I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness

Erin Jane is a former Police Officer and Detective from Australia, prior Crisis Counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, Master Certified Life Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Partners and Spouses. She is also the wife of an American Firefighter, Captain of 20+ years and currently undertaking psychology and counseling studies to further her capacity to help the First Responder population.

Join her in the "Rorschach Room" every week for authentic, honest and real conversations about what it's like to perform a First Responder role and the mental health challenges that can be a result.

In this episode, Erin speaks with Beata, a Registered Nurse currently working in the Emergency Department of a level one trauma hospital in Boston, MA.

They discuss Beata's start to her nursing career during Covid, what working in an ED is really like, dealing with challenging patients and her previous experience as a Crisis Counsellor at a Suicide Prevention Organization. (Where Erin and Beata actually met!)

**Be advised that the topic of suicide is discussed at length during this episode.**

In this episode, Erin speaks with Dave, who has been a Firefighter/EMT in a suburban fire department north of Boston, MA for the last 22 years and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant. Erin and Dave discuss his career in the fire department, how mental health is tackled around the "firehouse coffee table" and what drove him to go through the process to become CISM trained and qualified.

Dave is honest, open and raw in sharing some of his own struggles with his mental health along his firefighting journey and how his perspective has changed over time, especially becoming a Lieutenant and being in a leadership role, in charge of troops. **They also discuss some of the losses they've both suffered as a result of suicide.**

Erin and Dave talk about how they met (at the CISM course), what they learned and the takeaways they both had from such an experience.

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In this episode, Erin speaks with Elise, a Detective Sergeant from a State Police Force in Australia.

They discuss Elise's career and the different specialties she's explored, her passion for helping victims of domestic violence, her experience with burnout as a Detective, the mental health challenges faced by those who perform these First Responder roles, and why we were told we were getting "Tickets to the greatest show on earth!"

They also discuss what lead Elise down the path to become a qualified Yoga Instructor, the difference with being "trauma informed" and how making sure being a police officer isn't her entire identity is important to her.

 

Elise is thoughtful, honest and insightful when it comes to the mental health cost of being on the front lines of policing and the toll it can take.

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In these two episodes, Erin speaks with Travis Gribble, a former police officer with 24 years experience across both Michigan and Arizona. He held various positions throughout his law enforcement career, including SWAT member, SWAT Team Leader, Patrol Sergeant and Deputy.

Travis is now retired and founded My Arena; a First Responder Mental Health Education and Advocacy organisation. Whose mission is to help "first responders find peace, healing, and strength as they navigate the mental health challenges during their careers" and "educate agencies on how to appropriately handle critical incidents for the employees involved and provide critical response care when needed."

Travis and Erin discuss what drew him to enter law enforcement from the outset, his career trajectory across multiple states, his desire to enter SWAT and some of the mental health aspects he wish he'd known sooner.

Travis also talks about the call that irrevocably changed his career, how he coped, what he experienced in the aftermath and how things should be handled differently for First Responders attending such calls, moving forward. 

Travis and Erin discuss his multiple attempts to find mental health assistance, the call that ended up being his "breaking point" and what help for someone like Travis, diagnosed with PTSD, truly looks like. He talks about his experience with EMDR, Post Traumatic Growth the the origin of his First Responder Mental Health Advocacy Foundation, My Arena. 

They also both discuss their affiliation and support for The Overwatch Collective.

Erin and Travis' entire conversation went for 2.5 hours, so it's broken up into two separate parts, as some heavy content is discussed in detail and at length.

**Please be mindful that details of extreme child abuse are mentioned during this episode**

 

In this episode, Erin speaks with Hayley, a former Senior Sergeant with a State Police Force in Australia and current trauma informed yoga instructor.

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They discuss what lead Hayley to want to join a law enforcement organization, the different positions she held throughout her career and the heavy burden that is placed on people in a leadership role, knowing they have to send their troops out to face trauma on a daily basis.

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Erin and Hayley discuss some of the challenges faced in policing, being a female in a male dominated profession, the impact that workplace occupational trauma can have and what made her walk away from the career that she loved.

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Hayley is remarkably and courageously honest in sharing the negative experiences she endured, the maladaptive coping skills she practiced for so long to the point of complete burnout and her PTSD diagnosis.

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They talk about what happens when you ask for help and it isn't there, how mental health was and is addressed and what could be done better.

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Hayley also shares how she's found her way since leaving her policing career and how finding yoga and becoming an instructor, has changed her life for the better.

It was an absolute pleasure to speak with Hayley and we hope you enjoy listening to this episode!

 

Hayley is the co-founder of Frontline Wellness (Along with Elise from Episode 4) and you can find their Instagram page via: frontline_wellness_au or website: https://www.frontlinewellness.com.au/

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A joint episode with both Hayley and Elise coming soon!

In this episode, Erin speaks with Keith Hanks, a former Firefighter and EMT, with 21 years of service in MA, including roles as a Training Officer and Instructor.

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Keith is retired and is now a Mental Health Advocate, speaking out and educating people on PTSD, substance abuse and suicide prevention in the First Responder community. He is also an author, international speaker and the driving force behind an incredible documentary titled "First Responders In Crisis".

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Keith and Erin discuss his firefighting career, including his generational lineage of service in the fire department and military, dating back to the Civil War. How unresolved trauma can impact you and the maladaptive ways in which he struggled to cope for so many years.

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Keith is brutally honest about his experiences throughout his career, including personal losses he endured, speaks about some of his own failings in a truly courageous manner, embodying one of his favourite sayings, "Own Your Shit". He shares about his PTSD diagnosis, the beginning of a spiral and what lead to his last suicide attempt.

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They discuss the genesis of the documentary "First Responders In Crisis", the impact it's having in the First Responder community and the incredible feedback he's been receiving as a result. 

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Not many people can be as open and pursue their journey of healing in such an unbridled, authentic way as Keith does, but his kindness in sharing his painful experiences and emotions is all part of his strong desire to help others not go through what he did.

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Erin and Keith also discuss the reluctance to speak about mental health in the First Responder world.

It was such a wonderful opportunity to speak with Mr Hanks and we both hope you enjoy this episode!

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The documentary "First Responders In Crisis" can be found on Amazon Prime, You Tube, Xfinity and many other streaming platforms.

 

If you would like to get in contact with Keith or offer feedback on the documentary, he can be reached at khanksmz78@gmail.com or found on Instagram via ⁠@khanksmz⁠

This episode is a first! We have a double treat with returning guests Elise (Detective Sergeant with Australian State Police Force, Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor, Domestic Violence Advocate - Episode 4) and Hayley (Former Senior Sergeant with Australian Police Force, Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor - Episode 7) jumping on together to talk about all things yoga related and suicide in the world of policing.

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If you haven't listened to their individual episodes, I encourage you to go back to Episodes 4 and 7, respectively and understand the context of some topics mentioned in this episode, pulled from our previous conversations.

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Elise and Hayley are the founders of Frontline Wellness, a mental health advocacy organisation for First Responders and they are both qualified, trauma informed yoga instructors, specialising in classes dedicated to the First Responder community.

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They discuss how they both were introduced to yoga, what it's meant to them in their lives and how they decided to become instructors, including their specialisation in being trauma informed/aware.

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Elise and Hayley also discuss with Erin Jane how suicide amongst police officers has increased since they all began their careers, particularly in the last ten years and how it affects morale of the members in the organisation. They also all talk about their individual experiences of receiving and engaging with therapy, both the good and the bad encounters. 

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They both discuss how yoga can offer something different for everyone, especially people in the First Responder, Emergency Services and Frontline Worker realm, who can struggle to slow down, take a well-deserved breath and do something comforting for themselves. How being curious is the best place to start and they even discuss Hayley's initial reluctance to the practice that has transformed her life and mental health.

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It was such a delight to speak with Elise and Hayley together and we all hope you enjoy listening to this episode! 

Don't forget to check out and follow Frontline Wellness on Instagram via: frontline_wellness_au or their website: https://www.frontlinewellness.com.au/  

In this episode, Erin speaks with Chucky, a current Firefighter with a busy metropolitan Fire Department in MA for the last 18 years and a Navy Veteran, where he served for 12 years.

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Erin and Chucky discuss what drew him to want to serve in the armed forces, why he chose the Navy over the Marines and what it was like to already be serving his country, when the attack occurred on 9/11.

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Chucky explains it was during his service that he got the taste to join the fire department, what his process was like and how he spent the first decade working on an Engine. He also details how he came to be in his current role, as the Tactical Aide/Assistant to a Division Deputy Chief and what that role entails.

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Erin and Chucky discuss the mental health aspects that come along with service, both to your country as a member of the Navy, as well as to your community, as a Firefighter; how trauma is heavy and can easily accumulate before you realise it.

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Chucky is incredibly open, genuine and kind in sharing some of his battles with mental health along his journey, as well as when he knew it was time to seek help after he returned from his last deployment. He talks about how he believes sharing the fact he's in therapy has been helpful to some of his colleagues, trying to remove some of that stigma surrounding it and how the loss of his cousin, more like a brother, to suicide impacted him.

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This was a wonderful and authentic conversation with a First Responder who is truly cognizant, aware and understands the psychological demands of the job. He leads by example in working on and maintaining his own mental health, in the hopes others, especially men, will see that it's the way it should be, instead of the cultural stigma that's been attached to receiving any kind of help, for so long. 

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It was an absolute pleasure to speak with Chucky and we both hope you enjoy listening to this episode! 

In this episode, Erin speaks with Fidel, a Paramedic from NYC with 15 years experience, including 3 years previously as an EMT and Army Veteran.

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Fidel explains what led him to be interested in going down the path to become a paramedic, the different organisations he has worked for, even deviating for a short time to become an Organ Transplant Coordinator and working in donor management.

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Fidel and Erin discuss his almost subconscious strategy of not bringing work home and how he believes growing up in New York City conditioned him to be able to perform well under pressure.

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Fidel also kindly talks about his experience as a Paramedic during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, where New York was hit incredibly badly and calls for help to 911 doubled in number.

 

He also shares that since then, mental health services have improved as a result of what he and his colleagues faced during that time.

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They also discuss how they came across each other on Instagram and the page that Fidel manages, "First Responder Stories", where he shares accounts of colleagues and other experiences of First Responders, shining a light on our honest and authentic experiences that the general public may not know or understand much about.

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It was wonderful to speak with Fidel and I'm so grateful for his time. 

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Please check out and follow him on Instagram: @first_responder_stories or on Facebook under the same handle. 

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We both hope you enjoy listening to this episode! Find it wherever you listen to your podcasts (or watch!)

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In this episode, Erin speaks with Michael Sugrue, a United States Air Force Veteran, with 6.5 years service, including experience with the prestigious Phoenix Ravens, a Former Sergeant with the Walnut Creek Police Department with 14 years service and co-author of "Relentless Courage; Winning The Battle Against Frontline Trauma" with Shauna "Doc" Springer.

Michael talks about what lead him to want to join the Air Force, his process through ROTC to serving throughout the world, what being a leader really means to him and how proud it made him to serve amongst his fellow Ravens.

Erin and Michael discuss the impact and influence his step-Dad had on shaping his desire to become a law enforcement officer, what the process was like joining Walnut Creek and the differences in the culture of the Air Force vs the Police Department.

He kindly recounts his experience with a fatal officer involved shooting, what having to make that decision to choose your life and save the lives of others is truly like, the effect it had on him and how having to relive the event through 4 years of civil litigation took an enormous toll on his mental health.

Michael details how administrative betrayal is one of the most harmful, yet not widely spoken about experiences a First Responder can endure and how ultimately it lead to the end of his policing career.

Michael also talks about the book he co-authored with Doc Springer, "Relentless Courage"; how this book is incredibly unique and that it's not just for the First Responder community, but for anyone wanting to hear about one man's journey from trauma and unbearable darkness, to thriving once again and enjoying life.

It was wonderful to speak with Michael and we both hope you enjoy listening to this episode!

 

Please check out and follow him on Instagram/Facebook: @michael_sugrue or @sergeant_michael_sugrue

Contact him for speaking engagements via LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/sgtmichaelsugrue⁠

You can purchase "Relentless Courage; Winning The Battle Against Frontline Trauma" from Amazon, all good bookstores or listen on Audible.

In this end of year episode, Erin Jane jumps on solo to talk about being a First Responder over the holiday period and how challenging that can be at times.

 

(Even offering a helpful tip on how to handle those relatives who don't "get" that our special occasions can look different to others).

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She also talks about reflections of 2023 and intentions for 2024. How people can get hyper-focused on setting New Years Resolutions, then crumbling under the pressure, whereas she prefers the term intentions so it sets the tone for your year ahead but doesn't seem so overwhelming.

 

Erin shares the 5 things she's most proud of from this year, her intentions for progress and forward momentum next year and how grateful she is for not only those who tune in each week to listen to these episodes, but for all the amazing guests she's featured so far.

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Former and current First Responders have come on to share their experiences, mental health challenges, war stories and done so with immense vulnerability, honesty and authentic intentions.

 

When we share our truth and our humanity, we help others realise they are not alone.

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Hope you enjoy this bonus episode and are back next week for some more wonderful conversations with Erin Jane and her guests.

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Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, would like to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

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As a reminder, Erin Jane is a Certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, their partners, spouses and loved ones. She is passionate about helping anyone that is serving/has served as a frontline worker, as she used to be in Law Enforcement and is married to an active duty Firefighter.

In this episode, Erin speaks with Deborah Green, a retired Dispatcher with over 27 years experience with the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department and additionally, the Sacramento Police Department. She was also a member of the National Guard out in California and a member of the Military Police.

Deborah talks about her experience early on in the National Guard, getting sent to assist with the Rodney King riots and how facing up to violence from her fellow citizens was challenging and confronting for her.

She talks about why she chose to become a dispatcher, her experience in the academy and how the technology has changed significantly over her almost 30 year career.

Erin and Deb discuss some famous/infamous cases that her department was involved in or that occurred in her area, including the East Area Rapist and the Jaycee Lee Dugard kidnapping.

Deb talks about the mental health struggles faced by dispatchers and the fatal incident that really was the straw to break the camels back, so to speak; the shooting death of her friend and colleague, in the line of duty, while she was the dispatcher on shift. She recounts this experience in harrowing detail and explains that this incident led to her PTSD diagnosis.

She is honest about how the exposure to so many incidents over her lengthy career compounded and eventuated in a diagnosis of Complex PTSD and her retirement from service, far earlier than she ever imagined. Deb also explains that every First Responder from her department who attended or was involved in that tragic incident left within the following 12-18 months.

Deb tells Erin about how thankful she is that she was already in therapy when the fatal shooting occurred and knows it was the tools she had already learned that helped her get through. That despite her diagnosis, she is surviving and has found happiness in her "new normal".

Deb is on a mission to share her story, so that others know they are not alone in their experiences. That all aspects of our First Responder community must be included when it comes to tackling the mental health challenges that face this important population and it's crucial to remember the ripple and flow on affects from each critical incident, shooting or even suicide. If it affects one, it has the potential to affect everyone.

It was wonderful to speak with Deb and we both hope you enjoy listening to this episode! Follow her on social media: Instagram: ⁠@d911green or

FB: ⁠http://www.facebook.com/deborah.green.790/⁠ 

In this episode, Erin speaks with Dave, a Correctional Officer from Massachusetts with over 17 years experience. 

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Dave talks about why he became interested in Law Enforcement in the first place and why he chose to become a CO. He details what the academy experience was like and all of the different aspects of training a Correctional Officer must undertake.

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A profession that we all know exists and that is glorified on TV and film, which such pop cultural favorites as "Orange Is The New Black" and "Shawshank Redemption" Dave reveals what being a CO is really like, what his every day duties entail and the high level of turnover amongst inmates that occurs, bringing with it variety and a constantly changing environment.

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Dave tells Erin about how utilising your communication skills as your primary tool is one of the most important skills he could possibly have and how his Crisis Negotiation training comes in handy in de-escalating tense and dangerous situations with inmates.

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They discuss the unique smell of a prison, how claustrophobic it can feel at times, the atmosphere when something is about to spark up and what it's like to work in an environment where you're outnumbered so drastically.

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Erin asks Dave about what it's like having to remain in such a hypervigilant state each and every day and how he manages to turn his levels down to return home to his family.

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They also discuss the mental health of Correctional Officers overall and how it can often feel like they are "doing time" alongside the inmates.

 

Dave talks about why it's important for him to be there for his colleagues, to be astute in noticing the subtle differences in people's dispositions and why that led him to be a part of the Peer Support and CISM teams in the past. 

 

It was wonderful to speak with Dave and we both hope you enjoy listening to this episode! It was great to find out more about this lesser known aspect of Law Enforcement and share some insights with you all.

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In this episode, Erin speaks with Chris Littrell, an Air Force Veteran with 6 years of service in the Security Forces and a retired Law Enforcement officer from Washington State, with 19 years on the job. Chris had experience as a Detective, Patrol Sergeant, SWAT team member, Community Services and Peer Support Coordinator. Chris retired from service just 7 months ago, after battling some mental health struggles that made his choice to leave the right one for him and his family.

Chris also talks about the wonderful things he does outside of his policing career, including being a contributor and columnist for Police 1, creating Gravity Consulting and Training and being the co-host of Gravity Podcast with his wife, Jaimie. 

Chris and Erin discuss what encouraged him to join the United States Air Force, including the fact his brother also served in the same military branch. Chris remembers in vivid detail being on active duty in South Korea when the September 11th terrorist attack occurred and how the nature of his entire service changed from that moment.

He tells Erin about choosing to leave the Air Force and what sparked his desire to enter a role in Law Enforcement. Chris joined the same police department as his father after an initial stint elsewhere and details how they both chose to always maintain that level of respect throughout their years of service together on the same force, even how his father's experience and knowledge was such a wonderful resource for him.

Chris explains the many aspects of policing he undertook throughout his 19 year career and is very open and honest about needing some mental health assistance at certain times along the way. He details to Erin that those mental health struggles really came to the forefront this past summer of 2023, when he started experiencing some flashbacks, Post Traumatic Stress and suicidal ideation. Chris explains that with the support of his wife Jaimie, his faith and a crucial network of close friends, he was able to face up to the reality, albeit reluctantly, that he needed more help and went to a facility that treats our First Responder community.

Chris and Erin talk about what his life is like since retiring from his policing career, what he feels like his mission is now and how much joy he gets from teaching, both as a Leadership Instructor at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and in the First Responder/Private Sector with his Gravity Consulting and Training Organisation.

They also discuss their mutual love of podcasting and how much of a privilege it is for people to open up and speak about their darkness with them, especially those in the First Responder community.

Chris is deep, authentic and introspective. He was incredibly generous with his time, words and honesty and it's difficult to convey appropriately how much I valued our conversation. It was such an honour to speak with him and we both hope you enjoy listening to this episode! 

You can find Chris in the following ways:

His columns on Police 1: ⁠https://www.police1.com/Christopher-Littrell/⁠

Gravity Consulting and Training: ⁠https://gravityct.com/⁠

Gravity Podcast: Available on all streaming platforms, but this is Apple's - ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ro/podcast/gravity-podcast/id1589620471⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/gravitychris⁠

Instagram: @thatgravitypodcast and @chris.littrell.5 

 

In this episode, Erin speaks with Jen Lewis, a former Dispatcher, fellow First Responder Wellness Coach, who is also a Meditation Coach, Reiki Master Practitioner and owner of "Wellness In The Uniform".

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Jen tells Erin about her journey from being a hairdresser to becoming interested in becoming a First Responder, namely a Dispatcher. As she was going through the application process, unfortunately Jen found her mother unresponsive. She performed CPR and called 911, but ultimately her mother passed away.

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Jen talks about pushing down and blocking out all of her overwhelming emotions and just focusing on the Dispatcher process, getting hired and commencing her First Responder career. It wasn't until she began taking 911 calls that mimicked her own situation from that day, that it was evident to her how affected she was by her Mum's death and that there was significant trauma lingering just beneath the surface for her.

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She tells Erin that just shy of the 12 month mark, her agency recognised she wasn't coping with the role of dispatcher and she left the job. But her experience as a First Responder helped Jen realise that there was a community and a population that really needed more support and it inspired her to begin a new journey and career.

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After engaging in meditation and reiki as a way to cope with her trauma after the loss of her Mum, Jen became certified in both practices. Having an understanding of what First Responders go through on a daily basis, it fueled her to want to help them, provide them coping skills and to be a resource, which is where "Wellness In The Uniform" was born.

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Jen and Erin discuss the overwhelming benefits of what they believe coaching can do for members of the First Responder community and talk about the different modalities and ultimately, their shared passion about it. They both love that they can bridge the gap between what peer support can offer and what clinical services can provide, given the vast array of different needs of Emergency Services Members and as Jen says, really just helping them get to where they want to be by shining a light on their true self that's trying to emerge. 

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They also discuss their affiliation with The Overwatch Collective, a wonderful organisation who funds therapy and coaching services for First Responders and Military Veterans, from donations alone. Both Jen and Erin are deeply privileged to be a resource for TOC and should anyone want to engage in their services but are financially struggling, you can reach out to The Overwatch Collective for assistance.

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It was such a joy to speak with Jen and get to discuss all the wonderful aspects of coaching with her. We both hope you enjoy listening to this episode! 

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You can find Jen in the following ways:

Instagram: @wellnessintheuniform

Email: wellnessintheuniform@gmail.com

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Please feel free to reach out if you would like to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

In this first solo episode for the year, Erin Jane jumps on to talk about how how everyone is travelling in 2024 as we approach the end of the first month of a brand new year!

She talks about the pressure a lot of people put on themselves, especially throughout the month of January, to live up to new habits, intentions and resolutions and how our mindset can have a signifcant effect on our levels of success. Erin talks about how we can set ourselves up for failure, leading us down the path of a Self Fulfilling Prophecy and how to avoid it.

She talks about how breaking down goals into small, incremental pieces, attaches new goals and intentions to already established habits to set yourself up for success and how celebrating small wins along the way is important.

Erin shares some wisdom her sister shared with her about looking at a rhythm instead of a "routine" and how changing your perspective on things and learning to have understanding and compassion can help you continue on when some days don't go to plan.

 

Erin shares a big win she's had in 2024 that means a lot to her and talks about an upcoming trip home to Australia. More importantly, she lives up to one of her own intentions for the year with doing more solo episodes! 

Hope you enjoy this episode and tune in over the next few weeks for some more wonderful conversations with Erin Jane and her guests. (Maybe even some from Australia!)

 

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, would like to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

In this "Aussie Update", Erin Jane jumps on from her childhood backyard in Australia (where if you listen really closely, you can hear the birds and wildlife!) to check in and discuss her trip home.

She felt compelled to jump on for this quick episode, as there has been a lot of loss, sadness and tragedy in the First Responder and Emergency Services community of late. With multiple LODD and suicides in the USA, as well as three in Australia in the last week and a half, Erin just wanted to acknowledge these losses in our shared community and talk about the grief and despair felt when we lose on of our own. 

She talks about catching up with many of her First Responder friends since she's been home in Australia, the conversations they've been having about the state of the job, the mental health situation and the burnout many are experiencing.

This episode is just a quick one, to share some thoughts in the moment, amongst the news of a significant number of losses. To say I hope you enjoy this episode doesn't really sound like the right way to phrase it....more I hope you can hear the genuine sadness I feel of losing more members to suicide, when there's so many of us in this community, trying to offer resources so that it doesn't happen anymore.

There is a wonderful kinship I feel to you, the listener, as I know you share in my grief at this kind of heartbreaking news and I always feel like I can share my thoughts, feelings and emotions and express authentic vulnerability amongst this "Darkness Community".

If you get to the end and feel the way I feel....thank you for listening. It's an honour to hold space for people's darkness and if you find yourself struggling, I am always a resource for you.

 

What a fun conversation this was to have! In this episode, Erin speaks with James Boomhower, a Critical Care Transport Specialist - Paramedic, who has been involved with EMS for over 20 years, is the founder of Stay Fit 4 Duty, an organisation dedicated to bringing mental health wellness and awareness to the EMS and First Responder community, by promoting recognition, management and acceptance of acute stress in fellow frontline providers, he is a Graduate Intern in Clinical Psychology focusing on trauma and is the Lead Peer Support Director at Boston MedFlight. 

James was kind enough to come join Erin in person, where they discussed his family background of First Responders and how, from a young age, he knew he wanted to help people and be one of the first on scene to be able to provide that initial, critical care.

He details becoming an EMS member in his teenage years and how showing any kind of emotion, was not encouraged. James explains his desire to continue to gain knowledge, experience and expertise in his field, leading him to his current position, as Critical Care Transport Specialist - Paramedic. 

Erin and James talk about their shared interest in psychology and how his experiences in his profession eventually led him towards wanting to be a therapy provider for other First Responders. They discuss the power of holding space for someone to unburden themselves and know they are in a safe space, with someone who has a unique level of understanding. That peer support/CISM can actually offer a lot of benefits, especially when it's more focused on a proactive instead of reactive disposition. And how it's important for First Responders, at the beginning of their careers and as they progress through, to be educated on the kind of trauma they will inevitably be exposed to, how it can show up for them in their life and their body, what resources, assistance and tools are available for them and to encourage reaching out and accessing those resources when they're needed.

James also shares about the creation of Stay Fit 4 Duty, what the mission and purpose of the organisation is and how it's helping those in the First Responder community as a resource.

It was wonderful to speak with James and I'm so grateful for his time. He is a wealth of knowledge and resources in regards to mental health, peer support, CISM and everything First Responder related. You only have to speak with him for the briefest moment to hear and see how passionate he is about what he does, wearing many different hats in his various roles as paramedic, instructor, therapist, educator and all round great bloke.

Thanks for stopping by the "Rorschach Room" James!

Please check out his website and follow him on Instagram: @stay_fit4duty

⁠https://www.stayfit4duty.org/⁠

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We both hope you enjoy listening to this episode!