A powerful story of the hidden costs of service and how first responders and veterans can redefine toughness.

In Episode 215 of the Transition Drill Podcast, former Los Angeles Fire Department paramedic and firefighter Morgan Englund shares his path from Hollywood actor to first responder, and ultimately to advocate and musician. Growing up in Santa Monica and the Palisades, Morgan’s early life was marked by challenges, independence, and a search for belonging. He found brotherhood in football, pursued acting in New York, and later discovered his true calling in emergency medicine.

Morgan takes us inside the reality of paramedic work in Oxnard, the relentless pace of the LAFD, and the moral injuries that shaped his decision to walk away after 14 years of service. He opens up about the cultural pressures inside the firehouse, the hidden cost of toughness, and the epidemic of first responder suicide.

Now a songwriter and TEDx speaker, Morgan is redefining toughness and calling for a shift in how veterans and first responders support one another. His story is one of resilience, courage, and the power to create a new mission after service.

The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life.

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