Hart & Hustle Podcast
Hart & Hustle delivers real conversations with nonprofit and healthcare leaders who are scaling mission-driven impact through strategic innovation. Hosted by Efrain Lozada, each 45-minute episode explores leadership, operations, technology adoption, and practical strategies for mission-based organizations. Learn from executives who've transformed accessibility, efficiency, and community engagement while staying true to their values. For nonprofit directors, operations leaders, and healthcare innovators who hustle with heart. New episodes weekly.
Hart & Hustle Podcast
"You Are Never Ever Alone": A Message for Every First Responder | Dennis Carradin
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Dennis Carradin has been on the ground at 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Sandy Hook, and post-Columbine for 30 years — as a trauma therapist specializing in first responders and healthcare workers. In this conversation, he shares how a single encounter at a Dunkin' Donuts after Sandy Hook became the foundation of the Trauma Survivors Foundation: a national network now spanning 41 states, 2,800 trained therapists, and crisis care for over 5,000 first responders.
In this conversation, you'll learn:
✅ Why less than 500 of 225,000 licensed U.S. therapists specialize in first responders — and what TSF is doing about it
✅ How Dennis built a lean nonprofit that delivered 500,000 meals during COVID while keeping 128 restaurants from closing
✅ What nonprofit leaders must do right now as donations drop 27–35% across the board
✅ How TSF handles 2 AM crisis calls with a small team — and where the gaps still are
✅ What Dennis says directly to first responders who've been white-knuckling it alone
This episode is essential for nonprofit executives, healthcare leaders, and HR/People Ops professionals navigating funding pressure, team burnout, and the challenge of sustaining mission work in a leaner landscape.
👤 ABOUT DENNIS CARRADIN:
Dennis Carradin is a trauma therapist with 30 years of experience specializing in first responders, healthcare workers, and mass casualty events. He has responded to 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Sandy Hook, post-Columbine, and disasters worldwide. He is the President and founder of the Trauma Survivors Foundation and serves as Clinical Director for Delaware's CSIM team.
🌐 Trauma Survivors Foundation: https://www.traumasurvivorsfoundation.org
🌐 Dennis's Website: https://www.denniscarradin.com
🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:
Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every Tuesday, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.
Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.
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