Surviving Your Shift, Building Responder Wellness
Do you find yourself slumped on the sofa after a twelve-hour shift at work, mindlessly scrolling through your phone, too exhausted to get up and enjoy dinner with your family? Or, do you feel lost for words when trying to comfort a co-worker who's just faced a tough call, not knowing what to say to help them without making them relive the ordeal? As a retired first responder and crisis interventionist, I know what it’s like to spend your days juggling back-to-back calls from clients in crisis, sacrificing sleep, working rotating shifts, and missing out on meaningful family events — again. But what if you could get through every workday without staving off an oncoming panic attack or feeling your heart pound inside your chest every time your phone rings? With over 25 years of experience as a board-certified professional in traumatic stress, I've equipped thousands of people who face the daily challenges of high-pressure jobs like yours with the practical action steps they need to stop treating everything in their life as if it was a 911 emergency and regain full control of their life. Each week, you’ll hear the unfiltered stories from frontline professionals just like you who’ve experienced the pain of loss, endured graphic trauma calls, contemplated suicide, and found hope in the darkest moments on their journey. Together, we’ll explore the simple steps you can take to build greater resilience in your own high-stress profession through critical incident stress management, first responder burnout, suicide intervention, peer counseling teams, and much more so that you can learn how to stop surviving and start thriving both on and off duty. Ready to experience what it’s like to have the time and mental energy for things that matter most to you, get a full night’s sleep without worrying about what tomorrow’s shift might bring, and to (finally!) find meaning and joy again in answering the call? Hit play, and let’s dive in.
Episodes
Intrusive memories and images from the job can be a daily struggle for first responders. In this episode, Dr. Bart J. Leger shares practical strategies to manage these persistent thoughts and reclaim your peace of mind.
Ever find yourself haunted by intrusive memories and images from the job that keep popping up when you’re just driving down the road, or trying to get to sleep?
How do you stop it?
Instead of self-medicating or trying ...
Being a first responder or working on the front lines means you’re facing stuff most people can’t imagine. Today, I’m talking with Dr. George Everly, Jr with ICISF, as he discusses how to develop what he calls Psychological Body Armor.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by stress in your frontline career? You might be missing crucial techniques to manage it effectively.
Many professionals struggle silently with stress, n...
You may have never thought your agency’s chaplain had anything to offer you. But today’s guest, Jim Bontrager may surprise you with how down-to-earth and practical your chaplain can be when you really need them.
Have you ever wondered what a chaplain is good for?
You’re not the first to think your organization’s chaplain can’t help you because you’re not religious.
It may surprise you to hear that your chaplain’s m...
Are you wondering if you’re still making a difference as a first responder or other frontline professional? Join me as I sit down with Mike Baldwin, a 20+ year veteran first responder as he shares how to know you’re making a difference.
What does it take to maintain humanity and empathy as a first responder?
Many first responders reach a point in their career when it seems like they’re on a big merry-go-round, same things over and ov...
In this episode of Surviving Your Shift, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, a pioneer of the "bulletproof mind," talks about mental resilience and self-control for first responders. Join us as he shares insights from his extensive experience in law enforcement training, focusing on how to thrive both on duty and beyond.
Are you constantly jumping from one emergency to another with barely a moment to breathe, let alone proce...
Rediscover the joy and passion in your career with today's episode of Surviving Your Shift. Dive deep into practical strategies for overcoming burnout and rekindling that initial spark that drew you to your job.
Feeling drained and disconnected from the job you once loved? You're not alone.
The daily grind can often leave us feeling burnt out, sapping the enthusiasm we once had for our work.
It&...
Does every workday feel like you're just going through the motions, drained of the passion that once fueled you?
In this episode, you’ll discover 3 powerful strategies to rekindle your drive and reignite the fire within - renewing your sense of purpose and enthusiasm for the career you've chosen.
When was the last time you felt really engaged and motivated at work?
For many first responders and ...
If you’ve ever worried about life after retirement, today’s guest can help. After 21 years in the Coast Guard, Kenneth Macgregor was medically retired, and he’s here to share his journey of adapting to this major life transition and how he found a new purpose.
Are you struggling to find purpose and identity after a major life transition?
For many veterans and first responders, being medically retired can feel like...
Sleep impacts every aspect of our lives, but many struggle to get quality rest, especially shift workers.
Today’s guide, Dr. Phillip Conner, discusses common sleep issues, provides practical tips for better sleep hygiene, and explains how insufficient sleep can dangerously impair performance.
Are you having trouble feeling rested and alert during the day?
Many people, especially those working shifts or ir...
If you’ve ever wondered whether there are other people who truly understand the challenges of your career and life, this is the episode for you.
Today’s guest, Cherie Castellano, shares how to harness the power of connection through shared experiences and peer support.
When was the last time you felt truly understood?
As a professional with a high-demand career, it’s easy to believe that no one really kno...
For many people, it can be challenging to leave work stress at the office and fully embrace your downtime. But this episode of Surviving Your Shift tackles that very challenge and shares a powerful Transition Ritual to help you flip the switch from your professional to your personal life.
When was the last time you wasted an entire evening or weekend worrying about work?
For a lot of busy professionals, leaving work at wor...
Do you feel like your high-stress career as a first responder or frontline professional is sucking the life out of your life? Join host Bart Leger on "Surviving Your Shift," where he unveils upcoming practical strategies and personal stories to help you thrive in your high-demand career and finish strong.
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