[140] - Erin Nugent - Illuminating the Shadows of First Responder Mental Health

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 We explore why shift workers tend to gain stubborn belly fat and provide evidence-based strategies to combat this frustrating issue. Discover how circadian rhythm disruption affects hunger hormones and metabolism, making waistline weight gain almost inevitable without proper intervention. • Circadian rhythm disruption changes hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin), increasing cravings for high-calorie foods • Eating during high melatonin periods (typicall...

2 Okt 202515min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 We unpack why public anxiety in Victoria is rising while frontline police feel boxed in by policy, politics, and the bail churn. I share how organised youth crime, digital coordination, and pursuit limits collide with community expectations for safety and accountability. • bail decisions and officer morale • Burke Street arrests and rapid release • organised youth crime and social media links • “follow vs chase” and pursuit policy • roadblocks, spi...

1 Okt 202540min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Shift workers often normalise exhaustion and dismiss serious sleep disorders as just part of the job, but this mindset endangers health, safety, and performance. Sleep problems beyond normal shift-related fatigue require medical attention, not just acceptance or medication. • Five common sleep disorders affecting shift workers: Shift Work Sleep Disorder, Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Restless Leg Syndrome, and Circadian Rhythm Disorders • Relying on sleep medi...

28 Sep 202515min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Flexibility and communication are the keys to maintaining strong family connections while navigating the unique challenges of first responder relationships. Police Social Worker Alana Russell brings her expertise both as a therapist and police wife to share practical strategies for balancing work demands with family needs. • First responder relationships require different approaches than textbook relationship advice • Emotional unavailability and distan...

25 Sep 20251h 10min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Confirmation bias is shaping our world in ways many don't realise, especially through social media algorithms designed to keep us scrolling and engaged with content that reinforces our existing beliefs. • Social media platforms track what you click, like, comment on, and even how long you hover over posts • Algorithms feed you more of what you've shown interest in, creating echo chambers where everyone thinks the same way • During COVID, people were div...

21 Sep 202518min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Roger Sutherland addresses the critical need for shift worker education and support in 24-7 workplaces, introducing an innovative Shift Work Champions model that trains staff to become wellbeing leaders for their peers. • Shift work organisations face three major problems when workers aren't supported: increased unplanned leave, rising staff turnover, and more workplace accidents • The cost of doing nothing is already visible in safety reports, budgets,...

18 Sep 202517min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Former police officer Roger Sutherland shares his journey from workplace trauma to healing through breathwork techniques. His four-decade career in law enforcement left him with anxiety and trust issues, but learning proper breathing patterns helped restore his mental wellbeing. • Proper breathing directly communicates with our autonomic nervous system that we are safe • Breathing in through the nose for four counts and out through pursed lips for eight...

17 Sep 202540min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Shift work can slowly eat away at your health if you don't understand how to work with your body's natural circadian rhythm. Getting the fundamentals right from the start helps shift workers thrive instead of just survive. • Understanding your circadian rhythm is critical—your body has a biological day and night • Light is the biggest factor in regulating your body clock—get morning sunlight and avoid blue light after dark • Melatonin is not just for sl...

14 Sep 202518min