Peter Forcelli is a 9/11 Survivor, Retired ATF Executive, and former NYPD Homicide DetectiveSocial Media:Website: www.peterjforcelli.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/peterforcelliPurchase His Book: https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Path-Operation-Furious-Lawyers/dp/B0CCMMQKCQIn retirement from his role in law enforcement, Peter Forcelli now focuses his time and energy on coaching law enforcement leaders and in speaking out about the importance of self-care, resilience, understanding, and dealing with both PTSD and survivor’s guilt.  He also speaks about law enforcement accountability and his role in blowing the whistle on Operation Fast and Furious, which he did while battling PTSD.  He is also a recurring guest speaker at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.This was an unexpected pleasure. I say that because I heard of Operation Fast and Furious, but I was so consumed with deploying, then chasing money and adrenaline that I didn’t realize it had happened in my old stomping grounds. It was fun reading a book about places and events I have a memory of instead of imagining where this all took place. That aside, the man who is telling the story, Peter Forcelli, was an awesome guest. He is so passionate and genuine. I really enjoy talking with him. It was so cool hearing his story, struggles and triumphs. There were a few moments that popped out to me personally. In his book he is mentioning being able to tell that someone was likely dead due to the amount of blood he saw while entering a scene. This jumped out to me because knowing that is not a normal thing. The cues that first responders have stored in their minds to help them quickly assess a situation is wild. This reminded me of a chat I had with a medic. He knew before anyone else that the child he was looking at would not survive; he didn’t need to spend any time on her and moved on. Or how an EOD tech can smell sulfur in the air or white phosphorus from a mile away (sarcastic mile). Sound of an explosion to know if it’s incoming or outgoing. Sound of a bullet zipping past or a mortar coming in. A person learns a lot and retains a lot from their life experiences. First responders and some combat veterans sometimes have years of learned lessons that help them be better in chaotic situations. I just find it interesting that people who know these things and have them so quickly accessible to be successful are then demonized or looked down on by others for later struggling with the weight of those learned lessons.  Resources Mentioned:Meditation with Anthony Profeta ( https://www.youtube.com/@AnthonyProfeta)Walking, being outdoorsSupport StructureMedicationDoing challenging thingsGet those dark thoughts out, with a friend, a therapist, spouse, journal…Spending time with family or loved onesHelping other and giving back to your communityWe would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life to hopefully shorten that journey for others. Additionally, if you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of benefits available for these groups please reach out. I would love to have a chat and share that knowledge with the community.

Robin Collins is a certified Health Coach and the founder of Pathway To Wellness With Robin. She educates, empowers and encourages Veterans and First Responders to learn ways they can support and balance their mind and body.She knows firsthand what it's like when the brain and body are not functioning optimally. During the process of healing from a TBI, Robin became inspired by the science of Neuroplasticity and Posttraumatic Growth.As a result of learning different ways to retrain her brain, she learned about and experienced both and this is some of the important information she wants to educate others about. Her goal is to help fill some of the gaps that Veterans and First Responders are experiencing in standard treatment options with compassionate coaching utilizing Holistic Health principles. Social Media:Website: http://www.pathwaytowellnesswithrobin.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pathwaytowellnesswithrobin/If you didn’t hear our first episode together, please go back and checkout episode 45. I was so pumped to have the opportunity to be the first guest on Robin’s podcast. I have not really checked in with my audience and given a status update and loved the challenge of being the one being interviewed. After this episode I spent days - that's a lie, weeks - reflecting on how I could have said things differently or better. This really gave me a chance to appreciate those who have joined my podcast. In addition to that I feel like this gave me a chance to have a hard look at myself. I noticed that I am giving myself excuses to prioritize my professional career over my mental health. I justified it by saying it was okay, “I was too strict”, “needed to loosen up”. I do not agree with that after giving it some thought. The ego is a sneaky beast. It is as clever and smart as I am. I’m being lazy and justifying it how I need to while I allow myself to slip back into some old habits that are comfortable but lead me in a direction I do not want to be going in. This was an amazing experience, and I think I want to get out there and talk to more. I want to be held accountable. Robin did an amazing job as a host on her new podcast. It was such a pleasure to be part of it. If you haven’t seen her website and podcast, I hope you go check it out. I hope you all enjoy her episode! She is such a positive and uplifting person to speak with. We would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have battled PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life to shorten that journey for others. Additionally, if you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of benefits available for these groups please reach out. I would love to have a chat and share that knowledge with the community.

Dr. Erica Zelfand specializes in integrative mental health and functional medicine. Dr. Zelfand is a ketamine prescriber, facilitator of therapeutic psychedelic experiences, trainer of psychedelic facilitators, acclaimed international speaker, and medical writer. Social Media:Website: https://ericazelfand.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/DrZelfandInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drzelfand/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drzelfand/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLf-uE2JAoUVRVoXMy26LCADr. Erica Zelfand is the CEO of Right to Heal, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering people around psychedelic healing and other life-saving techniques that conventional medicine has ignored.Dr. Zelfand’s training and skill set span the spectrum of both conventional and natural approaches. She treats people of all ages and stages of life, from newborns to those approaching the end of life. Areas of focus within her family practice include: autoimmunity, endocrinology, and integrative mental health. She is deeply committed to patient-centered, root-cause-oriented, nature-honoring approaches to healing.Dr. Zelfand loves sharing her knowledge, her reverence for nature, and her zesty sense of humor with her colleagues, her patients and clients, and audiences of all sizes worldwide. She is also a fan of dark chocolate and group hugs. To learn more and connect, please visit www.DrZelfand.com.A zesty sense of humor is an understatement - Dr. Zelfand was so much fun to talk with. She is such a positive person and had what seemed like an endless amount of information on this topic. I really enjoyed her passion in the science behind how these chemicals work in our body to help and in some cases, it could lead to a bad experience or even a worse situation. Dr. Zelfand and I are on the same page in not believing in a magic pill. The big takeaways for me are stacking and 1A/2A receptors. Stacking (adding positive mental health practices with micodosing) is something I have done and others have talked about doing, but it was by accident. It has me wondering what other coping mechanisms or positive life practices I can stack to make those moments and experiences better. The 1A/2A receptors is a cool concept too. I am still reading about how these compounds attach to the 2A and assist with unlearning or learning new ways around psychological problems instead of connecting to the 1A. Most SSRIs are compounds that will attach to 1A receptors. They will help you endure more discomfort or increase your psychological resilience. I hope you all find this chat interesting and informative!Resources Mentioned:Class on Microdosing: https://psychedelic.support/education/microdosing-psilocybin-lsd-what-we-know-so-far/Stament StackingStacking (combining positive mental health practices with microdosing)‘A Really Good Day’ by Ayelet WaldmanHikes or being outdoorshttps://psychedelic.support/education/Meditation, mindfulness practiceReligious or spiritual practiceTherapy, group therapyT’ai chi, yoga, qi gongJoyful movement, exerciseJournalingMaking, appreciating artVolunteering, helping others

Matt Domyancic is a Medically Retired Officer, SWAT, Chaplain, Former Police Officer and Strength Coach, Police Chaplain, Spiritual Director, & Peer Support and Wellness Advocate.Social Media:Website: https://www.tacticalchaplain.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinbluelinespirituality/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-domyancic-b7203b6/Profile: https://www.globalassociates.org/matt-domyancic/Matt Domyancic is a medically retired police officer that worked patrol, Peer Support, SWAT, and as full-time police academy instructor for fitness and officer survival. While a police officer he was also concurrently a D1 strength and conditioning coach at Yale and Georgetown universities and led campus ministry for athletes. After his retirement, he was a strength coach and sports psychology consultant for professional and Olympic athletes at Velocity Sports, including NFL combine preparation for top round draft picks. Now Matt is also a Chaplain and Peer Support for various nonprofits that proactively support first responders dealing with stress and trauma. Police psychologists refer officers to Matt to do wellness activities along with peer support such as cold plunge, sauna, breath work, and sensory deprivation float tank. His approach integrates fitness, nutrition, sleep, self-regulation, and holistic self-care as a path to proactively grow mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually - rather than the common reactive-only approach to after someone has begun experiencing breakdown with PTSD, addiction, divorce, or suicidal ideation. This is a cool story. I’m so grateful to have been connected to Matt. His father challenged him academically and athletically growing up, leading to him developing discipline and structure that would become the core of what is Matt. This led him to be a D1 football player at the Air Force Academy, later graduating from Colgate. Then forensics, SWAT, strength and condition coach at Yale, chaplain and now a mentor and advocate for our first responders.I love it when I meet someone who has a life I admire. I want to know how they did it. What cheat code did they use? The more people I talk to that have lives I admire the more I realize the cheat code is simple: Being disciplined, prioritizing mental and physical health, being mindful of what you fuel your body with, and having a goal. The other little commonality is how they view challenges. The cheat code is to see challenges as a positive thing - don’t fear failure. If you fail, you still learn, you still grow, and you become more enlightened or knowledgeable. Chase those dreams. The more I talk to the amazing people, the more that I’m only afraid of living an unchallenged life. Resources Mentioned:MeditationDiscipline, consistency, and passion in the things you doHave goalsWorking outJournalingHaving someone you trust to talk withTherapy or a spiritual leader…have an objective perspective to check you and tell you when something seems off or is offTrain your unconscious competenceHave the tools to endure rough waters in place before you find yourself in rough waters. Be proactive.ArtworkDancingGet outdoorsFast from technology If something resonates with you, write it down and do more of it tomorrowBreath workWe would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life t

I wanted to thank everyone who has helped with the podcast this year and since the beginning. If it wasn’t for the hard work and awesome support of Adore Digital Marketing, I would have reached only a fraction of the supports that I have. I have crushed all the expectations I had for the size of this podcast and the reach. I just assumed it would be my family and a few of those EOD brothers and sisters. Thank you to all the first responders, NGOs and leaders that have joined the podcast to share their stories and resources out there to help others find peace or raise the quality of their lives. I cannot wait until this podcast is my only job because it has been so much fun and has allowed me to connect with people really changing the landscape of mental health. I hope you have the most wonderful holiday season. If you are feeling isolated, alone, or depressed, reach out to friends and family that you haven’t talked with in a while. If no one pops to mind, feel free to shoot me a DM or email. Next year is looking to be another impactful year for the podcast and me personally. Happy holidays; see you next year!Resources Mentioned:Social network that allows you to talk openly and freely about mental health. I have a group of people I text, video chat with that help me stay accountable, as well as allows me to bounce my ideas off them to develop my internal dialogue better. Helps me challenge my perspective and become a better person. Educating myself on topics I want to learn more about. Gives me confidence and helps me feel like I’m not wasting my time. Challenging myself. When I challenge myself, I realize that I am not as sensitive to discomfort. The things that once felt challenging are no longer intimidating. Being companionate with myself. It has been a challenging year. I have had moments this year where I really struggled to stay on the path. I have been in a few high-pressure situations and found myself slipping into old habits. Becoming a better person isn’t like turning on a light switch. It’s a constant disciplined approach toward betterment.  We would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life to hopefully shorten that journey for others. Additionally, if you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of benefits available for these groups please reach out. I would love to have a chat and share that knowledge with the community.

Deborah Green is a retired 911 dispatcher, mental health advocate, and memaw of 10.Social Media:LinkedIn : http://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-green-202781237/Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/d911green/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/deborah.green.790/TikTok: Deborah Green (@d911green)Deborah Green is a former 911 dispatcher who developed PTSD after a horrific call where she lost her officer. She is now a mental health advocate hoping to change the support provided to first responders. When she is not wrangling one of her TEN grandchildren, she is on a podcast or talking to all that will listen about her story and those like her. Deborah was a wonderful guest. My mother was a dispatcher. I remember we were too small to stay at home and babysitters were not free. Thankfully my mother was able to take us to work when she worked the night shift. We would sit there and listen to her officers get into some hairy situations. I was pretty good at looking up license numbers on the microfiche. I still remember how she would end a transmission: KR441. Talking with Deborah had me walking down memory lane. Even back then I would worry for the officers, and when the silence was over and they came across the radio saying all was good to go, it was such a relief. I hope you enjoy her story as I did and find something positive to take with you.  Resources Mentioned:MeditationExercise, going for walks outsideBeing outsideBe present in the momentTherapyGratitude posts every day on Facebook for two yearsDiscipline and holding herself accountablePositive support structure We would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life to hopefully shorten that journey for others. Additionally, if you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of benefits available for these groups please reach out. I would love to have a chat and share that knowledge with the community.

Matt Quackenbush is a trauma therapist, public speaker, researcher, a writer, and a teacher. Matt is the Director of Education and Training for Deer Hollow Recovery and host of the Finding Strength Podcast.Social Media:Website: https://deerhollowrecovery.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/deerhollow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/57638957/admin/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deer_hollow/Matt's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattquackenbush.lcsw/?ref=py_cFinding Strength Podcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/findingstrengthpodcastMatt has been a prominent advocate for change within the mental health community for nearly two decades, an exceptional public speaker with over 300+ hours of on-stage speaking experience. Renowned for his captivating presence, thought-provoking ideas, and impeccable delivery, Matt has become a sought-after expert. He is currently engaged in a national speaking tour with Deer Hollow Recovery & First Watch Wellness, where he educates First Responders, Veterans, & their families on the profound impact of stress, trauma, & PTSD. This highly requested training program showcases the most up-to-date best practices that are currently being utilized to address the mental health crisis within the First Responder and Veteran Communities. In addition to his speaking engagements, Matt serves as the esteemed host of the critically acclaimed Finding Strength Podcast. Through this platform, he explores various topics related to mental health, resilience, & personal growth, providing valuable insights to thousands of listeners.Moreover, Matt holds the distinction of being a Certified Mind-Body Bridging Therapist, specializing in a diverse range of evidence-based trauma treatment models. With extensive experience encompassing over 15,000 hours of trauma-focused therapy, he employs therapeutic approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Psychodrama, & mindfulness techniques.Matt's dedication to his field and his extensive expertise makes him a highly respected professional within the mental health community. He was recently honored at the Health 2.0 International Healthcare Conference receiving the "Outstanding Leadership Award" due to his innovative work that is creating wide-spread change across the landscape of healthcare. Matt Quackenbush, The Quackstack, Sir Quackattack, The Quack is back… I had so much fun meeting Mr. Quacktastic, and it wasn’t just because he has such a fun name to say. This guy is knowledgeable and passionate. It was an amazing combo. Addiction has been a topic I wanted to discuss, and I hope to discuss more. I find it interesting how we can grab onto things for comfort and ignore the consequences that are sometimes deadly. I really enjoyed how Matt broke addictions down and put it in a perspective that clicked for me. I have always been fascinated on how an addiction isn’t always drugs, it can be an action like too much working or excessive exercise. It could be eating or most popular in the Veteran and first responder community…. alcohol. You can, and many do, love an addiction to death. Matt breaks down ways to identify if you are struggling, steps and resources to try if you are struggling and lets you know there is hope. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.  We would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, and Twitter.

‘Tall’ Tim is a retired firefighter with 44 years in the fire service. Married 29 years, two adult kids, and now the Director of First Responders for Stronger Families, a non-profit that does relationship work for military, veterans and first responders.Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongerfamilies/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongerfamilieslivePodcast: Heroes at Home PodcastWebsite: www.strongerfamilies.comTim's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tim.sears.92Tim's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timgsears/Stronger Families helps departments strengthen marriages, families, and personnel. They understand how important it is to have a strong support system, especially in the workplace and at home, there to provide that support.  The support they provide is Department Wellness Block Training. This is 6 sessions, available in both on-site training and online training through their Dashboard, which includes videos, PowerPoint slides, scripts, and materials needed for the training.For First Responders at home, they offer customized 8-hour Couples Retreats for departments, unions, and guilds. A Stronger Families OXYGEN Retreat is an experience designed for First Responder couples to receive life-changing relationship skills so they can be strong and thrive at home and at work. This weekend includes tools and opportunities for couples to connect with their partners and to laugh, learn, and become empowered to better navigate their relationships.They also offer Date Nights where they help customize 6 different topics, each lasting about 90 minutes that you can bring to the couples in your department. These can be taught as “train-the-trainer” as well, so your own people from your department can host the events.They have a newly created Spouse Support Network, where they assist in building a custom online dashboard for the PARTNERS of First Responders. The dashboard provides access to videos, podcasts, articles, and book suggestions, with new material added each month.They are a non-profit organization whose goal is to bring life-changing relationship skills to military, first responder, and veteran families so they can be strong and thrive both at work and at home.I really enjoyed talking with ‘Tall’ Tim. I know I say that about every episode, but I really do enjoy these stories. It reminds me of when I felt alone and isolated. I was trapped in my own mind assuming that everyone was judging me and seeing me in the warped negative light that I saw myself in. Hearing Tim’s story about getting help and not just getting it but wanting it. Wanting to be a better person - a better spouse - is so cool. Stories like these are my favorite to share because I know there’s a ton of us out there that feel exactly like he did. I know I did. Hopefully you all find something in this that is motivating and helpful. Resources Mentioned:Deer Hallow https://deerhollowrecovery.comFirst Watch Wellness , https://1stwatchwellness.com/Warrior’s Rest Foundation, https://warriorsrestfoundation.org/Mighty Oaks https://www.mightyoaksprograms.orgNo Bad Parts by Richard C. SchwartzWe would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, and Twitter.

Robert N. Cuyler, PhD serves as Chief Clinical Officer of Freespira, Inc. Dr. Cuyler supervises clinical operations of the company, heads research initiatives, and represents Freespira in conference, publication, and media outlets. His research on real world outcomes with Freespira was published in 2022 in Frontiers in Digital Health. Dr. Cuyler received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Louisiana State University and Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Menninger Foundation.Social Media:Dr. Cuyler's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-cuyler-phd-0618a62b/Freespira's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreespiraFreespira's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/freespiraFreespira's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@freespiraincFreespira's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Freespira_Freespira's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespira/Robert N. Cuyler, PhD's consulting and management activities have focused on solving access problems in behavioral health, with a concentration on incorporating telemedicine and healthcare technology into clinical practice. He is the author (with Dutch Holland, PhD) of the book "Implementing Telemedicine: Completing Projects On Target On Time On Budget". He has authored or co-authored four textbook chapters on telemedicine, including the recent editions of Emergency Psychiatry and Textbook of Community Psychiatry.As Freespira's Chief Clinical Officer, he is involved in their research activities. They have a randomized clinical trial underway at the University of Texas using Freespira as a treatment for a range of anxiety conditions. They are collaborating on a grant that will gain additional evidence on effectiveness with PTSD in veterans and active-duty military.  They are also collaborating with a VA psychologist looking at sleep apnea in veterans to determine if Freespira will help participants use CPAP therapy more effectively.It was such a pleasure speaking with Dr. Cuyler. I love talking to people who are passionate about what they are doing. You can hear his enthusiasm as he talks about helping others. I always find myself learning something new when I have the opportunity to speak to these individuals with so much experience and knowledge working with people with PTSD. This was no different. I think the one that stood out the most to me was that deep breathing meditation may not be the best tool to use in a situation where you are being triggered or during a panic attack. This lines up well with what the doctor from Ukraine said to me. She mentioned that meditation can sometimes make the symptoms worse. I am not suggesting mediation is bad at all. I find that it is the best way to set me up for a successful day; I love doing a quick session following my cardio in the morning. I have noticed that if I’m in an intense situation I can maintain my calmness with controlled breathing. I would like to explore that topic more. Staying calm in highly stressful situations. Well, until next time…Resources Mentioned:FreespiraLearning to breathe properly and importance of your breathDoing things that make you feel uncomfortable.Don’t avoid or allow avoiding behaviors to take controlTalk therapyProlonged exposure therapyIn-Vivo therapyWe would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, and Twitter.

Andi Ward, former Construction Electrical with the Navy Seabees; Director of Training and Resources for the non-profit Merging Vets and Players; Fitness coach and all-around health and wellness enthusiastSocial Media:Andi's Instagram: @andi.ward64Andi's Facebook: Andi WardAndi's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andi-ward/Website: https://vetsandplayers.orgMVP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mergingvetsandplayers/MVP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MVPMergingVetsandPlayersMVP LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/merging-vets-and-players/MVP the Movie: https://vetsandplayers.org/mvp-the-movieWatch now on iTunes, Prime Video, Verizon, Google Play, DirecTV, Microsoft Movies, Showtime and more!Andi served as a Construction Electrician with the Navy Seabees and did deployments to Iraq and Africa. Knowing first-hand what it was like to struggle with the transition after leaving the service, Andi was drawn to working with other veterans and has been in the veteran non-profit space since 2017. In her role as the Director of Training and Resources for the nonprofit Merging Vets and Players, Andi designs and delivers training plans for staff, coaches and volunteers and connects members to resources in their area. She also co-authors MVP-PRO, a collection of concepts, topics, questions, and practices designed to move us all forward, increase our wellness, and build a stronger foundation of the people we deserve to be and the lives we deserve to live. Andi has a Bachelors in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Active Lifestyle Development and is a strength coach at Unbreakable Performance in West Hollywood, CA. In her free time, Andi enjoys working out, snowboarding, scuba diving, working with horses, and adventuring with her partner and their 90 lb. pit-bull.I always like to try and formulate a concept of someone prior to recording or really starting to talk with a guest. I have heard of MVP but never really dove into the organization before. When I was first connected with Andi, I had a much different idea of the person as to the one I soon discovered. If you would like more info on her story, go check it out on the MVP website. She’s a real badass. I really enjoyed this conversation and talking with someone who is so passionate about what she does. I mean, she literally took time out her freakin WEDDING DAY to speak with me and share the awesomeness MVP is doing in our community. I hope you enjoy this chat as much as I did. Resources Mentioned:The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel Van Der KolkIn the Realm of Hungry Ghosts – Dr. Gabor Mate (anything by Dr Maté)Chasing the Scream – Johann HariWhat Happened to You – Dr. Bruce Perry and OprahAnything by Brené Brown We would really appreciate a share and lik

Brainspotting and GHP with Dr. David Copeland, Licensed Mental Health Counselor-Supervisor in Florida, Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, and Brainspotting Practitioner; Author of God’s Healing Process: An Everyday State of Grace ExistenceSocial Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHPCounselingServices/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidicopeland/Twitter: https://twitter.com/dicopelandWebsite: https://www.ghpcounselingservices.comDr. David Copeland is a retired USAF veteran: started off front line Cold War, fall of the wall, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, over to the desert a number of times to include Kobar towers, and a remote tour at Kunsan Korea. After retiring from the USAF, he entered Youth Ministry for four and a half years and became a mental health counselor. His work has included both individuals & families with experience ranging from infants, children, & adolescents to Special Forces Combat Veterans (men & women). He's a former counseling director at Genesis House, where he worked with addiction issues and individuals coming out of prison or addiction centers. He has experience working in a clinical setting with a Medicated Assistant Treatment (MAT) program for opiate addictions.Currently, Dr. Copeland is providing mental health counseling services in his private practice in Niceville, FL near Eglin AFB. His work includes helping individuals with trauma issues from adverse life experiences. His experience includes working with Combat veterans and their families on marital and attachment issues created from adverse conditions aka trauma. He has had several years of experience as a child and youth behavioral counselor with military families. Dr. Copeland is also a Christian Life Coach helping individuals with spiritual formation and has developed a unique and practical approach to trauma treatment by integrating science and faith that he calls God's Healing Process (GHP). I have always enjoyed my conversations with Dr. Copeland. I understand why people may have approached him with their problems in the days before he became a counselor. He is very approachable and has a depth of understanding that is easy to follow.I listened back to our episode, and I noticed I didn’t ask a ton of questions in the early stages of the episode. I felt like every time I had a question, he just naturally transitioned into explaining that specific question I had. I feel like we could have talked for hours. I'm looking forward to the next time we chat and getting some experience trying brainspotting and self-spotting.Resources: Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change by David Grand, PhDThe Power of Brainspotting: An International Anthology by Gerhard Wolfrum Ed.This is Your Brain on Sports: Beating Blocks, Slumps, and Performance Anxiety for Good! by David Grand, PhD and Alan Goldberg, EdDBrainspotting with Children and Adolescents, An Attuned Treatment Approach for Effective Brain-Body Healing by Monika BaumannMan’s Search for Meaning by Viktor FranklHaving connection with othersWe would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have battled PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life to shorten that journey for others. Additionally, if you support, provide services for these groups, please reach out. I would love to have a chat.

John H. is Former EOD, a Combat Veteran, & the Author of Awakening of a Foot Soldier. He is a friend, father, soldier, sailor, and lover of life with a dash of pessimism and a hankering for shit-stirring. John served in the military in Somalia and Bosnia and has worked on the contracting side in the Middle East, East Europe, and Asia. In Iraq, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening which altered his life trajectory and consciousness. This was a fun episode for me. It was my first video recording; I don’t have the video, or I would post it. It was fun having a conversation about PTSD and life with a friend in a real setting. I enjoyed listening to how he identified internal signs that he was heading back to a war zone prior to his departure to Ukraine. I had also been identifying some changes within myself prior to coming to Ukraine. It was also interesting hearing him explain his personal journey to understanding his psyche, understanding it in his own way and in his own time. It may be hard to pick up on John's sarcasm, but it is so thick and constant. That is one of the reasons I find him hilarious. It really made for a fun episode. I remember when it ended thinking to myself, "how was that two and a half hours?" It felt like it went so quick. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. Resources Mentioned:ExerciseOutdoorsAcupunctureCranial SacralRolfing Meditation Energetic Therapy ShamanismPsychedelics Pursuing TruthLiving open, real, and true to yourselfWe would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have battled PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life to shorten that journey for others. Additionally, if you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of benefits available for these groups please reach out. I would love to have a chat and share that knowledge with the community.

Robin Collins is a Health Coach and founder of Pathway To Wellness With Robin. Robin educates, empowers and encourages Veterans and First Responders to learn ways they can support and balance their mind and body. Her passion is to help fill some of the gaps Veterans and First responders are experiencing in standard treatment options with compassionate coaching utilizing Holistic Health Principles.Social Media:WebsiteInstagramRobin was such a lovely guest. She mentioned something that took me back to thoughts I had before seeking help for my mental health issues. I clearly remember thinking to myself that I wouldn’t get help for what I assumed was this PTSD thing everyone spoke about. I was so mad at myself for being weak and not being able to handle war better. I saw so many other guys who were over there with families, kids, normal lives and no anger issues or drinking problems. My pride kept me from healing for so long. Almost like if I pretended I didn’t need help then I wasn’t weak, and I didn’t have PTSD. Seeking help was the hardest thing I ever did. I believe it was so hard because it was the death of the idea of who I wanted and thought I should be. The projection of me I wanted others to believe was the real me. By getting help I was finally free to just be me. The peace that comes with just being free to be you and being a version of you that you are proud of, I cannot articulate accurately enough to give justice.Resources Mentioned:Dynamic Neural Retraining SystemNeuroplasticity Coach StructureNutritionistMeditation by Joe Dispnza Breathing Exercises We would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have battled PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life to shorten that journey for others. Additionally, if you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of benefits available for these groups please reach out. I would love to have a chat and share that knowledge with the community.

Rob Hollingsworth is a co-founder of Plant Your Flag and former Navy K9 handler and police officer in Henderson, NV and Tacoma, WA.Social Media:WebsiteLinktreeRob is a veteran and former law enforcement officer. Through his service his assignments included K9 and SWAT. Unfortunately, he had the misfortune of responding to multiple heinous events in his career. These included just about anything imaginable and unimaginable. Through these experiences he developed PTSD that took him years to "admit". Also, during these times, he would hear military veterans and law enforcement officers express their desires to change the trajectory of their life but say things like: "but what else would I do".  As someone who is constantly striving for growth, to build an empire, and live how he wants to live, he realized that there was a dire need to help these individuals.He now seeks to help people from these communities to think big, get healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually, and to learn how to live the life that they want. They do this all in their community: Plant Your Flag.Since exiting LE, he has started a roofing consultant company & engaged in conducting roofing inspections, insurance claim consulting, and other aspects of the industry. He is an open book when it comes to speaking about PTSD and the effects on both veterans and law enforcement officers. Rob is someone I really wished I had met when I started transitioning out of the military. My first job after active duty was Home Depot. Rob’s introduction to new members is asking if they wanted to work at Home Depot. I, for one, did not . I feel like Rob is on an awesome path connecting with transitioning police officers and veterans to civilian life. The progression of my civilian career was mostly built on who you know and friends introducing you to others. That’s the impression I got from talking with Rob. This is the first introduction to a friend who wants to help others with educating them on lessons learned through trials and errors he’s made in life to make that transition easier for you.Resources Mentioned:Healthy Eating HabitsKeeping Your Body FitEMDR22ZeroNetworkingShort Realistic GoalsWe would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have battled PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life to shorten that journey for others. Additionally, if you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of benefits available for these groups please reach out. I would love to have a chat and share that knowledge with the community.

Ray is a US Marine veteran 0331 who served with the 1st Battalion 2nd Marines STA platoon during Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm. After the Marines, Ray attended Illinois State University, where he graduated with a BS in Criminal Justice Sciences.Social Media:Website: https://warriorshealingnetwork.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Warriors-Healing-Network-103865162334905Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warriorshealingnetwork2022/Ray is the owner and founder of Koru K9 Dog Training and HRD Police K9, serving as a trusted advisor and trainer to some of the most elite law enforcement K9 units across the country. The focus of HRD Police K9 is to create intense scenario-based training to help save lives on the street. Ray has first-hand knowledge with complex PTSD and the short falls of existing treatment options, especially within the VA system. He has personally attended Rythmia Life Advancement Center in Costa Rica and can speak to the use of Ayahuasca Ceremonies as an effective treatment for PTSD as well as the importance of set and setting when choosing a safe treatment option.Knowing what is expected from our men and women in the military and/or law enforcement, he felt more needed to be done to help them deal with the crushing symptoms of PTSD - so he started Warriors Healing Network to give those in need the opportunity to get back in the fight for their lives.In his spare time, he enjoys heavy metal, shooting, fine dining, horseback riding, and caring for the many animals that reside on his farm. He lives just outside of Charleston, SC with his wife, Bridget.The Warriors Healing Network was founded to help facilitate psychedelic treatments to combat veterans and police officers who have been diagnosed with PTSD and require financial assistance to get the help they need to fight for their lives.I really admire Ray and what his organization is doing. There is a lot of talk about the legalization of psychedelics, and with that there will be more opportunities for people to have access to them. I really appreciate how Ray elaborated on integration work. This is why I believe psychedelics were beneficial for me. I felt like psychedelics gave me a window of opportunity where I was emotionally disconnected from past trauma and old patterns. I used that window to add healthy habits like exercising regularly, eating better, and meditation. I have never regressed back to where I was before trying psychedelics. I do want to add that I also think it’s important to be in the right mindset before trying psychedelics. There is tons of research out there. My personal go to is the MAPS organization. Episode 21 with Dr. Feduccia is a great episode. She made a comment that has also stuck in my mind: “It’s important for someone to work with a therapist if the intention is to work through past traumatic experiences or if they have PTSD. Because if they [trauma] come up [during an experience on psychedelics] and a person doesn’t have support or someone there to help them work through what’s going on, it can be re-traumatizing.”  Resources Mentioned:PsychedelicsPsychedelic assisted therapyIntegration workIntegration coachAyahuasca retreatLifestyle changes (being uncomfortable and vulnerable)MeditationYoga Cold plunge Breathing exercises Wellness practicesDocumentary ‘How to Change Your Mind’Documentary ‘Awaking Soul’Documentary ‘Heal’

Derek O. Hanley is a paramedic and prior military combat medic, author of the book Photos From The Front Lines, and the founder of DOHP.net.Social Media:Website: DOHP.netInstagram: @thatsdohpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekohanleySF Chronicle feature: https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/art-exhibits/photographer-documents-alameda-county-first-responders-in-time-of-pandemic-protestEMS World feature: https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/emsworld/feature-story/your-job-captured-photosLink to book materials: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gf609gsaq6wbru7/AAA0YtGRDLc6HUmpQhlle0OLa?dl=0Derek O. Hanley is a paramedic and prior military combat medic, author of the book Photos From The Front Lines, and the founder of https://www.dohp.net/. Derek endeavors to increase honor and respect for medics in society through photography and visual media.  After serving in the US Air Force as a paramedic and instructor, he worked as a civilian paramedic in New York and served a tour with the Army National as a combat medic and instructor. During his service, Derek received many commendations, including the Army Achievement medal, and a nomination for division soldier of the year. He has feature-length credits for cinematography, photography, and sound. Derek’s photos have also been heavily published in EMS World Magazine.I saw so many similarities with Derek’s journey and my own. I really enjoyed this conversation. I could have chatted with him for hours longer I feel like. He articulates his journey so well. Listening to him describe the feelings of being burnt out and how he was fearful of it having a negative impact on his ability to operate resonated with me. It reminded me of that conversation I had with myself in Afghanistan after hitting our third IED in a few weeks. I remember something broke inside and for the first time ever I felt fear creep in. That fear never left. Like most fear in my life, I was able to move past it but it was always subtly nagging at me. I often wondered if it was also subtly influencing my decisions I made and if it would negatively impact my process in disarming IEDs. Resources Mentioned:The Body Keeps The Score - Bessel Van Der Kolk (A game changing book on trauma)The Brain That Changes Itself - Norman Doidge (An amazing book on neuroplasticity)‘Liberated Mind’ Steven HayesACT therapy Neurofeedback therapyRTMSConsistency with a Healthy RoutineGood Support StructureGetting Out of the Four Walls (Get Outside) We would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have battled PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life to shorten that journey for others. Additionally, if you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of benefits available for these groups please reach out. I would love to have a chat and share that knowledge with the community.

This month is PTSD Awareness month and the 1-year anniversary of attempting a podcast. When I started this journey, I was unaware of all the groups and organizations that are out there helping other humans. Then I found out there seems to be a new modality or type of therapy popping up all the time. It can really be overwhelming trying to figure out, if you need to work on mental health, what might work for you, where to get more information, and who to reach out to for help. I do not feel like I have sufficiently touched on those, so I hope to improve that next year. I do feel like I am better informed now than I was last year, and I hope you all are also. I am starting to evolve my understanding of my own mental health and see that my questions are changing a bit. It has been such a pleasure to have the opportunity to speak with so many people. I never would have thought I would have had the chance to speak with professors, doctors, owners of huge companies, and inspirational leaders. I am so blessed. It has been an interesting year. This podcast experience was terrifying at first but has evolved into something I look forward to recording. You can ask the social media team that I am less enthusiastic about the editing side of things haha. Thankfully they are awesome and have really helped with the creatives and getting the voice of everyone I have talked to out there for you all to hear. I thought it would be fun to do a quick little episode on some of my favorite experiences, quotes that stuck, and sometimes moments where my perspective was changed to see something completely different. Resources Mentioned:EMDRMeditative breathinghttps://eodwarriorfoundation.orghttps://lonesurvivorfoundation.orghttps://bouldercrest.orghttps://hiddenbattlesfoundation.orghttps://mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-coachhttps://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/aboutface/https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/decisionaid/index.aspxStruggle Well: Thriving in the Aftermath of Trauma by Ken Falke/Josh Goldberg (book) Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Franki (book)https://vetsandplayers.orghttps://semperfifund.orghttps://www.outwardbound.orghttps://www.davidlynchfoundation.orghttps://psychedelic.support/education/free-courses/https://maps.orghttps://projectnewday.foundationhttps://sarahschlote.comhttps://22zero.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/abigail-g-manning-915ab2154_thinksaydostrongertogether-whatif-activity-6990628185075838976-hy2-/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktophttps://abigailgmanning.comhttps://mental

Kateryna Katerynchuk: Psychologist, Psychotherapist specializing in treating depression, anxiety disorders and traumaSocial Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kateryna.katerynchukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kateryna.katerynchuk/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kateryna-katerynchuk-8754ba236Kateryna used to work as a therapist in a psychological center based in Kyiv. After the full-scale war began, she had to relocate and now works with clients in private practice. She works with individuals and as a couples’ therapist. The methods she uses are CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), Schema-therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and RTM (Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories Protocol). She specializes in treating depression, anxiety disorders, and trauma. In these hard times Ukrainians need psychological help and support, and as a psychologist she does her best to be helpful. Recently she has also joined a project providing psychological support for journalists. She believes in Ukraine’s victory and wants to contribute to it as much as she can.What a unique and interesting story! Often when I meet people, we discuss topics that we are interested in, and the list can be long sometimes. Kateryna has a great deal of experience and knowledge in PTSD and dealing with trauma. While listening to her talk about her experience and how well she could express it, I had an idea. It was talking with her that sparked my interest in discussing personal experiences of the psychologist in Ukraine. I cannot think of anyone who could articulate and identify their shifts in mental state during an acute stressful situation than a psychologist who has lived through one. Not only did Kateryna live through an invasion and relocation, but she taught her children resilience through her example. She shares what she learned that helped her and what she saw that helped others that were struggling, and I hope you find it as interesting as I did.Resources Mentioned:Healthy Routine (Exercise, quality sleep, healthy lifestyle)CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)Schema-therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)RTM (Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories Protocol)We would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have battled PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life to shorten that journey for others. Additionally, if you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of benefits available for these groups please reach out. I would love to have a chat and share that knowledge with the community.

Svitlana Tarasenko, Ukrainian psychologist working in a positive and transcultural psychotherapy approach; Member of National psychological Association in Ukraine and American Psychological Association; Volunteer in the project "Psychosocial support service for families of military personnel" founded by the NGO “Public movement for Empowering Women in Ukraine”Social Media:svtarasenko.cominstagram.com/svtarasenko?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=At the moment, Svitlana has a private practice as a psychologist. She provides online consultations to clients with various requests, ranging from problems with self-esteem or personal relationships to the consequences of PTSD or experienced traumatic events. For almost a year, Svitlana has been volunteering for a project where she and her colleagues, as psychologists, provide psychosocial support to military personnel and their family members in the format of phone consultations or messenger chats.Svitlana’s story and personality is the encapsulation of a comment she said to me during one of our conversations about the struggles of negative situations. I am paraphrasing, but she mentioned it is powerful when positivity comes from negative situations. I see her as that positivity. I really enjoyed her uplifting nature and positive outlook on her situation in Ukraine. That’s not to demean or diminish the realness of the dangers of a war - but staying positive is powerful. She is making such a positive impact for so many, and it’s awesome I got the opportunity to talk with her. Resources Mentioned:Healthy Routine Controlling the controllable Getting enough sleepExercisePsychoeducation - educate yourself about mental healthSvitlana's volunteer project: pidtrymka.in.ua/veteranhub.com.ua/vvybir.org.ua/vtprostir.com.ua/ukraine.iom.int/uk/haryacha-liniya-emotsiynoyi-pidtrymkylifelineukraine.com/bit.ly/414KplsWe would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have battled PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life to shorten that journey for others. Additionally, if you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of benefits available for these groups please reach out. I would love to have a chat and share that knowledge with the community.

Anton Kurapov, Assistant Professor, Department of experimental and Applied Psychology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv; post-Doc researcher, Department of Psychology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, founder of PsyRoom OnlineSocial Media:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anton-Kurapovhttps://psyroom.onlineDuring the first month of the war (March 2022), Антон and colleagues conducted a study on the overall impact of war on students and academic personnel.Right now, he mainly works on the assessment of mental health of Ukrainians - in particular, PTSD, Stress, Depression, Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Growth; they will launch a second wave of the research soon. They assessed the impact of explosions, air raid alarms, and blackouts on mental health of Ukrainians in a longitudinal study (obtained daily data within 14-20 days). After quick data analysis they can confirm that air raid alarms and explosions, even heard in a distance, increase situational anxiety and reduce overall well-being and arousal; on the days with no alarms, explosions, and blackouts, overall wellbeing of participants is higher, and anxiety is lower than if at least one air raid alarm was present. Note they have assessed only subjective perceptions that might not be fully accurate. Also, they work on the assessment of mental health of Ukrainian refugees in the European Union.  Finally, they developed a huge project related to the assessment and enhancement of sleep quality of Ukrainians based on the online cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention. They named it Nukkuaa4Ukraine. This was an interesting chat with Anton. This situation in Ukraine is a unique one. You can see the evolution of mental health and awareness and the importance of good mental health. I can only imagine what the conversation would have been having this type of conversation 10-15 years ago. I did a poor job of asking the question, but one thought I would like to explore more of is something that was noted in the early stages of the war: the bad coping mechanisms were higher than normal. It is still a bit too early to see elevated PTSD, I believe. I mean it took me 10 years to admit to having PTSD. I am very curious if there is a commonality between adapting bad coping mechanisms in the early stages and if those become systemic, does this lead to elevated levels of PTSD. This was a really great conversation, and I am looking forward to seeing the results of future work completed by Anton. He is such a positive individual to discuss this topic with and very passionate about helping those negatively impacted by the current situation in Ukraine. Resources Mentioned:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anton-Kurapovhttps://psyroom.onlineMeditationBreathing techniquesWe would really appreciate a share and like on IG, FB, YouTube, and Twitter. I am always looking for veterans or first responders who have battled PTSD to share how you have raised the quality of your life to shorten that journey for others. Additionally, if you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of benefits available for these groups please reach out. I would love to have a chat and share that knowledge with the community.