First Responder Families Podcast

About First Responder Families Podcast

First Responder Families Podcast is a show dedicated to the the health and wellness of families of our first responders and military personnel.

Publisher

FHE Health

Category

education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Mar 2024

Latest episode

2 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Oct 2026

   When Love Isn’t Enough: CRAFT for Families

   What do you do when someone you love is struggling with substance use—but pleading, arguing, or threatening only seems to make things worse? In this episode, Ivona Bhadha, LCSW, talks with Michelle Kuecker, a certified CRAFT clinician, about a different way families can respond. CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) gives loved ones practical tools to communicate more effectively, set healthy boundaries, reinforce positive behaviors, and encourage treatment—without relying on confrontation. Ivona and Michelle explore why families often get stuck in cycles of worry, nagging, rescuing, and conflict, even when everything they are doing comes from love. They discuss how to “catch your loved one doing good,” recognize when our efforts may unintentionally reinforce unhealthy behaviors, and create opportunities for change without trying to control another person's recovery. They also talk about an often-overlooked part of supporting someone with substance use: taking care of yourself. When family members are exhausted, anxious, or constantly on alert, it becomes much harder to respond thoughtfully rather than react from fear. Michelle shares practical CRAFT strategies for setting expectations and boundaries before a crisis happens, responding to slips or relapse, and returning to strategies that have worked in the past rather than feeling like you have to start all over again. This conversation is especially relevant for first responder families, where concerns about privacy, career, reputation, safety, and the impact of substance use on the entire family can make these situations particularly complicated. In this episode, you'll learn: What makes CRAFT different from traditional interventions How to reinforce positive behaviors How to set boundaries without unnecessary conflict The difference between supporting and unintentionally enabling Why self-care is part of effective family support How to prepare for a slip or relapse How families can create opportunities for treatment while maintaining connection Helpful Resources: Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change Get Your Loved One Sober: Alternatives to Nagging, Pleading, and Threatening Helping Families Help - CRAFT Groups: https://helpingfamilieshelp.com/groups-for-families Founder of CRAFT Dr.Meyers: https://www.robertjmeyersphd.com/ The goal isn't to control your loved one's recovery. It's to learn how to show up differently—and take care of yourself along the way.

2. 

   4 Sept 2026

   From Triggered to Grounded: EMDR Tools for Everyday Stress : EMDR-Inspired Tools for Stress & Trauma with Reyna Keller, LCSW-QS, EMDR Certified

   In this episode, Ivona sits down with Reyna Keller, LCSW-QS, EMDR Certified and EMDR Therapist Lead for the Shatterproof Program at FHE Health, to explore how EMDR-informed techniques can support nervous system regulation, stress management, and trauma recovery. Reyna shares her personal journey from experiencing EMDR as a client to becoming a therapist, with a special passion for supporting first responders and military families. The conversation highlights the importance of regulation and resourcing before trauma processing and introduces practical techniques listeners can use in everyday life, including the butterfly hug, container exercise, and calm scene visualization. Reyna also guides Ivona through a live demonstration using a recent traffic-related stressor, illustrating how these techniques can reduce physical tension and emotional distress in real time. This episode offers accessible, trauma-informed tools that spouses, family members, first responders, and anyone experiencing stress can use to reconnect with a sense of calm and safety.

3. 

   7 Aug 2026

   From Fear to Freedom: Breaking Free from Alcohol and Discovering a New Way to Live

   In this inspiring episode of the First Responder Families Podcast, Ivona sits down with Shatterproof alumni  Jake Shores, who shares his powerful journey from alcohol dependence to 17 months of sobriety and post-traumatic growth. A paramedic and first responder, Jake opens up about how alcohol became normalized in his career, social life, and family gatherings, how he concealed his struggles, and what ultimately motivated him to seek help. Jake reflects on the life-changing impact of treatment, including dramatic improvements in his physical health, emotional well-being, and relationships. He discusses the importance of connecting with fellow first responders, developing healthy coping strategies such as yoga, tai chi, Bible study, and recovery meetings, and learning that a fulfilling life without alcohol is not only possible—but far better than he ever imagined. This episode offers hope, practical recovery strategies, and encouragement for first responders and their families who may be struggling, reminding listeners that healing is possible and that recovery can become the foundation for a stronger, healthier, and more meaningful life. SHATTERPROOF FHE Health First Responders’ Program: https://fherehab.com/services/first-responders/

Who has been a guest on First Responder Families Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Annalee Moody
• Dr Gus Castellanos
• Michael Herbert
• Ivona Bhadha
• Eric Bricker LMHC

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 14 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

15

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact First Responder Families Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about First Responder Families Podcast