Positive Connections Radio:
E-54: Brock Bevell: Former Undercover Cop.
Identity Loss, Addiction and Recovery.
Brock Bevell became a police officer and like all First Responders survived through countless critical incidents and emotional stress and events that change his life.
His last critical incident involved being run over by a suspect in a truck trying to escape arrest. Brock suffered career ending injuries and was medically retired as a police officer. Brock lost his identity as a police officer and got addicted to opiates for several years after being first prescribed them for his injuries.
Brock found himself living the horrid life of an addict and realized that he had crossed the line and became the person he had arrested and confronted numerous times during his career as a police officer.
With his life spinning out of control brought on by addiction, the loss of friends and loved ones and the constant struggle with addiction and suffering he looked at his life and in a moment of clarity decided he had to change.
For the next seven days, Brock detoxed from opioids on his bathroom floor and pulled himself up from the hellish realm of dependence to start a new life in recovery. After 11 years of sobriety Brock now gives back and helps others who are suffering. He tells his story to give hope to those who feel like life is hopeless.
Contact Brock at www.Chasethevase.com
www.MentalHealthNewsRadio.com
www.positiveconnectionsradio.com

Brandielee Baker is our guest today on Positive Connections Radio. She is a former First Responder working in EMS and is a professional coach/strategist specializing in wellness, specifically stress, anxiety and conflict.
Brandielee is the cofounder of the national non-profit organization, The Code 9 Project, the founder of Positive Constructs, and the creator, and executive director, of the nationally accredited, S.H.A.R.E. and T.U.F. Training Programs.
The Code 9 Project is a national non-profit that provides education, training and advocacy for the prevention of PTSD and suicide for law enforcement, first responders and their families.
The Code 9 Project also serves as a bridge between First Responders and their communities by providing; outreach, education and community building. They have a team of chaplains, peer support, critical incident trainers and a specialized trauma debriefing team for individuals, police and fire departments, first responders, frontline workers and hospital staff.
The Code 9 Project has a national helpline that is 24/7 for all frontline workers and first responders. The Code 9 Project national helpline number is 844-HOPE-247.
For more information on The Code 9 Project, visit: https://thecode9project.org and follow @code9project on Facebook and @thecode9project on Instagram.
https://positiveconstructs.com/lee-baker-positive-constructs.html
www.MentalHealthNewsRadio.com
www.positiveconnectionsradio.com

Podcast 52: Positive Connections Radio
The First Responder Project: Dr. Tracy S. Hejmanowski

Dr. Tracy S. Hejmanowski is a licensed clinical psychologist, with 20 years of clinical expertise working with service members, first responders, veterans, and their families. Her work began at a VA Medical Center, followed by neuropsychological and emotional assessment of repatriated prisoners of war. She was stationed overseas and stateside as an active duty U.S. Navy psychologist, followed by work as a DoD contractor for 11 years as the Program Manager of Naval Hospital Jacksonville’s Deployment Health Center. In addition to providing individual, group, marital, and family therapy, she introduced innovative interventions, to include scuba-based physiologic retraining and equine-assisted therapy.
Dr. Hejmanowski is a nationally and locally requested speaker on trauma-related subjects for military and civilian first responder communities. She has been a regular presenter for Special Warfare and Operations reintegration programs. She has authored articles on operational stress and was recognized for behavioral health initiatives related to occupational trauma. She was nationally recognized by the Center for Operational Stress Control with the Peabody Caregiver of the Year Award – the first time awarded to a civilian provider.
For the past 7 years, Dr. Hejmanowski has provided program development and lead clinical facilitation for non-profit organizations that provide therapeutic retreats for veterans and first responder communities, including her own non-profit, First Responder Project. [A native of upstate New York, Dr. Hejmanowski lives with her husband, a U.S. Navy Iraq War veteran and ER physician, and their four children in Jacksonville, Florida.]
www.MentalHealthNewsRadio.com
www.positiveconnectionsradio.com
www.firstresponderproject.org

Jeni was employed as a police officer at Patrick Henry High School on Saint Patrick’s Day 2012. On this day she finally realized she needed to address her alcoholism when she commandeered a bus in an attempt to driver herself home. She was subsequently hot stopped and arrested.
Sgt. Jeni Gruner shares her story of alcoholism, blackout drinking and the stigma about asking for help as a First Responder. She talks about how she overcame her addiction through continued recovery and how she made it through the worst struggles in the aftermath of the devastating consequences of alcohol abuse.
Jeni Gruner has been a police officer for the last 22 years. She is a Sergeant with the San Diego Unified School District Police Department and is currently in charge of the Peer Support and Wellness Program. She began her career at the San Diego County Marshal’s Office and then as a Deputy with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. She speaks at the San Diego Regional Academy to new recruits and also at the POST Management School in the area of substance abuse and officer wellness.

Jeni has two wonderful teenagers who keep her very busy with various sports and activities . Jeni has been in recovery and sober for almost 9 years living life in gratitude one day at a time. Jeni enjoys working within the community of law enforcement as a peer supporter and advocate of wellness for police officers.
www.MentalHealthNewsRadio.com
www.positiveconnectionsradio.com
https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com

Podcast 50: Positive Connections Radio
Fighting Through the Darkest Times in Law Enforcement
Retired U.S. Air Force Captain and Police Sergeant Michael Sugrue joins me again on Positive Connections Radio for my 50th episode.
Michael speaks up about smashing the stigma and going all in to get the help you need. How Command Staff (showing their true leadership abilities) can set the bar and open the doors for officers getting mental health assistance.
Trusting that it is ok to ask for help. Asking for help before it is too late to keep your job and perform your duties once honored and respected with the passion for helping others. How can we help others in these times of chaos when we refuse to admit that we need help ourselves.
www.MentalHealthNewsRadio.com
www.positiveconnectionsradio.com

Podcast 49: Positive Connections Radio
IPSA International Public Safety Association
Dr. Stephen Odom (First Responder Wellness)

Dr. Stephen Odom is a notable healthcare and addiction treatment professional with more than 30 years of expertise in the field. He is the founder and Chief Clinical Officer of First Responder Wellness by Simple Recovery.
He possesses an educational background in organizational behavior, clinical psychology and healthcare administration. This valuable combination allows him to integrate current research knowledge, clinical and administrative practice understanding, and practical, directly relevant experience. Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Behavior from Covenant College, a Master’s in Experimental Psychology (Univ. of Tennessee), a Master’s in Clinical Psychology (Palo Alto University), and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) with a focus in Healthcare Administration (Capella University). He is also a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California.
Stephen has served in multiple roles during his career, including CEO & Chief Clinical Officer of New Vista Behavioral Health, a Director’s post of Program Development for CRC Health and multiple Administrative and Clinical Director posts at various behavioral health and chemical dependency treatment centers and hospitals in California, including Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach and El Camino Hospital in the San Francisco Bay area. Moreover, Stephen served as a university adjunct faculty member in Psychology and Child Development and continues to work in private practice. Dr. Odom has been coined as a wellness and behavioral health expert with peer-reviewed articles published on mental health, substance abuse and technology; was presented the national Behavioral Health Champion award in 2018; has appeared on The Today Show; the 2016 documentary film California High, and multiple print, radio, and podcast media channels.
Dr. Odom’s focus on First Responder Wellness was born of his family’s career backgrounds with the military, healthcare, law enforcement and public safety, and was honed as he created and led specialty programs for physicians, nurses, first responders and their families. In his distinguished and extensive career in behavioral health and addiction treatment, Stephen’s empathetic and therapeutic approach has allowed him to connect not only with his clinical teams but each first responder who walks through the door.
www.MentalHealthNewsRadio.com
www.positiveconnectionsradio.com
www.Firstresponder-Wellness.com

Podcast 48: Positive Connections Radio
Commander Greg Dean. Glen Waverley Police
Melbourne, Australia

Commander Greg Dean is a 30-year police veteran currently working as station commander of Glen Waverley Police Station. Greg was Senior Sergeant of Victoria Police’s Welfare Services who provide 24/7/365 confidential well-being support to all 20,000 Victoria Police as well as their immediate family. We talk about First Responder only retreats, how the attitude about asking for help has changed and how we can combat the fear of asking for help around the globe.
Please contact Commander Greg Dean with any questions or comments:
Greg.Dean@Police.Vic.Gov.AU
www.MentalHealthNewsRadio.com

Podcast 47: Positive Connections Radio
“Fighting Naked”
Firefighter, Cop and their Amazing Clinician Wives

Tiffany and Shonna along with their husbands Mark and Jason join me for an in-person talk about what it’s like being in a relationship with a First Responder and Clinician. Dealing with stress, communication, self-care, self-help, coping strategies and breaking the stigma. A very unique, valuable, entertaining and informative interview. Find out what Fighting Naked is all about.

Tiffany Atalla-Hernandez LMFT, Therapist for Simple Recovery First Responder Wellness Program, The Counseling Team International and founder of Best Solutions Therapy.

Mark Hernandez, Anaheim Fire Captain. Hazmat and Peer Support Team Member.

Dr. Shonna Hill. Therapist for The Counseling Team International and CISM Clinician.

Jason Hill. Police Officer, Santa Ana Police Department.

www.thecounselingteaminternational.com
www.bestsolutionstherapy.com
www.simplerecovery.com
www.MentalHealthNewsRadio.com
www.positiveconnectionsradio.com

Podcast 46: Positive Connections Radio
The Counseling Team International: Nancy Bohl-Penrod Ph.D.

From 1985 to the present, Nancy Bohl-Penrod has been assisting First Responders by providing safe and confidential guidance to the ones who help everyone else First. Nancy talks about her start in the field of First Responder Wellness and Peer Support and the motivation that keeps her passion alive.
We are unique individuals who are highly trained to handle any situation that most of us would not dare tread. However, there comes a time in our lives that we realize that we are not bulletproof, we are not immune from the emotional turmoil encountered day after day. Yes, we signed up for this life and it is an adventure beyond compare but the price some of us pay by keeping it all in (because we are the helpers) may become a price of severe loss. There are those of us who hold on to our old ideals and are unwilling to change. If you are able to step over that line of fear and ask for help then you will find us. You will find yourself again. You will show others that the resiliency on the job you hold so dear can work for you in a program of positive recovery.
www.MentalHealthNewsRadio.com
www.positiveconnectionsradio.com
www.thecounselingteam.com