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Struggling to support your peers after a tough call, or unsure how to even start a peer support team? You’re not alone. Surviving Your Shift is the podcast for first responders, healthcare workers, and frontline professionals who want to build effective peer support programs, learn peer counseling skills, and bring training to their organizations. I’m Dr. Bart Leger, a retired first responder and board-certified traumatic stress expert with 25+ years of experience training peer supporters. W ...
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Why I’m Narrowing the Focus of This Podcast
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Peer support can save careers—and lives. This episode reveals why Surviving Your Shift is narrowing its focus and how it will equip you to build a strong peer support culture in your organization. Are you tired of seeing your coworkers burn out, break down, or just barely get by, and wondering what you can do to help? You’re not alone. Many first r…
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When the Job Follows You Home: The Hidden Signs of Traumatic Stress
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Feeling “off” but can’t explain why? This episode unpacks the hidden signs of long-term traumatic stress in first responders and frontline workers—and what you can do about it. Are you more irritable, distant, or emotionally numb than you used to be? You might think it’s just burnout, but what if it’s something deeper—like long-term traumatic stres…
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Coming home after a tough shift and still feeling “on the clock”? Today’s episode breaks down practical strategies to create boundaries between work and home, helping first responders reclaim personal time and be fully present for what matters most. Have you ever felt like work stress follows you home? It’s all too common for first responders and f…
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Do negative thoughts play over and over in your head after a tough call, wondering what you could’ve done differently? It’s easy to fall into a cycle of self-criticism that erodes your confidence and makes it hard to move forward. That nagging voice in your head can feel like a constant weight pulling you down. But what if there was a way to break …
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Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the constant demands of the job? The fast pace, critical decisions, and unpredictable nature of frontline work can add up, even when we think we’re in control. Frontline work brings intense pressure, and managing stress is essential. In today’s episode, you’ll learn a quick, adaptable mindfulness technique that you…
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Are you equipped to recognize and prevent suicide in those around you? Many people miss the signs of mental health struggles and feel helpless when loved ones are at risk. This episode dives into actionable ways you can make a difference. Shayna Klassen, National Training Director for QPR Institute, shares her journey from addiction and recovery to…
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Growing up in a family rooted in law enforcement and education, Alan Cormier shares how his journey led him to advocate for mental health support within the first responder community. From impactful personal experiences to founding the nonprofit “With You,” Alan’s story is one of resilience and community care. What are the signs that burnout and st…
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Managing stress in high-pressure careers can feel overwhelming. Today’s guest, Dr. Anna Fitch Courie, Chief Wellbeing Officer at Clemson University, shares practical strategies to help you stay mentally and physically healthy in demanding environments. Do you often feel overwhelmed by the constant demands of your high-stress job? Many professionals…
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Are you struggling with burnout, stress, or feeling overwhelmed as a first responder? Retired firefighter paramedic Matthew Matty Fiorenza joins us to share his journey through PTSD and anxiety and how he’s now helping first responders find healing and support. Tune in for practical steps to protect your mental health. Are you feeling overwhelmed b…
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Are you anxious about what life will be like after you retire? In this episode, Dr. Medina Baumgart, author of the book Surviving Retirement: Finding Purpose and Fulfillment Beyond the Badge, shares practical strategies to help you survive and thrive in retirement. Have you ever wondered what life will look like after you hang up your uniform for t…
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Supporting Your Family While Protecting Others
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Join Bart Leger as he interviews Tiffany Atalla, a trauma therapist specializing in first responder family support. Learn how Tiffany combines her personal experience and professional expertise to strengthen first responder families and provide innovative trauma care techniques. What does it take to support first responders and their families in th…
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Integrating Physical and Spiritual Health
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54:38
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Navigating the intense challenges of being a first responder requires more than just physical strength. Matt Domyancic, a chaplain and former SWAT officer, shares his unique approach to wellness and spiritual care, blending fitness, mindfulness, and proactive support. Are you facing the pressures of a high-stress career and wondering how to maintai…
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The 3 "F's" for Mental Wellness with Dr. David Weill
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Are you struggling to leave the emotional weight of your job at work? Join Dr. David Weill, former director of Stanford’s Center for Advanced Lung Disease, as he shares how to manage the mental and emotional strain of high-stress careers using his three F’s method—Family, Friends, and Faith. Do you find it difficult to separate your work stress fro…
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Your Survival Guide for Navigating Department Politics
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Navigating workplace politics can be a minefield. In this episode, discover practical tips to maintain your integrity and thrive in your role without getting sucked into the drama of organizational politics. Ever feel like you’re caught in the crossfire of workplace politics? Navigating the tricky waters of organizational politics can be overwhelmi…
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Ever faced a split-second decision that goes against your values or witnessed a tragedy you couldn’t prevent? Join us as we explore moral injury, its impact on mental health, and practical strategies to cope. Have you ever made a split-second decision that went against your values or witnessed something that left you feeling deeply conflicted? If y…
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10 Strategies for Dealing with Missing Family Events
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Missing family events due to shift work can be tough. Discover practical strategies to stay connected with loved ones, even when you can’t be there in person, from using technology to creating flexible celebrations. Are you struggling to stay connected with your family due to the demands of shift work or being on-call? Missing out on family events …
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How to Deal With Generational Differences in the Workplace
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Generational clashes at work can be a major headache. Today’s episode of “Surviving Your Shift” dives into why Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z often clash and how to turn those differences into your team’s biggest strength. SHOW NOTES: (NOTE: you can utilize this exact same format for your weekly episode promo emails, too!) Parts in YEL…
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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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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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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’s good for? You’re not the first to think your organization’s chaplain can’t help you because you’r…
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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 @bar…
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