Podcasts
4th generation Firefighter with 17 years of combination experience. 2024 Texas Fire Chief’s excellence and Fire Instructor of the year winner. Division Chief Of Training along with Wellness and Fitness director for Cypress Creek Fire Department in Texas. Creator and founder for Ironclad Wellness that provides mentoring, coaching and peer support to first responders struggling with their own mental health. Jason certainly did not have to come on the podcast and openly discuss his own struggles. But I applaud him for doing so because in this day and age we need more individuals like him to openly discuss their own battles which in return can show others out there who maybe hiding in plain sight that help is out there and they’re not alone. I truly truly hope the listeners can listen and pick up the nuggets Jason drops within this episode. I can’t thank Jason enough for coming on and talking shop.
Today’s episode is a masterclass in mental toughness and leadership straight from the mouth of a firefighter-turned-Marine-turned-firefighter who’s making waves in the world of first responder wellness. Meet Chief Jason Corthell—a guy who’s not just walking the walk, but kicking down doors to get the mental health conversation started where it matters most: in the firehouse, on the battlefield, and inside the hearts and minds of those who serve.
Chief Corthell isn’t your run-of-the-mill fire chief. He’s a fourth-gen firefighter, the kind of guy who’s got firefighting in his blood, and he’s taken all that history and channeled it into something truly revolutionary—Ironclad Wellness. But we’re not just talking about a “rah-rah, let’s feel better” approach here. No, Jason’s digging deep into the nitty-gritty of post-traumatic stress and how it can morph into something stronger: post-traumatic growth.
Jason takes us through the tightrope walk that is leadership in mental health—how chief officers aren’t just there to bark orders but need to be the first in line to address the mental wellness of their crews. And we’re not talking just about the heavy hitters; we get into the weeds on the difference between macro-dosed and micro-dosed PTS, in high-stress professions. But that’s not all. We’re diving into the complexities of veteran and responder cultures, those unspoken codes that make it so damn hard to ask for help.
You’ll hear about the delicate dance between confidentiality and support, the razor’s edge of getting people the help they need without breaking the trust that keeps the whole system from collapsing. And let’s talk about policies—proactive, comprehensive policies that don’t just sit on a shelf collecting dust but actually save lives.
Chief Corthell doesn’t mince words when it comes to the role of leadership in all of this. He’s laying it out—how gaining buy-in from the top isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. The language we use, the cultural competence we need, and the proactive stances we take—these aren’t just buzzwords, they’re the blueprint for survival.
So, whether you’re a first responder, a veteran, or someone who’s just damn passionate about mental health, this episode is a wake-up call. Jason’s insights aren’t just talk—they’re the roadmap to real change in the way we handle mental wellness in the toughest of environments. Get ready to take notes, because this conversation is packed with the kind of wisdom that could just save a life—maybe even your own.
Get ready for an intense and inspiring episode of "I'm Going In" featuring Jason Corthell, the active Fire Chief in Harris County, TX! With a stellar career as an International Speaker and a Certified Instructor in Fire Protection, Jason's expertise is second to none. A proud graduate of Texas A&M and its prestigious Fire Service Chief Executive Officer Program, he's also certified in Peer Support and Resiliency, as well as EMS instruction. In 2015, Jason received the prestigious Texas Governor's Star Award, a testament to his exceptional service. As an honorable United States Marine Corps Veteran, Jason's dedication to serving his country and state shines through in everything he does. Don't miss this incredible conversation with a true hero!
"I'm Going In" is a transformative podcast hosted by Todd Blyleven, a former professional baseball player, TEDx Speaker, and heroic survivor of the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting. This powerful show delves into the depths of trauma, offering a platform for individuals to share stories of adversity, resilience, and triumph. Todd, who overcame extreme trauma and PTSD, recounts his own journey, from declaring "I'm going in" to therapy and church, to daily self-improvement. By showcasing guests who've faced similar struggles, the podcast empowers listeners to understand their trauma, declare their own transformative moments, and embark on a path of healing and self-discovery. Join Todd and his guests as they inspire and uplift with tales of strength, courage, and the life-changing decision to say, "I'm Going In."
You can find more information on Todd Blyleven and his speaking opportunities at: www.toddblyleven.com
In a second session, Jason speaks with David Dachinger, Lt. (Ret.) from Responder Resilience for a brief overview of his organizations mental wellness program. Jason and Dr. Liz Fletcher developed a successful, quantifiable program for the personnel within their organization. Listen now!
During this first session Jason goes in depth with the team from Responder Resilience on his mission, drive, and why he continues to trailblaze a path not often traveled. Promoting his story and sending a message to first responders across the country that overcoming PTS and thriving is possible!
Jason and Liz chat with Mike Gagliano, Captain ( Ret.), Seattle Fire Department and Mike Dugan, Captain (Ret.), FDNY about their Three Tier Mental Wellness Program that has had many successes within their organization.
Jason sits down with John Kelley on “The Beef Podcast”:
“Firefighters, like other emergency services professionals, continuously deal with minor and major stressors which often result in mental health issues. Today’s guest, Jason Corthell, is a Division Chief with Cypress Creek Fire Department, and suffers from PTSD after surviving the catastrophic collapse of a building in 2015. Though Jason received enormous support in many ways after the accident, nobody addressed the issue of his mental health. Two years later, Jason decided to take on the major task of setting up a wellness program for his department. After realizing how much work went into creating the systems to run the program, and seeing the positive response from his team members to the interventions he put in place, Jason was inspired to share his learnings with the world, to ensure that as many emergency service departments as possible have access to tools which can preserve their mental health.”
Jason sits in as a featured special guest with Herb, Pablo, and Jacob from National Rescue Consultants to speak about mental health in the fire service and the importance of implementing and providing the right services for first responders. (Warning: Explicit Language at Times)
In this two part series with Dr. Richard Gasaway, Jason speaks on the physical and mental recovery after the fateful day in March of 2015.
On March 27th, 2015, Jason Corthell describes his first hand account of being caught in a structural collapse and the actions taken during and after a mayday with Dr. Richard Gasaway.
