RIDE ALONG CHRONICLES

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**RE-RELEASE** This is the time of year to stop and think about all the things that we could be grateful for. It has been a tough few years for many and lately we have been seeing on many different platforms people focusing on gratitude to offset their dark times. We decided to focus on gratitude and one of the things we found was an online article from GradSchool.cornell.edu, called The Gratitude Project. It’s a research study by Cornell University that really broke down the concept of gratitude and its effects on people and their overall wellbeing. The facilitator of this Gratitude Project, Robert A Emmons, a professor of psychology at Southern California, Davis, an author of many books and the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude. Emmon’s believed that people who express gratefulness on a regular basis have higher levels of positivity, overall better wellness, and determine. His research also showed that the practice of gratitude can have significant and lasting PHYSICAL effects on a person’s life such as lower blood pressure, better immune function and more quality sleep. For those in the first responder world, practicing gratitude could prove beneficial to one's mental and physical wellbeing. We are grateful to all of you who encourage and support us and we grateful to all first responders who put it all on the line. So, come ride along with us! https://gradschool.cornell.edu/alumni/alumni-newsletter/the-gratitude-project/#:~:text=The%20Gratitude%20project%20is%20based,essential%20qualities%20for%20graduate%20students.

**Re-Release** On today’s Spotlight Monday, we shine the light on the impact the holidays can have on first responders. The holiday season is often a time that brings significant personal stress to first responders because of the job and these stressors are often not discussed or acknowledged. Realizing this impact and learning some healthy ways and helpful tips to prepare and cope during this time can be very beneficial to the overall emotional and physical wellbeing of first responders, and thus reduce potential stress within their families. So come ride along with us! https://www.cordico.com/2020/12/18/tips-for-helping-first-responders-families-adjust-to-the-holidays-2/

In this Spotlight Monday episode, we shine the light on how better sleep can help us manage stress more effectively. During challenging times, rest is often the first thing we lose—but it’s also one of our strongest tools for resilience. Learn practical habits that support restorative sleep and help you stay balanced through life’s toughest moments. So come ride along with us! (www.ncoa.org)

***Re-Release*** To kick off the holiday season we decided to highlight a previous guest who shared some insightful tips on how to address all the holiday disappointments and issues that affect first responder families. Our interview with Robin addressed so many common communication issues and disagreements that we have all faced at some point in our relationships. Her “1 to 10 scale” was fantastic to identify, as a couple, what holidays are important as a family. So, come ride along with us!

In this Spotlight Monday episode, we explore how therapeutic journaling can be a powerful tool for healing and self-reflection. Writing with purpose helps process emotions, reduce stress, and uncover meaning in difficult experiences. Learn simple ways to use journaling as a path toward clarity, peace, and resilience. So come ride along with us! (www.PositivePsychology.com)

On today’s episode we shine the light on struggle or regret. So why do we avoid struggle or hide it from others when we are dealing with it? Why don’t we embrace struggle and use it to learn and grow from instead? It seems that many of us believe if we are struggling it means we are weak, and can’t handle the stressors going on in our life. According to the online article,” Decoding the Human Experience: The Importance of Struggle”, from PsychologyToday.com. There are 3 key points to struggle: * Struggle is a key feature of everyone's life. * Most people do not understand the nature and meaning of struggle.* Our struggles help define our values and focus, and should guide our life trajectory.” Sometimes the things or areas we are struggling with in our life are beyond our control. But, oftentimes, the thing that means the most to us helps us focus on achieving it. To learn more about the importance of struggle, you can read the full article at Decoding the Human Experience: The Importance of Struggle | Psychology Today (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-universe-within/202408/decoding-the-human-experience-the-importance-of-struggle/amp). For more information and resources please visit us at www.ridealongchronicles.com. So, come ride along with us!

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On today's episode we shine the light on the misconceptions and consequences of over functioning. According to the online article, "The Subtle Sign of Over Functioning" from Kathleen Smith at The Anxious Overachiever.substack.com, “Overfunctioners may be seen as reliable and responsible, but it can have negative consequences like burnout, stress, and anxiety.” A main reason why many become over functioners is to manage anxiety for feeling helpless and vulnerable from past experiences or traumas. It’s a way to control one’s environment to try avoid the unpredictable. Over functioning is typically not a personality trait, it BECOMES a survival mechanism. This article explains how learning to draw boundaries for one self and practice the strategies discussed can help break this habit. To learn more about how to recognize and overcome being an over functioner, you can read the full article at: https://theanxiousoverachiever.substack.com/p/the-subtle-signs-of-overfunctioning For more information and resources please visit us at www.ridealongchronicles.com and be sure to catch on the next ride!

On today's episode we meet Amy who highlights her incredible 20-year law enforcement career. She shares her mental and physical wellness journey she experienced along the way. She explains how she could no longer survive on luck and had to finally put her health first and take charge of her future after retirement. So, come ride along with us!

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On Part 2 of today's special episode we meet Karen, a police wife, a police mother, a teacher, and co-owner of Serving First Responders. Karen shares her profound experience over decades with her first responder and how she adjusted to his career including shift work, multiple injuries, sleep issues, rotating assignments, and an unexpected retirement. She explains how supporting her husband and raising their kids didn't hinder her from having a thriving career. Karen shares how communication and respect kept her marriage in tact and her identity her own. She also explains how her husband's early retirement and emotional struggle with it, led them to their non-profit organization, Serving First Responders. So come ride along with us!

On part one of today's Special Episode we meet Ty, a retired combat veteran, former police officer, and co-owner of Serving First Responders. Ty details his personal journey from his military experience, his calling to become an officer, how he served his communities, his retirement plan and how it all ultimately led him to starting his non-profit organization, Serving First Responders, with his wife Karen. Ty shares the challenges and injuries he faced during his law enforcement career. He also explains how constant open communication with his wife and family support helped him overcome his biggest struggles, and continue his mission of service after retirement. To learn more about Serving First Responders visit https://servingfirstresponders.com/. So come ride along with us!

On today's Spotlight Monday, we shine the light on an amazing resource our guest, Sarah, from Episode 50 shared with us. She detailed her experience attending a resiliency and meditation training seminar called Mindful Badge with her first responder. Mindful Badge believes you should “Train to Thrive." They are a team of certified mindfulness trainers that deliver evidence-based training for better optimal health, emotional growth, and resilience and trauma competency. Sara explained how finally revealing some of her emotional fears and anxieties about her first responder’ his career at this seminar affected her personally and how it helped them increase their communication. You can hear more about Sarah’s experience at this seminar and why she recommended it by listening to her full interview and learn more about other Mindful Badge programs at mindfulbadge.com. For additional information and resources, please visit us at ridealongchronicles.com and be sure to catch us on the next ride!

On today's special episode we meet Alison, a licensed mental health provider, and owner of Pinpoint Behavioral Health Solutions, who focuses on first responders, their families, and their agencies. A first responder spouse herself, Alison details her journey living and working in this arena. She also shares some of her professional expertise on how first responder couples can have healthier relationships and personal coping strategies. She provides some tips on how public safety agencies can become less reactionary about employee wellness by offering more preventative care programs such as her "Neck Up Check Up" program. Check out the amazing professional services Alison and her Team provide at www.pinpointbhs.com. So come ride along with us! For more information or resources please visit us at www.ridealongchronicles.com.

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*** Re-Release** Today we meet Hope, a 17-year police dispatcher, who shares her story of being the first line of communication between those in need and those who protect and serve. Her experiences remind us that police dispatchers are the unsung heroes in the first responder world and they are not immune from the same stresses of shift work, traumas and managing a work-life balance that police officers and firefighters face. So, come ride along with us!

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On today's special episode we had an opportunity to meet Tami, the partner of our previous guest, Chris, a former LEO and co-owner of Law Enforcement Coaching. Tami is going to share her perspective as a LEO partner and what it’s like working together with Chris helping other first responders through their organization. Together they created this organization to be a source of support and resources for first responders and their families. You can learn more at www.LawEnforcementCoaching.com. So, come ride along with us!

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On today's special episode we had the opportunity to meet Chris, a retired LEO and one of the co-founders of Law Enforcement Coaching. He highlights his journey through his police career including how he overcame emotional burnout. He also shares how his personal recovery and his passion for teaching led him to start Law Enforcement Coaching with his partner, Tami. Together they created this organization to be a source of support and resources for first responders and their families. Be sure to check our Chris's story too. You can learn more at www.LawEnforcementCoaching.com. So, come ride along with us!

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After a review of our 2024 episodes, we discovered that we had learned so much from our guests that we decided to record and share it. Reflecting on that, it became apparent that some of our guests really related to all of us in a personal way. As we were chatting, we decided instead of waiting until the end of every year to reflect on what we've learned and the experiences shared throughout the prior year, we will have check-ins every few months and highlight those important stories and lessons. We're really excited to bring our first check to you. So, come ride along with us!

*** Re-Release*** Join us as Courtney shares how the aftermath of her LEO's critical incident and subsequent medical retirement ended up feeling like he was carrying boulders in his backpack. Courtney had a front row seat of that journey and explains why it's so important to never give up, and never let your LEO's isolation become his best friend. So, come ride along with us!

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In today's episode we meet Sara, who worked in the first responder world that does not get enough recognition, a 911 Dispatcher. She shares her story about the culture shock of working in a small town agency before transferring to a big city agency, her experiences and she gives some insight to the realities of the job. So, come ride along with us!

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In this three-part perspectives series we got a chance to meet a first responder couple. They each shared their individual perspectives of the challenges of living in this lifestyle and their own personal experience through that. Welcome to part 3! Where we meet with both Alison and Cameron together in the same interview to learn about their story and what they found out about each other. So, come ride along with us!

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Today we meet Alison in Part 2 of this three-part perspectives series a first responder couple. Alison and Cameron will each share their individual experiences and challenges living in this first responder lifestyle. In Part 1 we met with Cameron, in Part 2, we learn about Alison's experience as a young wife, a new mother and how she balances her personal and professional life in this lifestyle. Then in Part 3 we will get a chance to bring them both together in the same interview to learn more about their story. They will share how they constantly focus their communication style, how they prioritize their marital relationship, and how individual and couples therapy gave them the tools they needed to continually grow together. So come ride along with us!

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Today we meet Cameron in Part 1 of this three-part perspectives series a first responder couple. Cameron and Alison will each share their individual experiences and challenges living in this first responder lifestyle. In Part 1 we learn about Cameron's career as a young police officer, a young husband and new father. In Part 2 we will meet with Alison and then, in Part 3, we will bring them both together in the same interview to learn more about their story. They will share how they constantly focus their communication style, how they prioritize their marital relationship, and how individual and couples therapy gave them the tools they needed to continually grow together. So come ride along with us!

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Today, we have an opportunity to meet with a first responder wife, Alison, who shared how she found a way to give back to a first responder wife who unexpectedly dealt with the unthinkable, the passing of her fallen officer. We met Alison as part of an upcoming 3-episode series with her LEO, Cameron. During that time, we learned how Alison's small act of kindness for another first responder's wife became contagious and grew into a widespread act of giving. So, come ride along with us!

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On today's special episode we meet Jim, retired LEO and former President of C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) Arizona chapter. Through his involvement with C.O.P.S., he shares his personal experiences with National Police Week. Jim breaks down all of the programs and events during National Police Week in Washington, D.C. held in every May. He also explains the tremendous support and services C.O.P.S. provides to the families of Fallen Officers which includes funding each surviving family's attendance at National Police Week. Jim's passion and long term commitment with C.O.P.S. and National Police Week is inspiring and amazing. Working with survivor's families throughout the many programs and retreats, Jim exemplifies the true meaning of a servant's heart. To learn more about C.O.P.S. and upcoming events, please visit www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org and www.copsarizona.org. So, come ride along with us!

On today's Spotlight Monday, we wanted to shine the light on how organizational leaders can retain good employees by making them feel valued. We had an opportunity to delve deep into this topic with our guest Jason, of Episode 64. Jason, a law enforcement agency leader himself, shared what he observed and learned about appreciating employees throughout his 25+ years of service. Between his own personal experiences being supervised, to those who mentored him, and to the good leaders who influenced him and the choices he made as a leader, Jason shared a few examples of what he learned from those who demonstrated great leadership moments.For more information and resources, visit us at ridealongchronicles.com and be sure to catch us on the next ride!

Welcome 2025! This is the third year of our podcast, and we are excited to review where we’ve been and where we're going. Over the past three years we've met amazing people and have learned so many interesting things that not only challenged us but have also enlightened us. Reflecting on past interviews we talked about feelings that were brought up after our interviews with our guests and about challenges experienced. Recognizing we were more transactional in our interview style we decided this year we would dig more into the feeling part. We have so much to learn and share with this new year so come ride along with us!

On today's special episode, we meet Sandor who will share his knowledge about the benefits and services of the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and its many state and local chapter lodges. As the Phoenix FOP Lodge #2 trustee, Sandor will also share what he has experienced being a law enforcement officer for over 30+ years and his passion for helping others officers through the FOP. So come ride along with us!

Our guest today, Jason, shares his professional journey for over 25 years as a police officer, and later, as an agency leader. He discusses the importance of organizations actually caring about their employees and how it can help them retain good people. He explains what he learned about valuing employees and the importance of leaders being ambassadors to wellness. This included his own personal experiences as a leader as well as good leaders who influenced him and the choices he made as a supervisory. Thanks for riding along with us today! For more information and resources please visit us at www.ridealongchronicles.com AND be sure to catch us on the next ride!!!

Today, in honor of Child Safety and Protection Month AND National Family Week, we wanted to revisit a topic we discussed with Monica in Episode 4 that often goes unnoticed when discussing the challenges of living in first responder families. They are the children of first responders; the invisible ones who often hear and see everything first responder couples share including the dark, scary and chaotic parts of this career. These children often experience emotional and physical reactions that go unseen and sometimes untreated for years. We have heard this from some first responder families over the past few years. In addition, we have learned that oftentimes first responders have a difficult time parenting and are blamed for being too protective and strict. However, these children don’t understand and are not explained that it’s likely because of the dangerous world their FR parent experiences everyday. Monica really put this topic into perspective for us. It reminded us all as first responder parents what our children may be experiencing and showed us the importance of ensuring that our children feel emotionally safe and not just physically. So come ride along with us!

Today's Special Episode is still so sensitive and taboo amongst the first responder career. As you know we have learned about addiction and addiction recovery from some of our past guests, and how it impacted their personal and professional lives. However, our guest today's personal addiction journey is actually very enlightening and inspiring. Jeff, a 22-year veteran law enforcement officer, will share his battle with addiction during his career, the impact it had on his family, and how he ultimately overcame it. His passion for sharing his story in the hopes that it will help others in this struggle, led to his the publishing of his first book, "Sober from Sin." It chronicles the source of his issues to include his career and childhood traumas, and the ugly side of his struggles. We are eager to hear about Jeff's recovery journey and his book can help others. So, come ride along with us! To reach Jeff and find his book visit www.thejefffields.com and https://linktr.ee/1333consulting

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