In this episode, therapist Deana Kahle shares her work as a counselor for first responders as well as her incredibly powerful personal story of addiction and recovery. From trauma to triumph, Deana uses her personal experience alongside her professional knowledge to help her truly connect with and help heal the first responders with whom she works.

Deana's Bio:

With over 14 years as a mental health professional, Deana Kahle holds a masters degree in counseling psychology and is a licensed psychotherapist in California. As an instructor and wellness advocate primarily serving first responders, she brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to the conversation. Currently serving as executive director of a large organization that champions first responder mental wellness, she is passionate about fostering open discussions, breaking down mental health stigmas, and providing practical tools for resilience. Deana brings a deeply personal perspective to the concept of the wounded healer. She's excited to share not just clinical insights but also her own stories and reflections to inspire and connect with listeners.

Deana's website: https://copshrink.com/

Deana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/copshrink/

Deana's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Copshrink

Silverladder website: https://silverladder.com/blog/

My story (Shane/host): https://silverladder.com/blog/?page_id=963

Intro voice-over artist: C. Neil Williams

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

Crisis Text Line: Text "Home" to 741741

Mental / Behavioral Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.gov/

Send us a text

Nationally certified mediator, coach, and author Vanessa Hancock wants parents to be the first people their kids come to when they need help, not the last. She joins us on this episode for a conversation about family communication and connection, and how parents can become a trusted outlet for their kids.

Vanessa's website: https://truestlifeconsulting.com/index.php

Vanessa's book: https://www.amazon.com/Mean-Real-Clean-Functional-Relationship/dp/1982262354

Vanessa's Bio:

"I draw on my background in parenting, business, education, and coaching to inspire people to see things in new ways that totally shift their energy, actions and results. I am often told by my clients that I have made the most impact in their lives in the shortest amount of time-- after they had already tried everything else.

My ability to show families how to bridge communication gaps and to truly understand each other is my greatest strength. I speak everyone's language and can easily translate between family members who have a love for each other, but who have lost their ability to connect and to work as a team. I come into families' homes and easily create a safe environment for everyone to talk and to also be truly heard by each other.

I love to show parents how to create healthy relationships with their teenagers and young adults, and ultimately, with themselves. I want the parents to get to be the first person their kids turn to when they need a trusted adult, not the last. My one-on-one work with teenagers and young adults is efficient and effective, creating motivation and results beyond what is normally possible via traditional methods.

I attended Arizona State University, where I earned my BS in Business, Supply Chain Management, Barrett Honors College, 2000. I also earned my Post Baccalaureate in Secondary Education from ASU and studied graduate-level courses in Applied Communications from NAU. I taught high school and community college level courses and found my passion for teaching and inspiring others. She has led dozens of large groups of parents and teens and coached hundreds of people of all ages to get impactful results that changed the trajectory of their lives.

I raised five kids whom I had with my first spouse, as a stay-at-home/homeschooling mom. We took in two more kids when they were teens after they lost their parents in a tragedy. I divorced after 15 years, remarried, and had another child. After one more divorce, I finally learned to understand myself and my needs for peace and a healthy environment. She has learned "the hard way" about boundaries, self-love, alignment, acceptance, and faith.

My casual style is my secret to getting anyone to open up and to feel comfortable making new ideas and taking new actions. Nothing formal, clinical, or judgy here."

Silverladder website: https://silverladder.com/blog/

My story (Shane/host): https://silverladder.com/blog/?page_id=963

Intro voice-over artist: Lisa Long

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

Crisis Text Line: Text "Home" to 741741

Mental / Behavioral Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.gov/

Send us a text

Brian Sanders is a recently retired Homicide Lieutenant from a large metropolitan police department in the South. His previous
assignments include patrol, Patrol Training Officer, Proactive District Teams, Gang Suppression Unit, Drugs and Vice Unit,
Aggravated Assault Unit, Homicide Unit, and Intelligence Center, where he led monthly gang intelligence meetings for the region
and developed an internal team of gang intelligence detectives. Brian Sanders served as a homicide detective then returned to the
unit as a team sergeant then was promoted to lieutenant over the Violent Crimes Sections (Homicide Unit, Robbery Unit, and
Aggravated Assault Unit). In that assignment, Lt. Sanders was responsible for 6 sergeants and 30 detectives.

During his years as a detective, he served two of those years on a special assignment attached to the Career Criminal Unit
conducting a joint R.I.C.O. investigation with the F.B.I. which yielded the dismantling of DGF Bloods, convicted members in two
murders, and earned an award from the director of the FBI. He has a B.A. degree in Psychology and graduated magna cum laude.
While obtaining his degree, he earned his membership in Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in
Psychology. He is also a former sergeant of the United States Army (Infantry).

During his years with police department, he debriefed hundreds of gang members (Bloods, Crips,
Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, Vice Lords, Surenos, etc) and developed many into sources and
informants. He has developed multiple courses on gang identification, gang investigations, and gang
informants ranging from 8 hours to 40 hours of instructional time, trained hundreds of law enforcement
officers, as well as conducted numerous gang presentations at gang intel meetings and conferences.

He is a former writer for Skillset Magazine where eighteen of his articles were published under the
penname “B.C. Sanders.”

He currently hosts the podcast, “The Disruptors with Brian Sanders” in which he interviews bands,
undercover investigators, gang members, reformed Nazi skinheads, authors, mercenaries, and more. He
is also the co-host of “NIGHTSHIFT with Andrea Up Late.” Both shows are on all listening platforms
and Youtube.

Recently, he was featured in James Patterson’s national best seller, WALK THE BLUE LINE, a nonfiction book
sharing experiences of cops across the country. His interview was utilized in the section titled, “B.C. Sanders.”

Brian's Website: https://thedisruptorswithbriansanders.com/

Disruptors Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5QiNmgm8Z5MgQDAzHa6FeI?si=765b5cb1b9674adf

Disruptors Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_disruptors_podcast/#

NIGHTSHIFT Podcast with Andrea Up Late (Co-Hosted by Brian): https://www.youtube.com/@andrea_up_late

"Walk The Blue Line" Book (features Brian) by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Blue-Line-left_just-Patterson/dp/0316406600

Albums mentioned by Brian:

Bad Brains - "Rock for Light"

Bad Brains - "I Against I"

Gorilla Biscuits - "Start Today"

H20 - "Thicker Than Water"

Silverladder website: https://silverladder.com/blog/

My story (Shane/host): https://silverladder.com/blog/?page_id=963

Send us a text

The preteen and teen years can be a tremendous challenge for girls. But they can also be a time for incredible growth, learning, and empowerment. The difference-maker for young girls is often having a mentor to teach and guide them. Jill Petersen and Mary Frances, founders of Girls Mentorship, are two very powerful difference makers. Their workshops and programs have made a tremendously positive impact on attendees, including many who choose to come back year after year.

This conversation is ideal for parents and grandparents of preteen and teen girls, educators, mentors, and coaches.

Girls Mentorship Website: https://www.girlsmentorship.com/

Girls Mentorship on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsmentorship/?hl=en

Silverladder website: https://silverladder.com/blog/

My story (Shane/host): https://silverladder.com/blog/?page_id=963

Intro voice-over artist: Mark Bradford

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

Crisis Text Line: Text "Home" to 741741

Mental / Behavioral Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.gov/

Send us a text

After overcoming childhood trauma, alcoholism, and a number of other challenges, Micheala Ross' biggest battle was still ahead. Following the loss of her beloved son Samson due to a car accident in late 2023, she was determined to not only maintain her sobriety, but to honor her son's legacy by creating a foundation to serve others in his memory. Live Live Samson has allowed Micheala and the others who lost Samson to transform pain into purpose.

In this episode, Micheala joins us to share her story, Samson's story, and the inspiring work being done in his memory by the organization that bears his name. This conversation will be especially relevant to those grieving a lost loved ones, individuals who have faced childhood trauma, and people in recovery.

Live Like Samson Website: https://www.livelikesamson.com/

Live Like Samson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michealasamson/

Silverladder website: https://silverladder.com/blog/

My story (Shane/host): https://silverladder.com/blog/?page_id=963

Intro voice-over artist: C. Neil Williams

Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

Crisis Text Line: Text "Home" to 741741

Mental / Behavioral Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.gov/

Send us a text

After getting caught up in an addiction to gambling as a young man, Saul Malek lost time, money, relationships, and nearly lost his own life. In this episode of Silverladder, he tells us how it happened, how he got out, and what works to keep him healthy and free of addiction today. He also discusses the work he does as a public speaker, and shares tips for parents to help keep their kids healthy and balanced.

This comeback story is ideal for those facing gambling addiction or individuals who have loved ones struggling with gambling or any other form of addiction.

Saul's Website: https://www.saulmalek.com/

Saul's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saulmalekspeaking/

Silverladder website: https://silverladder.com/blog/

My story (Shane/host): https://silverladder.com/blog/?page_id=963

Intro voice-over artist: C. Neil Williams

Resources:

Gamblers Anonymous (GA): https://gamblersanonymous.org/

Find a GA meeting: https://gamblersanonymous.org/find-a-meeting/

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

Crisis Text Line: Text "Home" to 741741

Mental / Behavioral Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.gov/

Send us a text

How do you heal after loss? Bereavement Counselor Brent Thomas' life is dedicated to answering that question and helping to guide people to their own healing as they deal with grief. In this episode we discuss life and death, dying with dignity and choice, grief, memorializing lost loved ones, and healing.

This conversation is relevant to anyone who has suffered a loss, be it a person, a relationship, or a sense of purpose.

Brent's website: Holiday at the Sea

Book mentioned by Brent: Anne Roiphe.- "Epilogue: A Memoir"

Albums mentioned by Brent:

Eluvium - "An Accidental Memory in the Case of Death"

Trash Can Sinatras - "Cake"

Mike Doughty - "Skittish/Rockity Roll"

Song mentioned by Shane: Mike Doughty - "No Peace, Los Angeles"

Worden's Four Tasks of Mourning:

1. Accept the reality of the loss:

This involves acknowledging that the loss has occurred and that the person is physically gone. It can be a difficult task, as some denial may initially be present.

2. Process the pain of grief:

This involves experiencing and working through the emotional, cognitive, physical, and spiritual pain associated with the loss. Avoiding or suppressing grief can be detrimental.

3. Adjust to a world without the deceased:

This task involves adapting to a new reality where the deceased is no longer present, taking on new roles and responsibilities, and potentially redefining one's identity.

4. Find an enduring connection with the deceased while building a new life:

This task acknowledges that while the loss is permanent, the relationship with the deceased can continue in a different way, and one can still find meaning and purpose in life. It involves finding ways to honor the memory of the deceased while also moving forward and creating a new life.

Silverladder website: https://silverladder.com/blog/

My story (Shane/host): https://silverladder.com/blog/?page_id=963

Intro voice-over artist: Kevin Ohlfest

Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

Crisis Text Line: Text "Home" to 741741

Mental / Behavioral Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.gov/

Send us a text

I wanted to share a short summary of my personal story of addiction and recovery, as well as the work I do, in order to help listeners better understand who I am and where I'm coming from as a host.

Silverladder website: https://silverladder.com/blog/

My story (Shane/host): https://silverladder.com/blog/?page_id=963

Resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

Crisis Text Line: Text "Home" to 741741

Mental / Behavioral Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.gov/

Send us a text