In this deeply honest and insightful episode, Just Us on Justice and Other Things hosts Scott and Dan Jones sit down with Andrew Martin, a veteran firefighter and paramedic who has spent two decades in service — and just as many years studying the human side of the job: stress, recovery, and what it means to stay well in a system that rarely slows down.

Scott opens the episode by sharing a vulnerable story about his own recent nervous system crash — a moment of hypoarousal where he struggled to find motivation or energy. He recalls reaching out to Andrew, who offered reassurance drawn from lived experience and research. Their candid exchange sets the tone for an hour of reflection, science, and systems-level conversation about what happens when helpers hit their own limits.

As always, the hosts remind listeners that these are personal opinions and reflections, not tied to any organization or department. The goal is to explore the systems behind the experiences of first responders, educators, and others working in high-stress environments — not to criticize any one agency.