The First Responder Wellness Podcast

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Chris Logan sits down with Chaplain Nick to explore the unseen world of first responder chaplaincy. From his unique beginnings as a reserve firefighter to serving law enforcement agencies , Nick shares how the job reshapes the human soul.They dive deep into the heavy reality of compassion fatigue, the trauma of witnessing sudden loss, and why "the hardening of the heart" becomes an accidental protective measure for public safety workers. Nick also speaks openly about his book, Used to Go to Church, shedding light on the crucial difference between rigid institutional religion and authentic spiritual healing in recovery.Whether you are a firefighter, police officer, EMS worker, or someone looking to understand the mental health battles on the front lines, this conversation offers a profound blueprint for moving from isolation back into community.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://frhealth.com/888-443-4898

Scott Irwin was living out of his car when he joined the Marine Corps. It gave him discipline, direction, and the foundations of leadership, but it was also where his drinking began.While building a successful career in law enforcement, primarily working gangs and narcotics, Scott made the decision to get sober and begin rebuilding the trust and relationships his drinking had damaged.In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Scott opens up about sobriety, restoring his family, officer-involved shootings, the tragedies he witnessed throughout his career, and seeing firsthand what the job can do to first responders and their families.Today, Scott provides case management and facilitates groups at First Responder Wellness. Listen to Scott’s story of discipline, destruction, recovery, and a life rebuilt.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://frhealth.com/888-443-4898

In this episode of The First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan sits down with Chris Catren, former Chief of Police and Director of Strategic Relationships at First Responder Wellness.After nearly 30 years in law enforcement, Chris Catren had seen the job from every angle: officer, detective, supervisor, chief, and department leader. But when he first toured First Responder Wellness, he admits he came in skeptical.He had a hard time believing that first responders were really opening up, sharing honestly, and getting the help they needed. Then he saw it for himself.In this conversation, Chris shares his path into law enforcement, the lessons he learned as a leader, how his view of wellness and peer support changed, and why departments can no longer treat mental health as an “extra”.This episode is a powerful reminder that wellness is not just a policy, a poster, or a box to check. It is people helping people survive a very difficult career.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://frhealth.com/888-443-4898

In this episode of The First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan sits down with Fred, a retired Los Angeles firefighter and Deputy Chief, to talk about 35 years in the fire service, the calls that stayed with him, and the cost of always trying to “stay strong.”Fred shares what it was like starting his fire career at Fire Station 9 on Skid Row, working some of the busiest assignments in Los Angeles, and slowly realizing that the calls he thought he had buried were beginning to add up.He opens up about PTSD symptoms, recovery, the stigma around asking for help, and why going to treatment became one of the best decisions he ever made.Today, Fred uses his own experience to help other first responders understand that needing help is not weakness. Sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is raise your hand and say, “I need help.”For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://frhealth.com/888-443-4898

In this episode, Chris Logan sits down with Joel Edwards, CEO of First Responder Wellness, to talk about the story, mission, and heart behind FRW.Joel shares how his own recovery journey shaped the way he views treatment, why traditional treatment models often fall short, and how First Responder Wellness was built to provide a different kind of care for those who serve our communities.From building trust with departments to creating a place where first responders can be honest, supported, and understood, this conversation gives a deeper look at why FRW exists and what it means to walk with first responders through some of the hardest moments of their lives.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://frhealth.com/888-443-4898

In this episode, we sit down with Devin O’Day to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes with first responders. PTSD, alcohol, burnout, and the moments that push people to the edge.This conversation goes deeper than awareness. We break down:- Why there’s never a “good time” to get help- What people are actually thinking in their darkest moments- The real barriers that keep people from treatment- How departments can either support recovery… or make it worse- Why getting help early changes everythingWe also talk about what treatment actually looks like, why it only works if you’re willing to do the work, and how the culture around mental health in first responder agencies is starting to shift.If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t wait.Start the conversation. Ask questions. Do something.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://frhealth.com/888-443-4898

In this episode, we sit down with clinical experts to talk about why alcohol becomes such a common coping tool, especially for first responders. From nervous system overload to environmental triggers and learned patterns, this conversation breaks down what’s really happening beneath the surface.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://frhealth.com/888-443-4898

Today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast, we sit down with John, who shares his story of living with depression after decades in law enforcement.For years, John built a career around strength, composure, and solving the worst days of other people’s lives. But privately, he was struggling. In this honest conversation, he talks about what depression really felt like, the pressure to always be strong, and the moment he realized he didn’t want to die, he just didn’t know how to live anymore.This episode is about more than crisis. It’s about what happens when strength becomes a mask, and what recovery actually looks like for a first responder who never thought he’d need help.If you’re a first responder, a family member, or anyone silently carrying more than you show, this conversation is for you.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://frhealth.com/888-443-4898

Learn more or sign up:https://firstresponderhealth.foundation/We’re running Ragnar, 200 miles from Coronado to Huntington Beach, to raise awareness for first responder mental health and suicide prevention. In this episode, First Responder Wellness CEO Joel Edwards sits down with host Chris Logan to explain what Ragnar is, why First Responder Wellness is doing it, and how you can get involved, whether you want to run, volunteer, donate, or support from the sidelines. The run takes place April 10-11, 2026. How to get involved✅ Run with the team (limited spots)✅ Volunteer (van drivers, transition support, cheering at exchanges)✅ Buddy-run a leg (join a runner for a few miles)✅ Donate / dedicate a donation in honor of someone

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan sits down with Julie Cramer, FRW’s Compliance & Organizational Development Manager. Julie opens up about her path in law enforcement, a serious traffic collision that caused spine and head injuries, and how that incident ultimately ended her career. After finalizing a medical retirement in 2012, she describes a difficult season marked by pain medication, alcohol, and suicidal ideation and what it took to make it through.Julie also shares how working alcohol-related union cases helped connect people to First Responder Wellness, and why so many reported the experience as truly life-changing. For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://frhealth.com/888-443-4898

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Mike shares his story with honesty and accountability, from working as a vice narcotics detective, to addiction, to crossing lines he never imagined he would cross.This is not a story about shock value or scandal. It’s a story about how addiction strips away choice, how quickly things can unravel, and why recovery requires truth, structure, and support.Mike now works with us helping others who are facing the same battles he once fought alone.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/888-443-4898

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan sits down with Ryan Tillman to discuss the emotional, cultural, and psychological weight carried by first responders.Ryan shares his journey into law enforcement, the unseen trauma officers absorb from call to call, and how identity, culture, and public perception intersect with mental wellness in public safety.This conversation goes beyond viral videos and headlines to focus on the human cost of the job, and why investing in first responder mental health is essential for long-term well-being.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/888-443-4898

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan talks with Tom Crewse, Retired Battalion Chief, program alumnus, and now an employee at First Responder Wellness.Tom shares what it looked like to grow up believing your value is tied to work, how that mindset shaped him in the fire service, and what it cost in life outside the job. He also opens up about the moment he finally had to be honest with himself, and the turning points that helped him rebuild from the inside out.Today, Tom works with alumni and runs groups at FRW, using his story to help other first responders find a healthier path forward.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/888-443-4898

If you are a first responder, or you love someone who is, this story will hit home. In today's episode we talk about:The culture of "suck it up, keep moving, give me the keys and I'll do it rightWhy alcohol + PTSD is such a dangerous combinationWhy the opposite of addiction is really connectionHow gratitude, humility, and facing the pain became his way outWhat culturally competent, first-responder-only treatment felt like, and why that community mattered.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/888-443-4898

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Chris Logan (Director of Clinical Operations at First Responder Wellness) sits down with Whitney and Adam from Open Water, an organization that uses paddleboards, outriggers, and time on the water to help first responders break out of isolation and reconnect with life.They talk about how the water is a “non-judgmental” space that doesn’t care about your rank or your past, and how that environment becomes the perfect place to rediscover fun, community, and purpose again.If you’re a police officer, firefighter, dispatcher, EMS, any first responder struggling with trauma, burnout, addiction, or feeling emotionally numb, this conversation is for you, or for the person on your shift who needs it but won’t say it out loud.

In this raw and honest interview, our guest opens up about his hidden battle with alcoholism, from secret drinking and denial to detoxing alone, hospitalization, and finally entering treatment at First Responder Wellness.He shares the moment he told his wife “I can’t stop drinking,” and what recovery has given back to his life, his family, and his purpose in law enforcement.This story is about honesty, redemption, and hope, and a reminder that no one has to do this alone.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/888-443-4898

Today our host Chris Logan talks with retired Westminster PD officer Cord about the real toll of the job, the suicide of his first FTO, and how the tragedy pushed Cord into mental health advocacy. They cover identity beyond the badge, why "heroes don't ask for help" is deadly, peer support, and a push for annual, confidential wellness visits for police, fire, dispatch, and EMS.If you're a first responder, clinician, or leader, share this with your team. It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help. It's a sign of strength. For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/888-443-4898

Rozzy's story is raw and real. From losing his dad to suicide at 11, to becoming a cop at 20, to taking in his 15-year-old nephew, he carried the weight for years without ever processing it. Through hard work Rozzy found healing and a new purpose. Today, he is no longer defined by his past and he wants every first responder to know that asking for help isn't weakness, it's strength.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/888-443-4898

Today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast, we sit down with our very own Dr. Rose Maynard, PsyD, AMFT. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with advanced training in trauma-focused care and a deep passion for supporting first responders and their families.Coming from a family with a strong history of military and paramilitary service, Dr. Maynard's commitment to serving first responders is both personal and professional. For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/888-443-4898

Today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Chris Logan (Director of Clinical Operations) sits down with Will, a former law enforcement officer and First Responder Wellness alumni. Will opens up about living as a high-functioning alcoholic, balancing the appearance of success with a hidden struggle, and the long journey to recovery. In this powerful conversation, Will shares how denial and "rock bottom" looked different for him, what finally pushed him to change, and how First Responder Wellness played a role in his healing. His story is raw, and filled with hope for anyone battling addiction while trying to keep life looking "put together" on the outside.If you or someone you know is struggling, remember you're not alone, and help is out there.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/888-443-4898

Dr. Stephen Odom is the founder of First Responder Wellness and a nationally recognized behavioral health expert with over 30 years of experience in healthcare, psychology, and leadership. A licensed marriage and family therapist, Dr. Odom has led treatment programs across the country and advised hospitals, universities, and public safety agencies. His passion for serving first responders comes from his own family’s background in military, law enforcement, and healthcare, and he has dedicated his career to creating programs that address their unique needs.In this episode, Dr. Odom discusses the cultural shift he’s seeing, first responders seeking help earlier, before crisis, and why lasting change must come from the top down. From “hire to retire,” he emphasizes that leadership’s commitment to mental health is just as critical as strategy and tactics.For confidential support, or simply to learn more with no commitment, contact us:https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/888-443-4898