When The Call Hits Home

Hosts:

Dr. Ashlee Gethner DSW, LCSW: Licensed Clinical Professional, child of a police officer

Jennifer Woosley Saylor LPCC S: Licensed Clinical Professional, child of a police officer

Guest:

Mark Mueller, Retired Police Lieutenant / Owner of I Smell Bacon BBQ

Episode Overview

In this inspiring episode, Jennifer and Ashley welcome Mark Mueller, a retired police lieutenant from Hoffman Estates, as he shares his journey from a decades-long law enforcement career to opening a community-centered barbecue restaurant, “I Smell Bacon BBQ.” Mark is also a father and husband, with a family dedicated to public service.

Key Discussion Topics

1. Navigating Retirement as a First Responder

2. Taking the Leap — Starting a Business After Service

3. Law Enforcement Skills in Civilian Life

4. Supporting the Family and Creating Community

5. Practical Advice for Retiring Officers

6. Finding Joy and Purpose Beyond the Badge

If this episode resonated with you or if you have stories to share about living with a first responder, reach out to Ashlee and Jennifer on their social media platforms!

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review "When The Call Hits Home" on your favorite podcast platforms!

Follow Us:

Facebook: When The Call Hits Home Podcast

Instagram: @whenthecallhitshome

Whenthecallhitshome.com

#WhenTheCallHitsHome #Podcast #FirstResponderFamilies #MentalHealth

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This podcast does not contain medical / health advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.

The information contained in this podcast is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Training Velocity LLC and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the Podcast or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.

WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THIS PODCAST.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

In this heartfelt episode of "When The Call Hits Home," Ashlee Gethner dives deep with a very special guest—her father, Craig Nieft, a retired police officer with 29 years of experience. Together, they share personal stories of challenges, triumphs, and the unique dynamics of being in a family deeply affected by the profession of law enforcement.

Warning: This episode contains some tougher topics.

Highlights from this episode include:

• Craig’s Impactful Advice: Hear the touching story of a troubled teenager Craig mentored who later became a police officer, grateful for the tough love he received.
• Balancing Discipline and Love: Craig talks about the delicate balance of being a strict yet reasonable parent, and the high standard he set for himself due to his career.
• Emotional Toll: Ashlee opens up about her anxiety regarding Craig’s safety during crises like Hurricane Katrina, and the broader public perception issues that affected their family life.
• Professional Sacrifices: Craig shares how he managed the demands of his job while trying to not miss out on family events, and the adjustments made to his work schedule.
• Mental Health Awareness: The importance of mental health support for first responders is discussed, along with Craig’s own methods of decompression through hobbies.
• Family Dynamics: The episode highlights the strong bond between father and daughter, maintained through shared interests like sports and a deep mutual respect.

Join Ashlee and Craig as they reflect on the life lessons learned, the sacrifices made, and the enduring love of family through the highs and lows of a career in law enforcement.

_We dedicate this episode to all the first responders and their families. Your resilience and strength inspire us every day._

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• Website: https://whenthecallhitshome.com/

#Podcast #FamilyStories #FirstResponders #LawEnforcementLife #Parenting #MentalHealth #PoliceOfficer #WhenTheCallHitsHome #HurricaneKatrina #FatherDaughterBond #Resilience #WorkLifeBalance

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Thank you for listening, and as always, we’re here for you “When The Call Hits Home.”

This podcast does not contain medical / health advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.

The information contained in this podcast is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Training Velocity LLC and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the Podcast or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.

WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THIS PODCAST.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

When The Call Hits Home Bonus Episode: 2024 Kenosha County EMS Olympics

Hosts:

Dr. Ashlee Gethner DSW, LCSW: Licensed Clinical Professional, child of a police officer

Jennifer Woosley Saylor LPCC S: Licensed Clinical Professional, child of a police officer

Guests:
- Chris Oliver: Firefighter at Pleasant Prairie Fire Department. Seven years of experience, with a background in the military and previous experience at the Bristol Fire Department.
- Ben Kessel: Associate Medical Director for Kenosha County EMS with 24 years in EMS, including roles as EMT, firefighter paramedic, and physician assistant in emergency medicine. Also involved with medical training, education, and the sheriff’s department tactical response team.

Episode Overview:
In this special bonus episode, we dive into the 2024 EMS Olympics event, which brings together first responders from various disciplines to compete, learn, and build stronger community bonds. Hosts Ashlee and Jennifer, alongside guests Chris Oliver and Ben Kessel, explore the unique culture of public safety professions and the importance of events like the EMS Olympics for training, camaraderie, and mental health support.

Key Topics Discussed:
1. Public Safety Culture:
- Emphasis on the solidarity and community support within public safety professions.
- The prevalent concept of brotherhood/sisterhood among first responders.
2. EMS Olympics Event:
- Purpose: Raise funds for a scholarship to provide additional training for police officers and firefighters.
- Event Benefits: Training, networking, and building professional support systems.
- Location: Bristol Woods Forest Preserve, Kenosha County.
- Event Components: A roughly 2-mile course with physical and mental challenge stations simulating critical real-life scenarios.
- Participation: Teams of three carrying a collective weight of 60 pounds.
- Atmosphere: Shared experiences, awards, and lunch post-event.
3. Positive Impact:
- Promoting the bravery and sacrifices of public safety workers.
- Highlighting positive stories to counter negative media narratives.
4. Training, Budget, and Recruitment Challenges:
- Discussing budget constraints and the need for continuous training.
- Addressing recruitment and retention challenges in public safety roles.
5. Fitness and Wellness:
- Focusing on the importance of fitness for job performance and injury prevention.
- Inclusion of communication and cognitive components in the event challenges.
**How to Get Involved:**
- Visit the event’s website to register your team or learn more. https://www.kcemsolympics.org/
- Check out past event photos and beneficiary stories.
- Donate via the QR code to support the scholarship fund if you can't attend in person.

Closing Notes:
Hosts Ashlee and Jennifer express their commitment to promoting and supporting the EMS Olympics and similar initiatives through their platforms. They highlight the critical role of community support in enhancing training, building professional bonds, and addressing mental health issues within the public safety community.

**Thank you for tuning in!** Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review "When The Call Hits Home" on your favorite podcast platforms!

Follow Us:

Facebook: When The Call Hits Home Podcast

Instagram: @whenthecallhitshome

Whenthecallhitshome.com

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This podcast does not contain medical / health advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.

The information contained in this podcast is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Training Velocity LLC and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the Podcast or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.

WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THIS PODCAST.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

Hosts:

- Jennifer Woosley Saylor LPCC S: Licensed Clinical Professional, child of a police officer

- Dr. Ashlee Gethner DSW, LCSW: Licensed Clinical Professional, child of a police officer

Guest:

- Andrew Robinson MSW, LCSW : Licensed Clinical Professional specializing in ADHD

- Find Andrew on social media @neurospicycounseling on Instagram, Tik Tok, & Threads

Episode Summary:

In this episode of "When The Call Hits Home," hosts Jennifer and Ashlee, along with special guest Andrew, delve deep into the intricacies of ADHD, especially as it intersects with the lives of first responders and their families. Drawing from their personal experiences as children of police officers and their professional expertise, they offer valuable insights into the challenges and strategies for managing ADHD both personally and professionally.

Key Discussion Points:

- Understanding ADHD: Andrew discusses ADHD as an executive functioning disorder that affects areas such as planning, prioritizing, and impulse control. He breaks down its subtypes: hyperactive impulsive, inattentive, and combined.

- Andrew’s Personal Journey: Diagnosed at age 6, Andrew shares his struggles with emotional and social challenges, internalized stigma, and how he has embraced ADHD as part of his professional journey.

- ADHD in Children: The hosts highlight how ADHD can manifest in children as developmental delays (except in gross motor skills) and offer parenting strategies such as the token economy, mindfulness, and reinforcing good emotional expression.

- Gender and ADHD: A discussion on how ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, particularly in females, and the importance of recognizing potential symptoms in different populations.

- Challenges of Parenting: Ashlee and Andrew explore the unique challenges of parenting as first responders and the importance of understanding ADHD-related behaviors in children, including the link between defiance and ADHD.

- Hereditary Nature of ADHD: Andrew shares insights on the hereditary aspects of ADHD and its impact on families and relationships.

- Managing ADHD: Techniques such as the Pomodoro method, dopamine menu, and task management strategies are discussed to help manage ADHD effectively.

- ADHD in First Responders: The episode covers the unique appeal of first responder jobs to neurodiverse minds due to the daily challenges and unknown factors, as well as the heightened risk of burnout and PTSD.

- Emotional Regulation and Trauma: Andrew talks about how ADHD and PTSD affect emotional regulation and fear circuitry and the coping mechanisms that can arise from these conditions.

- Practical Strategies: The hosts discuss practical strategies for managing ADHD on the job, such as fidgeting, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and techniques for emotional triage.

- Impact on Relationships: The importance of communication, setting clear expectations, and constant dialogue for managing ADHD in relationships and families is emphasized.

- Caregiver Stress: Jennifer highlights the increased stress for parents of children with ADHD and the necessity of self-care and natural support systems.

For more resources and information, visit www.whenthecallhitshome.com, and don’t forget to follow Andrew on social media for updates and insights into managing ADHD.

Contact Us: Have a question or topic you want us to cover in a future episode? Email us at [email protected]. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to "When The Call Hits Home"!

Thank you for listening to this episode of "When The Call Hits Home." Join us next time as we continue to explore the complexities of mental health within our first responder families.

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This podcast does not contain medical / health advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.

The information contained in this podcast is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Training Velocity LLC and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the Podcast or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.

WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THIS PODCAST.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may h...

Host:

• Jennifer Woosley Saylor, LPCC – Child of a Cop

Guest:

• Jim Woosley: Retired Police Officer

Episode Overview:

In this powerful episode, Jennifer sits down with her father, Jim Woosley—her hero and retired police sergeant—to recount and reflect on one of the most significant critical incidents of his career: the 1989 mass shooting at the Louisville Courier Journal building. Through raw storytelling and honest conversation, they explore the emotional realities of first responders, family impact, and how support systems have evolved.

Key Topics Covered

• A Day That Changed Everything: Jim recounts the morning when a routine shift quickly escalated into chaos after hearing of a shooting at 6th and Broadway. He shares, in vivid detail, what it was like to be one of the first responders at the scene, managing panic, uncertainty, and the urgent need to save lives.
• Frontline Decisions & Human Impact: The conversation covers the split-second decisions—like whether to carry a shotgun into close quarters, putting on a bulletproof vest, and ultimately choosing to help transport victims to the hospital using police cars when ambulances were scarce. Jim also shares his emotional connection to one of the survivors, a new mother returning from maternity leave.
• Aftermath & Community Response: Jennifer and Jim talk about how the Louisville community came together in mourning, the intense media coverage, and the urgent need for better EMS resources in the wake of tragedy.
• Critical Incident Stress Debriefing: They discuss the rare-for-the-time group debrief for first responders, how it helped change attitudes toward mental health in law enforcement, and the relief felt in not being alone with difficult emotions.
• Legacy for Families: Jennifer shares her experience as a first grader during the incident, highlighting the unnoticed but profound ways such events affect children. They reflect on the importance of open communication, resilience, and age-appropriate transparency for first responder families.

If this episode resonated with you or if you have stories to share about living with a first responder, reach out to Ashlee and Jennifer on their social media platforms!

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review "When The Call Hits Home" on your favorite podcast platforms!

Follow Us:

Facebook: When The Call Hits Home Podcast

Instagram: @whenthecallhitshome

Whenthecallhitshome.com

---

This podcast does not contain medical / health advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.

The information contained in this podcast is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Training Velocity LLC and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the Podcast or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the podcast for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.

WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE FOR ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, SERVICES OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THIS PODCAST.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.