Ep. #14 Dennis Carradin Jr. - Tales from the Tailboard Podcast

In episode 14 of the TFTT Podcast, host Isaac Poteet and guest Dennis Carradin Jr., a trauma therapist and founder of the Trauma Survivors Foundation, discuss the unique challenges faced by first responders and healthcare workers. Dennis shares his journey from volunteering in the fire service to becoming a trauma specialist, emphasizing the importance of empathy and compassion in EMS. He highlights the need for specialized trauma therapy for first responders, noting that there are fewer than 500 licensed therapists in the U.S. trained to work with them. Dennis also discusses the impact of secondary trauma and the importance of community support and proper training for therapists. The discussion centers on the psychological impact of trauma, particularly secondary traumatization, which occurs over the first two weeks post-trauma and can lead to cumulative stress. Dennis emphasizes the importance of addressing trauma promptly to prevent long-term effects. Isaac Poteet shares experiences from the field, highlighting the stigma men face when expressing emotions. They discuss the societal pressures on men to conform to toxic masculinity and the need for emotional support. The conversation also touches on the benefits of mental health professionals with first responder backgrounds and the importance of maintaining resilience through experiences and humor.Sponsor:End of Shift Apparel — use code TFTT10 for 10% off your first order.Watch full episodes on YouTube — just search Tales from the Tailboard Podcast, or click the link in my bio for a Linktree with access to all my socials and the merch shop by End Of Shift Apparel.Keep watching for more content, and be sure to hit all the buttons — like, comment to let me know you’ve seen the video, and share or repost to help spread the word.