Resources
Trusted help for the marriages and families of first responders — books, articles, podcasts, websites, and counselors we recommend.
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[ Add crisis and peer-support lines here — for example: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Copline, Safe Call Now, and your local First Responder Support Team peer contact. ]
Books
Recommended reading
Books on marriage, family, resilience, and the realities of the first responder life.
The Body Keeps the Score
By Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. A landmark look at how trauma reshapes the body and brain — and the paths toward healing. Especially relevant for first responders and the families who carry the weight of the job.
Buy the book →
Building a More Secure Relationship
By Alexis Haas. A hands-on workbook on attachment styles and the everyday skills that build safety, trust, and connection in a marriage.
Buy the book →Podcasts
Shows to follow
Conversations for first responders and their spouses.
On Shift
Coaching, education, and real talk for first responders and their spouses — trauma, marriage, reentry, stress, and the things nobody teaches you but everybody ends up dealing with. Hosted by Lauren M.
Listen on Spotify →
First Responder Families Podcast
Dedicated to the health and wellness of the families of first responders and military personnel — trauma, addiction, grief, and healing, with clinicians and real stories. Hosted by Ivona Bhadha (FHE Health).
Listen on Spotify →
The Washdown Podcast
Three firefighters talking openly about mental health with first responders, healthcare workers, and veterans — naming what the job costs and reminding people they are not alone. Hosted by Jeremy Greene.
Listen on Spotify →
The Guns & Yoga Podcast
What a first responder career does to the person wearing the badge and to the family at home — resilience, wellness, and whole-life health. Hosted by Wendy Hummell.
Listen now →
Hey Chaplain: The Police Wellness Podcast
Cops telling their own stories and passing along hard-earned wisdom. Hosted by Jared Altic, who has spent nearly 30 years counseling military and law enforcement families.
Listen now →Websites
Helpful organizations
Partner organizations and online resources worth bookmarking.
First Responder Support Team (FRST Midwest)
Peer support training, critical incident debriefs, and wellness resources for first responders and their families across the Midwest.
Visit →The Battle Within
Olathe, Kansas nonprofit offering trauma recovery programs for veterans, first responders, and frontline medical personnel, including group therapy and service dog training.
Visit →West Coast Post-Trauma Retreat
A six-day residential retreat for first responders carrying work-related trauma, limited to six participants per session. Sessions run in California, Washington, Oregon, Kansas, and Indiana.
Visit →Horses & Heroes
Equine-assisted therapy near Leavenworth, Kansas for veterans, active military, first responders, and their families, using rescued horses to help people heal.
Visit →War Horses for Veterans
Equine-based programs pairing combat veterans and first responders with performance horses to rebuild connection, leadership, and trust.
Visit →IAFF Center of Excellence
Residential treatment built specifically for IAFF fire service members facing PTSD, substance use, and related behavioral health struggles.
Visit →42 CARES
Kansas City based, connecting fire service members and their families to trusted counselors and peer support.
Visit →816-651-8789 • knelson@heroesathomeint.org
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