In this conversation, Jason Meinershagen shares his journey as a firefighter and the impact of his faith on his career. He discusses the challenges of dealing with trauma and PTSD, the importance of mental health in the fire service, and how he navigates parenting while being a first responder. Jason emphasizes the need for community support and the evolution of his platform, A Note from Dad, into Five Arrows Forge, focusing on legacy building and empowering men. He concludes with key insights on identity and the importance of not defining oneself solely by their profession. takeaways Jason's journey into the fire service was inspired by a tragic event. Faith plays a crucial role in coping with the challenges of the fire service. Parenting while being a first responder presents unique challenges. The evolution of A Note From Dad reflects a commitment to legacy building. Five Arrows Forge aims to empower men and provide practical resources. Mental health awareness is essential in breaking the stigma in first responder culture.

Resources:

‪@aNoteFromDad‬ https://fivearrowsforge.com/ https://anotefromdad.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anotefromda... / anotefromdad / anotefromdad https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

In this vital episode, Kevin and MaKayla welcome Jackie (@just.the.dispatcher on TikTok), our first dispatcher guest, to illuminate the often-invisible burdens of the 911 center. Jackie provides an unfiltered account of what it's like to be the first, first responder, hearing the most unfiltered moments of crisis without the ability to physically intervene.

We dive deep into auditory trauma, exploring how constant exposure to the sounds of panic and terror impacts the brain, causing those calls to replay long after the headset is off. This conversation tackles:

• The Echo Chamber: The emotional isolation of the job and how auditory triggers affect mental health and daily life.
• The Cognitive Grind: How systemic issues like short staffing and relentless multi-tasking contribute to chronic burnout and anxiety in the dispatch center.
• The Helplessness Factor: The internal cost of managing chaos from a distance and the validation dispatchers need from their field crews.
• Decompression Blueprint: Actionable coping mechanisms for quieting the noise and building a resilient routine beyond the headset.

This is an essential conversation for every hero in the public safety chain

In this radically authentic and profound episode, Kevin and MaKayla sit down with Alexandra Jabr, Ph.D., EMT-P, the founder of Emergency Resilience. Alexandra brings a unique, vital perspective, blending her nearly 15 years as a paramedic with deep academic expertise in trauma, psychology, and grief.

We dive into the Science of Survival, demystifying what happens in the brain during trauma and why it’s so hard to turn "fight-or-flight" off when the call ends. Alexandra provides a clear blueprint for resilience, covering:

• Trauma’s Blueprint: Why trauma is a biological process, not a sign of moral failure or weakness.
• The Overlooked Skill: The profound emotional toll of death communication and how providers can deliver bad news with compassion while protecting their own mental health.
• Actionable Resilience: Evidence-based tools and strategies for building strong emotional boundaries and a sustainable mental fitness routine.
• The Aftermath: Alexandra shares her personal journey and the identity crisis she faced after a career-ending injury forced her to confront her own trauma.

This is a vital conversation for every hero seeking to use clinical knowledge to finally overcome the "silent war within."

Resources Mentioned:

• Alexandra's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emergencyresilience
• Emergency Resilience Website: https://www.emergencyresilience.com/