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Firehouse Roundtable

Ventura Fire Foundation

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The kitchen table is the heart of the firehouse. It’s where those who are “Always Ready” bond over shared war stories of a career in the fire department and its impact on their everyday lives, including their families and both their physical and mental health. On Firehouse Roundtable, we’ll bring you those stories, so you can be a fly on the wall around the firehouse kitchen table. Your hosts Capt. Peter McKenzie (retired) and Battalion Chief Jason Kay (active) lead these conversations explo ...
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Short stories for young kiddos Read by firefighters and their wives If you are in the fire service, please send in recordings of you and your spouse reading to your children. Make sure to send me your name!
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A podcast created by full time firefighters to enhance firefighter mental health. Guests include clinicians, therapists, chaplains, fitness experts, nutrition experts and more. OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER FIREFIGHTERS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR RESILIENCY THROUGH MENTAL WELLNESS, PHYSICAL HEALTH, & HUMAN CONNECTION.
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Who is the Spiritual Leader of your Family? Is it you? Your Pastor? Your spouse? Do you know? I did, and sadly, no one was taking responsibility to lead our family. Well friends, someone needs to take that job, and THAT MAN IS YOU! You may not feel qualified; some days I don’t! With the help of God and a community of Dads helping each other on our walk, we welcome you to The Journey of a Christian Dad Podcast! To connect with other Christian Dads on the Journey check out our private Facebook ...
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I’m Kay Fontana, and have faced profound loss throughout my life, giving me a deep understanding of the pain it brings. My journey began with the loss of my brother to cancer when I was just nine, altering the dynamics of our family as my parents grappled with grief. Later, I experienced the anguish of losing my mother to Alzheimer’s and my father to cancer shortly after his diagnosis. The most heartbreaking of all was the death of my husband and soul mate of 40 years in January 2023 due to ...
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There I was, a husband, father & firefighter trying to support my wife, our new business and searching for more power, and clarity at the same time. I wanted to create the life I didn't have growing up. As I push Ashley into saying yes to build the new company all I can think about is the first business that cost me everything. Ten years ago I lost my life savings, my business, cars, house, and almost our marriage. On top of that, we had to live in the basement of the inlaws while Ashley was ...
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Introduction What is a Daily D.O.S.E. of Happiness [01:01] Main Topics Dopamine [02:12] Oxytocin [05:41] Serotonin [08:39] Endorphine [12:11] How I got my daily D.O.S.E. [15:30] Conclusion [16:50] Additional Resources https://healingourgrievinghearts.com/ https://healingourgrievinghearts.com/media https://www.facebook.com/kay.fontana/…
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In this conversation, the hosts interview two more firefighter paramedics as they come off probation, Ryan Vaughn and Connor Ryan-Fenwick. Ryan talks about his journey from being stabbed as a teenager to joining the Navy and eventually becoming a firefighter. Connor discusses his decision to pursue a career in the fire service and his experience wo…
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Gary Thomas has been on my wish list for quite some time! His books have helped me have a better marriage. Husbands and wives stumble in many ways and sometimes we have struggles with toxic people. Gary says, "All toxic people are difficult, but not every difficult person is toxic." Today we talk about how to cherish our wife, toxic relationships, …
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Introduction Recap of last week [01:01] Medical disclaimer [01:41] Main Topics Breathwork [02:35] Meditation [04:01] Aromatherapy [05:26] Journaling [06:59] Self-massage [08:39] Yoga [10:12] Herbal teas [11:48] Guided imagery [13:24] Warm bath [15:03] Art therapy [16:23] Music [17:46] Conclusion [19:23] Additional Resources https://healingourgrievi…
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Introduction About Podcast [00:00] Welcome and medical disclaimer [01:01] Main Topics Cortisol in our bodies and stress [02:44] The respiratory system [03:43] Energy levels and fatigue [05:29] Muscle tension and headaches [07:03] Digestive issues [08:44] Chest discomfort [11:11] The immune system [12:47] Conclusion [14:35] About Healing Our Grievin…
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In this conversation, our hosts interview two firefighters as they come off probation, Ryan Howell and Sam Stein. Sam shares his background in firefighting, including working for various departments in Illinois and Wyoming before joining the Ventura City Fire Department, as well as his volunteer work in Ukraine. Ryan talks about his time with Cal F…
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Introduction Welcome and topic of today [01:01] Main Topics What is complicated grief? [01:18] Trigger and factors that contribute to complicated grief [02:21] Sudden or unforeseen loss [02:37] Complex or challenging relationship [03:42] Series of losses in close succession [04:45] Lack of adequate support [05:56] Previous trauma or unresolved grie…
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Introduction Welcome to episode 8 on How to Honor Your Loved One Even After the Funeral [01:01] Main Topics Memorial table or altar [01:36] Memory book or scrapbook [02:41] Charitable organizations or causes [04:00] Plating a memorial tree [06:04] Memorial event or vigil [07:08] Writing letters or journal entries [08:02] Dedicating a bench, plaque,…
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Part 2 of a conversation with Ventura City EMS Administrator Heather Ellis, a former firefighter and firefighter's spouse, who shares her personal story of resilience and overcoming domestic violence. Heather discusses her background in the fire department, the injury that led to a career transition, and the impact of the injury on her home life. S…
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Community Builder and Storyteller, Matt "Ralph" Crossman joins us on this episode to share with us some stories from his life and lessons that he has learned as a man and a dad. Loneliness is killing us, middle-aged men. And as a solopreneur, "Ralph" has intentionally help create community and connections by organizing workouts, adventure trips and…
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Introduction Welcome to episode 7 where I will discuss When Your World Falls Apart When You Lose a Spouse. In today's episode, we'll be embarking on a unique journey as I share my personal narrative—a story that may resonate with some of you. [01:01 Main Topics My husband, my soulmate [01:19] Health issues [ 01:36] Taking him off life support [04:0…
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Ever wanted to do something that you felt was impossible? Or wanted to do, but crippled with fear or something else stopping you? Or had so many speed bumps, potholes and locked doors in your way that you wanted to quit? Today, what felt impossible actually happened! Jason "Cherry Limeade" joins us on his book launch day! And mine! Yes, I wrote a c…
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Introduction Energy healing methodologies are amazing tools for grief recovery [01:01] Main Topics Overview of energy healing [01:19] Benefits of energy healing in grief recovery [02:58] Qigong [04:23] Reiki [08:53] Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)/tapping [12:44] Sound healing [15:56] Conclusion [19:11] Additional Resources https://healingourgrie…
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Part 1 of a conversation with Ventura City EMS Administrator Heather Ellis, a former firefighter and firefighter's spouse, who shares her personal story of resilience and overcoming domestic violence. Heather discusses her background in the fire department, the injury that led to a career transition, and the impact of the injury on her home life. S…
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Davey Blackburn joins us and shares a story about the day his world fell apart. He vulnerably shares the details of that day and his thoughts. We talk about marriage, radical forgiveness, God's grace and mercy and virtues he works on with his kids. -How is God a good and loving God if he allows bad things to happen? -How did you keep your church go…
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Introduction When we lose our pets, our companions. Experiencing the loss of a beloved pet. [01:01] Main Topics As my sweet dog approaches his 13th birthday, I'm reminded of the painful loss of my dog who passed away in 2006 [01:11] Adding loss to an existing loss [02:42] Navigating the journey of grief [04:10] Ways to honor your beloved pet [04:55…
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Welcome back! Sorry for the wait for John Michael Talbot Part 2! He spoke about his Journey from RockStar to Monk on part one. He shares his thoughts about the world, Western Christianity and more on this episode. How important is it to confess your sins? In his community, they also confess their thoughts and temptations. What is a prayer that he s…
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Introduction Today’s podcast is an insightful exploration of things to avoid saying to someone who is grieving, accompanied by explanations and alternative approaches to offering genuine comfort and support. Main Topics Introduction [01:01] Words that hurt. [01:43] Words that heal. [12:01 Conclusion [18:45] Additional Resources https://healingourgr…
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In this episode, Lisa Corbett and her daughter Brianna (Bri) Corbett discuss their experiences as the family of a firefighter. They talk about the challenges of balancing family life with the unpredictable schedules, the support they received from the fire service community, and the impact of Captain Kevin Corbett's cancer diagnosis on their family…
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Introduction Thank you for tuning in for today’s episode on The Many Types of Loss where I'll be shedding light on some types you're familiar with and others that might be new to you. Main Topics Introduction [01:01] The Grief Recovery Handbook [01:14] Two main categories: Tangible and Intangible Losses [02:00] The "Backpack" of Losses [02:37] Tang…
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Multi-platinum selling Grammy/Dove award winning Contemporary Christian Music pioneer John Michael Talbot joins us today. He was a country rock pioneer with his band Mason Proffit that was on track to be a Supergroup when their hit song was banned from radio stations. Mason Proffit opened up for the Eagles and Aerosmith. We talk about his childhood…
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Introduction Thank you for tuning in to today’s episode as I shed some light on The 5 Stages of Grief defined by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her book, “On Death and Dying,” published in 1969, and what it can mean for those grieving a loss. Main Topics Background of The 5 Stages of Grief [01:01] The First Stage of Denial [03:38] The Second Stage of Ang…
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In this episode, Capt. Kevin Corbett of Santa Barbara City Fire talks about his journey battling stage 4 testicular cancer. From a Hospice bed to returning to duty, Kevin's emotional story demonstrates how far we've come in fighting cancer, as well as the importance of a support network. In addition to highlighting the link between cancer and the f…
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Introduction Today, we are diving into the general topic of grief that touches us all at some point in our lives. Grief is a universal human experience that can be triggered by various circumstances, shaping our emotions in profound ways. Main Topics What is Grief? [01:02] Understanding the Circumstance of Grief [01:55] Isolation and Grief During t…
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Introduction Welcome to the Healing Our Grieving Hearts Podcast, designed for those who have endured one or more losses and are on a journey to find healing from unresolved grief. I am Dr. Kay Fontana, your host, who has personally experienced profound loss and understands its deep impact. Main Topics Kay's experiences with loss [00:18] Podcast day…
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Kent Evans connected me to Nick Liberto a couple of years ago and I've been wanting to have Nick on the podcast ever since. Finally! Nick has a course called The Sex Talk! Catchy title, but I instantly thought that it's not just one talk you have with your kids.... Well, we get into that and more on this episode. He's collected some of the greatest…
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In this episode, retired Ventura City assistant chief Bill Rigg shares his experiences and stories from his career in the fire service. He discusses starting as a firefighter mechanic and the transition to having maintenance done by the city yard. He shares personal stories, including a funny story about a fight between two assistant chiefs. Bill a…
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Empowering Military Spouses with Financial Education: A Comprehensive Guide This episode of the Waiting Warriors Podcast features Michelle Bowler and guest Lizanne Lightfoot, the seasoned spouse and representative of Go VA, discussing the unique financial challenges and opportunities military families face. The conversation covers the importance of…
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Blessed to have Patrick Morley back with us again. He's the author of The Man in the Mirror: Solving the 24 Problems Men Face. That book has sold over 4 Million Copies. He is here today to share with us some insights from his new book, From Broken Boy to Mended Man: A Positive Plan to Heal Your Childhood Wounds and Break the Cycle. When Patrick was…
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Engineer Paramedic Charlie Brown saw the mental health challenges in the fire service and wanted to do something about it. So he co-founded Next Rung, a national nonprofit that provides free peer, counseling, and treatment support for firefighters and their loved ones. In this conversion, Charlie tells the Next Rung origin story and how they've gro…
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In this episode of The Waiting Warriors Podcast, host Michelle Bowler speaks with guest Madison Greene about navigating the challenges of being a new military spouse facing a loved one's deployment for the first time. These military spouses explore feelings of being overwhelmed and give advice on finding joy and purpose during such times. The conve…
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Brett Snodgrass joins us today and we talk about The Secret War Within. I really enjoyed reading this book. Brett's had a lot of business success as a real estate investor. He says, "Success shouldn't be the end goal. It should only serve as a platform to make a greater impact in the world." I love interviewing Christ-Following Entrepeneurs like Br…
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Santa Cruz City Firefighter Nick Hanna, formerly with Ventura City Fire, talks about his mental health journey over the past year. Nick's story starts with being "true fireman", engaged with his department and association. Following a significant illness, he began to experience panic attacks, sleeplessness, PTSD, major depressive disorder, and acti…
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In this podcast episode from Waiting Warriors, host Michelle Bowler engages in an insightful discussion with guest Amanda Scott, a military spouse, on the challenges and possibilities of maintaining one's career amidst the unpredictable and hectic TDY schedule. Michelle and Amanda offer actionable advice on building resilience, leveraging opportuni…
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Santa Cruz City Firefighter Nick Hanna, formerly with Ventura City Fire, talks about his mental health journey over the past year. Nick's story starts with being "true fireman", engaged with his department and association. Following a significant illness, he began to experience panic attacks, sleeplessness, PTSD, major depressive disorder, and acti…
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In this episode of The Waiting Warriors Podcast, host Michelle Bowler interviews Tiffany Kelly, a military spouse of 23 years with vast experience in juggling career, parenting, and the ins and outs of military life. The conversation revolves around the need to openly communicate the challenges that come along with deployments, reintegration, and s…
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In this episode, Mike Canny, a retired firefighter and vice president of tax services at Firefighters First Tax Services, shares his experience in the fire service and his transition to a career in taxes. He discusses common financial mistakes made by firefighters and provides insights into deductible expenses for firefighters. Mike also explains t…
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n this episode of The Waiting Warriors Podcast with host Michelle Bowler, special guest Liz talks about effectively managing personal and professional goals while being a military spouse during deployment and training seasons. Liz shares tips to establish boundaries, set and achieve goals, and get comfortable with the quiet. The conversation delves…
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Join host Michelle Bowler in this podcast episode as she interviews Cori Weathers, a military spouse, who provides firsthand knowledge and clinical perspective on the complexities and emotions tied to a military family's or couple's reintegration phase. Discover coping strategies, maintaining a strong relationship during deployments, and building r…
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Britt Lee and Brad Williams are fellow podcasters and fathers united by a common passion for helping young athletes become the best version of themselves in sports and life. From this passion, their Pure Athlete podcast with former MLB player Jeff Francouer, came to life. Britt is married and has 4 kids, one played Division 1 tennis. He runs his ow…
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James Boomhower, MS(c), FP-C, NR-P, C- NPT, CCISM is a critical care paramedic in Massachusetts and founder of Stay Fit 4 Duty, an organization that provides resources and training to healthcare providers and first responders. In this conversation, James discusses many aspects of mental health support for first responders, including the need to tra…
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Giji joins us today to talk about the Father/Child Relationship and how to heal and restore those relationships. You could think of this as how to repair relationships with your parents, your kids or even have a mindset to prevent damaging in these relationships. Giji met her dad when she was 17. Of course she had many unresolved issues from not gr…
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Julie Cart, Cal Matters reporter talks about her award-winning 2023 series, "Trail by fire: The trauma of fighting California’s wildfires." The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including Cal Fire's reaction to the series, the importance of discussing mental health challenges in the fire service, lessons from the military, and differences b…
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James' Episode: Navigating Grief and Lessons Learned (Part 2) In this heartfelt episode titled 'Battling Loss Together: Lessons Learned And Things That Helped After A Stillbirth ', Austin and Michelle Bowler open up about coping with their grief after a tragic loss. They candidly discuss what they have learned from their challenging journey, vital …
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In 'Losing James: A Military Couple’s Stillborn Story', Austin and Michelle Bowler open up about their deeply personal experience of stillbirth. As a military couple, they also discuss the unique challenges they faced, from deployment to navigating the grieving process while apart from each other. This podcast is a candid conversation about loss, g…
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Welcome back from Christmas Break! Hope you had a great time with family and celebrated Jesus birthday! Jared Haley joins us from Strong By Design Podcast and Critical Bench. He's got 4 children and been married for 14 years. Jared has a Master's Degree in Transformational Leadership and Spiritual Formation, and has been in professional ministry fo…
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In this episode, two military spouses Michelle Bowler and Shannon Leyko, talk about the importance of embracing individual normality and not conforming to societal standards in one's personal journey, especially in the military community. A crucial topic is discussed where the speaker shares a personal story of experiencing grief and the importance…
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Don Ross joins us today to talk about helping our sons understand what it takes to be a man. He saw that boys don't know what it takes to become a man. Often, they have the wrong understanding and are confused. Don's created Manhood Tribes to help dads and sons connect with others through his First Tribe: Path to Manhood community. He designed a Ri…
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Join this interview with Michelle Bowler as she delves into the fascinating world of military spouses and the uncertainty that often colors their lives. In this episode, she hosts an enriching conversation with military spouse and life coach, Michaela Rosales. Together, these military spouses tackle topics such as navigating transition periods, man…
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With 80 combined years in the fire service, newly retired firefighters Captain Tom Weinell, Engineer Brian Kremer, and Captain Thom Hoffman have a lot to say. This wide-ranging conversation touches on the Thomas Fire, La Conchita mudslides, Jesusita Fire, firehouse hijinks, burnout, changes they've seen in the fire service, their experiences with r…
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