This week we sit down with Neal Oilar. He is a medically retired deputy sheriff-coroner (Del Norte County, CA. 2014-2020). He had several CI’s, two shootings, and ultimately he was stabbed which led to my retirement. He was diagnosed with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury. His department left him out to dry. This is the first part of his story.
Albert Veldstra, who has 30 years as a police officer in Stanislas County in the California central valley, sits down with the FF deconstructed and tells his story of how 30 years on the job and an officer involved shooting affected him and his family. He talks about how he recovered and now helps struggling first responders heal and find hope. You are going to love this guy.
Founder of the #Iam911 movement, former 911 dispatcher Ricardo Martinez sits down and shares his story on this episode. Ricardo is the host of the Within the Trenches podcast and is about to release episode 400. He is doing amazing work for dispatchers throughout the country. His passion is sharing the stories of dispatchers and helping them process the trauma they experience on the job. He has started his own media company, hosts and participates in conferences, all dedicated to dispatchers. I really can’t say enough about this guy. You just gotta listen.
Positive Connections Radio:
E-60: Addiction Has No Boundaries
Sheriff-Prison-Recovery:
Kyle Overmyer
Kyle Overmyer was elected Sheriff of Sandusky County in Freemont, Ohio at the age of 34 in 2008. Kyle became addicted to opioid pain medication due to injuries that subsequently resulted in doctor shopping and taking medications from the Sheriff “Prescription Takeback boxes” to feed his addiction. Kyle was indicted by a Grand Jury for 42 related felony drug charges and ended up pleading guilty to 12. Kyle was sentenced to 4 years in prison and sent to the Allen Correctional Prison in Lima, Ohio where he served his full term. Kyle was released on April 4, 2020 and now has been sober for over 6 years. He is employed at Dreamlife Recovery and is the founder of KO Addiction. Kyle has the courage to share his story of addiction and recovery and is there for others who may need help.
www.MentalHealthNewsRadioNetwork.com
www.positiveconnectionsradio.com
Positive Connections Radio:
E-59: Debriefing with my Chief:
Former Carlsbad Police Chief Gary Morrison.
I am honored to have this connection with my former Police Chief Gary Morrison. Nine and a half years ago he found out how dark my path of addiction had taken me and stood before the media to announce the criminal investigation, my arrest, and my subsequent termination as a police officer for the City of Carlsbad, California.
Recovery and positive directions have granted me the freedom from the bonds of addiction and mental health issues and the opportunity to share my experience, strength and hope with others. I never expected to make this connection with Chief Morrison, and I am deeply grateful.
www.MentalHealthNewsRadioNetwork.com
www.positiveconnectionsradio.com
Ellen Kirschman, known as the Cop Doc, is a clinical psychologist that specializes in treating first responders and has been for doing for years and years and years. She is the author of “I Love a Cop” and the recently released second edition of “I Love a Firefighter”. Ellen talks about the specific mental health issues that Wildland firefighters and their families face. We also talk about the importance of seeing a culturally competent therapist and the reasons why. Ellen is a invaluable resource of knowledge and experience in taking care of first responders and our mental health. She is no nonsense and says, “The stigma is stupid!” Ellen also writes fiction and is a clinician at WCPR.
Positive Connections Radio:
E-58: Travis Wittaker
Where is Your “ROCK BOTTOM” going to be?
How do you know you’ve hit your rock bottom? Been there before? How many more times do you want to do it your way? What do you do? Listen to my intro and Travis and know there is help available. Confidential help by trusted professionals who “Get Us” and they are there to help point you in the right direction.
Here’s a little bit about Travis Wittaker:
Travis has been sober for over 12 years. He is the father to 3 amazing kids with his beautiful wife of 27 years who he loves spending time with. Travis loves basketball, golf and being in the outdoors during his free time.
Travis has worked in the treatment industry for 8 years from admissions to marketing. In addition to his role as Vice President of Clinical Outreach at True Recovery in collaboration with First Responder-Wellness by Simple Recovery, he is also a National Certified Interventionist. Travis also has a popular Facebook page, Car Talk with Travis, where he and guest shares inspirational messages through video about addiction and Recovery. Travis is also a board member of 10,000 beds, a nonprofit organization who provides scholarships to addicts without the means to pay for treatment.
Contact Travis at: www.livingrecoveryinterventions.com
www.MentalHealthNewsRadioNetwork.com
www.positiveconnectionsradio.com
The amazing Josh Johnson, former firefighter, shares his story of getting PTSD and the agony of not knowing where to turn to for help. The point came where Josh’s only answer he could find was almost killing himself with alcohol. He went to work to ask for help and ended up getting fired. Josh truly is an inspiration as he went from trying to kill himself to the incredible attitude and viewpoint that he has now. His focus now is passing this message on to others so they don’t end up suffering a lone as he did for so long. Josh articulates his story very well. I have a good feeling we will hear from him again on this show.
Tessa Dunn is on the show! Tessa is the wife of Tom Dunn, who was on the show a few months ago. She stood by Tom’s side as he worked as a Alaska State Trooper. She raised a couple of kids and took care of the family out in the middle of nowhere. When Tom became a State Trooper little did they know That Tessa would became part of the job and experience her own trauma plus helping Tom deal with his trauma. Her and Tom have started Reset Training and Consulting where they help first responders with stress on the job through training in Resiliency, Engaging and Empowering Communities, Soul Care, Employee Retention and Training. Tess is a positive force to be reckoned with! You can’t help but feel good after listening to Tess talk and share her story.
The Firefighter Deconstructed sits down with Conrad Weaver, an award winning filmmaker, producer and president of Conjo studios. Conrad is making a documentary film about us, about what first responders go through on the job and the price we pay for doing what we do. The film i scalled 911PTSD. He is traveling all over the united states recording our stories. His goal of the film is to create awareness and help smash the stigma around mental health for first responders. Near the end of the podcast Conrad and I talk about how he had to change careers and find a new purpose. He talks about how he did this and keeps his eyes on his purpose every day. I found it very inspiring.
Where to find Conrad and film info:
https://conjostudios.com/
linktr.ee/ptsd911movie
https://ptsd911movie.com/
To Donate to the film: https://www.thefilmcollaborative.org/fiscalsponsorship/projects/ptsd911
https://conjostudios.com/
https://twitter.com/PTSD911Movie
https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie
