Hosted by a former police officer, this podcast is breaking the silence around trauma, stigma, healing, and the courage it takes to keep showing up. Raw, honest conversations that remind us we're not alone.
REACT: A First Responder Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Brianna McCarty
5.0(2 reviews)
15 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Hosted by a former police officer, this podcast is breaking the silence around trauma, stigma, healing, and the courage it takes to keep showing up. Raw, honest conversations that remind us we're not alone.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
11/20/2025
1 verified contact email on file for REACT: A First Responder Podcast
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Recent Episodes
June 23, 2026
Blurred Lines
<p>In part one of this two part conversation, I sit down with police officers, Dan Mercer and Clint Brooks who are co-authors of Blurred Lines to discuss the realities of policing that often go unspoken. We explore the childhood experiences and family influences that draw many of us to this profession, the desire to be a hero, and how unresolved trauma can shape our path. </p><p>In this episode, we discuss the culture of dark humor, self-medication, and the challenge of learning how to leave the job behind at the end of the shift. The conversation dives into critical incidents, the images that never seem to leave, and the difference between what the public sees as heroism and what officers experience as controlled chaos. </p><p>We also discuss PTSD, emotional detachment, moral injury, complacency and the toll that high performance can take on those who dedicate themselves to the profession. Through powerful personal stories, including a life-altering vehicle crash that left one officer permanently injured, we examine what happens when the job demands everything from you - and what it feels like when you’re ultimately viewed as just a number. </p><p>This episode is an honest look at the invisible wounds of policing, the weight officers carry long after the call is over, and the difficult work of learning how to live beyond the badge. </p><p>To purchase a copy of Blurred lines, you can do so on Amazon with the link below.</p><p><a href="https://a.co/d/07XiOTWS"><u>https://a.co/d/07XiOTWS</u></a></p><p>Dan Mercer and Clint Brooks have also continued the work they do with Echopoint Leadership. Through Echopoint you can book the officers for a public speaking event, sign up for critical incident aftermath training, learn more about retreats designed for first responders and contact them for strategic advisory. </p><p><a href="https://echopointleadership.com/"><u>https://echopointleadership.com/</u></a></p><p>Echopoint Leadership in partnership with Trinity church is hosting a 2026 retreat in Arizona. Check out the Echopoint Leadership website for more information. </p><p>If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow along on my other socials. </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr#"><u>https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr#</u></a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026"><u>https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026</u></a></p><p>If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at <a href="mailto:bmtmccarty@gmail.com"><u>bmtmccarty@gmail.com</u></a> </p><p>I am most active in LinkedIn at Brianna McCarty. You can converse with me there, see what else I’m up to and find other updates. </p><p>I host a once a month virtual peer group strictly for first responders active or not. This is a safe space to connect with people who understand the things we don’t often talk about. This isn’t therapy and there is no obligation to talk. You can simply be with like minded people and find healing in realizing you’re not alone. You can email or message me on any of my socials for the link. Hope to see you there!</p><p>If you would like to support the work that I am doing to improve mental health awareness and reduce stigma in the first responder community, please visit the REACT for Responders website. <a href="http://reactforresponders.org"><u>Reactforresponders.org</u></a> </p><p>There are many ways to help, including:</p><p>Making a donation to support our mission</p><p>Volunteering your time and expertise as a training, peer support officer, or subject matter expert</p><p>Sharing resources or connecting us with organizations that may benefit from our work</p><p>Sharing your story - either as a guest on the podcast or anonymously for me to share your story on your behalf. </p><p>Every story shared helps raise awareness, start important conversations, and move us one step closer to changing the culture surrounding mental health in the first responder profession. </p><p>Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, first responder community. </p><p><br></p>
June 10, 2026
The fight back
<p>Frank Voce, a Police officer in New York and founder of Reps For Responders joins me to share his story of mental health through the badge and his journey of resilience. In 2018/2019 Frank struggled with his mental health and fortunately found the strength to seek help. This is Frank’s truth of hitting his rock bottom, something we as a culture are afraid of, and quite literally fighting his way back to being whole. After this, Frank has felt called to help first responders become the best version of themselves they can. </p><p><br></p><p>Through his experiences and strength, he founded a non profit to improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of first responders. Reps For Responders provides support for substance abuse, mental health battles, fitness and nutrition and recovery coaching. You can visit the website to learn more about Frank and Reps for Responders. </p><p><br></p><p>Any purchase of merch goes right back into the non-profit to keep their mission alive. </p><p><br></p><p>https://www.repsforresponders.org/</p><p><br></p><p>https://www.repsforresponders.org/shop</p><p> </p><p>You can find Reps for Responders on IG! Follow them at Reps_for-Responders</p><p><br></p><p>Every Sunday at 7pm EST, Frank and his team host Responder Talk via zoom. First responders from around the work connect to talk about any physical or mental health topics. To learn more or join the meeting, email info@respsforresponders.org</p><p><br></p><p>If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow along on my other socials. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr#" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr#</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026</a></p><p><br></p><p>If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at <a href="mailto:bmtmccarty@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">bmtmccarty@gmail.com</a> </p><p><br></p><p>I am most active in LinkedIn at Brianna McCarty. You can converse with me there, see what else I’m up to and find other updates. </p><p><br></p><p>I host a once a month virtual peer group strictly for first responders active or not. This is a safe space to connect with people who understand the things we don’t often talk about. This isn’t therapy and there is no obligation to talk. You can simply be with like minded people and find healing in realizing you’re not alone. You can email or message me on any of my socials for the link. Hope to see you there!</p><p><br></p><p>If you would like to support the work that I am doing to improve mental health awareness and reduce stigma in the first responder community, please visit the REACT for Responders website. <a href="http://reactforresponders.org" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Reactforresponders.org</a> </p><p><br></p><p>There are many ways to help, including:</p><p>Making a donation to support our 501(c)3</p><p>Volunteering your time and expertise as a training, peer support officer, or subject matter expert</p><p>Sharing resources or connecting us with organizations that may benefit from our work</p><p>Sharing your story - either as a guest on the podcast or anonymously for me to share your story on your behalf. </p><p><br></p><p>Every story shared helps raise awareness, start important conversations, and move us one step closer to changing the culture surrounding mental health in the first responder profession. </p><p><br></p><p>Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, first responder community. </p>
May 5, 2026
Choosing Life Over the Badge - Part Two
<p>Today’s guest, Brian Rogers used to be a patrol deputy for the largest Sheriff's office in Oregon. He was an FTO, combatives instructor, narcotics investigator, on the riot team and more! </p><p>PTSD doesn’t just come from one moment. It builds. Call after call. Year after year. Quietly changing the way you think, react and live. </p><p>Now add to that department betrayal. </p><p>In part one of Brian’s story he speaks about the identity, the pressure, and the reality of what happens when the job doesn’t just stay on the job.</p><p>As you’ll hear, after more than 16 years he was forced to make an impossible decision. </p><p>The badge…</p><p>Or walk away to treat the PTSD and save yourself, your marriage and your family. </p><p>Today, he is thriving and would never look back. </p><p>This is a conversation about the slow weight of the profession and the incredible resilience and strength to reclaim your life. </p><p>Brian Rogers is also a host of his own podcast, Shielded Voices Podcast where the mission is to break the silence and bring light to the humans behind the badge. They are everywhere you can find your favorite podcasts. Check out the link below directly to their podcast where you can learn even more about Brian and his Co Host. </p><p><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7npT0bTh84ECbclchwNKnt?si=0e51745f57e94bab"><u>https://open.spotify.com/show/7npT0bTh84ECbclchwNKnt?si=0e51745f57e94bab</u></a></p><p><a href="https://www.shieldedvoices.com/home"><u>https://www.shieldedvoices.com/home</u></a></p><p>You can also find Shielded voices on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube at Shielded Voices. </p><p><br></p><p>If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow along on my other socials. </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr#"><u>https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr#</u></a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026"><u>https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026</u></a></p><p>If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at <a href="mailto:bmtmccarty@gmail.com"><u>bmtmccarty@gmail.com</u></a> </p><p>I am most active in LinkedIn at Brianna McCarty. You can converse with me there, see what else I’m up to and find other updates. </p><p><br></p><p>I host a once a month virtual peer group strictly for first responders active or not. This is a safe space to connect with people who understand the things we don’t often talk about. This isn’t therapy and there is no obligation to talk. You can simply be with like minded people and find healing in realizing you’re not alone. You can email or message me on any of my socials for the link. Hope to see you there!</p><p><br></p>
15 total episodes available
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- What is REACT: A First Responder Podcast?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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