Episode 4: Kota Baythavong "The hardest part about losing a child is living every day after."

The Impact Project Podcast

Kota shares his personal story of growing up in an abusive household, the impact it had on him, and his journey to healing and becoming a better father. He discusses the importance of men being able to identify and communicate their emotions, and the power of telling one's story. Kota also opens up about his daughter's diagnosis of mitochondrial disease and the challenges they faced as a family. He shares his experience of losing his daughter and the impact it had on his life and relationships. He reflects on the guilt, anger, and grief he felt, as well as the challenges of being a father and husband. He discusses the importance of open communication and vulnerability in relationships and the need to confront insecurities and past traumas. He also talks about his journey to becoming a firefighter and the intense experiences he had during his first year on the job. In this conversation Kota shares his experiences as a firefighter, a father, and a survivor of trauma. He discusses his first fire and the intense emotions he felt during the experience. Kota also opens up about the loss of his daughter and the challenges he faced in processing his grief. He emphasizes the importance of being a good person and taking care of others, both as a firefighter and as a father. He reflects on the impact of his own upbringing on his parenting style and the lessons he hopes to pass on to his son. He also discusses the role of therapy and mental health support in the fire department and the need for a cultural shift in how trauma is addressed. Overall, Kota's story is one of resilience, growth, and the power of connection.