Demons & Angels with Dennis Pishock

“This isn’t therapy. It’s truth.”

In this episode of Tell This Story, host Doug White sitsdown with Dennis Pishock—a firefighter, police officer, medic, peer support leader, and author of Demons & Angels.

Together, they talk about:

The hidden cost of a career in public safety

How trauma stacks up over thousands of calls

Why peer support and honest conversations matter

Suicide prevention and recognizing when someone is slipping

The role of gratitude, communication, and ego in relationships

Writing about trauma and getting your story out there

Daily practices that keep you grounded while you’re still on the job

If you’re a first responder, veteran, or spouse, this conversation will hit home.

Key Takeaways

This isn’t therapy—it’s truth.

You have to really want to grow from this.

You can’t out-drink or out-run your demons.

You’re not alone, and there is help.

Gratitude is a game changer.

You have to drop the ego and be willing to talk.

You have to be a defender—for yourself, your family, and your partners.

Episode Chapters (approx.)

00:00 – Introduction and background03:42 – Peer support and mental health initiatives06:21 – Experiences at mental health conferences09:13 – Writing and publishing personal stories12:11 – The impact of trauma on memory15:00 – The importance of peer support18:00 – Officer suicide prevention20:35 – Changing perspectives on mental health23:32 – Daily practices for mental health26:26 – Coping tools that actually work34:12 – Physical and mental resilience techniques40:02 – The importance of gratitude in healing46:30 – Trauma, relationships, and family54:55 – Officer wellness, awareness & final thoughts

Connect with Dennis Pishock

Website – Demons & Angels & resources: https://pishockbooks.com/Instagram – Pishock’s Patriots:
https://www.instagram.com/pishocks_patriots

Email: [e-mail]

Connect with Doug White / Tell This Story

Tell This Story on Spotify:

Tell This Story YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@Tell_This_Story

Doug’s website (book, speaking, media):https://www.dougwhiteofficial.com

All links (book, socials, podcast,etc.):https://linktr.ee/tell_this_story

If you’re in crisis or starting to slip reach out—to a peer, a friend, a spouse, your department’s peer support, or a crisis line in your area. You are not alone. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.