Inside & Outside the Yellow Tape: The lifesaving conversation on with Kenny Mitchell
02/14/24 • 69 min
🎙️Embark on a profound journey into the heart of first responder mental health in this compelling episode of 'Beneath the Helmet.' Join host Arjuna George as he sits down with Lieutenant Kenny Mitchell, a fire service veteran and the driving force behind 'Operation Yellow Tape.' This initiative highlights the often-overlooked mental and emotional toll firefighting takes on those who serve. Through candid discussions about Kenny's personal experiences and the broader challenges first responders face, this episode is an illuminating exploration of the critical need for mental health awareness, support, and resilience within the firefighting community.
🔴Episode Highlights🔴
- Kenny Mitchell's Introduction: From Graphic Design to Firefighting Hero
- The Genesis of 'Operation Yellow Tape': A Personal Crusade for Mental Health
- The Silent Battles: Confronting the Internal and External Stresses of Firefighting
- Strategies for Wellness: Navigating the Path to Resilience and Mental Health
- The Power of HELP: Kenny's Keynote Insights on Lifelong Wellness for First Responders
- 00:00 - Welcome & Introduction to 'Beneath the Helmet'
- 01:45 - Meet Lieutenant Kenny Mitchell: From Graphic Design to Firefighting
- 04:30 - The Birth of 'Operation Yellow Tape': A Personal Mission
- 08:15 - Understanding the Mental & Emotional Toll of Firefighting
- 12:00 - Kenny's Personal Journey: Loss, Resilience, and Recovery
- 16:45 - The Essence of 'Operation Yellow Tape' and Its Impact
- 21:30 - Strategies for Mental Health & Wellness in the Fire Service
- 25:50 - The Role of Peer Support and Community in Healing
- 30:15 - Unveiling HELP: Kenny's Approach to Lifelong Wellness
- 34:40 - Closing Thoughts & How to Connect with 'Operation Yellow Tape'
🔴In This Episode🔴 Discover the inspiring story of Lieutenant Kenny Mitchell, whose life changed dramatically following personal tragedies and the loss of a close colleague. Kenny's mission with 'Operation Yellow Tape' is not just a call to action but a beacon of hope, offering tangible strategies for those battling the unseen scars of their noble profession.
Resources & Recommendations:
- Dive deeper into wellness and resilience strategies with Arjuna George's 'Burnt Around the Edges' – a must-read for anyone seeking to master stress and thrive beyond burnout.
About Kenny Mitchell: A 20-year fire service veteran, Kenny's journey from graphic design to firefighting is a testament to his dedication to service and mental health advocacy. His work, especially following the profound personal losses he's endured, underscores the importance of mental health support for first responders, making him a sought-after speaker and a guiding light for many in the fire service.
Connect with Kenny Mitchell:
- Follow Kenny's journey and learn more about 'Operation Yellow Tape' at www.operationyellowtape.com
- Instagram: @KennyMitchellFire
Engage with 'Beneath the Helmet':
- Catch more inspiring episodes on the 'Beneath the Helmet Playlist'
- Subscribe to our channel for the latest conversations on resilience, mental health, and the heroic stories of first responders.
Support the Show:
- 'Beneath the Helmet' is proudly sponsored by Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting. Discover how you can thrive with our burnout and resilience coaching for high performers. Visit www.silverarrowco.com to embark on your journey towards wellness.
Your engagement with 'Beneath the Helmet' helps us bring these crucial conversations to the forefront. Like, share, and subscribe to support our firefighting heroes and spread the message of resilience and hope.
🎙️Embark on a profound journey into the heart of first responder mental health in this compelling episode of 'Beneath the Helmet.' Join host Arjuna George as he sits down with Lieutenant Kenny Mitchell, a fire service veteran and the driving force behind 'Operation Yellow Tape.' This initiative highlights the often-overlooked mental and emotional toll firefighting takes on those who serve. Through candid discussions about Kenny's personal experiences and the broader challenges first responders face, this episode is an illuminating exploration of the critical need for mental health awareness, support, and resilience within the firefighting community.
🔴Episode Highlights🔴
- Kenny Mitchell's Introduction: From Graphic Design to Firefighting Hero
- The Genesis of 'Operation Yellow Tape': A Personal Crusade for Mental Health
- The Silent Battles: Confronting the Internal and External Stresses of Firefighting
- Strategies for Wellness: Navigating the Path to Resilience and Mental Health
- The Power of HELP: Kenny's Keynote Insights on Lifelong Wellness for First Responders
- 00:00 - Welcome & Introduction to 'Beneath the Helmet'
- 01:45 - Meet Lieutenant Kenny Mitchell: From Graphic Design to Firefighting
- 04:30 - The Birth of 'Operation Yellow Tape': A Personal Mission
- 08:15 - Understanding the Mental & Emotional Toll of Firefighting
- 12:00 - Kenny's Personal Journey: Loss, Resilience, and Recovery
- 16:45 - The Essence of 'Operation Yellow Tape' and Its Impact
- 21:30 - Strategies for Mental Health & Wellness in the Fire Service
- 25:50 - The Role of Peer Support and Community in Healing
- 30:15 - Unveiling HELP: Kenny's Approach to Lifelong Wellness
- 34:40 - Closing Thoughts & How to Connect with 'Operation Yellow Tape'
🔴In This Episode🔴 Discover the inspiring story of Lieutenant Kenny Mitchell, whose life changed dramatically following personal tragedies and the loss of a close colleague. Kenny's mission with 'Operation Yellow Tape' is not just a call to action but a beacon of hope, offering tangible strategies for those battling the unseen scars of their noble profession.
Resources & Recommendations:
- Dive deeper into wellness and resilience strategies with Arjuna George's 'Burnt Around the Edges' – a must-read for anyone seeking to master stress and thrive beyond burnout.
About Kenny Mitchell: A 20-year fire service veteran, Kenny's journey from graphic design to firefighting is a testament to his dedication to service and mental health advocacy. His work, especially following the profound personal losses he's endured, underscores the importance of mental health support for first responders, making him a sought-after speaker and a guiding light for many in the fire service.
Connect with Kenny Mitchell:
- Follow Kenny's journey and learn more about 'Operation Yellow Tape' at www.operationyellowtape.com
- Instagram: @KennyMitchellFire
Engage with 'Beneath the Helmet':
- Catch more inspiring episodes on the 'Beneath the Helmet Playlist'
- Subscribe to our channel for the latest conversations on resilience, mental health, and the heroic stories of first responders.
Support the Show:
- 'Beneath the Helmet' is proudly sponsored by Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting. Discover how you can thrive with our burnout and resilience coaching for high performers. Visit www.silverarrowco.com to embark on your journey towards wellness.
Your engagement with 'Beneath the Helmet' helps us bring these crucial conversations to the forefront. Like, share, and subscribe to support our firefighting heroes and spread the message of resilience and hope.
Previous Episode
Kindling Change: Leadership Lessons from Dr. Benjamin Martin
Episode Number: 037
Publish Date: Jan 31, 2024
Host: Arjuna George
Guest: Benjamin Martin
Brief Description:
📚 Beneath the Helmet: Igniting Potential Through
Emotion-Centric Leadership with Dr. Benjamin Martin
Dive into an insightful conversation with host Arjuna George, a retired Fire Chief, and special guest Dr. Benjamin Martin, a notable figure in the Fire Service. Explore the holistic perspectives on leadership, decision-making, and change management, focusing uniquely on emotions in daily interactions. Martin shares his conception of Leadership 3.0, strategies to manage stress and burnout, and the importance of workplace relationships, and emphasizes emotional intelligence for outstanding leadership. The podcast also covers personal experiences and the balance between work and family life while highlighting the impact and legacy of good leadership. This episode promises to inspire and enhance your leadership journey in the Fire Service and daily life.
Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:
🔗 www.EmbraceTheResistance.com
Recommendations:
📖 Book - Burnt Around the Edges – A Guide to Mastering Stress and Surviving Burnout - Arjuna George (Available on Amazon, Apple and Google Books)
Benjamin Martin Bio
Over the last seven years, Benjamin has become one of the country's most sought-after fire-service leadership speakers, often presenting to standing-room-only classrooms. He provides leadership training workshops and keynotes internationally and throughout the United States, blending over 20 years of public safety experience with his ongoing doctoral study of industrial psychology, leadership, and adult learning. His programs provide an entertaining and unfiltered view of various leadership topics, such as interpersonal communication, command and control strategies, conflict management, and emotional intelligence.
He founded the popular website and leadership movement EmbraceTheResistance.com in 2017, focusing on supporting aspiring and existing leaders with his honest take on the challenges of leading others and yourself. In addition to his leadership blogs, he has been featured on most major fire service podcasts and is also a contributing author to several leadership books. He has also published articles in Fire Engineering, FireRescue, Fire Department Training Network (FDTN), International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI), FirefighterToolbox, and FirefighterWife. He is an Executive Officer and Acting Battalion Chief with the Henrico County Division of Fire in Virginia. You can email him at [email protected].
www.EmbraceTheResistance.com
Connect with the Host:
🎙️Arjuna George – Fire Chief (ret)
www.silverarrowco.com
www.burntaroundtheedges.com
www.beneaththehelmet.ca
Subscribe to Beneath The Helmet Show:
🎧Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/kindling-change-leadership-lessons-from-dr-benjamin/id1676314109?i=1000643701812
🎧Spotify Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/arjuna-george/episodes/Kindling-Change-Leadership-Lessons-from-Dr--Benjamin-Martin-e2f6k1s
📺 Youtube: https://youtu.be/-TbgnlepMlo
🎧All other podcast platforms https://pod.link/1676314109
Next Episode
Embracing Wellness: The Role of PATH Program in Firefighter's Mental Health
Dive into the heart of firefighter wellness with our latest podcast episode, where we unravel the critical importance of mental health initiatives like the PATH program in the fire service. Join Kara and Deputy Chief Rocky as they delve into the transformative impact of these programs, designed to fortify mental and physical well-being and dismantle the stigma surrounding operational stress injuries. Discover how the PATH program, coupled with the First Responder Wellness Initiative and the VK Wellness Initiative, are paving the way for a healthier, more resilient firefighting community through specialized support, education, and a strong emphasis on self-care and regular mental health check-ins. ✨Join our new Beneath the Helmet Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/602275498508857/ 🔥 Episode Highlights & Time Stamps: 00:00 🚒 Introduction to the PATH Program: Collaboration for Mental Health in Firefighting 16:05 🚒 Holistic Support through the PATH Program: Building Resilience and Preventing Operational Stress Injury 24:18 🚒 Tailored Education and Support: Addressing Firefighter Needs and Mental Health Services 32:16 🚒 Eradicating Stigma: Integrating Mental Health into Daily Training and Routine 40:18 🚒 Success of Regular Mental Health Check-ins: Enhancing Family Support and Reducing Sick Days 52:15 🚒 Specialized Training and Support: Prioritizing Well-being and Collaborative Efforts with Fire Departments 01:00:35 🚒 VK Wellness Initiative: Making Mental Health Accessible and Normalizing Workplace Conversations 01:08:44 🚒 Collaborative Creation of Wellness Programs: Emphasizing Self-care and Optimal Performance Join us as we explore the synergies between mental health professionals and the fire service, the proactive measures to prevent operational stress injuries, and the inspiring stories of resilience and support within the firefighting community. This episode is a beacon of hope and a testament to the strength of unity and dedicated wellness initiatives. Guests 📧 Kara Fogwell - VK Wellness Initiative @[email protected] 🌐www.vkwellness.ca 📧Deputy Fire Chief Rocky Swanson @[email protected] Connect with the Host: 🎙️Arjuna George – Fire Chief (ret) Owner of Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting, Beneath the Helmet Show, and Burnt Around the Edges author. www.silverarrowco.com www.burntaroundtheedges.com www.beneaththehelmet.ca Support the Show: 🔥Want to show your appreciation for Beneath the Helmet Show? Buy us a coffee. Your support enables us to keep producing content that makes a difference in the lives of our firefighters. Subscribe to Beneath The Helmet Show: 📩Join the BTH Community https://colossal-trailblazer-6113.ck.page/c0e1b81fbe 🎧Apple Podcasts: 🎧Spotify Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/arjuna-george/episodes/Embracing-Wellness-The-Role-of-PATH-Program-in-Firefighters-Mental-Health-e2gc0ql 📺 Youtube: https://youtu.be/sr8KId-BKEo 🎧All other podcast platforms https://pod.link/1676314109 Episode Number: 039 Publish Date: Feb 27, 2024 Host: Arjuna George Guests: Kara Fogwell and Rocky Swanson
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