Why I’m Narrowing the Focus of This Podcast

Surviving Your Shift, Building Peer Support

Peer support can save careers—and lives. This episode reveals why Surviving Your Shift is narrowing its focus and how it will equip you to build a strong peer support culture in your organization.

Are you tired of seeing your coworkers burn out, break down, or just barely get by, and wondering what you can do to help?

You’re not alone. Many first responders and frontline professionals feel called to support their peers, but don’t know where to start—or if they’re even qualified.

This episode marks a big shift in the podcast. We’re going all in on peer support—what it is, why it works, and how to do it well. Whether you’re part of a peer support team or thinking about starting one, this show is now your go-to resource.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL FIND OUT:

• Why peer support isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s essential to saving lives, money, and morale
• What kind of stories, guests, and training you can expect in future episodes
• How you can share your own story to help shape a practical guide for building peer teams that actually work

We’re not just talking about culture change—we’re helping you lead it.

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Bart’s email: [email protected]

Send Bart a voicemail: survivingyourshift.com/voicemail

Schedule a complimentary consultation with Bart: stresscaredoc.com/consultation

Sources

(n.d.). 2024-Suicide-Prevention-Stand-Down-REV. Www.Iaff.org. https://www.iaff.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-Suicide-Prevention-Stand-Down-REV.pdf

(2024, December 9). The RISE (Resilience in Stressful Events) Peer Support Program: Creating a Virtuous Cycle of Healthcare Leadership Support for Staff Resilience and Well-Being. PubMed Central. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11639878/

(2023, March 8). Work-related posttraumatic stress disorder in paramedics in comparison to data from the general population of working age. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1151248/full?utm_source=chatgpt.com

(2025, April 21). First Responder Suicide Rates, Mental Health Crises Rise. Government Technology. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.govtech.com/em/safety/first-re

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Connect with Bart

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bartleger

Facebook Page: facebook.com/survivingyourshift

Website: survivingyourshift.com

Want to find out how I can help you build a peer support program in your organization or provide training? Schedule a no-obligation call or Zoom meeting with me here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Houston Area CISM GRIN Training

This 3-day course, hosted by the Atascocita Fire Department, will teach you how to support your peers through effective communication, emotional resilience, and understanding the psychological impact of crises. Register for this training. https://stresscaredoc.com/atascocita-grin Dates: January 6-8, 2026 Times: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM each day Location: Atascocita Fire Admin Building