Everyday Brave: Podcasts for Emergency Responders

by Jason Hopcus

Everyday Brave is a series of real-life stories shared through podcasts and a list of resources tailor-made for you, our Emergency Responders, to use when you need support from the day-to-day stresses that come with your job. Your mental, emotional, and physical wellness should be a priority, but daily on the job demands can leave your own needs off the list. We recognize that everyone struggles with something, and Emergency  ...   ...  Read more
Self-Improvement
Government
Mental Health

Podcast episodes

  • Everyday Brave | Episode 11 - Abigail Manning

    Everyday Brave | Episode 11 - Abigail Manning

    22:54

    Abigail Manning is an innovative voice in preventing unhealthy behaviors and proactively building prosperous cultures. As a culture expert, she offers workshops and keynotes on how to transform toxic and abusive behaviors and prevent Adverse Spiral outcomes of depression, addictions, cycles of abuse, PTS and thoughts of suicide. Her passion for teaching comes from rising above her first-hand experience of childhood abuse and domestic violence. She authentically connects and cares about others and building cultures where we all can thrive.

  • Everyday Brave | Episode 10 - Ben O'Brien, South Metro Fire Rescue

    Everyday Brave | Episode 10 - Ben O'Brien, South Metro Fire Rescue

    34:03

    Ben O’Brien is a Firefighter, Peer Advisor, and Peer Support Training Coordinator for South Metro Fire Rescue. He has led the development of the Responder Strong Resilience Standards, which teaches and trains emergency responders on skills of resilience, concepts of stress Injuries and the Stress Continuum model of health, and how to use our values the retire gracefully with confidence.

  • Everyday Brave | Episode 9 - Captain Laurie Halaba, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office

    Everyday Brave | Episode 9 - Captain Laurie Halaba, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office

    26:46

    Captain Halaba began her career with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office in 1999, She has served in detentions, patrol, as a school resource officer, and on a drug task force team. She moved through the ranks, breaking the glass ceiling to become the first female captain in the agency in 2014. Currently, she is one of two captains assigned to the Arapahoe County detention facility, overseeing courthouse security operations and the mental health and medical section inside the facility for inmates. She is also the peer support/employee wellness coordinator for the Sheriff’s office. In that role, her passion to support employee wellness and resiliency has expanded agency wide.

  • Everyday Brave | Episode 8 - Emily Hitchings & Mike Pitrusu, Aurora Police Department

    Everyday Brave | Episode 8 - Emily Hitchings & Mike Pitrusu, Aurora Police Department

    38:35

    Officer Emily Hitchings is in her 15th year at the Aurora Police Department and her third year as the Employee Support and Wellness Unit officer. Prior to her current assignment, she was an investigator in both, the Narcotics and Fugitive Units where she spent more than eight years in an undercover capacity. Sergeant Mike Pitrusu is in his 20th year with the Aurora Police Department and his third year as the Executive Officer to the Chief of Police. Prior to his current assignment, he spent time as the Employee Support and Wellness Sergeant and 14 years on the full-time SWAT Team as an officer, team leader, and a Sergeant.

  • Everyday Brave | Episode 7 - Chris Macklin, South Metro Fire Rescue

    Everyday Brave | Episode 7 - Chris Macklin, South Metro Fire Rescue

    30:19

    Chris Macklin worn many hats in his career. Firefighter. Paramedic. Engineer. Training engineer. And now, wellness manager for South Metro Fire Rescue. His passion to support Emergency Responders began after responding to the Columbine shooting in 1998. In the years since, he has worked tirelessly to support the responder community and currently leads the wellness initiatives at South Metro Fire.