But you have to see your time,but you have to see it through.
You have to see people throughto where they need to go,
(43:16):
because they're there to connect, not to counsel but you give
that warm hand off to thesubject matter professional.
You have to see it through.
But when people see all of theother folks in this, this room,
who are willing to sacrificetheir time, so whether or not
they speak it out, I just I, Itell them I just debunked your
theory, okay because there's awhole room of people right here,
(43:39):
right now.
So if you think you are, makesure that you connect with that
person right before you leave tomake sure that you have a
battle buddy, a wingman, right,otherwise I tell them I'll be a
wingman in time.
But people think that they'reoften alone and when it comes to
this idea and something that um, I know we have limited time
(44:00):
here, I was reflecting um off ofa briefing that I did recently
and you know we're talking aboutthe rate of veteran suicides to
nonveteran suicide and I'm likewhy is it so high?
Right, because I don't like toassume and speculate.
And there's so many differentveterans with so many different
veteran specific issues and theymight have again if they did a
(44:22):
study.
You know the parallels, right?
Mental health is number one.
Social reintegration is thisone Thoughts perception,
whatever it is at the same time.
And is this one thoughtsperception, whatever it is at
the same time?
And it sounds very different tothe average person.
But we are our minds.
(44:42):
Our mindset and motto is tosolve the problem and eliminate
the threat.
So, no matter what we're doingwithin the job or every task
that we have after that, this isstill something that's
ingrained and embedded in how welive and how we approach
situations in the world.
(45:02):
So much so that, if we seeourself as a problem, that we
would be willing to eveneliminate our ourselves yeah,
but how many people?
Speaker 2 (45:13):
that's the problem.
Yeah, I was about to say that'sdeep, because how many people
don't see themselves as theproblem?
Uh, but what going into?
What's next?
Um, for you, I did want to askyou is looking ahead.
Uh, what's if you had, uh,unlimited resources to build
your dream program for veterans?
What would it include?
(45:34):
And, like you said, solvingproblems what problem would it
solve your dream program?
Speaker 1 (45:42):
My dream program.
I've never thought about that.
I'm so good at helpingvisionaries like yourself.
Speaker 3 (45:49):
Right.
Speaker 2 (45:53):
She called me Squirrel Brain too, like I
thought I was going back andforth my head, I think we're
like this, a couple differenttimes um, you know, because I'm
not the visionary, I'm just, I'mnaturally gifted at at putting
things together for thevisionary.
Speaker 1 (46:06):
I'm the boot on the ground.
I thrive in building that upand then hitting that off,
laying that foundation Right,but I don't know.
That's a really good question.
I think that's something that Ihave to think about more.
It's really not something thatI thought of, because I don't
think of myself doing my ownparticular thing.
Speaker 2 (46:28):
You find a bit on the supporting cast.
It's hard to find people likethat.
Every a lot of people want tobe in the spotlight, be the
center of attention, be the oneon the stage, um, so but yeah,
but I did want to ask you thatquestion if you ever had like
that vision of um, you know,building uh, something of your
own um, if you had that optionto do that.
Speaker 1 (46:50):
But god hasn't laid that on my heart yet.
Until then, I'm just going tokeep that servant's heart and
you know, just kind of keepchugging along forward with what
I'm doing.
Yeah, just keep chugging alongforward, Any plans for the
future.
Speaker 2 (47:05):
Just for Ms Breanne Brown, just for you, I know we
have the fire watch, we talkabout the wonderful things that
you guys offer, our resources aswell.
But just for you, career-wise,professionally, personally, what
do you say next for you?
Speaker 1 (47:22):
You know, I was at church today and Ron Goldman was
our guest speaker and Iabsolutely fell in love with
what he said today.
He said you know, I think I'mthe only one who goes on not
setting goals because goals aretemporary and they have an
(47:43):
expiration date and God is incontrol of every season of your
life and it's constantlychanging.
So, while it's, yes, you canset goals where would you like
to see yourself?
And I can see what I would likefor myself, okay, but without
it it does have an expirationdate.
(48:04):
So I would say you believe thattoo, though because I believe
in.
I just want to continue tothrive, to be the best version
of myself, no matter what season, and I'll use that as my goal,
because I'm already a type Apersonality.
Send help for me quick.
As long as I can continue tostrive to be the best version of
(48:30):
myself, no matter the season ofwhich I'm in, that can still be
my ultimate goal, so it can beboth professionally and
personally, as long as I'mgrowing as long as you're
growing Right.
As long as I'm growing, I'm okaywith that.
That.
I can be content with right.
(48:51):
Comfort and contentment is twototally different things, but I
think I can be content with that.
That I can be content withComfort and contentment is two
totally different things.
I can be content with that.
Speaker 2 (48:56):
Our last question for today, for our show as we wrap
up why did you decide to wearred today?
Speaker 1 (49:02):
Because of the fire watch, because of the fire watch
.
We have the lapel pin.
Listen, sometimes you don'tjust play the part, you also
have to dress the part yeah, Isee the shoes and everything and
when you come in, just theypeople won't even know.
It's just like you know whatyou look the part come on in.
Speaker 2 (49:23):
That's what they tell me all the time.
I just have a seat, I get ineverywhere, right?
Speaker 1 (49:27):
no, I don't, but it's very inviting, so that's why I
wore red today.
Firewatch representing.
Speaker 2 (49:35):
And, as we close, we thank you comfy listeners, but I
want, ms Brown, if you wouldplease share with our comfy
supporters out there that mayhave families and loved ones
that can benefit from theresource that you shared today.
As we end the segment here,please share a website where
they can also find you, yourprofessional side as well.
Speaker 1 (49:57):
So wwwthefirewatchorg is the website.
If you are an individual andyou want to take the training,
it's right there on the websiteas well.
Just hit the get started tab.
We have a data tab.
If you're interested, if you'reone of the data gurus, you can
go on there and look at that aswell.
And then there's informationfor our Veterans Safe Place
program.
So again that I go into anyplace of employment, business,
(50:20):
group or organization as long asyou're in the Central Florida
region.
But if you're anywhere in thestate of Florida, go on there.
Look at our team.
We have three other RPDs thatcover the state um, so get in
touch with them.
But my information is on thereas well and I'm on linkedin as
well.
All, right.
Speaker 2 (50:35):
Well, thank you for joining us and the wonderful
miss breanne brown, uh, takingtime with us to share wonderful
information regarding veteransuicide prevention uh, her
wonderful uh advocacy efforts.
Uh, her resiliency, herwonderful advocacy efforts, her
resiliency sharing her story andjourney as well.
I'm so happy to have her hereand share time with us.
(50:56):
Again, this is a platformthat's dedicated to providing
knowledge and resources, andthat's what she did today being
open and honest.
She told me the differencetoday, actually, between
transparency and honesty.
She told me the definition ofthat too, but that's another
thought.
But thank you for joining us.
Let's get comfy podcast.
(51:17):
Please be sure to like, comment, subscribe.
Also, hit the notification bellas we upload different content
or segments from each show aswell.
Stay tuned.
Check out our website atwwwcomfortmeasuresconsultingcom.
We just added services tosupport independently owned
(51:37):
healthcare organizations, buildtheir digital footprint, but
also increase their patientleads as well.
So we're growing as ComfortMeasures Consulting.
We're also growing as aplatform and a let's Get Comfort
podcast because of you.
Stay tuned for more, thank you.
Speaker 1 (51:56):
Please visit comfortmeasuresconsultingcom.
We're here to support you, andyour loved ones.
Speaker 3 (52:03):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (52:13):
Thank you.
We're insert me into a place because anybody can
benefit from this training.
It's an hour long and it's free.
It doesn't cost anybodyanything.
I also am not trying to sellanybody anything either.
Right, If you're on time,you're late, but if you're early
, you're on time.
But, also at the same time.
Yes, it's respecting people'stime.
Time is currency.
That's one thing you can getback, but that's just a.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Here's another episode of the Leslie Comfey
podcast.
I have the wonderful MissBrianne Brown with me today and,
as always, I always allow ourguests to introduce themselves,
but I want to give her a roundof applause for joining the
platform.
It's Sunday today and, asalways, I always allow our
guests to introduce themselves,but I want to give her a round
of applause for joining theplatform.
It's Sunday today and she cameafter church.
I didn't go to church too,right, didn't go to church too,
(00:55):
ms Brown.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
I did.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Thank you for joining me, ms Brown.
Yes, ma'am.
So, ms Brown, for our companylisteners out there, if you
would please tell them who youare so my name is brian brown,
um, let's get a little personal.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
So I'm originally from florida.
I was born and raised in ocala,um.
I left for the military at 21,turned 22 in boot camp um,
traveled overseas, came backstateside, um.
So I am an air force veteran,um, and now, as my primary role,
once I transition out, Istarted volunteering with the
Veterans Treatment Corps, mentorCorps in the greater Tampa Bay
(01:32):
area.
So for military veterans,transition is not secular, right
.
So I look very different.
My job in the military waslogistics.
I had just gotten a master'sdegree in criminal justice, uh,
and then I ended up in suicideprevention.
So if that doesn't go to showyou right your your path in your
journey afterwards and justkind of finding where you fit in
(01:53):
that space is very different,um, however, so I have been in
the nonprofit space, uh, for thelast five years, um, doing
veteran suicide prevention andand being in that, that arena,
um, that's how I continue toserve and it's definitely a
calling.
So when you answer the call,you become equipped and do the
work.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Do the work, do the work, and that's one thing that
she has been doing.
Ms Brown has been doing thework and I know she's honorably
served eight years in the UnitedAir Force, both active duty and
reserved.
She since transitioning out ofthe military.
She became a leader fornonprofit sector, as she's
indicated as well, and weappreciate her work.
(02:36):
I'm pretty sure there's a lotof veterans out there that know
Ms Brown, but for our comfylisteners, if you don't know now
, you know All right.
So through her work she hashelped hundreds of veterans and
service members to find theirpurpose and build resilience.
Now she's serving as theCentral Florida Regional Program
(02:58):
Directors for the Firewatch.
Ms Brandon spearheads veteranadvocacy and life-saving
training to empower communitymembers to connect veterans with
the help they need before theyreach a crisis point.
And that's what she specializedin her mission.
Clear mission to lift thefallen, restore the broken and
(03:22):
heal the hurting.
Heal the hurting right there inthe heart, right.
So I'm excited to have her apart of the show.
One mission we have here on theLesson Comfort podcast is
provide knowledge and resources.
There are so many factors ofhealth care, there's so many
factors of advocacy out in theworld today and we're bringing
(03:46):
that to you here on our platformand I thank you for joining us
and tuning in and supporting thepodcast.
Now we're on for a journeytoday with Ms Brown and we're
first going to start with themilitary, and I always love.
When I see the military cause,I be thinking like I love war
movies, but Ms Brown had alreadytold me before the show no, I
don't have no war stories, butit's okay.
(04:07):
You served eight honorableyears in the US Air Force, as
we've indicated.
Can you take us back to themoment that you decided to
enlist?
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Ooh.
So I was going to college and Iwas sitting at the back of a
college classroom and, forwhatever reason, I was like, if
this doesn't work out, I think Ineed a back backing.
Right, I need a secondary.
For whatever reason, themilitary came to my head.
Um, I don't come from a heavymilitary family.
(04:38):
Both my grandfather served, uh,one in the Navy, one in the
army, um, but other than myself,right, I never, um, I was the
only one to go into the armedforces.
So I will say that's somethingthat I'm very proud about.
Uh, I think that also speaks tomy character, and being a
female on top of that, it justmeans a little bit more to me,
(05:01):
um.
So, again, it was just, uh, itwas never a thought to me.
So, again, it was just, it wasnever a thought until it became
one.
I took action on that, joinedthe United States Air Force, and
I think it was the bestdecision that I had ever made.
I grew up in a very small town,and that was something that we
talked about earlier.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Right.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
We're both Florida natives, Quentin.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Florida baby.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Hey so I'm originally from Ocala and he's from.
Where are you from again?
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Quentin Florida.
Quentin Florida, Outside ofTallahassee.
I always have to say that 15minutes from outside of
Tallahassee with Gaston County,we are, from a Black American
standpoint with per capita wehave the most Black Americans
per capita in the county, in anycounty in the state.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Yeah well, you know, I'm country living over there
everybody thinks I own horseswhen they they hear like, yeah,
I've gone through there you knowI love ocala.
I'm like are we talking aboutthe same place?
I?
Speaker 2 (05:56):
thought it was like a retirement area.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Well, the villages area is, and that's what
everybody really knows it for,but ocala specifically horses,
and so everybody thinks I own ahorse, just like.
It's this weird concept thatpeople think that when you're in
the air force, that youautomatically flew a plane and I
get it.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
I definitely thought that too about you.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
I'm like I want to know how to fly too and this is
why one of the things right thatwe do now is military culture
education to show that there'ssuch an array of different uh
jobs that one withholds uhwithin the military service so
talk about it.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
What did you do?
How was your experience in theus air force?
Speaker 1 (06:33):
tell me about that well, you can't take the good
without the bad right, I want tohave both I'm from well, I'm
from a small town, so there hadto be something more to life
than this.
Um, my parents were paying forcollege education and I felt
like I could take it on myselfand I had the opportunity to
seize that and I took it.
(06:53):
So off I went and I got totravel the world.
My first duty station was atSpangdalen, so I was in Germany
for a few years.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
What's the city again ?
Spangdalenam germany oh yeah,all right, so I let you
pronounce that one.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Yeah, yeah, um, but it was great because I got to
travel europe and just seethings that I've never been
exposed to.
So not only just architecture,but history and different
cultures that's really right andeven talking about culture
right, military is a culture inand of itself.
It's so diverse from the peopleto the backgrounds and where
(07:31):
they come from.
It's just a whole differentexperience and it makes you see
life and other people um throughthe lens of that, so your
perspective is able to change sofavorite intriguing culture
that you, during your travels,you said man, I traveled all
over.
I think one of my favoritetrips was to athens, was to
(07:52):
greece, yeah, that's great.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Yeah, what about the food is over there, what they
eat?
Speaker 1 (07:56):
you gotta be willing to explore a little bit out of
your comfort zone but there'shey, listen, you don't have no
Burger King over there yes, theyhave all of that over there,
really Burger King.
So listen, I ate Burger Kingbefore I got here.
I know how much you know,people believe in what you're
doing.
I don't eat Burger King likethat um, but they do have some
familiar items over there, but,um, I would always.
(08:19):
One of the things that I woulddo is, every time I would travel
to a different country, I wouldget a shot glass.
I would get a shot glass and Iwould do is every time I would
travel to a different country, Iwould get a shot glass.
I would get a shot glass and Iwould get a postcard, but I
would eat.
I would try to eat one of theirtraditional meals of the
country, just to experience itin a different way.
Um, so it was.
It was awesome, it was great.
From there, I went to Korea, Iwent to Osan uh, that's a
(08:39):
controlled tour, so work hard,play hard up there.
That was an awesome and amazingexperience, because I've always
worked with F-16s and A-10s someof the fighter jets and
eventually made my way back toFlorida over at Herberfield,
which is AFSOC's SpecialOperations Command.
Okay, and that was somethingvery different as well, right,
(08:59):
so this is very high ops tempo,always on the go.
But I found myself kind ofreaching a cross point right
With the and I know you're goingto kind of get into this a
little bit later.
You know I am a veteran, butI'm a former spouse of a combat
veteran as well.
So at that time, when he cameback from his last deployment, I
(09:21):
could tell things were not thesame and he said hey, listen, I
just need time to get readjusted, right, I just need to go
through that.
I said, no problem, do what yougot to do.
If not, you know you need to goseek some help.
Um, but unfortunately this iswhat kind of unfolded right in
the space of suicide, where Ihad otherwise found myself right
(09:44):
, being that caretaker, right bybeing or feeling the feelings
of what about me not getting theinformation that I need to be
successful for him?
Right on the tools, theknowledge, because oftentimes,
again, I've been on both sidesof the same field.
(10:05):
The desperation of wanting tohelp somebody that can't see
beyond hopelessness is adifficult task.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
How's that relationship now?
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Well, I've done it with a child.
I've done it without a child,okay Right, so it's a heavy
topic, but it's in reality areal life thing and so many
people go through it right?
Veteran suicide is two and ahalf times higher just here in
the state of Florida thannon-veteran suicide, but I can
only imagine how many timespeople also feel that burden and
(10:39):
heaviness of wanting to helpother loved ones, see beyond
their pain, and that's reallykind of what that experience and
again, that experience is kindof what led me into the space of
veteran suicide prevention.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Right, right Right.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
We always, often ask these questions of why me, why
me, why did I go through this,why did you know, why did this?
And it's never really revealeduntil afterwards.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
For 75% of people who use at least one social media
platform.
Engaging content can help yourhome care agency connect with
families seeking compassionatecare.
Give us a call at ComfortMeasures Consulting.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
What's one of your most powerful memories when it
relates to advocacy?
Speaker 1 (11:36):
In my job now.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Your job now with the Firewatch.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
So, if I'm being honest, I don't think there's
one specific moment.
I only did a small touchpointof what led me in my own
personal journey into veteransuicide prevention.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Right, it's because I have that lived experience.
So I use that pain of thatstruggle and put it into purpose
.
The test is the testimony right, and this is what allows me the
ability and success to operatein the space in which I do,
because I've been there, beenthere.
(12:16):
And I know what it feels like.
I know what it looks like.
It's not pretty Right, it'sbroken, it's ugly, but it's real
.
And it happens all day, everyday.
So this is part of to answeryour question, my ministry Right
to answer your question myministry, right.
With every conversation I have,whether it be a podcast, whether
(12:38):
I go network, whether I'mbriefing, this is my ministry,
right?
So every single one is part ofthat combined and it just allows
me to continue to keep doingwhat I'm doing in that capacity,
right?
So it's not a one-time thing,it's an every time thing for me,
and I have to because it allowsme and it reminds me not only
(13:02):
of my own personal journey, butthe journey of so many, and also
those who are not with us today.
So, it allows me to stay veryhumble and keep that in mind.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
So we understand the purpose of what you do currently
with the fire watch, but if youwould get more in detail of
what your role is as programdirector, like your functions,
of your job, some of the eventsthat you attend, uh, some of the
advocacy, uh, you know that youguys display as well, so at
least let me tell the audience.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Um, so the fire watch is Florida's fight against or
to prevent veteran suicide.
So we are two things we are aprevention program, but we're
also a community-based program.
So the approach that we'retaking right is no other
approach, um that anothernonprofit is taking to go out
into the community to first notonly show the data for veteran
(13:57):
suicide here in the state ofFlorida, both on a statewide and
local level, but we're teachingindividuals about military
culture, education.
And then, on top of that, we'realso kind of folding in the
suicide prevention piece, whichis based on the SAVE initiative,
s-a-v-e.
So it stands for signs, ask,validate and then encourage and
(14:19):
expedite help.
Right, we want to encourage,engage and equip all individuals
whether you are active duty,guard, reserve or veterans or
somebody who knows a militaryveteran or just cares about
military veterans right, tounderstand what are the signs of
suicide with a miss aboutsuicide, being able to have the
confidence to ask the questionif they see the signs, but, more
(14:41):
importantly, some statewideresources that they could
connect veterans to before right, we said that earlier before
they slip into crisis, which isthe key word, right.
So that's the most importantkey about what we're doing, but
specifically for me.
So we were founded in 2019 upin the northeast Florida area of
Jacksonville, and when theFlorida Department of Veteran
(15:02):
Affairs saw what we were doing,we went statewide.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
So it was originally designed because anybody can go
to thefirewatchorg and they cantake the training online for
free.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
Thefirewatchorg wwwthefirewatchorg.
Yes, ma'am, and it's free.
What's that?
Commercial Free, free, free,free free, free, let it stick,
yeah, let it stick, associate it, whatever you got to do, but
anybody can take it online free.
And that's just because in 2019, right was the height of COVID.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Yes, covid.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
So we wanted a way to enter into the homes of the
people who were isolated at thattime.
So when COVID lifted and wewent statewide in 2021, I was
hired for the Central FloridaRegional Program Director and we
have one for South Florida andagain for Northeast Florida, but
with the goal and intent inmind that we could go into any
(15:52):
place of employment, business,group or organization and
facilitate what we call watchjunior training for them for
free, right.
So standing watch or the firewatch Can you tell a Marine
coined this, the fire watch?
The fire watch you have toeducate people exactly what that
means.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Right.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
But they're standing watch and being vigilant to the
concerns and needs of veteransthat either they encounter or
that are in their life Right.
So we have the opportunity tofacilitate that training to the
mass group of people.
And that's my primary role isthe training.
Of course, I'm a woman, womanshow at the time, so fingers
crossed, we, you know we getsome help here pretty soon, but
(16:33):
we are responsible for takingmeetings right, and one of our
greatest we're a 501c3.
But the greatest currency thatwe ask for is always for people
to take the training and shareit with other friends and family
members that they know right,or insert me into a place
because anybody could benefitfrom this training.
It's an hour long and it's free.
(16:53):
It doesn't cost anybodyanything.
I also am not trying to sellanybody anything either.
Right, it's a free service thatwe provide, but it's
life-changing tools thatsomebody may need, whether
they're in the workplace, andthen it carries beyond the
workplace.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Do you partner with, like JROTC programs or anything
like that at all?
Speaker 1 (17:15):
beyond the workplace do you partner with like jrotc
programs or anything like thatat all?
Uh, so the the one that wereally have started to do
initiation with is floridanational guard.
Okay, that the guard andreserve are kind of in this
weird sticky space where youknow active duty has primary
resources for them, veteranshave resources, but reserve kind
of doesn't have the sameopportunities and availability
and resources to them.
(17:35):
But yeah, so Florida NationalGuard to answer your question,
but I'm outside, I'm networkingall the time.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
You know what she said.
She said she outside.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
In a good way.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Okay, and again thank you for that.
I appreciate that, because oneof the things that I laugh all
the time, um, but you know, ifyou looked at my, I'm sorry
because you know one second, sothat sound.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
There was our comfy comedy moment, so I know you
were on the road, but we have totake a break right now because
I want to see you smile evenmore.
All right, okay now for ourcompany coming moment.
Uh, I always say we coined theshow as Florida's number one
entertainment station, so I tryto incorporate entertainment.
Ok, all right.
(18:20):
So this moment here, I'm goingto be asking you this.
I'm going to give you twooptions, two individuals.
Right, they are celebrities.
You would choose them based onhow you feel, whether you like
them or not.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
OK.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Right, you would date them or not.
It's all your choice in yourbrain.
Okay, alright, and I'd like tostart with the controversy.
Ooh yeah, I'm gonna do WillSmith.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
You guys wanna hear my opinion.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Yes, yes, Will Smith and Chris Rock Are those two
from an acting standpoint.
Which one would you prefer?
Speaker 1 (18:54):
Acting.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
Might go with my boy will will smith okay, all right,
uh, denzel washington.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
And will smith?
Denzel all day.
Denzel all day.
Okay, uh, who's your favoriteactor?
If you had to choose somebody,you don't know, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Honestly, I would say denzel and mark waldberg.
I think they those are the twopeople I would say that never
make a movie that I have notliked yeah, my wife, like
waldberg, she's uh approvingbehind the camera there and I
see her, so for those who can'tsee behind the camera, she's
(19:36):
over there like thank you.
So you're welcome for throwingthat out there, but honestly I
don't have one specific favorite, but those two have never made
a bad movie in my eyes.
And that's all subjective, youknow but they're listen, they're
smooth and Denzel is smooth.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
So what's your favorite Denzel movie, if you
had to name one, Everybody likesTraining Day.
I was thinking that right in myhead.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
I mean that's just everybody likes.
Training Day.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Yeah, because I like to see them in the bad guy role
too.
It's pretty dope.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
Both of them play bad guys, but in all reality, at
the end of the day, they're bothmen of god yes, they are mighty
like mighty men of god, andthat just makes them even more
even more people as people to meand how I view them and like,
yeah, I could, like I couldspend a thousand dollars now to
go to the movie theater to see amovie.
Right, I would, I would do that.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
You could do that, because it's not expensive right
, I don't know, I ain't spendinga thousand dollars, but you
know what?
Speaker 1 (20:38):
I got you.
It's so expensive now to go tothe movies my family call me El
Cheapo.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
So yeah, that ain't me, but anywho, I have another
person.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
I'm in another section artist favorite gospel
artist yeah now you just hurt myheart and I'm feeling kind of
hopeless.
But I'm okay.
Everybody out there um the onethat's on repeat every day when
I come home is yolanda adamsyolanda adams.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Okay, I think for me mine would probably probably be.
He passed away recently too.
Rance Allen he would be my fan.
I know that's real old school,but I'm country, so yeah, it's
got to be Ilana.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
So I would say because you asked me a question,
right, what's my favorite genre?
Speaker 2 (21:26):
of music.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
I'm always going to go with Christian and gospel
first.
I love to worship R&B, r&b, r&b, myb, r&b, my heart and soul.
But you can see it ineverything I do.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
I'm such a passionate person so you're the type you
like to sing in the club.
It comes out in everythingright.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
Say that again you can listen to some other things,
but we'll keep that for anotherday.
We'll keep that for anotherLord's Day, yeah, yeah, yes.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Yes, I know it is Sunday too, golly, all right.
Well, thank you, miss MissBrown, for joining,
participating, I say, in ourcompany moment.
We'd like to add a littlelittle.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Hello.
I'm Norman Harris, owner andCEO of Comfort Measures
Consulting.
We are a health care resourceplatform that specializes in
business development forindependently, privately owned
healthcare organization.
Let's partner together tosupport your business growth
through strategic digitalmarketing and community
engagement.
You can DM us, call us, text me.
(22:23):
I'm here for you.
We're ready to serve you, Thankyou what's your favorite hobby
to do?
Speaker 1 (22:43):
I'm a florida girl and I'm a july baby pool, all
day pool.
Right, I need to be, I need tohave the sun and I need to have
the water and you put me outthere and I'm just, I'm happy,
I'm as happy as can be.
That's one of my favoritethings to do so, always outside.
Um, I enjoy working out umthat's another kind of right.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
The sun is my element um, I don't like the sun at all
.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
I sweat really I'm trying to catch up, but know I
need a little color on my skin,you know, just to kind of
balance things out sometimes.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
You're trying to alleviate your tanning bill.
I see Exactly Well, ms Britt,but I have to say, like with the
sun, I don't know, I getsunburn a lot on my head.
Wear a hat, I'm bald too.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
Wear a hat.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
Problem solved.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Yeah, that's true.
Don't ball too, wear a hat.
Yeah, problem solved.
Yeah, that's true, that wassimple, right?
I don't.
I just don't like being hot.
For one, I think the heatbrings out the negative for,
like the attitudes in people,you know, the heat brings out
attitudes like I feel like ifyou're cooler you, if you're
cold, you tend to be more.
What chill type of cool type ofperson are you hot?
If somebody make you upset you,your temper is gonna flare up
(23:57):
real quick.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
Listen, that's the truth listen, it doesn't matter
the temperature, it doesn'treally matter what the?
Temperature is for me, but ifthat's what it is for you, yeah
I fully support you with that.
You know what I mean.
But I got the florida blood soit doesn't really matter,
because I've been in floridaright and I to Germany, I went
to Korea.
No cold it is.
(24:18):
I hate the cold.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
I absolutely.
I never been so I couldn't sayI hate it.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
All I know is really so go over there and then tell
me if you have that same theorywhen you return, when you come
back, let me know if you havethat same theory but yes so but
that's answers going to.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
The next question goes to describe your
personality too, Uh.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
I mean, I think people can see some of that.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Yeah, I do, I think I'm very much.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
I okay.
Um, I think the one word.
If I had to describe myself inone word, a lot of people say um
, very disciplined.
Speaker 2 (24:51):
Very disciplined, okay, very disciplined very
disciplined.
Okay, yeah, because you madesure he was like hey, one thing
I hate, I don't like people noton time.
I was like, okay, well, I gottamake sure I'm on time with her,
because she gonna put up a postlike yeah, norman platform,
he's late, so I'm stilloperating off of right.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
If you're on time, you're late.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
If you're on, you're right if you're right if you're
on.
Speaker 1 (25:11):
If you're on time, you're late, but if you're early
, you're on time but, also atthe same time.
Yes, it's respecting people'stime for sure, uh time is
currency.
That's one thing you can't getback, but that's just a pet
peeve of mine, right?
Um?
What was the other questionthat you asked me?
uh, you describe yourpersonality very down to earth I
(25:32):
agree with that, I would sayvery down to earth, very
non-judgmental, I can very much.
I consider myself it's almostlike a chameleon right I'm able
to kind of mold into whateverenvironment I am, because I read
the audience and I'm able toread the room and this is the
same for briefings, right,because, um, sometimes I will
get all of like a group of allveterans, sometimes I have all
(25:53):
civilians, sometimes I have across collaboration between the
two.
It's just again, it's knowinghow to read your audience and no
matter what setting you're in,um, and just always be you
authentically andunapologetically, you and I
don't.
Yeah, sometimes we have toenter networking spaces where
maybe we feel like we don'tbelong, maybe where we feel like
(26:16):
we don't fit.
I'm typically the youngest onein the room.
I'll take it.
I'll take it.
I'm happy with the late 30shere.
I'm getting ready to turn 38.
But you have to be able to bewilling to step out and go out
into those uncomfortable places,whether you feel like you don't
belong or not, because, at theend of the day, what I always
(26:37):
remind myself is I remember thisis a calling.
So even when I don't feelequipped, he always inserts me
into the places and in front ofthe people, the right people, to
say what I need to say and todo what I need to do.
At the end of the day.
Right, I'm going to take youout to church today.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Yeah, you did.
Speaker 3 (26:57):
But, again.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
Remember, I told you, this is my ministry.
Speaker 2 (26:59):
So I always have to make sure that.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
I remind that, regardless of what branch I was
in, regardless of what my rankwas job, anything like that If I
let that impose on my thoughtsof me being equipped because
somebody has to do what I'mdoing Right, and if you're not
part of the solution, you'repart of the problem right, and
my goal and my heart is to dothat.
(27:22):
I want to be part of thesolution in some way and I'm
only one piece of the puzzle.
Right, listen, if I could takea big step, I would, but this is
also what our watchtanders aredoing too yeah because they're a
piece of the puzzle too.
They're standing in this gap,right, because if veterans were
(27:45):
to do it themselves, we can't.
We can't do it all themselves,and we also recognize that we
need everybody, and that takes acommunity and we are in the
community, right, um?
And we want everybody to beinvolved and this is another way
, by taking the training thatthey can help stand in that gap
to fulfill the need, not onlyfor themselves.
(28:07):
Right, because the informationand the knowledge is universal
the signs don't change, changethe myth doesn't change.
None of this changes.
So it's really applicable toanybody, just within the dynamic
of the organization.
We just choose to focus onveteran suicide just because the
percentage rate is a little bithigher than non-veterans.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
Gotcha.
Okay, I'm sticking with youright, focusing on who you are,
ms Brown, ms Bree and your topthree values.
What I'm sticking with youright, focusing on who you are,
miss brown, as a person, is brieand right.
Your top three values whatwould you say top three values
right now in life for you?
Speaker 1 (28:41):
yeah I think because I changed season to season.
I think because I changedseason to season.
I would say right nowEmpowerment.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
Empowerment For who?
Speaker 1 (29:07):
You, it could be for me, it could be for anybody, it
doesn't really matterEmpowerment.
I would say empowerment right,because life is going to impose
challenges on you and you haveto learn your way yeah, you seem
like a go-getter for sure youdo yeah right, but we struggle
(29:29):
and we hold on.
It doesn't mean I don't, but ifI don't have some tools and I
don't have that support system,man, I'm just, I'm, I'm gonna,
we all fall in a hole, yeahright I always say there's no
such thing as a self-made uhsuccess store.
You have to have help, have toyeah, but that's the way we were
designed.
Yes, it's to have a helper,that's why your wife is doing it
(29:52):
right.
No matter what, we're socialcreatures, but we were designed
to be this social reintegrationpiece, where we are together and
where we're a community andfellowship and where we grow and
where we support.
Because you know what they sayhealing happens in community, it
(30:12):
doesn't happen alone.
No In isolation, healinghappens in community.
It doesn't happen alone, no, inisolation, healing happens in
community.
Speaker 3 (30:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
But you have to be willing to open yourself up and
be part of that community.
But it's one thing to give, andthis is my third one.
It's another to receive.
I need to learn how to receive.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
How to receive.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Yeah, because when you're pouring so much into
people and encouraging peopleright, I'm so used to being a
giver I'm not so good atreceiving as much the same in
return.
Speaker 2 (30:48):
Gotcha.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
So when it comes my way, it's so very important in
order to also stay fulfilledthat I'm able to to both give
and receive.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
So if I would, try to give you a thousand dollars
right now, you'd be like.
You'd be like no, norman, Idon't know how to receive that
right.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
You saying I said I was learning.
That's a good thing.
I'm messing, I'm learning rightum, and I heard this uh not too
long ago and I love it right sowhen we have a, I'm loving
hearing the posture right.
In all seriousness, it's fineright, and I heard this not too
long ago and I love it right.
So when we have a posture ofour hands being closed, which in
the past I have been, I hold onto things too tight sometimes.
(31:28):
But if I change my posture in aform of keeping my palms open,
it allows me to let go of whatis not for me, but it also
allows me to receive what is so.
My hands cannot be I can't.
This is also a sign ofsurrender, too, so keep that in
the side.
You do that in church, yeah, letme drop drop them right, that
(31:52):
was good but I think I would saythat is, that's my third one
that's a good one, that's givingand receiving yeah, I can tell
you like you're definitelydestined for our keynote
speaking.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
You know that, uh, so you want to know something,
don't?
Speaker 1 (32:06):
tell anybody out there I I get nervous every time
I speak in like group settings.
You're very nervous yeah peopleare like I can't tell.
I'm like I can't, yeah, butagain, this is where my mindset
goes to always remember that I'mnot doing what I'm doing for
myself right it's for all theother people who need it.
(32:28):
So I always tell myself for thegreater good.
So whether it's a podcastinterview, whether it's a news.
So, whether it's a podcastinterview, whether it's a news
interview, whether it's abriefing, whether it's again
going into these networkingplaces with just meeting so many
people, this is kind of where Ialways say bringing this for
the greater good, and it allowsme to press on and carry on and
(32:49):
just keep moving and there's notbeen one time that I ever have
said I regret doing that.
Not one time.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
Not one time.
At Comfort Measures Consulting,we're here to help you navigate
the complexity of health care.
If you're caring for a lovedone as a caregiver, you don't
have resources, you don't knowwhat questions to ask.
You need to have options right.
Give Comfort Measures a call.
Give us a chance.
First consultation is free.
Speak with me.
Give Comfort Measures a call.
(33:15):
Give us a chance.
First consultation is free.
Speak with me.
Comfort Measures Consultant,850-879-2182.
You can also visit our websitewwwcomfortmeasuresconsultingcom.
Talk to you soon.
Whole health.
Speaker 3 (33:35):
Whole health.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Not just a buzzword for you.
What does true whole healthlook like for veterans, and
where are we still falling shortof whole health?
Speaker 1 (33:50):
So I have worked in a space Uh, I worked for a
nonprofit for about two years,um, and they took a holistic
approach to whole health, right,so this is addressing your
psychological, social, spiritualand physical components.
Okay, so you have and even inthe military they're very big on
(34:10):
this right, this is what makesup you like a chair.
Right, you're sitting on.
The chair is like balance.
Okay, so you have these fourdomains and when you're talking
about treatment and care in aholistic realm, one, you have to
be ready, willing and able,okay, two, it's going to feel
(34:31):
uncomfortable doing some of thethings that, holistic whether
it's, I don't care if it's yoga,you know, I've seen some of the
you know, most elite operatorsdoing yoga, right, you?
This is just an example, butwhat I'm saying is they have to
be willing to get out of theirhead to try.
This is like eating the fishyou eat the fish, you spit out
(34:53):
the bones.
You have to be willing to tryanything in order to see what
works for you.
Speaker 3 (34:59):
Right.
Speaker 1 (35:00):
That's the first thing.
Another thing is in the dynamicof these four domains is so
important to make sure thatyou're able to recognize which
area you need the most.
People talk about balance inthese four areas and it's not an
equal slice of the pie.
You're not going to have themall equally right.
(35:21):
In some seasons or areas oflife, one is going to be more
than the other right.
So it's important to not onlyrecognize that.
But let's just take, forexample, right, hey, I need some
social reintegration, so youget into community.
Mental health is absolutelynecessary.
Right, Maybe medication,treatment, care, mental health,
but it's so important thatyou're not treating the wrong
(35:43):
symptom with the wrong treatment.
So I see so many times rightwhere maybe mental health is
overlapping the spiritualcomponent, where they're trying
to take care of a soul issuewith mental health, right.
So I know the VA has started torecognize this spiritual
(36:06):
component as moral injury, whichis more so like a blunt force
trauma to the soul, as moralinjury, which is more so like a
blunt force trauma to the soul,which you can't treat something
with mental health for a soulissue, right.
So it's so important torecognize that because they say
what hope deferred, which is thenumber one sign of suicide,
makes the heart sick the mindsick the body sick.
(36:31):
These are consequences andeffects of what's happening.
But I was in a briefing theother day and I tell people I'm
like you know what's fascinatingis you could walk into a room
and there's so much pain sittingright in front of you with all
the people that are sittingthere.
You would never know becauseyou can't see them wearing it,
(36:52):
because it's all internal andthey're literally dying inside,
right yeah so again I would say,with a holistic approach to
whole health.
I think that's some areas whereI'm not gonna say we're getting
it wrong, but just maybe to be alittle bit more conscious of
Make sure that you're feedingall components and understand
(37:15):
they're not going to all beequal.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
But that takes a special person to be able to
allow one to recognize that, ok,this person that's smiling and
all happy still is living withinternal issues.
How do you get peoplecomfortable with just even it's
opening up to?
You Are using the resourcesbecause people give no.
(37:38):
Things are there but they won'teven reach out to.
Speaker 1 (37:41):
And this is why we teach people to ask the question
if they see the signs.
There are some areas where thatbecomes very gray and remember,
I'm also speaking out of my ownexperience.
I'm not a mental health expert,I'm a minor in psychology but
I'm not a mental.
They need right, I put it intotheir hands.
(38:13):
But there's a lot of gray areaswhen it comes to the science.
But it's encouraging that pieceto ask the question right and I
would rather ask the questionright than not ask.
Even if it's a no answer,that's great.
At least I know the answer isno and maybe they just need some
additional support.
(38:34):
Could be peer support, could beresources, whatever they need.
You would have to discern basedon that uh, veteran specific
need or um.
I've received a yes answeragain.
Either way, asking the questionis gonna know which direction
you need to point thisindividual.
Do they need a resource, do theyneed more intensive treatment
(38:55):
or care, or what is it that theyneed?
Sometimes it's just simply asgoing to the source and saying
what do you need?
Speaker 2 (39:03):
What do you need?
Speaker 1 (39:03):
How can I help?
What do you need?
Because what you need in orderto balance you back out within
this holistic approach is goingto be something very different
than what I need to feel like.
I need some sort of groundingor balance at the same time
Speaking of that.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
What are some things that you say are often
overlooked?
From a behavior standpoint,there are some red flags that a
spouse or a family member couldrecognize in their loved one
that's a veteran that be dealingwith.
It can put on that mask so thatyou're saying, let's think
everything is all good, you knowbeen there, done that right.
Speaker 1 (39:39):
And he, when I tell you I lived with that, he was
good, I had no clue, I had zeroclue and I was part of the plan,
right and I was part of theplan right and I was part of the
plan, a part of a plan that Ididn't even know I was part of
right.
How do you?
Sometimes you just don't.
Now, like I said, I knewsomething was wrong, because you
(40:00):
can tell when they're off onbehavior.
You can not hold them to anaccountability perspective, but
at least with the confrontationof saying, hey, I noticed
something's different, like howcan I best support you, how can
I best help you?
Right, you have to be willingto communicate, but there,
remember, there's only so muchthat people can do.
Speaker 2 (40:21):
There's only so much you can do.
Speaker 1 (40:23):
Yeah, it's really there really is.
And that's the other piece,because I thought in my mind,
not dealing with right thisarena or area of suicide, that
was it not enough that somebodyloves you?
was it not enough that you youknow, what I mean that you have
a child is.
This is not a motivating factor.
And again it goes back to thathopelessness where people are
(40:45):
wearing this veil that they theysee it but they can't see
beyond it.
And it's a misconception thatwe can kind of hold people to,
that we kind of don't have thatright to hold them to because we
can only do so much.
Now you can do your part,because we all have a part to
play in suicide prevention insome way.
(41:06):
But that would be my answer toyou.
Speaker 2 (41:13):
Got it.
That that's great, as always.
So you've, you were able tobridge uh from military to back
to civilian life.
Um, what was some of the?
I guess, if you can just namethis one thing that really
assisted you with uh, makingsure that you utilize resources
I know some things is internalright, you seem like a very
(41:35):
driven person, you're ago-getter, but just let's just
name something that you did tosay, hey, I'm transitioning back
over to civilian life, I mayhave trauma, or you've seen or
know people that have trauma.
What advice would you say?
Speaker 1 (41:49):
Yeah, build a safety care plan.
Make sure you build a safetycare plan.
Make sure you build a safetycare plan, um resources, um
places you can go, specificpeople you can call and your who
your, what your where your whywhatever that is for you, yes,
(42:10):
yes, because what ends uphappening?
One?
Let me give you one piece.
The safety care plan is such agreat prevention tool, but it's
only as good as as it is if youutilize it gotta have to apply
it you have to implement it haveto right, so oftentimes we
might have one, but if you seethat you're starting to go down
(42:31):
this path, people are notutilizing it when they see it
yeah I don't care if it's thefirst step outside of a you know
a place where you're like, oh,something's happening here,
tackle it immediately tackle itimmediately, right so go after
it immediately.
So safety care plan is one ofmy biggest, I would say, as a
prevention tool, because weoften have the misconception
(42:54):
that we are alone.
Speaker 2 (42:55):
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (42:56):
And in some of my briefings I will ask hey, listen
, within the break, thisaudience just alone, who of you
in here would be willing tosacrifice your time?
Right, because the goal is thatyou have to sacrifice your time
.
But you have to see your time,but you have to see it through.
You have to see people throughto where they need to go,
(43:16):
because they're there to connect, not to counsel but you give
that warm hand off to thesubject matter professional.
You have to see it through.
But when people see all of theother folks in this, this room,
who are willing to sacrificetheir time, so whether or not
they speak it out, I just I, Itell them I just debunked your
theory, okay because there's awhole room of people right here,
(43:39):
right now.
So if you think you are, makesure that you connect with that
person right before you leave tomake sure that you have a
battle buddy, a wingman, right,otherwise I tell them I'll be a
wingman in time.
But people think that they'reoften alone and when it comes to
this idea and something that um, I know we have limited time
(44:00):
here, I was reflecting um off ofa briefing that I did recently
and you know we're talking aboutthe rate of veteran suicides to
nonveteran suicide and I'm likewhy is it so high?
Right, because I don't like toassume and speculate.
And there's so many differentveterans with so many different
veteran specific issues and theymight have again if they did a
(44:22):
study.
You know the parallels, right?
Mental health is number one.
Social reintegration is thisone Thoughts perception,
whatever it is at the same time.
And is this one thoughtsperception, whatever it is at
the same time?
And it sounds very different tothe average person.
But we are our minds.
(44:42):
Our mindset and motto is tosolve the problem and eliminate
the threat.
So, no matter what we're doingwithin the job or every task
that we have after that, this isstill something that's
ingrained and embedded in how welive and how we approach
situations in the world.
(45:02):
So much so that, if we seeourself as a problem, that we
would be willing to eveneliminate our ourselves yeah,
but how many people?
Speaker 2 (45:13):
that's the problem.
Yeah, I was about to say that'sdeep, because how many people
don't see themselves as theproblem?
Uh, but what going into?
What's next?
Um, for you, I did want to askyou is looking ahead.
Uh, what's if you had, uh,unlimited resources to build
your dream program for veterans?
What would it include?
(45:34):
And, like you said, solvingproblems what problem would it
solve your dream program?
Speaker 1 (45:42):
My dream program.
I've never thought about that.
I'm so good at helpingvisionaries like yourself.
Speaker 3 (45:49):
Right.
Speaker 2 (45:53):
She called me Squirrel Brain too, like I
thought I was going back andforth my head, I think we're
like this, a couple differenttimes um, you know, because I'm
not the visionary, I'm just, I'mnaturally gifted at at putting
things together for thevisionary.
Speaker 1 (46:06):
I'm the boot on the ground.
I thrive in building that upand then hitting that off,
laying that foundation Right,but I don't know.
That's a really good question.
I think that's something that Ihave to think about more.
It's really not something thatI thought of, because I don't
think of myself doing my ownparticular thing.
Speaker 2 (46:28):
You find a bit on the supporting cast.
It's hard to find people likethat.
Every a lot of people want tobe in the spotlight, be the
center of attention, be the oneon the stage, um, so but yeah,
but I did want to ask you thatquestion if you ever had like
that vision of um, you know,building uh, something of your
own um, if you had that optionto do that.
Speaker 1 (46:50):
But god hasn't laid that on my heart yet.
Until then, I'm just going tokeep that servant's heart and
you know, just kind of keepchugging along forward with what
I'm doing.
Yeah, just keep chugging alongforward, Any plans for the
future.
Speaker 2 (47:05):
Just for Ms Breanne Brown, just for you, I know we
have the fire watch, we talkabout the wonderful things that
you guys offer, our resources aswell.
But just for you, career-wise,professionally, personally, what
do you say next for you?
Speaker 1 (47:22):
You know, I was at church today and Ron Goldman was
our guest speaker and Iabsolutely fell in love with
what he said today.
He said you know, I think I'mthe only one who goes on not
setting goals because goals aretemporary and they have an
(47:43):
expiration date and God is incontrol of every season of your
life and it's constantlychanging.
So, while it's, yes, you canset goals where would you like
to see yourself?
And I can see what I would likefor myself, okay, but without
it it does have an expirationdate.
(48:04):
So I would say you believe thattoo, though because I believe
in.
I just want to continue tothrive, to be the best version
of myself, no matter what season, and I'll use that as my goal,
because I'm already a type Apersonality.
Send help for me quick.
As long as I can continue tostrive to be the best version of
(48:30):
myself, no matter the season ofwhich I'm in, that can still be
my ultimate goal, so it can beboth professionally and
personally, as long as I'mgrowing as long as you're
growing Right.
As long as I'm growing, I'm okaywith that.
That.
I can be content with right.
(48:51):
Comfort and contentment is twototally different things, but I
think I can be content with that.
That I can be content withComfort and contentment is two
totally different things.
I can be content with that.
Speaker 2 (48:56):
Our last question for today, for our show as we wrap
up why did you decide to wearred today?
Speaker 1 (49:02):
Because of the fire watch, because of the fire watch
.
We have the lapel pin.
Listen, sometimes you don'tjust play the part, you also
have to dress the part yeah, Isee the shoes and everything and
when you come in, just theypeople won't even know.
It's just like you know whatyou look the part come on in.
Speaker 2 (49:23):
That's what they tell me all the time.
I just have a seat, I get ineverywhere, right?
Speaker 1 (49:27):
no, I don't, but it's very inviting, so that's why I
wore red today.
Firewatch representing.
Speaker 2 (49:35):
And, as we close, we thank you comfy listeners, but I
want, ms Brown, if you wouldplease share with our comfy
supporters out there that mayhave families and loved ones
that can benefit from theresource that you shared today.
As we end the segment here,please share a website where
they can also find you, yourprofessional side as well.
Speaker 1 (49:57):
So wwwthefirewatchorg is the website.
If you are an individual andyou want to take the training,
it's right there on the websiteas well.
Just hit the get started tab.
We have a data tab.
If you're interested, if you'reone of the data gurus, you can
go on there and look at that aswell.
And then there's informationfor our Veterans Safe Place
program.
So again that I go into anyplace of employment, business,
(50:20):
group or organization as long asyou're in the Central Florida
region.
But if you're anywhere in thestate of Florida, go on there.
Look at our team.
We have three other RPDs thatcover the state um, so get in
touch with them.
But my information is on thereas well and I'm on linkedin as
well.
All, right.
Speaker 2 (50:35):
Well, thank you for joining us and the wonderful
miss breanne brown, uh, takingtime with us to share wonderful
information regarding veteransuicide prevention uh, her
wonderful uh advocacy efforts.
Uh, her resiliency, herwonderful advocacy efforts, her
resiliency sharing her story andjourney as well.
I'm so happy to have her hereand share time with us.
(50:56):
Again, this is a platformthat's dedicated to providing
knowledge and resources, andthat's what she did today being
open and honest.
She told me the differencetoday, actually, between
transparency and honesty.
She told me the definition ofthat too, but that's another
thought.
But thank you for joining us.
Let's get comfy podcast.
(51:17):
Please be sure to like, comment, subscribe.
Also, hit the notification bellas we upload different content
or segments from each show aswell.
Stay tuned.
Check out our website atwwwcomfortmeasuresconsultingcom.
We just added services tosupport independently owned
(51:37):
healthcare organizations, buildtheir digital footprint, but
also increase their patientleads as well.
So we're growing as ComfortMeasures Consulting.
We're also growing as aplatform and a let's Get Comfort
podcast because of you.
Stay tuned for more, thank you.
Speaker 1 (51:56):
Please visit comfortmeasuresconsultingcom.
We're here to support you, andyour loved ones.
Speaker 3 (52:03):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (52:13):
Thank you.
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