087.5 - Making Wellness Conferences: Shawn Thomas, Part 2

This is part two of an interview with Shawn Thomas.  If you haven't listened to part one, in which talked about her experience as the wellness officer in a large Sheriff's Office in the Pacific Northwest, then please go download that episode.  She had a lot of insight to share, especially if you think you might be the first wellness officer in your agency.  But today we're talking about her second chapter.  She began producing wellness conferences with speakers and vendors and hundreds of first responder attendees.  And this unexpected role became her main gig when she retired.

The whole process of putting together a conference is fascinating but I think the main thing I want to walk away with is that you are capable of doing things you never thought you'd do.  There may not be a clear path forward, but don't let that stop you from making a difference.

Resources:

• Shawn's organization, 1st Responder Conferences:  https://www.1strc.org
• First HELP First Responder Suicide statistics:  https://1sthelp.org

Music is by Alexander Nakarada

Hey Chaplain Podcast Episode 087.5

Tags:

Wellness, Conferences, Divorce, Finances , Retirement, Stress, PTSD, Ocean City, Seattle, California, Maryland, Oregon, Washington