Pierce Foundation & Mental Wellness Summits for First Responders

About this episode

Brad Lawson discusses the PIERCE Foundation, mental wellness summits for first responders, and the impact of cumulative trauma on PTSD.

Paramedic Brad Lawson joins Just a Little Salt to talk about founding the PIERCE Foundation and PIERCE Provisions, running mental wellness summits and a new Responder Fest. Brad explains why cumulative trauma drives PTSD and emotional numbness, how healing looks, and why peer led, story driven summits cut through the usual PowerPoint culture. He announces upcoming events: Responder Fest (Greenville, SC — Sept 10–11), Nashville summit (Oct 5–6) and Asheville (Oct 28–30, couples workshop + themed events). This podcast is brought to you by Medical Shipment: https://medicalshipment.com/

People in this episode

Host: Just a Little Salt

Guest: Brad Lawson

Topics covered

• mental wellness
• first responders
• PTSD
• cumulative trauma
• peer support
• storytelling
• events

Keywords

• mental wellness
• first responders
• PTSD
• cumulative trauma
• Responder Fest
• PIERCE Foundation
• peer support
• story driven summits

Sponsors

Medical Shipment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: PIERCE Foundation, PIERCE Provisions

Places: Greenville, SC, Nashville, Asheville

More episodes of EMS Today

• Understanding Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis · June 10, 2026 · 39 min
• Peer Support, PTSD Care and Resilience · June 4, 2026 · 56 min
• Surviving a Near‑Fatal ER Stabbing · June 1, 2026 · 1h 10m
• Building a National EMS Memorial · May 23, 2026 · 44 min
• Prehospital Blood, POCUS, MIH, AI, and Body Cams · May 22, 2026 · 34 min
• CPR, Stop the Bleed and Community Action · May 21, 2026 · 32 min