E.216 Building Resilience as First Responder Couples: Lessons from Dustin and Ashley Wright

Resilience Development in Action

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What happens when a police sergeant and a therapist build a life together? Dustin and Ashley Wright open up about their 13-year journey as a first responder couple in this vulnerable and insightful conversation that challenges conventional thinking about trauma, communication, and resilience.
The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Dustin shares how a seemingly routine cardiac arrest call triggered a trauma response that affected his intimate relationship with Ashley. This powerful revelation highlights how personal associations can make any incident potentially traumatic for first responders, regardless of its apparent severity. Even more surprising is Ashley's admission that despite her clinical training, she missed the signs of her husband's struggle – demonstrating how skilled first responders can become at compartmentalizing their experiences.
Together, they unpack practical communication strategies that have helped them navigate the unique challenges of first responder life. From establishing code words for difficult days to creating intentional decompression time, the Wrights offer actionable insights for couples facing similar struggles. They emphasize building communication habits during normal times that create pathways for vulnerable conversation when crises occur.
The discussion expands beyond their marriage to explore how community support and spiritual practice form essential pillars of their resilience strategy. Dustin describes his involvement with BRAVE (Building Relationships Among Veterans and Emergency Responders), while Ashley highlights her network of first responder spouses who provide understanding and encouragement. Their message is clear: no one builds resilience alone.
Whether you're a first responder, the partner of one, or simply interested in strengthening your relationship through difficult times, this conversation offers both practical wisdom and emotional reassurance. The Wrights' willingness to share their personal journey provides a powerful testament to the possibility of thriving, not just surviving, as a first responder family. Listen now to discover how vulnerability, community, and intentional communication can transform your approach to life's inevitable challenges.

To reach Ashley or Dustin, please go to http://www.valorcounselingcenter.com

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YouTube Channel For The Podcast

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1. Introducing Resilience Development in Action (00:00:00)

2. Meeting Dustin and Ashley Wright (00:03:26)

3. Breaking Stigma: Dustin's Therapy Journey (00:08:04)

4. Vulnerability in First Responder Marriages (00:11:38)

5. Communication Strategies for Couples (00:16:23)

6. Faith, Community and Support Systems (00:23:04)

7. Building Resiliency as a Couple (00:31:40)