REACT: A First Responder Podcast
Blurred Lines Pt.2
In part two I continue the conversation with Dan Mercer and Clint Brooks who are co-authors of Blurred Lines to discuss the realities of policing that often go unspoken. In this episode, we discuss the calls that come home with you, follow you to the grocery stores, and force you to wrestle with your thoughts. We explore the lasting impact of trauma, moral injury, and life beyond the calls. From responding to heartbreaking incidents involving children to being ordered to not act during a critical event, this episode examines how trauma follows first responders home and changes the way we experience everyday life. We also discuss the lack of debriefings and organizational support, what it means to be medically ordered off duty, and why resilience is often built through small daily choices rather than dramatic moments. The conversation concludes with practical ways agencies can better support their people. Both of these episodes are honest conversations about the human cost of the job and what needs to change to better protect those who serve. To purchase a copy of Blurred lines, you can do so on Amazon with the link below. https://a.co/d/07XiOTWS Dan Mercer and Clint Brooks have also continued the work they do with Echopoint Leadership. Through Echopoint you can book the officers for a public speaking event, sign up for critical incident aftermath training, learn more about retreats designed for first responders and contact them for strategic advisory. https://echopointleadership.com/ Echopoint Leadership in partnership with Trinity church is hosting a 2026 retreat in Arizona. Check out the Echopoint Leadership website for more information. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow along on my other socials. https://www.instagram.com/react_frp/?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr# https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026 If you are interested in sharing your story please email me at bmtmccarty@gmail.com I am most active in LinkedIn at Brianna McCarty. You can converse with me there, see what else I’m up to and find other updates. I host a once a month virtual peer group strictly for first responders active or not. This is a safe space to connect with people who understand the things we don’t often talk about. This isn’t therapy and there is no obligation to talk. You can simply be with like minded people and find healing in realizing you’re not alone. You can email or message me on any of my socials for the link. Hope to see you there! If you would like to support the work that I am doing to improve mental health awareness and reduce stigma in the first responder community, please visit the REACT for Responders website. Reactforresponders.org There are many ways to help, including: Making a donation to support our mission Volunteering your time and expertise as a training, peer support officer, or subject matter expert Sharing resources or connecting us with organizations that may benefit from our work Sharing your story - either as a guest on the podcast or anonymously for me to share your story on your behalf. Every story shared helps raise awareness, start important conversations, and move us one step closer to changing the culture surrounding mental health in the first responder profession. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, first responder community.
