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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 Sep 07, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday - Microcast 14 - THE TACTICAL HABITS SERIES
Tuesday Sep 07, 2021
Tuesday Sep 07, 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 2 - Sleep: Don't Steal Energy from Tomorrow
Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
Episode #20: Jonathan Hickory – Break Every Chain
Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
Welcome to episode 20 of the Guns and Yoga podcast, my name is Wendy Hummell. In today’s episode I talk with Jonathan Hickory. He’s been a police officer for 18 years in Virginia and is the award winning author of the book Break Every Chain that is now a powerful award winning movie.
I reached out to Jonathan after seeing a facebook post about his book. As I often do when I stumble upon interesting people, I did a little stalking and reached out to him on Linkedin. Jonathan and I exchanged a few emails before recording this episode, and although I only just met him he's one of those guys that’s so easy to talk to and who I feel like I’ve known for years. The reason why Jonathan’s story struck such a chord with me is that so much of what he says is familiar; some of his story rings true to me personally, and other aspects remind me of friends, peers, and co-workers.
Which reminded me why storytelling is so powerful, and one of the best ways to teach, influence, and inspire. It forges connections among us; our culture; our unique sister and brotherhood. Hearing stories like Jonathans helps us relate on an intuitive level like no other and reminds us we are not alone.
We discuss the loss of his father and the pain of being bullied as a teen, his experience of trying to reach out to an experienced officer for help and shame he felt when he was shut down with the old school mentality.
Jonathan’s unresolved trauma led him down a path of self- destruction; he talks about how he went from Officer of the Year to landing in IA, being stripped of his badge and gun, and the worst part was being ordered not to talk to anyone.
Jonathan candidly discusses how his work as a fatal crash investigator impacted him and how the devastating loss of his second child hardened his heart. He credits his healing to both his faith based marriage counselor and police psychologist, the support of his loving wife, Stacey, his three beautiful children, and his faith in god.
LINKS:
The Movie: Breakeverychainmovie.com
The Book: Get it here on AMAZON
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday - Microcast 13 - THE TACTICAL HABITS SERIES
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Wednesday Aug 25, 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 1 - Earlier, Lighter Dinner
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
Dr. Jennifer Prohaska, PhD, has a postdoctoral fellowship in Neurorehabilitation Psychology and received a Bachelor of Arts, Master’s Degree and a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Kansas.
Dr. Prohaska has spent nearly two decades focused on the needs of those on the front lines. Her passion is to help those who help others by providing the critical tools needed to navigate the stressors they experience on a daily basis.
She has conducted extensive research on: Prevention of PTSD in First Responders; Effective Treatment Modalities for First Responders; Building Resiliency in First Responders; Modification of Empirically Supported Treatments for First Responders; New Hire Selection of Police Officers; Depression, specifically biological factors; Childhood Trauma and Resiliency
From her website:
“For first responders—the firefighters, police officers, military personnel, emergency dispatchers, EMTs and others who keep us safe—work can mean close encounters with danger, chaos and tragedy, sometimes on a daily basis. Over time, exposure to such stress can take a toll on first responders’ mental and physical health. I’ve dedicated my professional life to help these heroes navigate the treacherous waters they encounter every day…because they deserve it.”
LINKS:
Tuesday Aug 10, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday #12
Tuesday Aug 10, 2021
Tuesday Aug 10, 2021
This week I share an episode of the Evolve to Harmony Podcast hosted By Carole Westerman. In this episode the tables are turned and I am the guest and the one answering questions instead of asking them. I thought this would be a great way to not only share Carole's excellent new podcast, but to also give my listeners an opportunity to learn a little bit more about me.
LINKS:
and, as always, I can be reached directly at: wendy@bluelineyoga.com
Tuesday Aug 03, 2021
Episode #18: FAB FEMALE ALERT: Shawna McClure
Tuesday Aug 03, 2021
Tuesday Aug 03, 2021
Welcome to episode 18 of the Guns and Yoga podcast, my name is Wendy Hummell. In today’s episode I talk with Shawna McClure. Shawna recently retired from a 25 year career in law enforcement, her most recent assignment was with the Omaha Police Department.
In my conversation with Shawna, it dawned on me that she is the first female cop I’ve had on the show. Law Enforcement is still predominantly male and only 12-14% of cops are women which isn’t much different than 25 years ago when Shawna and I first started out. We discuss challenges women in this career field face when it comes to balancing family and motherhood and the bond some female offers share.
We also talk about some things that could be difficult for some to hear. Shawna openly speaks about her PTSD diagnosis, her suicide attempt, and the call that broke her -
On May 20th, 2015, Shawna responded to a call in which her friend and fellow officer, Detective Kerrie Orozco was shot and killed in the line of duty just one day prior to going on maternity leave. Kerrie’s daughter was born premature and after three months was getting released from the hospital and going home for the first time.
Having had two premature children who spent 55 and 38 days respectively in the NICU before coming home, I remember how hearing about this case personally impacted me.
Shawna shares her lowest point, her suicide attempt, and the support her husband and family have played in her path to healing in addition to resources like therapy, RX, the organization’s below:
LINKS:
WCPR: https://www.frsn.org/west-coast-post-trauma-retreat.html
C.O.P.S. : https://www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday - Microcast 11
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
Wednesday Jul 28, 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: A Growth Mindset
Tuesday Jul 20, 2021
Episode #17: Sonny Provetto & The Vermont Center for Responder Wellness
Tuesday Jul 20, 2021
Tuesday Jul 20, 2021
Sonny Provetto is a former police officer and a trauma-focused therapist. He is the Clinical Director at The Vermont Center for Responder Wellness & The Institute for Trauma Recovery and Resilience. It is a comprehensive treatment center for first responders that uses a multi-disciplinary approach to healing traumatic stress. They treat trauma at its core by using EMDR, biofeedback, and trauma-sensitive yoga as tools to help responders heal from their trauma.
Sonny and I discuss his personal experience with EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and how it helped him to heal from PTS.
LINKS:
How to Find an EMDR therapist in your area - >>> Find an EMDR Therapist
Vermont Center for Responder Wellness - >>> The Vermont Center for Responder Wellness & The Institute for Trauma Recovery and Resilience
YouTube Video - >>> https://youtu.be/WqzWEC4T9_s
Tuesday Jul 06, 2021
Episode #16: Within The Trenches with Ricardo Martinez - THE PODCASTER SERIES
Tuesday Jul 06, 2021
Tuesday Jul 06, 2021
This week I talk with Within the Trenches podcast host, Ricardo Martinez. He worked as a dispatcher for 13 years and is doing amazing things within the dispatch world by bringing awareness to issues surrounding burnout, wellness, and self-care through the power of storytelling. He talks about how burying his own calls and not reaching out was personally detrimental to him, and used this as motivation for what started as a college project blog and eventually turned in to what he has created today with his Within the Trenches podcast. His podcast is based on his own experiences as a 911 dispatcher. The stories he shares are based on all types of calls. The show is informative, funny, and eye opening. Dispatchers around the globe have been featured on the podcast.
He is the founder of Within the Trenches media, the IAM911 movement, and the Dare to Be Great Conference series.
You can find the podcast on iTunes, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud or your favorite podcasting app. You can reach Ricardo at wttpodcast@gmail.com and find more information on his website https://www.withinthetrenches.net/.
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
Today’s guest is Stephanie Samuels, the founder and director of COPLINE, a 24/7 hotline manned by vetted and retired LEOs, she is a psychotherapist that specializes in working with police officers and their families, a trainer, an author, and she hosts her own show, Steph Therapy 911.
LINKS:
COPLINE @ www.copline.org
Facebook - StephTherapy911 with Stephanie Samuels
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
Episode #14: The Squad Room with Garrett TeSlaa - THE PODCASTER SERIES
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
This week, we continue with our Podcaster Series. I speak with Garrett TeSlaa, veteran law enforcement sergeant and host of the successful podcast, The Squad Room. Garrett left a successful career in the music and film industry in 2005 to pursue a life in public service. Garrett is now an active duty 16-year law enforcement veteran and sergeant for a sheriff's office in Southern California. Garrett has held assignments in patrol, gang investigations, community relations, internal affairs, and media relations among many others; and, has been involved in numerous critical incidents that have received international media attention. Garrett holds a Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership and Public Sector Management and is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute. Garrett hosts the successful podcast The Squad Room devoted to personal development for first responders. He is also a TEDx speaker and contributing writer for PoliceOne and Law Enforcement Today.
LINKS:
The Squad Room: https://www.thesquadroom.net/
TED Talks: The Importance of Second Responders: Garrett TeSlaa
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
This week, we continue our first responder podcast series. During the month of June, we will be releasing podcast episodes in which I talk with fellow first responder podcasters.
In today’s episode, I speak with Dr. Rachelle Zemlok. She is a licensed child and family psychologist in California. She specializes in supporting and educating first responder families in private practice. She is married to a firefighter and has three siblings in law enforcement so she knows first hand the impact a career as a first responder can have on families. In her practice she helps provide first responder families with information that will help keep them healthy and resilient despite those impacts.
Dr. Zemlok is also a mother of two young children, the author of “The Firefighter Family Academy: A Guide to Educate and Prepare Spouses for the Career Ahead”. She has an active on line presence and a blog on her website geared towards supporting and educating first responder spouses.
LINKS:
LINK TO HER BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Firefighter-Family-Academy-Educate-Prepare/dp/1543943144
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.firstresponderfamilypsychology.com/about-me
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/firstresponderfamilypsychology/?hl=en
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Episode #12: Behind the Shield with James Geering -THE PODCASTER SERIES
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Today’s guest is James Geering. If you don’t yet know James, you are in for a treat. He is a Rockstar and trailblazer in the arena of first responder well-being. He is a retired firefighter/paramedic, author, and successful podcaster.
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Episode #11: A Conversation with Brady Pilster from CORDICO
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Brady Pilster. Brady is the Vice President for Strategic Partnerships for CORDICO. For those of you not familiar with Cordico, Cordico is the leader in officer wellness technology. CordicoShield Wellness Apps are confidential, available 24/7, easy to use, proactive wellness solutions customized for law enforcement agencies of every type and size. CordicoShield provides law enforcement with powerful handheld wellness resources, anonymous self-assessments, access to peer support, geo-mapping of vetted therapists, one-touch calling, on-demand tools targeting critical incidents, depression, suicide risk, and much more.
LINKS:
CORDICO (Website)
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Tactical Tip Tuesday - Microcast 10
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Tuesday May 18, 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: Find Your Tribe
Links for 30X30 Initiative: