Being part of a fire family is not just a lifestyle, it’s a story most people will never understand. This podcast creates honest conversations about culture, resilience, and what real strength looks like in the fire service so departments, and the families behind them, can move forward together. Each week, you’ll hear raw personal stories, expert advice, and unfiltered conversations that remind us that change can be uncomfortable, but necessary. This isn’t just a podcast, it’s a community for fire families and change makers who are rewriting what it means to be a modern fire family.
In this episode, we explore the profound impact of suicide within the fire service community, sharing personal stories, departmental responses, and ways to foster mental health awareness and support among first responders and their families.
key topics
Impact of suicide on firefighter families
Department response to firefighter suicides
Mental health stigma in the fire service
Importance of community and peer support
Role of department leadership in mental health
Personal stories of loss and resilience
Need for systemic change in mental health protocols
Support networks for fire families
Advocacy for mental health awareness
Strategies for reducing stigma and encouraging help-seeking
takeaways
Suicide in the fire service is often underreported and stigmatized.
Department responses to suicide can be inadequate and sometimes dismissive.
Open conversations and mental health support are crucial for prevention.
Leadership in fire departments must prioritize mental health and create safe spaces.
Community support and mentorship can significantly aid fire families.
Personal stories highlight the need for systemic change and compassion.
Normalizing mental health discussions reduces stigma and encourages help-seeking.
Proactive mental health protocols and regular check-ins are essential.
Families and peers play a vital role in supporting mental well-being.
Advocacy and education are key to transforming the culture around mental health in the fire service.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the topic of firefighter suicide and mental health
02:31 Personal story: The impact of a firefighter's suicide on families and departments
04:20 Guest introduction: Ellen Sullivan and her background
05:01 Life in the fire service: Balancing family and demanding schedules
07:08 The challenges of mental health in the fire community
15:00 The recent firefighter suicide and departmental response
19:59 Department protocols and the need for systemic change
29:57 The importance of community, mentorship, and peer support
39:57 Advocacy, awareness, and the future of mental health in the fire service
keywords
fire service, mental health, suicide prevention, first responder support, firefighter families, department response, mental health stigma, community support, firefighter mental health, suicide awareness
1 Sept 2026
S3. E1. Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience: Ali Rothrock's Path From Firehouse to Healing
Firefighter turned trauma expert Ali Rothrock joins the show to unpack what it really takes to survive and heal from trauma in the fire service. Ali entered the fire service in 2005 and spent years navigating the challenges women in firefighting still face: harassment, safety failures, and isolation from the crews meant to protect them. That accumulated trauma led to a PTSD diagnosis, which Ali describes not as a breaking point but as the first step in her healing process.
In this episode, we go inside the realities of women in fire service, the mental health toll first responders carry, and the resilience strategies that helped Ali rebuild therapy, validation, and the decision to stay in the fire service and push for change from within. We also talk about the organizations supporting women in fire, what trauma-informed leadership actually looks like in a firehouse, and why vulnerability, not toughness, is what creates real safety for first responders.
Ali also shares her media projects, including the long road to publishing her book and the barriers she's hit trying to bring her story to Hollywood and why she keeps pushing to tell it anyway. As she puts it: sharing her story can save lives.
This conversation is for anyone who wants to understand trauma, resilience, and healing from the inside whether you're a first responder, love one, or are simply trying to build your own path back from hard things.
To learn more about Ali: https://www.aliwrothrock.com/ (https://www.aliwrothrock.com/)
To buy her books: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506480633/After-Trauma (https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506480633/After-Trauma)
Find Ali on Hubspot: https://relentlessresilience.substack.com/ (https://relentlessresilience.substack.com/)
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliwrothrock/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/aliwrothrock/?hl=en)
Follow Audra on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carryonfirefamily (https://www.instagram.com/carryonfirefamily)
Find Audra on substack: https://carryonfirefam.substack.com/publish/posts/published (https://carryonfirefam.substack.com/publish/posts/published)
Follow Audra at https://carryoncarrion.com/ (https://carryoncarrion.com/)
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
02:07 Ali Rothrock's Firefighting Journey Begins
03:36 First Encounters with Discrimination in Fire Service
06:17 Harassment and Safety Concerns in Firehouse
08:38 Evolution of Women in Firefighting
11:00 The Role of Organizations Supporting Women in Fire
13:56 The Impact of Sharing Trauma Stories
17:38 Addressing Social Media and Firefighter Culture
18:10 PTSD Diagnosis and Healing Process
21:38 The Power of Therapy and Validation
24:47 Creating Trauma-Informed Support Systems
27:50 Ali Rothrock's Media Projects and Book Journey
32:24 Challenges in Hollywood and Media Representation
34:14 Persistence and Long-Term Goals
39:48 Legacy and Impact on the Fire Service
40:51 Final Thoughts and Resources
26 May 2026
S2. E11. How Firefighters and Spouses Can Lead Systemic Change
Carry On Fire Family and Wildfire and Resistance sit down to explore the complex intersection of social issues, politics, and the fire service community. We highlight the importance of open dialogue, understanding, and advocacy for systemic change within fire departments and related communities.
key topics
The impact of politics on fire service policies
The role of fire spouses in advocacy and change
Addressing systemic racism and historical issues in firefighting
The importance of open dialogue about social issues
Challenges faced by wildland firefighters and their families
Chapters
00:00 Navigating Controversial Topics in the Fire Service
04:56 Life as a Fire Spouse: Challenges and Adaptations
07:43 The Impact of Politics on Wildland Firefighters
13:26 The Role of Fire Wives in Advocacy and Community
19:04 Addressing Social Issues in the Fire Service
25:56 Historical Context of the Fire Service and Politics
37:43 The Role of Firefighters and Contractors
42:59 The Politics of Firefighter Pay and Benefits
46:35 Navigating Uncomfortable Conversations
50:40 Finding Common Ground in Political Discourse
57:37 Building Trust and Community in Firefighting
01:05:25 Creating a Legacy for Future Generations
01:13:30 Black and White Modern Animated Vlog YouTube Intro (7).mp4
Hall of Flame Fire Museum - https://hallofflame.org/ (https://hallofflame.org/)
Instagram -
https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_and_resistance/ (https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_and_resistance/)
https://www.instagram.com/carryonfirefamly/ (https://www.instagram.com/carryonfirefamly/)
keywords
fire service, social issues, politics, advocacy, community, systemic change, fire spouse, wildland firefighting, public lands, social justice
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.2 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Contact Carry On Fire Family
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