Beyond The Call Experiences of High Trauma Occupations

Beyond The Call with Dr Nikki Jamieson

Dr Nikki Jamieson is a social worker and suicidologist with a PhD focusing on moral injury and suicide prevention. Dr. Jamieson shares her personal journey, including her son's tragic suicide while in the Australian Defence Force, and how it propelled her into the field of suicidology and moral injury research.
She discusses her PhD work, the concept of moral injury, and the need for better understanding and support mechanisms for veterans and those in high-trauma occupations. Dr. Jamieson also highlights her advocacy work, involvement in the Royal Commission on Defence and Veteran Suicide, and the importance of postvention care.
The conversation delves into the differences between PTSD and moral injury, the potential for preventive measures, and the various therapeutic approaches that can aid individuals suffering from moral injury.

Beyond The Call with guest Phillip Thompson OAM MP

Phillip Thompson served as a soldier of the Townsville-based First Battalion, Royal Australian Regimen, and was deployed to East Timor and Afghanistan. In 2009 Phillip was wounded in action when an Improvised Explosive Device detonated within one metre of him. The blast resulted in Phillip sustaining severe injuries and he was medically evacuated back to Australia. As well as obvious physical injuries from the blast, Phillip also suffered from traumatic brain injury and several other life changing conditions.
Phillip spent the next several years putting all of his efforts into recovery and coming out the other side stronger than ever before. Today, he is passionate about helping others overcome adversity to become the best versions of themselves.
This conversation touches on his journey of recovery and mental health.  
Phillip Thompson is the federal member for Herbert, and holds a number of Shadow Defence portfolio's.  He was awarded the OAM in 2018 for service to the welfare of veterans.

Beyond The Call with guest Associate Professor Jaqueline Drew

Dr. Jacqueline Drew, is an associate professor at Griffith University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, discussing her extensive work as a police psychologist. Dr. Drew highlights her journey from being an organisational psychologist with the Queensland Police Service to her current roles in academia and consulting for police agencies.
The conversation delves into the mental health challenges faced by police officers, focussing on trauma, organisational and operational stressors, and their proportional contributions to psychological distress.
Dr. Drew underscores the importance of peer support, understanding organizational justice, and evolving leadership within police forces to mitigate these stresses. The discussion also explores the similarities in mental health issues across different first responder communities and the necessity for systemic reforms in support structures like workers' compensation. Important themes include the need for proactive mental health care, the potential for post-traumatic growth, and the critical role of empathetic and informed leadership in fostering healthier organisational environments.

Beyond The Call with guest Amy Taylor (Sex Worker)

In this episode of Beyond The Call podcast, I have a conversation with Amy Taylor, an accomplished individual with a diverse background. Amy, who holds a degree in molecular biology and an MBA, has worked in various fields including biotechnology, modelling, and aviation. She is also a high-class escort.
Amy shares her life story, discussing her upbringing, career journey, and the challenges she faced, including dealing with a violent encounter with an internet pimp. Despite societal stigma, Amy advocates for safer and more humane treatment of sex workers.
The conversation also touches upon the broader implications of trauma and the importance of mental health support, while highlighting Amy's aspirations to support the underprivileged and speak out against injustices.

Beyond The Call with Former NRL Referee Matt Checchin

Matt Checchin is a former NRL Referee, who officiated in over 570 games, and for over 20 years, retiring in 2021.  He has refereed in 3 Grand Finals, 4 State of Origins, 13 Internationals, and made his first grade debut in 2001.
In this episode of Beyond The Call Podcast, The conversation delves into Matt's upbringing, education, and early interest in refereeing. Checchin shares insights into the challenges faced by referees, including the physical and mental demands of the job, handling on-field decisions, and coping with criticism and abuse from fans and media. He discusses his personal journey, including coming out as gay and dealing with public and internal pressures.
Matt also reflects on the importance of mental health support for referees and the need for a balance between physical and psychological preparation. 
In a wide reaching conversation, we look at the person behind the whistle, and the human story behind a job that has trauma that most people simply do not consider.

Beyond The Call with Paramedic Nich Woolf Part 3 of 3

In this final part of my conversation with Nich Woolf, a highly experienced paramedic.
Nich shares stories from his career, including a harrowing incident with a man on fire and his transformative experiences in Afghanistan, where he provided crucial medical training.
He discusses the emotional toll of the job, the camaraderie among first responders, and his extensive charity work, including facilitating medical care in underserved regions. Nich also recounts helping Afghan medical professionals and their families flee the Taliban.
Despite personal risks and the challenges of working in conflict zones, Nich's dedication to humanitarian work and resuscitation training shines through.
The episode highlights his published book, 'Resuscitating Afghanistan,' and discusses the logistics and emotional challenges of delivering medical aid in high-stress environments.

Beyond The Call with Paramedic Nich Woolf Part 2 of 3

In this episode of the Beyond The Call podcast, Peter welcomes back Nich, a paramedic who began his career in Somerset, England, and volunteered at the Glastonbury Music Festival.
The conversation covers Nich's experiences during the early 1990s, including his work with the Avon Ambulance in Bristol and his involvement in developing motorcycle ambulance responses and anti-terrorist measures. Nich shares a memorable positive story from the Glastonbury Festival involving a drug-affected individual he managed to help.
The discussion then shifts to his trips to Afghanistan and Pakistan, focusing on his first-hand encounters with landmines, refugee camps, and the efforts to provide first aid training to deminers. There are some memorable stories and it is a great conversation.

Beyond The Call with Paramedic Nich Woolf Part 1 of 3

Nich Woolf has fit more into his life than many of us would fit into 6.  A Paramedic for over 50 years, and heavily involved in Festival Medical Charity work, as well as countless trips to Afghanistan assisting with Medical Services, and teaching literally thousands of people to do Emergency First Aid.  He has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his service.
In this episode of Beyond the Call podcast, the host interviews Nich, a long-term paramedic from England who shares his extensive experience in emergency medical services.
Nich discusses his journey from working in a printing company to becoming a paramedic and later a station manager. He details the challenges and evolution of paramedic services from the 1970s to the present.
Nich also talks about his involvement with the medical team at the Glastonbury Festival, which has grown into an organized charity providing medical services at various events and supporting medical initiatives worldwide. The conversation covers the logistical complexities of managing medical care for large crowds and the meaningful impact of their charity work in different countries.

Beyond The Call with guest Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurse Practitioner Adam Yazbeck

In this episode of Beyond The Call podcast, Peter continues the discussion with Adam, a pediatric intensive care nurse and nurse practitioner from Colorado.
 
They delve into the intricate and often emotionally charged topics surrounding organ donation, both the procedural aspects and the ethical dilemmas involved. Adam shares insights about the organ donation process, the role of families, and the medical complexities that can arise.
The conversation also explores broader issues such as quality of life, healthcare burnout, PTSD among healthcare workers, and the emotional toll on medical professionals.
The episode emphasises the importance of having open conversations about death and the need for systemic changes to support the mental health of healthcare providers.
The discussion also touches on emerging therapies for mental health, such as psychedelics, and Adam's journey towards transitioning into a mental health care role.
 
Channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563392471037
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl8mIMW1qdbST7m6wt5xYoEl7S4K1poXr&si=RfDN7J-ZlhY2IaLa
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3H9N5lh0UEP0Uw6C6kch0B?si=e6d9c8e5bd42409c
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-call-experiences-of-high-trauma-occupations/id1766086068
Twitter: https://x.com/beyondthecalls
www.beyondthecall.podbean.com
 
 

Beyond The Call with PICU Nurse Practitioner Adam Yazbeck part 1 of 2

In part 1 of this episode of Beyond the Call, Peter talks to Adam, a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) nurse from the USA.
Adam shares his journey from a creative childhood in Minnesota, through a career in theatre, to his current role in nursing. Emphasizing the importance of human connection, Adam discusses the challenges and rewards of working with pediatric patients, and his transition to becoming a nurse practitioner.
He recounts difficult cases, including the emotional experience of dealing with a SIDS case, and highlights the importance of advocating for families' wishes in end-of-life care. Adam's story illustrates the resilience and compassion required in the nursing profession.
 
Channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563392471037
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl8mIMW1qdbST7m6wt5xYoEl7S4K1poXr&si=RfDN7J-ZlhY2IaLa
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3H9N5lh0UEP0Uw6C6kch0B?si=e6d9c8e5bd42409c
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-call-experiences-of-high-trauma-occupations/id1766086068
Twitter: https://x.com/beyondthecalls
www.beyondthecall.podbean.com
 

Beyond The Call with guest Lori Hodges (Emergency Management) Part 2 of 2

This episode of the Beyond the Call podcast continues a conversation with Lori Hodges, an Emergency Management leader from Colorado, USA.
The episode delves into her experiences dealing with back-to-back hurricanes in Florida, detailing the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) and her role within Incident Management Teams.
Lori discusses her deployments, the challenges of managing large-scale disasters, including power outages and community resilience. The discussion also covers her background as a paramedic, the importance of preparedness, and her coping mechanisms for dealing with trauma, which she elaborates on in her book, ‘Shaking in the Forest: Finding Light in the Darkness.’
Lori emphasizes the necessity of personal and community preparedness and the positive outcomes that can emerge from disaster situations.
 
Channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563392471037
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl8mIMW1qdbST7m6wt5xYoEl7S4K1poXr&si=RfDN7J-ZlhY2IaLa
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3H9N5lh0UEP0Uw6C6kch0B?si=e6d9c8e5bd42409c
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-call-experiences-of-high-trauma-occupations/id1766086068
Twitter: https://x.com/beyondthecalls
www.beyondthecall.podbean.com
 

Beyond The Call with Guest Lori Hodges (Emergency Management) Part 1 of 2

In this episode of Beyond The Call, host Peter interviews Lori Hodges, an Emergency Management Leader with a background in paramedicine and firefighting.
Lori discusses her upbringing in rural Colorado, her early involvement with the Civil Air Patrol, and her transition into emergency services after helping a woman at a Grateful Dead concert.
She shares experiences from her time as a paramedic and firefighter, including dealing with trauma, handling major incidents, and coping with burnout.
Lori explains how she moved into emergency management, her educational path, and the lessons she learned about chaos theory and complexity theory, which shaped her approach to disaster management.
The episode highlights the importance of trust, continual learning, and the evolving role of technology, including AI, in emergency management.
 
Channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563392471037
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl8mIMW1qdbST7m6wt5xYoEl7S4K1poXr&si=RfDN7J-ZlhY2IaLa
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3H9N5lh0UEP0Uw6C6kch0B?si=e6d9c8e5bd42409c
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-call-experiences-of-high-trauma-occupations/id1766086068
Twitter: https://x.com/beyondthecalls
www.beyondthecall.podbean.com