In this episode, Cyndi sits down with Kate Pieper, LMFT, who specializes in trauma and resilience for first responders. Kate shares her "Holding Onto Happy" resilience model (H.A.P.P.Y.), designed to help law enforcement officers, police spouses, and first responder families build habits, regulate emotions, and recover from trauma. Together, they discuss practical ways officers and couples can "floss their brains," prevent burnout, and stay connected to their why—both individually and as a couple.
👮♀️ What You'll Learn in This Episode:
The H.A.P.P.Y. model for resilience and why it works for first responder families
Daily habits that protect mental health (gratitude, exercise, meditation, sleep)
How to "floss your brain" and prevent emotional burnout
The power of perspective, permission, and knowing your why
How law enforcement couples can build resilience together
Cyndi Doyle is the founder of Code4Couples®, licensed professional counselor supervisor, retired police spouse, author of Hold the Line, and host of the Code4Couples Podcast. She helps law enforcement officers and their spouses protect their relationships and build resilience.
📖 Grab Cyndi's Book: Hold the Line
👉 https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Line-Protecting-Enforcement-Relationship-ebook/dp/B08TPRTY9G#customerReviews
🎤 Book Cyndi for Training or Speaking
👉 https://code4couples.com/training/
🌐 Connect with Kate Pieper, LMFT
Website: https://katepieperlmft.com
Email: kate@katepieperlmft.com
00:00 – Introduction & Kate's background
05:00 – The story behind "Holding Onto Happy"
12:00 – Daily resilience habits: gratitude, sleep, exercise, meditation
20:00 – Flossing your brain: what it means for officers
28:00 – The importance of perspective & permission
36:00 – Knowing your why: building resilient identity
45:00 – Applying resilience habits as a couple
52:00 – Resources & how to connect with Kate
