Standing Beside Our Heroes

Have you ever wondered what it is like to grow up as the child of a firefighter? As two fire wives raising kids in the fire service, Amber and I often wondered what the impact might be. Especially around the holiday season. Do kids remember holidays changed or those celebrated at the station? Is the time dad is away felt as deeply as it is for us as the mother doing it alone for many days at a time. Or is their childhood no different. We interviewed Cara, a fire daughter, to get a first hand account. She shares her experience growing up as a child in the fire service-detailing all that she remembers. While offering some very good perspective for those of us raising kids now.

What would you do if your husband (or wife’s) career was threatened. If your beliefs were challenged and you had to make a choice? What if the career they worked hard for-the one they gave so much of themselves too- the one they loved so much came to a screeching halt in a matter of 30 days. What would you do? We sit down with Fire wife Brittany Sattley to discuss how she and her husband - 11yr firefighter Josh Sattley are navigating this difficult time.

In this episode were here to talk about living through COVID in year 2. I don’t think we could of anticipated this is where we would be. There has been so much shifting—we wonder what will the fire community look like after this? We are seeing lay offs, divided opinions…mandates. Last year we missed holidays at the station, less time with each other, less community. Our fireman have been overworked and many are burnt out…will that be the new norm? Covid is mentally and emotionally draining hitting us on all fronts. Our personal choices, workspaces, every capacity has been affected. So will we be so vastly different since Covid that the fire life we knew before is just a memory? Join us as we talk through it all.

In this welcome back episode we talk about the postpartum period-That sensitive time that isn’t talked about much but affects us all in our motherhood journey. Then we dig deep and Britt shares her recent experiences with postpartum depression/anxiety and navigating that with the fire life schedule. This episode is real-RAW-and us coming back to this space with you ladies ready to dig in...we can’t wait to hear what you think or how you can relate! Resources: Postpartum support international-www.postpartum.net Postpartum Stress Center-www.postpartumstress.com Postpartum Progress/online support www.postpartumprogress.com Psychology today (to find a therapist) www.psychology today.com/us PSI: Postpartum Support International Free Weekly Online Support Groups Http://www.postpartum.net/psi-online-support-meetings/

Since we started this podcast our goal has always been to relate to you as fire-wives. What we realized is tons of you wear many hats...and LOTS of you are business owners. Being a business owner/entrepreneur is quite challenging. But just like being a fire wife is unique, business ownership as a fire wife is it’s own special challenge. It is juggling + working in the nooks and crannies. It’s being able to work + be home with your kids. It’s having a plan & a back up plan to your plan. But above all...it’s having a belief in yourself & your product. We sat down with our fire wife friend and successful owner of Compassion Rocks Jewelry, Carey Rocha, to talk about what it’s like. Her beautiful stone business came out of a personal attack that is now serving to give back to victims of crime. Her stunning creations have become a staple in our community and her business is thriving!! If you are a business owner, thinking of starting a business, or just want to hear a beautiful story...this episode is for you! —————————————————— The first 1/2hour we hear all about Carey and her business. The second 1/2hour we talk about the nitty gritty of business ownership. #podcast #firewife #firelife #standingbesideourheroes #firefamily #firecommunity #firespouse #bossbabe #joinus #smallbusiness #community #jewlery https://www.facebook.com/standingbesideourheroes/ http://instagram.com/standing.beside.heroes.podcast Giveaway Items: Hydration beauty glow IV bag from @hmahydrationsuite, botox, and dermaplaning with a jelly mask from @jamienursepractitioner of hospitality medical aesthetics salon. ($650 value) Beautiful fire wife bracelet set from @compassionrocksjewelry ($71 value) A customized wooden fire wife sign for your home by @athomewithcarissawhitten ($50 value) 2 scrunchies and 2 matching bows + A macramé headband & matching clip by @indygirlandco ($60 value) Signed Copy of Fully Involved by Mynda Ohs @fullyinvolvedlife ($20 value) A bottle of Redlands Honey Orange Elderberry syrup by @thewellberry ($25 value) A vegan beauty basket with one 12oz Soy Candle + Mango Tango Shea & Mango Butter Soap + Organic Coffee Bean Sugar Scrub + Vegan Solid Perfume and Vegan Lip Balm by @laminincreations ($60 value) Bright & Airy Lightroom presets by @amandarileyphoto($ value) Starbucks Gift-card to treat yourself to coffee from @standing.beside.heroes.podcast ($20 value)

As a fire family things can often get busy. The last few months for us have been just that. Brittany welcomed her 2nd daughter, renovated her home and worked while balancing home life. Amber is growing a booming business, house hunting and running her household like a champ! Which meant we stepped away a bit...but we’re BACK! This episode we re-introduce ourselves to you by sharing our Top 5 favorite things. As well as some of our fave items that make life as a fire wife-mom-busy woman just a little bit easier. So tune in to get to know us a little more and maybe snag an idea for yourself...Mother’s Day is around the corner after all! Links below for the fun things we discussed today! Listening to an audiobook: Listen to Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen on Audible. https://www.audible.com/pd?asin=0593172272&source_code=ASSORAP0511160006 Or something slutty by J. Kenner https://www.audible.com/pd/Release-Me-The-Stark-Trilogy-Audiobook/B00ATDUWBK?qid=1618205121&sr=1-2&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_2&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=A4GJDA6C06PP8YVM449E Makeup: Bobby brown tinted moisturizer https://m.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/product/14017/40368/makeup/face/foundation/nude-finish-tinted-moisturizer-spf-15/ss16#/shade/Light_to_Medium_Tint L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara, Black [305] 0.28 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BIZ0PM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TQ2EBGFZW7ZVRG3N7W3H?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Accessory: Classic earrings like these https://etsy.me/2E8rqj4 Baby items: a cute bow from https://etsy.me/2AaWN8d Jammies with double zippers: https://www.target.com/p/baby-girls-39-3pk-fruit-print-zip-up-sleep-n-39-play-cloud-island-8482-yellow-brown-white-0-3m/-/A-80954101 Diaper bags: https://fawndesign.com/collections/the-original-collection or https://freshlypicked.com/collections/the-classic-diaper-bag Baby blankets: https://littleunicorn.com/collections/lu-cotton-muslin-swaddles https://www.adenandanais.com/swaddles

Just like the rest of our life, parenting looks different for a fire family then the regular 9-5 family. We are essentially single parents most of the time, while having the luxury of also being married. Single parenting while married has it own unique challenges. While we recognize that we are not single parents, it can feel that way a lot of the time due to our significant others career. In this episode we discuss how parenting in this lifestyle can feel overwhelming and challenging being the only parent doing 90% of the work. We talk about ways to combat the feeling of doing it all by yourself. As well as ways to include your significant other into your daily life so you can both be on the same parenting page. Tune in to hear all about how we are finding our stride in single parenting while married.

Feeling second to the job is something we can all relate to in this lifestyle. We know they love us and they have us first in their hearts, but the reality is we come second. The job is one we all make sacrifices for even as fire wives. It can be hard to feel like your important is always less important than your significant others. But when it comes down to it they are there to save lives for the greater good and we support them through it all. It's not easy feeling second to the job. In this episode we talk about how we have taken the backseat and ways we combat it in our own lives and the mentalities we take to help us find the good in coming in second.

Learning how to best communicate in a relationship where you don't get to see each other for days at a time is a skill we all strive to be better at. Knowing when to talk about the hard things or how to better to connect on a daily basis when conversations last 5 mins between calls, isn't a innate ability we possess. We sat with marriage and family counselor, Ashley Philips, to discuss the right time to have these important conversations. Ashley also talks to us about how to build connection even through the distance of fire family life. Ashley talks about the five love languages and how incorporating these into your relationship can help bridge the gap of feeling disconnected. We learned so many amazing ways to communicate and show our significate other we are thinking and caring for them. You will love this episode and have so many new tools for your tool bag to help build a stronger relationship!

While we all have a shared understanding of what the hardships are like in the fire life, we also know how amazing this career can be for our firefighters and our families. There are so many wonderful benefits to this lifestyle,. And we know it is easy to see the bad more then the good, but 2021 is a new year and we want to see the good. So tune in to hear about our favorite parts of this life! We love this life and wouldn't change it for the world!

New year means new resolutions, but as a fire wife that can feel so overwhelming . One more thing on your plate to tackle. So we changed it up and are doing things our own way to help us feel like we are going to win at 2021! We need to find little ways to make it through fire life in one piece and we decided making new year's resolutions wasn't going to serve us. Tune in to hear how we are starting 2021.

Happy Holidays from us to you! The holidays are such a treasured time with family, loved ones and friends. We know that the fire life can make it hard and adjustments may need to be made. But we are used to that right?!?! Regardless of what changes may be thrown your way there are so many wonderful things the holidays bring and so many ways to celebrate the season with your fireman. This episode we talk about our favorite holiday traditions and ways we cope with the ever changing fire life. We hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season and you enjoy your time together. Remember its about the time together and the memories made not the specific day it happens!

As fire season draws closer to the end, so do the long days apart. And while we all long for the day they come back to us, it can come with its own challenges. Having them home is all we want. We want them there to love on and spend time with, we want another hand around the house to help with and we want the worry to be at peace for just a moment. But them coming home also means putting a wrench into the meticulous routines and schedules we have had to put in place in order to survive. While we love them being home it can be hard too. So tune in to hear a real conversation about how we deal with our firefighters coming home after one of the hardest fire season we have had.

Let's have a little party everyday! We sat with Jessica Novelli of @littlepartyeveryday to talk about how to incorporate joy into everyday with your kids. Jessica has been having a little party everyday with her kids since 2014. She has so many wonderful ways to have a special moment with your children. There are so many jobs we have to get through everyday as a mom and fire wife it can start to feel repetitive and overwhelming. Jessica has a great outlook on they way she chooses to live her life and make each day have something unique and something her kids and her look forward to. We loved sitting down to talk with her and learned so many fun ways to add a little party everyday to our own lives. Tune in to hear all her tips! We also have a bonus at the end of first responder discounts that you can check out this holiday season to save some money! Little Party Everyday Instagram: @littlepartyeveryday Discounts:

This week we sit down and talk with "Tommy Flames" or other wise known as Chris Maleta. Chris started a kids clothing line and kids YouTube channel to show kids how they can be their own hero. Chris is a Kansas City firefighter who wanted to bring his knowledge and passion of fire safety to kids all over the world. His first hand experiences helps him create content that is real and informative while also super fun for the kids. Tune in to hear all about Tommy Flames and how kids can he their own hero! Tommy Flames: https://tommyflames.com/ Instagram: thetommyflames YouTube: Tommy Flames

Sharing some exciting news!!! And talking about everything pregnancy related in the fire life. We know pregnancy is not easy on its own, then add a partner who is gone for multiple days and could miss the birth for many different reasons; its a tricky road to navigate. We don't have all the answers by any means but we have our own experiences and some tips and tricks that made our journeys easier. So tune in to hear our stories and we would love to hear all about yours too!

2020 has made its presence known and fire season has been no exception. The season has been tough on all fire families, ourselves included. This episode is a real life talk about fire season and what we are going through. It can be so hard to hold down the fort while our firemen are out fighting the fires. Between the long strike teams, the fires threating our home towns and the losses of fellow firemen it has been a unyielding season. But we are in it together, with you through it all. This is a real conversation about where we are at and knowing it's ok because we will make it through, together!

Women in the field are becoming more of an occurrence and we are here for it! We interview Fire Captain Andrea Binley Murray to talk about what it's like to be a woman in a male dominated career. As well as, what it has been like to move up the ranks as a female and some amazing changes Andrea has brought to the fire community. Fire women are strong, capable and beautiful! We are bringing the fire women to light in this episode and celebrating them in all their glory.

Explaining this lifestyle is never easy, even to family. They try to offer support and understanding, but it's hard for them to comprehend without living the lifestyle. And for us it's hard to always have to explain why our significant others are not at the party or missing another important event. Even with the best intentions, all the questions and comments about our life are not what we want to hear. We all know what its like, but here are some tips to help family understand a little better.

Communication is so important in any marriage, but in a fire family it is crucial! It's not always easy to find the right time or the right thing to say. Dr. Mynda Ohs author of Fully Involved and licensed marriage and family therapist offers great insight and tools to help build healthy communication with our firefighters. Tune in to hear a great conversation with Dr. Mynda Ohs where we touch on everything from new beginnings to how to make it through this marathon of fire life.