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First Responders' Bridge: The Podcast
42 Episodes
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To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/
Kyle Overmyer is a father, husband, and former Sheriff of Sandusky county, OH. He will be discussing overcoming addiction and crime to get to the successful place he is in today. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/
In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Patrick J. Kenny, a seasoned veteran with over 38 years in the fire service. Patrick, who retired in January 2021 after serving as Fire Chief in Hinsdale and Western Springs, Illinois for 25 years, brings a wealth of experience and insights. Beyond his distinguished career, Patrick is also an international best-selling author, known for his impactful book "TAKING THE CAPE OFF: How to Lead Through Mental Illness, Unimaginable Grief and Loss." J...
In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Patrick J. Kenny, a seasoned veteran with over 38 years in the fire service. Patrick, who retired in January 2021 after serving as Fire Chief in Hinsdale and Western Springs, Illinois for 25 years, brings a wealth of experience and insights. Beyond his distinguished career, Patrick is also an international best-selling author, known for his impactful book "TAKING THE CAPE OFF: How to Lead Through Mental Illness, Unimaginable Grief and Loss." J...
Amy Bock, the proprietor of Resilience Counseling and Consultation in Westerville, Ohio, has been delivering trauma-informed counseling services since obtaining her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Counseling from THE Ohio State University in 2013. Amy is a certified first responder counselor, focusing her expertise on assisting first responders and their families. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/
Kerry-Ann Burnett-Astree, a Christian and mother of three, is the Board Chair and CEO of Married 2 the Badge. As a widow of a law enforcement sergeant, she is deeply passionate about empowering women to flourish in all aspects of their lives. Kerry-Ann advocates that every law enforcement wife should have the necessary support to excel in her role as a spouse and supporter to her partner. Married 2 the Badge https://married2thebadge.com/ https://www.facebook.com/M2Badge https://www.instagra...
Rhonda Grizzell embarked on her policing journey in 1994 and dedicated 26 years to the Columbus, Ohio Police Department, achieving the rank of Commander. Her impactful contributions include founding the Columbus Police Peer Assistance team. Transitioning in 2020 to the role of Deputy Chief for the Reynoldsburg, Ohio Police Department, Rhonda played a pivotal role in initiating the Metro Peer Assist Team in Central Ohio. This effort aimed to provide crucial mental health resources to suburban ...
With 17 years of experience in law enforcement, Sergeant Chuck Albers currently serves in Central Ohio's wellness bureau, leading a team of clinicians and law enforcement professionals. Their shared mission is to improve the well-being and health of police officers within the department. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/
Chief Neil Gang has worked in law enforcement since 1988. He is currently the Chief of Police for the city of Pinole Police Department in Pinole, California. Chief Gang is the author of the "ASHER model: A 7 Point approach to a culture of wellness." In 2020 he was awarded the Public Safety Hero of the Year by Congressman Mike Thompson and is a national keynote speaker on Officer wellness. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/
Matt Calhoun has spent the past 20 years working in the financial services industry as a financial advisor. Prior to joining the Edward George Wealth Management Group, Matt worked for Morgan Stanley where he obtained the title of Vice President. Matt went on to earn his Bachelor's degree in business education from THE Ohio State University. While at OSU, he played fullback for the Buckeyes. After college Matt spent time in the NFL with the New York Giants and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Con...
Steve Click retired from the Ohio State Highway Patrol after serving in various roles, including patrol, the motorcycle unit, and as a lieutenant at the Ohio Highway Patrol Training Academy. His career culminated as the Lieutenant of the Ohio Assist Program. Presently, he serves as the Director of the Ohio Office of First Responder Wellness. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/
Bryan Mason has been a police officer with the city of Columbus police department since 2006. Bryan has been involved in several critical incidents and now uses those experiences to help other officers. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/
We sit down with Anthony Johnson, a dedicated police officer with a remarkable story of transformation and community impact. Anthony grew up in a challenging neighborhood where trust in law enforcement was scarce, including his own skepticism. His life took a dramatic turn when an encounter with a compassionate police officer altered his perception of law enforcement. Anthony not only became a police officer himself but also returned to serve in the very neighborhood he left. Throughout the...
Today we have Cindy Ell joining us. Cindy is the founder and president of the Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation. The foundation was established in 2004 to provide international outreach support and resource assistance programs for firefighters and family members that are stricken by cancer. The foundation is creating state of the art programs for cancer education, awareness, research, and prevention to ensure the quality of life and retirement of firefighters around the world. For more informa...
Jim King is a 30 year firefighter. He is the Vice President of the California Police Athletic Federation, which is the governing body for the US Police and Fire Championships and the World Police and Fire Games. http://cpaf.org/ To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/
Peter Facinelli made his acting debut in 1995, appearing in Rebecca Miller's "Angela" and has worked consistently ever since. He has been on TV shows such as Law & Order, Fastlane, Glee, SWAT, Magnum PI, FBI and Nurse Jackie where he played Dr. Fitch Cooper. In 2008, he won the role of Dr. Carlisle Cullen in the wildly popular Twilight (2008) and its sequels. He is joining us today to talk about his newest movie "On Fire" where he not only acted but also directed. To donate to First Res...
Join us for a conversation with K.J. Watts, a second-generation firefighter and Assistant Fire Chief, as well as the co-founder of the Phoenix Project. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by first responders, K.J. emphasizes the importance of openness, trust, and active support within the first responder community. Visit www.thephoenixproject.life to learn more about K.J. the Phoenix Project's mission. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://...
In this episode, we're joined by Rob Sagle, Deputy Chief of the Special Operations Bureau, who delves into the intricate world of administrative stress experienced by First Responder leaders. With real-life examples, Rob sheds light on the delicate balance these leaders must maintain. He emphasizes the importance of self-care in this demanding role, providing valuable insights into stress management techniques and effective scheduling to help navigate the weighty responsibilities they bear. ...
Alison Fienning, MSW, LISW-S, LMHC, CCTP, EMDRt, is a dedicated mental health professional with over a decade of experience in the field. She is the owner of Pinpoint Behavioral Health Solutions. Alison is deeply connected to the first responder world, being the spouse of a firefighter. Through her dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment, she continues to be an influential force in the field of mental health, inspiring positive change and fostering well-being in the lives of those s...
In this episode, we sit down with Joe Lorenz, a firefighter and chaplain with Columbus Fire, who embarked on his firefighting career at the age of 39. Joe shares his deep connection to faith and how it has shaped his journey as a first responder and chaplain. To donate to First Responders Bridge, or for more information, go to https://firstrespondersbridge.org/



