In this episode of the Team Ten Eight podcast, Christian Lane speaks with Canadian army veteran and fitness coach Dave Morrow. Morrow shares his mission to help veterans improve their health and wellness, emphasizing the importance of physical fitness as a foundation for mental health. He discusses his personal journey from struggling with injuries and mental health challenges to becoming a fitness advocate for veterans. The conversation covers various topics, including the significance of community, the impact of childhood experiences on health, and the importance of continuous learning and personal growth. Morrow also shares insights from his books, which aim to provide actionable steps for veterans to improve their lives and health.

Takeaways

• Morrow's mission is to help veterans lose weight and improve health.
• Physical fitness is crucial for mental well-being.
• The mind follows the body; physical health impacts mental health.
• Community and social connections are vital for overall wellness.
• Reading and continuous learning are essential for personal growth.
• Shifting perspectives on money can lead to a healthier mindset.
• Friendships and male bonds provide necessary support and stress relief.
• Deep conversations enhance understanding and connection.
• Life's challenges can be viewed as opportunities for growth.
• Morrow's books offer practical advice for veterans seeking to improve their lives.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to the Mission

02:36
The Importance of Physical Health for Veterans

06:51
Mind-Body Connection: The Foundation of Wellness

12:23
Tracking Progress: The 100K Veterans Mission

14:49
Childhood Influences on Health and Fitness

20:37
Maintaining Mental Health: Routines and Connections

30:55
Reading and Lifelong Learning

31:57
The Shift to Entrepreneurship

39:49
Understanding Money and Wealth

41:11
The Depth of Conversation

42:50
The Meaning of Life

51:01
Transforming Anger into Purpose

01:01:08
Books and Personal Growth

Visit Dave's Hard to Kill website to learn more about his mission, the Hard To Kill podcast and for information on how to pick up any of his books! 

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I’m your host, Christian Lane.

If you are a discerning listener of this show you may have noticed that it's been some time since I've produced an episode, and there's good reason for that.  I’m not really one to talk about myself or use this platform to share my own story but, given the time that's gone by since my last episode, I feel like I owe you some measure of explanation about where I've been and what's been going on. So, this is my story, or at least a part of it, as told through an interview I gave to my good friend and host of The Gravity Podcast, Chris Litrell.  

A word of warning, this episode deals with suicidal ideation, depression and mental health. If you, or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or has attempted to end their life, please seek help in hospital, call 911 or contact the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 (in Canada). 

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Summary
In this episode, Christian sits down with John Vintar, an author and Army officer who has served in the Canadian Armed Forces for over 30 years. The conversation revolves around Vintar's book, 'A Swamp the Size of Belgium,' which details his experiences in South Sudan. They discuss the history of Sudan and South Sudan, the challenges of peacekeeping missions, the impact on returning soldiers, and the perception of peacekeeping in Canada. Vintar shares his most fearful moment in South Sudan and the importance of history for military leaders. The episode concludes with book recommendations and contact information for Vintar.

Takeaways

• The book 'A Swamp the Size of Belgium' provides a unique perspective on the experiences of a peacekeeper in South Sudan.
• Peacekeeping missions are often invisible to the majority of Canadians, leading to a lack of understanding and appreciation for the work of peacekeepers.
• Returning from a peacekeeping mission can be challenging, and veterans may struggle to convey the full extent of their experiences.
• History plays a crucial role in shaping military leaders and providing valuable lessons for the present and future.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Background

01:29
The Book: A Swamp the Size of Belgium

04:52
The History of Sudan and South Sudan

08:27
The Invisibility of Peacekeeping Missions

10:00
The Challenges of Returning Home

11:27
The Most Fearful Moment in South Sudan

14:48
Establishing Safety and Gaining Trust

15:49
The Genesis and Objective of the UN Peacekeeping Mission

18:18
Tribal Cleansing and Violence in South Sudan

20:17
Lessons Learned from Peacekeeping Missions

24:13
Public Perception of Peacekeeping

29:36
Canada's Number One Threat

31:13
The Fragility of the World Order

37:20
The Importance of History for Military Leaders

39:54
The Role of Research in Mission Success

42:27
Top Three Must-Read Book Recommendations

45:53
Book Promotion and Contact Information

46:31
Closing Remarks and Thank You

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Surrey Police Service Sergeant Andrea Martens has over nineteen years of experience across a range of law enforcement professions including as a probation officer, a border services officer and police officer.  

Andrea joins us to talk about her career path into policing, some of the progressive programs her department has put in place to foster a culture of health and wellness, and what it's like for officers on the ground as municipal and provincial politicians continue to battle over a very contentious policing transition in her city. 

She is also the founder of Support Retired Legends, a clothing and coffee company dedicated to raising funds to assist with the medical bills of retired police and military service dogs across Canada, and shares the story that inspired the brand and how it's helping prolong the lives of our four legged friends. 

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Kathleen Dias writes features and news analysis on topics of concern to United States law enforcement professionals serving in rural and remote locations and you can find her published work at RuralBadge.com and Police1.com

She uses her background in writing, teaching and marketing to advocate for professional levels of training and equipment for rural officers, open channels of communication for isolated departments, and dispel myths about rural policing.

 From a lack of training and vacation time to limited equipment and vehicles, Kathleen joins us to shed some light on the signficant challenges faced by cops in rural and remote locations. 

You will be shocked to learn just how rough a ride it really is. 

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Scott McGregor is a former Canadian military intelligence professional who has advised the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on trans-national organized crime and hybrid warfare threats, as well as the former Attorney General and BC Premier David Eby in the lead up to the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia.

Scott maintains an extensive network of intelligence contacts through his company, Closehold Intelligence, and is the co-author of the recently released book, The Mosaic Effect: How the Chinese Communist Party started a Hybrid War in America’s backyard.

Scott's military and law enforcement intelligence career, and his access to classified information and international contacts, makes for a very unique and well informed perspective on the murky and nefarious nature of warfare taking place in Canada, the CCP's end game, and why Canada is losing it's place as a trusted ally.  

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Dr. Olivia Johnson is a United States Air Force veteran, a former police officer, and published author.  

She holds a master’s in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, a doctorate in Organizational Leadership Management from the University of Phoenix, School of Advanced Studies and is considered a subject matter expert in police officer health and wellness, police officer suicide, and suicide prevention and awareness in first responders. 

She founded the Blue Wall Institute to focus on research, publishes articles, and support agencies coping with increased mental health and suicide risk. 

Dr. Johnson joins us on this episode to discuss her research and what she coins as the "fatal ten" indicators of suicide risk, and explains how it is so much more than "the job" that's driving suicide rates among first responders.     

You can connect with and follow Dr. Johnson on X, Instagram and LinkedIn.  

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Sergeant Julien Ponsioen began his policing career with the Metro Vancouver Transit Police in 2014 after a 21 year career as a Paramedic and Supervisor and was the first openly gay male police officer hired by his department and the only openly gay male in his police academy class.  

Moving from patrol to Neighbourhood Policing in Downtown Vancouver, he began to connect with his community both in person and on social media to show that policing was for everyone and emphasize to members of the 2SLGBTQ community that they had an ally on the transit system. 

 While initially reluctant, he embraced his social media role and launched “Coffee with a Cop”, a very successful series of one minute safety tips and question and answer sessions that expanded across other platforms and developed a following that spans the globe. 

He has been a very active and successful volunteer recruiter and is now the non-commissioned officer in charge of Operational Planning.

On this episode, Julien shares his coming out story, the bridge he's building between the 2SLGBTQ community and police and offers his perspective, as a former paramedic and police officer, on BC's opioid crisis.

You can connect with and follow Julien on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn.  

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Daniel Sundahl (a.k.a. Dan Sun) is a former advanced care paramedic and firefighter, a published artist and writer who has produced  three art books and whose writing has been featured online and, in several periodicals, including Canadian Paramedicine, the Journal of Emergency Medicine (JEMS), Fire Rescue Magazine, EMS One, EMS World Magazine, The Canadian Journal of Emergency Nursing and the Finnish magazine Asystole. 

His powerful artwork and images are recognized worldwide. He travels internationally, speaking about his art and personal experiences with occupational stress injuries and post-traumatic growth.

His mission? To reduce the stigma of PTSD for first responders and use his art to raise awareness of occupational stress injuries worldwide.

Dan joins us to discuss his experiences as a first responder, his artistic process and how it has helped him heal, and whether we are where we need to be when it comes  preventing and protecting the in service community from operational stress injury.

To connect with Dan and learn more about his artwork, please visit https://www.dansungallery.com/

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Deven Kennedy is a police officer on a mission. 

On June 12, 2022, he was involved in a traumatic incident while on duty that shook his faith in his career and himself and led him down a path of desperation and despair, as so many trauma exposures have done to so many others.  

Through his recovery, Deven learned that fitness and a variety of healthy lifestyle choices were complimenting his psychological and medical healing and accelerated his journey back to full duty and, joins us to share his story and his mission. 

To connect with Deven and to learn more about his mission, visit resiliencethroughfitness.com

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Mark Bouchard began his law enforcement in 2007 serving fourteen years with the Delta Police Department before transferring to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and now serves as an Emergency Response Team operator and tactical medic in British Columbia’s North District. 

He earned his master’s degree in leadership from Royal Roads University for his research on the impact of police culture on police officer mental health, is engaged in work based peer support programs, and is set to publish his first book entitled Setting My Sights on Stigma: Thoughts From an Injured Mind.

On this episode we discuss police culture - what it is, why it is and where it's going - and the internal and external forces and factors that impact recruiting, retention and, more importantly, the men and women in uniform.   

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Barbara Karnes is a registered nurse with more than 40 years of experience in hospice care. 

She has held both clinical and leadership positions, including staff nurse, clinical supervisor, and executive director at Hospices and Home Health Care agencies and is the author of Gone From My Sight, "The Little Blue Book", that remains the most widely used educational booklet on the signs of approaching death, selling over 35 million copies worldwide. 

She is an internationally respected speaker and thought leader on matters of end of life, a renowned authority on the dying process and a leading educator for families, healthcare professionals, and the community at large.

On this episode, Barbara shares her experiences caring for patients in hospice, what she has learned about the dying process, and provides advice for listeners whose loved ones are at the end of their lives. 

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Summary

Marissa Rose, a paramedic with a background in advanced care paramedicine, shares her journey of navigating the challenges and traumas of her profession. She discusses how her childhood experiences and the need for help shaped her desire to become a paramedic. Marissa highlights the demanding nature of the job, the accumulation of trauma over time, and the impact it has on mental health. She talks about the feelings of betrayal, anger, and depression that she experienced, as well as the physical and emotional toll of working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the difficulties, Marissa continues to do the job because of her passion for helping others. Marissa Rose shares her journey of struggling with mental health and finding healing through equine therapy. She opens up about her darkest moments and the decision she made to end her life. However, her encounter with horses, particularly a horse named Caesar, brought her a sense of relief and connection that she had never experienced before. Equine therapy became a transformative experience for her, leading her to advocate for its benefits and pursue research in the field. Marissa emphasizes the importance of understanding the physiological changes that occur in the brain during therapy and the need for more comprehensive studies in this area. Marissa Rose shares her journey of resilience and healing after experiencing trauma as a paramedic. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding balance in life, as well as the need for better support and mental health resources for frontline workers. Marissa discusses the impact of trauma on the brain and the potential for healing through holistic methods such as equine therapy, yoga, and art therapy. She also highlights the significance of debriefing and the reconsolidation of memories in managing PTSD. Marissa's mission is to empower and support her peers in the first responder community.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background

07:55Challenges and Trauma in the Job

26:34The Physical and Emotional Toll of the Job

38:02The Transformative Power of Equine Therapy

44:41The Need for Research on Equine Therapy

55:32Overcoming Challenges and Finding Hope

01:02:30The Significance of Saving Lives

01:10:24Understanding the Impact of Trauma

01:18:48Training to Do vs. Being

Marissa's The Inner Response website is available here: https://innerresponse.com.au/

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Dr. Alika Lafontaine is an award-winning physician, the first Indigenous doctor listed in Medical Post’s 50 Most Powerful Doctors and the first Indigenous president of the Canadian Medical Association. 

He has served in medical leadership positions at the Alberta Medical Association, the Canadian Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and as the vice-president and president of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada.

From 2013 to 2017 he co-led the Indigenous Health Alliance project, one of Canada’s most ambitious health transformation initiatives, successfully advocating for $68 million of federal funding for Indigenous health transformation in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, and was recognized for his work by the Public Policy Forum. 

In 2020, Dr. Lafontaine launched the Safespace Networks project with friendship centres across British Columbia, providing a safe and anonymous way for patients and providers to share their own experiences and contribute to system change without the risk of retaliation for sharing their truths.

On this episode, Dr. Lafontaine discusses his personal experiences with racism as an indigenous man navigating medical school, the significant challenges faced by health care providers in what he calls a system in collapse, and offers advice for patients on how they can better advocate for themselves and navigate the complex labyrinth that makes up Canada’s system of care. 

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Archie Alafriz spent the majority of his 27-year RCMP career working in the National Security Program where he investigated a myriad of listed terrorist entities including Hamas, Hezbollah, al Qaeda, al-Shabaab and ISIS and was the team lead in Canada's landmark terrorist fundraising case. 

 Since his retirement from policing in 2018, he published his first novel, Inoculum; an intelligence-based challenge to the accepted historical version of events that led to 9-11, served as the CEO of a First Nations Economic Development Enterprise and assisted the Province of BC in analyzing money laundering trends in real estate and luxury vehicles. 

He is a senior fellow at the Global Peace Institute (UK), a fellow at the Asia Pacific Center of Security Studies (APCSS), sits as Chairman for the International Organization for Security and Intelligence (IOSI Global) and in 2022, launched Lucent Global Solutions which provides evidence-based court-defensible compliance verification and financial investigation and intelligence services.

On this episode Archie discusses Canada's anti-money laundering regime,  the history behind many of the activities exposed by the media that led to British Columbia's Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering, and the potential impact of incentivizing the shadow economy to go straight.  

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Mike Morris spent 32 years as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police retiring as Superintendent of British Columbia’s north district. 

Following his retirement, he was elected as a Member of BC’s Legislative Assembly in 2013, 2017 and 2020.

From 2015-2017 he served as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and has been heavily involved in several committees overseeing policing in British Columbia including as Chair of the Special Committee to Review the Independent Investigations Office, and as a member of the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act.  In 2020, he submitted a proposal for a three-tier approach to policing and public safety in BC. 

Mike joins us on this episode to talk about the past, present and future of policing in BC and share his perspective on the opioid crisis and BC’s drug decriminalization experiment. 

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Lieutenant Colonel Phil Halton is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran who has served in Bosnia, Ethiopia, Denmark, Norway and Spain. 

He holds an honours degree in military and strategic studies from the College Militaire Royal de St-Jean; a Masters degree in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College and a Master of Arts in Creative and Critical Writing from the University of Gloucestershire.  

He has worked as a contract writer, screenwriter, novelist and has authored several books including “This Shall Be a House of Peace,” published in 2019, “Every Arm Outstretched,” published in 2020 and his first non-fiction work, “Blood Washing Blood: Afghanistan’s Hundred Year War” published to critical acclaim in 2021. 

He was the co-founding editor of Blood & Bourbon, a Toronto-based literary journal, and is the founding publisher of Double Dagger Books, Canada’s only military and security-focused publisher.

On this episode, Phil joins us to discuss Canada’s longest war, including what we missed and why we failed, and his journey from armour, to author and artist.   

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Elenore Sturko is Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police veteran who has served in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and in Langley and Surrey, British Columbia.   

In 2022, she was successful in her bid for a seat in BC’s legislature representing the riding of Surrey-South and now serves as a Member of the Legislative Assembly and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Addiction, Recovery and Education.

On this episode, we discuss the challenges and differences between policing in rural northern communities and large urban centres, whether enough is being done to combat drug overdoses in BC, and how her bid to amend BC’s Mental Health Act proposes to help doctors make better decisions when treating patients in crisis.
 

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Troy Clifford began his service career with the British Columbia Ambulance Service in 1988 and has worked in a range of patient care roles across BC including dispatching, training and education, emergency management, advocacy, and currently serves as a Unit Chief in Osoyoos, BC.

He is a recipient of the BC Ambulance Service, Chief Operating Officer’s Commendation for exemplary achievement for Leadership and Community Service, has held numerous elected and appointed union and pension trustee positions over the years and he currently serves as the President of the Ambulance Paramedics of British Columbia.

Troy joins us on this episode to discuss the paramedic crisis in BC and how the recent collective agreement struck between the province and the union begins to address some of the issues exacerbating that crisis.

He also weighs in on the sustainabilty of the provincial ambulance service model, and shares a paramedic's point of view on the early stages of the province's drug decriminalization experiment.

Interested in a career as a paramedic or want to learn more? Click on the links below.

British Columbia Emergency Health Services

Ambulance Paramedics (and Dispatchers) of British Columbia

Justice Institute of British Columbia

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Sergeant Jim Ingram is a twelve year member of the Delta Police Department and overseas the DPD’s Public Safety Operations Group that includes their Emergency Management/Disaster Response unit, Tactical Support Group, Drug and Firearms K9 Teams, Violence Suppression Team, and their Community Safety Officer and Reserve Constable programs.

He is also responsible for developing and rolling out the Delta Police Department’s tactical technology and joins us on this episode to discuss the deployment of Body Worn Cameras, a first among British Columbia police agencies.

For more on the Delta Police Department and their body worn camera program visit deltapolice.ca. 

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Chief Warrant Officer (ret’d) John Barnes is a decorated Canadian Armed Forces veteran who has served all over Canada, in Germany and in operations in Cyprus, the Persian Gulf, Croatia, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. 

He was awarded the Sacrifice Medal for being wounded in battle in Afghanistan, the Meritorious Service Medal for exceptional leadership under enemy fire and, in 2009, was appointed to the Order of Military Merit.

He is also the author of the recently published book, White School, Black Memories, a gripping memoir that delivers the unvarnished truth of a soldier in Canada’s army.

John joins us on this episode to share his experiences as a career Canadian soldier. He lays bare the real world violence of combat operations, his struggles coping with the impacts of being injured physically and mentally and how writing helped him heal.     

All proceeds from the sale of John's book go to the Homes for Heroes Foundation, whose mission is to integrate all our homeless military Veterans into the community through the provision of housing and support services across Canada. 

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Wally Oppal is a former trial attorney who has served as a special prosecutor on numerous high profile commercial crime and drug offences and more than 50 homicide cases. 

He served as a judge in the County Court of British Columbia from 1981 to 1985, and in the B.C. Supreme Court from 1985 to 2003, when he was appointed to the B.C. Court of Appeal. 

He has led two commissions of inquiry into policing in British Columbia, including the Missing Women Inquiry following one of BCs most notorious serial murder investigations, and has authored reports that have advocated for and led to many reforms in policing both in British Columbia and across Canada.

Between 2005 and 2009 he served as the Attorney General of British Columbia and appointed commissions of inquiry into the police use of tasers, following the aftermath of the death of a man at Vancouver International Airport, and into the death of an Indigenous man, who died as a result of being left in an alley by police in Vancouver. 

More recently, he was asked by the government of BC to chair the task force that established the framework for the transition of policing services in Surrey, BC from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service and he remains in active legal practice as Senior Counsel with Boughton Law where he provides strategic advice on dispute resolution and public sector related matters. 

On this episode, Wally shares his thoughts on the oft discussed but yet to be implemented regional policing model for Metro Vancouver; his role in laying out the mammoth task of transitioning from the RCMP's largest detachment to a municipal police service; and weighs in on BC's latest social experiment, the decriminalization of personal drug possession. 

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David Cassels is a former Canadian Police Chief and public safety consultant who has supported and consulted domestically for federal agencies including the Department of Justice, Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency, and internationally where he was responsible for the formation of the South East Europe Police Chiefs Association and completed a detailed review of the San Jose Police in Costa Rica.

He is also a founding member and President of the Coalition for Canadian Police Reform and, on this episode, discusses a range of isssues facing policing in Canada. From a lack of standardized curriculum, to what he calls "fraudulent" recruiting practices to the need for more empathy and compassion based training, David makes his case for why policing in Canada needs reform. 

For more information about the C-CPR and to connect with David, click his name above to reach his LinkedIn profile or email him at dcassels@telusplanet.net

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Summary

Dr. Scott MacDonald, a physician at the Providence Crosstown Clinic in Vancouver, discusses the drug crisis in British Columbia and the need for safe supply harm reduction strategies. He emphasizes the limitations of current treatments and the importance of diversifying options for people with opioid use disorder. Dr. MacDonald advocates for the use of prescription heroin and explores the potential of prescription fentanyl. He highlights the need to move beyond the abstinence-only approach and prioritize patient-centered care. Dr. MacDonald also addresses the role of law enforcement and the importance of resources for individuals seeking help with substance use disorder.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:42 Criticism of Drug Decriminalization

03:07 Insufficient Treatment Options

05:00 Lack of Access to Treatment

06:06 Attracting More Patients to Treatment

07:26 Prescription Heroin as an Option

08:12 Challenges of Prescribing Heroin

09:36 Exploring Prescription Fentanyl

11:07 Success Stories and Case Studies

20:11 Factors Driving Fentanyl Use

23:39 Moving Beyond Abstinence-Only Approach

25:24 Following the Evidence

27:39 The Need for Diversified Treatment Options

29:24 The Role of Law Enforcement

33:07 Addressing Drug Diversion

35:53 Reevaluating Prohibition

41:17 Personal Experience with the Crisis

43:22 Resources for Substance Use Disorder

44:00 Connecting with Dr. Scott MacDonald

45:11 Conclusion

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Mubin Shaikh is a former undercover human source for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and former police agent with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who has worked multiple infiltration operations including the VERY public prosecution of the Toronto 18 terrorist cell. 

Mubin also holds a Masters Degree in Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism (MPICT, Macquarie), is a Professor in the School of Public Safety at Seneca College and is featured in a permanent exhibit at the new International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. under, “Preventing Terror.”

On this episode Mubin goes in depth as we discuss the journey of radicalization, the manipulation of Islam by those who hold extremist views, and the process of deprogramming those who have fallen prey Wahhabism, or what Mubin calls, “the virus that has taken over the Muslim world”.

For more information about Canada's strategy on countering radicalization visit Public Safety Canada. 

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On this episode, Christian recaps and provides some additional background into the top three most listened to episodes of 2022. 

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Phil Gurski has spent almost 40 years working in the intelligence field with organizations like the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Canada's top secret listening post, the Communications Security Establishment.  

He is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting and a Distinguished Fellow in National Security at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI).  

Phil is a well known and sought after media commentator and has provided commentary, blogged about, tweeted and presented on violent Islamist-inspired and other forms of terrorism around the globe. He is the host of the podcast, Canadian Intelligence Eh! and the author of six terrorism books and counting including , The Peaceable Kingdom, The Threat from Within and When Religion Kills.

On this episode, Phil shares his perspective on the threats we face, from right wing extremism to foreign influence, how Canada's focus isn't where it needs to be, and leaves us with no doubt about the risk of extremist violence on our soil.

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Dr. Matthew Kane is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran and former military intelligence officer who served in several overseas counter intelligence operations. 

He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Walden University, a master’s degree from American Military University in Psychology, a BA in Military Strategic Studies from the University of New Brunswick and is the President and CEO of Prodigy Intelligence.

Matt discusses his role as an intelligence officer in Afghanistan, how he was able to identify a mole  working for the enemy and the burden of preparing soldiers for the threats they face. 

Also, how do you tell when someone is lying to you? There is no one surefire way to do so, but Matt offers up some tips and tells to look for the next time you feel like you're not getting the whole truth!  

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Lieutenant (ret’d) Ron Boughton is a Cold War veteran who spent 37 years with the Royal Canadian Navy. 

Much of that time was spent conducting electronic warfare operations off Canada’s Pacific coast. Or, as he likes to say, chasing Russian spy ships. 

On this episode Ron talks about what it was like as a young man sailing with his father, the very real threats Canada faced during the Cold War and his experience as one of the first members of the Canadian military to visit China after the 1949 revolution that brought the Chinese Communist Party to power.  

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Chance Burles is Canadian Armed Forces veteran and former Combat Engineer who spent 8 months in Afghanistan as a member of the Edmonton based 1 Combat Engineer Regiment.

On this episode, we learn about the role of the Combat Engineer and how they are prepared for combat. We talk about Chance's first encounter with an improvised explosive device, or IED and what it's like being in a gun fight with the enemy. Or as Chance puts it, "doing his job".   
Chance is also veterans advocate and co-founder of the annual Canadian Walk for Veterans.
We talk about the walk, and about how he's using his podcast, Tools for the Tool Box, to help others get their stories out and, through that process, learn what strategies (or tools!) they employ to work through and cope with the literal and figurative the scars that come from military service. 

Click on the links below to learn more about Chance, his podcast and the Canadian Walk for Veterans.

Instagram: @mcplburles
Podcast: Tools for the Tool Box
Walk: Canadian Walk for Veterans

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Deputy Director (ret'd) Randie Scott spent 35 years with Correctional Services Canada and in 2008-2009, deployed with a team of correctional officers to Afghanistan. They were assigned to the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team at Camp Nathan Smith (CNS) where they begin training and mentoring their Aghan counterparts. It was during this deployment that Randie befriended Afghan police captain, Mohammed Ismail, or Captain Smiley as he became known, who worked alongside Canada's military and civilian members through Canada's mission.

Twelve years later, as Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Randie and Mohammed stayed in constant contact as Mohammed ushered his family via backroads from Kandahar to Kabul and eventually to Pakistan, in a desperate bid to escape the Taliban who were hunting those, like Mohammed, who had  supported Canada and it's allies.

Marc is the former president of Equitas Society, a group formed to advocate for better pension benefits for veterans and for social covenant between government and it's military so that veterans never go with out. He is also  one of the Co-founders and Co-national Organizer of the Canadian Walk for Veterans, founded in 2018 and joins us to talk about the 5th annual walk and it's theme, Leave No One Behind.  

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Master Corporal (ret'd) John Dowe is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran.

In 1993, as a member of the Airborne Regiment, he deployed to Somalia and witnessed what would eventually become known as the “Somalia Affair”. An incident so tragic, that it led to a national public inquiry, the resignation of the Minister of Defense and the disbanding of this elite special forces unit. 

After transitioning to civilian life, John began investigating the effects of mefloquine, an anti-malarial pill he calls a "suicide drug", and co-founded the International Mefloquine Veterans Alliance to inform veterans, health, and military leaders, about the short- and long-term effects of this anti-malarial drug.

He continues to advocate for a  Royal Commission to investigate the drug's  prescription and use by the Canadian military and is the lead client in a mass tort lawsuit seeking compensation for veterans who were prescribed mefloquine on missions in Somalia, Rwanda, Haiti, Afghanistan and elsewhere.   

On this episode John talks about the mission in Somalia, why he believes mefloquine played a significant role in the beating death of Somali teen Shidane Arone, and how 1 in 5 veteran PTSD cases are misdiagnosed. 

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Captain Steve Farina is a veteran British Columbia firefighter, an executive board member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1782 and Vice President of the BC Professional Fire Fighter Association (BCPFFA) which represents over 4,000 professional firefighters across the province.

He is also actively engaged in firefighter and first responder mental health initiatives through his work as vice chair for both the BCPFFA's Health and Safety Committee and their Mental Health Committee, the IAFF’s Behavioral Health Committee, Coquitlam Fire Rescue’s Critical Incident Stress Team and the WorkSafe BC led BC First Responder Mental Health Steering Committee.

Despite all the work he's doing advocating for better approaches to mental health, Steve talks about how hard it was following his own advice when things got to be too much; how he benefited from the First Responder Resiliency Program program offered through Blueprint and  why, when it comes to men's mental health in particular, we're our own worst enemies. 

Please click on any of the links above to learn more about or to contribute to the organizations and programs discussed in this episode. 

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Sergeant (ret’d) Laurie White spent 23 years as a British Columbia based member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. She’s been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Medal of Valour from the International Association of Women Police.

 On November 27, 1998, she heard the radio call that no police officer ever wants to hear, “10-33”. That’s the radio code indicating the highest priority emergency, an officer is down. She never thought the one and only time she’d hear that call, that she was the emergency, that she was the officer down.

Laurie joins us on this episode to talk about that harrowing day, her physical and mental journey to get back to active duty and her recently published memoir, aptly entitled 10-33: An Officer Down Steps Back Up. 

For more information about her book please visit Friesen Press. 

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Summary

In this episode, Christopher Littrell, a former police officer and mental health advocate, shares his journey of resilience and healing. He discusses the impact of traumatic experiences, the importance of support systems, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional life. Litrell also opens up about his struggles with alcohol abuse and the role it played in his mental health. He emphasizes the significance of mutual support in marriage and the need for first responders to seek help and overcome the stigma surrounding mental health. Overall, Littrell's story highlights the importance of mental health support for first responders and the power of resilience in overcoming adversity. In this conversation, Chris Littrell shares his personal journey of dealing with post-traumatic stress and the importance of seeking help. He emphasizes the need for a culturally competent counselor and employer support. Chris also discusses the impact of an intensive treatment program and the value of self-care practices, including talking to trusted individuals and being self-aware. He concludes by providing his top three must-do's for someone struggling and shares how to connect with him.

Takeaways

• Traumatic experiences can have a lasting impact on first responders, leading to mental health struggles such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Having a strong support system, both within and outside of the law enforcement community, is crucial for coping with the challenges of the job.
• Balancing personal and professional life is essential for maintaining mental well-being. Setting boundaries, seeking help, and prioritizing self-care are important strategies.
• Alcohol abuse can be a coping mechanism for first responders, but it can also exacerbate mental health issues. Seeking treatment and finding healthier ways to cope are essential for recovery. Seeking help is crucial for dealing with post-traumatic stress.
• Culturally competent counselors are essential for effective treatment.
• Employer support is vital in creating a supportive environment for employees.
• Intensive treatment programs can have a significant impact on recovery.
• Self-care practices, such as talking to trusted individuals and being self-aware, are essential for overall well-being.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:26 Transition to Law Enforcement

06:21 Impact of Traumatic Experiences

09:21 Importance of Mutual Support in Marriage

12:21 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

13:05 Seeking Help and Overcoming Stigma

14:45 Cumulative Trauma and PTSD

20:16 Supporting Spouses and Sharing Responsibilities

23:24 Recognizing the Signs of Mental Health Struggles

25:13 Reaching Out for Help

26:09 Importance of Mental Health Support for First Responders

26:19 The Importance of Seeking Help

32:01 Employer Support

38:07 Chief Guerrero's Response

40:47 Intensive Treatment Program

45:31 The Value of Intensive Treatment

47:40 Self-Care Practices

53:52 Top Three Must-Do's for Someone Struggling

57:41 Connecting with Chris Littrell

Click here to visit Gravity Training and Consulting and to listen to the Gravity podcast. 

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Sergeant Kerry Williams, a 21 year member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police,  is among a select few Canadian police officers who have rotated through the Canadian Police Mission in Ukraine. 

On this episode, Kerry shares her personal experience and perspective as we discuss why Canada is engaged in the mission, how novel some Canadian concepts - like scenario based training and community policing - are to Ukraine, and the challenge of influencing Ukrainian police officers away from corrupt practices. 

  

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Matt Johnston is a full-time firefighter who’s attended over 3500 calls in Metro Vancouver ranging from medical response to hazardous materials and fires.

He is also an experienced mental health clinician who offers a unique, in-depth understanding of paramilitary mindsets within stoic workplace cultures, and is the Chief Executive Officer of First Responder Health, a service that recently partnered with Wounded Warriors Canada, and helps other mental health clinicians better connect with first responders, law enforcement officers and veterans. Or, in Matt's words, a stoic paramilitary audience. 

In this episode Matt talks about the challenges faced by public safety professionals when trying to connect with mental health providers and why becoming more occupationally aware is critical to providing good mental health care to those who put service over self.   

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In November of 2021 the province of British Columbia was hammered with two unprecedented weather events. These “atmospheric rivers”  resulted in severe flooding, landslides and catastrophic damage to critical rail and highway infrastructure that effectively sealed off Metro Vancouver from the rest of Canada. 

If you’ve listened to this show for any length of time you know we’re about honouring the people who serve and sacrifice. But, just as not all heroes wear capes, not all who serve, where uniforms. 

This episode features Henry Braun, the Mayor of the City of Abbotsford, BC. We discuss the impact the storm and flooding had on him, the high points and the low points, and get his perspective on leading through a crisis. 

This is part 2 of stories from the flood line. 

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In November of 2021 the province of British Columbia was hammered with two unprecedented weather events. These “atmospheric rivers” resulted in severe flooding, landslides and catastrophic damage to critical rail and highway infrastructure that effectively sealed off Metro Vancouver from the rest of Canada. 

This episode features Constable Erich Schmidt, an off duty police officer who was pressed into service following mudslides that stranded him and hundreds of other motorists; and, Dave Slatten, a volunteer search and rescue technician with the Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue Team, who took time away from work for days so he could help rescue families trapped by rising flood waters. 

This is part 1 of Stories from the Flood Line. 

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This episode deals with post traumatic stress disorder and the impact PTSD can have on families. There may be content that is triggering for some.

Brett is a veteran police officer in Ontario, Canada who has spent the majority of his career on patrol. One call in particular, followed by a series of similar calls would threaten everything he understood about himself and change his life and that of his family forever.

On this episode, and in their recently published book, PTSD Road to Recovery,  Brett and his wife Ava share their very personal journey through Brett’s battle and recovery from post traumatic stress disorder. 

We discuss the importance of paying attention to the symptoms; how critical it is to fight for yourself and find the right help; and, Brett and Ava offer advice for other first responder families struggling with unseen injuries. 

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Weeks away from death. That's how Joe Roberts describes his life at it's lowest point.  

On this episode, Joe shares his journey from a youth growing up in suburban Ontario to a drug addicted young man committing crimes in Vancouver's downtown east side to his remarkable turnaround which, he says,  never would have happened were it not for a dangerous encounter and the intervention of one police officer. 

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T.C. Randall (not his real name by the way) is the author of the recently published book, The View from the Wrong Side of the Day and is a registered nurse who spent 14 years working in a British Columbia emergency room.

 After responding to patient, after patient, after patient and dealing with everything from major physical trauma and severe medical distress to death, it all came to head one day.

On this episode, T.C. talks about his battle with complex post traumatic stress disorder, an emergency medical system near collapse and why he felt compelled to share his story. 

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David Langlands is a decorated 37-year officer of the Canada Border Services Agency who has been awarded the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals as well as the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal and bar; and has been recognized for a number of significant drug interdictions over his career.

He’s worked at land, sea, air and even mail points of entry and you  might even recognize him from the hit show Border Security. On this episode we learn a little about what it's like working on Canada's "front line" as David talks about his experience on 9/11 while working at one of Canada's busiest airports, his role in a major drug interdiction and just how far border security in Canada has come over four decades.  

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Devon Pinchak is a 33 year advanced life support paramedic with the British Columbia Ambulance Service and a volunteer medic with Technical Evacuation Advanced AeroMedical, a not for profit society comprised of advanced care and primary care paramedics, emergency physicians, nurses, technical rescue specialists and other mountain professionals dedicated to providing leading edge pre-hospital care and transport in austere settings.

On this episode, Devon talks about the ups and downs of a career in emergency paramedicine, his perspective on the opioid crisis and the call that still gets to him. 

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From 2001 to 2014 Canada was engaged in it’s longest war ever as it joined an international coalition to destroy the al-Qaeda terrorist network and the Taliban regime that sheltered it in Afghanistan.

All told, more than 40,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces served in the 12-year campaign that claimed the lives of 158 Canadian soldiers and 7 civilians.

What you may not know though, is that throughout that period, over 300 Canadian police officers also saw duty in Afghanistan. Their mission, to help train, mentor and build the capacity of the Afghan National Police.

My guest this episode was the deputy commander of the Canadian police mission from 2011 – 2012 and author of the book Cops in Kabul: A Newfoundland Peacekeeper in Afghanistan.  Retired RCMP Superintendent William Malone shares his experiences leading the civilian policing mission and the impact the recent events in Afghanistan have had on him and his colleagues.

If you're interested in picking up a copy of William Malone's book, check out the link above. Fifty percent of the proceeds go to Wounded Warriors Canada, a national mental health service provider utilizing clinical best practices and evidence-based care to create an environment of compassion, resiliency and hope for Canada’s Veterans, First Responders and their families. 

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Calvin Chrustie, a former senior operations officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, discusses the importance of navigating the threats, risks, and challenges of the contemporary world. He highlights the convergence of threats and the weaponization of activities by foreign threat actors, which he refers to as hybrid warfare. 

The conversation covers various topics related to the challenges and issues faced by Canada, particularly in relation to fentanyl and toxic drug deaths. It highlights the ineffectiveness of current approaches, the weaponization of fentanyl, societal indifference towards drug deaths, lack of interconnectivity and collaboration, concerns for the future of Canada, the role of politicians in addressing the issues, concerns of business leaders, advice for aspiring politicians, and the need for self-reflection and courage. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing these issues for the well-being and security of Canada.

Chapters

00:00    Introduction 
01:15    Background and Interest in National Security
11:36    Convergence of Threats and Hybrid Warfare
22:43    Factors Contributing to Canada's Blind Eye
28:04    Comparison of CSIS Mandate with Other Intelligence Agencies
29:24    Lack of Legislative Changes to Address Contemporary Threats
29:52    The Ineffectiveness of Current Approaches
31:16    The Weaponization of Fentanyl
32:21    Toxic Drug Deaths and Societal Indifference
36:26    Lack of Interconnectivity and Collaboration
37:26    Concerns for the Future of Canada
40:21    The Role of Politicians in Addressing the Issues
45:08    Concerns of Business Leaders
50:04    Advice for Aspiring Politicians
55:24    The Need for Self-Reflection and Courage
56:10    Conclusion and Contact Information

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Assistant Warden Peter Lang has spent more than 20 years working with federal inmates as a correctional officer, parole officer and manager. He discusses why he chose corrections as a career, what it means to see an inmate succeed and how he grappled with a family tragedy that no parent should have to endure. 

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Inspector Ben Maure is a 32 year member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with experience working a range of duties from uniform patrol to national security investigations. 

Ben shares his perspective on what he describes as the nobility of police work, the opportunities that can be provided by a career in law enforcement and his new book about police in peace building and peace keeping missions around the world. 

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Constable Joe Cecchini is a 13 year member of the Calgary Police Service. He’s spent 11 years as a patrol officer and now specializes in emergency mental health with the Police and Crisis Team (PACT), a partnership between health care providers and police officers who respond to situations involving people who are suffering from a mental health, addictions, or psycho-social crisis. On this episode Joe talks about how PACT works in the field, what it's like to lose a friend in the line of duty and how he ended up competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics. 

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AJ is a registered nurse and manager of clinical operations and peri-operative services for the Interior Health Authority in Cranbrook, British Columbia. With over 25 years of health care experience, she shares her experience working in a major trauma center, the impact one patient can have on the people who work tirelessly to save them and discusses some of the differences between nursing in urban and rural communities.   

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