Rob Weinberg was a volunteer firefighter in the state of NY. He happened to work across the street from the World Trade Center. When the Towers were hit, he made his way to a nearby fire station and offered his help. Well, he ended up managing, alone, a fire station packed full of the injured and lost. Rob developed PTSD and after realizing how much his, “…family took it on the chin,” he decided to do something about it. He took on a mission of hiking the Appalachian Trail by himself. Rob shares with us his incredible “behind the scenes” story at 9/11 and his own personal aftermath. He also te ..read more

This is truly a special 2 part episode with former EMT and then emergency room nurse then emergency room director Teri DeLaMontanya. Teri grew up in turmoil and trauma and learned to “make the most of it” in order to survive. Never allowing herself to feel pain or anger, Teri went through life just constantly moving forward and keeping that happy smile on her face - that is until the rug was pulled out in front of her. In this part 1 “Survival Skills,” Teri shares her childhood and adulthood story and how she developed the skills to survive. Behavioral Fitness Christy Warren ..read more

James Beal is a paramedic for the Nashville Fire Department. Not only is he being incredibly brave by telling us his story, but he’s talking about it on a podcast — when one of his greatest vulnerabilities has been talking. He grew up with a stutter and childhood trauma. James tells his story with raw authenticity and has something everyone can learn from. You don't want to miss this one ..read more

Lawerence Williams is a 21 year veteran with the Nashville Fire Department. He is as tough as they come. Lawerence struggled with alcohol and PTSD symptoms until he finally went to the IAFF PTSD recovery/rehab center. While there he thought the whole thing was "stupid" and planned on coming home. His wife told him either stay there and get better or don't bother coming home." He stuck it out and 30+ days later he left the Standard of Excellence center a man well on his way to recovery. Like so many of us, the shame and stigma kept him from accepting what was happening to him until he was about ..read more

Keith joins the podcast and shares how his life fell apart and after a diagnosis of Complex PTSI, he put it back together. His road to recovery included 6 suicide attempts. He shares incredible insight into what drives some to suicide. Keith Hanks is a retired Firefighter and EMT that dedicated 21 years of his life to the service of others. He serviced his community as a training officer, certified educator, and field training officer. Keith worked both inner-city EMS as well as fire. Like many in the first responder community the job has its cost. From childhood trauma, traumatic calls, the t ..read more

Ret. Paramedic Cheri Garcia sits down with the Firefighter Deconstructed after a short winder break. Cheri talks about realizing she couldn't do the job anymore without it further ruining her life and who she was. She had to reinvent herself and who she is - and she did with with grace and perserverence. Giving back and helping to save us is what she aims to do ..read more

Chris Warren is a retired San Jose Police Officer who was the negotiator on a barricaded subject with a tragic ending. When the tragedy happened, no one talked about it or really even talked to him at all. This critical incident on top of years of being a cop sent him into an rages he didn't know he was capable of. Dealing with his PTS he also learned the other aspects of his life that were eating at him. He has built a new career for himself helping first responders find new careers after retirement. email: chris@justadegree.com Phone: 408-230-2622 ..read more

Show Notes: Kick-ass retired Sheriff Deputy Sally Lobb sits down with The Firefighter Deconstructed and shares her story of becoming and being a woman cop, peer support and her own story of getting PTSI. I personally know Sally and know she is quick witted, smart and tough as nails. When bad shit is going sideways I guarantee you want Sally there. So if Sally can get PTSI, then anyone can get it ..read more

Show Notes: Kick-ass retired Sheriff Deputy Sally Lobb sits down with The Firefighter Deconstructed and shares her story of becoming and being a woman cop, peer support and her own story of getting PTSI. I personally know Sally and know she is quick witted, smart and tough as nails. When bad shit is going sideways I guarantee you want Sally there. So if Sally can get PTSI, then anyone can get it ..read more

The most interesting man in the world, Danny McAtee and I had a great conversation about the job’s challenges, how we don’t ask for help and put everyone else first, even at serious cost to ourselves. Danny is a retired San Francisco paramedic with the SF Fire Department. He continued to get hit (literally) to the point he couldn’t take it any more. Out in the distance he saw a couple of lights that pointed him in the right direction. He could have ignored them but he decided to listen and do the work to get better. Danny is the man ..read more