PODCAST · health
Behind The Shield
by James Geering
Bringing the greatest minds in mental and physical wellness to the men and women who serve our communities.
Episodes
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Hon. Allen B Clark (Losing Limbs in Vietnam, the Industrial Military Complex and Healing our Veterans) - Episode 525
Hon. Allen Clark is a Vietnam veteran, author, public speaker and Minister. We discuss giving both his legs for his country, the physical and mental rehabilitation journey, working with the VA, the spiritual arm of healing, the industrial military complex and so much more. After attending…
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Dr Thaer Ahmad (Unifying Faiths in Gaza, Healing through Storytelling and the Rebirth of Humanity) - Episode 1297
Dr. Thaer Ahmad, MD is a board-certified emergency medicine physician, global health expert, educator, and humanitarian who has provided medical relief and healthcare capacity-building in some of the world's most devastated conflict zones for over fifteen years. A Palestinian-American raised on...
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Nick O'Kelly (Special Operations Aviation, Mental Health and Operational Readiness) - Episode 837
Nick O'Kelly is a former U.S. Army Green Beret and Special Operations Blackhawk Pilot. We discuss his early life, his journey into the military, Special Forces selection, serving in South East Asia, transitioning into Aviation, Organizational Stress, returning to the SF community as a pilot, his...
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Dave Gallagher (Fifty Years of Firefighting Wisdom, Servant Leadership and the Power of Humility) - Episode 1296
Dave Gallagher began his fire service career when he listened to his Dad’s fire stories and stories about his grandfather who served in the days of the horses. He joined his local volunteer fire department in 1976 as a FF/PM after spending two years as a founding member of a Fire/Rescue Explorer...
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Dr Stefi Cohen (Breaking Powerlifting World Records, Tactical Athletes and Strength Training) - Episode 238
Stefi has an extensive list of achievements in the athletic field but she is also very well accomplished in the academic field. Not only is Stefi a multiple world record holding powerlifter, she is also an exercise physiologist and doctor of physical therapy. In Olympic Weightlifting Stefi was…
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Jason Cheney (Mental Health in Policing, Humanitarian Work and Redefining Leadership) - Episode 1295
Jason “Jay” Cheney, is a 18-year Air Force veteran and former police officer of 12 years who spent over two decades serving his community and his country — including seven years on a SWAT team. Jay’s been on both sides of the badge: the one that serves and the one that struggles. After hitting…
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Sean Evangelista (Ski Patrol, Tier One Special Operations and the Leadership Crisis) - Episode 833
Sean Evangelista is a former Tier One Navy SEAL and the founder of "30 Seconds Out". We discuss his traumatic childhood, going through the "Scared Straight" program, climbing, his journey into the Navy, his perspective on war, his transition story, mountaineering, Ski Patrol, entrepreneurship…
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Richard Sprunger (Special Operations Medicine, Fire Service Leadership and Suicide) - Episode 1294
Richard “DOC” Sprunger is a former U.S. Navy SEAL who served 14 years with five deployments and later spent 24 years as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Across nearly four decades of service, Richard experienced combat, traumatic emergency calls, significant injuries, loss, and the cumulative impact of a...
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Dr Richard Geering (Veterninary Medicine, Animal Rescues and Gut Biome) - Episode 145
I'm sharing this again as I lost my father last month. Dr Richard Geering spent his career as a Veterinary Surgeon in England, practicing on both horses and small animals. During this time he responded with the local fire brigade to many emergencies involving animals.
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Sam Juan (Moral Injury from Combat, Catharsis through Art and Post Traumatic Growth) - Episode 1293
Samantha Juan is a Filipina-Persian American writer, visual artist, speaker, and U.S. Army veteran whose work examines survival, identity, memory, and the body’s long return to itself. Samantha served in the U.S. Army from 2003 to 2013, including as a signals intelligence analyst and Cultural...
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Dan Bornstein (How Obesity affects National Security, Physical Education in Schools and Operational Readiness) - Episode 669
Dan Bornstein is a former volunteer firefighter, Health and Performance professor at the Citadel and Chair of the US National Physical Activity Plan. We discuss the childhood injury that led him into the fire service, obesity and national security, the financial impact of the nation's ill health,...
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Judge Gary Sanders (Reducing Recidivism, Proactive Solutions to Addiction and Compassion in Law) - Episode 671
Judge Gary Sanders is a judge in the Fifth Circuit Court in Florida. He is also known as one of the fairest and most compassionate justices in Marion County. We discuss his journey into law, addiction and mental health, frivolous lawsuits, physical education, running and so much more.
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Jake Harriman (Recon Marines, Empowering African Farmers and Rebuilding America's Communities) - Episode 1292
As a Force Recon Marine, Jake Harriman fought terrorists overseas. As the founder of Nuru International, he battled extreme poverty in Africa. Now he's taking on his biggest mission yet. Harriman is founder and chairman of The Brickyard, a national nonprofit that is part of the growing movement…
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Michael Perry (The Power of Storytelling, Volunteer Firefighting and Healing through Mentorship) - Episode 1291
Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist, corporate speaker, volunteer firefighter/first responder, and amateur snowplow driver. A lifelong resident of the rural Midwest, his “reflective roughneck” takes on life in Middle America have left hundreds of thousands of readers…
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Sebastien Lavoie (Special Operations in Law Enforcement, Jiujitsu and First Responder Fitness) - Episode 354
Sgt Maj Sebastien Lavoie is a commanding officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, use of force expert and elite tactical athlete. We discuss his journey into policing, martial arts in law enforcement, the importance of physical training, deescalation, realism in training, hiring practices,...
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John Hudson (Survival School, Wilderness Medicine and Forging Resiliency) - Episode 235
John Hudson is the UK Military's Chief Survival Instructor and author of "How to Survive". We discuss flying helicopters, surviving a plane crash, SERE school, extreme temperatures, resiliency and much more. John is the UK military’s chief survival instructor, designing and implementing the...
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Blake Richardson (Traumatic Brain Injury, Hyperbaric Therapy and Near Death Experiences) - Episode 1290
Blake Richardson is a veteran, brain injury advocate, and founder of Help Our Heroes, a nonprofit focused on expanding access to treatments for traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and post-concussive syndrome.After living with an undiagnosed traumatic brain injury for more than a decade, Blake...
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Jim Burneka III (Healing Through Psychedelics, Equine Therapy and the Dangers of Psychiatric Medication) - Episode 1289
Jim Burneka is a firefighter, podcaster co-founder of the 'Brothers Helping Brothers' conference and the author of 'Overcoming Tuesday'. In this third conversation, Jim discusses his powerful healing journey through psychedelics, The Brave Program, Project Sanctuary and so much more. Overcoming...
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Brooke Bartlett (Firefighter Mental Health, Clinical Psychology and Post Traumatic Growth) - Episode 690
Brooke Bartlett is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the founder of The Center for Trauma, Anxiety and Stress. We discuss her journey into psychology, youth athletes, her work in the VA, working with the tacical professions, the unique challenges facing wildland firefighters, post traumatic...
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Scott Caulfield (Training the Tactical Athlete, Performance through Sleep and Overcoming Injury) - Episode 350
Scott Caulfield is the Director of Strength and Conditioning for Colorado College and NSCA committee member. We discuss his journey into coaching, training the tactical athlete, the importance of recovery, annual testing, nutrition, sleep and much more. Scott was named director of strength and...
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Guy Stephens (Seclusion and Restraint in our Schools, Neurodiverse Parenting and Mental Health) - Episode 1288
Guy Stephens is a nationally recognized expert on restraint and seclusion and the founder and executive director of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR), a national nonprofit working to transform school discipline and create safer, more equitable schools for all students and staff....
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Chris Binch (British Paratroopers, Somali Pirates and Firefighting) - Episode 1287
Chris Binch is a British Army 2 Para veteran, private Contractor, firefighter and the host of The Old Paratrooper Podcast. Chris joined the Parachute Regiment at the age of 17. Serving 7 years with 2PARA, and completing 3 tours of Northern Ireland and exercises in Macedonia & Sierra Leone, Chris...
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Brian Bushway (The Blind Mountain Biker, Echo Location and Acoustic Athletics) - Episode 665
Brian Bushway has been described as "probably the world's best completely bind mountain biker". In this incredible conversation we discuss losing his vision at 14 years old, the mental health impact, redefining his identity, how hearing is underutilized by so many, echo location, the power of...
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Eric Colby (The Great Boatlift of 9/11, the Kindness of 9/12 and Veteran Mental Health) - Episode 285
Eric Colby is a Coast Guard Veteran turned financial consultant. Eric was assigned to the Port of New York and responded to the attacks on 9/11. We discuss the mass evacuation of Manhattan, the importance of preplanning, mental trauma, homelessness, financial wellness and much more. Eric is a...
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Roberto Ortiz (Hunting Cartels, Mexican Immigration and Law Enforcement as a Double Amputee) - Episode 1286
Roberto Ortiz is a Mexican law enforcement professional and Intelligence Coordinator from Chihuahua, Mexico, whose life changed forever on April 15, 2022, when he was critically injured during an operation and lost both of his legs above the knee. After approximately seven days in a coma, months…
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Jo Terry (Losing her Firefighter Husband to Suicide, Physical Therapy and the Mental Health Revolution) - Episode 1285
Jo Terry is a recently retired licensed physical therapist who owned her own outpatient physical therapy clinic for over 20 years. She was married to Assistant Chief Alan “Chip” Terry, (ret) from the City of Covington Fire Department for 31 years who completed suicide in 2017 after being...
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Zar Horton II (Firefighter Strength & Conditioning, BMX Racing and Life After the Uniform) - Episode 504
Zar Horton is a retired Albuquerque Battalion Chief and a StrongFirst Master Kettlebell trainer. We discuss his transition out of the fire service, BMX racing, glycolytic training, exercise and the nervous system, fostering longevity, the importance of sleep and so much more. Zar has been…
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Dany Cotton (The Grenfell Fire, London Fire Brigade Heroism and Organisational Betrayal) - Episode 349
Dany Cotton spent over three decades serving with the London Fire Brigade, retiring as Commissioner. We discuss her journey into the fire service, forging diversity through mentoring, the impact of budget cuts on service and health, violence on first responders, heroism at the Grenfell Tower…
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Emily Ireland (Craniosacral Therapy, Somatic Movement and First Responder Performance) - Episode 1284
Emily Ireland is the founder of Hardcore Healing, Inc. and the creator of Light Touch®. Her background includes more than two decades of study and work across craniosacral therapy, functional anatomy, integrative movement, and wellness research. Her work explores how subtle interventions may...
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Kris Copeland (Performance Psychology, Training Special Forces Cognition and Traumatic Brain Injury) - Episode 1283
Kris Copeland is a dedicated Sport and Performance Psychology Consultant with a passion for helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential. With a diverse background in working with military populations, corporations, school districts, hospitals, and athletes of all ages, he…
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Joel Salatin II (The American Beef Industry, Factory Farming and the Obesity Crisis) - Episode 336
Joel Salatin is a world renowned holistic farmer, author and speaker. We discuss COVID and a fragile population, factory farming, abattoir monopolies, the obesity epidemic, resilience through nutrition, school food, lowering the carbon footprint and much more. Joel Salatin, 62, calls himself a...
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Chief Joseph Pfeifer (Losing a Brother on 9/11, the Community of 9/12 and the Power of Moral Courage) - Episode 1282
Joseph Pfeifer is globally recognized for his expertise in crisis leadership, disaster management, and adaptive resilience. Operating at the intersection of high-stakes public service and academia, he translates decades of frontline command experience into actionable frameworks for leading…
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Geoff Thompson (Nightclub Bouncers, the Art of Violence and the Warrior's Healing Journey) - Episode 345
Geoff Thompson is a retired bouncer, martial artist, author, playwright, screenwriter and philosopher. We discuss childhood trauma, violence, the martial arts, ownership, writing, Chuck Norris, emotional growth and much more. Geoff’s first book, Watch My Back, detailing his experiences working as…
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Garrett Cathcart (Rebuilding Communities, Servant Leadership and the Human Cost of War) - Episode 1281
Garrett Cathcart served 9 years as a United States Army Cavalry officer and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Garrett’s service included three years in ground combat leadership roles. Garrett served as a Reconnaissance Scout Platoon Leader in...
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Dr Michael Greger (Reversing Chronic Disease, Plant Based Diet and Letting Food be thy Medicine) - Episode 227
Dr Michael Greger is a physician, author and internationally recognized nutrition expert. We discuss the causes of chronic disease, plant based diet, carcinogens, disease reversal and much more. Michael Greger, M.D. FACLM is a physician, New York Times bestselling author, and internationally...
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Brooke Bartlett II (First Responder Suicide, the Healing Toolbox and the True Cost of Organisational Betrayal) - Episode 812
Brooke Bartlett is a Licenced Clinical Psychologist and the founder of the Center for Trauma, Anxiaety and Stress. She is als contracted by the Bureau of Land Management as a trauma specialist. In this second conversation we discuss the mental health impact of wildfires, psychotherapy and...
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Kyle Ebersole (Forging Firefighter Performance, Injury Prevention and the Importance of Recovery) - Episode 1280
Kyle Ebersole, PhD, LAT is currently a Professor and a Licensed Athletic Trainer at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology teaching within the Physical Therapy and Athletic Training programs. Since 2010, Kyle has partnered with the...
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Ashley Deringer (Teen Driver Safety, Firefighter Cancer and Turning Grief into Action) - Episode 1279
Ashley Deringer is an educator, entrepreneur, curriculum creator, and nonprofit founder dedicated to changing lives through education and advocacy. Ashley is also the founder of the Clean Gier Foundation, a nonprofit established in honor of her father, firefighter Floyd Gier, who lost his battle...
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Lee Spencer (Royal Marines, Rowing and the Casualties of War) - Episode 225
Lee Spencer is a 24 year veteran of the Royal Marines and has undergone some incredible feats to raise money and awareness for various charities. We discuss his early life, recruitment, Ireland, combat, his near death experience, rowing across the Atlantic and much more. Lee Spencer, a single leg...
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Dean Lister (The Genesis of MMA, Leg Locks and the Healing Power of Plant Medicine) - Episode 651
Dean Lister is a veteran jiu jitsu competitor, MMA fighter, co-founder of Victory MMA and a member of the Echelon Front family. We discuss his early life in the Americas, his journey into grappling, competing in the UFC, the power of plant medicine, BJJ Hero Retreats and so much more. Dean Lister...
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The Unmasked Warrior (The Suicide Pandemic, First Responder Mental Health and Post Traumatic Growth) - Episode 1278
In this episode, I welcome the founders of The Unmasked Warrior: Sam Juan is a U.S. Army combat veteran, former CST with SEAL Team 6, artist, writer, and advocate for authentic leadership. Noah Galloway is a combat veteran and speaker focused on post-traumatic growth. Anton Nootenboom is a Dutch...
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Mayra Uribe (First Responder Housing, Servant Leadership and Reversing Homelessness) - Episode 1277
Mayra Uribe was elected to the Board of Orange County Commission District 3 in 2018 and has since been re-elected in 2020 and 2024. Mayra is currently running for the position of the Mayor of Orange County. She is an Orlando native, born and raised in the district she represents. Mayra is of...
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Bernard Taylor (From Football to Firefighting, American Healthcare and Running for Congress) - Episode 1276
A fourth-generation Floridian, Bernard Taylor is a dedicated EMT/Paramedic, husband, father of five, and community advocate who has spent years serving and protecting the people of Florida. Now, he's running for Congress to fight for the people our elected congressional representatives are...
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Michael Gier (The Kindness, Courage and Humanity of 9/11, Filmmaking and Fat Boy Slim) - Episode 1275
The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11 is a deeply moving documentary narrated by actor Gary Sinise. Produced by Gier Productions in collaboration with SoldierStrong and directed by Michael Gier, an award-winning director/producer, the film goes beyond the tragedy of September 11 to showcase the...
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Tony Blauer II (How Fear Affects Trauma, Imposter Syndrome in Combat and Adrenal Fatigue) - Episode 1274
For over 45 years, Tony Blauer has been at the forefront of personal defense, fear management, and performance psychology, revolutionizing the way individuals and teams prepare for real-world violence. Since 1977, Blauer has dedicated his life to helping people become safer, sooner, bridging the...
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Kelly Lucas (California Firefighting, Living with Parkinson's Disease and Finding Sobriety) - Episode 1273
Kelly is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at Daydream MD, bringing a unique blend of clinical training and lived experience to his work as a therapist. Before beginning his career in counseling, Kelly served as a firefighter/paramedic for 22 years, where he was a peer support team...
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Nimsdai Purja (Climbing the World's Tallest Peaks, Enviromentalism and Hunting the Taliban) - Episode 379
I'm reposting this today in memory of Nimsadi Purja, who lost his life on Pakistan's Broad Peak. Nimsdai was a former Ghurka, member of the British SBS, record breaking mountaineer and author. We discussed his powerful journey into the special forces, Project Possible, mountain rescues, his book...
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Jonathan Sheinberg (Cardiology, First Responder Health and Preventing Heart Attacks) - Episode 1272
Jonathan Sheinberg is a cardiologist, chief medical officer, police officer and Air Force veteran. He has over 30 years of experience in providing advanced cardiovascular care. He is passionate about preventing coronary disease and managing acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions. Jonathan…
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Ethan Suplee II (The Obesity Crisis, Overcoming Addiction and Hollywod Typecasting) - Episode 644
Ethan Suplee is an actor, athlete and the host of the "American Glutton Podcast". In this second interview we discuss the impact of lockdown on the nation's health, racism, male body dysmorphia, his own mental metamorphosis, overcoming injury, the importance of rest and so much more. Ethan has...
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Tommy Dwyer (Dilapidated Fire Stations, Mental Health and Occupational Cancer) - Episode 1271
"Burnin' Down the House" is a powerful new documentary from award-winning filmmaker Tommy Jay Dwyer that shines a light on the hidden crisis facing firefighters. Aging stations, chronic underinvestment and the growing health risks associated with the jobs they do every day. Through intimate...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Behind The Shield have?
Behind The Shield currently has 1000 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Behind The Shield about?
Bringing the greatest minds in mental and physical wellness to the men and women who serve our communities.
How often does Behind The Shield release new episodes?
Behind The Shield releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 1000 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Behind The Shield?
You can listen to Behind The Shield on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Behind The Shield?
Behind The Shield is created and hosted by James Geering.
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