Welcome to "Igniting the Shift Within" on Firefighter Nation

Mental Health Episodes

How Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell Is Shaping the Future of Firefighting
Feb. 19, 2026

How Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell Is Shaping the Future of Firefighting

In this episode of Igniting the Shift Within, host David Dachinger sits down with Dr. Moore-Merrell for a conversation about her time as the U.S. Fire Administrator, highlighting her groundbreaking work that supports firefighters on the front lines, particularly in wildland firefighting.

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Brick by Brick Leadership with Guest Captain Nicholle Brock
Dec. 18, 2025

Brick by Brick Leadership with Guest Captain Nicholle Brock

David speaks with Captain Nicholle Brock about Leadership, The Silent Suffering in the Fire Service, and her book, Brick by Brick: Building Resilience in Chaos and Kindness—by Being Resilient in Conflict and Kinship: The True Cost of Poor Leadership.

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Ditch the Drama and Fight Fire with Focus with Guest Greg Kruger
Sept. 19, 2025

Ditch the Drama and Fight Fire with Focus with Guest Greg Kruger

David speaks with guest Greg Kruger, founder and leadership coach at Forgotten Truth Coaching, who specializes in the connection between neurology and physiology.

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Our Own Worst Enemies? Gender Dynamics in Fire/EMS with Guest Jesalyn Moore, LCSW
May 18, 2025

Our Own Worst Enemies? Gender Dynamics in Fire/EMS with Guest Jesalyn…

We talk with Health and Wellness Manager Jesalyn Moore, LCSW, about how women in the Fire and EMS fields experience stress, trauma, and burnout differently than men.

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Tactical Strategies to De-Stress On and Off the Job with Guest Tamara Green, LCSW
April 17, 2025

Tactical Strategies to De-Stress On and Off the Job with Guest Tamara…

We explore the unique challenges firefighters face, from high-stress environments to emotional triggers. Our expert guest is Tamara Green, LCSW, a mental health clinician and coach.

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Shrinks Unwrapped with Guest Bonnie Rumilly, LCSW, EMT
Feb. 13, 2025

Shrinks Unwrapped with Guest Bonnie Rumilly, LCSW, EMT

EMDR trauma therapist Bonnie Rumilly pulls back the curtain on the often-misunderstood world of therapysharing her personal insights on EMDR and different therapeutic approaches, breaking down barriers to mental health support.

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Brain Optimization for High Performance with Guest Dr. Pamela Seraphine
Dec. 19, 2024

Brain Optimization for High Performance with Guest Dr. Pamela Seraphi…

In this episode of "Igniting the Shift Within," David sits down with Dr. Pamela Seraphine, a renowned neuroscientist and author, to discuss brain optimization for firefighters.

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Stress to Strength: The Power of Retreats with Guest Dr. Tracy Hejmanowski
Nov. 21, 2024

Stress to Strength: The Power of Retreats with Guest Dr. Tracy Hejman…

In this episode, Dr. Tracy Hejmanowski discusses the essential practice of resetting and recalibrating for firefighters. She highlights the risk of losing compassion and judgment without periodic self-care, which can lead to numbness or reckless behavior. Tracy's First Responder Project runs restor…

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