Send us a text In this episode of Sirens, Slammers and Service, Nikki sits down with Helen Dugdale—psychotherapist, science lover, and soon-to-be two-time author—to dig into the gut-brain connection, sleep, anxiety, and why your nervous system is calling the shots more than you think. Helen breaks down how sleep deprivation wrecks emotional control, why first responders can’t rely on gut instinct alone, and how mental fitness starts with simple habits: brain dumping before bed, ge...
Send us a text In this powerful episode of Sirens, Slammers and Service, Nikki sits down with Dr. Katherine Rolfe, a registered psychologist and former member of both the military and the Edmonton Police Service, to explore the deeply personal journey of serving—and the challenges of stepping away after more than 20 years in uniform. Dr. Rolfe shares the emotional landscape of leaving a first responder identity behind and explains how sanctuary trauma—organizational betrayal or lack of suppor...
Send us a text In this episode of Sirens, Slammers and Service, Nikki sits down with Lori Bailey, an Inspector with the City of Calgary Transit’s Community Outreach Team, whose career journey is a powerful example of perseverance and reinvention. Lori shares her path from federal corrections, to teaching at Bow Valley College, to serving in her current role supporting Peace Officers and vulnerable populations on Calgary Transit—while also opening up about her own battle with PTSD and earning ...
Send us a text Nikki Cloutier sits down with Dr. Kimberly Bitz from the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) to unpack the tools and resources helping first responders protect their mental health. From PSPNET’s online therapy options to CIPSRT’s Mental Health Toolkit, Dr. Bitz breaks down practical strategies focused on self-awareness, regulation, connection, and recovery—all designed specifically for public safety personnel. 👉 Check out CIPSRT’s resource...
Send us a text In this episode of Sirens, Slammers, and Service, host Nikki Cloutier chats with Alexandria Dorner, a brand-new Community Peace Officer in Lloydminster whose path into law enforcement has been anything but ordinary. Alexandria walks us through her career journey — from building strong communication skills in dispatch, to the challenges of training as an AHS Peace Officer, to the grit and determination it took to crush the PARE test and land her new role. She also shares c...
Send us a text On this episode of Sirens, Slammers, and Service, host Nikki Cloutier sits down with three incredible firefighters from the Leduc Fire Service — Roslyn O'Connor, Emily Montgomery, and Sinead Clancy — for a raw and real conversation about what it takes to thrive in a demanding profession and compete at the highest levels of fitness. 🔥 Hear how each woman found her way into firefighting 🔥 Learn about their training regimens and how they prep for the FireFit course 🔥 Discover wh...
Send us a text In this powerful episode of Sirens, Slammers, and Service, host Nikki Cloutier sits down with Hannah Flahr, founder of Regulate The Responder — a wellness initiative built by and for first responders. Hannah opens up about her personal journey and the pivotal moment that inspired her to blend yoga, nervous system education, and on-the-ground experience into a solution for the very real wellness crisis in frontline professions. Together, Nikki and Hannah dive into: Why first re...
Send us a text In this incredible episode of Sirens, Slammers, and Service, host Nikki Cloutier sits down with Lola Lagler, a powerhouse of lived experience, leadership, and resilience. Fresh off a career transition, Lola opens up about retiring from a distinguished 25-year military career and stepping into a new full-time civilian administrative role with the RCMP — a move that reflects both continuity and change in her commitment to public service. Lola’s military résumé reads like a tour o...
Send us a text In this deeply moving episode of Sirens, Slammers, and Service, host Nikki Cloutier sits down with Dr. Tracy Covington, a clinical psychologist and the powerful force behind Wabi Sabi Circle, a foundation that’s reshaping the mental health landscape for female EMS providers. Dr. Covington shares how she’s bringing hope and healing to women on the front lines of emergency medical services—many of whom silently carry the weight of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Through week-long,...
Send us a text In this authentic and real episode of Sirens, Slammers, and Service, host Nikki Cloutier sits down with RCMP Constable Sarah Marchildon-White, a proud 11-year veteran of the force who is now serving in Alberta’s Serious Crimes Branch. Sarah opens up about her early years working in rural Alberta and the community of Maskwacis, where frontline policing brought both incredible challenges and unforgettable moments. From unpredictable shifts to community connection, she doesn’t hol...
Send us a text She’s back! In this long-awaited return to Sirens, Slammers, and Service, Advanced Care Paramedic Sheila Farrell reconnects with host Nikki Cloutier to share what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what it really means to serve in one of the most demanding roles in public safety. Now three years into her ACP career, Sheila walks us through her newest adventure as an Incident Response Paramedic (IRP)—a high-stakes, high-impact position supporting Alberta Health Service...
Send us a text We’re back with Season 9 of Sirens, Slammers, and Service, and we’re kicking things off with a powerful and perspective-shifting conversation. In this episode, host Nikki Cloutier sits down with Dr. Alexandra Jabr, Ph.D., EMT-P — an Independent Educator, seasoned paramedic, and founder of EmergencyResilience.com. Known for her no-fluff approach to integrating difficult but essential topics into first responder training, Alexandra opens up about the career-altering workpla...
Send us a text We’re closing out Season 8 with a raw, unfiltered, and wildly entertaining episode you won’t want to miss! Host Nikki Cloutier put a call out to the Sirens, Slammers and Service community asking, “What’s the most fucked up thing that has happened to you as a first responder?” — and wow, did you ever deliver. In this episode, Nikki reads and plays real listener stories and voice notes that swing from hilarious and downright ridiculous to heavy, heart-wrenching, and life-ch...
Send us a text Sirens, Slammers, and Service What does it take to lead with resilience in the face of trauma? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Nicole Ferry, a trailblazing law enforcement leader with over 26 years of public safety experience. From her role as Special Agent in Charge in a Class I railroad police department to her work in human trafficking prevention and officer wellness, Nicole brings both professional authority and deep personal insight to the conversation. Nicole g...
Send us a text On this episode of Sirens, Slammers, and Service, we sit down with Dr. Michelle Sherman, PhD ABPP, a clinical psychologist and expert in supporting those with mental health conditions like PTSD and trauma. Dr. Sherman has dedicated their career to helping families navigate the complexities of loving someone who has been through immense hardship. 🔹 How do you connect with a loved one who has withdrawn due to trauma? 🔹 What are the biggest mistakes people make when trying to hel...
Send us a text This episode of Sirens, Slammers, and Service is part of Podcasthon, a global movement with 1,675 podcasts from 47 countries, including 650 French-speaking ones unite to amplify the voices of charitable organizations that need it most! 🎙️🌍 We’re joined by Sue Harvey, a former RCMP officer and the founder of Driving Foreward, a non-profit dedicated to helping first responders tackle their mental health through the sport of golf. Sue opens up about her own experiences in policin...
Send us a text Did you know that your body can hold onto trauma long after a stressful or traumatic event has passed? In this episode of Sirens, Slammers, and Service, we sit down with Dr. Jolene Gough, a chiropractor with nearly 20 years of experience, to break down the science behind how the body stores trauma and the critical role the parasympathetic nervous system plays in recovery. Dr. Gough shares eye-opening insights into how first responders, frontline workers, and anyone facing...
Send us a text 🎙️ Sirens, Slammers, and Service - With over 30 years as an RCMP dispatcher, Janet Wizowaty has been the calm voice on the other end of countless emergencies, guiding first responders through life-and-death situations. But behind the headset, she has faced her own journey of loss, trauma, and resilience. Now an author of The Year the World Paused and a guest contributor in Wounds to Wisdom, Janet joins the podcast to share her experiences navigating the emotional toll of ...
Send us a text 🎙️ Sirens, Slammers, and Service In this episode, we sit down with Jody Rogers, a 22-year veteran police officer whose career has taken her from the Edmonton Police Service to her current role with the Winnipeg Police Service. Recently promoted to Detective Sergeant with the Major Crimes Unit, Jody shares the unique challenges of investigating high-stakes cases and reflects on the differences and similarities between the two agencies and cities she’s had the honor to serv...
Send us a text 🎙️ Sirens, Slammers, and Service Returning guest Courtney McCarron of the RCMP is back on Sirens, Slammers, and Service! First featured in Season 1 as a Sexual Assault Review Coordinator, Courtney now shares the incredible transformations in her career and life over the past two and a half years. Recently promoted to the role of Staff Sergeant Major, Courtney reflects on the challenges, growth, and new adventures that come with her leadership position. Her journey hasn’t ...