From Small-Town Firefighting to Big Changes in EMS | Medic on the Mic Podcast Ep. 5 w/ Cody Rohrig

Episode 7: Love, Burnout, and Cold plunges with Dani

In this special episode, Brandon welcomes his wife, Dani, to kick off a brand-new series: Spousal Sundays — candid conversations from the couch about life, burnout, parenting, homesteading, and everything in between. After months of conferences, school, coaching programs, homestead projects, and nonstop life happening at once, Brandon & Dani sit down to unpack what they jokingly call their “planned burnout experiment.” (Yes… they KNEW it was going to hurt. Yes… they did it anyway.) Together, they dive into: 🔥 What “planned burnout” looks like in real life – The toll of travel, conferences, and 48-hour shifts – How it affects marriage, parenting, energy, and mental health – Why acknowledging burnout before it hits actually changes everything 💙 The realities of being a first responder family – The emotional meltdowns nobody talks about – Navigating overstimulation, neurodivergence, and survival mode – How they reconnect after long shifts and long seasons ❄️ Cold plunges, mindset resets & nervous system hacks – Why their natural swimming pond has become their sanctuary – How cold water changed their mental health (and their kids’!) – Wim Hof breathing, regulating emotions, and why you sometimes need a war cry 🧠 Dani’s BodyMind Bridge hypnotherapy Dani explains what hypnotherapy actually is — not mind control, not pocket watches — and how it helps clients access inner truth, healing, and clarity through imagery and restorative trance. Brandon shares his personal experience with his first session… including the moment he realized he stopped being a kid, and how that discovery reshaped his entire outlook. 🏡 Raising kids on a homestead + building resilience – Keeping screens to a minimum and imagination to a maximum – Why the boys jump into freezing water willingly – How play, nature, and challenge shape who they’re becoming 💬 Marriage, growth, and real conversations Brandon and Dani open up about communication, validation, conflict, and what it actually took to build the relationship they have today. Not perfection — practice. Not ease — honesty. Not luck — work and compassion. They laugh, banter, go off-topic (a lot), and stay deeply human. ✨ Special Offer Mentioned in the Episode For December, Dani and Brandon are offering a combined healing + coaching package: 1 BodyMind Bridge hypnotherapy session + two 30-minute coaching sessions — $299. Only 10 spots available. Book through: 🔹 thirdspacetherapies.com 🔹 brandonheggie.com/coaching Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520552/support]

MOTM Episode 6: Autism, EMS and Compassion with Sara Moore

Paramedic-educator Sara Moore joins Medic on the Mic for one of our most heartfelt conversations yet—on autism, neurodivergence, and truly people-first care in EMS. From the school incident that ignited her advocacy to field-tested de-escalation tools (sensory kits, visual priming, and rapport-building through hyperfocus), this episode gives leaders, educators, and street-level providers practical steps they can implement today. What you’ll learn * How “people first, diagnosis second” changes outcomes * Building a low-cost sensory kit (fidgets, chew tool, noise-canceling headphones, whiteboard/markers, PECs board, simple coloring items) * Visual priming: photos of the stretcher, rig interior, ambulance bay, and patient rooms to reduce anxiety before transitions * Using hyperfocus/info-dumping to build rapport quickly * The “blue envelope” idea for disclosure—and Sara’s EMS-specific version in development * Why so many EMS pros may be neurodivergent—and what that means for training and wellness Power takeaway: “Treat the person before the diagnosis.” Timestamps 00:00 Intro & why this episode matters 02:00 Meet Sara (paramedic, educator, mom) 06:00 The handcuff incident—and what it changed 16:00 Autism traits & communication differences 24:00 Visual priming to ease transitions 29:00 What’s in a field-ready sensory kit 33:00 Applying these tools to dementia, kids, and panic attacks 34:30 Why EMS attracts neurodivergent minds 47:00 ‘Blue envelope’ for EMS—what’s next 50:00 One-sentence takeaway: people first Connect with Sara • LinkedIn: search “Sarah Moore Groover” • Email: SaraMoore2213@gmail.com Host: Brandon Heggie | Medic on the Mic Questions or feedback? Message us—your notes may shape a future episode. Keywords: EMS, Autism, Neurodiversity, De-escalation, First Responders, Education, Inclusion Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520552/support]

From Small-Town Firefighting to Big Changes in EMS | Medic on the Mic Podcast Ep. 5 w/ Cody Rohrig

Episode 5 — From Small-Town Firefighting to Big Change in EMS (with Cody Rohrig) In this episode, Brandon sits down with friend and instigator of this very podcast, Cody Rohrig—Army veteran, legacy EMT, volunteer firefighter, and rural hospital emergency response coordinator from Nebraska. Cody shares how his community raised $280,000 to launch an ambulance service, what it’s really like to cover massive districts with limited resources, and why community paramedicine may be the lifeline rural EMS needs. We also talk leadership, imposter syndrome, mental health, and parenting a child with Type 1 diabetes—plus some nerdy solutions (hello, Raspberry Pi timestamp project) that make small teams more effective. Highlights * Brandon’s quick life updates: newly promoted Fire Captain, shift changes, and starting the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. * Cody’s path: Army deployment → railroad work → rural hospital life safety & EMS leadership. * The fundraiser that changed everything: $280K raised to bring an ambulance to town. * Rural realities: 40–50 minute response times, flight volumes, and creative mutual aid. * Community paramedic as a force multiplier for chronic care and ER load reduction. * Volunteerism challenges—and how Explorer programs & high-school EMT pathways can help. * Mental health & imposter syndrome in public safety. * T1D at home: tech wins, middle-of-the-night lows, and care team shoutouts. * Rapid-fire nerd corner: Raspberry Pi station alerts, in-unit time-stamping, and practical micro-innovations. Takeaways * Rural systems survive on community, creativity, and relentless problem-solving. * Leadership isn’t a title—it’s showing up, asking “why?”, and building buy-in. * Small process improvements can create big operational wins. * Community paramedicine can bridge gaps where distance and staffing make “load & go” the default. Connect & Support * Subscribe to Medic on the Mic on YouTube and your favorite podcast app. * Share this episode with a first responder, volunteer firefighter, or rural health advocate. #EMS #Firefighting #RuralEMS #CommunityParamedic #FirstResponders #Leadership #MentalHealth Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520552/support]

Medic on the Mic Episode 4: Grief, Trauma, and Burnout – Why Staying Busy Won’t Heal You

In this deeply personal solo episode, Brandon shares the story of losing his father at 21 and how the instinct to “stay busy” shaped his journey through grief, trauma, and eventual burnout. While busyness can feel like strength, Brandon explores why distraction isn’t the same as healing — and how unprocessed grief can quietly fuel years of emotional exhaustion. Speaking from both lived experience and nearly two decades in Fire/EMS, he reflects on: * Why we instinctively stay busy in times of trauma and grief * The hidden costs of ignoring grief and pushing forward too quickly * How unresolved pain contributes to burnout, especially for first responders * Healthier ways to process grief, reconnect, and build resilience This episode isn’t just Brandon’s story — it’s a universal reminder that true healing comes from stillness, connection, and intentional reflection, not from endless busyness. If you’ve faced loss, trauma, or burnout, this conversation will give you perspective, validation, and hope. 👉 Subscribe for future episodes on mental health, resilience, and life in Fire/EMS. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520552/support]

MOTM Episode 3: Imposter Syndrome and Overcoming Challenges with Bill Young

In episode three of the 'Medic on the Mic' podcast, host Brandon Hagy welcomes guest Bill Young from Kentucky to discuss imposter syndrome and its impact on EMS professionals. They explore personal experiences, the importance of addressing mistakes openly, and the role of feedback and mentorship in personal and professional growth. The conversation also touches on the evolution of EMS education, the benefits of modern teaching tools, and the critical need for mental health awareness in the industry. Bill emphasizes the value of learning from failure, staying updated with new knowledge, and fostering a supportive environment for EMS personnel. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520552/support]