{"podcast":{"title":"Sit Around the Fire","slug":"sit-around-the-fire-7092992","podcast_index_feed_id":7092992,"rss_url":"https://api.riverside.fm/hosting/p7CgHNTy.rss","website_url":"http://www.sitaroundthefire.org","image_url":"https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/a1a89402-3cb2-4d0e-8271-1dc3f9195458/logos/1ca2cda6-5777-4806-9283-839da608aef6.png","author":"Ashlea Dillard","episode_count":62,"summary":"Welcome to Sit Around the Fire — the space where stories ignite transformation. Hosted by a former first responder turned licensed professional counselor and certified hypnotherapist , this podcast blends real-life experiences , powerful teachings, and practical tools for mental and physical health . Each episode invites you to slow down, reflect, and find your spark again. Together, we explore mindfulness, stress management, trauma recovery, and PTSD healing — all through the lens of someone who’s lived it. You’ll hear raw conversations with first responders, veterans, and mental health experts as well as other incredible human beings with amazing stories and missions who share their wisdom on how to move from burnout to balance, from survival mode to thriving. If you’re ready to break free from old patterns and beliefs , reclaim your peace, and live your most abundant, limitless life , this is your community. ✨ What you’ll learn: How to manage stress and trauma while building emotional resilience. Practical mindfulness and mental well-being techniques that fit your lifestyle. Real stories of healing from first responders and military families . Tools to strengthen both mental an…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-28T08:19:32.620717+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/sit-around-the-fire-7092992"},"episode":{"title":"#042 First Responder Families: How to Heal, Communicate, and Thrive Under Pressure with TJ & Sarah","slug":"042-first-responder-families-how-to-heal-communicate-and-thrive-under-pressure-with-tj-sarah","published_at":"2026-03-19T22:18:38+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/sit-around-the-fire-7092992/042-first-responder-families-how-to-heal-communicate-and-thrive-under-pressure-with-tj-sarah","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/sit-around-the-fire-7092992","url":"https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ab4ebf3002fff5e1442ebfb651347965fd1ce9c87f5ce8169588bec7737951f5/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1ZDM2NWM4OS00ZDU5LTQ1YWItYTcxMC1lYTdiOGM3NDlmNTEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJhMWE4OTQwMi0zY2IyLTRkMGUtODI3MS0xZGMzZjkxOTU0NTgiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTFiODUwMTcyODQxMTU2YjI2M2VmY2QiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjliYzc0ZjFiNzI5MTNhOWMxNTU4NTI0L2FzaGxlYS1kaWxsYXJkcy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi0zLTE5X18yMy0xMy01Lm1wMyJ9.mp3","audio_url":"https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ab4ebf3002fff5e1442ebfb651347965fd1ce9c87f5ce8169588bec7737951f5/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1ZDM2NWM4OS00ZDU5LTQ1YWItYTcxMC1lYTdiOGM3NDlmNTEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJhMWE4OTQwMi0zY2IyLTRkMGUtODI3MS0xZGMzZjkxOTU0NTgiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTFiODUwMTcyODQxMTU2YjI2M2VmY2QiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjliYzc0ZjFiNzI5MTNhOWMxNTU4NTI0L2FzaGxlYS1kaWxsYXJkcy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi0zLTE5X18yMy0xMy01Lm1wMyJ9.mp3","summary":"In this powerful episode of Sit Around the Fire , host Ashlea Dillard sits down with Sarah Joy Prieur and TJ to explore the real-life challenges of first responder families —and what it actually takes to move from survival mode into true, sustainable thriving. Together, they unpack the mental health impact of first responder life , including chronic stress, emotional suppression, and the often unspoken normalization of suffering within the culture. Through raw honesty and lived experience, Sarah and TJ share how they transformed their relationship, mindset, and daily systems using mindfulness, intentional communication, and structured personal growth practices . This conversation dives deep into: How trauma and high-stress careers affect relationships and family dynamics Why many first responder families feel stuck—and how to break the cycle The role of nervous system regulation, gratitude, and daily structure in healing How to rebuild connection, clarity, and purpose in the midst of chaos Through their work with Real Elevation , Sarah and TJ are helping others cultivate resilience, discipline, and authentic alignment —proving that no matter how intense the environment, healing and transformation are always possible . If you or someone you love is in a first responder role, this episode is a must-listen for learning how to communicate better, reconnect deeply, and create a life that feels grounded, intentional, and fulfilling. You don’t have to just survive this life—you can learn to thrive in it. 00:00 – Understanding First Responder Family Dynamics 00:19 – Mental Health, Mindfulness, and Emotional Regulation 04:29 – Turning Trauma into Growth and Purpose 08:52 – Breaking the Culture of Normalized Suffering 16:15 – Communication Strategies That Actually Work 22:03 – M…","meta_description":"In this powerful episode of Sit Around the Fire , host Ashlea Dillard sits down with Sarah Joy Prieur and TJ to explore the real-life challenges of first…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2678,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/sit-around-the-fire-7092992/episodes/042-first-responder-families-how-to-heal-communicate-and-thrive-under-pressure-with-tj-sarah/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/sit-around-the-fire-7092992/042-first-responder-families-how-to-heal-communicate-and-thrive-under-pressure-with-tj-sarah.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}