RIDE ALONG CHRONICLES

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 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!

**RE-RELEASE** On today’s Spotlight Monday, we shine the light on the importance of a genuine apology. Why is it so hard to apologize? Why can we easily say “I’m sorry” when we bump into a stranger but we struggle to say it to our partner when we hurt their feelings? According to the resource article, “How to Apologize for Real (And Why Is It So Hard)!” from abbymedcalf.com, there are some key reasons why this occurs. We have learned that a genuine apology has three components: 1) saying "I'm sorry" 2) saying "It's my fault" and 3) adding "What can I do to make it right?" Take a listen to learn what those reasons are and get tips on how to effectively apologize to build trust and connection. So, come ride along with us! https://abbymedcalf.com/how-to-apologize-for-real-and-why-its-so-hard-2/

** RE-RELEASE** In today's Spotlight Monday, Lauren Goldbach, a licensed mental health professional, and owner of East Valley Trauma Counseling, shines the light on two trauma treatment modalities that can be successful for treating first responders. Specifically, she breaks down Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR ) and Brain spotting. So, come ride along with us and be sure to catch her 2-part full episodes for more information on trauma and successful treatment options for first responders (#31 and #32)! She shares her professional experiences about these challenges and delves deep into specific trauma treatment modalities that can be successful for treating this population.

On today’s episode, we shine the light on Law Enforcement Coaching (LEC) with Tami and Chris. They are special episode guests whose organization focuses on providing assistance and resources to First Responders and their families. We have had the opportunity to share various wellness resources and mental health professionals in the past as guests and wanted to highlight some of the services LEC provides for First Responders in need. For more information visit LawEnforcementCoaching.com and watch for their podcast “Weekly Roundtable Discussions with Law Enforcement Coaching” coming soon. So, come ride along with us!

On today’s episode we shine the light on the power of perception. Is your glass half empty or is your glass half full? How we perceive ourselves or react in situations impacts our behavior and stress levels. It helps us shape our world and create our reality. However, having the ability to see all perspectives in a situation, especially with others, can be the determining factor in a productive and successful resolution. According to the online article, “The Power of Perception” from www.elevatenetwork.com, there are some common perception examples we often make in just a few short minutes. So, come ride along with us!

Today we wanted to shine the light on two common consequences related to the daily stress in public safety and healthcare work. They are compassion fatigue and burnout. Compassion fatigue and burnout are actually two different stressors. According to the online article from League of Minnesota Cities (lmc.org), titled “Compassion Fatigue and Burnout,” there are many different signs of compassion fatigue that can develop into more serious and permanent mental health problems if left unrecognized and untreated. However, once aware, “teaching, learning, and practicing authentic, sustainable self-care daily can help manage the symptoms of compassion fatigue.”(lmc.org). So, come ride along with us!