Firefighter Nation Podcast Network’s

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Firefighter Nation’s podcast lineup features firefighters and subject matter experts in the fields of mental and physical health and well-being.

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34 episodes
Avg 57 min
English

Episodes 34

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#199
Saturday · 41 min
What Does It Take to Pass the CPAT?
Passing the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) takes more than just being “in shape.” On this episode of Fueling Fire, host Megan Lautz sits down with firefighter, paramedic, and firefighter strength coach Katie Dennison to break down how to prepare for the test's physical demands, from strength and conditioning to pacing and technique. Dennison also describes her county's CPAT mentoring program.
#200
Friday · 43 min
Understanding the “Greatest Love”
As we mark 25 years since September 11, 2001, Five After Midnight host Stephanie White sits down with FDNY veteran Tim Brown, who recounts his experience on 9/11, the men he lost, and the book he wrote to honor them. Brown describes the calm bravery of the firefighters who said, "Send me in," as they went up the towers, and shares his thoughts on those final acts. Brown offers practical advice for dealing with grief, finding the right therapist, and providing families with support.
#198
Thursday · 1 hr 13 min
A Conversation with Eileen Bellew, Author of 'After John Jumped'
For this episode of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka welcomes Eileen Bellew, author of After John Jumped: The True Story of a Family's Rise from the Ashes. During the conversation, Bellew, recount's her family's experience after her husband succumbed to injuries from a fall during a Bronx, New York, rescue on January 23, 2005, which is now remembered as Black Sunday.
#197
Wednesday · 1 hr 4 min
Fixing Sleep Problems, Traumatic Brain Injury, and PTSD
Dr. Greg Burek, a psychiatrist and former marine, joins this episode of We Can't Believe They Gave Us a Show. Hosts Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux invite Burek to unpack why sleep is such a central problem for veterans and first responders—and how the BRAVE Program, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, treats it. Burek explains why common fixes often fail or worsen symptoms, and how targeted, flexible clonidine dosing can “turn the volume down” on adrenaline, restore sleep architecture, and jump‑start recovery.
#196
Tuesday · 1 hr 8 min
Jazmyne Alston on a Crash Rescue and Social Media Backlash
The C.A.N. Report welcomes Jazmyne Alston, a Firefighter/EMT who joins the podcast to tell a raw, inspiring story. During her conversation with host Mike Goldstein, she discusses tough-love instructors at the Douglas County (GA) Fire/EMS training facility, the brotherhood of her class, the life-changing Bearers of the Oath training, and how she weathered 18 million views of social-media hate after posting graduation footage.
#195
September 4 · 1 hr 15 min
What's So Important About Mentorship?
On this episode of Multiple Calls, Scott Hewlett welcomes Paul Hollingshead, the chief training officer for the Oakville (ON) Fire Department. Hollingshead shares the key factors that shaped his career in fire training, starting with his experience answering emergency calls as a contract communicator. He goes on to discuss eventually earning a spot on the trucks, working under a crew known for its relentlessness and aggressive mindset. During the conversation, Hollingshead addresses the significance key mentors have had in his life and career.
#194
September 3 · 46 min
Who Are You When the Helmet Comes Off?
What happens to your identity when the job that defined you changes? In this episode of Mental Health Monthly, Dan DeGryse and Chris Muscle talk through the firefighter/EMT struggle of balancing career passion with family, mental wellness, and life after service. They discuss how identity can shift from firefighter to partner, parent, and advocate. DeGryse and Muscle also cover the impact of work on spouses and kids and the kinds of small habits that can protect firefighters' mental health.
#193
September 1 · 23 min
Culture, Training, and a Runaway Rescue Truck
Welcome back to The Quick Knock, hosted by Stephanie White and Chris Scott. On this episode, White argues that individual mistakes aren’t automatically the result of “culture,” but that inconsistent consequences are. Meanwhile, Scott pushes the layered idea of macro and micro cultures. During this conversation, they also tackle training: If your company officer doesn't run drills, hold yourself accountable and keep your skills sharp. News highlights include a wild New Hampshire call where a homeowner allegedly stole a rescue truck during a fire at his own home and censure resolutions at the recent IAFF convention.
#192
August 27 · 46 min
Communicating Truth with Empathy
Chief David J. Stone joins host Chris Marella in this episode of Beyond the Headlines. Stone walks through practical leadership tools for fire officers: honest encouragement, constructive critique, and servant leadership practiced with intentionality. He discusses his recent Firefighter Nation article, "Communicating Truth with Empathy: A Fire Officer's Guide to Honest Encouragement and Constructive Critique." Stone also focuses on why behavior—not personality—builds trust, why a simple public "good job" matters, and how pausing two seconds before responding preserves relationships and reputations.
#191
August 25 · 1 hr 14 min
Exploring the A-B-C Method
On this episode of The C.A.N. Report, host Mike Goldstein welcomes Robert Ramirez to talk firefighter rescue, building a new fire department in Jupiter, Florida, and bridging modern self-rescue tactics to classrooms worldwide. They cover Ramirez's recent FDIC debut, his train-the-trainer work in Germany, and reasons why social media matters for recruitment. Goldstein and Ramirez also explore the A-B-C method for entanglements—Avoid, Back Up, and Cut.
#190
August 21 · 1 hr 9 min
Lateral Moves, Leadership, and Saunas
This episode of the Revolutionaries welcomes guest Jason Worthy, a second‑generation firefighter and current company officer. The panel discussion covers practical leadership, operational tactics, and firefighter health, along with actionable advice for chiefs, company officers, and firefighters who want better training and smarter staffing.
#189
August 20 · 34 min
Lessons from FDNY Leaders
In this episode of Igniting the Shift Within, host David Dachinger welcomes seven leaders who share their insights on effective leadership, resilience, and leading through major crises like 9/11 and Covid-19. Guests: Captain Frank Leto Lieutenant Drew Kane Chief Frank Leeb FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore Chief Thomas Dunne Battalion Chief John Haseney Kristina Moon
#188
August 19 · 38 min
Close-Up on Eye Health for Firefighters
For this episode of Frontline Findings, hosts Stephanie White and Rachel Bozek explore eye health for firefighters. They welcome board certified ophthalmologist Cordell Adams, chief of the ophthalmology department at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, who discusses the risks to the cornea that come with firefighting, what to do on scene, and how to avoid long-term eye health challenges.
#187
August 14 · 34 min
How Fire Service Families Can Keep Meals on Track
Firefighter schedules can make family meals, grocery shopping and healthy routines feel unpredictable. In this episode of Fueling Fire, Megan Lautz welcomes registered dietitian and firefighter spouse Michelle Bugbee of Ignite Performance Nutrition. They talk about realistic ways for fire service families to eat well. Topics they cover during this discussion include meal planning, shared nutrition goals, and managing schedules, all without making food another full-time job.
#186
August 13 · 1 hr 6 min
Behind the Scenes with Dr. Sara Jahnke
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.
#184
August 11 · 1 hr 12 min
Finding Healing in the Unconventional
In this episode of We Can't Believe They Gave Us a Show, hosts Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux speak with Nate Morgans, CEO of the Casey Skudin 343 Fund. Morgans discloses how his struggles with alcohol landed him in rehab. During this time, he made a friend who suggested he check out an indigenous treatment in Mexico. He shares what his experience was like, how it helped him to recover, and how the 343 Fund works. They also discuss the upcoming Firefighter Health and Wellness Conference in Exotic Beavercreek, Ohio.
#185
August 11 · 58 min
Closeup on Volunteer and Career Firefighting
Chief Ryan McCormick of Alexander (AR) Fire Department and Collegeville (AR) Volunteer Fire Department joins host Mike Goldstein on this episode of The C.A.N. Report During their conversation, they discuss bridging the gap between volunteer and career firefighting, operational readiness, mutual-aid coordination, and leadership. McCormick explains the differences in mindset and expectations between volunteer and career crews, aggressive training and fitness, and urges departments to train together so RIT, SCBA, and tactics align during mutual-aid responses.
#183
August 7 · 1 hr 26 min
Maximizing Training, High‑Rise Tactics, and Search Lessons
Host Scott Hewlett welcomes Rob Wiggins for this episode of Multiple Calls. They discuss the path Wiggins took from volunteer to full-time crew member, with a look at his paramedic work, instructing experience, and time on the high-rise conference circuit. They also address recruitment life, rigorous training standards, teaching failures that ultimately made them better, and the practical tactics that have stuck with them over the years.
#182
August 6 · 1 hr 14 min
Finding Purpose in the Ashes: Steve Chikerotis
Former Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief and Chicago Fire screenwriter Steve "Chik" Chikerotis joins Dan DeGryse and Chris Muscle for this episode of Mental Health Monthly. Drawing on over three decades of field experience, Chikerotis opens up about his first day on the job, the emotional toll of responding to Ground Zero after 9/11, and a devastating personal loss of his own. He breaks down how shifting from a culture of stoic silence to open dialogue saves lives, offering actionable stress-management techniques like box breathing and positive visualization.
#181
August 4 · 29 min
When Should You Stay in Your Lane?
On this episode of The Quick Knock, hosts Stephanie White and Chris Scott debate when it's appropriate to step outside your specialty to help move the job forward, and when doing so becomes gatekeeping. They explore survival versus popularity motives and ask whether conferences matter if you don't bring the lessons you learn at them back to the shift.

Showing 1–20 of 34 episodes