Episode Details

For this episode of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka sits down with longtime friend and researcher Dr. Sara Jahnke to explore the evolving landscape of firefighter health. There's a little of everything, from lighthearted personal banter to updates about the upcoming Science to the Station conference in Kansas City, MO, November 3-5, 2026. Jahnke highlights ongoing research into sleep schedule modifications, post-traumatic stress interventions, and the cultural approach to alcohol use in the fire service. They also get into complex topics like cancer screening barriers, critical illness pools, and the emerging role of alternative treatments, including psychedelic therapies and ketamine for trauma recovery. Burneka shares his personal experience with mild traumatic brain injuries, emphasizing the vast gaps in health awareness.