Staying on Call: Resilience, Moving through Moral Injury & Leading with Heart — with Virginia Borden of OCCRA

2025-07-20

In this powerful and deeply human episode, Jolene sits down with Virginia Borden—911 dispatcher, wildlife rescuer, and founder of OCCRA (On-Call Community Rescue for Animals)—to explore the emotional toll of rescue work and what it means to lead with integrity and compassion in the face of constant crisis. Together, they unpack the realities of misplaced anger often directed at those trying to help, the invisible wounds of moral injury, and how Virginia remains grounded in a world that asks too much. She opens up about the resilience strategies that keep her...

Together, they unpack the realities of misplaced anger often directed at those trying to help, the invisible wounds of moral injury, and how Virginia remains grounded in a world that asks too much. She opens up about the resilience strategies that keep her going, including dark humor, “rage workouts,” and finding strength in the incredible stories of animals who have endured the unimaginable and still fight to survive.

Virginia’s insights into burnout, trauma, community care, and conscious leadership offer a raw and validating space for anyone who’s ever felt the cost of caring too deeply.

⚠️ Trigger Warning:
This episode contains discussions of suicide and mental health challenges related to trauma and high-stress caregiving roles. Listener discretion is advised.

🔗 Featured Rescue:

OCCRA (On-Call Community Rescue for Animals)

OCCRA FACEBOOK
OCCRA IG
OCCRA MAIN WEBSITE

Books Referenced: “Bulletproof Spirit” by Captain Dan Willis & The Age of Overwhelm: Strategies for the Long Haul" by Laura Van Dernoot Lipsky

🌟 Links + Resources: