Responder Resilience Podcast

01/09/2026

[Redefining Purpose: A First Responder’s Path to Healing from Trauma] Trauma does not have to define you, but it can fuel purpose through intentional reflection and action.

The need for highly-trained and seasoned first responders is greater today than ever before in history, and the need continues to grow.[1] With these growing needs come increased risks and real-life challenges for the men and women who serve, including, but not limited to, a lack of resources, short...

01/08/2026

[A diagnosis for the broken spirit: What DSM-5 recognition of moral injury means for EMS.] The recent formal recognition of “moral injury” in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)” marks an important evolution in how EMS understands the emotional and ethical toll of their work.

What DSM-5 recognition of moral injury means for EMS

01/08/2026

🚒✨ Get inspired by the incredible journey of FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore, the first female to achieve a 4-star rank in FDNY history. In our latest episode of Responder Resilience, she shares her triumphs, challenges, and the true spirit of service that drives first responders.

🔥 Don’t miss out on this powerful conversation! Click the link to watch the full episode now on LinkedIn, YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts! Let's honor the brave men and women who selflessly serve our communities! 👩‍🚒💪

https://youtube.com/live/7HrmH7O1IuM?feature=share
https://www.linkedin.com/events/breakingbarriers-thejourneyofat7414636955554230272/theater/
https://ResponderTV.com

01/08/2026

In this encore presentation of Responder Resilience, we revisit the compelling journey of retired FDNY EMS Chief Lillian Bonsignore, who recently took on the role of Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department. A trailblazer with a remarkable 31-year career, she became the first female to achieve a 4-star rank in FDNY history.

In this informative episode, Commissioner Bonsignore shares intimate reflections on her challenges, triumphs, and the lessons learned throughout her extraordinary career. From navigating high-pressure EMS incidents to fostering resilience among her team, her insights offer a profound look at leadership and dedication. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation that explores the essence of emergency services through the lens of a true pioneer.

Now available! Helping the Helpers: A Guide to Supporting First Responder Mental Wellness, our new book that equips you to build a First Responder-Centered Practice that works. https://a.co/d/dm0VS4Q

Thanks to our resource partner, CRACKYL. Download the FREE CRACKYL App: http://crackyl.respondertv.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ResponderResilience
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/responderTV
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddachinger/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/responder-resilience/id1606791260
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Ya38lJn9YAaDHkSwZmX18
Our website with past episodes and more: https://www.respondertv.com/

01/06/2026

👁️‍🗨️ Premiere Weds. 1/7 at 7 pm ET—⫸ Replay anytime after

In this encore presentation of Responder Resilience, we revisit the compelling journey of retired FDNY EMS Chief Lillian Bonsignore, who recently took on the role of Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department. A trailblazer with a remarkable 31-year career, she became the first female to achieve a 4-star rank in FDNY history.

In this informative episode, Commissioner Bonsignore shares intimate reflections on her challenges, triumphs, and the lessons learned throughout her extraordinary career. From navigating high-pressure EMS incidents to fostering resilience among her team, her insights offer a profound look at leadership and dedication. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation that explores the essence of emergency services through the lens of a true pioneer.

Now available! Helping the Helpers: A Guide to Supporting First Responder Mental Wellness, our new book that equips you to build a First Responder-Centered Practice that works. https://a.co/d/dm0VS4Q

Thanks to our resource partner, CRACKYL. Download the FREE CRACKYL App: http://crackyl.respondertv.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ResponderResilience
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/responderTV
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddachinger/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/responder-resilience/id1606791260
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Ya38lJn9YAaDHkSwZmX18
Our website with past episodes and more: https://www.respondertv.com/

01/05/2026

🚨 In a world where First Responders save lives… this book could help save theirs. 🚨

By equipping you to answer their 9-1-1 call for HELP, we’re bridging the gap between Responders and the support they truly need.

✨ Based on over 200 powerful conversations and insights from the Responder Resilience podcast, **Helping the Helpers** arms you with the tools to understand their world, speak their language, and gain their trust.

Be the resource they can count on. Order your copy today on Amazon https://a.co/d/c1aBDvY
Or reach out to us at [email protected] for bulk orders.

📚💪

01/03/2026

[Melatonin Risk: What First Responders Need to Know] Melatonin supplements may not be as harmless as commonly assumed.

New research suggests long-term melatonin use may carry cardiovascular risks. What first responders need to know.

01/02/2026

[Bearing Witness: The Privilege and the Price of EMS] If you’re able to really look around sometimes—when you’re not too busy getting the call done—you realize what a strange, wonderful, heartbreaking privilege this job is.
https://www.jems.com/mental-health-wellness/bearing-witness-the-privilege-and-the-price-of-ems/

01/01/2026

Confidential Counseling for EMS: The Power of Word-of-Mouth Success

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🚨 In our latest episode of *Responder Resilience*, we dive into the critical support offered by the EMS FDNY Help Fund for frontline paramedics and EMTs. 💙

Discover how confidential counseling and word-of-mouth success are transforming mental health resources for first responders. 🗣️✨ Join us for this powerful conversation about the untold stories of resilience and the essential care NYC EMS personnel need.

🚑 Watch the episode on YouTube https://youtube.com/live/2__ENj5rbCE
👉 Join the discussion on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/events/alifelinefornyc-semswithguestda7412107790627790848/theater/

01/01/2026

[Defeat Stigma: A New Year's Resolution for First Responders] How annual mental health check-ups can help first responders cope with the job.

Don't let stigma keep you from getting the mental health help you need to build and maintain your resilience.

01/01/2026

In this episode of *Responder Resilience*, we sit down with Danielle Gustafson, the passionate Executive Director of the EMS FDNY Help Fund, a beacon of hope for New York City's Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics. These first responders confront an array of obstacles—from the relentless pressures of their job to the barriers in accessing the care they desperately need.

Danielle reveals the unseen struggles these rescue warriors face, shedding light on how the Help Fund steps in during times of crisis—providing vital support systems in the wake of death, injury, illness, or hardship. We’ll explore the fund’s initiatives, including urgent counseling services and its monumental response during COVID-19, when it provided meals and shelter to those fighting on the frontlines.

Throughout our conversation, we’ll tackle poignant questions: What do NYC’s EMS personnel truly need? How do their challenges differ from those faced by their fire counterparts? This episode unearths the raw truth behind the sirens, the silenced stories of sacrifice, and the unyielding resolve of those who answer the calls. Join us for a compelling dialogue that underscores not just the importance of mental and emotional support for our first responders, but why their well-being is essential for the safety of us all.

Now available! Helping the Helpers: A Clinician’s Guide to First Responder Mental Wellness, our new book that equips you to build a First Responder-Centered Practice that works. https://a.co/d/dm0VS4Q

Thanks to our resource partner, CRACKYL. Download the FREE CRACKYL App: http://crackyl.respondertv.com

And FightCamp: harness the strength of boxing to release stress, build resilience, and connect with a supportive community. For free shipping and a free month of membership, go to https://joinfightcamp.com/shop/ and use the code RRPONE.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ResponderResilience
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/responderTV
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddachinger/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/responder-resilience/id1606791260
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Ya38lJn9YAaDHkSwZmX18
Our website with past episodes and more: https://www.respondertv.com/