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Artwork for Behind The Shield

Behind The Shield

James Geering
Mental Health
First Responders
Firefighting
Law Enforcement
Addiction
PTSD
PFAS
Trauma
Community Support
Nutrition
Firefighter Health
Fire Service
Psychedelics
Cancer
Leadership
Dupont
FDNY
Sleep
9/11
Sleep Deprivation

Bringing the greatest minds in mental and physical wellness to the men and women who serve our communities.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1058Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthFitnessHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Behind The Shield

Latest Episodes

Roberto Ortiz is a Mexican law enforcement professional and Intelligence Coordinator from Chihuahua, Mexico, whose life changed forever on April 15, 2022, when he was critically injured during an operation and lost both of his legs above the knee.

A... more

Jo Terry is a recently retired licensed physical therapist who owned her own outpatient physical therapy clinic for over 20 years. She was married to Assistant Chief Alan “Chip” Terry, (ret) from the City of Covington Fire Department for 31 years who... more

Zar Horton is a retired Albuquerque Battalion Chief and a StrongFirst Master Kettlebell trainer. We discuss his transition out of the fire service, BMX racing, glycolytic training, exercise and the nervous system, fostering longevity, the importance ... more

Dany Cotton spent over three decades serving with the London Fire Brigade, retiring as Commissioner. We discuss her journey into the fire service, forging diversity through mentoring, the impact of budget cuts on service and health, violence on first... more

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Recent Guests

Joel Salatin
World-renowned holistic farmer
Polyface Farms
Episode: Joel Salatin II (The American Beef Industry, Factory Farming and the Obesity Crisis) - Episode 336
Joseph Pfeifer
FDNY Chief, former Acting Fire Commissioner, and Chief of Counterterrorism and Emergency Preparedness
FDNY
Episode: Chief Joseph Pfeifer (Losing a Brother on 9/11, the Community of 9/12 and the Power of Moral Courage) - Episode 1282
Geoff Thompson
Author, speaker, and martial arts expert known for his work on violence, trauma, and healing
Independent author/lecturer
Episode: Geoff Thompson (Nightclub Bouncers, the Art of Violence and the Warrior's Healing Journey) - Episode 345
Garrett Cathcart
Army Major, co-founder and executive director of The Brickyard (More Perfect Union)
The Brickyard / More Perfect Union
Episode: Garrett Cathcart (Rebuilding Communities, Servant Leadership and the Human Cost of War) - Episode 1281
Michael Greger
Founder of nutritionfacts.org; author of How Not to Die
nutritionfacts.org
Episode: Dr Michael Greger (Reversing Chronic Disease, Plant Based Diet and Letting Food be thy Medicine) - Episode 227
Brooke Bartlett
Licensed clinical psychologist, founder of the Center for Trauma, Anxiety and Stress
Center for Trauma, Anxiety and Stress
Episode: Brooke Bartlett II (First Responder Suicide, the Healing Toolbox and the True Cost of Organisational Betrayal) - Episode 812
Kyle Ebersole
Athletic Trainer and the Performance and Training Physical Therapist at Milwaukee Fire Department
Milwaukee Fire Department
Episode: Kyle Ebersole (Forging Firefighter Performance, Injury Prevention and the Importance of Recovery) - Episode 1280
Ashley Deringer
Firefighter daughter, teacher, founder of the Clean Gier Foundation
Clean Gier Foundation
Episode: Ashley Deringer (Teen Driver Safety, Firefighter Cancer and Turning Grief into Action) - Episode 1279
Lee Spencer
Royal Marine, rower, adaptive athlete
Royal Marines Charity; Royal Marines Endeavour Fund
Episode: Lee Spencer (Royal Marines, Rowing and the Casualties of War) - Episode 225

Host

James Gearing
Host of Behind The Shield, focused on mental and physical wellness for frontline professionals

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Great support and stories to relate to

    As a retired first responder, this podcast is an amazing emotional support. Not only for first responders, but everyone who needs mental health support. Thank you James for all you do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Holls8915
    United States10 months ago
  • Holds my interest

    Great topics and interviews. Keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    russally
    United Statesa year ago
  • Top notch

    James does an amazing job as the host of Behind The Shield. He consistently has top notch guests and always asks thoughtful questions, while allowing them to share their own stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MLBRallyPossum
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great show

    Great podcast. Really cool guests and the host dirás a great job keeping the conversation going

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tipotropical
    United Statesa year ago
  • Brilliant podcast. Mix of guests and interesting subjects

    Great podcast. Mix of subjects and guests. Really interesting. Good interviewer. Been listening to for a long time. Take a break and then come back to it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    maca116
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Episodes are lengthy but packed with practical takeaways and human-interest storytelling.
Listeners praise thoughtful questions and deep guest insights across wellness, resilience, and public-safety topics.
The host consistently brings top-quality guests and keeps conversations engaging and informative.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Geoff Thompson (Nightclub Bouncers, the Art of Violence and the Warrior's Healing Journey) - Episode 345
Q: How did you begin addressing the trauma from abuse, and what role did forgiveness play?
He describes a long arc from acknowledging the abuse, through self-work, forgiveness, and returning the darkness to cosmically governed balance, ultimately freeing himself and helping others.
Joel Salatin II (The American Beef Industry, Factory Farming and the Obesity Crisis) - Episode 336
Q: How did the shift to industrial mega-farms influence public health and food quality?
Industrial mega-farms created monocropping, chemical-heavy soils, and stress for animals, which translates into nutrient-poor food and a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, while reducing the overall resilience of the food system.
Joel Salatin II (The American Beef Industry, Factory Farming and the Obesity Crisis) - Episode 336
Q: What is the main reason the U.S. leads in non-infectious morbidity, according to your observations?
The main reason is a cultural shift away from personal responsibility in health, including diet, sleep, and outdoor activity, combined with industrial farming practices that prioritize efficiency over nutrition.
Lee Spencer (Royal Marines, Rowing and the Casualties of War) - Episode 225
Q: What role did the charities play in your journey?
The charities provided a platform and resources to sustain veterans' welfare, with the Endeavour Fund supporting recovery and adventure, and the Royal Marines Charity ensuring ongoing support and visibility for wounded service members.
Lee Spencer (Royal Marines, Rowing and the Casualties of War) - Episode 225
Q: How did you train for such an extreme voyage given the missing limb and altered mechanics?
Training focused on practical readiness and boat systems, with a specialized rowing leg and adaptive fitting for the stump; much of the preparation emphasized navigation, resilience, and mental strategies rather than relying solely on standard ergometer training.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Behind The Shield

What is Behind The Shield about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-form interview series focused on mental and physical wellness for first responders, military personnel, and public-safety professionals. Episodes center on resilience, recovery, leadership, and systemic reform, with guests ranging from frontline firefighters and EMTs to physicians, veterans, athletes, and filmmakers who document or advocate for healthier work environments. The show frequently explores policy, training, sleep, addiction, PTSD, and community impact, often through personal narratives and practical takeaways. A notable strength is its ability to translate high-stakes experiences into actionable guidance for listeners and organizations aiming to support frontline teams. It likely attracts audiences interested in wellness,... more

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How many listeners does Behind The Shield get?

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What are the audience demographics for Behind The Shield?

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How many subscribers and views does Behind The Shield have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Behind The Shield?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Behind The Shield:

1. The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast
2. Cleared Hot - Powered By BRCC
3. Mike Drop
4. Gettin' Salty Experience Firefighter Podcast
5. Inspire change.

How many episodes of Behind The Shield are there?

Behind The Shield launched 10 years ago and published 1058 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Behind The Shield?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Behind The Shield?

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What guests have appeared on Behind The Shield?

Recent guests on Behind The Shield include:

1. Joel Salatin
2. Joseph Pfeifer
3. Geoff Thompson
4. Garrett Cathcart
5. Michael Greger
6. Brooke Bartlett
7. Kyle Ebersole
8. Ashley Deringer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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