Shows
On the Blue Line Podcast for Law Enforcement“Serving your Community shouldn’t mean Sacrificing your Sanity” with Lindsay Faas | The On The Blue Line Podcast with Wayne Mulder“Serving your Community shouldn’t mean Sacrificing your Sanity” with Lindsay Faas | The On The Blue Line Podcast with Wayne Mulder See this Episodes complete SHOW NOTES at https://www.ontheblueline.com/podcast-show-notes EPISODE OVERVIEW: This episode of the On the Blue Line podcast hosted by Wayne Mulder features an insightful conversation with Lindsay Faas, a clinical counselor specializing in trauma therapy. Lindsay is the owner and director of Thrive Life, a counseling practice in British Columbia, Canada. In this episode, Lindsay shares her expertise on resilience, particularly as it relat...2024-08-151h 00
Behind The LineFlipping Love Languages Upside Down: Caring & ProcessingShow Notes:**Rate & Review Behind the Line on Apple Podcast – here **Picking up on last episode, this episode dives deeper into personal applications of The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Today we look at specific ways to apply love languages to meeting personal needs for building yourself up, interrupting tendencies to tear yourself down, and considerations in processing traumatic experiences and high stress exposure. This episode leans heavy on the episode before, so if you missed it go back and start there!Take the Love Languages Quiz here!Episode Ch...2023-12-2630 min
Behind The LineFlipping Love Languages Upside Down: A New Take on a ClassicShow Notes:**Rate & Review Behind the Line on Apple Podcast – here **The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman is one of the go-to books and resources for couples therapists and people seeking to care for each other well. But what if this same principle could go well beyond applications for couples and actually become a staple way that we think about ourselves, our needs, and be used as a tangible tool to build ourselves up and stop tearing ourselves down?? In this episode we are covering the fundamentals of love languages as a concept, an...2023-12-1222 min
Behind The Line"That's What You Signed Up For": Seeking More Supportive SupportShow Notes:**Rate & Review Behind the Line on Apple Podcast – here ** I recently had a listener reach out and share about an experience where she was sharing that she had suffered a hard critical incident to a close friend, and the friends response was, “well, that’s what you signed up for.” Last episode I offered my rant-y thoughts on the matter and promised to put together a follow-up episode to offer some alternative ways loved ones can offer support and ways that First Responders & Front Line Helpers can communicate your needs to the peopl...2023-11-2824 min
Behind The Line"That's What You Signed Up For": An Angry Tirade by LindsayShow Notes:**Rate & Review Behind the Line on Apple Podcast – here ** I recently had a listener reach out and share about an experience where she was sharing that she had suffered a hard critical incident to a close friend, and the friends response was, “well, that’s what you signed up for.” …And my response may not have been all the therapeutic, helpful, responsive pieces it could/would/should have been…it may have sounded more like, “just go fuck right off”. Admittedly, perhaps not my kindest response…but not without some reasons, and I’...2023-11-1425 min
Behind The LineAbove & Beyond with Patrick Greenhill, Law EnforcementShow Notes:**Rate & Review Behind the Line on Apple Podcast – here **Welcome to our final installment of "Above and Beyond", a series through October spotlighting the efforts of 3 amazing helping professionals who have taken their experiences and sought out ways to use their stories to support others in First Response and Front Line work. Today, I am joined by Patrick Greenhill. Among his accomplishments, Sgt. Greenhill was the Program Coordinator for Safe Passages, an initiative that opened the doors of police agencies as access points to substance abuse treatment services and other necessary an...2023-10-3145 min
Behind The LineAbove & Beyond with Michael Sugrue, retired Law EnforcementShow Notes:**Rate & Review Behind the Line on Apple Podcast – here **Welcome to our second installment of "Above and Beyond", a series through October spotlighting the efforts of 3 amazing helping professionals who have taken their experiences and sought out ways to use their stories to support others in First Response and Front Line work. Today, I am joined by Michael Sugrue, retired law enforcement and co-author of “Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Front Line Trauma”. We talk about the events that led to Michael’s retirement and that inspire his book, co-authored with Sha...2023-10-1741 min
Behind The LineAbove & Beyond with Nathan Kapler, Retired RCMPShow Notes:**Rate & Review Behind the Line on Apple Podcast – here **We're BACK!!!It has felt like a long but genuinely refreshing break and I am SO excited and grateful to be back in your inbox once again to share about a new season of the Behind the Line podcast, highlighting wellness strategies for hardworking helping professionals. I hope that you have been able to find pockets of calm, joy, silliness and connection over the course of your summertime, and that you and yours are settling into the new rhythms that se...2023-10-0353 min
The Prison Officer Podcast57: Can Growth Rise from Trauma? - Interview w/Lindsay FaasSend us a textIn this episode, I talk with Trauma Counselor Lindsay Faas about trauma, PTSD, and whether or not there can be post-traumatic growth from trauma. I ran across this article - https://www.uwhealth.org/news/surprising-benefit-going-through-difficult-times The author talks about post-traumatic growth, as a benefit. The author also states that research has found that up to 70 percent of people experience positive psychological growth from difficult times. Lindsay was the first person I thought about when I wanted to have a conversation about whether or not growth can rise from trauma. Lindsay Faa...2023-07-0347 min
Behind The LineWholehearted Helping: Retaining Humanity in Hard Jobs with Dr. Hillary McBrideShow Notes:**Rate & Review Behind the Line on Apple Podcast – here **Have you ever felt like to do your job you are sacrificing parts of your soul? Like you have lost parts of your self and your belief in goodness? Front Line jobs demand a lot and expose you to some of the worst moments for people. Beyond the calls, the lack of support from the systems that “support” you can also undermine any sense of ok-ness. Retaining your sense of humanity and goodness and keeping your wholehearted desire for helping intact can be inc...2023-06-2749 min
Behind The LineWholehearted Helping: Retaining Humanity in Hard Jobs with Jake KhymShow Notes:**Rate & Review Behind the Line on Apple Podcast – here **Have you ever felt like to do your job you are sacrificing parts of your soul? Like you have lost parts of your self and your belief in goodness? Front Line jobs demand a lot and expose you to some of the worst moments for people. Beyond the calls, the lack of support from the systems that “support” you can also undermine any sense of ok-ness. Retaining your sense of humanity and goodness and keeping your wholehearted desire for helping intact can be incredibly hard. ...2023-06-201h 02
Behind The LineBlast From The Past: Daring Leadership Part 8Show Notes:We are finishing re-sharing a "Blast from the Past" series that I did back in Season 1 of Behind the Line. It was one of my favourite series and I think really important content for those who may have missed it the first time. The series takes a look at Brené Brown's work in her book, Dare to Lead, and discusses applications to helping professions where it is absolutely IMPERATIVE that we improve leadership and systems, because they are hella broken. I hope you'll share this series with your sphere of influence and that t...2023-06-1329 min
Behind The LineBlast From The Past: Daring Leadership Part 7Show Notes:We are continuing to re-share a "Blast from the Past" series that I did back in Season 1 of Behind the Line. It was one of my favourite series and I think really important content for those who may have missed it the first time. The series takes a look at Brené Brown's work in her book, Dare to Lead, and discusses applications to helping professions where it is absolutely IMPERATIVE that we improve leadership and systems, because they are hella broken. I hope you'll share this series with your sphere of influence and t...2023-06-0658 min
Behind The LineBlast From The Past: Daring Leadership Part 6Show Notes:We are continuing to re-share a "Blast from the Past" series that I did back in Season 1 of Behind the Line. It was one of my favourite series and I think really important content for those who may have missed it the first time. The series takes a look at Brené Brown's work in her book, Dare to Lead, and discusses applications to helping professions where it is absolutely IMPERATIVE that we improve leadership and systems, because they are hella broken. I hope you'll share this series with your sphere of influence and that together w...2023-05-301h 01
Behind The LineBlast From The Past: Daring Leadership Part 5Show Notes:We are continuing to re-share a "Blast from the Past" series that I did back in Season 1 of Behind the Line. It was one of my favourite series and I think really important content for those who may have missed it the first time. The series takes a look at Brené Brown's work in her book, Dare to Lead, and discusses applications to helping professions where it is absolutely IMPERATIVE that we improve leadership and systems, because they are hella broken. I hope you'll share this series with your sphere of influence and that together w...2023-05-2328 min
Behind The LineBlast From The Past: Daring Leadership Part 4Show Notes:We are continuing to re-share a "Blast from the Past" series that I did back in Season 1 of Behind the Line. It was one of my favourite series and I think really important content for those who may have missed it the first time. The series takes a look at Brené Brown's work in her book, Dare to Lead, and discusses applications to helping professions where it is absolutely IMPERATIVE that we improve leadership and systems, because they are hella broken. I hope you'll share this series with your sphere of influence and t...2023-05-1628 min
Behind The LineBlast From The Past: Daring Leadership Part 3Show Notes:We are continuing to re-share a "Blast from the Past" series that I did back in Season 1 of Behind the Line. It was one of my favourite series and I think really important content for those who may have missed it the first time. The series takes a look at Brené Brown's work in her book, Dare to Lead, and discusses applications to helping professions where it is absolutely IMPERATIVE that we improve leadership and systems, because they are hella broken. I hope you'll share this series with your sphere of influence and t...2023-05-0924 min
Behind The LineBlast From The Past: Daring Leadership Part 2Show Notes:For the next several weeks I am re-sharing a "Blast from the Past" series that I did back in Season 1 of Behind the Line. It was one of my favourite series and I think really important content for those who may have missed it the first time. The series takes a look at Brené Brown's work in her book, Dare to Lead, and discusses applications to helping professions where it is absolutely IMPERATIVE that we improve leadership and systems, because they are hella broken. I hope you'll share this series with your sphere o...2023-05-0225 min
Behind The LineBlast From The Past: Daring Leadership Part 1Show Notes:For the next several weeks I am re-sharing a "Blast from the Past" series that I did back in Season 1 of Behind the Line. It was one of my favourite series and I think really important content for those who may have missed it the first time. The series takes a look at Brené Brown's work in her book, Dare to Lead, and discusses applications to helping professions where it is absolutely IMPERATIVE that we improve leadership and systems, because they are hella broken. I hope you'll share this series with your sphere o...2023-04-2519 min
Behind The LineFamily of Front Line Heroes: Jackie & KathyShow Notes:Today we are continuing our new series called “Family of Front Line Heroes” where I get the chance to speak with spouses and adult children of front line helpers who will be sharing about their experiences, the challenges they have faced, the joys associated with supporting someone on the front lines, and the needs they see for both front line helpers and the families that love them. My hope is that all of you listening will also encourage your family members to listen in and connect more together around how the job is serv...2023-04-181h 03
Behind The LineFamily of Front Line Heroes: Heels & Holster, KristenShow Notes:Today we are continuing our new series called “Family of Front Line Heroes” where I get the chance to speak with spouses and adult children of front line helpers who will be sharing about their experiences, the challenges they have faced, the joys associated with supporting someone on the front lines, and the needs they see for both front line helpers and the families that love them. My hope is that all of you listening will also encourage your family members to listen in and connect more together around how the job is serv...2023-04-111h 00
Behind The LineFamily of Front Line Heroes: Proud Police Wife, Rebecca LynnShow Notes:Today we are digging in to a new series called “Family of Front Line Heroes” where I get the chance to speak with spouses and adult children of front line helpers who will be sharing about their experiences, the challenges they have faced, the joys associated with supporting someone on the front lines, and the needs they see for both front line helpers and the families that love them. My hope is that all of you listening will also encourage your family members to listen in and connect more together around how the job...2023-04-041h 08
Behind The LineIn The Thick of It: Small Steps for Quick Wins Part 4Show Notes: I am so glad to have you here and with me today as we wrap up our series on small steps for quick wins. Today I want to share some of the top ways you can use your body to help your brain and support your mental health, wellness and resilience. Your brain and body are an intertwined system. Your brain offers feedback to your body, and likewise, your body offers feedback to your brain. When we know how the brain and body connect with one another, we can use the bo...2023-03-2819 min
Behind The LineIn The Thick of It: Small Steps for Quick Wins Part 3Show Notes:Continuing our “In the Thick of It: Small Steps for Quick Wins” series, today we are talking about brain building exercises to support resilience.For the purpose of todays episode, I want you to think of your brain like a muscle. Really, like a group of muscles. Each region of your brain performs different jobs to serve your needs, and much like a muscle, the more one region is used, the stronger it gets. I’ve used this example before, but it’s been a long time and I think it...2023-03-2116 min
Behind The LineIn the Thick of It: Small Steps for Quick Wins Part 2Show Notes:We are coming back to our new series, “In the Thick of It: Small Steps for Quick Wins”. During this series I will be bringing you some of my favourite tools. These are things that are not rocket science, are totally able to be integrated into your life, no matter how crazy and chaotic it is, and that are guaranteed to make a difference if you apply them consistently. I teased this one a bit at the end of last week’s episode, so you might already know that this week we’re t...2023-03-1415 min
Behind The LineIn the Thick of It: Small Steps for Quick Wins Part 1Show Notes:During the month of March, we are going to be launching our latest series called “In the Thick of It: Small Steps for Quick Wins”. During this series I will be bringing you some of my favourite tools – things that are not rocket science, are totally able to be integrated into your life, no matter how crazy and chaotic it is, and that are guaranteed to make a difference if you apply them consistently. Today I want to tell you about one of my all time favourite tools – called Opposite Action. Before I...2023-03-0717 min
Behind The LineNormal People Problems: Crisis Response Clutter Management with Simply Organized for YouShow Notes:As we continue in our “Normal People Problems” series we are diving in to the common challenges of managing a home and the unique and nuanced features of staying organized while working in first response or front line work. I am delighted to be joined by the pair behind Simply Organized For You, Christine & Naddine. These two professional home organizers know their stuff and are sharing their tips for staying on top of things. Check out Simply Organized For You on their website, or go be soothed by their pretty pictures on In...2023-02-2840 min
Behind The LineNormal People Problems: First Response Finances with Sandy & AlbertShow Notes:As we continue in our “Normal People Problems” series we are diving in to the common challenges of mastering money and the unique and nuanced features of finances while working in first response or front line work. I am honoured to be joined by Sandy Yong, author of The Money Master: What They Don’t Teach You About Wealth & Investing, and her husband, Albert Ho, nurse and author of Checkmate: How to Win The Sales Game in Healthcare. Today we touch on the challenges of saving, maximizing opportunities to build wealth, and bei...2023-02-211h 01
Behind The LineNormal People Problems: Front Line Parenting with KarenShow Notes:As we continue in our “Normal People Problems” series we are diving in to the common challenges of parenting and the unique and nuanced features of parenting while working in first response or front line work. I am thrilled to be joined by one of my favourite people on earth, Karen Peters. Karen is a child and family therapist who specializes in parenting support, and she is bringing the goods!Today we touch on the challenges of shift work, the difficulty of being present at home, the transition from work to home...2023-02-141h 03
Behind The LineNormal People Problems: Shift Work Nutrition with RainaShow Notes:Today I am joined by Raina Beugelink, a registered dietitian who is luckily (and happily) married to a first responder. She’s worked in private practice for almost ten years in weight management and chronic disease management. She feels incredibly passionate about supporting shift workers and first responders increase their energy and improve their health, as she’s seen firsthand the toll it can take on them and their families. She’s worked with police officers, dispatchers, fire fighters, paramedics, heavy equipment operators, physicians, nurses, and other front-line workers use nutrition strategies to fuel the...2023-02-0754 min
Behind The LineWhat To Do When You've "Done" The Work: Reconnecting to the WorldShow Notes:We have been talking about how to know when you have “done” the work of healing from trauma and stress-related concerns. We have touched on what to look for to let you know that you are through the thick of it, as well as what comes next to maintain the gains you’ve worked so hard for. Today, we are focusing in on the last major piece of the puzzle that comes when you have done the hard work of healing. To tell you about it, I am going to quote from Judith Herman...2023-01-3124 min
Behind The LineWhat To Do When You've "Done" The Work: Retain ResilienceShow Notes:Today, I want us to talk about resilience, and how we work at retaining the resilience we have cultivated so that we don’t find ourselves in over our heads again. This piggybacks on what we talked about last week – we can’t know what we need to do for resilience if we can’t see the forest for the trees and know what’s going on for us. Awareness is ALWAYS the first and most important step – everything else works from there. Now, resilience is a word that I find has some cult...2023-01-2419 min
Behind The LineWhat To Do When You've "Done" The Work: Assess & AdjustShow Notes:The last couple of episodes we established some of the things to look for to help guide you in knowing where you are at in the process of healing. To get here you’ve put in a ton of work, and I’m sure that it has not been easy. But, now what??The primary focus is to stay on top of things and to maintain all you’ve worked so hard to accomplish. How do you do that? Well, this may sound too simple, but the answer is this: assess and ad...2023-01-1720 min
Behind The LineWhat To Do When You've "Done" The Work: How To Know (Part Two)Show Notes: If you missed the intro to our latest series last week, here’s a quick recap: Based on listener feedback, we received a request to talk about how to know when you’re done the work of trauma processing, and what to do once you have “done” the work of therapy or healing. If you missed last week, you’ll want to be sure to go back and start there as it was part one of a two-part intro around how to know when you’re done the work – and today’s episode follows...2023-01-1025 min
Behind The LineWhat To Do When You've "Done" The Work: How To Know (Part One)Show Notes:As we kick off this new year, we are also kicking off a new series here on Behind the Line and covering a topic we haven’t tackled before. Back in the fall I put out a question to my followers on social media, and I was so grateful for the thoughtful responses. The question was simply, what would you like to hear about on the podcast? And yes, for those of you who listen but aren’t following me on facebook and Instagram, I do connect there and engage with your questions, feed...2023-01-0320 min
Behind The LineQuiet in the Chaos: Connection Inward & With OthersShow Notes:We have been look at simplifying and finding genuine meaning in the midst of the chaos of the holiday season. This week we are focusing in on how to connect with our own selves, and how this is a stepping stone to strengthen relationships with others. Don't miss this discussion on immersing ourselves in studying our own internal landscape - it may sound a bit cooky, but it is essential!!Episode Challenge:Sit with the questions outlined in the show: What does your internal landscape look like...2022-12-2708 min
Behind The LineQuiet in the Chaos: Reflect, Refine, RechargeShow Notes:We have been diving into simplifying and finding genuine meaning in the midst of the chaos of the holiday season. Today we are digging into what we value and looking at how this can evolve and change over time. We are talking about how to reflect on what serves us, as well as what doesn't serve us well; how to refine what we choose to better reflect what serves us meaningfully; and ways to recharge in the midst of it - both passively as well as actively. Episode Challenge:2022-12-2013 min
Behind The LineQuiet in the Chaos: Values & What Matters MostShow Notes:Last week we opened the conversation of finding quiet in the chaos of the holiday season and working to shape the expectations we allow to have placed on us to be more reflective of who we want to be, what feels important to us and what we choose for ourselves during this season. I shared that our family loves a lot of really meaningful traditions and rituals and I already feel like we are well into them. We have our tree up and decorated, the lights on the house, and this past weekend...2022-12-1310 min
Behind The LineQuiet in the Chaos: Expectations & SimplifyingShow Notes: December has arrived and we are into that time of year that many people experience as a love/hate relationship. The holiday season can come with a lot for us. There can be a lot of joy and excitement and connection, but there can also be a lot of overwhelm, stress, and grieving. For many who work in First Response and Front Line Work, there are added factors, like being on call or working over the holidays while the rest of the world seems to be allowed to hibernate and enjoy their families b...2022-12-0611 min
Behind The LineImpacts of Trauma: When the Body Says "No"Show Notes:We have been on a journey this whole month, talking about early indicators to be watchful for and aware of as people who work in higher risk jobs. If you’ve been listening, you’ll know that we’ve been talking about the things that let us know that we are changing, being changed, and that we need to know what to look for so that we can intervene early and catch it before we’ve gone too far down the rabbit hole. We have touched on the heavy hitters – hypervigilance, dissociatio...2022-11-2922 min
Behind The LineImpacts of Trauma: NumbingShow Notes:Today we are continuing in our series on the impacts of trauma, and we are really trying to focus on the early indicators that alert us that trauma is starting to take a toll. The goal we are working toward is to be able to notice these earlier so we can catch them and intervene earlier and prevent ourselves and others from landing in my office…or worse. Your job as a First Responder or Front Line Worker comes with risks – we know that. It isn’t new information. And no one is better...2022-11-2224 min
Behind The LineImpacts of Trauma: Nightmares & FlashbacksShow Notes:You guys, we are back and talking some more about early indicators for trauma and stress-related injuries that are common to front line workers. We’ve been talking about how important it is to be familiar with what to look for in yourself and those around you, so you can catch things early and ensure your wellness. For your sake, for the sake of the job you love, and for the sake of those who love you. This is crucially important stuff you guys, believe me, I know – because it’s what every client...2022-11-1524 min
Behind The LineImpacts of Trauma: DissociationShow Notes:We are continuing in a new series around what to look for and be aware of as professionals more exposed and more likely to suffer from things like PTSD and related occupational stress injuries. This comes after so much feedback that I hear about first responders and front line workers getting a lot of lip service advising to be on the lookout and conscientious about the risks for stress-related impacts of the job – but then aren’t given any information or tools to help know what the hell to actually be looking for that...2022-11-0821 min
Behind The LineImpacts of Trauma: HypervigilanceShow Notes:Since starting this podcast, one of the most frustrating things I hear all too often is that as front line workers you are told to be aware of trauma. To be looking out for PTSD. To be on alert that you are at higher risk for stress-related mental health concerns. …But then never being told WHAT to look for. Not knowing what exactly PTSD looks like, feels like. How to know when there’s a problem, before it’s so bad that you can’t convince yourself to get out of bed and face the...2022-11-0123 min
Behind The LineSupport & Anchoring (Reclaiming Self Series)Show Notes:We have been talking about alignment for the last few weeks – the way we intentionally align ourselves with the kind of people we want to be. We’ve been talking about how to be the authors of our own stories, rather than bystanders while life writes our story for us. We’ve talked about how to be a scientist and use curiosity, experimentation and learning to craft alignment and tweak it to serve us and our goals for our own lives. Today we are wrapping up our series on reclaiming self, and foc...2022-10-2522 min
Behind The LineLearning & Adjusting (Reclaiming Self Series)Show Notes:The process of considering alignment and experimentation involves asking questions about what might fill my bank account back up. What feeds my spirit? What brings energy? What replenishes? Or, at minimum, what limits the rate at which I get depleted? Last episode I shared some examples from my own life and what felt noteworthy to me as I shared them was just how small and simple most of them were. Taking a multivitamin, experimenting with when I exercise and what kind of exercise I enjoy most, trying out something silly like c...2022-10-1821 min
Behind The LineExperimentation & Self-Discovering (Reclaiming Self Series)Show Notes:The really cool but often uncomfortable thing about life changes is that they open up an opportunity, a potential, for learning and growth. They tend to push us into a place of HAVING to do something differently, and by extension, learning about ourselves, what fits for us and what doesn’t, and sorting our way through how we either contort ourselves or how we make things contort to fit us. Like I said, it tends to be uncomfortable – because as people we crave routine, stability, predictability, and so on. We like to kn...2022-10-1126 min
Behind The LineCrafting Control (Detangling Identity Series)Show Notes:Today we are continuing our series on detangling identity and we’re focusing this episode on crafting control.The challenge with the kind of work you do, is that while it draws people who enjoy feeling in control – it is an unending stream of out-of-control mess. Whether it’s the calls or the work-related risks or the organizational dynamics, there is SO much that happens that is not in our control. So, what do you think that means when we’ve enmeshed our sense of identity, our sense of self, wit...2022-01-1820 min
Behind The LineBuilding Balance (Detangling Identity Series)Show Notes:We are into our latest series on detangling identity and we’re going to talk today about building balance. Here is the thing about balance: life balance is not a fixed point. Life, and people within life, are never fixed points. We are always changing and adapting. Life is always moving and flexing. Ebbing and flowing. Think of it a bit more like balancing on a stand up paddle board on ocean waves. You might find a balance at one moment when the waves are calmer and the water is more sti...2022-01-1124 min
Behind The LineThe Risk of Becoming the Job (Detangling Identity Series)Show Notes:Today’s episode we are kicking off a new series on de-tangling identity from the work we do. In this episode we talk about the commonness of enmeshed identity with work, cultural norms that support this kind of enmeshment, as well as the risks involved. In coming weeks we will tackle skills to work at de-tangling our identities from the work we do. In this episode I cite a couple of articles – check them out here:The Atlantic article by Derek Thompson, here.Psychology Today article, “You are not your wo...2022-01-0421 min
Behind The LineEmotional Grounding & Brain Health (Back to Basics Series)Show Notes:These last couple of weeks we’ve talked about physical grounding to help anchor our bodies to the present. We have also talked about mental grounding to help our brains turn on the prefrontal cortex and offer counterbalancing support to the stress centre in an effort to approach times of stress with our whole brains working to solve problems rather than just our survival mode working on overdrive. Today we are going to talk about emotional grounding – another term for which is “self-soothing”. And when we use these three forms of grounding together, consiste...2021-12-2824 min
Behind The LineMental Grounding & Brain Health (Back to Basics Series)Show Notes:We are back talking about grounding skills and ways to strengthen and resource our brain so that our brain can do it’s best, allowing us to be OUR best. Last week we talked about some basics around what grounding is and how it works. We also focused on practical and applicable strategies for physical grounding, which uses our bodies to help turn on parts of our brain that help to counterbalance our stress centre and regulate our system. Today we are going to be taking it one step further and we’re talk...2021-12-2116 min
Behind The LinePhysical Grounding & Brain Health (Back to Basics Series)Show Notes:In today’s episode we are continuing to work on back to basics for brain health and we are finishing this series by address grounding. What exactly is grounding? Grounding is a term we use to describe various activities that help people to feel anchored to present time, space and capacity. So often in the busy-ness of our lives, we get caught up in thinking about the past, or focused on the future. Thinking of that next place I need to be or reflecting on that time way back when… When we are spending time in p...2021-12-1417 min
Behind The LineScreens & Brain Health (Back to Basics Series)Show Notes:Today we continue our series on Back to Basics for Brain Health and we are diving into the digital era’s great controversy – screens and brain health. Let’s start with talking about the common challenges that come up around digital health for First Responders and Front Line Workers. Some of the most common ones I hear in my office include feeling tired and finding social media scrolling, video games or TV to be easy, passive ways of feeling like they are “doing” something without actually having to “do” much of anything. Anoth...2021-12-0726 min
Behind The LineMind-Body & Brain Health (Back to Basics Series)Show Notes:Thanks so much to Olivia Mead from Yoga for First Responders – check out YFFR and learn more here.I am grateful for our conversation and the chance to dig into the brain science behind yoga and insights into training our brains to offer their best back to us. I so value Olivia’s background and deep-rootedness in the research as well as her commitment to supporting our community heroes who serve and sacrifice. We talk in this episode about taking yoga out of the chic studios and getting back to gr...2021-11-301h 00
Behind The LineSleep & Brain Health (Back to Basics Series)Show Notes:Thanks so much to Dr. Glenn Landry, sleep specialist and creator of the Survive Shift Workprogram. Glenn has generously offered our listeners a 40% discount on this program using exclusive coupon code: BEHINDTHELINE. To learn more about Glenn’s work, his program, and private sleep coaching services – you can learn more at elitesleep.ca. During this episode we talk about the common challenges with sleep facing those who work on the front lines, including falling asleep; staying asleep; nightmares; panic waking; and “bedtime revenge procrastination”. Dr. Landry walks us through what it means to...2021-11-231h 02
Behind The LineNutrition & Brain Health (Back to Basics Series)Show Notes:Today I am joined by naturopathic doctor, Catherine Multari to discuss common challenges faced by First Responders and Front Line Workers when it comes to nutrition, and strategies to benefit our brains to support sustainable health through nutrition and supplementation. And yes, we go WAY beyond “salad good, junk food bad” and work to make our conversation applicable to real people with real lives and the need for convenience in the midst of the chaos. Catherine Multari is a licensed naturopathic doctor. She has been practicing in Port Moody, BC for two ye...2021-11-1656 min
Behind The LineFitness & Brain Health (Back to Basics Series)Show Notes:Thanks so much to Aaron Zamzow (aka “Zam”) for taking the time to join me today. What a gift! Zam is the owner of Fire Rescue Fitness, with a background in personal training and then experience in the fire service. He has blended these pieces to create intentional fitness program to develop functional fitness tailored to the needs of the job. Today we connected to chat about the impacts of fitness on brain health. We dig into the challenges and barriers that get in the way of prioritizing fitness, ways to circu...2021-11-0950 min
Behind The LineBack to Basics Brain HealthShow Notes:We’ve wrapped up our therapy 101 series and we’re moving into a new series called “Back to Basics”. In my role as a therapist, I find that a lot of my time with clients, especially when they first start coming to therapy, is spent supporting them in addressing some pretty basic concerns – things like sleep, nutrition, movement, and other pieces that contribute to their brain health and their brains ability to be resilient. We have to address these pieces because if we don’t, they’ll continue to undermine the work we’re trying to do...2021-11-0219 min
Behind The LineWhen Goldilocks Meets Therapy (Therapy 101 Series)Show Notes:Thanks so much to T.C. Randall, ER Nurse of 14 years and author of The View From The Wrong Side of The Day (Buy his book, it’s great!), as well as Jennifer Pound, recently retired RCMP Staff Sgt. and face of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) in Vancouver, and creator of the blog Fuel For First Responders. We broke this conversation about their experiences navigating therapy with an occupational stress injury into two parts. This week we talk about finding the right fit with a therapist and working to rec...2021-10-2628 min
Behind The LineTherapy Is Like A Pair Of Jeans (Therapy 101 Series)Show Notes:Thanks so much to T.C. Randall, ER Nurse of 14 years and author of The View From The Wrong Side of The Day (Buy his book, it’s great!), as well as Jennifer Pound, recently retired RCMP Staff Sgt. and face of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) in Vancouver, and creator of the blog Fuel For First Responders. We broke this conversation about their experiences navigating therapy with an occupational stress injury into two parts. This week we talk about the difficulties navigating the system and accessing support that fit.2021-10-1942 min
Behind The LineThe Skinny on Therapy and Finding Your Fit (Therapy 101 Series)Show Notes:HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!! I prefer giving over receiving, so for my birthday week I declare a blitz giveaway of my full resilience training program, Beating the Breaking Point, designed specifically for First Responders and Front Line Workers!! Go to the page and click to register before 11:59PM on Monday October 18th. Use code BIRTHDAY to get this 7-part online training program for ONLY $99!Today we’re continuing our series on therapy 101 – focusing today on where to look for a counsellor; what to look for in a counsellor; what to ask a po...2021-10-1226 min
Behind The LineIn The Room Where It Happens (Therapy 101 Series)Show Notes:Today we are kicking off our series on therapy for First Responders & Front Line Workers and the topics we’re hitting in this episode include: what therapy is all about, where to find a counsellor, and what to look for in a counsellor.What a therapist is: This will vary depending on where you live. Here in British Columbia, and in many provinces throughout Canada, counselling and therapy are not “regulated” professions. What that means is that literally anyone can go out and call themselves a counsellor or a therapist without having any specif...2021-10-0620 min
Behind The LineIn the Dark Hole (Suicide Prevention Series)Show Notes:Today we are finishing our series on suicide risk prevention, and in some ways we’re wrapping up in the place I intended for us to start. Today we’re talking about what it is like to be the person in the deep dark hole. We’re going to talk about the slippery slope that tends to send us into the hole, how to recognize the hole we’re in, ways to work at intervening to try to find a ladder back out and resources and supports that can help to do thatWha...2021-09-2826 min
Behind The LineGrief & "Business as Usual" (Suicide Prevention Series)Show Notes:We are continuing our series on suicide prevention and today we are talking about how we cope when we haven’t been able to prevent a suicide – what we do when our workplace is impacted by the loss of a co-worker who has died by suicide. As we’ve identified in this series so far, those working in first response and front line work are at a higher risk of suicide than the average population, and as such it also means that we’re at higher risk of grieving the loss of a co-worker to suicide...2021-09-2122 min
Behind The LineElephant in the Room (Suicide Prevention Series)Show Notes:We are continuing on with our series on suicide prevention for First Responders and Front Line Workers in the workplace. In today’s episode we’re talking about how to name the elephant in the room and really identify the risks of suicide within front line workplaces. I know that it can feel hard and uncomfortable to confront this topic – we can find it difficult to look it in the eyes. I’ve talked to so many people about this and consistently what I hear is this: we’re afraid of naming it, because na...2021-09-1416 min
Behind The LineRisky Business (Suicide Prevention Series)Show Notes:Welcome to season 2 of Behind the Line! We are kicking off this season with a big topic: suicide prevention in the workplace for First Responders & Front Line Workers. As we head into this series, I anticipate it will bring up some discomfort, and possibly some grief for those who have been impacted by the loss of co-workers or others due to suicide. Today’s episode will cover some of the requisite skills we’re going to need as we walk into this topic together for the coming month. I’ve included some additional resour...2021-09-0725 min
Behind The LineFront Line Families & Single ParentingShow Notes:Thank you to Maria for joining me today and sharing her story and thoughts around ways to manage the balancing act of front line work and the unique challenges of single parenting. I so deeply appreciate her willingness to share her insights. During this episode Maria shares about the challenges she has faced in finding a balance – an ever changing balance to be sure! She shared about having to “always be on” and that others who have a partner or additional help may not understand the feeling of constant pressure and having...2021-06-2942 min
Behind The LineFront Line Families & Family LifeShow Notes:Today we are continuing in our series on front line families and the topic today is around family life and cultivating a legacy with intention. During this episode I invite you to think back and reflect on your own experiences within your family of origin; your experiences throughout your lifespan; and the multi-generational impacts that continue to show up and inform who and how you are today. I encourage you to work at engaging similarly in understanding the context and “baggage” of others in your life who you are close with. Durin...2021-06-2224 min
Behind The LineFront Line Families & ParentingShow Notes:Today I am joined by clinical counsellor Heather Toews to discuss the challenges facing First Responders and Front Line Workers who are also juggling the art of parenting. We spend time talking about the difficult transition from work to home, from the perspective of Heather’s previous experience as a child protection social worker. We talk about the impact of what we see on the front lines and the ways this can infiltrate our parenting. And we dig into some tangible ways to work at supporting ourselves and our kids to separate the in...2021-06-1553 min
Behind The LineFront Line Families & PartneringShow Notes:Today we are shifting gears from our series on daring leadership to a new series on front line families. Tin this episode we are focusing on partnering and the challenges that couples face as a result of the unique stressors involved in first response and front line work. I break down 4 of the common concerns I hear from front line couples/families and work to get clear on the heart of what’s happening and some skills to regroup and reconnect.The 4 common concerns I hear from front line families include:...2021-06-0828 min
Behind The LineDaring Leadership & Tying It All TogetherShow Notes:…And that’s a wrap! Today’s episode wraps up our series following Brené Brown’s work from her book, Dare to Lead. This episode includes the bits and pieces we skipped over along the way for the sake of time, as well as some thoughts to tie together the concepts from the book with the interviews with T.C. Randall and Jennifer Pound, as well as with general applications in a front line work pace and environment. Before we jumped into the episode topic, I mentioned a couple of exciting pieces…2021-06-0129 min
Behind The LineDaring Leadership & Fuel for First Responders (with Jennifer Pound, Retired RCMP)Show Notes: I am grateful to Jennifer Pound for joining me today. Some of the pieces that stood out to me in our conversation, as it relates to aspects of the system that need to change and tools that daring leaders can work to engage with more intentionally included:· Limited training around PTSD and mental health related OSI’s, which reduces our ability to self-assess and identify our risks and needs early on in the process. This increases our risk for a greater degree of impact.· Lack of accessibility to treatment or interventi...2021-05-2557 min
Behind The LineDaring Leadership & The View From The Wrong Side Of The DayShow Notes:I am so thankful to T.C. Randall for joining me today, sharing his experience as an ER Nurse of 14 years now off on medical leave due to work-related PTSD. Our conversation today focuses on the impacts of broken systems to the very real people working to offer services and make a difference to our communities…people exactly like you. We also work to talk about our perspectives around what needs to change and where we can collectively work to transform the system from the inside out. T.C. Also discusses these topics and mor...2021-05-181h 01Behind The LineLeadership & Learning to RiseShow Notes:Today’s episode covers the final aspect of daring leadership, following the work of Brené Brown in her book, Dare to Lead: Learning to Rise. This episode is all about how to handle the hard moments, and how to make them more fruitful for individuals and teams. The learning to rise process focuses on three main pieces: the reckoning, the rumble and the revolution. The reckoning: This is all about awareness – building our own awareness of when we’re stumbling into a problem or hard interactions, cultivating awareness of our emotions and needs, and preparin...2021-05-1128 min
Behind The LineLeadership & TrustShow Notes: We are continuing in our series on daring leadership following the work of Brené Brown in her book, Dare to Lead. Today we are focusing on the third area of courageous and daring leadership: BRAVING trust. In this episode we break down the BRAVING acronym for trust and discuss the value and importance of trust in cultivating committed and caring workplace cultures.Brené and her team have already done the hard work of summarizing the acronym into a beautiful downloadable pdf, and you can find that here under The Braving Inventory. Thi...2021-05-0428 min
Parenting in the Trenches with Karen PetersPass the Mic: An interview with the host, by Lindsay FaasDear Parents,Yes, I'm a little nervous. I've agreed to pass the hosting mic to a colleague, friend and fellow momma who plans to chuck a bunch of personal questions my way. I've committed to answering from the heart in honour of the guests I've interviewed who have done just that for me. Seems only fair, I guess!If you're wondering about who the heck I am, why I do the work I do and whatever else Lindsay thinks you should know about me, tune in for this mystery conversation! (Lindsay, go easy on me, please!)2021-04-3039 min
Behind The LineLeadership & Our ValuesShow Notes: As we continue our series on daring leadership, following the work of Brené Brown and her book Dare to Lead, today we are talking about living into our values. This is about being able to identify what is important to us and ways to engage in our lives that align with these values. Too often we fail to reflect on our values and they become background to our daily choices. We go into survival mode, getting through the days and the challenges but lacking intention. Living into our values asks us to...2021-04-2724 min
Behind The LineLeadership & The Power of EmpathyShow Notes:Today we are tackling empathy which involves a set of five skills. Together these skills and the act of engaging empathically is a lynchpin piece in the willingness to rumble with vulnerability – which is one of the four components of daring leadership identified by Brené Brown’s research. During this video we identify the value of empathy lies in our ability to connect in a real and meaningful way with people, who are high value assets within systems and organizations. We need people to bring their best in order to offer the be...2021-04-2025 min
Behind The LineBroken Systems, Leadership & the RumbleShow Notes: Today we are in week two of our series on daring leadership and cultivating a new generation of leaders who are equipped to lead with courage and transform the broken systems from the inside out. We are continuing to follow Brené Brown’s work, primarily from her book, Dare to Lead. Today we are focusing in on the first of four skills sets that she identifies as components of courage, which is a key facet of daring leadership.As a reminder…Brené Brown defines leadership as, “anyone who takes responsib...2021-04-1327 min
Behind The LineChanging the System from the Inside OutShow Notes:Among the many challenges facing First Responders & Front Line Workers, systemic toxic workplace dynamics is a significant factor impacting wellness. Every front line worker I have ever known has identified this as a stressor they experience and has been a significant factor in the decline of worker wellness for far more people than it should be. Today we are talking about these realities, as well as a challenge to raise up a new generation of leaders who are equipped to lead from a place of wellness and with a focus on wellness, with...2021-04-0619 min
Behind The LineProcessing a Pandemic with Courtney JewellShow Notes:Courtney Jewell is an ICU nurse in Calgary, AB. In November 2020, during the "second wave" and the wave of anti-mask backlash from those with "COVID-fatigue" and the ongoing politicization of masking, Courtney posted her frustration on her social media. It went viral and was picked up by news sources across Canada (check out the Global coverage here). Here is what she shared, and you can link to her post here. "I have been absolutely disgusted by the comments made by fellow Albertans on Facebook posts and news articles. These horrific Internet Trolls are s...2021-03-301h 04
Behind The LineProcessing In CommunityShow Notes:In today’s episode, we are talking about how to process our experiences (COVID-related or otherwise) with others in our lives. We are talking about shaping interactions intentionally and pro-actively – whether these be with colleagues who “get it” or our communities of supporters outside of the work who don’t necessarily get it, but care about us and want to offer what they can. We talk about seven key steps to setting up an interaction for success in an effort to process and make sense of our experiences. These seven steps are laid out in a f...2021-03-2321 min
Behind The LineWhat We Need To Process A PandemicShow Notes:In this week’s episode we are talking about the pieces that we need to have in place to set ourselves up for success as we work at processing experiences, including (but not limited to) something with the magnitude of a freaking pandemic. If you missed last weeks episode, you’ll want to go back and start there as much of this weeks episode is predicated on understanding what it means to process, which was the focus of last week’s discussion. Also, in case you missed it and would find it helpful, I’ve i...2021-03-1622 min
Behind The LineWhat It Means To 'Process' A PandemicShow Notes:COVID-19 has hit the world hard, in ways we were largely unprepared for. But no one was hit quite the way First Responders and Front Line Workers were. Being in the thick of it, with your own fears and risks, showing up because you’ve committed to helping – there’s been no time or space or support to step back and really take stock of all that’s happened. All that’s been asked of you. During this episode I share my concern that if we don’t ensure our front liners are equipped to...2021-03-0931 min
Behind The LineDoing the $h!t and Making It HappenShow Notes:This week we are finishing off our 5 week series on self-care, and today’s episode focuses on how we make lasting change and habits to go the distance. During this episode I talk about the Stages of Change Model by Prochaska and DiClamente which includes 6 stages. I have created an infographic that summarizes the stages and you can find it here. The Stages of Change Model is helpful in clarifying that change is not a one-and-done kind of process – it takes time, effort and repetition. We may slip and feel like we’ve gone “...2021-03-0227 min
Behind The LineBrass Tacks: Making Self-Care PracticalShow Notes:As we near the end of our 5 week series on self-care, this episode focuses on getting practical and ensuring you are equipped to build a plan that will stand the test of time. Here are the key areas we talk about during this episode:1. The core of what we are doing here is showing care, make sure you are orienting your plan back to this over and over again.2. It has to fit. Make your plan flexible and diverse so it can meet the changing needs of your daily life a...2021-02-2325 min
Behind The LineMe, Myself & I: Making Self-Care PersonalShow Notes:A self-care plan needs to reflect you – your interests, needs and lifestyle. It has to fit like a glove, or you’ll be fighting against it rather than allowing it to work for you. In this episode we are digging in to strategies to help us personalize a plan that will be as unique as you are, and the framework to support adapting that plan as you grow, change and evolve as a person over time, or as your needs or time change due to situations and circumstances. Remember, the point of a comp...2021-02-1624 min
Behind The LineArchitecture 101: Making Self-Care StrategicShow Notes:In this episode we are talking about the strategy involved in creating a useful, meaningful and sustainable self-care plan. For plans to be useful they have to actually be grounded in reality and practicality – without that they’ll just sit on the backburner, never being implemented. Our goal is to understand the ways to diversify our self-care plan to ensure we have a plan for every circumstance. During this episode we talk about 4 key areas to keep in mind as you consider crafting a self-care plan:1. Keep time in mind: self-care actions...2021-02-0925 min
Behind The LineMythbusting: What Self-Care ISN'T...Show Notes:Today’s episode kicks off a 5 week series on self-care. I know, everyone and their dog talk about self-care but what is it really all about – can it be more than bubble baths and spa days? Join me as we focus today’s episode on dispelling the myths about self-care and focus on the science around how this tool works as a foundational element of a strategic action plan for wellness to create sustainability, both on the job and off.In this episode, we cover 4 common myths and work at debunking them...2021-02-0225 min
Behind The LineBoots on the Ground Mindfulness - An Interview with a Member of the RCMPShow Notes:Thanks again to Ryan for sharing his experience as a member of the RCMP who is integrating mindfulness skills and willing to talk about what this looks like. I so value those who are willing to speak up and speak out to help change the culture in front line workplaces. I hope you enjoy listening in to this conversation and encourage you to take note of the ways that Ryan shares how he works at anchoring into what he values as a way to be mindful and maintain sanity (listen to Episode 4 for more on what...2021-01-2642 min
Behind The LineMindfulness Arsenal for a Tactical AdvantageShow Notes:In last week’s episode (Episode 7 if you want to hunt it down), we made the case for why mindfulness matters and how it helps to strengthen the parts of your brain that help to counterbalance your stress centre and the overwhelming amounts of persistent stress you face as a result of your work. This week, we focus on practical mindfulness tools and ways to incorporate these into your daily life as a consistent practice. Consider these skills a workout for your brain – little bits often add up to mean more than you migh...2021-01-1928 min
Behind The LineWorking Out Your Mindfulness MusclesShow Notes:Today’s episode digs into the myths and truths about mindfulness in an effort to make the case for implementing mindfulness skills as a part of our strategic wellness action plan. An episode like this is necessary because I see SO many front line workers roll their eyes when we talk about mindfulness and related skills, like they can’t imagine this kind of “new-age BS hippy-dippy junk” (actual words I’ve heard from clients and those I know) can be useful to them. But the science doesn’t lie, and it behooves us to take a...2021-01-1223 min
Behind The LineA New Hope (...paradoxically episode four??)Show Notes:In today’s show we are talking about the importance of hope in surviving life on the front lines, and how to go about engaging with hope intentionally and strategically. Too often we take hope for granted or we undervalue it. But without hope, we don’t stand a chance in this line of work. And because of the work you do and what you interact with, hope tends to be quickly eroded – often without realizing it – and we’re left with being swallowed up by the suffering witnessed day to day. Hope doesn’t ju...2021-01-0528 min
Behind The Line2020: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (A Front Liners Year In Review)Show Notes:This year has been a lot of things, and it has called us to be flexible, adaptable and responsive in a myriad of ways. Thanks to my roles as a trauma therapist and the director of the largest counselling clinic in my area, as well as being a mom of school-aged kids, spouse to a stay at home parent stuck with kids all day, friend and family member, I have had so many vantage points to observe some of the challenges that COVID has brought to light for us. Re...2020-12-2923 min
Behind The LineSailor Slang, Investment Banking and Front Line WellnessShow Notes:Anchoring is a process of connecting with intention to the people, things and experiences that matter to us. Anchoring helps us to feel a sense of stability and security even when things get bumpy. It helps us to feel connected to what feels meaningful and mattering about us and about our lives.Much like a ship attempting to anchor into varying types of underwater surfaces, we can try to anchor to different aspects of our lives. Being intentional about knowing and choosing those aspects that create the greatest sense of connection...2020-12-2225 min
Behind The LineFront Line Families - Balancing the Cost & The Protection of ConnectionShow Notes:Thank you to Meredith for joining me today to talk about her experiences as a front line family member from multiple vantage points. Meredith was raised by two front line parents, her mom as a nurse and her dad as a paramedic. She became a nurse herself and has been working on the front lines for 13 years. She married a member of the Canadian Armed Forces and they are raising their three young kids and working to balance life on the front lines. I am so thankful for Meredith’s vulnerability and openness. Me...2020-12-1545 min
Behind The LineCars, Potholes and Strategic Action Plans for WellnessShow Notes: In an effort to get proactive, we are talking about what it looks like to develop a strategic wellness action plan. A strategic action plan for wellness is crafted, personal and intentional. It works to respond to your unique needs, interests and situation. It is created to support your resilience.In this episode we define resilience as: "an ability to recover from or adjust to misfortune, stress or change in a way that accepts the truth of the suffering, acknowledges the depth of impact the suffering has, and seeks to make...2020-12-0823 min
Behind The LineReclaiming Control and Getting Proactive on the Front LinesShow Notes:First Responders & Front Line Workers face unique challenges including persistent stress and systems that tend to focus on reactive supports rather than proactive ones.Reactive support can be helpful, but fails to account for the compound effects of life on the front lines.Proactive support focuses on prevention and early intervention tools to and helps to keep our metaphorical "mess" under control.Critical incidents do not exist in a vacuum. Critical incidents are a hard part of the work you do, but they are not the defining features of what is difficult in your work...2020-11-1122 min
Wealthy TeachersAMB 050: Caitlin Faas on the Freedom and Flexibility Outside the AcademyLindsay and Caitlin discuss feeling like you don’t belong while taking action outside the academy. Join Caitlin, Lindsay, and all your favorite guest in the AMB Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AMBcommunity/ About Caitlin: Caitlin Faas, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of psychology and life coach who is committed to helping busy professionals be their best selves on their academic path. Common issues include: feeling like a fraud, procrastination, and feeling stuck on next steps. As a speaker, she presents on generational issues with expertise in millennials and em...2018-11-201h 17