Welcome to Caffeinated Trauma, the podcast that brings you powerful and honest conversations with first responders and military members who have faced life’s toughest moments. We dive deep into their personal stories of courage, resilience, and recovery as they recount the traumatic events they've endured in the line of duty. Through raw and open interviews, we explore how these heroes navigate the mental and emotional challenges that come with their service, offering valuable insights on coping, healing, and finding strength after the storm.
Host interviews Lieutenant Jen Taylor about navigating a law enforcement career, marital challenges, and her husband's PTSD journey after leaving the force.
8 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 13- Courtney
Registered Nurse Courtney shares her powerful insights on navigating trauma, resilience, and the unique challenges of being a healthcare professional and first responder spouse in this interview.
9 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 11- Kim Pastore
Kim Pastore recounts the tragic loss of her husband, Jorge Pastore, a fallen officer, and discusses navigating grief, founding a foundation in his name, and supporting law enforcement families in this interview episode.
8 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT
Episode 10- Jimmy Wise
Jimmy Wise started his career in New York City as an EMT with the FDNY, running into some of the toughest calls you can imagine. Eventually, he packed up and made his way to Texas, where he became a police officer and continued his life of service. Along the way, Jimmy has faced his own battles with mental health, something many first responders can relate to. Instead of hiding from it, he’s chosen to use his story to help others who are struggling, dedicating his life to being there for people walking the same road.
1 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT
Episode 9- Tatiana Rivera
This week on Caffeinated Trauma, I sit down with Tatiana Rivera, a seasoned dispatcher with over a decade of experience behind the radio. Throughout her career, Tatiana has been the calm voice during some of Austin’s most critical moments—including six officer-involved shootings and the Austin bombing. Her dedication to first responders and the community has shaped her into not only a leader but also a source of strength for others. Now serving as a supervisor and member of peer support, Tatiana continues to give back by lending a hand to those navigating the weight of the job. Join me as she shares her journey, the impact of these defining moments, and the resilience it takes to stay strong while supporting those on the front lines.
14 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
Episode 8- Sara Stoutamire
Sara Stoutamire is an 18-year veteran dispatcher with the Austin Police Department, bringing nearly two decades of experience behind the radio. Throughout her career, Sara has been the calm voice guiding officers through some of the city's most critical and traumatic moments,including officer-involved shootings and high-stakes emergencies. Unlike those on scene, Sara's world was shaped by the voices she heard and the silence that followed, leaving her to build the imagery of each traumatic event entirely in her mind.
For years, Sara carried the weight of these invisible wounds without fully realizing the toll it had taken. Eventually, she made the courageous decision to seek therapy, a step that transformed her life and helped her process the trauma she had silently endured. Today, Sara is a powerful advocate for mental health and resilience in first responders, offering a unique perspective from the headset side of the badge.
12 May 2025
Episode 7- Jeff Hutchison
In episode 7, I sit down with Jeff Hutchison.Jeff is a seasoned law enforcement officer with 13 years of dedicated service. One of the most defining moments of his career came during a critical hostage rescue operation that would test both his training and resilience. In the face of overwhelming gunfire, Jeff played a pivotal role in navigating the chaos and helping to bring the situation to a resolution. His story is one of courage under fire, and the lasting impact such incidents have on those who serve. Jeff joins the podcast to share his experience, reflect on the emotional aftermath, and speak openly about the realities officers face during life-threatening operations.
7 Apr 2025
Episode 6 - Colin Guzman
In this powerful episode of Caffeinated Trauma, we sit down with Colin Guzman—a former LAPD officer who carries on a proud family legacy of service. During his 5 years with LAPD, Colin served on patrol and the gang unit. Colin has faced some of the city's harshest realities head-on. But nothing could prepare him for the night he found himself off duty at a bar when an active shooter stormed in, ultimately claiming the lives of 11 people.
Colin opens up about the trauma, the weight of legacy, and how these life-altering moments have shaped his identity both in and out of uniform. This is a story of survival, strength, and the enduring impact of service.
10 Mar 2025
Episode 5- Brad Ray
Brad Ray has spent 17 years in law enforcement, serving in some of the most high-stakes assignments in the profession. Throughout his career, he has worked patrol, SWAT, and homicide, eventually rising to the rank of sergeant over a violent crimes task force. He has been directly involved in two officer-involved shootings and supervised a third, experiences that have left lasting impressions on his career and personal life.
The weight of investigating homicides has taken its toll on Brad over the years, but his battles haven’t been limited to law enforcement. Outside of the job, he has faced life-threatening situations, including a terrifying rock-climbing fall and being kidnapped in Mexico—both of which tested his resilience in ways few can imagine.
On this episode, Brad shares the raw and unfiltered truth about the emotional and psychological impact of his career, as well as how he has processed and survived the unthinkable. His story is one of survival, resilience, and the lasting effects of living on the edge.
10 Feb 2025
Episode 4- Javi Rodriguez
Javi Rodriguez has served with the Austin Police Department for six years, facing more in that short time than many do in an entire career. Having been involved in three officer-involved shootings, Javi has experienced firsthand the toll that critical incidents take on mental health and personal well-being. His journey hasn’t been easy, but he refuses to let trauma define him. Through therapy and self-reflection, Javi continues to work on himself, proving that strength isn’t just about what you endure—it’s about how you heal.
Tune in as Javi opens up about his experiences, the challenges of policing, and his ongoing journey toward mental resilience.
9 Dec 2024
Special Episode- The Trauma That Shaped Me
Law enforcement officer [Officer's Name] shares a deeply personal and vulnerable account of how pivotal life events shaped her into a stronger, more resilient person.
11 Nov 2024
Episode 3- Jesse Rodriguez
In this episode, I welcome Jesse Rodriguez, who has dedicated 28 years to law enforcement. During his long career, Jesse has navigated some of the most intense and traumatic events imaginable. With a career marked by resilience and courage, Jesse’s experiences have left a lasting impact on him. In this episode, we explore his journey through these challenges and dive deep into how he has managed the emotional toll of a life spent on the frontlines. Jesse opens up about his personal coping mechanisms and shares how he now finds balance, peace, and separation from his work to focus on a new chapter. This conversation reveals the strength and humanity behind the badge and offers valuable insights for anyone facing life’s toughest battles.
28 Oct 2024
Episode 2- Katie Ferrara
In episode 2, I talk with Katie Ferrara, a dedicated crime scene specialist in Central Texas. Katie has been on the front lines of some of the most harrowing events the city has faced. In this episode, she opens up about how the demands of her work impact both her professional and personal life, sharing insights into the mental and physical toll that come with her role. Listen in to understand the resilience required to navigate life as a crime scene specialist in one of the largest cities in America.
4 Oct 2024
Episode 1- Garrett Miller
In this episode, I sit down with Garrett Miller, a police officer whose journey of resilience began long before he wore a badge. As a child, Garrett faced unimaginable adversity after the tragic murder of his mother, leading to his time in foster care. These early experiences shaped his perspective on life and survival. Now, as an officer, Garrett has confronted a new wave of traumatic events, navigating the challenges of the job while carrying the weight of his past. Join me as Garrett shares his powerful story of overcoming darkness, finding strength, and continuing to serve his community.
20 Sept 2024
Welcome to Caffeinated Trauma
Welcome to the pilot episode of the Caffeinated Trauma podcast. In this episode, I give a short background about myself and a layout of the podcast.
Inside a recent episode
Episode 14- Jen Taylor
Published 24 Aug 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Cause you're not seeing him. You're hearing him. Were you able to tell a difference eventually? Eventually, yes. In the beginning, he was like, I don't know if I can do this. I want to come home. But once he got deep into the therapy and into the routine there, he was excited to get this stuff off of his chest. And he started realizing just what an impact his neglectful parents had on him and what an impact the abuse had on him. He would always say, I got over that. That wasn't a big deal. That's not something you get over. That's something that you... let go and forgive and realize how it affected your life and make sure it doesn't continue to affect your life. […]
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