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Do you find yourself slumped on the sofa after a twelve-hour shift at work, mindlessly scrolling through your phone, too exhausted to get up and enjoy dinner with your family? Or, do you feel lost for words when trying to comfort a co-worker who's just faced a tough call, not knowing what to say to help them without making them relive the ordeal? As a retired first responder and crisis interventionist, I know what it’s like to spend your days juggling back-to-back calls from clients in crisi ...
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Starting a career as a first responder is tough, but knowing these ten things before you run into trouble can make all the difference. Tune in to episode 15 to learn how to stay healthy, avoid common rookie pitfalls, and thrive in your career. What are the ten things every rookie needs to hear? Starting out as a first responder, you face intense ch…
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Stop Trying to Balance Work and Home Life. Here's Why
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15:19
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Feeling like you're constantly juggling work and home life, but still ending up feeling guilty and stretched too thin? Still trying to balance it all? If you're tired of feeling guilty and exhausted, it's time to explore a more effective approach to work-life balance. Do you ever feel like you're juggling too many balls, trying to give equal time t…
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5 Things You Need to Do Before You Retire
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21:45
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Are you looking forward to retirement but wondering if you’re fully prepared? The thought of retirement can be both exciting and scary. Bart, our host, has successfully made the transition into retirement, and he will share how you can, too. Are you worried about navigating the transition to retirement smoothly? Don’t be that person who gets to ret…
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Dealing with emotional pain and suicidal thoughts is incredibly challenging, but this episode offers hope and practical steps if you are facing these struggles. Listen now as Bart provides guidance and support for you if you’re overwhelmed by the pressures of the job and life. Are you thinking of suicide, feeling like the weight of the world is on …
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Can’t Turn Off Intrusive Memories? Listen to This
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Intrusive memories and images from the job can be a daily struggle for first responders. In this episode, Dr. Bart J. Leger shares practical strategies to manage these persistent thoughts and reclaim your peace of mind. Ever find yourself haunted by intrusive memories and images from the job that keep popping up when you’re just driving down the ro…
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Is There Such a Thing as Psychological Body Armor?
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Being a first responder or working on the front lines means you’re facing stuff most people can’t imagine. Today, I’m talking with Dr. George Everly, Jr with ICISF, as he discusses how to develop what he calls Psychological Body Armor. Are you feeling overwhelmed by stress in your frontline career? You might be missing crucial techniques to manage …
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Can the Department Chaplain Help Me Even Though I’m Not Religious?
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You may have never thought your agency’s chaplain had anything to offer you. But today’s guest, Jim Bontrager may surprise you with how down-to-earth and practical your chaplain can be when you really need them. Have you ever wondered what a chaplain is good for? You’re not the first to think your organization’s chaplain can’t help you because you’…
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How Can I Make a Difference as a First Responder?
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Are you wondering if you’re still making a difference as a first responder or other frontline professional? Join me as I sit down with Mike Baldwin, a 20+ year veteran first responder as he shares how to know you’re making a difference. What does it take to maintain humanity and empathy as a first responder? Many first responders reach a point in t…
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How to Build a Bullet-Proof Mind with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
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In this episode of Surviving Your Shift, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, a pioneer of the "bulletproof mind," talks about mental resilience and self-control for first responders. Join us as he shares insights from his extensive experience in law enforcement training, focusing on how to thrive both on duty and beyond. Are you constantly jumping from one eme…
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5 Steps to Reignite Your Passion for the Career You Used to Love
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Rediscover the joy and passion in your career with today's episode of Surviving Your Shift. Dive deep into practical strategies for overcoming burnout and rekindling that initial spark that drew you to your job. Feeling drained and disconnected from the job you once loved? You're not alone. The daily grind can often leave us feeling burnt out, sapp…
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Does every workday feel like you're just going through the motions, drained of the passion that once fueled you? In this episode, you’ll discover 3 powerful strategies to rekindle your drive and reignite the fire within - renewing your sense of purpose and enthusiasm for the career you've chosen. When was the last time you felt really engaged and m…
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If you’ve ever worried about life after retirement, today’s guest can help. After 21 years in the Coast Guard, Kenneth Macgregor was medically retired, and he’s here to share his journey of adapting to this major life transition and how he found a new purpose. Are you struggling to find purpose and identity after a major life transition? For many v…
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Stop Letting Rotating Shifts Rob You of Sleep
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Sleep impacts every aspect of our lives, but many struggle to get quality rest, especially shift workers. Today’s guide, Dr. Phillip Conner, discusses common sleep issues, provides practical tips for better sleep hygiene, and explains how insufficient sleep can dangerously impair performance. Are you having trouble feeling rested and alert during t…
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Is There Someone Who Understands Me? Find Out with Cherie Castellano
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If you’ve ever wondered whether there are other people who truly understand the challenges of your career and life, this is the episode for you. Today’s guest, Cherie Castellano, shares how to harness the power of connection through shared experiences and peer support. When was the last time you felt truly understood? As a professional with a high-…
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Snapping at Your Family After Shift? Try This
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For many people, it can be challenging to leave work stress at the office and fully embrace your downtime. But this episode of Surviving Your Shift tackles that very challenge and shares a powerful Transition Ritual to help you flip the switch from your professional to your personal life. When was the last time you wasted an entire evening or weeke…
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Do you feel like your high-stress career as a first responder or frontline professional is sucking the life out of your life? Join host Bart Leger on "Surviving Your Shift," where he unveils upcoming practical strategies and personal stories to help you thrive in your high-demand career and finish strong. Liked this episode? Share it and tag me @ba…
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