In this episode, I sat down with Davin Cole, a highly decorated former police officer. Davin responded to critical incidents throughout his career, though explaining that nothing lingered when leaving each one. He believed that he walked away from them without a lasting impact.

After a serious injury and surgery, Davin was prescribed pain medication that later turned to dependence. As he attempted to come off the medication, addiction took hold, leading to decisions that ultimately cost him his career and freedom.

This conversation explores how trauma doesn't always present itself in obvious ways, and how substance use can quietly take root even in high ranking officers.

This exposes how quickly life can change and why early intervention, honest conversations and real support matter long before everything falls apart.

Davin is an incredibly strong individual then and now.

Davin does public speaking and there is so much more to unpack than what was covered in this episode. Visit Davincole.com for more information.

If you’re interested in sharing your story and advice, please email me at bmtmccarty@gmail.com

Lets connect!

https://www.instagram.com/react_frp?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026

You can also find us on Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music/Audible

The REACT Podcast uses royalty-free music licensed under the Pixabay content license. The track selected is free for commercial use.

In this episode, I sit down with police officer Johnny Snyder as my very first guest. Johnny has had a very active career and is currently a SWAT team member and a gang investigator. He shares what brotherhood looks like and how it’s different from SWAT to patrol. We talk about the culture shifts and what support really means.

We also dive into the stigma surrounding mental health in the first responder field, how he manages to stay grounded, and how he balances his career, physical health, mental health and his family.

If you’re interested in sharing your story and advice, please email me at bmtmccarty@gmail.com

Lets connect!

https://www.instagram.com/react_frp?igsh=ZXIxZGdxYTRmcTM4&utm_source=qr

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584786656026

You can also find us on Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music/Audible

The REACT Podcast uses royalty-free music licensed under the Pixabay content license. The track selected is free for commercial use.

REACT: A First Responders Podcast is a space for meaningful conversations about the realities of this work—both the visible and the invisible.

Our goal: reduce stigma, strengthen peer support, and share the stories that often go unspoken.

Whether you’re police, fire, EMS, dispatch, or corrections, this podcast reminds you that what you’re feeling is normal, and that connection is one of our strongest tools. You’re not alone in this job, and you don’t have to carry everything by yourself.

If you’re interested in being on the podcast and sharing your story, please email me at bmtmccarty@gmail.com

Music by AlexGrohl