103 - Carrying Too Much with Dennis Carradin

In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver sits down with Dennis Carradin, a board‑certified trauma expert, counselor, former volunteer firefighter/EMT, and founder of the Trauma Survivors Foundation. Dennis shares his journey into trauma therapy, the realities first responders face, and how poorly understood the psychological weight of their work often is.

They explore how trauma differently affects people, and why training and resilience resources are just as critical at the front end as after a crisis. Dennis describes how stress, shift work, adrenaline, and lack of recovery contribute to both mental and physical health issues—particularly heart disease and suicide risks in first responder populations. He also opens up about his own self‑care, including having therapy as a trauma specialist, and offers guidance on how a first responder can begin seeking help and find trauma‑informed support.

Finally, Dennis introduces the mission and programming of the Trauma Survivors Foundation, including free therapy sessions for survivors and first responders, their peer support and critical incident response strategies, and his forthcoming book On Being a Trauma Therapist.

This is a deeply human, raw, and insightful conversation that offers both empathy and actionable wisdom for anyone who carries the weight of trauma — whether a first responder, healthcare worker, or caregiver.

https://www.thetraumasurvivorsfoundation.org/

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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST

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