Podcast
Clearing the MindField
Hosted by Brannon Hicks · ENGLISH
Clearing the Mind Field is a space where the stories behind the uniform can be shared honestly, openly, and on their own terms. This podcast brings you face-to-face with combat veterans, SWAT operators, police officers, firefighters, and EMTs who have served in high-stakes environments, made difficult decisions, and carried experiences long after the moment has passed. These are individuals who answered the call to serve and are now navigating what comes next.
Here, they speak in their own words. No scripts. No expectations. Just real conversations.
Some of these stories may challenge you. Some may resonate deeply. All of them matter.
Each episode explores:
- Why they chose a life of service
- What they experienced on the job
- How those experiences followed them home
- The impact on identity, relationships, and sense of self
- And most importantly how they found a way forward
Because this isn’t just about what was carried.
It’s about recovery, resilience, and rebuilding a life worth living.
You’ll hear what healing can actually look like from those who have lived it. Honest conversations about what helps, what doesn’t, and what it takes to move forward after trauma and critical incidents.
Clearing the Mind Field exists for two reasons:
- To reduce stigma around mental health in military and first responder communities by creating space for real, human conversations
- To offer connection and hope for those still navigating their own path wherever they are in the journey
If you’ve ever served…
If you’ve ever carried something hard to explain…
If you’re trying to find your way forward…
This is your space.
You’re not alone. And you don’t have to carry it by yourself.
9episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Broken Responder
1w ago01:30:19Tap to summarizeThe podcast episode features Richard Burns, a former police officer and Navy veteran, who shares his journey from childhood to law enforcement and military service. He discusses critical incidents, mental health struggles, and the impact on his well-being. Richard's experience highlights the importance of seeking therapy and developing emotional intelligence to navigate trauma and mental health challenges. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by first responders in dealing with mental health struggles and the lack of support from their colleagues and organizations. It highlights the need for a cultural shift and a national mental health initiative to address these issues and provide better support for first responders.TakeawaysImportance of seeking therapy for mental health supportDevelopment of emotional intelligence to navigate trauma and mental health challenges Mental health struggles are often overlooked and misunderstood in the first responder community.A cultural shift and a national mental health initiative are crucial to address the challenges faced by first responders and provide better support.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Clearing the Mine Field05:06 Joining the Military and Law Enforcement16:01 Transition to the Navy and Deployment29:07 Impact of Critical Incidents and Mental Health Struggles42:36 Seeking Therapy and Emotional Intelligence47:45 Divine Intervention53:44 Struggles with Workman's Comp58:55 Coping with Loss01:05:15 Adjusting to Life After Retirement01:23:17 Creating a Mental Health Initiative
Transcribe →Called To Service. Chat with a Chaplain.
2w ago01:01:03Tap to summarizeChris "Chappy" Cottle experiences all of the struggles, vicarious and direct trauma that other Firefighters experience, but his own struggles didn't stop him from answering the call to serve those who serve others.Support comes in many forms, and recovery takes many different paths, walked by many different people, and the Chaplaincy has been a staple in Military & First Responder Communities. Chappy shares his own lived experience with us today.
Transcribe →Boats
3w ago00:42:57Tap to summarizeAmber "Boats" Cage faced adversity, disillusionment and setbacks while serving her people around the world at sea. One dark night, when things look hopeless, a chance intervention kept her connected to the world.Amber didn't just move on. She proved that helped people help people, and she has spent her life since continuing her own journey while helping others heal.Check out this conversation with our Here Tomorrow teammate.
Transcribe →Burn Your Uniforms
4w ago00:26:29Tap to summarize"Burn Your Uniforms & Forget You Were in the military." That's what Jim was told when he came home. Years later, the "welcome home" signs made him feel anything but welcome. Mama was home when he left. Jim did what many of our dads did and joined up before he could be drafted only to receive his draft notice a few weeks after he went in. Arriving just after the infamous Tet Offensive, Jim shouldered responsibilities most 19 year olds don't have to think about. Jim has the distinction of being the only Vietnam Veteran on this season.
Transcribe →Blackhawk Down, 18 Hours in Mogadishu & the Rest of Mike's Story
May 1201:20:39Tap to summarizeThere's always more to the story; a man making his way through what has become an iconic story in American lore and even pop culture. He was portrayed in the now unforgettable war movie, Blackhawk Down, but there was life there before and after those harrowing 18 hours in Mogadishu.Rangers lead the way. Follow Mike Goodale as he shares his story.
Transcribe →Jared Reston, Winning Vs. Surviving
May 500:44:20Tap to summarizeJared responded to a routine shop lifting call, but he found himself in a fight for his life. Shot multiple times in the face and body, Jared dug deep, responded as a well-trained Operator can and won another day on earth with his family and comrades. In this episode, we discuss a winning vs. survival mindset, what it takes to move forward after an encounter like this and how it impacts family and career. This is a story for the books.
Transcribe →A Warrior in a Garden
Apr 2900:48:54Tap to summarizeSurf's up and guitar is shredding. Jeremy and I discuss the healing power of fatherhood, becoming a warrior in a garden, the pressure of expectations on the job and bringing humanity into the job. This one is chock full of solutions.
Transcribe →From West Point to Iraq and Back
Apr 2100:38:30Tap to summarizeNick Padlo went from small town life, to West Point, to helping the Iraqi people rebuild their armed forces. When he returned to the States, he struggled with finding a sense of purpose and a mission to sustain him, but it was a long road in recovery. Today, he leads Sophros recovery, helping others find their way into recovery and wellness. He shares his story here with us.
Transcribe →Sometimes a Hero Brings His Sippy Cup
Apr 1400:55:55Tap to summarizeIn this powerful and unfiltered episode of Clearing the Mind Field, we sit down with Jason Wyman, an Army veteran and former combat medic who knows firsthand what it means to carry the invisible weight of service.Jason opens up about the moments that never left him—the service, the casualties, and the decisions that followed him home. We discuss the difference between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Moral Injury, and how the combination of both nearly cost him everything. This isn’t a surface-level conversation—this is the reality of what happens when the mission ends, but the war inside doesn’t.At his lowest point, Jason found himself battling Suicidal ideation, questioning whether he could keep going. But in the middle of that darkness, one thing cut through the noise—his son.Jason shares the turning point where fatherhood became more than a role—it became a lifeline. A reason to stay. A reason to rebuild. A reason to fight.This episode is about more than survival—it’s about reclaiming purpose, redefining strength, and leading your own recovery when no one else can do it for you.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:The reality of life as a combat medic and the weight that followsWhat suicidal rock bottom actually feels like (and how to climb out)How connection, especially as a father, can become the turning pointWhat recovery looks like when you take ownership of itIf you’re a veteran, first responder, or anyone carrying something heavy—this conversation is for you.You’re not alone. And there is a way forward.
Transcribe →