Others are called to it.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Heather Dirkmaat of Natural Pediatrix, and honestly, after this conversation, you'll understand why so many families trust her with the people they love most.

Dr. Heather shares her story, her heart, and the "why" behind the work she does. It's a beautiful reminder that great healthcare isn't just about knowledge. It's about compassion, curiosity, and truly caring for the person sitting in front of you.

And make no mistake... she's brilliant.

We joke that she's basically the real-life version of House. Her ability to connect dots, think differently, and solve complex problems is incredible to watch. The difference is she pairs that intelligence with a level of kindness and empathy that makes patients feel seen, heard, and cared for.

This conversation isn't just about medicine.

It's about purpose, serving others, and what happens when someone uses their gifts to make a difference in the lives of families every single day.

If you're a parent, healthcare provider, or simply someone who appreciates people who are deeply committed to their calling, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🎙️ Listen now and meet the heart behind Natural Pediatrix.

Go Give Dr.Dirkmaat and her team a visit. They have a Scottsdale and Queen Creek Location. 

www.naturalpediatrix.com

#NaturalPediatrix #PediatricCare #FunctionalMedicine #HealthcareWithHeart #Podcast #PurposeDriven #FamilyHealth #Pediatrician

In this episode, we're introducing the After Watch Foundation's Got Your 6 Campaign.

For just $6 a month, you can help provide confidential peer support, therapy resources, family support, crisis response assistance, training, and other critical services for active and retired first responders and their families.

The reality is that many of the men and women who spend their lives showing up for others often struggle to find support when they need it most.

That's why we created Got Your 6.

No large donation required.
No complicated commitment.
Just ordinary people making an extraordinary impact together.

Listen to this episode to learn why this movement matters, where the funds go, and how you can stand behind those who stand on the front lines every day.

Because nobody should carry the weight alone.

🎙️ Listen now.
🚔 Join the SIX Squad. 
💙 Give $6. Change a life.

Donate Here:

https://givebutter.com/after-watch-foundation-got-your-6-eszbkw

#GotYour6 #AfterWatchFoundation #FirstResponderWellness #MentalHealthMatters #SupportTheSupporters #FirstResponders #AfterTheCall

The reality is that struggles like these are far more common in the first responder community than most people realize. That's exactly why we need to talk about them.

The more we normalize these conversations, the more people we help.

Listen now and share with someone who may need to hear it.

Mental Joe is more than a brand. It’s a movement focused on breaking the stigma around mental health, creating conversations that matter, and helping people realize they’re not alone in the fight. From rock bottom moments to rebuilding his life and helping others do the same, Chad shares a raw and honest story that will hit home for a lot of people.

If you or someone you know is struggling, this conversation is one you need to hear.

Make sure to check out MentalJoe.com and support the mission.

This is a conversation about perspective, resilience, and finding meaning beyond the uniform.

They explore alternative forms of therapy, including experiences with psilocybin and ayahuasca, sharing how those forms of therapy have shaped their perspectives and forced them to confront parts of themselves they might have otherwise avoided. Their stories offer a real and grounded look at what healing can look like outside of traditional methods.

At the heart of this episode is a powerful reminder—PTSD is not limited to first responders or the military. Trauma can come from many different life experiences, and every story is valid.

This conversation isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being real, exploring growth, and recognizing that healing can take many different forms.

Located in Arizona City, Hope has created more than just a coffee company—she’s built a mission. Each bag of coffee honors fallen heroes, carrying their stories forward in a way that is both meaningful and deeply emotional.

Her “why” is something you don’t just hear… you feel.

This is a conversation about purpose, resilience, and honoring those who gave everything. Hope’s story will stay with you long after the episode ends—and it’s one you don’t want to miss.

If this episode moves you, we encourage you to support her mission by visiting her shop or checking out her incredible coffee online: https://freedomcoffeeco.co/

This conversation is powerful because it’s not just theory anymore… it’s proof.

The equine program is doing exactly what it was designed to do. Real people are showing up, doing the work, and experiencing real change. Relationships are being repaired. Walls are coming down. People are starting to feel again, trust again, and reconnect with the people who matter most.

There’s something special about the way horses mirror what’s going on inside of us. They don’t judge. They don’t pretend. They respond to authenticity — and that’s where the breakthroughs start.

The results speak for themselves.
The proof is in the pudding.

If you’ve ever wondered whether this kind of work actually changes lives… this episode answers that question.

🎙️ Tune in as Jena shares what’s happening inside the equine program and the powerful transformations taking place.

This week, we sit down with Mark, a retired Glendale Firefighter Paramedic who spent his career at the front lines of other people's worst days. Mark opens up with raw honesty about his personal battle with PTSD and the heavy toll of a life in emergency services.

But this isn't just a story about the struggle—it’s a deep dive into the unconventional paths to healing. Mark shares his transformative experiences with:

• Ayahuasca: The profound journey of plant medicine and spiritual reconnection.
• Ketamine Therapy: How clinical psychedelic treatments are shifting the landscape of mental health for first responders.
• Early Intervention: Why "toughing it out" is a relic of the past and how the new generation can build resilience from day one.

Mark is now dedicated to guiding the next wave of first responders, proving that getting help isn't a sign of weakness—it’s a tactical advantage for a long, healthy career.

Join Patrick, Veronica, Tori, and Josh as they dive headfirst into the current events shaking the first responder community — including the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two DPS troopers. It’s real talk about real loss, the weight the job carries, and the ripple effects these incidents have across the badge family.

But because this is After Watch… it doesn’t stay serious for long.

Expect sharp takes, inappropriate timing, uncomfortable laughter, and at least three moments where someone should’ve said, “maybe don’t.” The crew balances honoring the fallen with the dark humor that first responders use to survive the job — and yes, there’s a solid chance this episode gets us canceled.

Grief, gallows humor, and absolutely no HR department in sight.

You’ve been warned.

This episode is raw and real. Veronica opens up about the tough realizations, the hard fights, and the moments that could have broken her but didn’t. She made it out alive, stronger, and more determined than ever.

Now she’s focused on one thing. Going back into the trenches she once stood in and pulling others out with her. This is a story about survival, purpose, and choosing to turn pain into something that changes lives.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, exhausted, or alone after the fight, this one is for you.

Patrick Kreuzer, COO of After Watch, shares his why, the calls that never leave you, and what ultimately led him into retirement. He opens up about gut-wrenching moments that would stop most people in their tracks and how he still found a way to keep moving forward in life.

This is not just a story about stepping away from the job.
It is about turning pain into purpose and choosing to build something meaningful from the weight you carry.

Patrick is a true inspiration to the first responder community and a powerful reminder that what you have been through does not have to define you. It can fuel what you are called to do next.

🎙️ Listen in
💙 Share with someone who needs to hear this

In this episode, Christy pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to be a dispatcher. She shares unforgettable stories from behind the headset, the pressure of being the calm voice in chaos, and how dispatchers quietly shape outcomes every single day. We also talk about the transition into retirement — the emotions, the identity shift, and what life feels like after years of serving on the front lines without ever being seen.

This is a must-listen for dispatchers, first responders, and anyone who wants to understand the unseen heroes who answer the call before anyone else.

After three decades of trauma, heartbreak, and relentless calls, the question becomes unavoidable. How does someone stay this good for this long? Jorge opens up about how he has managed to protect his heart without hardening it, the mindset that has sustained him, and why choosing kindness is a daily, intentional act in a profession that often rewards emotional armor.

One of the most moving moments of this conversation is the story of Jorge being fired from AMR and what happened next. Coworkers, firefighters, hospital staff, and agencies across the region united to sign a petition demanding his return. It wasn’t about politics or procedure. It was about character. That collective response says more about who Jorge is than any résumé ever could.

This episode is a reminder that how you treat people matters, that legacy is built in small moments, and that even in the darkest environments, light can still lead the way.

🎧 Listen in for a conversation about service, resilience, humility, and what it truly means to be respected by an entire community.

He’s so dialed in on helping others rise above their struggles that he launched Foundation Fortified—a powerful resource for building resilience and mental strength.

Give this episode a listen, reach out to Foundation Fortified, and tell them After Watch sent you.

If you’ve ever wondered how ketamine therapy actually works, why it’s helping so many responders heal, or how to get connected with a team that truly gets it, this episode is for you.

Tune in, learn something new, and if you’re ready to see the impact for yourself, reach out to Guided Journeys.
Your healing deserves a starting point.

From emotional regulation to rebuilding trust, Jena breaks down how horses mirror our inner world and guide us toward growth. She also recaps the equine programs currently offered to support first responder families through Bailey’s Overwatch.

If you’ve ever wondered why horses change lives… this conversation will show you.

Kate explains with so much heart that dogs carry a heavy load for us and the least we can do is make sure they receive the appreciation, support, and care they deserve. This conversation is powerful, honest, and a reminder of how much our four legged partners give. Tune in.

Patrick also opens up about something deeply personal… his alarming love for rice pudding.

Which, honestly, might be the biggest red flag in the entire episode.

Tune in for honesty, humor, and the side of first responder life that rarely gets airtime.

Marcos shares stories from his time as a Detention Officer, how he balances his time as a current police officer and business owner, the lessons he has learned from years of service, and what inspired his mission to serve his community through food. He also gives us an inside look at the exciting new things coming to Midwestern Meats and teaches us about a unique cut of beef you have probably never heard of.

Join us for a conversation about community, service, and second chances, and help us support one of our own by visiting midwesternmeats.com
.

Today, Ty and Karen run Serving First Responders, a lifeline for those who have spent their careers serving others and are now facing life after the badge. Their story is one of raw honesty, heartbreak, and redemption.

Ty’s courage to speak about his battles, and Karen’s unwavering love, remind us that healing is possible and no one has to face the darkness alone.

If you or someone you love is nearing retirement from public safety, reach out to Serving First Responders. The support they offer is truly life changing.

This is where healing begins. This is After Watch Foundation.