Sit Around the Fire

This episode hits hard. Packy Dempsey, a retired law enforcement officer, takes us deep into the moment that changed everything — and how he turned that crucible into a mission of healing, not just for himself, but for first responders and military alike.We don't skip past the hard parts. Packy walks us through the four seconds that nearly ended his life, the chaos on scene, and the aftermath that no academy prepares you for: the guilt, the shame, the silent onset of addiction, and the dangerous belief that strength means carrying it alone. Then he shows us the other side — the brotherhood, the faith, the daily practices, and the radical gratitude that brought him back to life.This is a conversation about what it really costs to do this work, and what it takes to heal from it. Get ready to feel, reflect, and find the courage to face your own battles.In this episode:The life-altering four seconds that nearly took Packy's life and changed his world foreverThe raw truth behind police trauma, accountability, and the mental toll of critical incidentsHow complacency, identity, and the "Superman complex" can be deadly in high-stakes rolesThe importance of vulnerability, trust, and brotherhood among first respondersPractical tools — daily habits, training, and faith — that help Packy stay prepared and resilientThe transformative power of gratitude and community in healing from traumaA first look at Packy's upcoming book, which pairs vulnerability with authentic proof of survival and victoryA powerful call for men and women to break the silence, lean into support, and never fall aloneTimestamps:00:00 — Introduction: One of the toughest stories we've heard00:27 — Who was Packy before the moment that changed everything?02:47 — From mundane to miraculous: the story behind the four seconds04:18 — The chaos of the incident: a detailed recount of the critical moments on scene07:25 — The struggle to control the situation and the near loss of life09:40 — The mental and physical toll during and after the shooting11:29 — Understanding the psychological impact of police trauma15:10 — The real cost of high-stakes decision-making and the aftermath16:43 — How the trauma affected Packy's mental health and his journey to recovery21:06 — The role of support, vulnerability, and brotherhood in healing25:05 — The long road to mental peace: guilt, shame, and healing27:00 — How faith and community sustained Packy through his darkest days28:34 — The subtle but dangerous onset of addiction and coping mechanisms30:37 — The miraculous gift of gratitude in survival and recovery31:08 — What to do when you suspect someone is silently suffering36:52 — Behind the scenes of Packy's upcoming book and how it's a tool for healing38:32 — Training your mind: the key to readiness in emergencies39:28 — Final words of wisdom: face tomorrow with courage, not fearResources & Links:Packy Dempsey — Official Website: https://www.packydempsey.com/Crossroads of Trauma and Triumph (book coming soon — check back for release)Work with Ashlea: ashleadillard.com

Most women are waiting for permission to fully step into their power — but what if confidence isn't something you build? What if it's already inside you, ready to be claimed?In this special release episode of Sit Around the Fire, licensed professional counselor and clinical hypnotherapist Ashlea Dillard delivers a fiery, unfiltered message for every woman who's been playing small, waiting for the right moment, or surviving behind armor she no longer needs to wear.Ashlea breaks down the neuroscience behind why women hold back — how the nervous system codes growth as danger — and why courage isn't a feeling you wait for. It's a decision. A practice. A rewiring.You'll discover the powerful concept of "living from the future forward": how mental rehearsal and visualization aren't positive thinking — they're a brain-building blueprint. And you'll be introduced to the queen mindset: deep self-possession, unwavering decision, and the ability to walk into any room radiating authority — not because you've healed everything, but because you've decided who you are.This episode is for the woman who's tired of shrinking. Who's ready to stop leading from fear and start leading from love, abundance, and her own unshakeable truth.Your power is already in you. All that's left is to claim it.

In this insightful conversation, Adrianne Lind shares her journey through trauma, healing, and the transformative power of mindfulness and yoga. Discover practical tools for managing PTSD, grief, and stress, and learn how to cultivate a resilient nervous system for a healthier, more balanced life.Topics Discussed:Trauma and PTSD recoveryThe role of yoga and mindfulness in healingNervous system regulation and resilienceAdrianne LindChapters00:00 Introduction to Healing Conversations01:24 The Message of Forgiveness06:07 Understanding the Nervous System's Role06:32 Yoga as a Healing Tool11:39 Navigating Grief and Trauma12:34 Mindfulness and Daily Life17:15 Responding vs. Reacting19:56 Incorporating Music and Meditation22:05 Mindful Walking and Nature Connection22:29 The Power of Breath and Posture25:50 Yoga and Grief Management29:30 Consistency in Mindfulness Practices33:10 Breathwork Techniques for Everyday Life35:54 Navigating Stress and Emotional Responses38:31 The Connection Between Trauma and Physical Health39:49 ClosingResourcesYoga Nidra for PTSD - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6313445/Mindful Resilience Certification - https://yogaproject.org/mindful-resilience/Adrianne Lind's Website & Books - https://adriannelind.com/https://mybook.to/AdrianneLind

Have you ever known exactly what you should do — and still found yourself repeating the same patterns anyway?That frustration isn't a character flaw. It's neuroscience.In this episode, Ashlea Dillard breaks down why the subconscious mind holds onto emotional patterns — even painful ones — and how modern hypnotherapy gives us a direct pathway to change them. Drawing on the foundational clinical work of Gil Boyne and the transpersonal frameworks of Matthew Brownstein, Ashlea explores how affect bridge techniques, neuroplasticity, and emotionally resonant imagery work together to create the kind of transformation that actually sticks.You'll walk away understanding:Why your subconscious is protecting you, not sabotaging you — and why that matters for healingHow neuroplasticity works and why repetition, emotion, and focused attention are the real drivers of lasting changeWhy intellectual insight alone often isn't enough — and what hypnotherapy does differentlyThe one reflection practice that can help you start identifying the stories keeping you stuckIf you've ever felt like you're trying to change but something invisible keeps pulling you back — this episode is for you.🔥 New episodes every week.Find all resources at sitaroundthefire.org and ashleadillard.com.

Are you exhausted from trying to fix yourself? More supplements, better routines, stricter discipline—and still your body feels like it's working against you. In this episode, I sit down with Mitch Webb to talk about something most healing conversations miss: the idea that your body isn't broken—it's actually doing exactly what it was designed to do. Your symptoms, your anxiety, your need to control everything? Those aren't signs of failure. They're signs of a nervous system that learned to protect you. Mitch gets raw and real about his own journey with control—how diet rules, rituals, and the relentless pursuit of perfection kept him stuck in a cycle of dysregulation. We trace how that need for certainty is rooted in early wounds, and why the path forward isn't about doing more—it's about finally learning to be. In this episode, we explore:• Why your survival responses are signs of resilience, not failure• How control becomes a safety mechanism—and what it costs you• The link between trauma, attachment, and the need for certainty• How to build a flexible nervous system by creating new experiences of safety• Why vulnerability isn't weakness—it's your greatest healing tool• Practical ways to shift from doing to being and finally feel at home in your skin This one isn't just for first responders or trauma survivors. It's for anyone exhausted by the endless chase for perfection and quick fixes. If you're ready to stop fighting your body and start trusting it, this episode is your permission slip. Connect with Mitch Webb at his website and social channels for personalized coaching and [email protected] New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe so you never miss one. 🎧 Listen & subscribe: sitaroundthefire.org | ashleadillard.com