Free Burn 2023

Mark, now Retired had 26 years of service as a FF/paramedic. 12 years with Sherman FD and 14 with Allen FD. He is married to his wife Lisa. They have 5 kids between them and 4 grandchildren.  He loves spending time with his family and friends. Come join in on the conversation as Mark shares his journey with mental health.  Thank you Brother for all you have done and continue to do, Most importantly ...Sharing your journey!!

On This Episode I Sit down with Matty Fiorenza, a retired Firefighter/Paramedic with 22 years of service! Matty is walking the walk and helping out our Brothers and Sisters in a big way with mental and behavioral health!! Hop on and enjpy this dudes journey and see where he's at today!!! He is also on the documentary PTSD 911, a must see and helps run a in patient facility Recovery First for first responder mental and behavioral health!! Thanks Matty for all you do! https://ptsd911movie.com/ https://recoveryfirst.com/

On this episode i sit down with Arjuna George he's a resilience warrior in high-pressure environments. With over 24 years of navigating challenging landscapes, including a decade as a Fire Chief, Arjuna is uniquely positioned to guide high-performing leaders on their journey to resilience. come listen to my new Canadian Brother as he shares what he's doing to Burn the stigma with mental and behavirol health! https://silverarrowco.com/ https://burntaroundtheedges.com/ https://silverarrowco.com/podcast

Hannah is a clinical social worker serving first responders on the outreach team for the IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery. The IAFF Center of Excellence is a one-of-a-kind treatment facility specializing in PTSD for professional fire service members who struggle with trauma, substance use, addiction and other related behavioral health challenges. Hannah works with first responders through connection to behavioral health resources, providing education, and offering support. Hannah educates on behavioral health topics pertaining to the fire service and first responder communities to departments, peer teams, families and clinicians.   Hannah received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Florida State University. Prior to joining the IAFF Center of Excellence team, Hannah received her clinical training in various settings, including Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL and the James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital in Tampa, FL. Hannah is a trained IAFF Peer Supporter, has a certification in Treating Fire Service Members in Behavioral Health Settings through the IAFF, has participated in Fire Ops, and has attended ride-alongs with fire departments in multiple states. Hannah dedicates each day to personal education and immersion into fire service culture to be a trusted resource for all. Hannah contact : 727-506-9036 www.IAFFRecoverycenter.com

On this episode I sit down with Lauren Gamache. She works at for The colony Fire Department as a Single role Paramedic. She just hit her five year anniversary there and has been a medic since 2015. Join in as she shares her journey through her personal struggles and healing. From Lauren Most importantly to me, I’m a mom to two beautiful, sarcastic, and way too smart kiddos. We have a crazy life in our log cabin in Whitesboro, Tx. I teach EMT and Paramedic students, and try to learn as much as I can about caring for our peers and connecting to people whenever I can! Thanks Lauren for sharing your journey with me and our listeners! Keep Burning that Stigma!!

On this episode is sit down with Kevin Pfluger is a 17 year veteran of the fire service and is currently a Lieutenant at the Live Oak (TX) fire department. He is the President of the Live Oak Professional Firefighters Association Local 4098. Through the local, Kevin is the lead organizer of the Dagum Texas Fire Conference. He teaches with MV Fire Rescue as the lead instructor teaching hose line management on “The First Line” Engine Ops Cadre and helps teach firefighter rescue and survival skills on the “No Quit RIT” Cadre. Kevin also teaches with the Bearers of the Oath Cadre out of Georgia. Kevin works for Mercedes Textiles Hose as a Consultant and is on the UL 19 Technical Committee for 0219-Fire Hose.

On this episode I sit down with Nate Sturm 23 year veteran of the fire service with the Apopka Fire Department. He currently hold the rank of District Chief. He’s Married to his best friend who truly is his rock, Angie with 2 Awesome daughters! Mental health has always been near and dear to his heart! Nate has  taken many classes in peer support, critical incident stress management and received training in becoming a Chaplain for the fire service. Nate has had his struggles just like a lot of us! He real, he’s passionate and most of all he is a solid Brother to me not only in the fire service but in Christ! Honored to have him as a friend! Thank You Brother for being open, trusting, and sharing your journey with me!! KEEP BURNING THAT STIGMA!!

On this episode I sit down with Stephanie White. She is a 20 year veteran of the fire service, and has spent the past 18 years as a professional firefighter/paramedic assigned to the field in a metropolitan fire department. Stephanie is a podcaster and contributing writer with Fire Engineering. She enjoys talking about the taboo subjects in the fire service revolving around laughter, harassment, and mental health. 

On this episode I sit down Sgt. Patrick Mosely he spent 10 years in the national guard and the past 20 years in law enforcement. 13 years in Maryland and curently 7 years Balch Springs. He has also done some plain clothes work SWAT and instructor work in Maryland. mostly patrol work. Currently one of the Peer Team leads for Balch Springs PD. Thanks Brother for your willingness to share your story!

On this episodeI sit down with Michael Sugrue. #1 International Best-Selling Author | National Keynote Speaker | U.S. Air Force Security Forces Veteran (Captain) | Retired Walnut Creek Police Sergeant | Mental Health Warrior. Come listen as we have a conversation about tramas, healing and moving forward to help others who are struggling. Keep Burning that stigma Brother and thanks for an awesome conversation!! https://a.co/d/3v8AwTV

Ending 2023 with a great interview!!! On this episode I sit down with Eric Stephenson! He is the Executive Director of the First Responders Peer Support Network located on the coast of North Carolina.  Eric is a 30-year veteran of the fire service. He has worked as a firefighter, paramedic, Lieutenant and recently retired as a shift Captain.   Eric has a strong passion for first responder mental health and is an advocate on this platform as he is a PTSD survivor himself. ​Eric and his wife Debra, who is also retired from Emergency Services have faced many challenges along their journey of recovery together in relation to Eric's PTSD, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideations.   This prompted them to put a program together titled "Success On The Home Front" which addresses  the struggles first responders and significant others may face together.  ​Eric credits his progress in recovery to several things. First his wife, peer support and mental health counseling and treatment. https://www.frpsn.org/

On this episode I sit down with Deborah Green, a retired emergency dispatcher for 11 months with Sacramento PD, 27 years with El Dorado Sheriff's office, Deborah gives a new perspective on what dispatchers deal with in a mostly thankless over looked career as an emergency dispatcher! Thank you Deborah for your willingness to share your journey with mental health and bringing awareness to your service as a dispatcher! Tune in as we continue Burning the stigma with first responder mental health one podcast at a time!!!

On this episode I sit down with Ben Westcott, Firefighter Paramedic with the City of Hurst Texas Fire Departemnt, One of the founders of Team Fenix, he is also out there on the front lines helping Readiness Group with Mental behavioral health training and Burning that stigma!!! His Passion is so deep he is currently studying for his degree in Psychology: Crisis Management!! Ben shares his journey with mental health and how he got through those tough days. Glad to call him Friend and Brother! Thanks for Sharing so others may heal!!! Lets Keep Burning the stigma one podcast at a time! Bens contact: [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/ESSTeamFenix/ https://freeburn23.com/

We are Back! Join us on this episode as We sit Down with Michael Goldstein, My New found Brother that I never knew I had as he carries us on his journey with trials and tribulations! How he overcame negativity and stress inside the fire house as well as outside, Huge surprise.....yes even inside the fire houses we can have struggles! Brother Michael tells us what it took for him to stand up an keep moving forward for the betterment of self and family! Mad respect for this Brother! Keeps me wanting to keep on! Keep Burning that stigma Brother!

I sit down Destiny Morris is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California who specializes in first responders and their families. She is trained in EMDR as well as first responder counselor certified. Destiny sees individuals, couples, and holds a weekly therapy group for first responder partners. We have great discussion about families of first rersponders and what type of things they deal with as sposes of first responders. Towards the end of our conversation we talk COLD PLUNG and its benifits for everyone! https://www.instagram.com/on_being_resilient/ Cold Plung Link with discount! https://snwbl.io/pod-company/DESTINY30996

On this episode sit Down With Jeff Dill founder of the firefighter behavioral health alliance. Jeff holds a Master’s degree and is a Licensed Counselor. He is a retired Captain from Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in Inverness, Illinois and is a member of the American Counseling Association, National Board of Certified Counselors, International Associations of Fire Chiefs, and is an alumni member of the International Association of Fire Fighters. In July of 2021, Jeff accepted the position of Behavioral Health Administrator with Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. In 2009, founder Jeff Dill, organized Counseling Services for Fire Fighters. CSFF was established based on the tragic events that surrounded Hurricane Katrina. In 2011, Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance was established to directly educate firefighters/ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and their families about behavioral health issues such as depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and addictions, as well as firefighter suicides. https://www.ffbha.org/

This episode I sit down with Captain Darin Field with The City of Duncanville Texas Fire Department. 25 year veteran and current peer team member. Sit down and take a listen to a brother with perseverance and dedication who over came some tough times and now is on fire and ready to help the first responder community Burn the stigma!

On this Episode I sit down with Grapevine Fire Department Driver/Engineer Amber Ramirez 18 years in the Fire service with 15 years as FF/ Paramedic. She's been with Grapevine FD for 11 1/2 years, currently holds the rank of Driver/Engineer. She is an active member of GFD Honor Guard and GFD Peer Team. She has been married almost 14 years and has 1 daughter. Her journey will no doubt change lives. Hop on as we sit down, light this bonfire and continue Burning the stigma!!

I sit down with Dr. Kelly Guidry Licenced Professional Counselor, PhD, LPC-S on this Podcast and discuss what it like from a Counselors side working with first responders. Dr. Guidry is Part of the Readiness Group which does Peer support team oversite, Mental, Behavioral health, and resiliency training plus many other things for the first responder community. We sit down and talk on several subjects from how the brain responds to stress, to the ever changing culture we live in, and tap a little in to moral injury. Hop on as we continue burning the stigma one podcast at a time. https://www.readinessgrp.com/ https://freeburn23.com/ Check out our new landing page above! Call to action.....if you know or are a first responder, Police, Fire, EMS, Dispatcher or Military that would like to be a guest on the Free Burn 2023 podcast and share your journey with mental/behavioral health and help burn the stigma...reach out to us on our website and or shoot us a email at [email protected]

On this Episode I sit down with Dustin Jeter, 7 year Firefighter/Paramedic with the Lewisville Texas Fire Department, Married with 2 kids. Tune in as we sit down and discuss his personal story with Mental health. You don't have to be a 20 or 30 year vet to be hit with the realities of trauma and what that can bring to life....Dustins story shows just that! Dustin is a active Peer Team Member for Lewisville fire and Im gonna say they are lucky to have him! Thanks Brother for your willingness to share your journey so others may begin to heal! Lets continue burning that stigma one podcast at a time!!

I sit down with Craig Bentley on this episode! A Firefighter/Paramedic of 17 years with the Denton Fire Department. Craig is one of the Denton Fire Association VP's, Current Peer team lead. Plug in and let's take a dive into his journey with his fire department career and some of his struggles and triumphs! Light that fire as we continue to Burn That Stigma one podcast at a time!

Today I sit down with Egan de los Cobos from sunny California, over 20 years of public service combined as a paramedic and firefighter. He is 16 years in as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. 42 years young, married and has two kids! He is actively involved with his departments Peer program and CISM response. Egan is also a Certified Health coach and is passionate in helping others navigate both stress injuries and physical health related to autoimmune disease. Thanks Egan for your willingness to sit down and share your personal journey to help others in the first responder community!

Episode #4 Burn 4 we sit down with a long time friend and coworker Adam Brooks! 18 year Firefighter/emt Veteran For Balch Springs Fire Department, currently one of the departments Peer team leaders. Sit down with use as he shares his story of Lows and highs and his journey to recovery!

This Burn we are talking with Captain Billy Vest with the City of Waxahachie Fire Department. He is a 18 year Veteran, Past 5 years as a Captain. Billy was pivotal in the creation of WFD's Peer team and is currently the peer team lead. Lets sit down and listen to Billys journey and continue Burning that Stigma in the First responder community...one podcast at a time!!

In this episode I will dive into my personal journey with mental and behavioral health. From childhood all the way to where Im at today. Please share and get ready for some awesome journeys to come out in future episodes!

Welcome to Free Burn! Im Matt Ballard your host. Free Burn is the Podcast where we will be having real conversations with the first responder community about mental and behavioral health. It time to Burn the stigma with mental health in the first responder community one podcast at a time! New episodes soon!