“Where Small town First Responders Have a Powerful Voice.”
Meet the host of the mayhem!
lochie barton - Creator/co-host
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an EMT, a mother, a grandmother, a mental health advocate, and a free spirit who has spent years navigating the beautiful and challenging realities of small-town life. My journey, both personally and professionally, has shown me the incredible strength that exists within our communities, as well as the hidden struggles that so many people carry quietly.
Working in emergency medical services has given me a front-row seat to some of life’s most defining moments — the victories, the heartbreaks, the calls that change you, and the people who stay with you long after the shift is over. After losing a beloved friend, I made a commitment to myself and to others: to help create a space where no one feels isolated in their experiences, their grief, or their healing.
That commitment is what brought me to Midwest Mayhem.
On the podcast, I bring my voice, my compassion, and my lived experience to the table. My role is to listen, to connect, to laugh when laughter is medicine, and to help hold space when conversations get heavy. Together, we honor the stories of first responders, veterans, families, and everyday people who make the Midwest what it is — resilient, courageous, and full of heart.
Partnering with Tyler, I strive to approach every episode with authenticity and empathy. We are dedicated to keeping our conversations real, addressing the hard topics that matter, and shedding light on the mental health challenges so many face but rarely talk about. At the same time, we celebrate the mayhem, the humor, and the humanity that keep our communities strong.
At the core of everything I do, there’s one belief that guides me: if we can just save one life, then every conversation, every story, and every moment we share is worth it.
Tyler barton - Creator/host
Creator of Midwest Mayhem • Former Fire Captain • 10 Years of Service
My name is Tyler Barton, and for over a decade, the fire service shaped who I am. Ten years in public safety — including serving as a Volunteer Fire Captain — taught me what real courage looks like, what true teamwork feels like, and how heavy the weight of a single call can be. Those years changed me forever, in ways I carry every day.
I created Midwest Mayhem because I saw a need — not for another podcast, but for a platform where the voices of real people, especially first responders and hometown heroes, could finally be heard. Too many of us carry our stories in silence. Too many of us battle the mental and emotional toll of the job without anyone truly understanding what we’ve lived through.
Midwest Mayhem, and especially my Voices of Valor series, is my way of shining a light on those stories. It’s a place where courage meets conversation. Where real experiences, raw emotions, and hard truths can be shared without judgment.
To me, being a first responder means stepping into chaos with purpose. It means running toward the problem, not away from it. It means carrying people through their worst moments, even when it weighs on you long after the call is over. It’s a family — one built on trust, sacrifice, and a level of understanding that only comes from being in the fire together.
This podcast is more than content to me. It’s a mission. It’s how I honor the men and women who serve, how I support the mental health of our community, and how I make sure our stories — your stories — are heard, respected, and remembered.