The holidays can be beautiful—and brutal—when you’re working shifts, on call, or coming home from heavy scenes. In this episode of Blah, Blah, Blah…Something Wellness, Tami Sharp sits down with Chris Zamora, Brenda Nottingham, and Greg Nottingham to get real about managing expectations, communicating with your partner, and creating meaningful traditions, even when they don’t land on the calendar date. From “presence over presents” to guilt, gratitude, and kid-centered strategies, this is a practical guide for first responders and the people who love them.
💡 What You’ll Learn
- How to reframe traditions so the memory matters more than the date
- Communication check-ins that prevent holiday resentment and money/overtime misunderstandings
- A simple decompression plan so you can be present after tough shifts
- The “magic window” for kids and how to prioritize around it
- Why gratitude beats guilt—and how to use it when you miss an event
- Tactics for new spouses/partners navigating call-outs and culture shock
- Supervisor and agency ideas that boost morale
👥 Guests
Host: Tami Sharp — Law Enforcement Coaching
Chris Zamora — Retired Detective, Law Enforcement Coaching
Brenda Nottingham — 41 years in law enforcement, spouse perspective
Greg Nottingham — Retired, Law Enforcement Coaching
🔧 Practical Takeaways
Presence over presents: build buffer time, breathe before walking in, put the phone away.
Annual renegotiation: don’t assume last year’s holiday, overtime plan still works—revisit it.
Alternate-day celebrations: photos and feelings outlast the date; make your own tradition.
Be a rock, not a sponge: support without absorbing each other’s trauma.
Leaders: enable short home visits on shift and coordinate holiday meals when possible.
📣 Call to Action
If you’re a first responder or partner needing extra support this season, follow and subscribe for more tools, real talk, and coaching resources.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
