Episode 30

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Published on:

1st Apr 2025

Chicago Firefighter (Dan)

In this episode, the guys are joined by veteran Chicago firefighter Dan Kennedy. Dan shares his journey into firefighting, the traditions of the Chicago Fire Department, and the challenges faced by first responders today. The discussion covers the importance of community impact, the roles of EMTs and paramedics, and the emotional experiences that come with the job, including responding to emergencies and violent crime. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by emergency services, particularly fire departments, including community support, budget misconceptions, chronic underfunding, and the impact of the COVID pandemic. Dan reflects on his experiences, the support systems he has in place, and the complexities of public perception of the job.

Music provided by Quincy Ledbetter (https://www.qledbetter.com/).

Artwork provided by Megan Weaver (https://meganweaverart.com/).

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If you have questions, comments, or a good story, email us at thebaggagepodcast@gmail.com.

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Banned Camp (Sponsor)

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Mondo Freako (Sponsor)

Mondo Freako is a comedic exploration of the weird and wonderful world of cryptids, paranormal phenomena, and all things bizarre. Join Bob LeMent & Rob Howell as they delve into the unknown with laughter, curiosity, and a healthy dose of skepticism. Search for Mondo Freako wherever you get your podcasts.

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About the Podcast

Baggage
Everyone has a story.
Baggage is a collection of compelling, unique, and sometimes traumatic stories from people of all walks of life. These stories typically only get heard by the storyteller’s friends, family, or co-workers. Now there is a platform for everyday individuals to share their experiences with a larger audience as well as how they cope with the emotional and mental baggage that sometimes follows those events. Once a month, the show’s hosts—Eric Shaw (doctor), Ryan Frank (prosecutor), Adrian Bonenberger (journalist/author), and Ryan Conner (comedian)—hear a different set of stories bringing their own distinct perspectives. Sometimes serious and sometimes humorous, it’s sure to always be interesting.

To share your story or ask a question, email us at thebaggagepodcast@gmail.com.
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About your hosts

Eric Shaw

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Eric is a pediatrician in Denver, Colorado. He started his medical career as a volunteer EMT in Blacksburg, Virginia. He practiced professionally as a Cardiac Tech for Richmond Ambulance Authority. He attended VCU Medical School and completed his pediatrics training at The Children's Hospital of the King's Daughter's in Norfolk. He currently is a partner at Pediatrics West, and an associate professor at Rocky Vista University.

Ryan Frank

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Ryan Frank has prosecuted criminal cases since graduating law school in 2012. He's handled everything from petit theft to homicides with a focus on child-victim crimes. Before going to law school, he served in the Marine Corps with two combat tours in Iraq.

Adrian Bonenberger

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Adrian Bonenberger is an essayist, writer, and poet. In addition to publishing his war memoirs and co-editing an anthology of veteran fiction, his writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, Commonweal Magazine, The New Republic, Forbes, and other outlets. He co-founded and edits fiction for The Wrath-Bearing Tree. Several of his books can been found here.

Ryan Conner

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Ryan Conner is a writer/comedian who has been on the Late Late Show with James Corden and was a Top-10 finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. View his website, https://ryanconnercomedy.com/, for his latest tour dates. His debut novel, The Party, is available for purchase on Amazon.