Jesse Roder- Author

I started this talk shaky—and I left it proud.

Not because it was perfect, but because it was real.

Talking openly about my experience with PTSD and the cost of this job still makes me uncomfortable. That’s exactly why it needs to be talked about.

Culture doesn’t change with silence. Leadership means being willing to go first—even when it scares you.

For my brothers and sisters in EMS: you’re not alone.

Just keep breathing.

Just Keep Breathing: Breaking the Cycle of Silence Keynote Speech 1 31 27 from EMS Winterfest. Just Keep Breathing: Breaking the Cycle of Silence in EMSIt starts with laughter—because if you’ve been in EMS long enough, you know we laugh at things no on...

I’ve had a little time to breathe and reflect, and I just want to say what an honor it was to be given the opportunity to speak about som**hing so close to my heart.

Talking about mental health in first responders, and the real need for leadership and cultural reform, is som**hing I’m deeply passionate about. Being that open—especially about my own experience with PTSD and how it’s affected both me and my family—was honestly scary as hell. I wasn’t sure how emotional it would get, and I’m proud that I was able to hold it together and stay present in the moment.

That said, anyone who’s been one of my athletes or students over the years will tell you this: Coach isn’t afraid to cry during a speech. Emotion isn’t weakness—it’s honesty. And if we want real change in this profession, we have to be willing to show up as humans first.

Like any first keynote, I learned a lot. One of the biggest takeaways was realizing I need to be not so tied to my notes. The moments where I looked up, spoke from experience, and just told the truth—that’s where the real connection happened.

I also want to sincerely thank EMS Winterfest and West Shore Community College for trusting me with this platform and creating space for conversations like this to happen. Opportunities like that matter more than people realize.

This talk reinforced why these conversations matter. Leadership sets the tone. Culture follows. And if we want healthier people in this profession, we have to be willing to lead differently.

Grateful for the opportunity. Humbled by the response. And motivated for what’s next.

If you were at EMS Winterfest drop a comment below.

’Twas the Night Before Christmas—EMS Edition

’Twas the night before Christmas, all through the station,
Not a damn call was dropping—pure false information.
The rigs sat all shiny (which felt like a trap),
Third rider was drooling mid-post-dinner nap.

The medics were cozy, boots off, guard down,
When Dispatch lit up like they hated our town.
“Medic Twelve, priority one…” (you know how it goes),
Because peace in EMS is a myth we all know.

We flew from the bay like Santa on m**h,
Lights screaming, sirens predicting our death.
Through snow, ice, and potholes the size of despair,
Chasing chest pain “since Thanksgiving… or maybe last year.”

We found Uncle Santa, pants half on the floor,
Reeking of bourbon and poor life choices galore.
He said, “I’m totally fine,” which meant “I am not,”
Then tried to fist-bump us and forgot where he got.

Vitals were garbage, EKG said nope,
Partner sighed deeply—there goes our hope.
We loaded him gently while he argued the whole way
That “the ambulance bill is ruining Christmas Day.”

Back to the station by sunrise we crept,
Paperwork stacked higher than the sleep we never kept.
Cold coffee, dead pens, PCRs from hell—
Jesus may save… but ePCR will tell.

So if you’re warm, fed, and sipping eggnog this year,
Remember some medic is missing the cheer.
From our chaos to yours, with love and profanity,
Merry Christmas to all—
Now stop calling for “just anxiety.” 🎄🚑

Merry Christmas to all our first responders out there working tonight or tomorrow. We appreciate your dedication and effort to keep the communities you serve safe!

After a couple of final passes, Whispers Below the Water is officially in the hands of Mary Ellen Bramwell.

Whispers is a supernatural urban fantasy with horror elements, drawing from Ojibwe lore and centered on water, balance, and the pull of old spirits that don’t let go easily. At its heart, it’s a story about a young man haunted by a voice in the dark and a past his family tried to bury.

This novel is the first installment of The Guardian and the Shadows series. I’m grateful to be working with the greatest editor around, Mary Ellen Bramwell. Having someone with her gift point out gaps and helping shape both the story and the world behind it as the book moves into its next stage.

Proud of this one. Excited for what’s ahead. Stand by for more updates as thy come!

Just finished the first draft of my debut fiction novel. Now the real work begins: edits, revisions, sharpening every chapter until it’s exactly what it deserves to be.

Sirens & Shenanigans was som**hing special to write. Those stories were carved out of memory. Some moments were incredible to relive. Others were difficult and forced me to confront things I hadn’t touched in years. But this new book, Whispers From Under the Water, gave me som**hing different. It let me run wild. It let me bring my hometown to life again, breathe in the pines of the U.P., and honor the pieces of my Ojibwe heritage.

This story took me places I didn’t expect to go. It surprised me. It challenged me. And it reminded me why I love storytelling in the first place.

I can’t wait to share more of it with you. The journey is only just beginning.

This weekend I hit a stride and knocked out three more chapters in Whispers From Below the Water.

Nick finally gets pulled deeper into the supernatural side of his family’s history, the dreams get darker, and the moment where Candy enters the picture… yeah, things get wild fast.

This book is starting to feel alive, and I can’t wait for you to read where it’s heading.

If you want a sneak peek of the next scene—drop a 🔥 below.