Dr. Baumgart is a licensed psychologist who is board certified in police and public safety psychology. She is an author, speaks publicly about the challenges police officers face when transitioning into retirement, is on staff as a psychologist within a law enforcement organization, and is married to a now retired police officer. Dr Baumgart shares with us some of the challenges that began to surface within her marriage, what it was like as she began to realize that those challenges might be the result of her husbands public safety duties, and how they worked together to address those issues and improve interpersonal conditions within the home. Dr Baumgart explains the complexities of what transpires in the brain of a first responder, how that influences mood and behavior, and what that looks and feels like to a loved one. She also talks about retirement in first response. She shares what her and her husband expected, versus what they experienced, when he decided to retire from law enforcement. The lessons they learned are detailed in her book "Surviving Retirement" . You can purchase that book on Amazon by following this link - https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Retirement-Finding-Purpose-Fulfillment/dp/B0CB99HMVS/ref=zg_bsnr_g_10907_sccl_3/138-7805334-5823516?psc=1

Police Chief Christopher Workman began his career in the fire service before transitioning into policing. He has a combined total of over 3 decades working in first response, he is an author, public speaker, founder of the Deep Blu Project, and podcast host. Chief Workman shares openly about how the job unwittingly influenced his personality, his personal life, his professional life, and every relationship he had. He talks about the difficult moments that allowed him to gain insight into himself, and how he leaned into those moments to promote personal change, and how he models that change within his department from the Chiefs office. As we all know, change starts at the top.

The learn more about Chief Workman and the work that he's doing, follow these links:

https://deepbluproject.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Silence-Behind-Blue-Wall-Surviving/dp/B0DJ8K5Y38/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1342506165084875&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ATWEz30MVdVWemaNHhZKIJpuo1k72qWDZeBiKtCudYCoTkWqQPf3pD5HDMWDTYXqK8TtdXR7TmWEiq65QN2sczjDTh4SGHMdX4S2Fh_I7GgGyPPEGnji29yBSxJ6TzmpszkHz5iqus40DAjZ9jfGlj_3J_y_iy_2tQ9lB7r9rUtsw5ZQBNyxxmXo4VKku0yroUHF60W0eNk74yxpTUp5PR_513Bt9kzoQ9WC2IdYSWY.GeGu3FKIvPbMvkTf5n1mtFTNB81OnK2H0n9Q-Eylrq4&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83906908768570&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=51462&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83907747211339%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22568_13494428&keywords=silence+behind+the+blue+wall&msclkid=e2f128a3ec421dec7b084f30652c2960&qid=1737724102&sr=8-1

Doug joins us and shares his personal journey of service, stress, struggle, and recovery. He embraces vulnerability as he tells his story, explaining how Post Traumatic Stress Injuries influenced his relationship with himself and caused his marriage to deteriorate. It was clear to us and it will be to you as you listen that Doug began to explore the depths of his soul in an effort to recover from PTSI. He talks about his wife approaching him during a critical moment of personal crisis in a way that promoted and allowed for positive change to occur. His story sheds light on not only how a family struggles as a unit, but also how they can and do heal together.

Check out Doug's book "Hiding In Plain Sight - The Truth about Trauma, Service, and the Way Forward" to hear his story in full.

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/hiding-in-plain-sight-the-truth-about-trauma-service-and-the-way-forward/53935374/item/73573642/?mkwid=%7cdc&pcrid=76897258815619&pkw=&pmt=be&slid=&product=73573642&plc=&pgrid=1230353765528421&ptaid=pla-4580496734886475&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping+%7c+NEW+condition+books&utm_term=&utm_content=%7cdc%7cpcrid%7c76897258815619%7cpkw%7c%7cpmt%7cbe%7cproduct%7c73573642%7cslid%7c%7cpgrid%7c1230353765528421%7cptaid%7cpla-4580496734886475%7c&msclkid=cc46c76bfb171a0a687ba0e1b01f8437#idiq=73573642&edition=71953208

Lynn Lewis is the mother of a first responder. She shares with us about the tragic loss of her son to suicide, how she processed that loss, and how she managed to not be consumed by grief. Today Lynn coaches others through their own experiences with grief & loss. She talks about striving daily to keep moving forward, and the power of self love. She is the Co-Author of "Prepare for Purpose - Your Invitation to the Next Level," and the Author of "My Suicide Grief Journey, Journal, and Memory Book .

To learn more about Lynn check out her website:

https://www.destinedtothrivegriefcoaching.com/

Nicole Ferry joins us on the podcast to discuss her 26 year career in law enforcement, including a decade working in sex crimes. Nicole shares with us about her experience with co-worker suicide, what happened when trauma began to surface within her, within her department, and what she does today to advocate for first responder mental health, resilience, and suicide prevention.

John and Christine join us to share their stories of themselves, as individuals, as first responders, and as a couple. Both John and Christine discuss their pathways to becoming first responders, the toll that life and the job have taken on them, how trauma began to surface and the challenges that brought with it, how they were tested as a couple, how they got help, and how they persevered. Together they healed.

Joe shares with us about his career in the fire service. He speaks openly about difficult calls and how he was affected by them. He talks about the progressive symptoms he began experiencing, having panic attacks, and how he eventually considered taking his own life. Amy shares her perspective. She talks about how Joe's mental health affected her, their marriage, and their family. Then Joe reached out for help. Joe and Amy explain how they were guided to culturally competent resources, talk about treatment, care, and how their family began to heal.

Chaplin JD Hebert provides spiritual guidance and support to first responders. He is a Chaplin with the Western Ma CISM Team, the State Police, and other departments. Chaplin JD has been a first responder himself since 1987 & currently works as a firefighter / EMT. This is Chaplin JD's second appearance on the podcast - he talks about the recent death by suicide of a first responder. He shares with us how losing this first responder to suicide affected the departments involved, the community, and those who were on the scene. He talks about his own experience as a Chaplin visiting with the affected department members & providing support through this complex grieving process. He also discusses peer support, family support, and the importance of having these difficult conversations when we notice a first responder is struggling, the importance of having conversations about trauma, and about suicide, and about the help that is available.