Talkin' Shop with Outlier Firefighters

Fresh off his recent promotion, Lieutenant Brian Stodola joins me on the show to talk about owning your future, young leadership and transition to company officer. We'll also chat about generational differences and finding the future and mentoring it.

Tailboard Misfits own, John Velez Jr joins me on the show. We're going to talk about the senior man, family balance, building relationships and team building.

Chief Frank Leeb and Anthony Kastros hang out and talk shop after their presentation at the Lake County Leadership Summit. We talk about their introduction to command, senior firefighters, training and Sheamus (IYKYK)

Captain Mensching and I talk about being a company officer and the training you need. Like throwing ladders or pulling hose: leadership and decision making are skills that can be learned and taught.

We're back in 2025! Starting off this year with a big episode. Chief David Rhodes, Editor in Chief of Fire Engineering. We talk about the future and past coming together, loyal disobedience, having the courage to go against the grain and how to get involved in the fire service renaissance.

Lt Dishno joins me to talk about the leadership void, generational changes, training and preserving traditional firefighter culture.

FDIC keynote speaker and author of "The Functional Fire Company": Chief Scott Thompson of The Colony Fire Department joins me on the show to talk culture, risk and letting firefighters be firefighters.

More conversations between Midwest firemen! BJ's awesome and you'll enjoy what he has today. We're going to talk about minimum standards, training, crew culture and firefighter LARPing. The fireground will tell you if you can do this job, and it isn't for

Preston from "Relentless Rejects" and I chat about pursuing creating your own path, going against the grain, starting your own standard and finding your people. Two brothers who are in to the job, taking about just that. What more could you ask for?

Nick and I are breaking through the Cheddar Curtain to talk. FRS, risk, training, being an officer and growing with data.

Lieutenant Nunez of LRFPD joins me to talk about a recent rescue he was a part of, hacking your body and comparing high level sports to firefighting. We'll also talk about using that time when "no one needs anything from you" to better yourself.

Rob Fisher from Young Officers On Fire joins me for a chat. He's a recently retired BC from Washington and heavily involved in local and national instructing. We talk about incident command, a lot of building construction, relationships and Rob's time on the truck.

Search, 2 in/2 out, culture and personal growth. Fresh From Great Lakes HOT! Sean Duffy of Build Your Culture is here to share his perspective and experiences.

I'm back and ready to share some updates on my life. I talk about organizational resentment, opportunity regret and emotional currency. How does Buzz Lightyear apply to the suburban firefighter? Maybe we all gotta learn its ok to just fall with style.

Mike and I chat about RIT, LDDM, leadership, personal growth and training He's a Lieutenant from Countryside FPD and IFSI instructor.

Lt Timmy Cicero from Carol Stream FPD joins me to chat about being an open book, growing from your mistakes, letting firefighters be firefighters and taking advantage of opportunities to train. Someone has gotta run command, but if you aren't itching to be interior, it's probably time to hang 'em up.

Lt Billy Navarro from Buffalo Grove FD introduces me to my favorite new phrase: shop rocket. He brings some great perspective coming from the trades and he has some great things to say about leadership and training.

You bought the ticket! BC Jimmy T from Wheeling chats with me about his career and leadership. He shares about getting better every shift, the importance of training and leaning on eachother. Come drink the koolaid!

Rob and I talk about his career, training, MAYDAYs, survival and RIT.

Brotherhood in Training's Eric Haskins joins me to talk about different forms of strength and endurance training for firefighters. We'll also chat about Georgia Smoke Divers and nutrition.

FCG is kicking off 2024! We're old friends and we'll be talking about delivering training for a variety of experience, physical fitness, adjusting techniques for your body type, rural water and brotherhood.

Craig from "The Standard" is coming on the show to talk about his perspective in the fire service. We chat about physical and mental health, parenting as a firefighter and how to build a firefighter's mindset and being a professional.

Last show in November! Jeff joins me to talk about Firemanship, Firefighter Rescue Survey, Fire Nuggets and his passions in the fire service.

I share my experience at IFSI's RIT Under Fire class. 18 live fire MAYDAY rescues, every evolution was a 2 bottle drill, having it so hot that the haligan bar is burning in your hands. There is nothing like this class, take it.

Ross is here to enlighten you to some great ideas like the misogi concept and doing something every day. We also chat about realistic training and how to deal with/understand the haters.

Another great episode featuring Chief Alan Styles. We talk about the fireman, the blue shirt and what they are supposed to be.

Chief Reilly of "First Line Fire Service Training" is here to chat about the job. The job isn't for everyone and you need to work hard to earn the title of firefighter. We also discuss ways to better yourself in an absence of senior firefighters. How are you being trained to handle the high impact of stress?

I chat with the human half of K9 6, and its a great episode. Todd and I talk extensively about a MAYDAY his company experienced. We also chat about USAR and training.

Joined by THE Battalion 1 himself, Mike Fox. We chat about mentors, learning through failure, being humbled by the job and peer support.

Big episode, and well worth it! You have gotta come and listen to what Dave has to say. 90 second tasks, drilling for the reality of small companies, the Passionate Pursuit and some cool insight to what's in your pocket.

Andy and I talk about training new people, the importance of wellness and having relationships with your neighboring fire departments.

Your invisible suitcase, thinking about the next guy or gal, being thankful for the opportunity to serve, WECARE, and the calling. You won't regret listening to Gurnee FD's Jimmy Pellitteri. "Firefighters just make things right."

You know him from "Calming the Chaos" and trainfirefighters.com. Chief Kastros has some great stories and wisdom to share not only about the "recliner snipers" but incident command.

Chief Viscuso shares his experiences in leadership from coaching, life and the fire service. We chat about minimum standards, putting in the work to earn your spot and when to change the channel.

Sammy Vega of Cal City Fire talks with me about being who you'd want to lead you, owning your mistakes, being a gentleman, leading by example and the military's influence over the fire service. You have gotta hear Sammy's take on 360-180-90.

I sit down with Retired Deputy Chief and the current Executive Director of RED Center and catch up on some great topics including how he dispatched his own first fire, the value of a great relationship with dispatchers, leadership, tradition and brotherhood.

Nick and I have been friends for almost 20 years, and we both found our way to the greatest job in the world. Together we discuss the importance of community involvement, local politics, practical training and personal health.

Lucky number 13! Corley Moore from Firehouse Vigilance and have a great show! We discuss networking, reading, your circle of influence and loving the job.

Cheif Cokefair joins me to talk about family and fire, the dynamics of part time/volunteer fire departments and the importance of having an outside agency perform hose testing.

Chief Gruba shares his experience and wisdom on training and the importance of togetherness.

One firefighter and one fire wife, talking about being a fire family. We talk about mental health, being balanced in life and inclusion in the greater fire service family. We don't take ourselves too seriously, so this is a pretty unfiltered conversation between the two of us. No firefighter can be successful without a strong support person with them every step of the way.

Ryan and I talk about his organization Shield 23, which provides support to firefighters with cancer. You can find more information about their organization at www.shield23foundation.org

BC Marusich and I discuss being well trained and aggressive, growing a positive training culture, peers who are mentors and the transition to Battalion Chief

Mike and I talk about the loss of the "Senior Man", USAR and rescue dogs, longevity, wellness and the benefits of a county wide fire department.

I recap my experience this year at FDIC. The classes I took and the things I heard were all so valuable and I want to share them with you

Kevin and I talk about small company roles and responsibilities, the craft of firemanship, history, the importance of mental heath awareness and getting past the 2-5 year wall.

You don't have to be from a big city to be a great firefight! Craig and I talk about being young and passionate, mentors, the importance of training and traditional firefighter values.

Chief Leidig and I talk about training, the modern workforce, networking and finding your own rhythm.

Mike joins the show to talk about mental health, balance and growing with change.

Talkin' multi-generationally! My father, Chief Patrick Tanner talks longevity, being young and driven, and that anyone can be "the guy".