Listen "Ep 137: Workicide"
Episode Synopsis
Workicide: How the Job Is Killing Law Enforcement Marriages 👉 Learn how toxic police culture, burnout, and identity loss are destroying law enforcement marriages — and what you can do to protect your relationship and mental health. In this powerful conversation, Cyndi Doyle sits down with Stephanie Keisow — former officer, dispatcher, police spouse, and author of Workicide — to unpack the hidden toll of toxic police culture and burnout on both the officer and their family. Stephanie shares her personal journey through trauma, loss, and recovery, introducing the concept of workicide: "death by career." Together, they explore how isolation, low self-esteem, occupational trauma, and identity devastation slowly erode mental health — and what law enforcement couples can do to recognize and reverse it. 💬 In this episode: The real meaning of Workicide — "death by career" in law enforcement 4 warning signs: isolation, low self-esteem, occupational trauma, and identity devastation How toxic leadership and burnout impact your marriage Practical steps for recovery and reconnection Why departments need to take organizational trauma seriously Tools for mental health, identity balance, and family resilience Cyndi Doyle is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, founder of Code4Couples®, author of Hold the Line, and a retired police spouse. She helps first responder couples create connection, communication, and courage in the face of law enforcement life. 💥 Get Hold the Line: The Essential Guide to Protecting Your Law Enforcement Relationship → https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Line-Protecting-Enforcement-Relationship-ebook/dp/B08TPRTY9G#customerReviews 🎤 Book Cyndi to Speak Bring Code4Couples® training to your department or conference → https://code4couples.com/training/ 00:00 – Welcome & guest intro 02:00 – Stephanie's background: from cop to researcher 04:30 – What is Workicide and why it matters 08:00 – The four themes: isolation, low self-esteem, trauma, identity devastation 15:00 – Burnout and compassion fatigue as symptoms 20:00 – Stephanie's personal story of loss and recovery 26:00 – The WARRIOR model for connected wellness 33:00 – Family support and breaking the mental health stigma 38:00 – How departments and spouses can create change 40:00 – Closing encouragement
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