What Saves First Responders: Dena Ali on Peer Support, Belonging, and the Culture That Keeps People Alive
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Dena Ali for a conversation that goes way beyond “one bad call.” We talk about firefighter suicide, peer support, belonging, bullying, leadership, and the culture inside first responder organizations that either helps people heal or quietly pushes them further into shame and isolation. Dena shares how her own difficult season led her into this work, why peer support became such a critical part of the solution, and why she now believes the real...
In this episode, I sit down with Dena Ali for a conversation that goes way beyond “one bad call.”
We talk about firefighter suicide, peer support, belonging, bullying, leadership, and the culture inside first responder organizations that either helps people heal or quietly pushes them further into shame and isolation. Dena shares how her own difficult season led her into this work, why peer support became such a critical part of the solution, and why she now believes the real goal is bigger than training a few designated people.
This episode is about what actually keeps first responders alive. Not just after the hard calls, but in the everyday culture of the job.
Listen now:
https://www.afterthetonesdrop.co/dena-ali
You can get Dena Ali's book Hope Out of Darkness: A Guide to First Responder Mental Wellness Here: https://a.co/d/00cKPzX4
Another book Dena recommends for Team Culture is The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle Here is the link to buy it: https://a.co/d/02eW1zws
DISCLAIMER:
After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information.
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