Sept. 3, 2025

The Dudes Abide: First Responder Brotherhood, Resilience, and the Fight for Mental Health

The Dudes Abide: First Responder Brotherhood, Resilience, and the Fight for Mental Health

Send us a text Episode 121: The Dudes Abide: First Responder Brotherhood, Resilience, and the Fight for Mental Health What happens when two firefighters decide that health, wellness, and a little bit of humor can change the fire service for good? You get Nick Magoteaux and Jim Burneka Jr.—co-founders of the Firefighter Health & Wellness Conference and guests on this week’s episode. Nick and Jim aren’t just talking theory. Between lived experience, advocacy, and more than a few battle scar...

Send us a text

Episode 121: The Dudes Abide: First Responder Brotherhood, Resilience, and the Fight for Mental Health

What happens when two firefighters decide that health, wellness, and a little bit of humor can change the fire service for good? You get Nick Magoteaux and Jim Burneka Jr.—co-founders of the Firefighter Health & Wellness Conference and guests on this week’s episode.

Nick and Jim aren’t just talking theory. Between lived experience, advocacy, and more than a few battle scars, they’ve created a conference where firefighters and their families can show up, learn, laugh, and walk away with tools that actually save lives. And they’re doing it without the bloated price tags or the stale, cookie-cutter approach that too many conferences fall into.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • Jim’s powerful journey from firefighter to cancer patient to advocate shaping state laws.
  • Why Nick believes community and accessibility matter more than flashy stages and big egos.
  • How the Firefighter Health & Wellness Conference is changing the game—making resilience training affordable, fun, and unforgettable.
  • Why bringing your spouse might be the most important part of the whole experience.

Nick and Jim have created a wellness conference firefighters actually want to attend...  They are a good time, tune in to experience them yourself.

🎧 Listen now: afterthetonesdrop.co/nick-and-jim

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.


ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat):

  • https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR
  • https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM
  • https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE
  • https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS
  • https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74
  • https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus
    License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVR
  • https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough
    License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE