Flashpoint: The Fire Inside Podcast

Join us this episode with Jason Patton, founder of the Fire Department Chronicles and partner in Fire Department Coffee.

Join us for this episode with Rob Fisher and Ryan Scellick, Founders of Young Officers on Fire, dedicated to future fire officers who are fire up about the job and want to better themselves daily.

In this episode, Frank Viscuso speaks with Brian Lau. Brian is the creator of Inferno City Firehouse, a graphic novel that takes you inside the lives of real Detroit firefighters.

In this episode, Frank Viscuso sits down with Jason Sautel, author of The Rescuer. Listen to Jason tell his story from his rough childhood to his journey to becoming a firefighter in one of the toughest firehouses in the country. I am a bruised and broken man who has been restored by God’s grace and I want to share it with the world! ~ Jason Sautel

Dr. Denis Onieal, retired Chief of Department for Jersey City Fire Department and former senior career federal fire official, was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the United States Fire Administration, the National Fire Academy, the National Fire Incident Reporting System, and the National Emergency Training Center. Dr. Onieal speaks with Frank Viscuso about his years in the fire service and advice that he would pass down to the next generation of fire fighters.

Renowned speaker, author and training development expert Jim Knight joins Frank Viscuso to talk about his time leading Global Training for Hard Rock International, and his tactics on how to amp up organizational culture, deliver world-class service, and build rock star teams and leaders. https://www.KnightSpeaker.com

In this episode, Curt Isakson talks with Frank Viscuso about having a passion for the job and enjoying the journey. Curt also speaks passionately about what “It’s Worth the Risk”, means and how he came to start his business, County Fire Tactics. Curt Isakson is a Battalion Chief for Escambia County Fire Rescue. He has worked in volunteer, career, and combination departments, and has held all ranks up to Battalion Chief.

In this episode Rudy Ruettiger shares his story on the power of the dream. As portrayed in the blockbuster film, Rudy, rising from a difficult childhood to obtaining his dream of playing football for the Fighting Irish, on November 8, 1975 Rudy got his chance to take the field and on the game’s final play where Rudy had a sack on the quarterback, he was carried off the field by his teammates, the first player at Notre Dame history to do so and only one of two people to have that honor. Today Rudy is an Emmy Award Winning Motivational Speaker, author, and producer. For more information or to contact Rudy visit https://www.rudyruettiger.com.

In this episode, Coach Langan speaks with Frank Viscuso about building and sustaining championship-caliber teams. Chris Langan has been Felician University’s head baseball coach since the 2004 season. During that time he has turned their program around, leading the Golden Falcons to 12 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Berths and two Championships, along with four NCAA Regional appearances. Chris Langan was named CACC Coach of the Year four consecutive times following the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons.

Whether you are a probationary firefighter or have years on the job, whether for a promotional exam or just to stay at your peak performance, in this episode Frank Viscuso speaks with his friend and mentor, Deputy Chief Mike Terpak on the importance of maintaining your desire to never stop learning.

In this episode, Frank Viscuso speaks with John Hughes, Brand Ambassador for Jersey Mike’s, the nation’s fastest-growing sandwich chain, and how the company has built their brand with employees and company values first. What are your core values? What are the traits and behaviors to support core values?

Captain John Wright and Firefighter Gus Trujillo nearly died in a house fire on a windy night in June while searching the second floor of a burning home. Crews had reports that someone could still be inside. During their primary search, flames suddenly began shooting from a wall. Conditions changed quickly and they couldn’t find their way our through the thick black smoke. In this episode, Captain Wright tells the story of what happened on that nearly fateful day.

Episode 20 is up with Joe Dubuque, two-time NCAA Division 1 National Champion wrestler and current assistant coach of Princeton University wrestling. Frank and Joe discuss how to set and maintain the highest standards inside of an organization.

Dena Ali is a captain with the Raleigh (NC) Fire Department and, prior to becoming a firefighter, she served five years as a police officer in North Carolina. She has personally experienced the benefits of peer support and recognizes how critical it is to simply be heard and understood.  Dena is also a graduate student and has spent the last couple of years researching firefighter behavioral health and learning methods to prevent firefighter suicides. In this episode, Dena speaks about the link to sleep behavior and the overall mental and physical health that it controls.

Chief Rick Lasky is a 40-year veteran of the fire service and best selling author of the books “Pride and Ownership – A Firefighter’s Love of the Job” and “Five Alarm Leadership: From the Firehouse to the Fireground”.

JP Dinnell is a former U.S. Navy Seal who spent nearly a decade in the SEAL Teams with three combat deployments. While with SEAL Team Three’s Task Unit Bruiser, JP worked closely with SEAL Officers Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, and was a factor in many of the combat operations Jocko and Leif wrote about in Extreme Ownership. J.P now is sharing his talents in leadership and excellence serving as the Director of Tactical Training Programs, Leadership Instructor, Speaker, and Strategic Advisor for Echelon Front. For more information on JP Dinnell and Echelon Front visit https://echelonfront.com/.

Mark Leiter had an impressive 11 year career in Major League Baseball as a pitcher for teams such as the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies among others. In this episode Frank Viscuso speaks with Mark on what it took to become a professional athlete and how he is using those skills today to help the next generation of athletes make it to the highest level of their sport.

Ryan Pennington is a Lieutenant/Paramedic for the Charleston Fire Department in Charleston West Virginia. He is currently assigned to the Training Division and is part of the West Virginia Task Force 1 USAR team. He has over 20 years of combined Fire, Rescue and EMS experience. Ryan started with a local volunteer department and continued through EMS to spend five years as a Critical Care Paramedic. Ryan transferred to the career fire service in 2003 and has worked for the City of Charleston since 2007. Ryan is currently a WV State Instructor 2, Hazmat Technician, and Certified Fire Officer 2. He is very involved teaching EMS and firefighter safety around the country.

On episode 13 of The Fire Inside Podcast. Frank Viscuso speaks with Vince Poscente. Vince, an Olympic athlete tells of his amazing journey from recreation skier to Olympian in four short years. Vince is now a New York Times bestselling author of seven books. Visit www.vinceposcente.com/ for more information or to contact Vince.

Frank Viscuso speaks with Mike Gagliano of Seattle Fire. Mike has written numerous fire service articles, and is co-author of the bestselling book Air Management for the Fire Service. Mike co-hosts the popular Fire Engineering radio webcast “The Mikey G and Mikey D Show” and partners with his wife Anne (Firelife.com) to teach on strategies for developing and maintaining a strong marriage/family.

Head Wrestling Coach at Princeton University, Coach Ayres, speaks about forging a successful culture while on his way to one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history.

In this episode Frank Viscuso talks to Anthony Kastros, Battalion Chief (Ret.) Sacramento Metro FD, CA. Anthony is the founder of TrainFireFighters.com and author of Mastering the Fire Service Assessment Center. In 2019 Anthony Kastros was awarded the George D Post Fire Instructor of the Year award. This episode covers some great topics for all fire service members that are looking to move up the chain of command.

Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Firefighter Eugene Stolowski shares his personal account of the "Black Sunday" fire on January 23, 2005 where 6 FDNY firefighters including Eugene were forced to bail out of a four story building during a fire in the Bronx.

Corey "Overtime" Anderson joins us on the show to discuss the importance of hard word, dedication, and never giving up.

Dan Shaw and Doug Mitchell from 25 to Survive: Reducing Residential Injury and LODD join us on the show to discuss Combat Readiness.

We speak with author Bob Burg about the concepts of customer service, putting your clients first, and providing the best experience for people around you.

It is a great pleasure to release Episode 5 of Flashpoint: The Fire Inside Podcast with Nick Santonastasso​. When we sat down in the very beginning of creating this podcast it was Nick's story that really resonated with us. Nick has overcome more than most will ever have to deal with, to become one of the most inspirational, successful, and amazing people we have ever met. We hope that you all enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed making it.

In episode 4 we speak to John Spera of Fit To Fight Fire. John discusses physical fitness, tips to improve your health, and most importantly, discovering what your fitness represents to you.

In episode 3 we speak to former UFC champion Frankie Edgar on overcoming adversity, celebrating success, and how heart and determination can overcome all.

Episode 2: Relentless Pursuit A conversation with Rutgers University Wrestling Coach Scott Goodale Rutgers University head wrestling coach Scott Goodale knows how to build programs. As a young high school athlete, Coach Goodale knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life. His dream was to go to college, earn a degree, and return to his hometown of Jackson, New Jersey to build a dynasty wrestling program. As a coach of the Jackson Memorial High School wrestling team, Coach Goodale was named the New Jersey State Coach of the Year three times. During his tenure, he led his teams to two Group 4 State Championships and four Central Jersey Group 4 Sectional titles. Each season Goodale spent with Jackson Memorial, the Jaguars were crowned District 21 Team Champions. One year, his team was ranked as high as 4th in the country. While building that program, a former New York Giants player with ties to Rutgers – the state university of New Jersey – approached Coach Goodale and asked if he could offer suggestions on how he would save Rutgers struggling wrestling program, which was in jeopardy of begin dropped. Coach Goodale sat down with his wife at a local restaurant, and started drafting a five-point plan on a napkin. He later presented his finished plan and before he knew it he was on a six-hour interview for the job of head wresting coach for the Scarlet Knights. After contemplating his options, he accepted the position. With help from his loyal coaching staff and the development of what he refers to as “the big 3”, he quickly brought Rutgers to the forefront of collegiate wrestling with his relentless pursuit attitude. The team went from wrestling in front of twenty-two people to selling nearly 2,000 season tickets. Over the past four seasons, Rutgers has earned two top-10 finishes in the USA Today/ NWCA Division I Coaches Poll. Under Coach Goodale’s watch, the Scarlet Knights have had six All-Americans, three conference champions, 58 NCAA Championship bids, 18 Big Ten Conference Championships place winners and 42 place winners at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Championships. If you are coaching a team, running a business, building a program, or trying to get a group of people to perform at the highest level possible, check out our podcast episode with NCAA Division 1 head wrestling coach, Scott Goodale. In this episode Coach Goodale discusses the following: Growing up in Jackson, New Jersey. The burnout problem with youth sports. His 5-point plan to help make Rutgers Wrestling relevant. What he learned after recruiting the 3rd best class in the country but falling short of his goals. His focus on “the Big 3: Academics, Social Life, and Wrestling”. The importance preparation and work ethic and how everyone is great at 3:00 in the afternoon (practice time). It’s what they do at 9:00 in the morning that makes the difference. How he handles defeat and learns from his losses. The importance of mastering the basics through repetition. Creating difficult situations in the practice room to help his wrestlers deal with adversity. Leading through work ethic and example. Why he does not assign team captains. Establishing productive daily habits. Setting realistic goals. Motivating under-performing team members.

Col Tom Feltey of the United States Army speaks about the importance of establishing a proper command climate.