Shows
Just a Girl and Her FirefighterA Deep Dive with QrfUPSend us a textEmpowering First Responders: The QRF Up Initiative with RamseysIn this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer speaks with Ramseys, the founder of QRF Up, an organization dedicated to providing holistic and immediate support to first responders and their families. Ramseys explains how their innovative SOS application works, enabling users to connect with licensed therapists and peer support within minutes. QRF Up addresses not only mental health needs but also provides physical assistance, creating a comprehensive safety net. The conversation delves into...
2025-09-2533 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterCassie's Journey: Fire Life and SourdoughSend us a textNavigating Firefighter Family Life: An Interview with CassieIn this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer welcomes fellow firewife Cassie to discuss the unique challenges and joys of being married to a firefighter. Cassie shares her personal journey, from meeting her husband to managing a growing family while he travels out of state for work. The conversation delves into the unpredictable firefighter schedule, celebrating holidays unconventionally, and finding flexibility within family life. Cassie also talks about venturing into a home-based sourdough bread business, offering tips...
2025-09-1836 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterFlame Deacon: Innovating Firefighter SafetySend us a textCelebrating One Year of Just a Girl and Her Firefighter with Tara's Inspiring JourneyIn this special first anniversary episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer sits down with Tara, a veteran and the founder of Flame Decon. Tara shares her incredible journey from military service to creating a product line focused on firefighter wellness, inspired partly by the aftermath of 9/11. The episode delves into the challenges and rewards of starting a business dedicated to removing carcinogens from firefighters' skin using a unique blend of activated...
2025-09-1137 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterFrom Missions to Community: A Firefighter Wife's PerspectiveSend us a textBuilding Community and Impact: Kristi Hilmer's Journey with Mission of HopeIn this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer returns after a brief hiatus, sharing stories from her transformative missions trip to the Dominican Republic. She reflects on her experiences serving Haitian refugees with Mission of Hope and discusses the importance of community, connection, and giving back. Joined by her friend Miranda Burcham, they recount their journey in network marketing, the impact of Vision 90, and the race to provide 11 million meals for Haitians in need...
2025-04-2529 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterCommunity and Courage with Kaci WaldenSend us a textNavigating First Responder Life: Firefighting, Family, and CommunityIn this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristy Hilmer interviews Kaci Walden, a mother and wife living in the Texas Panhandle. Kaci shares her experiences of being married to a firefighter while raising two boys and working full-time. The episode delves into the impact of a devastating wildfire on their community, the emotional challenges of firefighter life, and the importance of communication and mental health. Kaci also talks about the support system within the fire...
2025-02-1339 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterThe Life Behind the Mustache: Firefighter Fenton Unplugged Part 2Send us a textIn this episode of Just a Girl and Her Firefighter, host Kristi Hilmer continues her conversation with Firefighter Fenton and his wife, Stephanie. They discuss the challenges of managing a demanding job while maintaining a healthy family life. Fenton shares personal experiences of realizing the importance of family over work, the pressures of overtime, and the turning points that led to prioritizing home life. The episode delves into the impact of the firefighter job on personal relationships and offers advice for new firefighters and their families. The couple also touches on the importance...
2025-01-3041 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterThe Life Behind the Mustache: Firefighter Fenton Unplugged Part 1Send us a textIn this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer chats with Firefighter Fenton and his wife Stephanie about life as a firefighter family. They discuss how their journey began, homeschooling their four children, and how the 'Firefighter Fenton' character was created by accident. The couple opens up about the challenges of balancing demanding jobs, family life, reintegration, and maintaining health. Stephanie shares her struggles and strategies for staying connected as a family, while Brett emphasizes the importance of transitioning smoothly between work and home life...
2025-01-2327 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterThat's a wrap on Season 1Send us a textNavigating Transitions in First Responder LifeIn the season finale of Just a Girl and Her Firefighter, host Kristi Hilmer reflects on the journey of creating a supportive community for firewives and first responders. She discusses the challenges and strategies for managing department transitions, sharing her personal experiences and offering advice on mental preparation, schedule adjustments, effective communication, and the importance of community. This episode aims to normalize and provide insights into the often isolating experiences of first responder families, emphasizing integrity, honesty, and support through change.00:00 Welcome to...
2024-11-1415 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterAlli Bankston: Creating Holiday Magic for First Responder FamiliesSend us a textNavigating First Responder Life: Holiday Traditions and CommunicationIn this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer welcomes fellow firewife and guest Alli Bankston. Allie shares insights into her life as a firefighter's wife, her family's unique holiday traditions, and her new children's book designed to normalize first responder schedules for kids. The discussion covers the challenges of communication, reintegration after shifts, and maintaining family routines. Listeners will find valuable advice on building communication within relationships and strategies for helping children adapt to the first responder...
2024-10-3133 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterMom Rage Unplugged: Real Talk with Firefighter Wife RachaelSend us a textJust a Girl and Her Firefighter: Navigating Love, Challenges, and CommunityIn this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer, together with guest Rachael and other speakers, explores the multifaceted experiences of being married to a firefighter. Topics include managing unpredictable schedules, coping with 'mom rage,' and the importance of accepting help from family and the community. The discussion offers practical strategies for balancing family life, addressing the emotional complexities of default parenting, and highlighting the necessity of self-care and mental health...
2024-10-2444 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterBuilding Resilience: The Story Behind Everyday HeroesSend us a textEmpowering Journeys and Building Community: Insights from Everyday HeroesIn this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer is joined by Mitch Gourley, a firefighter and the founder of the Instagram community 'Everyday Heroes,' and his wife Markee. Together, they delve into their personal and professional lives, focusing on Mitch's aim to empower first responders and Markee's experience managing their demanding lifestyle. The couple discusses the pivotal role of communication and resilience in relationships, offering insights into navigating the stresses of firefighting...
2024-10-171h 11Just a Girl and Her FirefighterLove Rekindled: A Firefighter Family's Journey to ReconnectionSend us a textSurviving and Thriving: A Firefighter Wife's Journey through Life's ChallengesIn this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' Kristi Hilmer interviews her friend Heather, who shares her remarkable journey of integration into the first responder lifestyle. Heather talks about meeting her husband during EMT training, going through nursing school, and the challenges of blending families with eight children, including twins. They discuss their separation, subsequent divorce, and eventual reconciliation after deep self-reflection and coaching. Together, they now run 'Relationship CPR,' offering coaching to couples...
2024-10-1040 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterDuty, Family, and Fire with KerriSend us a textBalancing Firefighting and Law: Kerri's Family StoryIn this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter', host Kristi Hilmer chats with Kerri, a Massachusetts-based attorney, about her unique life balancing a full-time law practice, raising kids, and being married to a fourth-generation firefighter. Kerri shares insights into their family dynamics, the challenges of step-family life, dealing with the anxieties of a first responder's dangerous job, and the importance of maintaining a personal identity outside the fire service. The conversation also explores Kerri's personal experiences during significant incidents like the Boston...
2024-10-0340 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterFrom High School Sweethearts to Fire Service Life: Ashley’s JourneySend us a textNavigating Firefighter Life: Conversations with FirewivesJoin Kristi Hilmer on 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter' as she interviews fellow firewife Ashley. They share personal stories, discuss the challenges and surprises of life in the fire service, and emphasize the importance of community and support. Together, they explore how to maintain a strong relationship and a positive outlook while navigating the unique lifestyle of being married to a firefighter. Enjoy insights into practical strategies, mentorship, and the lighter side of firehouse gossip.00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her...
2024-09-2634 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterBehind the Sirens with YasminaSend us a textNavigating First Responder Life and Postpartum Challenges with YasminaIn this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer chats with Yasmina, a fellow firewife married to the creator of the Williams Key. The conversation covers their personal stories, from meeting in high school to balancing family life with their husbands' demanding firefighter schedules. Yasmina shares her experience with postpartum challenges, the importance of community amongst firewives, and offers practical advice for managing the unique aspects of living with a first responder. The episode also touches on...
2024-09-1935 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterFire Wife Wisdom: Joelle's Story of ResilienceSend us a textNavigating First Responder Life: An Interview with Firewife JoelleIn this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer chats with Joelle, a fellow Firewife from Marblehead, Massachusetts. Joelle shares her experience of raising children while married to a firefighter, the struggles and joys of their unique family dynamics, and the importance of communication and support. They discuss topics such as the challenges of coordinating schedules, finding time for personal growth, and the emotional aspects of first responder life. Joelle also shares practical advice on finding community...
2024-09-1138 minJust a Girl and Her FirefighterOur Journey: Marriage, Firefighting and CommunitySend us a textBuilding a Community for First Responder PartnersIn the inaugural episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer introduces herself and shares her journey as the partner of a first responder. Kristi recounts their early years, the challenges they faced, including a devastating fire in their town, and the life lessons they learned. She emphasizes the importance of teamwork within a marriage, especially in first responder families, and her passion for creating a supportive community. Kristi invites listeners to join her in sharing stories, tackling challenges, and...
2024-09-0518 min
Dear Chiefs PodcastSurviving First Responder Family LifeIn this episode, we talk with fellow fire wife Kristi Hilmer about how she helps new families starting in their EMS journey. She gives us some helpful tips and techniques that have helped her marriage thrive. She also shares her experience as an evacuee of a major wildfire incident in Northern California that tore through her town and ultimately became the deadliest wildfire in California's history.
Kristi is a fire wife, former nurse, and mama to 3. On November 8th, 2018 a massive wildfire tore through the town of Paradise where Kristi and her family lived. and...
2023-04-1130 min