Burnout gets all the attention, but what if burnout isn't the real problem?

In this episode, Elliott Moya and Billy Dries sit down with Wally Fraser and Brad Gallant to discuss first responder wellness, leadership, culture, and what actually helps people thrive in high-stress professions.

The conversation explores why some wellness initiatives succeed while others fail, the importance of authenticity in leadership, family impact, mandatory wellness checks, and the challenge of balancing control at work with life at home.

The episode also includes the announcement of the 2026 Maine Wellness Conference keynote speaker, AK Dozanti, along with details about this year's conference and the continued effort to bring meaningful wellness conversations to first responders across Maine.

Topics include:

• Why some wellness programs fail

• The difference between policy and culture

• Burnout and first responder mental health

• Family impact and support systems

• Authentic leadership and wellness

• Control, stress, and life outside the job

• The 2026 Maine Wellness Conference

• Keynote speaker announcement: AK Dozanti

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:45 Brad's Personal Wellness Journey

07:30 Building the Maine Wellness Conference

12:00 Family and First Responder Wellness

16:45 Why Wellness Programs Fail

20:30 Culture vs Policy

25:00 AK Dozanti Announced as Keynote Speaker

27:45 Control at Work vs Control at Home

33:15 Practical Wellness Takeaways

35:45 Maine Wellness Conference 2026

38:00 Final Thoughts

Learn more:

Follow Maine Responder Podcast for conversations on leadership, wellness, resilience, and the realities of life behind the uniform.

🌲 Maine Wellness Conference Website: https://www.mainewellnessconference.org/

Dr. Wally Fraser https://www.wjfraserconsulting.com/

🌲 Toned Out Project: www.tonedoutproject.com

🌲 Keynote Speaker AK Dozanti: https://akdozanti.com/

If you’re a first responder, leader, spouse, clinician, or someone passionate about improving the culture around wellness in public safety — this episode is for you.