In episode 41, co-host Todd LeDuc and I interview President Bryan Frieders of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. Bryan is the retired Fire Chief of the Pasadena (CA) Fire Department. He is a well-known speaker on the topic of firefighter health and safety, leadership, and cancer risk reduction. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, Bryan wants you to call or …
In episode 37 of “Get Balanced,” host Dr. Donnie Hutchinson discusses our All or Nothing culture and how it is not helpful to our self-care. Listen as he shares some best practices of law enforcement officers and firefighters. It’s all about the trendline and whether it is going up or down. No, not just over the past week or two, …
In episode 35 of “Get Balanced,” host Dr. Donnie Hutchinson discusses the need for personal accountability regarding work-life balance and self-care. I witness personal accountability demonstrated on the job all the time. However, do we have the same drive for our personal health and family relationships? Or do we blame others, the system, genetics, or anything in between for not …
Episode 33 brings an exciting announcement. Chief Todd LeDuc, Ret. serves as Life Scan Wellness Centers (LSWC) Chief Strategy Officer. Chief Todd and Dr. Donnie are combining efforts to bring you a second podcast each week. The new joint podcast will air on Thursdays on the Get Balanced Podcast with Dr. Donnie. Todd and Donnie will co-host the show. Dr. …
Episode 31 is a first of its kind. Police Officer, Firefighter, and EMS Lt. Liz DiGiovanna is joined on the podcast with her 19-year old daughter, Kiyomi. Lt. Liz has a dynamic discussion on what life was like being a single mother while attending three first responder academies. Kiyomi shares her perspective and experience, one from which I believe we …
In episode 30 of “Get Balanced,” host Dr. Donnie Hutchinson looking through the lenses of Windows of Time. What ought you do now that you might not be able to do in the near future? For me, attend my daughters’ track meets because it is the last season for Gabriella and Hannah has just one more after this one. Is …
In episode 25 of “Get Balanced,” host Dr. Donnie Hutchinson discusses the differences between supportive and direct action. Knowledge is powerful only when joined with execution. Listen as he discusses how and why it is important to move from taking supportive or preparatory action steps to jumping in and taking the actual action steps. An expression of gratitude is given …
In episode 24, Michael Sugrue discusses what he learned through his recovery process on The Get Balanced Podcast with Dr. Donnie. Michael learned to put first things first. Take care of your family and health because without that you don’t have anything. Michael is a loving father, law enforcement leader, and military veteran who speaks throughout the country about smashing …
Who’s important to you? How do you show them? I share insights from Chief Andy Starnes and Chief Raymond Garivey Jr. How have you sometimes failed to show them? Intentional Planning can help!
In episode 14, I have a serious, yet uplifting discussion with firefighter and EMT-P, Brandon Dreiman of Local 416. In 2012, after many years of numerous trauma experiences that began at age 16, Brandon was surprised by a random drug and alcohol screening. He blew positive. He received a suspension. It opened his eyes after years of abuse. I learned …
