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Podcast weblog: A career in law enforcement is one of the most rewarding, challenging, and selfless professions out there. The Guns and Yoga podcast explores the intersection between the impact a first responder career can have on those on the job, their families, and the importance of adopting and maintaining a holistic lifestyle. Wendy Hummell is a seasoned law enforcement officer in the Midwest with close to 25 years experience. She is a LEO spouse, mother, and wellness enthusiast. She knows first-hand the difficulties this line of work can bring. For the past decade, Wendy has been exploring various ways to improve her emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical well – being. She continues to learn and has a passion for sharing these tools to improve the quality of life not only for herself and her family, but for all first responders. Wendy is a certified yoga and meditation instructor. She teaches yoga, mindfulness, and resiliency to first responders at her current agency where she works as the Health and Wellness Coordinator. She also teaches throughout the state of Kansas and other national platforms. Wendy retired from the Wichita Police Department in 2019 at the rank of Detective where she spent a majority of her career working persons crimes. The intention of this podcast is to add value, provide support, and share resources by providing a platform for honest conversations with first responders, family members, retirees, and wellness experts. Whether you are a law enforcement officer, work in corrections, dispatch, Fire, EMS, The Prosecutors Office, the Coroners Officer, are a member of the military, family member or anyone who supports front line workers, please subscribe today and hear hear the stories of these brave men and women, the challenges and difficulties they have faced; the wonderful programs, people, and resources available to support first responders.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Tactical Tip Tuesday - Microcast 21
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Tactical Tip Tuesday is a weekly microcast where we will share a tip, tool, or dose of inspiration for the week ahead.
This week: My Mentor
Wednesday Mar 02, 2022
Wednesday Mar 02, 2022
Welcome to Episode #28 of the Guns and Yoga Podcast. Today I am speaking with retired States Attorney Trish Froehlich.
I met Trish and her husband this summer at a yoga training in Wichita. We instantly connected and I knew I wanted to have her on the show. First Responder wellness must include our colleagues in the Prosecutors Office; and not just the prosecutors but court clerks, evidence clerks, and those who work with the victims and witnesses. Trish talks about her career as a prosecutor, her exposure to secondary trauma, and what retirement has been like.
Trish has been practicing yoga since 2008 and discusses how it helped her regulate her nervous system throughout her career. She became a certified yoga teacher after she retired and shares with us how her husband, a retired cop, decided to join her during her teacher training.
Not only are they living their best life in retirement, practicing and teaching yoga, but they get to share it with each other.
We discuss how nervous system activation impacts health, weight, and mental well-being. She originally started practicing yoga as a means to control her asthma symptoms, and is now committed to teaching others of its life changing benefits.
If you are interested in trying yoga, regardless of whether you are brand new or have been practicing for years, I invite you to my new YouTube channel where you can access and try my yoga videos for free. I also post these videos on my main website - WendyHummell.com.
Additionally, I am currently enrolling for my April 2022 cohort of Radical Resilience. Radical Resilience is a transformative lifestyle coaching program based on holistic habits, circadian science, and dynamic group support. If you are looking to make a change in your life, shoot me an email to schedule a free strategy session where we can discuss whether this program might be a good fit for you.
And, as always, if you find value in this episode, make sure to share it, give us a review, and if you’d like to be notified of future episodes you can subscribe on our Podbean website or email us at wendy@bluelineyoga.com.
Thanks!
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Tactical Tip Tuesday - Microcast 20
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Tactical Tip Tuesday is a weekly microcast where we will share a tip, tool, or dose of inspiration for the week ahead.
This week: Self Sabotage
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
Episode #27: Matt Domyancic - The Tactical Chaplain
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
In today’s episode I speak with Matt Domyancic. Matt volunteers as a chaplain and peer support for police agencies in Los Angeles. He also is a volunteer for nonprofits that support police officers in crisis, as well as those that are injured and disabled. Matt believes all first responders can have careers that provide deeper meaning and add richness to their spiritual lives if approached in the right manner.
Matt is a medically retired police officer that worked patrol, Peer Support, SWAT, and as a full-time police academy instructor. Matt was the Wellness Coordinator for his agency integrating sports nutrition, strength, and conditioning, stress management, combatives-and-scenario training regarding officers as tactical athletes. He also was concurrently a collegiate strength coach at Yale and Georgetown Universities while a full-time police officer. Later he was a strength coach and mental skills trainer for NFL combine athletes. At Yale, he volunteered for Athletes in Action and at Georgetown, he created an ecumenical ministry Hoyas for Christ. Matt also has been a volunteer with Hockey Ministries International summer camps.
Matt’s niche is spending time in the trenches with first responders and veterans establishing trust and rapport. He does weekly ride alongs and station visits, observes and participates in any training that he is invited to, and goes shooting with veterans transitioning out of the military. His approach is not the traditional reacting to crisis or responding to requests, rather he pro-activity spends time with those he cares about while they are on the job. Matt’s priority is encouraging better overall wellness, life balance, mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual self-care BEFORE officers or firefighters experience a breakdown or a crisis. However, Matt is also well versed in response to critical incidents as well as spending time with first responders at treatment facilities for PTSD and substance abuse issues.
LINK:
And please, if you find value in this episode, make sure to share it, give us a review, and if you’d like to be notified of future episodes you can subscribe on our Podbean website or email us at wendy@bluelineyoga.com.
Thanks!
Also, for more about the Radical Resilience program please visit us at: wendyhummell.com
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Tactical Tip Tuesday - Microcast 19
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Tactical Tip Tuesday is a weekly microcast where we will share a tip, tool, or dose of inspiration for the week ahead.
This week: Be Curious, Not Judgmental
On this week's podcast, Wendy talks about a Walt Whitman quote from an episode of the TV show Ted Lasso - "Be curious, not judgmental". We could all probably use a little more of this mindset in our daily lives, and not just in how we view others, but also with how we view ourselves. You can check out her Blog and the video clip from Ted Lasso at www.wendyhummell.com
Tuesday Jan 04, 2022
Episode #26: Morgan Farms Part 2 - with Jason & Shannon Klepac
Tuesday Jan 04, 2022
Tuesday Jan 04, 2022
Happy New Year and welcome to Episode 26 of the Guns and Yoga podcast, my name is Wendy Hummell.
Today you will hear a conversation I had with Jason Klepac and his wife, Shannon; part 2 of our on-location series at Morgan Farms.
Jason started the non-profit after retiring from law enforcement and serving in the military. I really enjoyed my time with Jason and Shannon. Talking to them was like hanging with a few old friends and shooting the shit, which is really what we did. We sat on their wrap around front porch overlooking their breathtaking 40 acre spread and talked about well, everything. What to expect if you visit Morgan Farms - which in a nutshell is an opportunity to slow down; the lessons we can learn from the animals about ourselves and how to interact with others, whether that be co-workers, friends, or family; communication, relationships and the impact a LE career has on families, success, failure, faith, growth, therapy, vulnerability, and compromise.
If you’d like to learn more about Morgan Farms or you’d like to contact Jason about a donation or a visit check out FB, Instagram, and Linkedin.
LINKS:
And please, if you find value in this episode, make sure to share it, give us a review, and if you’d like to be notified of future episodes you can subscribe on our Podbean website or email us at wendy@bluelineyoga.com.
Thanks!
Also visit us at: wendyhummell.com
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Episode #25: Morgan Farms Mash-Up
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Today we are doing something new- at the end of 2021, we got the opportunity to visit Morgan Farms, a newly formed non-profit located in Wellsville, KS. My husband and I drove there on an unseasonably warm day in early December. Jason Klepac, the founder, and owner, was hosting an open house and invited the Guns and Yoga Podcast for a tour and opportunity to speak with some of the first responders in attendance. As our two-and-a-half-hour drive came to an end, and we got closer to Morgan Farms, I started to feel more at ease. Less cars, more space, less people more trees, less noise more quiet.
When we arrived, the tour was just starting; about 20 area first responders came from different parts of Kansas to learn more. Jason is a former first responder and military veteran. He and his wife, Shannon, have opened their home and their hearts, in service of those who serve. Jason and Shannon have created something unique; a working farm on 40 acres.
So, what is Morgan Farms?
It is an opportunity to experience the beauty, peace, and calm. Jason has created something really special. We will talk with him and his wife in next week’s episode, but for him, it’s all about the people; the first responders and taking care of them in a unique way. Not doing anything per se, but providing them the space, the environment to just be.
Today, you will hear a mash up, or a series of short interviews with several first responders we did on location; Dawn Deterding, Jamie Davis, and Roxy VanGundy, who have a combined near 70 years of experience under the headset as dispatchers. These ladies came from different parts of the state to visit Morgan Farms and speak with us today. They all work for different agencies across the state, KC MO PD, Lee Summit Fire, and Lyon County. They are committed to supporting their peers and work with agencies such as NENA National emergency number association and MARC the Mid America Regional Council to improve services and resources to dispatchers and other first responders.
You will hear from them how valuable they feel Morgan Farms will be as a resource for their people.
I also spoke with Lt. Dan Davis Belton PD and Matt Kelly, Captain Miami County Sheriff they are co-chairs for command level peer support with MARC.
In these conversations you will hear about critical incidents, the impact of secondary trauma and the role that peer support can play in supporting dispatchers, law enforcement and all first responders.
If you want increased feelings of calmness, need a change of scenery, want to increase endorphin levels, recharge, be less irritable, and possible reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone association with excessive nervous system activation, then you should check our Morgan Farms.
Next week when we hear from Jason and Shannon, we will discuss future plans for Morgan Farms, future programs, etc. The intuitive nature of horses and how they can help us understand more about ourselves and how we communicate with others.
LINKS:
I hope you enjoy this episode, and please, if you find value in this episode, please share it, give us a review, and if you’d like to be notified of future episodes you can subscribe on our Podbean website or email us at: wendy@bluelineyoga.com.
Thanks!
Also visit us at: wendyhummell.com
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday - Microcast 18
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday is a weekly microcast where we will share a tip, tool, or dose of inspiration for the week ahead.
This week: Own Your Experience
On this week's podcast, Wendy talks about why she retired, the forces at play behind that decision, and the path to clarity, personal growth, and new opportunities.
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Today we will hear a conversation I had with Claudale Arterburn, a retired Wichita police officer. Claudale is married to Brian Arterburn, also a veteran police officer who is now medically retired due to injuries he sustained in February 2017 while attempting to capture a felony suspect, an incident that nearly took his life and left him with a TBI and other serious medical issues.
Claudale shares the details of that day, walks us through what life has been like for both her and Brian, and the complications of traumatic brain injuries. At a time when Brian and Claudale were looking forward to starting their life together, as they had just been married 3 weeks prior, she was making life and death decisions for Brian.
In February 2017, Brian was conducting surveillance in South Wichita, a regular part of his job. While attempting to capture a fleeing felon in a stolen vehicle, Brian was run over. He suffered chest, abdomen, and brain injuries and spent nearly 10 months in hospitals throughout the country, having numerous surgeries and dealing with other serious complications. Claudale talks about Brians journey and the time she spent with him during those days away from home and her support system.
Brian’s community rallied behind him, they sent letters, made t-shirts, and so many people had Blue for Brian yard signs; in fact there are still several out even today that I see in our community.
As I personally reflect on the events of that day, there is a quote on the ODMP website that comes to mind - it reads: “When a police officer is killed, it’s not an agency that loses an officer, it’s an entire nation” – when Brian was injured no one knew if he would survive - the impact of this event touched so many people, and still does to this day, including Brian’s family, friends, co-workers who were with Brian that day, his entire agency, and the Wichita community;
In addition to being Brian’s sole care-giver, Claudale tells us she is starting the next chapter in her life with a career in counseling; she is finishing up her schooling and wants to work with other first responders and their families. She knows first hand what it’s like to do the job, survive tragedy, and now wants to give back and serve others who selflessly serve our community.
When we first started the podcast, the mission was to educate and inform, first responders and their families. But now, I think it’s imperative that everyone listens and here’s why. At a time when not only law enforcement but all public safety professions are struggling to hire and retain personnel, it is imperative that we come together so we can do more to support those who are willing to do the things most others are not. When Brian went to work the day his life changed forever, he had been doing that for over 25 years – just the same as all of our first responders. We need to come together as a community and do a better job serving them (first responders) because if they are mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy, they will better serve their community. THIS is police reform at it’s most fundamental level.
I hope you enjoy this episode, and please, if you find value in this episode, please share it, give us a review, and if you’d like to be notified of future episodes you can subscribe here on our Podbean website or email us at wendy@bluelineyoga.com.
Thanks!
Also visit us at: wendyhummell.com
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday - Microcast 17
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday is a weekly microcast where we will share a tip, tool, or dose of inspiration for the week ahead.
This week: We Are All Connected
Also, I want to thank all of the Guns & Yoga Podcast listeners, as well as each of my awesome guests, for helping us reach 5000 downloads. We could not have done it without every single one of you! Thank You!!
And finally, as I mention at the end of this podcast, I am launching a program in January 2022 called Radical Resilience. If you want to build resilience and adaptability into your physiology by optimizing the rhythm of your daily habits, want to tap into your unique purpose and potential, and learn these habits in a dynamic group setting then this program could be for you. One thing I have learned from peer support is that evolution happens faster and easier in a group and improves success in achieving goals.
If you struggle with low energy, overwhelm, chronic pain, inflammation, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, irritability, or burnout the curriculum is based on 10 holistic habits that help you feel your best regardless of what stage of life you are in. Radical Resilience empowers you with the knowledge and practical tools to thrive and heal. These are things I have been teaching to first responders for years, but putting it together for a small group over several months in a group setting has been shown to improve success in achieving goals. If you are interested in learning more about the program you can email me at: wendy@bluelineyoga.com or reach out to me on Linkedin.
Wendy
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Welcome to Episode 23 of the Guns and Yoga Podcast, my name is Wendy Hummell.
In today’s episode I speak with Dr. Stephanie Conn. She is a former dispatcher and police officer turned police psychologist. In talking with Dr. Conn, it is obvious this work is in her blood. She grew up as the daughter of a police officer and ended up married to one. Dr. Conn explains that her career path was the result of seeing a need and filling it. After the death of someone at her agency, she realized the missing piece at her agency was a culturally competent therapist to work with their peer support team. So, what’s a girl to do? She made the decision to leave her career in law enforcement and pursue her PHD - with every intention of returning to police work. Although that didn’t happen the way she planned, the work she now does with peer support teams and first responders locally and across the nation is vitally important
Dr. Conn is also the author of Increasing Resilience in Police and Emergency Personnel.
In this episode, we discuss so many important and relevant topics one of which is police identity. Dr. Conn discusses research from her book in which she notes that personality changes within first 6 months of entering the academy. She gives an account of an interview with a career firefighter who said he did not want to retire because, "he didn’t want to go from a hero to a zero” . Dr. Conn trains on the topic of resilience and cant stress enough how first responders must not defer a life of enjoyment for the day after we retire; she specifically mentions those who never take sick time and sacrifice relationships and all other areas of their life for the job.
Dr. Conn explains the hazards of organizational betrayal and moral injury and the compounding impact of feeling betrayed by those who are supposed to be looking out for you and how this could lead to undermining our faith in humanity – She explains the connect and protect theory in neuroscience that If I can’t connect to you because I have to protect myself against you, then maybe I have to protect myself against everyone else too.
We talk Peer Support, what makes a good first responder clinician and her TEAM acronym which stands for: Therapy, Educators, Assist, and Management when referring to the myriad of skillsets of a culturally competent clinician.
LINKS:
Contact Dr. Conn (First Responder Psychology)
Edmonton Police Reintegration Program Podcast
Dr. Conn's Book: Increasing Resilience in Police and Emergency Personnel
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday - Microcast 16 - THE TACTICAL HABITS SERIES
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday is a weekly microcast where we will share a tip, tool, or dose of inspiration for the week ahead.
THE TACTICAL HABITS SERIES
This week: Tactical Habit 4 - Addressing Burnout & Chronic Inflammation
As I mention in this podcast, I am launching a program in January 2022 called Radical Resilience. If you want to build resilience and adaptability into your physiology by optimizing the rhythm of your daily habits, want to tap into your unique purpose and potential, and learn these habits in a dynamic group setting then this program could be for you. One thing I have learned from peer support is that evolution happens faster and easier in a group and improves success in achieving goals.
If you struggle with low energy, overwhelm, chronic pain, inflammation, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, irritability, or burnout the curriculum is based on 10 holistic habits that help you feel your best regardless of what stage of life you are in. Radical Resilience empowers you with the knowledge and practical tools to thrive and heal. These are things I have been teaching to first responders for years, but putting it together for a small group over several months in a group setting has been shown to improve success in achieving goals. If you are interested in learning more about the program you can email me at: wendy@bluelineyoga.com or reach out to me on Linkedin.
LINK: Radical Resilience with Wendy Hummell: Chronic Inflammation & Burnout
Wednesday Oct 13, 2021
Episode #22: Rodger Ruge - Navagating Adversity
Wednesday Oct 13, 2021
Wednesday Oct 13, 2021
In today’s episode I spoke with retired police veteran, Rodger Ruge. Rodger is the author of Navigating Adversity Tactical Self Care for First Responders, podcast host, professional trainer, and resilience coach.
We discuss Rodger’s career, how police officers tend to over identify with their careers his passion to guide other first responders to be healthier, he discusses an incident that led to his PTSD diagnosis that he refers to as his triggering incident and we wrap up with a brief meditation.
Rodger discusses his healing journey and his realization that his engagement in high risk behavior at work and in her personal life were disguised as his daily attempt to take his life. When Rodger finally decided to get help, stigma was a huge factor, but he knew he needed to sacrifice outing himself rather than lose everything.
Rodger also explains the Return on Investment in a three minute mindfulness practice he walks us through.
LINKS:
Link to his book Navigating Adversity: Tactical Self Care for First Responders
Connect with Rodger on Linkedin
ONE LAST THING -
I have an exciting announcement. I am launching a program in January 2022 called Radical Resilience. If you want to build resilience and adaptability into your physiology by optimizing the rhythm of your daily habits, want to tap into your unique purpose and potential, and learn these habits in a dynamic group setting then this program could be for you. One thing I have learned from peer support is that evolution happens faster and easier in a group and improves success in achieving goals.
If you struggle with low energy, overwhelm, chronic pain, inflammation, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, irritability, or burnout the curriculum is based on 10 holistic habits that help you feel your best regardless of what stage of life you are in. Radical Resilience empowers you with the knowledge and practical tools to thrive and heal. These are things I have been teaching to first responders for years, but putting it together for a small group over several months in a group setting has been shown to improve success in achieving goals. If you are interested in learning more about the program you can email me at: wendy@bluelineyoga.com or reach out to me on Linkedin.
Tuesday Sep 28, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday - Microcast 15 - THE TACTICAL HABITS SERIES
Tuesday Sep 28, 2021
Tuesday Sep 28, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday is a weekly microcast where we will share a tip, tool, or dose of inspiration for the week ahead.
THE TACTICAL HABITS SERIES
This week: Tactical Habit 3 - Start Your Day Right
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
Episode #21: Amy Morgan – Academy Hour
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
Welcome to episode 21 of the Guns and Yoga podcast, my name is Wendy Hummell.
In today’s episode I speak with Amy Morgan, founder and CEO of Academy Hour, an online platform offering mental health training for first responders.
I had a lot of fun talking to Amy – fun may seem like an odd word choice, but when I get to meet and talk to people who are as passionate and enthusiastic about first responder wellness as Amy is, I’m in my happy place – it’s encouraging to know there are good people out there dedicated to supporting our cops, firefighters, EMS, and dispatchers.
Amy and I discussed how she offers numerous classes free of charge to first responders such as ethics, leadership, suicide prevention, burnout, trauma, addiction, and more.
Amy discusses how she created Academy Hour out of a need to fill a gap -she noticed an interest amongst first responders she worked with at the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation in mental health training. She began teaching classes on trauma and ptsd and the rest is history.
Amy’s passion for her work is apparent and drives her to create valuable content that is greatly needed. She developed an on line peer support training and the certified first responder counselor certification training and is working on a program for retirees.
If you are a first responder who is interested in taking classes from Academy Hour, you can learn more at https://www.academyhour.com/ or email Info@AcademyHour.com.
If you find value in this episode, please share it, give us a review, and if you’d like to be notified of future episodes you can subscribe on our podbean website or email us at wendy@bluelineyoga.com
I would love to hear from you with questions, suggestions for future guests or topics you’d like to hear about - you can email wendy@bluelineyoga.com or reach out to me on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-hummell-b48653186/.