Behind The Shield brings the greatest minds in mental and physical wellness to the men and women who serve our communities. Hosted by James Geering, the podcast features interviews with experts and thought leaders. It aims to support first responders and military personnel in their health and well-being.
Episodes
Zamia Cohen (Performance in Uniform, Microcurrent Point Stimulation and GLP-1s) - Episode 1303
Zamia Cohen is a personal trainer, physiologist and the woman behind Good Human Fitness. We discuss her journey into coaching, the importance of sleep, microcurrent point stimulation, health psychology, her pro bono work with veterans and first responders, GLP-1s and so much more."I became a certified personal trainer and joined the personal training team at Equinox Fitness Club in 2002. I quickly
John Ryan (Prosecuting the Masterminds of 9/11, Crimefighting in the 80's and Refinding the Kindness of 9/12)
John Ryan is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over four decades of distinguished service at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department. He rose through the ranks from Police Officer to Detective Lieutenant Commander and served as Chief of Department in 2012. Throughout his career, he held leadership roles in multiple regional, federal, and joint task forces, includ
Dr Jerome Puryear (Obesity Medicine, The Power of Sleep and Forging Longevity) -
With more than 30 years in medicine, including a background in diagnostic and interventional radiology, Jerome Puryear helps people navigate one of the hardest parts of modern healthcare: knowing what to trust, what matters most, and what to do next. His work focuses on cutting through conflicting advice, misinformation, overlooked warning signs, and complex medical information so people can make
Sara Wilkinson III (Catharsis through Travelling, the Power of Community and Turning the Page on Grief) - Episode 1300
Sara Wilkinson is the founder of the Step Up Foundation, skateboarder and Gold Star Widow. In this third conversation, we discuss catharsis through travelling, addressing the mental health crisis through community, turning the page on grief and so much more. Sara was always familiar with a military life as she grew up the youngest to a father in the Marine Corps. Her upbringing allowed her to unde
Dr Jessa LaCroix (The Mental Health Cost of Sleep Deprivation, Forging Performance and the Suicide Epidemic) - Episode 1299
Dr. Jessa LaCroix is a social psychologist, behavioral health researcher, and scientific advisor focused on advancing mental health, suicide prevention, and human performance. She is a Research Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and serves as a Lead Scientific Advisor for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) through Strategic Engine
Dixon Phillips III (The Truth Behind Amendment 3, the Success of the 24/72 and Fatherhood) - Episode 1298
Dixon Phillips is a former collegiate athlete, Pasco County firefighter and former union president of IAFF Local 4420. In this third conversation, he unpacks the history, mistruths and realities of Florida's Amendment 3, the negative impact it will have on Florida's first responders and the safety of their citizens. We also discuss proactive solutions to government overspending from community medi
Dr Thaer Ahmad (Unifying Faiths in Gaza, Healing through Storytelling and the Rebirth of Humanity) - Episode 1297
Dr. Thaer Ahmad, MD is a board-certified emergency medicine physician, global health expert, educator, and humanitarian who has provided medical relief and healthcare capacity-building in some of the world's most devastated conflict zones for over fifteen years.A Palestinian-American raised on Chicago's South Side, Dr. Ahmad first traveled to Gaza in 2009 on a medical mission and has returned mult
Dave Gallagher (Fifty Years of Firefighting Wisdom, Servant Leadership and the Power of Humility) - Episode 1296
Dave Gallagher began his fire service career when he listened to his Dad’s fire stories and stories about his grandfather who served in the days of the horses. He joined his local volunteer fire department in 1976 as a FF/PM after spending two years as a founding member of a Fire/Rescue Explorer Post in Montgomery County Ohio. Soon after he was hired by the Fairborn, Ohio FD, where he spent a year
Jason Cheney (Mental Health in Policing, Humanitarian Work and Redefining Leadership) - Episode 1295
Jason “Jay” Cheney, is a 18-year Air Force veteran and former police officer of 12 years who spent over two decades serving his community and his country — including seven years on a SWAT team. Jay’s been on both sides of the badge: the one that serves and the one that struggles. After hitting rock bottom and finding his way back through faith, fitness, and purpose, he’s here to share what he wish
Richard Sprunger (Special Operations Medicine, Fire Service Leadership and Suicide) - Episode 1294
Richard “DOC” Sprunger is a former U.S. Navy SEAL who served 14 years with five deployments and later spent 24 years as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Across nearly four decades of service, Richard experienced combat, traumatic emergency calls, significant injuries, loss, and the cumulative impact of a career spent running toward other people’s worst days. After losing nine friends and brothers to suici
Sam Juan (Moral Injury from Combat, Catharsis through Art and Post Traumatic Growth) - Episode 1293
Samantha Juan is a Filipina-Persian American writer, visual artist, speaker, and U.S. Army veteran whose work examines survival, identity, memory, and the body’s long return to itself. Samantha served in the U.S. Army from 2003 to 2013, including as a signals intelligence analyst and Cultural Support Team leader attached to Joint Special Operations Command in Afghanistan. She is a Bronze Star rec
Jake Harriman (Recon Marines, Empowering African Farmers and Rebuilding America's Communities) - Episode 1292
As a Force Recon Marine, Jake Harriman fought terrorists overseas. As the founder of Nuru International, he battled extreme poverty in Africa. Now he's taking on his biggest mission yet. Harriman is founder and chairman of The Brickyard, a national nonprofit that is part of the growing movement to heal our divided nation and forge a better future. In Rescuing the Idea of America, Harriman shares b
Michael Perry (The Power of Storytelling, Volunteer Firefighting and Healing through Mentorship) - Episode 1291
Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist, corporate speaker, volunteer firefighter/first responder, and amateur snowplow driver. A lifelong resident of the rural Midwest, his “reflective roughneck” takes on life in Middle America have left hundreds of thousands of readers and live audiences laughing, nodding, and sometimes misty.The author of over 25 books including Populatio
Blake Richardson (Traumatic Brain Injury, Hyperbaric Therapy and Near Death Experiences) - Episode 1290
Blake Richardson is a veteran, brain injury advocate, and founder of Help Our Heroes, a nonprofit focused on expanding access to treatments for traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and post-concussive syndrome.After living with an undiagnosed traumatic brain injury for more than a decade, Blake experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to find treatments that address the underlying brain injury rathe
Jim Burneka III (Healing Through Psychedelics, Equine Therapy and the Dangers of Psychiatric Medication) - Episode 1289
Jim Burneka is a firefighter, podcaster co-founder of the 'Brothers Helping Brothers' conference and the author of 'Overcoming Tuesday'. In this third conversation, Jim discusses his powerful healing journey through psychedelics, The Brave Program, Project Sanctuary and so much more.Overcoming Tuesday:As a first responder, firefighter paramedic Jim Burneka encounters traumatic events the average p
Guy Stephens (Seclusion and Restraint in our Schools, Neurodiverse Parenting and Mental Health) - Episode 1288
Guy Stephens is a nationally recognized expert on restraint and seclusion and the founder and executive director of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR), a national nonprofit working to transform school discipline and create safer, more equitable schools for all students and staff.Through AASR and a national partnership with the Crisis Prevention Institute, Guy helped develop Refram
Chris Binch (British Paratroopers, Somali Pirates and Firefighting) - Episode 1287
Chris Binch is a British Army 2 Para veteran, private Contractor, firefighter and the host of The Old Paratrooper Podcast.Chris joined the Parachute Regiment at the age of 17. Serving 7 years with 2PARA, and completing 3 tours of Northern Ireland and exercises in Macedonia & Sierra Leone, Chris decided to move onto the Close Protection and Private Security Circuit. Some kinetic taskings and cl
Roberto Ortiz (Hunting Cartels, Mexican Immigration and Law Enforcement as a Double Amputee) - Episode 1286
Roberto Ortiz is a Mexican law enforcement professional and Intelligence Coordinator from Chihuahua, Mexico, whose life changed forever on April 15, 2022, when he was critically injured during an operation and lost both of his legs above the knee.After approximately seven days in a coma, months in the hospital, a year in a wheelchair, and years of rehabilitation and prosthetic training, Roberto re
Jo Terry (Losing her Firefighter Husband to Suicide, Physical Therapy and the Mental Health Revolution) - Episode 1285
Jo Terry is a recently retired licensed physical therapist who owned her own outpatient physical therapy clinic for over 20 years. She was married to Assistant Chief Alan “Chip” Terry, (ret) from the City of Covington Fire Department for 31 years who completed suicide in 2017 after being misdiagnosed. Since his death in 2017, Jo has spent her time working with first responders and their families
Emily Ireland (Craniosacral Therapy, Somatic Movement and First Responder Performance) - Episode 1284
Emily Ireland is the founder of Hardcore Healing, Inc. and the creator of Light Touch®. Her background includes more than two decades of study and work across craniosacral therapy, functional anatomy, integrative movement, and wellness research.Her work explores how subtle interventions may support focus, recovery, sleep, emotional balance, and overall wellbeing. Through Light Touch®, Emily’s goal
Kris Copeland (Performance Psychology, Training Special Forces Cognition and Traumatic Brain Injury) - Episode 1283
Kris Copeland is a dedicated Sport and Performance Psychology Consultant with a passion for helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential. With a diverse background in working with military populations, corporations, school districts, hospitals, and athletes of all ages, he has honed his skills in elevating performance across a broad spectrum.Currently, Kris works as a Cognitiv
Chief Joseph Pfeifer (Losing a Brother on 9/11, the Community of 9/12 and the Power of Moral Courage) - Episode 1282
Joseph Pfeifer is globally recognized for his expertise in crisis leadership, disaster management, and adaptive resilience. Operating at the intersection of high-stakes public service and academia, he translates decades of frontline command experience into actionable frameworks for leading through uncertainty. Currently, he serves as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University’s School of Internat
Garrett Cathcart (Rebuilding Communities, Servant Leadership and the Human Cost of War) - Episode 1281
Garrett Cathcart served 9 years as a United States Army Cavalry officer and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Garrett’s service included three years in ground combat leadership roles. Garrett served as a Reconnaissance Scout Platoon Leader in Baghdad during the Surge in 2007, colloquially known as the bloodiest year in Iraq, as an embedded milit
Kyle Ebersole (Forging Firefighter Performance, Injury Prevention and the Importance of Recovery) - Episode 1280
Kyle Ebersole, PhD, LAT is currently a Professor and a Licensed Athletic Trainer at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology teaching within the Physical Therapy and Athletic Training programs. Since 2010, Kyle has partnered with the Milwaukee Fire Department on a research and service partnership where he serves as the Health and Fitness
Ashley Deringer (Teen Driver Safety, Firefighter Cancer and Turning Grief into Action) - Episode 1279
Ashley Deringer is an educator, entrepreneur, curriculum creator, and nonprofit founder dedicated to changing lives through education and advocacy. Ashley is also the founder of the Clean Gier Foundation, a nonprofit established in honor of her father, firefighter Floyd Gier, who lost his battle with occupational cancer. The foundation is committed to improving the health, safety, and well-being o
The Unmasked Warrior (The Suicide Pandemic, First Responder Mental Health and Post Traumatic Growth) - Episode 1278
In this episode, I welcome the founders of The Unmasked Warrior: Sam Juan is a U.S. Army combat veteran, former CST with SEAL Team 6, artist, writer, and advocate for authentic leadership. Noah Galloway is a combat veteran and speaker focused on post-traumatic growth. Anton Nootenboom is a Dutch army veteran, multiple world record holder and men’s mental health advocate. Dr. Mike Sapiro is a clini
Mayra Uribe (First Responder Housing, Servant Leadership and Reversing Homelessness) - Episode 1277
Mayra Uribe was elected to the Board of Orange County Commission District 3 in 2018 and has since been re-elected in 2020 and 2024. Mayra is currently running for the position of the Mayor of Orange County. She is an Orlando native, born and raised in the district she represents. Mayra is of Colombian and Argentinean descent and celebrates the diversity in herself and in our community.Mayra is a b
Bernard Taylor (From Football to Firefighting, American Healthcare and Running for Congress) - Episode 1276
A fourth-generation Floridian, Bernard Taylor is a dedicated EMT/Paramedic, husband, father of five, and community advocate who has spent years serving and protecting the people of Florida.Now, he's running for Congress to fight for the people our elected congressional representatives are ignoring. Bernard was inspired to run to represent his community after seeing how the disparities in access to
Michael Gier (The Kindness, Courage and Humanity of 9/11, Filmmaking and Fat Boy Slim) - Episode 1275
The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11 is a deeply moving documentary narrated by actor Gary Sinise. Produced by Gier Productions in collaboration with SoldierStrong and directed by Michael Gier, an award-winning director/producer, the film goes beyond the tragedy of September 11 to showcase the incredible acts of bravery, humanity, and resilience that followed.Through the eyes of first responders, su
Tony Blauer II (How Fear Affects Trauma, Imposter Syndrome in Combat and Adrenal Fatigue) - Episode 1274
For over 45 years, Tony Blauer has been at the forefront of personal defense, fear management, and performance psychology, revolutionizing the way individuals and teams prepare for real-world violence. Since 1977, Blauer has dedicated his life to helping people become safer, sooner, bridging the gap between science, psychology, and combatives. He is the creator of the SPEAR System®, the world’s fi
Kelly Lucas (California Firefighting, Living with Parkinson's Disease and Finding Sobriety) - Episode 1273
Kelly is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at Daydream MD, bringing a unique blend of clinical training and lived experience to his work as a therapist. Before beginning his career in counseling, Kelly served as a firefighter/paramedic for 22 years, where he was a peer support team leader and assisted with critical incident stress debriefings. This extensive frontline service gave him a
Jonathan Sheinberg (Cardiology, First Responder Health and Preventing Heart Attacks) - Episode 1272
Jonathan Sheinberg is a cardiologist, chief medical officer, police officer and Air Force veteran. He has over 30 years of experience in providing advanced cardiovascular care. He is passionate about preventing coronary disease and managing acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions. Jonathan has a strong background in non-invasive imaging and cardiac catheterization, and is nationally known in t
Tommy Dwyer (Dilapidated Fire Stations, Mental Health and Occupational Cancer) - Episode 1271
"Burnin' Down the House" is a powerful new documentary from award-winning filmmaker Tommy Jay Dwyer that shines a light on the hidden crisis facing firefighters. Aging stations, chronic underinvestment and the growing health risks associated with the jobs they do every day.Through intimate interviews and unprecedented access inside Massachusetts firehouses, the film reveals the sacrifices firefigh
Brad Mason and Angel Santiago (The Give Team, Selma and the Power of Storytelling) - Episode 1270
Brad Mason is a professional negotiator, community leader, and firm believer that strength is built by doing hard things in service of others. He is the founder and head coach of The Give Team, a youth leadership and endurance program built on a simple belief: No matter how little you have, you always have something to give. Brad also serves on the Board of Directors of New Image Youth Center, sup
Rob Ramirez II (The USAR Response to the Venezuela Earthquakes, Powerful Rescues and Shared Humanity) - Episode 1269
Rob Ramirez is a 24-year fire service veteran with degrees in Fire Science and Public Administration. Since 2005, Rob has been a Technical Rescue Team Manager for the Department of Homeland Security F.E.M.A. U.S.A.R. Task Force in Miami, FL., where he has served on dozens of high-profile national and international disaster deployments. In addition, Rob has been a student of psychology, physiology,
Mark Seelig (MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy, Sociopaths in Power and Refinding Community) - Episode 1268
Mark was born in West-Berlin, Germany, and has lived in the USA, India, and Germany. From an early age he has been fascinated with the spiritual quest of the human soul, which eventually led him to the study of indigenous traditions and native wisdom. Mark has a degree in Theology and a PhD in Clinical Psychology. He is a founding member of Ken Wilber’s Integral Institute, an Advisory board member
Keith "Flip" Griffin (Navy Search & Rescue, Austere Medicine and Fire Service Leadership) - Episode 1267
During his service, Flip participated in more than 75 real-world rescue and medical missions and served as a lead advisor for MEDEVAC operations during the Fukushima disaster response. He also supported large-scale emergency planning initiatives, operational readiness programs, and leadership development efforts across organizations totaling more than 4,000 personnel.Following retirement from mili
Andy Prisco (Crisis De-escalation, First Responder Safety and Reducing Recidivsm) - Episode 1266
Andrew Prisco is the founder of Jumpstart Mastery, an elected Fire Commissioner, and a nationally recognized authority on human performance, leadership, crisis de-escalation, and organizational culture. For more than 25 years, his career has been dedicated to improving how people and organizations perform when the stakes are highest.Since beginning his behavioral health career in 1999, Andrew has
Brain Sipe (Movie Make up, Horror Movies and the Power of Storytelling) - Episode 1265
Emmy® award winning makeup artist Brian Sipe has been working professionally since 1989 as a freelance artist and through his company, Gamut Studios. Several Hollywood makeup effects companies and production studios have taken advantage of his extensive knowledge and experience as a character effects designer and project manager. Brian has had his professional makeup work featured in films and tel
Frank Meeink (Escaping Neo Nazi Life, Ice Hockey and the Power of Mentorship) - Episode 1264
Frank Meeink became a skinhead at thirteen. By eighteen, he was roaming the country as a skinhead leader and neo-Nazi recruiter with gangs that would beat people indiscriminately. In Illinois he had his own cable-access TV show, “The Reich.” He was finally arrested and convicted of kidnapping and beating a member of a rival skinhead gang. While in prison he befriended men he used to think he hated
Dr Kellie O'Dare II (Research on the Success of the 24/72, Mental Health and Fire Service Suicide - Episode 1263
Dr. Kellie O’Dare is a nationally recognized researcher and educator focused on advancing mental wellness, suicide prevention, and organizational resilience within public safety. In this second conversation we discuss the successes seen by deparments that moved to the 24/72, the corrolation between organisational betrayal, finding accurate fire service suicide statistics and so much more.Kellie se
Tara Cornett (Firefighter Decon, the Cancer Epidemic and the True Cost of War) - Episode 1262
Tara is the Founder of FLAME Natural Decon. She is also a Navy Veteran and the sister of a San Diego firefighter. Tara founded FLAME when she realized there was a need for a product developed specifically for firefighter personal decon. After a year of extensive R&D, Tara launched FLAME in 2020 with their bar of Soap and Shampoo + Body Wash and since then she’s developed decon Hand Soap, Laund
Tyler Grey (Hostage Rescues, Veteran Mental Health and the Industrial Military Complex) - Episode 1261
Tyler Grey spent the better part of a decade operating in environments most people will never see. As a member of Delta Force, a US Tier 1 military unit, he deployed multiple times during the War on Terror. On a night raid in Sadr City, Iraq, an IED explosion left him approximately twenty seconds from bleeding out. He survived, by what came after the survival was harder. The recovery involved year
Justin Eaton (Hollywood Stunts, Martial Arts and the Future of Movie Making) - Episode 1260
Justin Eaton was born in Lawrence, MA. After years of Gymnastics and Martial Arts Justin found himself doing live shows out of Southern California and in the early 2000’s got introduced to the idea that “stunts could be a real job”. Since then he has managed to double for some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt to name a few.Spending over half of a 20
John Nittolo (School Nutrition, Childhood Obesity and Restoring Physical Education in Schools) - Episode 1259
John Nittolo has spent 31 years inside public education proving a thesis most of the field only theorizes about: that healthy bodies and disciplined minds aren’t enrichment — they’re the foundation everything else is built on. He has served at nearly every level of a school system along the way — classroom teacher; Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment; Director of Personnel and Staf
Jeffrey Schwartz (School Safety, Use of Force and First Responder Burnout) - Episode 1258
Jeffrey L. Schwartz is a University Professor in Criminal Justice. Dr. Schwartz has numerous certifications and ongoing practical experience in the law enforcement and security field. He is a retired police officer, served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, a former Department of Defense contractor as a manager of a guard force and instructor, an approved trainer with the Federal Protective S
Tim and Angela Houweling II (How Psychedelics are Saving First Responder Lives) - Episode 1257
Tim Houweling and Angela Graham-Houweling are two firefighters with almost 40 years of experience combined in emergency services including Fire, EMS, and Search & Rescue. They have witnessed firsthand the growing mental health challenges faced by first responders. Over the years, they have lost several friends and family members to depression and PTSD. After navigating their own mental health
James Owen (Gang Violence, Firefighter Mental Health and the Murder of Captain Dave Rosa) - Episode 1256
Captain James Owen is a retired Long Beach Fire Department Captain, author of The Last Patient: A Memoir of Resilience and Recovery, speaker, recovery advocate, and founder of Camp Pivot, a platform dedicated to helping first responders, veterans, high-stress professionals, and their families confront trauma, rebuild trust, and recover with discipline.James spent nearly three decades in emergency
Charles Johnson (The Sopranos, Hollywood Screenwriting and Grooming Standards in Uniform) - Episode 1255
Charles R. Johnson is an entrepreneur, operator, and strategist with over two decades of experience spanning entertainment, technology, economic development, and consumer products. As the Founder and CEO of The Bump Serum, he leads the development and growth of a performance-driven skincare brand focused on solving pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), commonly known as razor bumps—a condition he spent
Jorge Carvajal II (Tactical Athlete Performance, Lessons from the Pandemic and Mental Health) - Episode 1254
Jorge Carvajal is a veteran Performance Coach and Tactical Performance Consultant with more than 30 years of experience developing elite athletes and high-performance operators at the highest levels.His background includes training thousands of athletes at the University of Florida, University of Nebraska, and the U.S. Olympic Training Center, along with professionals from the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL,
Dr Stacy Cecchet (Hunting Pedophiles, Psychopaths in Power and First Responder Mental Health) - Episode 1253
Dr. Stacy Cecchet, Ph.D., ABPP, is a forensic and operational psychologist with over a decade of experience supporting law enforcement, tactical teams, investigative units, and other high-demand professionals. Her work focuses on behavioral analysis, investigative strategy, offender typologies, interview strategy, human performance under stress, and functional wellness in operational environments.
Nate Block (Crisis De-escalation, Reducing Recidivism and the Oklahoma City Bombing) - Episode 1252
Nathanael “Nate” Block is a leadership and culture development coach, crisis de-escalation instructor, and public-sector leader committed to helping people and organizations operate with clarity, courage, and purpose.He is the owner of Stewardship Dynamics, where he teaches leadership, communication, and culture development to teams seeking to build healthier, more effective organizations. Nate al
Mitchell Brown (Pittsburg's Original Paramedics, Mental Health and Leadership) - Episode 1251
Mitchell Brown is an Air Force Medic veteran, one of the orginal paramedics from Pittsburgh's Freedom House and retired Columbus City Councilman. We discuss how the loss of his mother sent him into medicine, physical and mental trauma in Vietnam, America's first paramedics, the origin of CPR, the opiod crisis, leadership and so much more.
Walt Dix (The 24/72 Revolution, the Journeyman Firefighter and Forging Tactical Athletes) - Episode 1250
Walt Dix is the IAFF 12th District Vice President and 38 year veteran of the fire service. We discuss joining the fire service in the 1970s, the evolution of fire attack, the firefighter work week, the truth behind the FLSA, mental health, fitness standards, forging journeymen and so much more. Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Walter, a native of South Florida, dedicated his career to
Jeff Bonner (Fighter Pilot Combat Missions, the Power of Debriefs and the Airline Industry) - Episode 1249
Jeff “Bones” Bonner is a former combat fighter pilot, squadron commander, airline captain, keynote speaker, and creator of The Debrief Advantage™ System. Drawing from decades in high-pressure aviation environments, Jeff teaches leaders and teams how fighter pilots use debriefing, reflection, and intentional adjustment to improve performance, strengthen culture, and grow through adversity.Jeff is t
Jason, Emily and Rich II (Learning from War, the Power of Diplomacy and the Obesity Crisis) - Episode 1248
Jason McCarthy enlisted in the Army after 9/11 because of 9/11 and served in Special Forces in Iraq and the Sahel region of West Africa. In 2007, while visiting Emily in war-torn West Africa, Jason built Emily a “go-ruck” for her to keep in her vehicle and at home, ready to go at all times. This was the origin of what is now GORUCK.Former Central Intelligence Agency case officer, Emily McCarthy, s
Tim Mickelson (Professional Golf, Fatal Wildfires and Innovations in Engine Operations) - Episode 1246
Tim Mickelson is a professional golfer, caddie and the CEO of Cedar Valve. We discuss growing up in a golfing family, training the youth athlete, midfullness and performance, his brother Tim's success, caddying, learning from the tragic Cedar fire, innovating engine operations and so much more.Tim Mickelson brings over 20 years of experience in both the sports industry and small business. After of
Nate Morgans (Ibogaine in the Fire Service, Overcoming Addiction and the True Cost of War) - Episode 1245
Nate Morgans is National Guardsman, Tusla Fire Department Deputy Chief and the CEO of the Casey Skudin 343 Fund. We discuss his journey into the military, joining the fire service, combat deployments, his battle with alcoholism, the healing power of Ibogaine, fighting for plant medicine treatment in Oklahoma and so much more. Nate has devoted his life to serving others, both in uniform with the U.
Ryan Scalmanini (Coast Guard Deployments, Military Transition and Maximising VA Benefits) - Episode 1244
Ryan Scalmanini is a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran and the Director of VA Disability Compliance and Analytics for Veteran Benefits Guide (VBG). In his role, Ryan manages the training and development for VBG’s VA disability claims manager team to ensure they are equipped with the information and resources they need to successfully support the company’s Veteran clients. He is also responsible for end-to-
Joseph Sullivan (First Responder Dispatch Innovation, Advances in Communication and the Future of Robots) - Episode 1243
Joseph Sullivan is the founder of Active911, the emergency response platform trusted daily by first responders across the country for real-time incident coordination. He also founded Alyrica Networks, Nova Dynamics, and Daxbot, where his work focuses on deploying autonomous robotic systems into real-world environments. His background spans communications infrastructure, emergency operations, and r
Kevin Grange (Grizzly Bear Attacks, Flight Medicine and National Parks) - Episode 1242
Kevin Grange is an award-winning freelance writer with an emphasis on the medical field, adventure and travel. He is a firefighter/paramedic with Jackson Hole Fire/EMS and Grand Teton National Park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We discuss his journey into Emergency Medicine, grizzly bear attacks, wilderness medicine, homelessness, addiction, mental health, flight medicine and so much more. His latest
Emily Kaplan III (Broken Science, Solving the Nation's Health Crisis and Optimising First Responders) - Episode 1241
Emily Kaplan is the co-founder of The Broken Science Initiative and MetFix. She is focused on helping coaches and doctors reverse chronic diseases using lifestyle interventions. The BSI is the research arm of the initiative, doing deep dives into how modern peer-review works, or in many cases does not work, looking at how industry influences outcomes and how to evaluate good research versus corrup
Johnathon Ehsani (Reducing Deaths on our Roads, the Iranian Conflict and Autonomous Vehicles) - Episode 1240
Johnathon Ehsani is an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he works at the intersection of transportation and public health. His research focuses on teen and novice drivers, distracted driving, older adult mobility, and how people understand and use new technologies like autonomous vehicles. He regularly advises the U.S. Department of Transportation an
Louie Disney (Firefighter Fitness, the Power of Sobriety and the Combat Challenge) - Episode 1239
Louie Disney is a 40-year-old veteran firefighter and EMT based in Colorado, who believes that to be a truly effective first responder, you must be resilient and fully prepared for the demands of the job—both physically and mentally. With over 20 years of fire service experience across Kansas and Colorado—including wildland firefighting—Louie knows firsthand the heavy toll the profession takes. H
Joel Dudley (Optimising Brain Health, Pandemic Myths and Innovations in Alzheimer's Prevention) - Episode 1238
Joel Dudley is the former Associate Professor of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the CEO and Co-Founder of Bevimi. We discuss forging resilience through wrestling, his jouney into computing, Bioinformatics, debunking pandemic myths, exciting innovations in Alzheimer's prevention, the power of sleep, brain health supplementation and so much more.Dr.
Jason Gray (Hollywood's Unsung Heroes, Live Stunt Shows and the Future of Television) - Episode 1236
Jason Gray has been in the stunt industry for amost four decades working in film, television, commercials and music videos. We discuss his childhood in Iowa, wrestling, the genesis of Orlando's theme parks, live show dangers, sleep deprivation in entertainment, specialisation, The Oscars and so much more."Growing up a sports-crazed kid (a champion pole vaulter & wrestler)on a farm in Iowa, I s
William Branum (SEAL Team Leadership, CBD's Healing Qualitites and Compassion in Combat) - Episode 1237
William Branum is a retired Navy SEAL with 26 years of elite military service, leading high-stakes missions around the world, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan that required presidential approval. From sniper instructor to SEAL Team leader, William forged unshakable leadership under the most extreme conditions on earth.Since hanging up the uniform, William has become a sought-after spea
Debbie Johnson (Supporting K9 Programs, Treated Wounded Dogs and End of Life Planning) - Episode 1235
Debbie Johnson is a financial professional and a dedicated nonprofit leader with a profound passion for supporting law enforcement K9 units. Her journey into advocacy began following the tragic death of St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office K9 Baron in 2015, which inspired her to invest significant time and resources to understand the unique needs of these heroic dogs.Driven by her newfound appreciati
Mike Landis and Geoff Duplessis (Destin's Successes with the 24/72 Firefighter Shift) - Episode 1234
Mike Landis has been with Destin Fire for 17 years and has been the Deputy Chief since 2024. Mike sits as Region 1 FASAR Coordinator, TRT-109 Coordinator and Team lead, is a FL USAR Rescue Specialist, Paramedic, and is a graduate from Florida State University with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Mike is a Florida local who has grown up in the Destin area and attended Crestview High Sch
Andrea Bogiatto (Mafia Origins, Italian Policing and International Canine Handlers) - Episode 1233
Andrea “Mahigun” Bogiatto is a Deputy Sheriff in Colorado and a former Italian National Police officer (Reparto Mobile). He developed the Human Factor – Behavioral Architecture Under Operational Pressure, a framework focused on behavioral patterns and decision-making under stress. His background includes crowd control, K9 environments, and international training collaborations, with ongoing develo
Jake Ryks (Hazmat Training, Minnesota Perspectives and Fire Service Specialization) - Episode 1232
Jake Ryks is a firefighter, EMT, and HazMat Specialist with the Saint Paul Fire Department, currently assigned to Squad 1 and HazMat 1. He serves as the HazMat training coordinator within the department. Jake was recognized as the 2024 Minnesota Firefighter of the Year and received the Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor for his role in rescuing multiple children from a house fire.Outside of the f
John Cordle II (Naval Blockades, The Financial Cost of Sleep Deprivation and Servant Leadership) - Episode 1231
Dr. Cordle is a retired Navy captain with 30 years of service and a human factors engineer. In this second conversation, we discuss his family's generational combat service, the current crisis in Iran, the financial cost of forced sleep deprivation, servant leadership, technical competence and his latest book "Letters to Myself".John was the 2018 Proceedings Author of the Year, Surface Navy Associ
Kemmi Sadler (Federal Law Enforcement, MS-13 in El Salvador and Healing through Ayahuasca) - Episode 1230
K. L. Sadler is a retired U.S. Diplomat and Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. Over a 26-year career as a sworn law enforcement officer and federal agent, she served in high-threat assignments across Iraq, Afghanistan, Uganda, Mexico, and El Salvador, where she received multiple Superior Honor Awards for leadership and crisis response. She be
Brian Brush (Nurturing Fire Service Passion, Mentorship and Near Death Experiences) - Episode 1229
Brian Brush is a 30 year veteran of the fire service, instructor and the training chief for the Midwest City (OK) Fire Department. We discuss his journey into the volunteer fire service, wildland firefighting, firefighter fitness, putting family first, his near career ending medical event, mentorship and so much more. Brian's background spans several states from rural volunteer to metro-sized depa
Ken Ford (Lunar Landings, Elite Human Performance and Firefighter Schedules) - Episode 1228
Dr Ken Ford is a Navy veteran, former NASA computer scientist and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer Emeritus of the Florida Insitute for Human and Machine Cognition. We discuss his journey into the military, living in Guantanamo Bay, the genesis of computers in the military, the moon landing, exploring Mars, Tier One operators, the firefighter workweek, exoskeletons, sleep for performance an
Mike Wynn (Reducing School Shootings, Use of Force and First Responder Resilience) - Episode 1227
Mike Wynn is the Director of The Quell Foundation’s First Responder Resilience Project (FRRP), where he leads the development and execution of strategic programming focused on supporting the mental health and well-being of first responders nationwide.A former Chief of Police for the Pittsfield (MA) Police Department, Mike brings nearly 30 years of leadership experience in law enforcement, training
Leah Pells (Forging Olympic Athletes, Compassionate Coaching and Counseling First Responders) - Episode 1226
Leah Pells is a three time Olympian in athletics, published author of “Not about the medal” and registered clinical counsellor. Leah and runs her own private practice where she mainly works with firefighters. We discuss her own turbulent childhood, catharsis through running, compassionate coaching, burnout in youth athletes, her journey to mental health counseling, sleep deprivation, EMDR and so m
JD Madden (Hurricane Katrina, Protecting Superbowls and Saving Lives with Psychedelics) - Episode 1125
JD Madden is a retired Deputy Fire Chief, USAR Task Force Leader and Board Member of the SIREN Project. We discuss his journey into the fire service, Hurricane Katrina rescues, the importance of proactive preparedness, recruitment, his powerful mental health story, saving lives with psychedelics and so much more. https://www.thesirenproject.org/
Rob Sweetman II (Sleep for Performance, Robots in War and Honouring Navy SEAL Ryan Larkin) - Episode 1224
Rob Sweetman is a former Navy SEAL turned sleep scientist, dedicated to optimizing human performance through the science of sleep. With firsthand experience in high-stakes, sleep-deprived environments, Rob transitioned from special operations to research, earning his MBA and becoming a leading advocate for sleep as a cornerstone of health and readiness.In this second conversation we discuss his pe
Brian McGinnis II (The Story Behind his Vocal Protest, Moral Courage and Why Nationalism Threatens Patriotism) - Episode 1223
Brian McGinnis is a combat Marine, veteran firefighter and politician. In this second conversation we discuss the back story of his vocal protest, the atrocities endured by the Iranian people, government overreach, the importance of moral courage, the dangers of blind nationalism, the West Bank and so much more. Brian graduated from Quincy Senior High School in Illinois in 2000 and left for Marine
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