64 Next Rung: Charlie Brown’s Fight for First Responder Mental Health

Episode 12 August 11, 2025 01:59:23
64 Next Rung: Charlie Brown’s Fight for First Responder Mental Health
Grablives
64 Next Rung: Charlie Brown’s Fight for First Responder Mental Health

Aug 11 2025 | 01:59:23

/

Hosted By

Jonathan Vargas

Show Notes

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Charlie Brown, a dedicated engineer with the Glendale Fire Department and a passionate advocate for first responder mental health. Charlie runs a nonprofit organization that’s transforming lives by offering critical mental health support to firefighters, doctors, and nurses. Learn about their expanded services, including a 24/7 hotline for text and phone support, connecting those in need with professional care. Charlie shares how their nonprofit hosts fundraising events like the Fight for Mental Health boxing matches and leverages a peer support team to rally communities around this vital cause.

Joined by insights into the inspiring work of Charlie’s teammate, Blake Stinnett, founder of Next Rung, we explore Blake’s personal mission driven by the tragic loss of a friend and co-worker to suicide. His love for the fire service fuels his commitment to making a lasting impact on those he serves alongside. Tune in for an uplifting conversation about resilience, community, and breaking the stigma around mental health for first responders.



For more contacting Next Rung:

www.nextrung.org

Other Episodes

Episode 20

November 22, 2025 01:31:14
Episode Cover

75 Medicine for the Mind: Psychedelic Therapy as a Workplace Benefit

In this episode, Jon sits down with Sherry Rais from Enthea, a company changing the future of mental health care for first responders, veterans,...

Listen

Episode 9

July 23, 2025 01:58:18
Episode Cover

61 Relationship or Relationsh*t

In this heartfelt and honest episode, Jon sits down with his fiancée Haley to talk about the realities of managing a relationship when one...

Listen

Episode 2

February 24, 2025 01:27:21
Episode Cover

54 Understanding shame and the burdens of a firefighter with Matty Fiorenza

Matty Fiorenza is a retired firefighter of Anaheim Fire Department. Matty has a non profit behavioral health service for first responders, First Responder Peace...

Listen