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In this continued collaboration with Milford TV, we explore how burnout rarely makes a scene—it slips in as irritability, isolation, and the quiet urge to shut out the world. This episode is the conclusion of episode 225 and we open the door on how those whispers grow louder inside the fire service and EMS, why “just call this number” isn’t care, and what it really takes to protect crews before a bad day becomes a disaster. Our guest, Renea Mansfield, shares honest, lived experience—from losing interest in the kitchen table banter to wrestling with passive suicidal thoughts in the height of COVID—and we walk through the small, specific signals leaders and peers need to catch early.

From there, we shift into solutions that actually fit the job. We break down the Frontline Resilience Protocol, a three-pillar framework designed for police and fire: tactical performance tailored to real-world demands, culturally competent mental health support with warm handoffs and follow-up, and leadership development that turns communication into a daily practice. Think job-specific strength and mobility, nervous system regulation you can use in the rig or the hallway, and nutrition choices that work at 2 a.m. Equally important, we get into the human factors—dark humor, stigma, and how trust is built or broken when a captain shrugs off a plea for help.

The throughline is simple: follow-up saves lives. When someone finally says “I’m not okay,” the next step must be personal, fast, and predictable. Leaders need scripts and skills, peers need permission to check back in, and departments benefit from trained outsiders who know the culture and aren’t tangled in station politics. If you’re a chief, union rep, or frontline responder, you’ll walk away with practical steps to spot burnout early, respond with care, and build a system that doesn’t quit when the shift ends.

Her website is waywardwellnesscoaching.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waywardwellnesscoaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Wayward-Wellness-Coaching/61566792351111/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayward_wellness_coaching/

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Burnout doesn’t just come from the calls—it grows in the silence after, inside a culture that either catches you or drops you. We sit down with Renae, a former firefighter-paramedic who now coaches first responders on burnout recovery and nervous system regulation, to unpack how leadership betrayal, union politics, and the loss of seasoned mentors quietly shape morale, retention, and the quality of care on scene.

Renae walks us through two starkly different departments: one with strong traditions, shared meals, and senior firefighters who taught without needing stripes; another that pushed out elders, fast-tracked promotions, and sold “progress” through spoken promises that never made it to paper. The result? Rapid rank with thin experience, confused standards, and burnout that looks like apathy but feels like betrayal. Along the way, we explore why it’s easier to part ways in anger than on good terms, how that psychology plays out in unions and leadership, and what happens when EMS integration shifts priorities without protecting mentorship.

This conversation is practical at its core. We outline how to rebuild a real firehouse: formalize mentorship roles for elders, protect shared rituals that transmit norms, and require written commitments instead of handshakes. We dig into nervous system skills—breathing, grounding, pacing, boundaries—and explain why they only stick inside supportive systems. If you care about first responder wellness, leadership development, and building resilient teams that last, these lessons are for you.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with your crew, and leave a review so more first responders can find it. And make sure to be back for part 2 in the next episode.

You can reach Renae on several platforms to discuss this episode and her program.

Her website is waywardwellnesscoaching.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waywardwellnesscoaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Wayward-Wellness-Coaching/61566792351111/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayward_wellness_coaching/

And if you’re struggling right now, reach out for professional support—and remember, 988 is available for crisis help in the U.S. and Canada.

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How do we treat our physical health versus our mental health? Former London Metropolitan Police officer Jonathan Kemp spent 12 years in law enforcement while battling undiagnosed bipolar disorder, depression, and dyslexia—yet refused to seek professional help until his late 30s.

"I was determined to fix myself on my own," Kemp reveals in this powerful conversation. "I saw it as an insult to go and see a doctor. It was a weakness or admission of defeat." This mindset, particularly prevalent among first responders and those in high-pressure careers, kept him struggling silently for decades before finally seeking the treatment that transformed his life.

Kemp articulates the profound disconnect in how we approach different aspects of our wellbeing: "If you had a chronic knee problem, you'd go and see a knee specialist. It defies logic that we're happy to see a professional for the rest of our body, but when it comes to the brain, we have this almost inbuilt default that you should figure it out yourself." This insight cuts to the heart of why many resist mental health support despite overwhelming suffering.

The conversation explores how structured environments like policing can sometimes mask mental health challenges, while shift work can exacerbate them by disrupting sleep patterns—what Kemp identifies as his "#1 foundation" for mental health stability. He shares practical advice for supporting struggling colleagues and navigating recovery resources when confidentiality concerns arise, especially in professions where stigma remains powerful.

Now an advocate and author, Kemp discusses his upcoming book "Finding Peace of Mind" (releasing on World Mental Health Day) and his ambitious seven-month awareness walk across the British Isles beginning January 2026. Through both initiatives, he's transforming his decades of struggle into resources that might help others find support sooner.

Visit Jonathan at the following links:

https://www.viscountrochdale.com/
https://www.facebook.com/jonathankemplondon
https://www.instagram.com/Jonathankemplondon
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankemplondon

You can order his book at Amazon: www.amazon.com/jonathankemp

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The weight of trauma doesn't stay at work—it comes home. For first responders, this reality shapes not just their professional lives but transforms family dynamics, relationships, and personal wellbeing in profound ways that most people never see.

In this revealing conversation, therapist Erin Sheridan shares her unique perspective as both a mental health professional specializing in first responder care and someone who understands the lifestyle intimately through personal connection. With candor and occasional profanity that mirrors the authentic language of the emergency services world, Erin and host Steve Bisson cut through the stigma surrounding mental health in these communities.

The discussion tackles critical issues that rarely make headlines: the devastating impact of mandated 48-72 hour shifts on family life, the subtle progression from social drinking to problematic coping, and the cultural barriers that keep many first responders from seeking help until crisis points emerge. Erin shares powerful insights about building trust with a population trained to handle everyone else's emergencies while ignoring their own.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical framework it offers for both first responders and departments. Rather than simply identifying problems, Erin outlines specific approaches that work: proactive mental health training, peer support systems that normalize help-seeking, and therapeutic approaches like EMDR that can help process trauma when properly applied. She explains how small shifts in departmental culture could prevent the cascading personal crises that lead to the troubling statistics on first responder suicide rates.

Whether you're a first responder yourself, love someone who is, or simply want to understand the human cost behind emergency services, this conversation offers rare insight into both the challenges and pathways to resilience for those who run toward danger when others run away.

Visit www.beautifullyunbrokencounseling.com to learn more about Erin's work or to connect for support services specifically tailored to first responders and their families.

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When a fellow firefighter confessed suicidal thoughts to Adam Neff one night at the firehouse, it changed everything. Despite his decades of experience handling emergencies, Adam found himself unprepared for this particular crisis. That moment became the catalyst for his remarkable transition from assistant chief of operations to licensed professional counselor specializing in first responder mental health.

During our conversation, Adam reveals the profound disconnect between traditional therapeutic approaches and the needs of emergency responders. Drawing from his 38 years in the fire service and his clinical training, he illuminates why cultural competency isn't just helpful – it's essential for effective mental health care in this population. His colorful anecdotes highlight how clinicians who can't navigate firehouse humor, understand departmental hierarchies, or recognize the language of the profession will struggle to build trust with these clients.

Adam's approach bridges these worlds perfectly. He describes teaching somatic awareness – helping responders recognize when their "check engine light" is signaling emotional distress – in a way that resonates with tactical professionals. His strict confidentiality boundaries protect the vulnerability of clients who may work alongside referral sources, while his fourth-floor perspective training (offered free to departments nationwide) makes mental health concepts accessible to those who've traditionally avoided seeking help.

Perhaps most powerfully, Adam challenges the myth that because firefighters work in teams and talk around the kitchen table, they're naturally more connected to their emotions. The reality is more complex – these heroes need therapists who understand when to push, when to use humor, and when to simply sit in the discomfort together. His insight that "unexpressed expectations is premeditated resentment" captures the importance of directness in this work.

Whether you're a first responder struggling with your mental health, a clinician wanting to better serve this population, or someone who cares about the wellbeing of our emergency services personnel, this episode provides invaluable perspective on what healing looks like when the rescuer becomes the one in need of rescue.

Adam can be reached on his website at www.agoodspacetherapy.com

Adam also founded and continues to coordinate the Springfield Area Memorial Stair Climb- http://springfieldmemorialstairclimb.org/

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The weight of caring for others can become unbearable when we forget to care for ourselves. This powerful conversation with Deidre Gestrin, a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified health coach, takes us deep into the reality of burnout among first responders and helping professionals.

Deidre shares her profound personal journey through burnout - a harrowing experience that led her doctor to deliver the stark warning: "Your job is killing you." With remarkable candor, she reveals how her dedication to helping others in crisis led to working literally 24/7, developing physical health problems including arthritis in her mid-30s, and ultimately experiencing secondary traumatic stress so severe she couldn't tolerate family members standing behind her.

The discussion illuminates the science behind burnout - how chronic stress essentially shuts down our frontal cortex, impairing judgment and decision-making abilities critical for first responders. Steve and Deidre explore why those drawn to helping professions are particularly vulnerable to burnout, and why changing jobs often fails to solve the underlying issues.

What makes this episode uniquely valuable is the practical, realistic approach to recovery. Rather than offering platitudes, Deidre provides tangible strategies that work within the constraints of demanding professions. From establishing sleep hygiene routines that function even with irregular schedules to creating small, intentional habits that regulate the nervous system, listeners gain actionable tools for resilience.

Perhaps most compelling is Deidre's revelation about recovery timelines - the small shifts at three months, the ability to work again at six months, but the full two years before feeling completely restored. This honest assessment serves as both warning and hope for those navigating their own burnout journeys.

Connect with Deidre at abundantwellnessessentials.com to explore personalized strategies for overcoming burnout and reclaiming your purpose and wellbeing.

Her Social media presence:

https://www.youtube.com/@deidregestrin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deidregestrin/
https://www.facebook.com/dgestrin/
https://www.instagram.com/dgestrin/

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Steve Bisson welcomes Bill Dwinnells, a licensed mental health counselor with over 30 years of experience and a background as an EMT, to discuss their joint venture, Gambit Counseling, and its innovative approach to first responder mental health.

The conversation explores why traditional mental health services often fall short for first responders. As Dwinnells eloquently explains, "First responders see a very unique slice of American life that the vast majority of people know absolutely nothing about," creating a profound disconnection that many carry with them. This disconnect frequently leads to challenges when seeking support – from therapists who visibly react with shock to their stories, to discomfort speaking openly in peer support settings.

Bisson and Dwinnells share their vision for the Fortress program, designed to complement existing crisis intervention systems with preventative wellness visits, resilience training, and a confidential support line. Unlike departmental resources, Gambit operates independently, allowing for truly confidential conversations about workplace challenges. As Dwinnells notes, "We can have very free, frank conversations about stuff and it all remains confidential."

The pair challenge common misconceptions about first responder mental health, revealing that trauma comprises less than half of what their clients typically discuss. More common are chronic stress, administrative conflicts, and what Bisson describes as "transference" – when a call triggers personal connections or memories. Throughout the episode, they emphasize that resilience isn't acquired through a single workshop but is "a daily practice" requiring ongoing attention.

For departments or individuals seeking support that truly understands first responder culture, Gambit Counseling offers a fresh approach focusing on prevention rather than just reaction. Visit gambitcounseling.com to learn how their services can help build sustainable resilience for those who protect our communities.

To reach Bill, go to www.billdwinnells.com/

For Gambit Counseling, go to gambitcounseling.com/

For more information on FRTRESS, email stevebissonlmhc@gmail.com or bdwinnells@gmail.com.

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The IAFF Center of Excellence stands as a sanctuary for firefighters navigating the complex terrain of mental health challenges. In this revealing conversation with Hannah Elmore, Clinical Outreach Coordinator, we explore how this specialized treatment facility has become a lifeline for nearly 4,000 firefighters across North America.

Hannah takes us behind the scenes of this unique 15-acre campus in Maryland, explaining how every aspect—from the station house-style sleeping quarters to the communal kitchen tables—was designed with firefighters in mind. "The IAFF's fingerprints are all over everything we do," she explains, highlighting the unparalleled cultural competency that makes the Center so effective.

What struck me most was the Center's commitment to treating the whole person, not just a diagnosis. While many assume PTSD is the primary concern for firefighters, Hannah reveals they address everything from depression and anxiety to substance use disorders and what she calls "administrative betrayal"—that profound sense of being let down by leadership that can be more devastating than emergency calls. The facility's dual licensure for both mental health and substance use treatment ensures comprehensive care without arbitrary distinctions.

Perhaps most powerful was our discussion about the fire pit—that simple gathering place where many firefighters experience their deepest healing through connection with peers from across the country. These relationships often continue long after discharge, creating a nationwide network of behavioral health champions who support each other and bring resources back to their departments.

The message Hannah wants every firefighter to hear? "You don't have to wait until you reach crisis before reaching out for help." Whether you're struggling with job-related trauma, family stress, or simply feeling that disconnect between your feet and your mind, the Center offers a path forward with culturally competent care that understands the unique challenges of the fire service.

Ready to learn more or connect with resources? Reach Hannah directly at 727-506-9036 or contact the 24/7 admissions team at 855-441-3024. Your journey toward healing doesn't have to wait another day.

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