Join Jen in a discussion with Forensic Scientist Kortney Stock, who is also trained as a Yoga For First Responders (YFFR) instructor.  YFFR  offers yoga classes to public safety that are job-specific and culturally informed for the purposes of processing stress, building resilience, and enhancing job performance. Kortney shares with great authenticity and vulnerability as she describes her journey as a practitioner of forensic science and the inner work she has completed to keep a healthy mindset.  Kortney explains the power of using YFFR as a tool to process the inevitable stress encountered in the first responder and forensic community.  She will be bringing a specialized YFFR workshop to the MAFS 2021 Fall Meeting, so be sure to register and check it out!

Host: Jen Dillon -  Jdillon4n6@gmail.com
Sponsored by: Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists - mafs.net
Music: Joseph McDade

Yoga For First Responders - yogaforfirstresponders.org

Drug chemists work the highest number of cases in a forensic laboratory and are tasked with handling emerging synthetic drug variations and how they are dealt with via ever changing drug laws.  Topics in this episode include the real and perceived stress surrounding the presentation of fentanyl and carfentanyl in the laboratory submissions, and the fear factor involved with the responsibility of handling drugs and the publicized cases of analysts who have abused that privilege.  Audra shares some personal stories about the stressors she has experienced on the job.

Host: Jen Dillon -  Jdillon4n6@gmail.com
Sponsored by: Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists - mafs.net
Music: Joseph McDade

Jen Dillon dissects the second half of the four agreements as described by author Don Miguel Ruiz. She shares how applying the agreements to the workplace has helped with her ability to show up as the best version of herself - without self-judgment, blame, or guilt about what that version may look like on any given day.  This book is about the relationship we have with ourselves, and the perception of who we think we SHOULD be vs. who we are actually being.  Jen describes her take on the application of the agreements to the field of forensic science, and how we can improve upon our work and ourselves if we take the time to hone these skills. 

This episode completes the discussion on the book and covers agreements:
3. Don't make assumptions
4. Always do your best

Host: Jen Dillon -  Jdillon4n6@gmail.com
Sponsored by: Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists - mafs.net
Music: Joseph McDade