Kitchen Table Talk a Break The Stigma Inc Podcast
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
Join us for real, unfiltered conversations about first responder mental health and wellness. Each episode features voices from firefighters, paramedics, police, medical professionals, and more as we share stories, resources, and strategies for resilience. Together, we break down stigma, build awareness, and create a culture where mental health is just as vital as physical health. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us at the table. Together, we’ll laugh, reflect, learn, and most importantly, break the stigma around first responder mental health and wellness.
Episodes
- Raw, Authentic, Genuine: lets talk PTSD & Self-Care
Mark Hanek shares his experiences with PTSD and healing through the Warrior's Ascent program on Kitchen Table Talk. The episode emphasizes raw authenticity, self-care, and breaking the stigma for first responders.
- Resilience or Discipline: Real Talk from the HoM Healing Center
Tim Husereau details his debilitating 828-day struggle with long COVID, including medical system failures and personal recovery. He founded the HoM Healing Center, offering tools like breathwork and meditation, and discusses the interplay…
- Answering the Call Without Losing Yourself, Live from the first responder Mental Health Summit 2026
Recorded live at the First Responder Mental Health Summit 2026, this Kitchen Table Talk episode features a keynote addressing the mental and emotional toll on first responders. It shares personal lessons from the fire service, discusses cu…
- Progress, Not Perfection
Michael Long and co-host Nick Robben reflect on the progress made in breaking the stigma around first responder mental health. They discuss the ongoing process, challenges like winter and night shifts, and practical ways to foster mental h…
- Living in the “What If”
Kitchen Table Talk features Mike Long, Nick Robben, Heather, and James Parmley discussing anxiety and the impact of near-miss incidents. The episode focuses on the mental health struggles of first responders and high-stress professionals.
- From Numb to Alive — Breathwork, Cold Exposure, and Recovery
This episode features Josh Hildebrand discussing his recovery from PTSD and suicidal ideation using breathwork and contrast therapy. He explains how these practices help regulate the nervous system and process trauma, particularly for firs…
- Saving Lives on Both Ends of the Leash, How Service Dogs Help Our Heroes Heal
This episode features Susan and Tim from Missouri Patriot Paws discussing the significant role of service dogs in the recovery of veterans and first responders. The conversation covers the dogs' training, the handler-dog relationship, and…
- More Than the Job: How Firehouse Culture Can Save, or Cost, Your Mental Health
This episode of Kitchen Table Talk features firefighters discussing the profound impact of firehouse culture on mental health. Hosts Michael Long and Nick Robben, along with guests Nate Miller and Mike Robinson, share personal experiences…
- “The Breaking Point: Culture, Ketamine, and Changing the Future of First Responder Mental Health”
This episode discusses mental health challenges faced by first responders, covering cultural obstacles, ketamine treatment, and strategies for proactive wellness. Guests Michael Long, Nick Robben, and Teena Silkwood share powerful insights…
- Leadership Starts at the Table: Mental Health, Crew Culture, and the First Responder Journey
Michael Long and Nick Robben discuss leadership in the fire service, emphasizing mental health, crew culture, and informal leadership. They share insights on growth through open conversations and the importance of supporting fellow first r…
- “Behind the Badge: Healing Relationships & Trauma with Dena DiStefano and Lindsay Simons”
Hosts Michael Long and Nick Robben speak with clinicians Dena DiStefano and Lindsay Simons about the mental health and relationship challenges faced by first responders and their families. They discuss trauma, coping mechanisms like Brains…
- Welcome to the Table
Hosts Michael Long and Nick Robben launch Kitchen Table Talk, the official podcast of Break The Stigma Inc. They discuss the nonprofit's founding, mission, and their personal experiences with mental health, aiming to foster an environment…