Building Resilience for First Responders with Karen Deppa and Mike Donahue

The Things We All Carry

In this episode of 'The Things We All Carry,' Stack returns with guests Karen Deppa and Mike Donahue, who discuss their organization, Pilot Light. Pilot Light focuses on building resilience for first responders through the application of positive psychology. The conversation delves into the science behind resilience, coping mechanisms, and the impact of social support. Karen and Mike share personal stories and insights from their combined experience in emergency services, explaining how their program aims to proactively prevent psychological injuries. This episode offers valuable perspectives on strengthening mental well-being and fostering proactive mental health practices within the first responder community.

00:00 Introduction and Apology

01:01 Meet Karen and Mike from Pilot Light

04:31 Karen's Journey to Positive Psychology

07:28 Mike's Fire Service Experience

11:20 Understanding Positive Psychology

18:06 The Three Pillars of Resilience

39:02 The Importance of Social Support

41:14 Personal Stories of Resilience 4

3:03 Compassion Fatigue and Its Implications

44:51 Challenges in Fire Service Recruitment and Retention

49:02 Teaching Resilience Skills

56:16 Incorporating Resilience into Daily Life

01:02:07 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

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