Ben is a US Army Veteran who served a one year tour in Afghanistan. Ben's unit was scheduled to return home on June 28th, 2012. On the day before, June 27th, his best friend, Sgt James Skalberg, was killed by an IED Explosion. After coming home, Ben struggled with symptoms of PTSD. After the urging of his wife to get some help, he was able to overcome his diagnosis. A few years later, Ben became a career Firefighter and works in a very busy area of the city. 
We talk about military service, public service and the importance of seeking help if you think you need it.

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Craig is an US Army Ranger Veteran who is passionate about helping other veterans. Last December he participated in the Worlds Toughest Row. A 3,000 mile rowing race across the Atlantic with three other Army Rangers to raise awareness about Veterans Mental Health. Craig is also a fellow Save A Warrior Alum. We attended the same cohort in October of 2021. We talk about what Save A Warrior did for us and Craig also talks about his experience with the Heroic Hearts Project and his plan to become a Soma Breath Certified Instructor to help Veterans!

More information about Save A Warrior:
https://saveawarrior.org/

Worlds Toughest Row Team: Fight Oar Die
https://www.usvetrow.org/

Heroic Hearts Project:
https://heroicheartsproject.org/

Information about Soma Breath:
https://www.somabreath.com/

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Todays episode features Joseph Bonanno.
Joe Bonanno is a 21 year veteran firefighter with the New York City Fire Department and served in Engine 319, Ladder 129 and Ladder 152. Joe’s father was a 34 year FDNY veteran firefighter in Engine 88 and Engine 306 as well as his brother Michael, also a firefighter in Engine 315, Engine 216 and Ladder 7.
While serving as a firefighter, Joe became certified as a fitness trainer and nutritionist with certifications from New York University, The American Council on Exercise, The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and The International Sports Medicine Association.
Joseph started preparing healtier meals at the firehouse for his crew and in 1995, he published his first cookbook, The Healthy Firehouse Cookbook. Joseph also entered and won may firehouse cooking contests which led to appearances on "Live with Regis", The Martha Stewart Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America and many others.
Josephs was with the crew of FDNY Ladder 3 filming a local news spot the morning of 9/11. Later that morning, all 12 crew members would be killed in the collapse of the towers. Joseph and his brother, Michael who was also an FDNY Firefighter spent the following days at ground zero helping to search for any survivors and recover their lost brothers. Sadly, Josephs brother Michael committed suicide in 2012.
Joseph now works to help firefighters who may be struggling with mental health problems by partnering with the Firefighters Behavioral Health Alliance to bring an end to Firefighter Suicide.

Check out the American Firehouse Cuisine Website Here!
https://americanfirehousecuisine.com/

The American Firehouse Cuisine YouTube Show!
https://www.youtube.com/@americanfirehousecuisine

For information about the Firefighters Behavioral Health Alliance:
https://www.ffbha.org/

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On this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with Sgt. Michael Sugrue. Michael is the co-author of the International Best Selling book Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma.
Michael is an USAF Veteran and served with the Phoenix Ravens while in the Air Force. After his time in the military, Michael joined the Walnut Creek Police Department in California. He had the career he had always wanted until December 27th of 2012. Michael and his fellow officers responded to a barricade situation and were confronted with a suspect with a knife. His book covers the incident, the court proceedings years afterwards, his struggles with PTSD and his recovery afterward.

Get his best selling book here!
https://a.co/d/0zu1Qqe

Learn more about the Stellate Gangleon Block Treatment here:
https://stellacenter.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=US-Tier3|SF|Mid-funnel&campaignid=19413658556&adgroupid=143221621645&creative=643128662048&matchtype=p&network=g&device=c&keyword=sgb%20treatment&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0ruyBhDuARIsANSZ3wp97JHgOjfVzkXR-qn3QXg1z1OWs78aPGH83f0uJ4RAhWpGW29KVcYaAmOZEALw_wcB

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On today's episode, we talk with Deborah Green. Deborah retired after 30 years of dispatching for both the Sacramento Police Department and the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office. Deborah was on duty the night of October 23, 2019 when she dispatched a call that no dispatcher ever wants to experience.
The reports of "Shots Fired" and "Officer Down". We talk about her career and how that one night changed everything.

 Did you know that 9-1-1 dispatchers are currently not classified as first responders?
Hard to believe, I know.
At zero cost to American taxpayers, the 9-1-1 SAVES Act reclassifies 9-1-1 dispatchers as first responders and recognizes America's over 100,000 9-1-1 professionals for their work to save lives.
 
Info on the 911 Cares Act below:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2351
&
https://www.afscme.org/blog/911-saves-act-would-honor-dispatchers-give-them-access-to-additional-resources

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On this weeks episode, we have Andrea McKeever! Andrea is a former Law Enforcement Officer / Canine handler and now works for the Ohio Department of Health as a Parent Educator for Help Me Grow to provide assistance to families and children who may need assistance. She has her degree in psychology and works to help "Get Ahead" of the trauma and break the cycle of childhood neglect and abuse. We discuss the "ACES" quiz as well. What it consists of and what it can reveal!

More information on Help Me Grow:
https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/help-me-grow/help-me-grow

Interested in taking the ACES quiz yourself? Follow the link below!
https://americanspcc.org/take-the-aces-quiz/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_qexBhCoARIsAFgBlevFfJFXJFuvLy8zvdZs7WoK8ozmMUTVBGIpSwHBDXdu7XQ_zuWRzE0aAv4OEALw_wcB

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This was an unscheduled recording but I felt it was a necessary one. 
I start off with a short story called "The Soldier in the Hole".  This story rings true to many of us who have found ourselves in those "Dark Holes". Sometimes it can feel like you're alone and all by yourself but I assure you that you are not alone. 
This week, I had a very good friend reach out to me and he was about to take his own life. He needed help and I wasn't sure what to do but I relied on some of the Peer Support training I've had and was able to come up with an unconventional plan to get him some help. 
If you're in that dark hole, please reach out for help. You can dial 988 or go to www.VeteransCrisisLine.net. You can talk, text or chat with someone 24 hours a day. 

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Is there anything better than sitting around the Firehouse Table with a good cup of coffee?  

I don’t think so! 

On today’s episode, we with down with Craig “Nolsy” Nolan. Craig is a US Army Gulf War Veteran, a retired Police Officer and the Founder and Owner of Nolan’s Pour House Coffee Company outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We talk about military service, his career as a police officer, our love for dogs and, of course, the coffee! 

Help support those that support our podcast! Pickup some of the many “Service Themed” coffee styles from Nolan’s Pour House! Use code “Skittles10” to receive 10% off your order! 

www.nolanspourhouse.com 

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In the first "official" episode, we sit down in the basement at Columbus Fire Station 17 to talk with Brian Weiskittle (Skittles) on the origin of the Kitchen Table short story, his career as a Firefighter and Paramedic, and we talk a little about the struggles of mental health that First Responders face and how Brian deals with that through his love of music!
I'm working on the sound issues, bare with me! 
It ain't perfect. Just like us!
Enjoy!

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Welcome to Episode 1 of our new podcast Firehouse Table Talks. This podcast is for First Responders and Military Veterans, their families and anyone else interested into getting a peek behind the curtain of our chosen professions!
We are currently working on a logo design and looking to interview guests to share their stories! Do you know of a First Responder or Military Veteran that has a story to tell? Contact us at firehousetabletalks@gmail.com!

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