Shows
Mind Matters – Empowering Conversations for Public Safety Professionals Hosted by Elizabeth MorrisSurviving First: A Conversation with Doug MondaSend us a textIn this powerful episode of "Mind Matters," hosts Elizabeth Morris and Gary Fly engage in a heartfelt conversation with Doug Monda, a retired narcotics agent and former SWAT operator. Doug shares his journey from a decorated law enforcement career to facing personal battles with PTSD and depression, leading to a suicide attempt. Now, as the founder of Survive First, Doug advocates for first responders and their families, offering support and hope. Tune in to hear Doug's inspiring story of resilience, the importance of mental health, and how he's turning pain into purpose.
2025-09-2334 min
Leadership APBYour Resilience: The Wheelbarrow EffectThis episode is sponsored by 5.11 Tactical: Always Be Ready!For more information visit: 5.11 Tactical- Always Be Ready! We live and work in a profession that truly does have such an impact on so many lives. We see courageousness, sacrifice, integrity, and so much more out of the men and women serving our communities. What we don’t see is the overlying and underlying costs that these me an women go through professionally and personally, nor do we often see the impact it has on our families. This episode is dedicated to the...
2025-09-0351 min
Behind The ShieldDoug, Raul and Chris (Organizational Betrayal, the Recruitment Crisis and Courageous Leadership) - Episode 1131Doug Monda, Raul Rivas and Chris Fields are co-hosts of the 'Trauma Behind the Badge Podcast' and part of the 'Survive First' Family. We discuss the crushing impact of organizational betrayal on first responder mental health, the national recruitment crisis, courageous leadership and much more. Doug MondaDoug is a retired narcotics agent, is a leader in the field of mental health advocacy for first responders and their families. After his own personal struggles with depression and a failed suicide attempt in 2013, Monda has dedicated his life to helping first responders acknowledge and address career...
2025-09-021h 43
A Tactical Pause: Leading in Law EnforcementEpisode 6: Doug and Karen Monda -- Survive FirstOn this episode of A Tactical Pause, Host John Creamer is joined by Doug and Karen Monda, founders of Survive First. Survive First emerged from the personal journey of Doug Monda, whose own struggle with suicidal thoughts, leading to a failed attempt in 2013 ignited a deep realization about the mental health challenges faced by first responders. Having navigated his own path to wellness over several years, Monda recognized a critical gap in support for his fellow brothers and sisters in the profession. In 2018, he took the courageous step of establishing Survive First, driven by a conviction that the silence s...
2025-05-2045 min
Hey Chaplain: The Police Wellness PodcastSurviving My Suicide: Doug Monda; An Excerpt from the ArchivesText a Message to the ShowTwo years ago we talked with Doug Monda and this is a special abbreviated and condensed version of that interview with him. The original is Episode 022. Doug Monda was a professional athlete turned high-speed, low-drag SWAT cop, in a Florida city with a very high rate violent crime. His identity was wrapped up in being an a very active athlete and operator… until that was suddenly taken away by a serious injury. This led to depression, post traumatic stress, and finally two attempts to take his own life.
2024-07-0816 min
H.O.P.E Beyond The BadgeDoug & Karen Monda - Survive FirstDoug & Karen Monda join us to talk about Survive First - Where there mission is to reduce first responder suicide through quality education, peer support, and mental health and wellness resources, while fostering a greater sense of community and awareness amongst first responders and their supporters.Doug - President, Founder, and Chairman at Survive First - discusses his time as a professional athlete, shares with us about his career in law enforcement as a SWAT Sniper, and talks openly about how his experiences impacted his mental health and family dynamics.Karen - Executive Director at...
2024-05-312h 17
Forged In The Fires Podcast with Fireman RobEpisode 200 - Forged in the Fires Guest - Doug MondaDoug Monda is a former undercover narcotics agent with the Cocoa Police Department, a city in Brevard County, Florida. He began his career in public safety in 2001.
In his second year of service, Doug joined the S.W.A.T. team, and subsequently attended Marine Scout Sniper Training, earning his certification with Blackwater. Doug spent 15 years on the Cocoa Police Department S.W.A.T. team, where he became a leader in tactical planning and leading.
During his service on S.W.A.T., his experience as a sniper and team leader played a critical ro...
2023-06-0533 min
Hey Chaplain: The Police Wellness Podcast057 - Follow Ups and Business Checks: Hey Chaplain's Second AnniversaryText a Message to the ShowThis episode marks the beginning of our third year, so I wanted to go back and do some follow up with some of my past guests. In this episode we talk about staying healthy physically and mentally, changing jobs within the police department, serving food to the Border Patrol, and much more. If you missed a guest's original episode, they are listed below.Matt Domyancic - 018, 034Rob Sanderson - 028Don Ash - 012Tzvi Levin - 048Keith Falkner - 006, 032Doug Monda - 022Steve Keogh - 030Tim Cotton - 043Stephen Sm...
2023-05-2940 min
The 10 Code MindsetHe had the gun to his head, and pulled the trigger. He is here to talk about it...My next guest is blunt and to the point, but encouraging and passionate. Retired Agent and SWAT Team Lead Doug Monda was all involved in the high speed action of law enforcement. But life took a completely unexpected turn and he found himself wondering whether there was a point to him even living. If you are struggling, this episode is especially for you. But I encourage all to listen because we cannot be in denial and become complacent to the threat of suicide. Find out more about Doug and reach out to S...
2023-03-0326 minHey Chaplain: The Police Wellness Podcast022 - Surviving My Suicide: Doug Monda, Survive FirstText a Message to the ShowToday I want to share with you the story of Doug Monda. Doug was a Florida cop who, after being injured, suddenly had the weight of the job collapse in on him, driving him to despair and, eventually, to putting a gun to his head and pulling the trigger. Doug survived and today he walks us through his compelling story, how he survived, and how he then wanted to build a program that would be better than the mental health journey he went through.Doug now runs a nationally re...
2022-02-2155 min
Policing MattersDispatches from the FBINAA National Annual Training ConferenceIn this compendium of interviews from the FBINAA National Annual Training Conference, held in Orlando, Florida, July 7-10, Policing Matters host Jim Dudley speaks with:
Former New York City Police Commissioner and former LAPD Chief Bill Bratton, about the challenges of policing today;
Bensalem Township Police Department's Director of Public Safety Fred Harran about his agency's use of Thermo Fisher's Rapid DNA to solve property crimes;
Doug Monda, founder of Survive First, about the barriers that prevent public safety personnel from getting help for mental health issues.
2021-12-1028 min
CoplandS5 Brotherhood E3 Surviving Suicide with Doug Monda1st Responder suicide is epidemic. Doug Monda displays a massive amount of self-confidence and courage to discuss with transparency his surviving it and the path that put him on to help others.
2020-02-1234 min
PokerGO PodcastEp. 177 Awards Season & Galfond ChallengeRecorded live for the first time and broadcast on YouTube, Brent and Remko tackled some hard-hitting topics! 01:13 – This week on the show! Breaking down the semifinal of the Global Poker Awards, Galfond Challenge, and all the action down in Australia. 01:58 – Brent & Remko recap their weekend in which they attended a Black Keys concert and Brent bought a Peloton bike in an attempt to stop being fat. 05:45 – Breaking down the Global Poker Awards semifinals including Doug Polk being snubbed despite having the most popular YouTube channel in all of poker. 13:25 – What was the final table performance of the year? Alex Foxen in the F...
2020-01-2345 min
Mental Health News RadioFirst Responders: SurvivedJoin Barry Toone and Kristin as they speak with Survive First Founder, Doug Monda, about his journey through suicidal ideation, ptsd, and depression working in law enforcement. Doug is the Founder of Survive First, Inc. and has a long standing history in law enforcement. He retired from law enforcement as an undercover narcotics agent with the Cocoa Police Department, a city in Brevard County, Florida in 2017. He began his career in public safety in 2001. In his second year of service, Doug joined the S.W.A.T. team, and subsequently attended Marine Scout Sniper Training, earning his certification...
2020-01-0843 min
Space Coast Podcast NetworkSurvived - When the Job Becomes More Important Than Family - Part 2Send us a textOn this episode, Doug and Karen Monda discuss how the first responder career can become all consuming, leaving the family feeling like they are an afterthought. They answer questions from viewers and discuss how communication is one of the most important factors in surviving the first responder marriage. The show begins with a quick chat with Ozzy from "Survived" sponsor, Dirty Oar Beer Company, where he discusses their support for first responders and Survive First.Support the showFollow us on Instagram @spacecoastpodcastSponsor this show Wa...
2019-09-101h 05
Space Coast Podcast NetworkSurvived - The Survived podcast mission.Send us a textGet to know know Doug and Karen Monda, founders of Survive First, and Cocoa Police Department's Chris Hattaway as these two cops and a wife talk the first responder life.Support the showFollow us on Instagram @spacecoastpodcastSponsor this show Want to watch our shows? https://youtube.com/@spacecoastpodcast
2019-08-131h 02
Criminal Justice EvolutionCJ Evolution Podcast: Doug Monda - Decorated & Retired LEO & Founder of Survive First Inc.Hello and welcome back to the show. Special thanks to all the brave men and women who protect this great country every day. Thank you for what you do. You have much support and keep up the great work.
Big shout out to our Sponsors Detectachem & Onnit. Detectachem is protecting our brave men and women by providing mobile threat detection in the palm of your hand.
Onnit is an amazing company that is the leader in clinically studied supplements. You can shop for top selling supplements, apparel & fitness equipment.
Check both Detectachem and...
2019-07-1853 min
Space Coast Podcast NetworkThe Vinnie Marino Podcast - update to survive first foundationSend us a textDoug and Karen Monda returned to the show to discuss their foundation and whats to come. We also discussed their amazing trip to Africa and the amazing time they had. Support the showFollow us on Instagram @spacecoastpodcastSponsor this show Want to watch our shows? https://youtube.com/@spacecoastpodcast
2019-06-271h 16
The Gateway PresentsThe Gateway Presents: The dangers of Doug Ford’s postsecondary policyAlex Patterson
On Janurary 17, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government, under Premier Doug Ford, announced overhauls to various pieces of postsecondary policy. These included a 10 per cent cut to tuition with no backfill funding for universities; the elimination of the Ontario Student Assistance Plan, which gave grants to low-income students to help them attend university for free; and the implementation of the Student Choice Initiative, which would allow students to have the choice of opting out of all student fees deemed “non-essential” by individual postsecondary institutions.
What drove these decisions? What effect will they have on universities in Ontari...
2019-04-2618 min
Space Coast Podcast NetworkThe Vinnie Marino Podcast - Doug Monda, back from the roadSend us a textOur boy Doug from Survive First is back in the studio after walking with Danny Garcia on the first leg of Honor Walk 2019. Vinnie and Doug discuss topics like keeping smart with your vehicle and avoiding robbery, whats next for Survive First and regular rants from Vinnie. Classic Vinnie! Support the showFollow us on Instagram @spacecoastpodcastSponsor this show Want to watch our shows? https://youtube.com/@spacecoastpodcast
2019-04-011h 03
Space Coast Podcast NetworkThe Vinnie Marino Podcast - Live from Honor Walk 2019.Send us a texton the show was Karen Monda, co-founder of Survive First, Doug Monda, Survive First, and Daniel Garcia, walk across the nationThis show had Doug and Daniel live via Skype from California discussion their journey as they walk across America bringing awareness regarding PTSD in veterans and first responders.Support the showFollow us on Instagram @spacecoastpodcastSponsor this show Want to watch our shows? https://youtube.com/@spacecoastpodcast
2019-03-191h 06
Space Coast Podcast NetworkThe Vinnie Marino Podcast - Survive First, Round 2Send us a textWe welcomed back Survive First Foundation speaker, Doug Monda to give us all the exciting news regarding his huge sponsorship that will assist in much needed funds towards his mission. Support the showFollow us on Instagram @spacecoastpodcastSponsor this show Want to watch our shows? https://youtube.com/@spacecoastpodcast
2019-03-111h 03
Space Coast Podcast NetworkThe Vinnie Marino Podcast - Survive FirstSend us a textDoug and Karen Monda with Survive First join Vinnie and Jason in the studio to discuss the challenges that military and first responder's encounter from the trauma of combat and public service. A lively discussion with laughs and real world experiences. Support the showFollow us on Instagram @spacecoastpodcastSponsor this show Want to watch our shows? https://youtube.com/@spacecoastpodcast
2019-03-041h 04
Rescue the RescuerSurvive FirstJoin Doug and Karen Monda as we discuss their story and the foundation they created, Survive First.Doug is the Founder of Survive First, Inc. and has a long standing history in law enforcement. He retired from law enforcement as an undercover narcotics agent with the Cocoa Police Department, a city in Brevard County, Florida in 2017. He began his career in public safety in 2001. In his second year of service, Doug joined the S.W.A.T. team, and subsequently attended Marine Scout Sniper Training, earning his certification with Blackwater. He spent 15 years on the Cocoa Police Department S.W...
2018-09-1322 min