The Treasure in the Trauma

Two powerful voices. One critical conversation. On March 17, 2017, Matt Griffin wrote his suicide note. A single call from a friend changed everything. What followed became The Journey to Midnight, a 4x #1 bestseller and a message of resilience, empathy, and post-traumatic growth. Matt challenges first responders to rethink how they view suicide, trauma, and mental health—and reminds us that it’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way. Joining him is Alec Iurato, who survived a critical line-of-duty shooting in 2022 and a long, difficult recovery. Alec now advocates nationally for officer wellness, sharing hard-earned lessons on physical and mental resilience, peer support, family resources, and building a culture where asking for help is normalized. His perspective blends real-world experience with practical strategies that improve officer safety, performance, and career longevity. Together, these presentations offer insight, hope, and actionable tools to help first responders turn pain into purpose—and thrive in a profession built on service.