Speaking

Dave wore the badge for 24 years. He never thought it would end like this. The job was more than a career — it was an identity. But the weight of years on the front lines, the things he saw and never said out loud, finally broke through. PTSD didn't just force him into early retirement — it nearly cost him his marriage and life. He and his wife, Christi, now speak honestly about what it means to fall apart behind the scenes while still looking strong in uniform. Their story exposes the silent struggle that many live with but few talk about.

They don’t sugarcoat it. From the slow unraveling to the darkest thoughts, Dave and Christi walk the audience through what really happened — the calls that haunted him, the silence at home, the toll it took on both of them. It’s raw. At times, it’s uncomfortable. And it’s exactly what so many need to hear. Through their story, they tear down the stigma around mental health and show how easy it is to slip — and how possible it is to come back. You’ll laugh. You might cry. But most of all, you’ll leave feeling seen, understood, and reminded that there’s always a way forward.

Dave and Christi don’t just share a story — they start a conversation that so many desperately need. Their honesty helps others step out of silence. Their message breaks through the armor so many wear, reminding every first responder: you are not alone, and it's not too late to heal. This isn’t just about survival — it’s about taking your life back.

(Companion Session to Cracks in the Armor)

Behind every first responder is someone silently carrying the weight too. In this powerful and personal session, Christi shares what it’s like to stand beside someone battling PTSD — and how trauma doesn’t just change the one who wears the badge. It changes everything. The marriage. The home. The person you used to be.

With Dave’s voice as both a former officer and a husband who’s been to the edge, they offer a rare and honest look at second-hand trauma — the kind that creeps in quietly and stays far too long. Christi speaks to the exhaustion, the anger, the loneliness, and the guilt that so many partners feel, but few admit. This is not a clinical lecture — it’s a raw conversation about real life. You’ll learn to recognize the signs of PTSD and compassion fatigue, but more importantly, you’ll see what it looks like to stay connected through the storm. To take care of yourself, not just the person you love. And to bring hope and healing back into the relationship.

Because the person in the shadows matters too.