New Episodes!
FIRST H.E.L.P.
Beyond the 1st Response
New Episodes Every Wednesday
A podcast that brings first responders, families, and mindset together for serious and humorous conversations on mental health.
Your Hosts
Robyn Mikel, the assistant program director for Red H.E.L.P. and Christy Lister, the Illinois State Reprepresntative for Blue H.E.L.P. have teamed up to share the First H.E.L.P. story. They are doing this through conversations with our team members, first responders, family members, and corporate partners. They are working to help listeners build a toolkit of resources.
Christy Lister
Co-Host
Robyn Mikel
Co-Host
EP 56: It’s Not Just the Meatballs
In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy and Ciara discuss First Responder Suicide Awareness Week and the First Responder children. Grab the meatball and start rolling. #Honorthem The Children We talk about First Responder Awareness often, not only to help...
EP 55: From The Mouth Of A Child
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Ciara talk with Leslie Maginn, daughter of J. Daniel Maginn EOW 7/9/93. We had the hard talks with Leslie about how being a child of a police officer who died by suicide has affected her life and the trickle of...
EP 54: We Are Family
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Ciara talk about the family weekend in Dallas Texas. First H.E.L.P. Family Every year family members who have lost a first responder to suicide are able to attend a weekend of honoring their loved ones. While...
EP 53: Fighting the Fire For Sobriety- Pat Shea
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Ciara talk with Firefighter Pat Shea about his rock bottom and how he has dedicated himself to getting healthy, and how to help others. The Injury Pat, a former Firefighter for Little Rock Arkansas fire...
EP: 52 Hey You Listen to Yourself
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Ciara talk about how actively listening doesn’t just mean listen to others, but also to yourself. Christy and Ciara chatted this week about active listening, and how actively listening can help not just you but...
EP 51: Recognize the Good in the Past
In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy and Ciara chat about recognizing the good, in literally just about everything! You can see the good! It is so incredibly healthy and healing in recognizing the good, even in the bad situations. But also recognizing that...
EP 50: Tim Sears – C.A.N.I.
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Ciara talk with a Retired Fire Investigator and Stronger Families Director, Tim Sears. PTSI Tim talked about his struggles with PTSI and how he now helps families and first responders build healthy relationships...
EP 49: When Family Speaks
EP 49: When Family Speaks In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Ciara talk with a family member about the fight to save her family, while trying to get help for her former spouse. Jody We are using the name Jody, to protect the family as they...
EP 48: Harry Fagel- The Route You Choose
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Ciara talk with retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Captain Harry Fagel. The Poet Retired LVMPD Captain They spoke with Harry about his trauma’s and how he has handled them through the years. How he has written...
EP 47: Miscommunication
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Ciara talk about the effects of miscommunication; Part 2 of Mental Wellness Wear Down. Break Down They broke down the basis of miscommunication and how it can not just affect your mental health but your life...
EP 46: Close the Mental Tabs
This week Christy and Ciara talk about compassion fatigue in a first responder homes; and ways we can begin to reenergize. Compassion Fatigue/ Caregiver Burn-out At some point in our lifetime, everyone will struggle with Compassion Fatigue/Caregiver Burnout. What...
EP 44: Challenge Accepted
This week Christy and Ciara talked about the mental wellness of the family, including children and friends of 1st Responder. Ending Mental Health Awareness month, they touched on all the stressors of everyday life and how even children can be affected by this....
EP 43: Thank You For Your Service
In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy and Ciara the meaning of Memorial Day. Never Forget We should never forget why we celebrate this holiday, thank you to all our brave men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country! Decoration Day...
EP 42: Christy and Ciara – Communication Elephant
In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy and Ciara discuss communication after suicide and the elephant it causes in relationships. Welcome Aboard Ciara Madrid, one of our many volunteers, has now taken the role of co-host on Beyond the 1st Response. I am...
EP 41: Doug Lowe – Fueling Firefighters
EP 41: Doug Lowe - Fueling Firefighters In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy and Ciara talk with Doug Lowe founder of EMMP about his new venture to fuel Firefighters while they fight forest fires in the Pacific Northeast. For The Love of Cooking Doug has...
EP 40 Dwayne English – From Cop to Couch
EP 40: Dwayne English - From Cop to Couch In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy talks with Sgt. Dwayne English of Joliet Police Department IL, about how being a cop has made him a better counselor. Dream Cop Since the age of six, Dwayne had wanted to become...
EP 39: Chris Marella- Making Healthy Easy; A Little Bit at a Time
In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy talks with Chris about starting 4th Shift Fitness in 2017 with the goal of bringing these lessons directly to the front lines. Go to 4th Shift Fitness to see how to get in touch and set up a seminar, training...
EP 38: Valerie Groth – Stellate Ganglion Block Part 2
In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy and Steve talk with Valerie Groth, Director of Partnerships at Stella Center. Part 2 of the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) SGB- What is different now Christy decided to have the SGB after struggling with PTSD for over 30...
EP 37: Wendy Hummell – Breathe, life is Uncomfortable
In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy talks with Wendy Hummel Podcast Host of Guns and Yoga. Wendy, a wellness coordinator for Sedgwick County Sheriff Department in Kansas, brings her first responder yoga to the wellness program she has built. Grab...
EP 36: Jillian Bass – Find the Positive
In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy talks with Jillian Bass, a radio host for Star 96.7 Fm. Jillian experienced an event that opened her up to understand that mental wellness is a top priority and has created a platform on her midday show for all her...
EP 35: Becca Willey – While You Were Away
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy talks with Becca Willey, an army wife, mother of three, business owner of Radon Express, and board member of Naperville Salute, and organizations, that celebrate Veterans and First Responses raising money to give...
EP 34: I’m good! What does that mean to you? – Jennifer Anderson
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy talks with Jennifer Anderson of First Responder Coaching candidly about her WHY in understanding the need for coaching as an option for preparing for what the job does to you and your family. How We Met Jennifer and...
EP 33: It’s Ok to Feel Your Feelings – Jason Patton
In this episode of Beyond the First Response, Christy and Robyn talk with Firefighter Jason Patton of Fire Department Chronicles and Fire Department Coffee. Jason 17 year veteran FF Jason Patton uses his personal struggles with mental health as motivation for his...
EP 32: Molly Jones & Hannah Elmore – Living in the In-Between
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk with Molly Jones; Clinical Educations Coordinator, and Hannah Elmore, MSW of Advanced Recovery Systems (ASR) on the recovery programs for first responders. IAFF Center of Excellence ASR, in partnership...
EP 31: Valerie Groth and Jess Anderson – SGB and Me #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk to Valerie Groth, MSW, MA Director of Partnerships at Stella Center and Alameda County Fire Department Captain Jess Anderson about Stellate Ganglion Block injections. SGB SGB is an injection of local...
EP 30: Dr. Calvin Paries – The Truth About EAP #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk to Calvin Paries, DR, PH, LMFT, CEAP, who oversees a Profile EAP for Centura Health. The Myth About EAP "Why would you call the EAP? Now HR is going to know that you are struggling." This is often a...
EP 29: Robert Swiderski – 22 Districts 49 Hours #BT1R
EP 29: Robert Swiderski- 22 Districts 48 hours #BT1R In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk to Robert Swiderski. The son of a Chicago Police officer who saw the effects of living in a first responder home, he started Running for Blue Lives...
EP 28: Mike Marotta – San Antonio Public Safety Shift #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy talks with Mike Marotta, the First H.E.L.P. Training Coordinator. Mike is a former San Antonio Police Officer. 20 Months 8 Suicides After six officers died by suicide in the past six months, with eight officers...
EP 27: Danny McGuire – Built to Serve #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk to retired Chicago police Sgt Danny McGuire Jr. Now a professor at Calumet College and intern therapist at Augustine Wellness Center, he hosts his own podcast, Everyday Warriors. Support Danny wants to...
EP 26: Debbie Green – Quiet No More #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response Christy and Robyn talk to Debbie Green, a retired Public Safety Dispatcher 2 who wants to let everyone know the time has come to not stay quiet about mental health. The Headset Debbie admits that she would often picture the...
EP 25: Tracy Vitalo-Harwell – Shift That Space #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk to Tracy Vitalo-Harwell CPH-T, from Inspired Change Hypnosis and Coaching about how hypnosis can “shift that space” and how it helps first responders. What Happened To You When You Were A Child? It...
EP 24: Ashlee Gethner – My Dad Is A First Responder #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk with Ashlee Gethner LCSW and first responder daughter who has her own private practice, Calming Waves Therapy. First, I am a First Responder Daughter Ashlee is currently working on her doctrine,...
EP 23: Jim Marshall – Just Roll With It #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk with Jim Marshall, CEO of 911 Training Institute. Just Jump Right In Jim Marshall has a fantastic insight into what is happening inside our heads. With a Masters in Psychology and years of counseling...
EP 22: Shawn and Jeff Thomas – 1st Responder Conferences #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk with retired police officer and 1st Responder Conferences founder Shawn Thomas and her husband Jeff Thomas on what inspired her to form her company. I Don’t Care What People Think Jeff grew up in the...
EP 20: Crystal Street -Calls That Crack The Shield #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk with Dispatcher and First H.E.L.P. volunteer about being a first responder child and becoming a first responder herself. North Hollywood Shootout February 28th, 1997 became a day that changed...
EP 21: Jim Schlicher – The One Thing We Know Is Death #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk with retired Police Sergeant/Firefighter-Paramedic Jim Schlicher current training instructor for Calibre Press on what it is like to experience death on the job and off the job. Don’t Be Afraid...
EP 19: Bob Barc – Clearing the Rolodex
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk with Firefighter Bob Barc who has a passion for peer support and clearing the mental Rolodex. Mental Rolodex Bob started his firefighting career in a small town. The lessons started there along with...
EP 18: Badge Brew CEO Mike Jones – Roasting Good Leaders #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn discuss with Mike Jones Police Officer and Badge Brew Roaster, the importance of finding grace in yourself, through proper processing and leadership. Profiling The Coffee At 22 years old and on the night...
EP 17: Keith Contant – We Are Talking And Growing #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn discuss with retired Fireman/Police Officer, Keith Contant. Unknowingly providing peer support to members of his department, Keith has now taken it to a new level with his organization First Responder Peer...
EP 16: Matt Thornton – And Then..There Was A Sign #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Robyn and Christy have a discussion with Zion, IL Police Officer Matt Thornton. He talks about what it’s like to be working the very same streets on which he grew up. Thornton went from a cop in crisis to a cop in Christ,...
EP 15: Chris Moore – The Mental Bucket Trap #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Robyn and Christy have a discussion with Chesapeake, VA Fire Captain Chris Moore about your mental bucket overflowing into a dark place. Chris opens up about his “mental bucket” overflowing and how he overcame this with the...
EP 14: Robyn Mikel – I Had No Idea How Any Of This Works #BT1R
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Robyn and Christy discuss what it looks like after you have a first responder suicide affect your home, the process of what goes through your head, and working to honor her husband with a line of duty death. Robyn who is the...
EP 13: Tiffany Vanyo- The Kids, The Love, The Struggle #BT1R
On this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Robyn and Christy discuss the families left behind in the wake of a first responder parent’s suicide and how the kids can take the brunt of the trauma. Tiffany and her son Kyle lost Officer John Scollo to suicide on May...
EP 12: Joe Willis – From Military Police To Breaking The Stigma of Mental Health
In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Robyn and Christy talk with First H.E.L.P. CLO, Joe Willis. We hit on everything from his family roots deeply embedded in the first responder world to his own path to becoming an MP to following his passion of educating...
EP 11: Nate Fisher – Firearm Malfunction #BT1R
Rolling Up on the Scene On this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Robyn and Christy discuss what surviving a suicide attempt taught Nate Fisher, a retired police officer, active U.S National Guardsmen, and host of Surviving the Streets. Nate’s childhood dream was to...
EP 10: Dr. Theresa Larson and Podcast Host Jon Macaskill- Calm the Mind, Heal the Body #BT1R
On this episode of Beyond the 1st Response Robyn and Christy discuss the movement experience with Dr. T (Theresa Larson) and ‘Men Talking Mindfully Podcast’ co-host Jon Macaskill. MRx was developed as a way to bring your mind and body together as one to create...
EP 9: Ernie Stevens – Breathing Again #BT1R
On this episode of Beyond the 1st Response Robyn and Christy discuss the acronym G.E.B.Y. with Ernie Stevens from Crisis Cops. G.E.B.Y. is a mindfulness practice that helps first responders transition after retirement. Ernie Stevens is one of the now retired San...
#MindsetMonday- Time Well Spent with Battalion Chief Damon of Covington
Show Notes Battalion Chief Damon Covington reminds us the importance of family and time well spent with them. Listen to the full interview on our podcast Wednesday on Episode 8 of Beyond the1st Response #MindsetMonday | #FirstHelp | https://1sthelp.org/podcastYour...
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