Dispatched & Dysfunctional

The conversation delves into the impact of uniforms on identity, the role of pride in shaping identity, and the mentality of viewing one's job as a daily routine.TakeawaysUniforms can strip individuals of their identityPride can hinder self-awareness and growthChapters00:00 The Uniform and Identity

Joe Henderson experiences a sudden emotional breakdown at work, leading to a struggle to communicate and understand his own emotions.TakeawaysEmotional breakdowns can manifest as physical and emotional challenges.Self-awareness and understanding of one's emotions are crucial for managing emotional breakdowns.Chapters00:00 The Sudden Breakdown

The conversation with Miss Candice, a family nurse practitioner, delves into the impact of burnout in healthcare and the systemic issues that contribute to it. It highlights the personal and professional challenges faced by healthcare workers and the need for a reevaluation of the healthcare system.TakeawaysBurnout in healthcare is a systemic issueThe impact of burnout extends beyond the individual to affect families and communitiesChapters00:00 Personal Identity and Work-Life Balance11:12 Impact of Overwork and Systemic Issues25:52 Accountability and Burnout31:11 Message of Encouragement

The conversation delves into the concept of replacing neural pathways and changing thought patterns to overcome negative experiences and depression. It emphasizes the importance of perspective and gratitude in shaping one's outlook on life.TakeawaysReplacing neural pathways with positive thoughtsPerspective and gratitude shape outlook on lifeChapters00:00 Neural Pathway Replacement

The conversation delves into the personal journey of Andrew McLean, a police officer and author, as he reflects on his life, career, and the impact of trauma and burnout. It explores the challenges faced by first responders and the toll it takes on their mental health and relationships. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including burnout, PTSD, trauma, recovery, leadership, accountability, and awareness in the context of first responder mental health. Andrew shares his personal journey and the challenges he faced as a police officer, shedding light on the need for support and understanding within the first responder community.TakeawaysEmpathy and the desire to help others have been a driving force in Andrew's life and career.The impact of trauma and burnout on first responders goes beyond the job, affecting their personal lives and relationships. Mental health challenges among first responders are realSeeking help is a sign of strength, not weaknessChapters00:00 The Journey of Empathy and Service08:24 Challenges in Public Settings and Trust Issues34:26 The Impact of Trauma and Numbness41:59 Understanding PTSD and Coping Mechanisms01:18:26 Connecting with Andrew and Accessing Resources

In this episode of Dispatched & Dysfunctional, Chris sits down with Justin Anderson, known creatively as J. Vaelorin, for a raw conversation about grief, depression, survivor’s guilt, silence, storytelling, and the invisible weight people carry when they do not have the words to explain what is happening inside them.Justin is a network engineer, dark fantasy author, and creator of the Vaelorinverse, a world built around giving shape to depression, grief, guilt, trauma, and emotional weight through mythology and folklore.This conversation explores how storytelling can become survival, how pain sometimes becomes characters instead of words, and why some people need a different language before they can say the truth out loud.Justin is not a first responder, and he does not pretend to be one. He shows up as a witness — someone willing to listen, respect the weight, and help give language to things people often carry in silence.We talk about mourning someone who is still alive, watching a loved one slowly die from cancer, depression that does not always look like crying, the stigma around vulnerability, and why first responders often carry guilt over the people they could not save instead of the ones they did.This episode is for anyone who has ever felt something heavy but could not name it.Guest: Justin Anderson / J. VaelorinWebsite: https://vaelorinverse.comSocial Media: @JVaelorinFeatured Work Mentioned: Burning GuiltReal calls. Real people. No filter.Need support right now?Call or text 988.TakeawaysStorytelling can become a survival tool when normal language fails.Depression does not always look like crying; sometimes it looks like the things you love slowly going quiet.Mourning can begin before someone dies, especially when watching a loved one slowly fade.First responders often carry guilt over the people they could not save, even when everyone else focuses on the ones they did.Justin shows up as a witness, not a first responder, helping give language to invisible weight without pretending to wear the uniform.Vulnerability is still heavily stigmatized, especially among men and first responders.Creative expression can help people externalize pain instead of keeping it trapped inside.Chapters00:00 – Who Justin Anderson / J. Vaelorin Really Is04:25 – The Stories We Build So We Don’t Break05:39 – Childhood Trauma, Grief, and Learning Not to Judge07:35 – Mourning His Grandmother Before She Was Gone10:00 – Turning Depression Into Mythology12:56 – Why Men Are Taught to Bury Emotion14:06 – Mental Health Stigma in First Responder Work20:13 – When the Music Goes Quiet24:25 – Why Mythology Gave Pain a Language28:47 – Writing Characters Who Carry Real Trauma34:00 – Recognizing the Warning Signs Before Spiraling40:18 – Using Story to Explain What Words Cannot44:37 – Witness, Not Peer: Writing for First Responders Without Pretending45:34 – Burning Guilt and the Weight of the Ones Not Saved01:02:00 – What Someone Alone Tonight Needs to Hear01:05:23 – Where to Find Justin’s Work

The conversation delves into the importance of externalizing emotions and the power of expression through writing and singing. It emphasizes the value of externalizing thoughts and feelings to avoid being stuck in an internal loop.TakeawaysExternalization of thoughtsExpression through writing and singingChapters00:00 Externalization of Emotions

The challenges of writing and creating characters have deeply impacted the author's personal life, leading to emotional struggles and the need for self-protection. The author's writing style is akin to method acting, immersing deeply into the characters' lives and emotions, which has taken a toll on mental health.TakeawaysWriting can deeply impact an author's emotional well-beingThe author's writing style is similar to method acting, leading to emotional immersionChapters00:00 Impact on Personal Life

The conversation explores the significance of stories as a means of survival and explanation, as well as the use of artistic expression to convey experiences and emotions. It delves into the impact of stories on first responders and the importance of understanding and remembering all parts of a story.TakeawaysStories as a means of survivalArtistic expression as a form of communicationChapters00:00 The Power of Stories

The conversation delves into the impact of acknowledging past trauma and dealing with unresolved emotions, leading to a lighter but challenging realization.TakeawaysAcknowledging past traumaDealing with unresolved emotionsChapters00:00 Acknowledging Past Trauma

The conversation delves into the negative portrayal of mental health in media, highlighting the impact of such depictions on societal perceptions and attitudes. It also explores the influence of media on shaping public understanding of mental health issues.TakeawaysMental health depictionImpact of media on mental healthChapters00:00 Mental Health in Media

The conversation explores the concept of burnout and the impact it has on first responders. Dr. Natalie Luke shares insights on recognizing burnout, the stages of burnout, and the importance of defining responsibilities. She emphasizes the need for leaders to create other leaders and the value of self-compassion in managing burnout. The conversation also delves into the impact of burnout on organizations and the importance of recognizing the signs of burnout in oneself and others.TakeawaysRecognizing burnout is essential for managing its impact.Defining responsibilities and recognizing what is yours and what is not can alleviate the weight of burnout.Chapters00:00 The Dependable Ones07:08 The Stages of Burnout20:22 Healing and Recovery32:58 Recognizing the Signs38:44 Empathy and Support

The conversation explores the burden carried by dependable first responders and the impact it has on their well-being. Dr. Natalie Luke discusses the misconception of capability and the weight of responsibility. The stages of burnout and its effects are also highlighted.TakeawaysDependable first responders often carry more than their defined responsibilities.Burnout in first responders progresses through stages of engagement, overwhelm, and emptiness.Chapters00:00 The Burden of Dependability19:03 Stages of Burnout

Leadership and Insecurity: Embracing GrowthTakeawaysEmbracing team members' strengthsOvercoming personal insecuritiesChapters00:00 Embracing Team Strengths

The conversation explores the importance of leadership communication and the need to recognize the emotional needs of individuals in high-stress roles. It emphasizes the value of asking the right questions and acknowledging the worth of individuals beyond their responsibilities.TakeawaysEmpathy in leadership communicationRecognizing intrinsic value of individualsChapters00:00 Leadership Communication

The conversation delves into the themes of authenticity vs. acceptance, the impact of trauma and emotional suppression, the struggle of first responders with acceptance vs. authenticity, and the importance of building trust and overcoming emotional suppression in the workplace. The conversation delves into the fear of judgment, the ripple effect of emotions, the distinction between needs and wants in relationships, the conversations avoided by couples, the importance of slowing down to build oneself up, the need for changing the first responder culture, and the power of sharing honestly. It emphasizes the courage to open up and the significance of emotional intelligence in fostering authentic connections.TakeawaysAuthenticity vs. AcceptanceEmotional Suppression and Its ImpactThe Importance of Self-Awareness and Emotional Connection Courage to open upEmotional intelligenceChapters00:00 Unfiltered Conversations and Realness11:06 Acceptance vs. Authenticity in First Responders22:03 Building Trust and Overcoming Emotional Suppression30:42 The Fear of Judgment39:12 Avoided Conversations in Couples49:26 Changing First Responder Culture54:42 The Power of Sharing Honestly

In this episode of "Dispatch is Functional," host Chris Stockton welcomes George Haymaker III, a former entrepreneur who shares his journey through addiction and recovery. George discusses the mental challenges he faced while building businesses and how he overcame them by understanding the brain's functions. He emphasizes the importance of retraining the brain to replace negative patterns with positive ones and offers insights into overcoming burnout and addiction.Timestamps and Chapters:Introduction (0:01)Welcome and introduction to the show and guest.Meet George Haymaker III (0:55)George shares his background and the mental struggles he faced.The Journey Through Addiction (2:07)George discusses his addiction to alcohol and drugs and the turning point in his life.Understanding the Brain (4:17)Insights into how the brain works and the importance of neuroscience in recovery.Retraining the Brain (7:00)Techniques for changing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.First Responder Challenges (15:32)Discussion on mental fatigue and burnout in first responders.Overcoming Demons (29:21)Strategies for dealing with personal demons and mental health challenges.The Role of Addiction (39:21)How addiction serves as a coping mechanism and the path to recovery.Hope and Healing (50:18)George's message of hope and the potential for brain healing.Conclusion and Contact Information(56:18)Final thoughts and how to reach George Haymaker III.Website:For more information or to connect with George, visit georgehamaker.com.

The conversation delves into the challenges faced by first responders, the signs of burnout, and the impact of bad therapy on mental health. It explores the role of leadership in addressing burnout, the recognition of burnout and coping mechanisms, and the consequences of ineffective therapy. The conversation delves into the characteristics of bad therapy, the importance of the therapeutic relationship, and the concept of radical responsibility in mental health. It also explores the process of finding the right therapist and the implementation of mindfulness in therapy.Dr. Greg Obert is a clinical psychologist with 15+ years supporting trauma survivors, veterans, and first responders. He specializes in accessible, evidence-based trauma treatments and creating trusted therapeutic relationships that foster true recovery. Find him at royaloasispi.com, his podcast, or on social media for more support.TakeawaysLeadership and burnout in first respondersRecognizing burnout and coping mechanismsThe impact of bad therapy on mental health Bad therapy can be characterized by a lack of therapist engagement and activity in the treatment process.Therapy should have a defined treatment plan and an end date, and therapists should not aim to keep clients in therapy indefinitely.Chapters00:00 Leadership and Burnout25:01 The Impact of Bad Therapy33:40 Identifying Bad Therapy39:08 The Importance of the Therapeutic Relationship47:23 Radical Responsibility in Mental Health

The conversation delves into the transformative nature of trauma treatment, highlighting the ability to change how individuals relate to their memories. It also addresses the common occurrence of suicidal ideation as a reaction to trauma and the importance of providing hope and support to those experiencing it.TakeawaysTrauma treatment can change how people relate to their memories.Suicidal ideation is a common reaction to trauma and can be addressed with hope and support.Chapters00:00 Hope in Trauma Treatment

The term 'trauma-informed care' is criticized as a meaningless buzzword, leading to ineffective treatment. Dr. Greg emphasizes evidence-based trauma treatment as an alternative.TakeawaysCriticism of 'trauma-informed care' as a buzzwordImportance of evidence-based trauma treatmentChapters00:00 The Problem with 'Trauma-Informed Care'

The conversation delves into the impact of EMS on personal identity, the challenges of EMS culture, and the importance of leadership in EMS. It explores the transition to an EMS career, the realization of change in identity, the impact on personal relationships, and the challenges in EMS culture. Additionally, it compares EMS practices globally, highlighting the differences and similarities in EMS practices across different countries. The conversation delves into the complex emotions of loving and hating one's job in EMS, emphasizing the importance of self-care and finding purpose in the field. It also explores the impact of patient care and the role of empathy in providing quality service.TakeawaysImpact of EMS on personal identityChallenges of EMS cultureImportance of leadership in EMS It's okay to hate your job that you loveFinding purpose and fulfillment in EMSThe importance of self-care and life outside of workChapters0:51: Chris introduces the episode, highlighting its focus on the long-term effects of working in emergency services. Sammi, a paramedic, is introduced as the guest.1:33: Sammi shares her openness about her experiences in EMS, especially with her students.2:18: Sammi recounts her initial career path towards nursing, her transition to EMT, and her first experiences in the field.4:32: Discussion about the realization of personal change due to the job's demands and experiences.6:41: Chris and Sammi discuss the impact of EMS work on personal relationships and the importance of having a supportive community.10:07: Sammi emphasizes the need for better leadership in EMS, rather than changes in protocols or equipment.14:26: Sammi appreciates the efforts of her current department to improve and involve EMS staff in decision-making.18:06: The conversation shifts to the challenges of EMS culture, particularly the resistance to change from older generations.25:28: Chris and Sammi discuss the importance of continuous self-improvement and learning in EMS.30:45: Sammi talks about the acceptance of having bad days in a job you love and the importance of knowing when to move on.34:01: Chris asks Sammi what she would say to those feeling burnt out or questioning their career in EMS.38:07: Sammi shares her personal strategies for maintaining a work-life balance and the importance of having interests outside of work.40:49: Sammi recounts a challenging experience with inadequate support during a critical call, leading her to consider leaving EMS.55:57: The discussion touches on the value of IFTs (Inter-Facility Transports) in developing skills and patient rapport.61:03: Both agree on the importance of progressing through all levels of EMS training before becoming a paramedic.62:49: Chris thanks Sammi for her insights and asks for her closing thoughts for those feeling alone or burnt out in their EMS careers.

Emergency Responders' Insights: Mental Health, Leadership, and Life LessonsExplore the candid conversation between two seasoned first responders discussing the mental and emotional challenges of emergency service careers, leadership principles, and the importance of support systems. This episode offers real-world insights into coping with trauma, maintaining professionalism, and leading by example in high-stakes environments.In this episode:The unique bonds formed instantly among first responders and why they understand each other on a deeper levelThe mental health struggles faced by medics and firefighters, including dealing with death and traumatic callsPersonal stories of childhood calls, accidents, and the emotional toll of witnessing death at a young ageThe significance of dark humor as a coping mechanism in high-stress jobsPractical leadership advice: leading by example, staying humble, and supporting your teamStrategies to handle mental health issues: seeking help, open communication, and resilienceThe impact of family and support systems in coping with job stress and traumaResources for mental health support and emphasizing the importance of mental wellness in emergency servicesTimestamps:00:00 - Why first responders connect instantly and form strong bonds02:15 - Inside the job: professionalism vs. personal identity05:14 - Stories of childhood trauma and early career experiences with death09:12 - The toll of repeated exposure to violence and loss14:19 - Personal struggles with addiction, faith, and recovery22:24 - How experience shapes medic competence and teamwork27:36 - The importance of dark humor in coping and community culture36:58 - Teachable moments: handling the grief of children and overdose victims43:49 - First-hand account of a critical pediatric trauma and its emotional weight53:39 - The power of success stories and why saving a life matters62:01 - Recognizing mental health signs and encouraging openness66:42 - Emotional numbness to death and the hardness of experience68:51 - Resources for those contemplating suicide and the importance of talking to someone74:19 - Leadership qualities: leading by example and fostering trust76:58 - The importance of mental health days and community support in emergency servicesResources & Links:National Suicide Prevention LifelineMental Health AmericaEmployee Assistance ProgramRemember: Your mental health is vital. Reach out, talk openly, and support each other in this brotherhood. You're not alone in the fight.

The conversation delves into the broken culture within EMS, highlighting the resistance to change, generation gap, and lack of progress as key issues.TakeawaysEMS culture faces challenges in embracing change and progress.The generational gap contributes to the cultural divide within EMS.Chapters00:00 Broken EMS Culture

This episode of Dispatches Functional delves into the emotional and psychological impact of working in emergency medical services (EMS) and the challenges faced by paramedics. It explores the broken culture within EMS and the struggle between old and new practices.TakeawaysEMS culture challengesImpact of the job over timeChapters00:00 Introduction to Dispatches Functional17:12 The Broken EMS Culture

The conversation delves into the transition from art to nursing, impactful patient experiences, challenges and burnout in healthcare, the role of humor in patient care, and the collaboration between nursing and EMS. It highlights the power of humor in healthcare and the profound impact of patient experiences on healthcare professionals. The conversation delves into the role of ego and advocacy in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of empathy and trust in patient care. It also explores the impact of metrics and AI in healthcare, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to their use.TakeawaysImpactful patient experiencesThe power of humor in healthcare Empathy and advocacy are crucial in healthcareThe importance of human connection and trust in patient careChapters00:00 Introduction and Background06:04 Patient Care and Impact11:57 Difficult Patient Experiences17:45 Humor in Healthcare24:00 Nursing and EMS Collaboration31:58 The Role of Ego and Advocacy in Healthcare39:43 Building Trust and Empathy with Patients46:01 The Impact of Metrics and AI in Healthcare55:15 The Use of AI in Healthcare

The conversation delves into the acceptance of bad days and the idea that it's okay to quit a job that doesn't bring satisfaction. Sammi shares insights on navigating tough days and finding fulfillment in one's career.TakeawaysAccepting bad daysIt's okay to quitChapters00:00 Navigating Tough Days and Job Satisfaction

The conversation delves into the transition into law enforcement, the reality of FBI SWAT work, professionalism and empathy in law enforcement, the impact of law enforcement work on personal life, and coping with trauma and stress. It explores the challenges and experiences of a retired FBI agent, shedding light on the personal and professional aspects of law enforcement work. The conversation delves into the FBI agent's experiences, highlighting the importance of family as a source of grounding and normalcy, as well as the role of faith in his work. It also explores the challenges of rebuilding trust in the FBI, seeking help, and maintaining humanity in a demanding job. The agent provides advice for those still on the job and shares information about his upcoming book and contact details.TakeawaysImpact of law enforcement work on personal lifeProfessionalism and empathy in law enforcementCoping with trauma and stress Family as a source of groundingThe role of faith in the FBI agent's workChapters00:00 Transition into Law Enforcement06:50 Professionalism and Empathy in Law Enforcement15:28 Coping with Trauma and Stress26:35 Family and Normalcy32:15 Faith and Work39:21 Rebuilding Trust in the FBI46:07 Seeking Help and Staying Human53:03 Advice for Those Still on the Job

Title: Overcoming Burnout: Insights from a Former Corporate Executive Turned Burnout CoachBurnout is more than just fatigue; it deeply affects mental, emotional, and physical health. In this episode, Nicole Johnson shares her journey from corporate leadership to coaching, offering strategies to recognize and recover from burnout before it takes a severe toll.This conversation delves into the aftermath of ignoring burnout signs and the impact on life and career. Nicole provides insights into navigating recovery.Key Topics:The hidden costs of burnout on high achieversEffective and harmful leadership responsesThe role of stigma and the need for community supportTools for stress release and recoveryShifting from work-life balance to harmonyTransforming relationships through curiosity over judgment⚠️ Listener discretion advised. This episode discusses mental health challenges, including stress and burnout. If you’re struggling, reach out for support. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.Timestamps:00:50 - Introduction to burnout01:43 - Nicole's burnout journey03:17 - Fatigue vs. depletion04:09 - Importance of boundaries05:29 - Loss of energy and joy06:47 - Transition to coaching07:01 - Misconceptions about burnout08:05 - Myth of self-sufficiency09:01 - Redefining self-care10:22 - Daily stress relief practices11:28 - Mental health risks for responders12:18 - Practical recovery tips13:45 - Stress and physical health15:27 - Societal attitude shifts15:55 - Awareness of stressors16:43 - Personal capacity focus17:12 - Recovery through lifestyle18:40 - Movement as self-care19:13 - Burnout isn’t failure20:28 - Rediscovering joy and identity22:27 - Importance of asking for help23:26 - Emotional and physical stress manifestations24:11 - Micro recovery techniques25:14 - Long-term recovery journey26:28 - Building support systems27:22 - Realigning priorities28:42 - Genuine workplace support29:14 - Burnout as a systemic issue30:42 - Impact of connectivity and demands31:34 - Restoring agency32:42 - Emotional capacity awareness33:46 - Listening without judgment34:44 - Permission in emotional support36:02 - Curiosity in relationships37:54 - Kindness reducing stigma38:42 - Simple questions' impact40:03 - Encouragement for self-worth41:13 - Connecting with NicoleResources & Links:Drop More Hold Less — free energy audits and coachingDrop More Hold Less (Substack) — insights and storiesConnect with Nicole Johnson:WebsiteSubstackThis episode emphasizes that burnout isn’t a failure—it's a systemic issue needing awareness, community support, and self-care. Small actions and curiosity can lead to change.

The conversation covers the challenges and experiences of individuals with dyslexia and ADHD, as well as the unique approach to education and career development for neurodiverse individuals. It also delves into the importance of understanding and addressing the needs of neurodiverse individuals in emergency situations. The conversation covers a range of topics related to neurodiversity, ADHD, dyslexia, and the advantages and challenges associated with these conditions. It also delves into the unique abilities and specialties of neurodivergent individuals, as well as the importance of effective communication and understanding in emergency situations.TakeawaysParamedics and emergency responders encounter unique challenges when dealing with neurodiverse individuals.Understanding the specialized needs and interests of neurodiverse individuals is crucial in emergency situations. Neurodivergent individuals have unique abilities and specialties that give them an advantage in certain fields.Effective communication and understanding are crucial in emergency situations, especially when dealing with neurodivergent individuals.Chapters00:00 Challenges in Emergency Response11:49 Supporting Neurodiverse Individuals in Emergency Situations33:32 Driving and Neurodiversity40:00 Importance of Effective Communication45:21 Medical Treatment and Communication52:05 Advantages of Neurodivergent Specialties01:00:44 Compensation and Specialties

A routine call to Walmart turned into a deadly force encounter — and nothing in Adam Meyers’ career prepared him for what came next.Adam is a police captain with over two decades in law enforcement. In this episode, he walks us through the critical incident that changed his life, the investigation that followed, the weight of public scrutiny, and the quiet years of struggling in silence while still wearing the badge.This conversation isn’t about tactics or policy. It’s about the aftermath — what happens to first responders when the call is over, the scene is cleared, and everyone expects you to be “fine.”We talk about:The unseen cost of deadly force incidentsLeadership responses that help — and those that cause harmHow stigma keeps responders silentSubstance abuse, risky coping, and surviving long enough to ask for helpWhy communication matters more than policyWhat “Stop the Threat. Stop the Stigma.” really meansThis episode is raw, honest, and necessary — especially for command staff, supervisors, and anyone carrying more than they admit.⚠️ Listener discretion advised.This episode contains heavy themes, including trauma, substance abuse, and suicide ideation.If you’re struggling, you’re not alone.

A routine shift in EMS becomes a lifetime of watching the system fail — and Graham Judd stopped waiting for it to change.Graham is a veteran paramedic and EMS leader with over two decades in emergency medicine. In this episode, he breaks down why EMS isn't just struggling — it's broken by design, and the people paying the price aren't the patients.This isn't about medical protocols or response times. It's about what happens when good people work in dysfunctional systems — when education intimidates instead of elevates, when business decisions send messages your people hear loud and clear, and when leadership forgets that "taking care of the community" starts with taking care of the crew.We talk about:Why EMS is 50 years behind where it should be — and stayed thereHow leadership failures drive burnout faster than any call volumeThe hidden cost of running "taxi cab transfers" on highly trained paramedicsWhy pay wouldn't matter as much if leadership knew how to leadWhat it means to have "a front row seat to everyone else's tragedy"Why EMS has the highest suicide rate of all public safety careersThe phone call at 2 AM that changed everything — and why it shouldn't be rareWhat it looks like to walk away when the system refuses to healThis episode is raw, unfiltered, and overdue — especially for anyone in command, anyone burning out quietly, and anyone who's ever thought "this could be better."⚠️ Listener discretion advised.This episode contains heavy themes, including burnout, mental health struggles, and suicide ideation.If you're struggling, you're not alone.

In this episode of Dispatched & Dysfunctional, I’m joined by Jimmy Apple — better known online as the EMS Avenger. If you’ve ever watched his content and thought, “Finally… someone bringing receipts,” you already get why this conversation matters.Jimmy isn’t here to perform or sell a brand. He’s a pediatric and neonatal critical care paramedic with 20 years of 911 experience, and he talks straight about the stuff most people in EMS avoid: how burnout actually starts, why empathy is the first thing to die, and what “asking for help” turns into inside systems that punish honesty.We get into:Why “I’m just tired” is often denial in disguiseThe difference between exhaustion and burnout (and why burnout needs a reset, not a nap)Why EMS culture still treats help like weaknessPediatric critical care realities: the medicine and the familiesWhy dark humor stopped being a pressure valve and became a toxic industryHow to speak up before you’re broken — and what to do when you’re already thereThis one’s heavy, honest, and needed.Follow / connect with Jimmy (EMS Avenger):Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/EMS-Avenger-61575840471120/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emsavenger/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emsavenger?lang=enIf you need help right now:Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.orgJimmy mentioned upcoming conference appearances throughout 2024–2025, including Atlanta, Texas, Arkansas, Chattanooga, Oregon, Western Pennsylvania, Austin, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, Sweden, and Orlando.

Stress doesn’t just make you tired — it narrows you. In this episode of Dispatched & Dysfunctional, Chris sits down with Dr. Andre Walton to talk about tunnel vision, burnout, and what happens when smart, trained people lock onto the wrong thing and miss the real danger. From a near-miss involving first responders and a train, to the concept of presenteeism — showing up but not actually being there — this conversation digs into how stress shuts down awareness, why burnout spreads through teams, and how leadership blind spots make it worse. If you’ve ever felt yourself running on autopilot, losing perspective, or shrinking under the weight of the job, this episode puts words to what you’ve been feeling. Guest Dr. Andre Walton Burnout Coach | Educator 🔹 Burnout resources & programs: https://www.plan4change.org/burnout 🔹 Main website: https://www.plan4change.org 🔹 Free resource – Business Growth Hacks: https://plan4change.coach/free-resource-banish-burnout-a-matter-of-balance 🔹 Speaking / Podcast / Booking: https://www.hiredrandre.com 🔹 Book a conversation: https://app.simplymeet.me/hiredrandre 🔹 TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Mj5wzsYBQ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/plan4change Topics Covered Tunnel vision under stress Burnout and decision fatigue Presenteeism in high-stress professions Leadership blind spots Why awareness fails before people break Podcast Disclaimer These stories are based on real-life EMS, military, and healthcare experiences. Calls are real. Providers are real. Names and details have been changed to protect privacy. Any medical or mental health discussion is personal experience — not protocol. Use your damn brain. Follow your local guidelines. When in doubt, call med control. If you’re struggling, don’t do it alone. Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

Burnout doesn’t come from being weak. And it doesn’t come from caring too much. It comes from broken systems that reward overextension, punish honesty, and slowly disconnect people from the work they signed up to do. In this episode of Dispatched & Dysfunctional, I sit down with David Shar — founder of Illuminate PMC and an Industrial–Organizational psychologist — to talk about what burnout actually is, why it spreads through teams like a virus, and why the best people usually burn out first. We get into: Why burnout isn’t about workload — it’s about barriers, leadership, and culture The three real components of burnout: emotional exhaustion, reduced accomplishment, and depersonalization Why “I’m fine” is often a warning sign How meaningful work can make people easier to exploit The difference between being nice and being kind as a leader Why high performers burn out first: “In order to burn out, you have to be on fire first.” If you’ve ever clocked out of work and felt like you clocked out of life too — this episode will hit close to home. Guest: David Shar Websites: davidshar.com | illuminatepmc.com Connect: LinkedIn (search: David Shar) Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

A single photo made him famous overnight. But fame doesn’t treat trauma. It just puts it on display. Chris Fields was a captain with the Oklahoma City Fire Department when the Murrah Building was bombed. He spent that day doing what we all do — working the problem, moving forward, not stopping to feel anything until the shift is over… except this shift never really ended. Because the next day the photo went worldwide — and Chris got stuck carrying more than memories. He carried a symbol. In this episode, we go past the picture and into the parts nobody sees: the guilt that didn’t make sense, the isolation that felt safer than talking, the ways pride and ego keep responders from reaching out, and the moment he hit rock bottom. This isn’t history class. It’s what trauma looks like when it ages — and what it takes to survive it. ⚠️ Content warning: PTSD, addiction, suicide ideation, and dark first-responder humor. Need help now? 988. 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

Burnout is common. Healing is messy. And sometimes the strongest people are the ones silently falling apart. In this episode, transformational coach and spiritual mentor Gabriela Popescu breaks down the real cost of people-pleasing, survival mode, and living life as the “strong one” for too long. We dive into her Four Bodies Framework — physical, emotional, mental, spiritual — and talk about why so many helpers struggle to receive help, how childhood patterns show up in adulthood, and what real alignment feels like when you finally return to yourself. If you’ve been running on fumes… this episode is your sign to stop, breathe, and come back home to yourself. 🔗 Connect with Gabriela: Website + Soul Check-In → https://phoenixmedicine.me/soulcheckin Instagram & Socials → https://phoenixmedicine.me (all linked) 🎧 About the Show Dispatched & Dysfunctional is where first responders, caregivers, and helpers come to talk about the stuff we’re not supposed to say out loud — burnout, grief, trauma, healing, dark humor, and everything in between. 🧠 Need support right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

Today’s guest isn’t EMS — but he knows exactly what it feels like when life grabs you by the collar and says: “Sit down. You’re not okay.” Phil Barth is a keynote speaker, stress-management strategist, and best-selling author of “Fry Your Chickens.” After surviving a heart attack, Phil rebuilt his life around intentional stress reduction, humor, and joy — turning rubber chickens into teaching tools and turning a near-death wake-up call into a mission to help others do the same. In this episode, Phil and Chris dive into: The moment on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? that taught him stress control The heart attack that forced him to rethink everything What “stress chickens” actually are — and how naming them gives you control The Facebook algorithm stress cycle (and how to break it) Why humor hits so hard in dark professions like EMS How music can trigger healing and memory The tiny “micro-chickens” responders ignore until they explode Why your brain fights positive change How to find courage on a normal Tuesday And how leaders can use humor without being cringe or disrespectful Phil also shares how writing “A Spring to Remember” pulled him through the recovery process — a reflection on the symptoms he ignored, the camp-side heart attack, and the promise he made afterward: one unplugged week every three months. Whether you’re burned out, numb, or hanging on by duct tape — this episode gives you real tools to fry your stress before it fries you. 🔗 ABOUT PHIL BARTH — LINKS & INFO Website: https://philbarth.com/ Blog (Referenced in Episode) — “From Chickens to Keynotes: A Spring to Remember”: https://philbarth.com/from-chickens-to-keynotes-a-spring-to-remember/ Books by Phil Barth: • Fry Your Chickens • Fry Your Chickens 2.0 • International Book of Favorites • Bach, Beethoven & Rubber Chickens Amazon link to Fry Your Chickens: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VNQJBKZ (or user-provided updated link) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-barth-38a5902/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phil.barth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PhilBarth ⚠️ PODCAST DISCLAIMER The following content includes real stories, real emotions, and dark humor that may not be suitable for all listeners. These stories are based on actual EMS and first responder experiences. Any medical discussion is personal experience — not protocol. Use your judgment. Follow your guidelines. When in doubt, call med control. If you’re struggling, talk to someone. A coworker, a friend, a therapist. Or reach out to me — I’ll answer. Need help right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. 🧠 SUPPORT OUTRO You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. Want to share your story or connect? Visit critical-run.com or message the Facebook page Dispatched & Dysfunctional. We’re building this — for you, for them, for all of us. 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

Today’s guest is Jennifer Kaufman — principal of a school for students with autism, founder of First Response Autism, and author of Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey from Both Sides of the Desk. Jennifer trains police, medics, and firefighters to recognize and respond to autism with patience instead of panic — and she’s living it every day as the grandmother of a seven-year-old on the spectrum. In this episode we talk about: The reality that 93% of accidental deaths among autistic individuals involve water — and what responders can do about it. How to recognize autism on-scene vs. intoxication or defiance. The Blue Envelope Program and Responder Cards — simple tools that save lives. Communication moves that work: single-word prompts, calm tone, concrete language, and giving time to process. Why families, dispatch, and crews all have to play on the same team. It’s practical, raw, and full of takeaways every responder and parent can use right now. 🔗 Guest Info Jennifer Kaufman 📘 Author – Grandparenting on the Spectrum (Amazon & Barnes & Noble) 🌐 Website: firstresponseautism.com 📧 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 🎧 Tags / Keywords Autism • First Responders • EMS • Police Training • Fire • Dispatch • De-escalation • Neurodiversity • Parenting • Grandparents • Community Safety 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

You’re listening to Dispatched & Dysfunctional — where chaos has a pulse, and burnout finally gets called by its real name. Today’s guest, Dr. Caroline Sangal, knows what it’s like to hit every benchmark of success — degrees, titles, awards — and still feel like something’s missing. After building a career in science and executive recruiting, Caroline hit a breaking point that forced her to ask one question: What if success doesn’t feel like success anymore? Now she’s helping others rewrite the definition. In this episode, Chris and Caroline talk about: The real cost of chasing achievement over alignment Why burnout can wear a designer suit How to rebuild your life when your identity is tied to your job The “Next Success” method — finding what truly fuels you And how to pause before you break It’s one of the most honest, grounded, and inspiring conversations about purpose, identity, and self-worth — especially for those who are supposed to “have it together.” 🧠 Need support right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. Want to share your story or connect? Visit critical-run.com or message the Facebook page Dispatched and Dysfunctional. We’re building this — for you, for them, for all of us. 🎧 Listen anywhere: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podbean 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

Caring for the Caregivers — Lynette Weldon on Burnout, Boundaries, and Finding Your Way Back to Joy After 36 years of caring for everyone else — from raising a daughter with Down Syndrome to surviving her husband’s addiction and depression — Lynette Weldon learned the hardest truth of all: you can’t pour from an empty cup. In this episode, Lynette shares how compassion fatigue nearly broke her, what it took to rebuild, and how she helps others rediscover joy and purpose after burnout. We talk about boundaries that actually hold, redefining strength, and why self-care isn’t selfish — it’s survival. A raw, grounded conversation for anyone who’s ever given too much and forgotten themselves in the process. 🎧 Caring for the Caregivers — only on Dispatched & Dysfunctional. 🌐 Connect with Lynette: LynetteWeldon.com Facebook / YouTube / TikTok → Coaching With Lynette Need support right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. Visit critical-run.com or message the Facebook page Dispatched and Dysfunctional to share your story or connect. We’re building this — for you, for them, for all of us.   🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

⚠️ PODCAST DISCLAIMER The following content is graphic, emotional, and includes dark humor that may not be suitable for all listeners. Discretion is advised. These stories are based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Calls are real. Providers are real. Names and patient details have been changed to protect privacy. They may be disturbing to some — and are definitely inappropriate for your HR department. Any medical or mental health discussion is personal experience — not protocol. Use your damn brain. Follow your local guidelines. And when in doubt — call med control. If you’re struggling, don’t do it alone. Talk to someone. A co-worker. A friend. A therapist. Need help right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. 🎙️ Episode Summary: ATF Special Agent Jay Dobyns spent two years undercover inside the Hells Angels — and paid for it in blood, trust, and identity. This raw conversation covers the cost of obsession, betrayal within the badge, and the fight to rebuild faith, family, and self. Dobyns opens up about humility learned through humiliation, what real brotherhood looks like, and how surviving the job means learning to survive yourself. 📘 About Jay’s Book: Jay is the author of No Angel: My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels — the New York Times bestseller that pulls no punches about the toll of deep undercover life. Available wherever books are sold or at jaydobyns.com 🔗 Book link: critical-run.com or message the Facebook page Dispatched and Dysfunctional. We’re building this — for you, for them, for all of us. 🎧 Listen on Your Platform: Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dispatched-dysfunctional/id1823016738 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qg5QirllVlFHLzRrnpucy Amazon Music → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c28a5312-d5de-47c3-b692-ed3932106989 iHeartRadio → https://iheart.com/podcast/282880332 Player FM → https://player.fm/series/3673933 Podchaser → https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/dispatched-dysfunctional-6139714 Boomplay → https://www.boomplaymusic.com/podcasts/134254 Podbean → https://Dispatchedanddysfunctional.podbean.com/ 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

⚠️ Podcast Disclaimer The following content is graphic, emotional, and includes dark humor that may not be suitable for all listeners. Discretion is advised. These stories are based on real-life EMS, medical, and first responder experiences. They may be disturbing to some — and are definitely inappropriate for your HR department. Any medical or mental health discussion is personal experience — not protocol. Use your damn brain. Follow your local guidelines. And when in doubt — call med control. If you’re struggling, don’t do it alone. Talk to someone — a coworker, a friend, a therapist… or hell, reach out to me. Need help right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. 🎧 Episode Summary Dr. Joe Sherman is a pediatrician, coach, and speaker who spent decades in medicine before realizing the white coat wasn’t armor — it was weight. In this episode, we talk about what happens when purpose turns into pressure, how “compassion fatigue” is really empathy overload, and what it takes to rebuild joy after burnout without losing yourself in the process. From mission work in Uganda and Bolivia to leading hospital teams in Seattle, Dr. Sherman opens up about the quiet cost of overgiving — and the power of rediscovering humanity inside the work that once broke you. 💬 Why It Matters Because burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. Sometimes it looks like competence. Sometimes it looks like a smile. And sometimes it’s just the moment you realize your purpose got buried under your pager. Dr. Sherman’s story isn’t just about medicine — it’s about remembering who you are beneath the uniform, and why self-compassion isn’t selfish. It’s survival. 🧠 Guest Info Website → joeshermanmd.com Email → [email protected] 🎧 Listen / Connect / Support Need support right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. Want to share your story or connect? Visit critical-run.com or message the Facebook page Dispatched & Dysfunctional. We’re building this — for you, for them, for all of us. 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

A cop who writes it how it really feels. RL Carpentier spent nearly two decades in law enforcement before channeling the ghosts, grit, and quiet truths into the Overlook crime-fiction trilogy. We talk wellness that actually works, telling the truth safely through fiction, and why the stories we carry need a way out. Podbean — Description / Show Notes ⚠️ PODCAST DISCLAIMER The following content is graphic, emotional, and includes dark humor that may not be suitable for all listeners. Discretion is advised. These stories are based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Calls are real. Providers are real. Names and details are changed to protect privacy. Any medical discussion is personal experience — not protocol. Use your damn brain. Follow your local guidelines. And when in doubt — call med control. If you’re struggling, don’t do it alone. Talk to someone. Or reach out to me — I’ll answer. Need help right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. — Today’s Guest: RL Carpentier (pronounced “car-pen-tee-AIR”) Lieutenant, nearly 20 years in law enforcement Author of the small-town crime trilogy that begins with Our Lady of the Overlook Writes to humanize the badge — no trauma porn, just the real weight and the aftermath What we cover “Fiction lets you tell the truth safely” — using story to process real events without exploiting them Wellness that works: peer support, CISM done right, and why creative outlets (writing, music, drums) beat numbing out The rookie’s reality vs. TV myths (jurisdictions! it’s county sheriffs) Carrying ghosts: how leadership, family, and honest debriefs keep the job from hollowing you out What cops, medics, and writers share: big stories, bigger humility — and knowing when not to over-embellish Connect with RL Carpentier Website: rlcarpentierwriter.com Facebook: RL Carpentier – Small Town Mystery / Crime Procedural Writer Newsletter: biweekly via his website Books: Our Lady of the Overlook (Book 1) + Book 2 out now; Book 3 in progress Pull-quotes “Expression beats repression.” “You’re not Robocop. You bring your family, bills, and bad days to work — and you still have to be human in uniform.” “Healthy outlets create distance without denial.” Support & Resources 🧠 Need support right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. Listen on your favorite platform Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dispatched-dysfunctional/id1823016738 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qg5QirllVlFHLzRrnpucy Amazon Music → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c28a5312-d5de-47c3-b692-ed3932106989 iHeartRadio → https://iheart.com/podcast/282880332 Player FM → https://player.fm/series/3673933 Podchaser → https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/dispatched-dysfunctional-6139714 Boomplay → https://www.boomplaymusic.com/podcasts/134254 Or stream on Podbean: https://Dispatchedanddysfunctional.podbean.com/ — 🧠 SUPPORT OUTRO Need support right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Want to share your story or connect? Visit critical-run.com or message the Facebook page Dispatched and Dysfunctional. We’re building this — for you, for them, for all of us. 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING The following episode includes emotional discussion on burnout, exhaustion, and mental health that may not be suitable for all listeners. Discretion advised. Dr. Kristen Donnelly is a sociologist, four-time TED Speaker, and co-author of The Culture of Burnout. She’s made it her life’s work to expose one hard truth: burnout isn’t weakness — it’s culture. In this conversation: The Puritan work ethic and how it still fuels American burnout Why “suck it up” culture keeps responders sick The body’s breaking point — when rest stops being optional Curiosity as the antidote to guilt The four pillars of recovery: Rest, Rejuvenation, Realignment, and Reconnection Why joy isn’t indulgence — it’s survival What leaders can do to stop rewarding exhaustion Kristen’s message is simple: you’re not broken — you’re burned out. And it’s fixable. 🔗 Links 🌐 Dr. Kristen Donnelly → https://drkristenspeaks.com 📘 Book: The Culture of Burnout (by Dr. Kristen Donnelly & Erin Harlow) 🎧 Listen on your favorite platform: Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dispatched-dysfunctional/id1823016738 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qg5QirllVlFHLzRrnpucy Amazon Music → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c28a5312-d5de-47c3-b692-ed3932106989 iHeartRadio → https://iheart.com/podcast/282880332 Player FM → https://player.fm/series/3673933 Podchaser → https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/dispatched-dysfunctional-6139714 Boomplay → https://www.boomplaymusic.com/podcasts/134254 YouTube → https://youtube.com/@critical-run Want to be a guest on Dispatched & Dysfunctional? Send Christopher Stockton a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17582897467624004aff9dc93 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

Title: We Can Recover — Robert Greer on Brotherhood, Addiction, and the Fight to Come Home Tagline: Because sometimes the hardest rescue is your own. After seventeen years in law enforcement — from Corrections and Crimes Against Children to the FBI Task Force — Robert Greer hit rock bottom. Trauma, addiction, and silence nearly took everything. Now, as an Admissions Advocate at Warriors Heart, he’s helping other first responders and veterans climb out of that same darkness. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Robert and host Chris Stockton dive into the realities behind the badge — the burnout, the bottle, and the breaking point — and the power of recovery that followed. Hear how one night almost ended his story… and how choosing the phone instead of the gun changed everything. Highlights: The hidden toll of Crimes Against Children investigations Isolation, burnout, and the myth of “brotherhood” Finding Warriors Heart and the road to recovery The first week of sobriety and learning to laugh again What hope sounds like on the other end of the line If you’ve ever felt alone in this work — this episode is proof that you’re not. You can recover. Hear how one night almost ended his story… and how choosing the phone instead of the gun changed everything. If you or someone you love is struggling, visit warriorsheart.com/connect — you’ll reach another warrior who’s been there and can help. 🧠 Need support right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more. 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING The following episode includes emotional and trauma-related discussion that may not be suitable for all listeners. Discretion advised. Kara Kalin is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Certified EMDR Therapist, and Founder of Shift Change, an online platform providing on-demand, EMDR-based mental-health support for workplaces and frontline professionals. In this conversation: The hidden cost of workplace trauma — and how to fix it Why the right brain stores the charge and the left brain runs logic The 90-day window to prevent PTSD from taking root What “suppression culture is dead” really means How EMDR works — and why you can’t heal what you won’t feel A one-minute reset: breath, tap, and remind yourself “I’m safe right now.” Kara’s mission is simple: make recovery accessible before burnout becomes identity. Because healing isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom. 👉 Learn more or book a session at www.shiftchange.life Follow Kara on Instagram & LinkedIn @karakalinhealing 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

From battlefield to bedside — Navy Corpsman, Paramedic, and Pediatric Emergency PA-C Johnnie L. Gilpen Jr. has seen what survival really costs. He’s answered the call of “Corpsman up!”, treated Marines in the chaos that follows, held dying children in a trauma bay, and fought his own way back from burnout. Now, through The Art of Medicine: A Warrior’s Profession, he’s helping responders, clinicians, and veterans hold the line — and remember they still belong. In this episode, Johnnie joins host Chris Stockton for a raw, peer-to-peer conversation about moral injury, faith, resilience, and the tools that keep us standing when the job tries to take everything. From his “Foxhole Principle” to the “Cookie Jar,” Johnnie proves that warriors don’t need to break to be brave — they just need to stay human. Episode Themes: • Resilience after loss • Building your “Foxhole Team” • Tools for burnout and moral injury • Why belonging is medicine • Faith, family, and surviving the weight of the job ⚠️ Listener Advisory: This episode contains graphic and emotional content, along with dark humor. Discretion is advised. 🧠 SUPPORT OUTRO: Need support right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. Want to share your story or connect? Visit critical-run.com or message the Facebook page Dispatched & Dysfunctional. We’re building this — for you, for them, for all of us. 🔗 Guest Credits & Links Johnnie L. Gilpen Jr. 🌐 johnniegilpen.com 📘 Tales From the Green Side – A Barstool Anthology (Amazon) 📄 LinkedIn 📘 Facebook Profile 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

Today’s guest knows a thing or two about carrying weight — not just in uniform, but after it comes off. She’s a nurse with more than thirty years in healthcare, most of that in hospice and end-of-life care. She’s an author, a coach, and the creator of The Becoming Method® — a practical framework that helps caregivers stop burning themselves alive for the job. Jenny Lytle has spent decades sitting beside the edge of life, where exhaustion meets grace, and she’s learned one hard truth we all forget: you can’t save anyone if you’ve already bled yourself dry. We talk about: – Why burnout hides behind “I’m fine.” – The cost of caring and what recovery really looks like. – How to build five-minute self-care resets that actually work. – Faith, balance, and how to stop confusing self-sacrifice with strength. This one isn’t soft — it’s survival. Because self-care isn’t selfish. It’s the only reason you’ll last long enough to live life after the pager. Jenny Lytle’s book Self-Care Isn’t Selfish is available on Amazon in Kindle, Audible, paperback, hardcover, and large print — or grab a free digital copy at selfcareisntselfish.com. This is Dispatched & Dysfunctional. Because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories. And sometimes the best stories… remind us to survive long enough to tell them. 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

⚠️ PODCAST DISCLAIMER The following content is graphic, emotional, and includes dark humor that may not be suitable for all listeners. Discretion is advised. Explicit content included. Calls are real, providers are real. Names and details changed to protect privacy. Any medical discussion is personal experience — not protocol. Use your damn brain. Follow your guidelines. When in doubt, call med control. Need help now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Episode: “Resilience Isn’t a Poster — It’s a Process (with Jeff Robertson)” From sirens and shift work to a DUI that blew up his identity, Jeff Robertson lays it out without polish: how your job can swallow your name, how “a few beers after shift” turns into a lifestyle, and how to claw back purpose when the uniform comes off. We get into survival mode, ego, leadership that actually lifts people, and the messy, unglamorous path of rebuilding — from being uninsurable to owning a fitness gym, from hiding in chaos to learning to forgive the younger version of yourself. If you’ve ever thought, “Am I more than this patch?” — this one’s for you. What you’ll hear: identity after the job • alcohol as a coping trap • finding real mentors (and friends outside the bay) • Ho‘oponopono as a practical forgiveness tool • peer support over perfection • fitness as a lifeline • why leadership should hold the ladder for the next person • and the hard truth that life goes on — with or without you, so choose how you show up. 🧠 Need support right now? 988 | 988lifeline.org 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.

After more than 40 years in law enforcement — from the courtroom to the streets — Pat Welsh has seen what happens when leadership fails… and when it saves lives. In this episode of Dispatched & Dysfunctional, we talk about what it really means to lead with courage, serve with humility, and stay human when the job hardens everyone else. From being abandoned in a Dublin orphanage to commanding the Dayton, Ohio Police Department, Pat’s story is one of grit, faith, and purpose. He’s lived every side of service — prosecutor, cop, commander, husband, and father — and built his Warrior, Servant, Leader mindset through experience most of us can’t imagine. This one’s a masterclass in real leadership, humility, and what happens when you stop pretending to be bulletproof. 🔥 KEY TOPICS The difference between empathy and compassion Leading through faith after personal loss What “culture” really means inside a department or team Why ego kills teams faster than failure How to serve without burning out The power of humility in command 🎧 GUEST LINKS 🌐 Website: https://www.thewarriorservantleaderpodcast.com 📬 Substack: https://substack.com/@patwelshjd 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-welsh-jd-82b79490/ 💬 QUOTE FROM PAT “Real strength has nothing to do with pretending you’re bulletproof. Leadership is about doing the right thing, the right way, at the right time, for the right reasons.” 🧠 ABOUT THE SHOW Dispatched & Dysfunctional is where chaos has a pulse, leadership gets tested, and dark humor meets real survival. These are the stories from inside the headset, the rig, and the fight to stay human when the job takes everything out of you. Calls are real. Providers are real. Names and details have been changed to protect privacy. Listener discretion is advised. 🧠 SUPPORT OUTRO Need support right now? Text or call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. Want to share your story or connect? Visit critical-run.com or message the Facebook page Dispatched & Dysfunctional. We’re building this — for you, for them, for all of us. 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.