Life After Public Service

In this episode, Donna interviews Rusty Carroll, a former paramedic, ex-military officer, and leadership consultant. Rusty shares his remarkable journey from a childhood dream of becoming a soldier to his impactful career in public service, highlighting the importance of servant leadership and the profound effects of trauma in frontline roles. He candidly discusses his experiences with PTSD, the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, and the significance of self-awareness and compassion in leadership. KEY TAKEAWAYS The concept of servant leadership emphasises that leadership is fundamentally about serving others. This principle is crucial in both military and healthcare settings, where leaders should focus on creating an environment that supports those doing the actual work. Everyone has an impact on those around them, whether positive or negative. It's essential to be self-aware and understand how one's actions and behaviours affect others, as this awareness can lead to more compassionate and effective leadership. Frontline workers, including paramedics and police officers, often experience moral injury due to the traumatic events they witness. This type of psychological distress is underreported and can have significant long-term effects on mental health. Successfully processing traumatic experiences is vital for mental well-being. Techniques like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) can help individuals work through their trauma, allowing them to move from acute distress to a healthier state of mind. Organisations should recognise the unique needs of their employees, especially those who are neuro divergent. Creating flexible work environments that cater to individual strengths can enhance productivity and overall job satisfaction, aligning with the principles of servant leadership. BEST MOMENTS "The most meaningful thing for me in my career is when I had an impact and it made something better, was of service." "It's not possible to not have impact. What we need to try and be aware of is whether we're having positive or negative impact." "If you develop the pathway of growing your worldview, you develop the neural pathway of accepting that bad things are part of this thing we call life." "It's very, very likely that you are going to suffer trauma if you do the job for long enough." "Nobody should ever ask that question, ever." ABOUT THE HOST Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades. She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/ Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Donna interviews Bex, a former special constable and prison officer who has dedicated her career to public service and helping vulnerable individuals. Bex shares her journey from a diverse educational background to her various roles in law enforcement and social housing, highlighting the challenges and rewards of working with those in difficult situations. She discusses the importance of non-judgmental support, the need for better rehabilitation systems for prisoners, and the emotional toll of working in such demanding environments. KEY TAKEAWAYS The journey into public service can be non-linear, with experiences in various fields such as drama, hospitality, and security before finding a calling in roles like special constable and prison officer. Many individuals in the criminal justice system or facing homelessness are often victims of circumstance, having faced significant disadvantages in life. Recognising this can foster empathy and a non-judgmental approach. Building strong relationships and camaraderie with colleagues is crucial in high-stress environments like policing and prison services, where trust and support can be vital for safety and morale. Maintaining mental health is essential in public service roles, especially when dealing with trauma and challenging situations. Being aware of personal limits and seeking help when needed is important for long-term well-being. During the holiday season, individuals are encouraged to give back to the community by volunteering time or resources to support vulnerable populations, emphasising that acts of kindness can make a significant difference. BEST MOMENTS "I always wish, you know, I always think, you know what, you could have been born in the wrong postcode and you end up in a different path." "You just, you are locking and unlocking people. There doesn't seem to be the rehabilitation that I wanted to be around." "I think you've got to be completely non-judgmental because everyone... it's a lottery, isn't it?" "There is something around the ability to just get yourself up and ready without having to make those decisions around what you're going to wear." "I think Christmas has become quite greedy kind of socially. Maybe you can go and do something, give your time, which is very precious as well." ABOUT THE HOST Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades. She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/ Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Donna welcomes back Gary Hayes, co-founder of PTSD 999, a charity dedicated to addressing the mental health challenges faced by emergency service personnel. Gary shares insights from his journey in public service, including his experiences in the British Armed Forces and the police force, which ultimately led to the founding of his charity. He discusses the challenges his charity has faced over the past year, including funding difficulties and the need for greater awareness of mental health issues across various sectors. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's important to differentiate between mental health, which everyone has and is a spectrum of emotional well-being, and mental illness, which requires a clinical diagnosis. Poor mental health does not necessarily mean one has a mental illness. Encouraging open discussions about mental health, especially among men in public service roles, can help break down stigmas. Subtle changes in behaviour can indicate someone is struggling, and reaching out to check in can be life-changing. Experiencing trauma and its effects is a normal reaction, and everyone processes trauma differently. Recognising that emotional responses can vary is crucial for understanding and supporting one another. The charity PTSD 999 aims to support individuals in emergency services and their families by addressing PTSD and mental health issues. Donations and fundraising efforts are crucial for sustaining their work and expanding their reach to help more people. BEST MOMENTS "It's a dog-eat-dog world. There's not a lot of money about, times are hard. A lot of emergency services have closed their purses in relation to budgets for training." "We need to just drive that message across because everyone looks at PTSD as being something that's associated with the armed services. And rightly so, I get that." "We are human beings. We're not human doings. And yet we all find it so easy to fill our time doing things and not just being." "If we can maintain that healthy balance, healthy mind, healthy body sort of scenario, if we just make that little bit of an effort... you're doing something positive for yourself, which is key." ABOUT THE HOST Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades. She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/ Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this candid and deeply personal episode, Donna sits down with Kelly, a former teacher who rose through the ranks to become a Director of Education, only to face severe burnout and the realisation that her life was out of alignment with her core values. Kelly shares her inspiring journey, from her early ambition to become a teacher. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Vocation Trap in Public Service: Kelly highlights how roles like teaching and nursing become all-consuming vocations, often demanding that professionals sacrifice personal time, well-being, and even a part of themselves to the job. The Unsustainable Nature of School Leadership: The episode underscores the systemic issue of burnout in education, noting that the sheer volume of work outside of the classroom, planning, marking, and administration, makes full-time leadership an unsustainable and all-consuming role. The Power of Emotional Intelligence: Kelly's passion is rooted in the realisation that not only children, but also adults, often lack the emotional intelligence and language to process feelings beyond "happy, sad, angry, calm". The Journey to Sobriety and Clarity: The decision to become sober was a critical turning point that provided the clarity and courage Kelly needed to leave her high-pressure career and align her life with her true values, particularly "freedom". Trauma-Informed Breathwork as a Healing Tool: Kelly found profound healing through conscious connected breathwork, which helped her release long-held trauma, dramatically reduce her health anxiety, and achieve a sense of inner calm and stillness. BEST MOMENTS  "I think my inspiration for my drive and ambition probably does come from my mom and my nan. They were both really, really strong independent women." "I realised after I was in leadership that I didn't want to be a head anymore... just teaching, and I say 'just,' being a teacher was all-consuming." "Freedom is a huge word for me. And also flow, living in flow with your values." "You have to have a period of time where you kind of mourn a little bit and you figure out who you actually are because... do I ever stop being a teacher? I don't know." "I can say that for the first time last week, I was filling a form in and I hovered the cursor over anxiety and I didn't click it." ABOUT THE HOST Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades. She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/ Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Today, Donna sits down for a conversation with Ally Ackbarally, a passionate nurse and academic, to discuss his journey from clinical nursing to academia and his focus on human factors in healthcare. Ally shares his unique path into nursing, influenced by family and a desire to make a difference, and reflects on the importance of understanding human factors to improve patient safety and outcomes. KEY TAKEAWAYS Human factors is a science that examines how humans interact with complex systems, particularly in high-risk environments like healthcare. It emphasises understanding the entire system rather than blaming individuals for errors, which can lead to repeated mistakes. A culture of psychological safety is crucial in healthcare settings. Staff must feel safe to report mistakes and suggest changes without fear of blame, which is essential for improving patient safety and outcomes. Nursing involves numerous complex tasks that require attention to detail and effective communication. For example, something as simple as checking a patient's blood glucose involves multiple steps that must be executed correctly to ensure patient safety. There is a growing concern about compassion fatigue among healthcare professionals, which can negatively impact patient care. Addressing the well-being of staff and providing support is essential to prevent burnout and maintain a compassionate healthcare environment. A career in nursing can lead to diverse opportunities beyond traditional roles, such as academia, research, and international work. The skills and experiences gained as a nurse can significantly enrich personal and professional development. BEST MOMENTS "I think as a nurse you learn many skills and you develop many skills. You have to listen to your heart sometimes." "Human factors is a science. It is about the interaction between the pilot and the cockpit, where are the buttons and what are the sounds." "We have minimal psychological safety. People will never be scared to put their hands up and say, I've made a mistake." "We keep doing the same problems over and over again. Why do never events happen every single year?" "I do not have any regret becoming a nurse. It is transformational." ABOUT THE GUEST https://www.amazon.co.uk/Human-Factors-Healthcare-Manual-Professionals/dp/0702084875 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Surgical-First-Assistant-Essentials-Practice/dp/1394210825 (9) Ally Ackbarally | LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades. She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/ Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/