With more than three decades of experience as a Health Studies Professor teaching physiology, pathophysiology & pharmacology, Wendy understands the biology of stress and resiliency.
She extensively investigated the experience of trauma in first responders and has built a case for how and why compassionate-based mindfulness theory and practices can build proactive resiliency in vulnerable sectors for her MSc in Mindfulness Studies. She has helped to pioneer curricula for those who engage with trauma in their work so that they reduce their risk of psychological injury in the line of duty. She has shared her vision in conferences as a speaker/plenary, in many workshops, and in print.
Wendy believes it’s about being proactive, not reactive, with our mental health. Her vision is to help others redefine wealth in their workplace and lives.

https://www.wellthmanagement.ca/team
IG - @wellth_management.inc
Twitter - @WLund100 @WorkWithHeartWM

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing Credit: @bradshea
Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco
Logistics: @haileyfirefit

Episode 56 - Wendy Lund

Phil Resendes is a 15-year member of the Fire Service. Phil is a newly promoted Acting Captain with the Chatham-Kent Fire Department. He has Instructed at Lambton College Fire School in the Pre-Service and Fire Science programs. He is the Vice-President and one of the co-founders of True North FOOLS. Phil is a student of the Fire Service and is passionate about sharing his love for the trade by passing on what has worked and what has been passed on to him. "Culture is everything, and building strong Fire Department culture is done through continuous drilling and training”. Phil believes it is the glue that binds us and prepares us mentally and physically. The brotherhood is what brought him to the job, and the brotherhood is what he’s committed to preserving alongside the many like-minded and supportive members in your fire departments.

@backstepsixtytwo 
@truenorthfools 

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing Credit: @bradshea
Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco
Admin: @haileyfirefit

Episode 58 - Phil Resendes

Manny is a nozzleman with San Antonio Fire. Born, raised, and still lives and works in the city's inner west side close to his home. Engine and Nozzle work is his passion and is a true believer that the basics are where the fight is won. A Marine Corps combat veteran and first-generation college graduate. He is a proud husband and father of 3 and a field training officer with his dept.

@manny_b210
@andyfredericksghost
Manuelbarajas210@gmail.com

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Episode 62 - Manny Barajas

We could have an endless debate over the definition of suffering and what constitutes hard. And there are a lot of vague and dismissive things that are said on the topics, such as ‘There’s always someone that has it worse than you.”, ‘Look for the silver lining’, ‘Everything happens for a reason’, or ‘Whatever doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger’ but no amount of perspective on severity, or validity changes your personal reality at any given moment. You are faced with what you are faced with, you are experiencing that thing or litany of things in the way that you are, and over whatever internal or external time frame that has been imposed on you, it needs to be survived if you are going to. That’s it. Just stay in it and fight to get more wins than losses over time. This is what goggins means when he tells you to ‘stay hard’. You don’t have to have a great attitude about it, and the root problem or problems may not be solved, but take the steps you can towards it or through it and chalk up another time you were the type of person that acted in the face of something difficult. Show yourself that you can, remind yourself of the times you have before and then show yourself again. 

My guest this episode is a tremendous resource of hope and possibility in the face of adversity. Yet another powerful example of navigating difficulty as an imperfect human in a complex world. It’s a pleasure to bring you Ricky Nuttall

Ricky is a Firefighter with the London Fire Brigade and was one of over 250 first responders who were called to the fire at Grenfell Tower, on the 14th of June 2017. The fire tragically claimed the lives of 72 residents and injured over 70 more.
He suffered from PTSD as a result of the life-changing decisions he had to make that night, as well as carrying the weight of previous traumatic incidents over a long career.
With a new perspective, He’s now a mental health advocate and public voice, focusing on raising awareness of the importance of social and workplace mental health and well-being.

https://www.justrick.co.uk/
@rickynuttallofficial

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Episode 63 - Ricky Nuttall

Kyle is a 20-year veteran with East Montgomery County Fire Department, oversees the training division as a Battalion Chief, and is in love with engine work. 

Kyle is the owner of smoothbore cartel and founder and administrator of Engine Company Resurrection. Kyle teaches engine operations for several well-known fire service instructor groups such as FD Tactics, Brothers in Battle, and Oathkeepers Engine Cadre.

His primary objective is to share knowledge about the value of Engine work with his fellow firefighters.

He travels the country providing lectures and hands-on training on engine company skills and provides one of the most compelling lectures on fire attack in the industry.

His organization provides sponsorship opportunities for firefighters to attend conferences around the country.

His efforts are well-known, and respected, and his instructional methodology is second to none.

@smoothborecartel
@firehousevigilance
@countyfiretactics

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Episode 77 - Kyle Romagus

Stephanie White is a 20-year veteran of the fire service and has spent the past 18 years as a professional firefighter/paramedic assigned to the field in a metropolitan fire department. Stephanie is a podcaster and contributing writer with Fire Engineering. She hates having to write bios about herself and prefers to spend her free time helping departments write policies that focus on pregnancy or cannabis in the fire service. 

@thefiveaftermidnightpodcast
@thatpaperworkff

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Episode 78 - Stephanie White

Bobby Eckert is a Captain with the City of Camden Fire Department in New Jersey.  He is a second-generation Fireman and has been in the fire service for over 20 years, with the last 13 in Camden.  His present assignment is with Engine Company 1 at Fire Headquarters – the city’s busiest Engine Company.
Bobby has a BS in Public Safety Administration from Neumann University and is also a Pro Board Level 2 instructor.  Captain Eckert has taught all over the country and authored Volumes 1 and 2 of Tuesdays are for Tactics – covering fire tactics, leadership, and an aggressive street-smart approach to firefighting, based solely on his experience.

https://www.eckertfiretactics.com/

@eckert_335

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Episode 82 - Bobby Eckert

Episode 89 with Andy Starnes is now available!

Andy Starnes is a lifelong student of the fire service and has been involved with the fire service as a volunteer since 1992 and as a career firefighter since 1998. He is a fire service website contributor on thermal imaging, fire behavior, leadership, behavioral health, and faith-based devotions. He is passionate about fire behavior and regularly assists in instructing others on the complex terminology of modern fire behavior. He serves as a board member on the non-profit organization 5-Alarm Task Force which raises funds to support first responders, is a Master Craftsman with Project Kill the Flashover, and supports numerous first responder charities through Insight Training He has been featured on numerous podcasts and presented tactical thermal imaging courses at fire service conferences across the globe. His work has been featured in fire service publications, Euro Firefighter 2, and other fire service textbooks. He has trained and/or assisted departments with Thermal Imaging Training in all 50 states and numerous other countries. Insight Training’s Thermal Imaging Curriculum is in use in Canada as an integral part of their 'From Knowledge to Practice Fire Dynamics Program'. Insight Training LLC instructor cadre are fire service veterans and are Level 1 Thermography Industrial Certified from Infrared Training Center. Andy currently serves as a Battalion Chief in a large career department in NC, is Level II Thermography Certified, and provides training internationally. He consults manufacturers and assists with product development. Insight Training LLC developed the first thermography-based firefighter certification credentialed through the Infrared Training Center. 

www.insighttrainingllc.com
andystarnes@instructorandystarnes.com
IG @insighttrnllc
IG @andrew.starnes.733
FB @andrewstarnes
FB @insightfiretraining 

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Episode 89 - Andy Starnes

Mickey Farrell is a Lieutenant in the New York City Fire Department, a third-generation firefighter with 29 years of experience, the last 23 years being with the FDNY. Also a team instructor at the New York City Fire Academy, founder and author of Top Floor Tactics, and host of ‘A View From the Top Floor Podcast’.

topfloortactics.com
@topfloortactics
@national_fire _radio
youtube.com/@NationalFireRadio

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Episode 91 - Mickey Farrell

Dave “Chops Phillips” is a retired EMS (Ornge) Helicopter Pilot, whose life took an unexpected turn in 2015 when he confronted the challenging reality of PTSD, a battle that many first responders face. He is currently an advocate for mental health awareness, with his company Code33 Apparel. Code33 Apparel is not just about fashion, but about making a difference. Every purchase supports PTSD and mental health awareness initiatives. 

www.code33apparel.com
@thecode33apparel
@theschops

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Episode 95 - Dave 'Chops' Phillips

Manny Barajas has been with San Antonio Fire for the last 8 years. He’s a Marine Combat Veteran and proud San Antonio Southsider. After 7 years on the front lines, he was promoted and is now in the EMS division.

@manny_b210
@andyfredericksghost
Manuelbarajas210@gmail.com

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Episode 96 - Manny Barajas

Kyle Beaumont is a senior firefighter with 20 years of fire service experience. Kyle currently serves with the Oak Bay Fire Department in Victoria, BC, Canada as an acting Lieutenant and acting assistant Chief. With a strong passion for the fire service and a formal education in Organizational Leadership from Royal Roads University, Kyle recognizes the integral connection between effective training and department culture. Kyle is an instructor for Prepare 4 Rescue Ltd., a department IAFF Fireground Survival Instructor, and actively contributes to the development of training programs within his department. Drawing from personal experience and observation, he firmly believes that tackling challenging physical tasks is essential for fostering both individual and team resilience.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Episode 97 - Kyle Beaumont

Stephanie White is a 21-year veteran of the fire service. She started her journey as a volunteer and has been a career firefighter/paramedic in Virginia for the past 19 years. 

Over her career she’s been actively involved in firefighter health and wellness while being assigned to some pretty great companies. She is currently enjoying the challenge that is spelling and writing while living the shift-work life. 

Stephanie is the managing editor of Firefighter Nation.

@thatpaperworkff
@thefiveaftermidnightpodcast
@firefighternationhq

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Episode 98 - Stephanie White

Gareth Lockhart is a career Firefighter and Acting Officer with over 14 years of experience in a medium-sized suburban department outside Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Gareth is best known for being a leader in driving successful lobbying of staffing, health & safety issues through political action as a union executive board member. He presents on cognitive priming and deliberate practice to instill foundational skills in firefighters. His passions lie in Operations and Training, ensuring all firefighters can access modern, aggressive strategies and tactics through inclusive, data-driven methodologies, supported by those who actively participate and demonstrate the skills they teach. The battle against complacency starts with a “we” not “me” ethos.

@lockhart63

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Partnered with: @firefighternationhq

Episode 99 - Gareth Lockhart

To celebrate, the team comes together to talk all things MCP.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileyfirefit

Partnered with: @firefighternationhq

Episode 100 - The MCP Team


Joey is 34 years old and a happily married father of two young boys.
After 10 years in the fire service, I was diagnosed with PTSD. My symptoms included panic attacks, disassociation, suicidal ideations, sleep issues, anxiety and depression. As I began my treatment, I found it lacking as the conventional treatment was aimed at giving pharmaceuticals to help my symptoms while failing to address the nervous system and the body. This approach placed me in a victim mindset and has been ineffective for me. After trying the conventional approach, I started to experiment with things outside the mainstream. Ice baths, saunas, breath work, meditation, journaling, TRE, float tanks, EMDR, neurofeedback, plant medicines and many other non-conventional approaches ended up being what gave me relief and allowed me to pull myself out of despair. Fast forward 3 years from my initial treatment and I am now working to give people skills before pills.
Through Conscious Movements, participates are introduced to the language of body and taught how to use their breath and movement to regulate themselves. Conscious Movements works on a physical, mental, emotional, and energetic level and encourages the practitioner to tune into the body and allow the mind to settle back. Through conscious attention, breath and movement we are able to connect to deeper parts of ourselves and encourage healing in a way conventional medicine doesn’t offer. Learning the skill of self-regulation allows you to be the best version of yourself, whether that’s a friend, parent, partner, boss, employee, athlete, or student.
@conscious_movements

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileyfirefit
Partnership: @firefighternationhq


Episode 101 - Joey Scrivani

Rob Thibert is an 18-year member of the Fire Service. Rob is the Deputy Fire Chief with the Minden Hills Fire Department in Ontario, Canada. Rob's leadership style is to lead from the front, aggressively progressing the department's tactics and succession all while keeping the safety of his crew in mind and always striving to leave the job better than he found it. Rob is a legacy firefighter following in his Father’s footsteps. During his down time, he loves spending time with my three sons and two dogs, being outdoors. He has instructed at Lambton College Fire School in the Pre-Service and Fire Science programs. He is the Treasurer and one of the co-founders of True North FOOLS. Rob is a student of the Fire Service and is passionate about sharing his love for the trade by passing on what has worked and what has been passed on to him. Rob founded the Smoke is Showing Conference, which builds a strong Fire Department culture through training, brotherhood, and traditions.

@mfd_deputychief
@truenorthfools

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileyfirefit
Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Episode 102 - Rob Thibert

Josh Graham is a second-generation career firefighter with over a decade of experience in a large, fast-growing urban fire department in the Greater Toronto Area. In addition to his firefighting career, he has more than ten years of paramedic experience, having worked in both urban and rural settings.

Josh spent two years in the Training Division as the Technical Rescue lead, where he developed programs across multiple disciplines to support his department’s transition toward mandated certification. His programs focus on NFPA standards while ensuring crews are equipped with the necessary skills, training, and experience to operate effectively. He has also played a key role as a Lead Instructor in several Recruit Academies.

In late 2023, Josh returned to the Operations Division and is currently assigned to a station housing both an Engine and a Technical Rescue apparatus. He continues to contribute to the Training Division as an Acting Training Officer and serves as a Lead Instructor for Rope and Water Rescue, Engine Operations, Search and Rescue, and Firefighter Survival.

 A firm believer in the historic culture of the fire service, Josh values camaraderie, craftsmanship, and the traditions that define the profession. While modern shifts emphasize safety culture and individualism, he believes that the strength of the fire service lies in its shared commitment to training, continual skill development, and the mentorship of future generations. His passion for the job is fueled by the enthusiastic passing of knowledge, experience, and tradition.

Outside of work, Josh enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, as well as hunting, fishing, camping, mountain biking, and practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

 Josh curates a firefighting-focused Instagram page dedicated to sharing relevant training content and fire service culture. His goal is to showcase the confidence and effectiveness of aggressive firefighting,  often misunderstood as reckless or dangerous—while highlighting its critical value in saving lives and property.

@dumpdawg_jr

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileyfirefit

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Episode 103 - Joshua Graham

Born and raised in El Paso Texas, Bobby Reichardt began his fire service journey at West Valley Volunteer Fire Department at the age of 17 and left 14 years later at the rank of Captain. He currently serves as a Logistics Lieutenant with the El Paso Fire Department and is a licensed Paramedic. He holds a Masters degree in Public Safety Administration and Leadership from ASU, a Bachelors of Emergency Management from West Texas A&M University, and is pursuing his Doctorate in Organizational Leadership. Bobby is married and the father of two daughters. Being the best husband and father are at the top of his to-do list, followed closely by leaving the fire department better than he found it. He’s the founding President of ChucoTown FOOLS.

@chuco_town_f.o.o.l.s.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileyfirefit

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Episode 104 - Bobby Reichardt

Darren was born and raised in a small town in Saskatchewan. With 25 years of experience in the fire service, he has taught and mentored at various level, always striving to pass on his knowledge and passion for the job. For the Past 16 years, Darren has been a proud member of Oakville Fire. He began as a training Officer, where he helped shape the next generation of firefighters through recruit training, firefighter survival programs, and the development and delivery of technical rescue disciplines. Now serving in Operations, Darren continues to protect the community of Oakville with the same drive and heart that brought him to the service all those years ago.

Darrens love for teaching and mentoring lives on beyond his department. He is an instructor at the South West Fire Academy, where he works hands-on with firefighter boot camps and technical rescue training, and he also teaches technical rescue for the Ontario Fire Marshel’s Office. His mission is simple to give back to the job he loves by preparing others to thrive in it.

Before joining Oakville Fire, Darren spent 18 years in the Canadian Armed Forces first 9 years with the Princess Patrica Canadian Light Infantry (P.P.C.L.I.) and 9 years as a military Firefighter. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for the fire service.

Fitness and performance have always been central to Darren’s dedication. He has proudly represented both the military and Oakville Fire in the Firefighter Combat Challenge, becoming a Muti-time national and world champion. For Darren, its not just about competition, its about pushing limits, leading by example, and showing what’s possible when passion meets purpose.

Outside of work, Darren enjoys spending time with his wife and two beautiful daughters. He is an avid outdoorsman who loves hunting, fishing, and camping, and he keeps active playing hockey in his spare time.

Whether he’s on a call, in the classroom, or out in the woods, Darren lives everyday with heart, grit, and gratitude for the career that has given him so much, and for the opportunity to keep paying it forward.

@dvanzandbergen

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Episode 105 - Darren van Zandbergen

Nick Ledin is a Captain with Eau Claire (WI) Fire Department, currently assigned to Truck 8. Ledin has been a student of the job for 18 years and is a contributor to ‘Firefighter Rescue Survey’, was the former president of the Northland FOOLS, and is a board member of FireNuggets. He’s a technical committee member for NFPA 1700, was a former technical panel member for UL FSRI’s PPA/PPV Study, and is a co-host of the FireNuggets Podcast and GRABS Podcast. Nick is also lucky enough to be a small part of UL FSRI’s Public Education Advisory Committee. He can also grow a pretty legit ‘stache.

@nick.ledin
@ulfsri
@firenuggets
@firefighterrescuesurvey
@northlandfools

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Episode 106 - Nick Ledin

Andrew Pristach is a 14 year firefighter, currently a Sergeant on a heavy rescue with the City of Spartanburg Fire Department in Upstate South Carolina. He is an instructor with the Mississippi State Fire Academy, a founding member of Dixie Firemanship, the owner of Tradesman Fire & Fabrication, and the co-designer of the Council Tool TD30 halligan bar and FE6 and FE8 axes.

@andrew.tff
@tradesman_fire
@dixiefiremanship

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Episode 107 - Andrew Pristach

Marcos Orozco was born and raised in Texas and became passionate about fitness at the age of 12 when his Dad bought him his first gym membership.  He played sports throughout high school and ran track for ASU (400m and 4x400m relay) where he got a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science/Kinesiology.  
Marcos has been a career fireman for 17 years and has been training and working out in gear for about 15 + of those years.  
His passion for fitness as it relates to performance on the fire ground is what he is passionate about and what he is best known for.  He has spent the past decade plus training “tactical athletes” and helping them become the best version of themselves, making them an asset rather than a liability.  
Marcos is the owner of Hardknox Sunday where he has programs designed to help firefighters improve their fitness as it relates to performance on the fire ground.  He is a big believer in “you are either an asset or a liability, there is no in between.”
Marcos is co-founder of The Crucible with John Spera and Logan Broberg.  The Crucible is a 24hr class where the participants will do 12 in full-gear workouts over that 24hr period where a standard must be met under the required time frame.  This class is meant to help build that mental fortitude and resiliency, and to share with the participants what has worked for us, the cadre.  We will be focusing on building the participants up and helping them work through those dark moments.  In addition, The cadre will be doing the workouts with the participants, and embracing the shared suffering. 
 
Marcos is also co-owner of True Grit Training, where they provide realistic “live fire” trainings as well as RIT and Search and Rescue classes in the Denver metropolitan area.  
 
Marcos has been an instructor for over 11 years and travels all over the country teaching HOT classes and giving his lecture “Improving fire ground performance through fitness and mental fortitude” as well as being on several podcasts in the last couple of years.

@hardknoxsunday

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq
Mid-roll Sponsor - @firehumorcompany

Some of his fire conferences include:  
 
Ft Lauderdale Fire Expo (Ft Lauderdale, FL)
Fire Shows West (Reno, NV)
FDIC (Indianapolis, IN)
The Castillo Way, (Houston, TX)
Mile High Fire Conference (Denver, CO)
Mid America Fools OKC Conference (OKC, OK).
 
Some of his podcasts include:
 
Behind The Shield Podcast
Tailboard Misfits Podcast
Fit to Fight Fire Podcast
Student of the Game Podcast
Undisclosed Agents Podcast
The Sheepdog Society Podcast 
 
Some of his “HARD” accomplishes include completing the Dunes 100-mile Ultra Race (2019-FL), completing the Georgia Smoke Diver Program at age 45 (2022-GA), running Pikes Peak Ascent (13.3 miles up to 14,115ft of elevation) in bunker coat/pants (2023-CO), and completing OBT 6 (2024-FL).
Challenging himself and others is what Marcos is passionate about, and he enjoys showing others what is possible. 
Marcos moved from South Florida to Colorado in January of 2023 and has been working for Brighton Fire District where he was in the Training Division for all of 2024 teaching at The North Area Fire Academy (NAFA 14 & 15), sharing his knowledge and passion. 
Marcos believes you must do HARD things you do not want to do daily; you are only as good as what you are currently doing, and what are you currently doing to make people around you better.
 
“It is our responsibility to show them what is possible.”

Episode 108 - Marcos Orozco

THE GROWTH EXPERIENCE was born of a deep need among men for a deeper sense of connection, meaning and presence in an increasingly chaotic and lonely world. 
​
Many of the social, tribal and cultural institutions that used to support men have lost relevance and meaning in the digital age, yet healthy spaces for men to connect are needed more than ever. 

THE GROWTH EXPERIENCE empowers men and creates community through shared experiences that allow men to push beyond their boundaries and gain new skills and brotherhood to support their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth.

@thegrowthexperiencecollective
@thegrowthexperience_ryan
@thegrowthexperience_matt
@thegrowthexperience_nathan

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Mid-roll Sponsor: @fhtribune


Episode 109 - The Growth Experience

Jacob is a Lieutenant with the Cibolo Fire Department and has been proudly serving in the fire service for over 10 years. He’s passionate about leading with strong values, building deep relationships, and helping firefighters find purpose in their work. Jacob has been married for 7 years and is a proud dad of two kids. 
His family plays a huge role in shaping who he is—both at home and at the firehouse. He brings that same sense of connection and care into his leadership, believing that when you set clear expectations, build trust, and truly care about your team, great things happen. Based in the fast-growing I-35 corridor in Texas between San Antonio and Austin, Jacob is proud to serve a community that’s expanding quickly—and he’s just as committed to growing the people around him. At the heart of everything he does is one simple belief: firefighters are here to serve, and we do it best when we serve each other first.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Episode 110 - Jacob Hillhouse

Julie, LPC, PhD is a licensed professional counselor and professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She specializes in treating trauma, substance use disorders, and resilience-building. She has a special interest in the mental health and well-being of first responders. She is a critical incident stress debriefing facilitator with the Chippewa Valley Emergency Support Service and has conducted numerous trainings on the impact of traumatic stress throughout the Midwest.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Episode 111 - Julie Bates-Maves

Mitch is a 3rd generation firefighter from Ontario, Canada.He has been on the job for over a decade and has merged my passion for fitness and firefighting to found Everyday Heroes, a platform that allows first responders to realize their true potential and prioritize their physical and mental health.

He has felt firsthand how the job and life can pile up, and it’s his learned experience that he leverages to motivate others to make the shifts that have been so transformative for him

Helping the public in acute, high-stress situations is something he is proud of, but helping the helpers, coaching those on the front lines, is his passion. 

@everydayheroes.fitness

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @m.pletz
Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq


Episode 112 - Mitch Gourley

Jordan Paris is a 20-year member, starting with a smaller rural department and spending the majority of his years and presently with a larger urban department. With a military life upbringing and being instilled with a deep sense of values, he has a penchant for loyalty, pride, a strong work ethic, and a love for the Brotherhood and Family of the Fire Service. This shows through his years of work with our Department's Honour Guard and currently as it's commander.

Episode 1 - Jordan Paris

District Chief Peter 'Zeus' Reid was born and raised and continues to live in the city he has served for the 35 years.

A Hazmat Officer for 8 years and a member of his Department's Peer Support Team, he brings knowledge, experience, passion, and compassion to the Fireground and the station.

He Captained his Department’s Combat Challenge / Firefit Team to 5 Canadian Championships and 3 World Championships and completed his competitive career as the over 40 individual world champion with a world record time. He continues to Ref and coach in support of the sport and was honoured and recognized by Firefit for his dedication with the creation of the Peter ‘Zeus’ Reid Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Sport.

Photo Credit: John A. Ryan
https://www.flickr.com/photos/insightimaging/

Episode 2 - Peter Reid

Acknowledged by his peers at Seattle FD as Firefighter of the Year in 2011, awarded the Fire Engineering/International Society of Fire Service Instructors George D. Post Instructor of the Year award in 2017, and creator of the Nozzle Forward Program, Aaron has been described as articulate, dynamic and magnetic. He identifies most as a 'Sharer of ideas'. He and his Cadre have taught over 20, 000 members of the fire service across North America since the program's inception and many have professed that their experience was career changing, myself among them. Multiple listens with a pen and pad of paper are strongly recommended. A true privilege.

https://www.justinide.com/index/G0000a5srGZV9To8

Episode 13 - Aaron Fields

Find out what Firefighters are made of!

This podcast pulls back the curtain and shows you what goes into the making of a Firefighter. 

We talk about the how and why of each guest's journey to the job, what challenges they have faced overall and how they made it through them, the struggles they see for our service and their ideas on how each of us can help progress in the job, as well as what keeps them inspired and motivated. You will be getting to know your family better. 

'Multiple Calls' is a phrase that catches a Firefighter's attention because it signifies that there is a strong possibility that what we are responding to is legitimate and will require us to be at our best. It is also what experience is made of. We're going to be at our best to capture your attention with legitimate stories and enrich our experience of this unique and amazing job.

I'm a 25-year second-generation Firefighter working for a Department in Southern Ontario, Canada, with around 400 suppression personnel, 13 stations and 26 apparatus. I spent the first half of my career at a Technical Rescue station, six years working as a primary care medic, 3 years instructing as a Fire Training Officer, and had the honour and pleasure of co-leading our Peer Support Team for over a decade.

When I first joined, we were a lot smaller and the Senior Firefighter on the truck with me for my first shift had been on longer than I had been alive. Outside of what he and many others taught me about the job, he recommended that I start a journal of all the calls and happenings around the hall so that one day I'd have the makings of a book. He was right, but unfortunately, of all the things I heeded and applied, that wasn't one of them. The point being, there are stories to tell and we all carry them; about us as individuals, as crews, as platoons, and as a Department. The wisdom and instruction about how to do the job are crucial, but the experiences and stories also help to shape our character and our Fire Family as a whole. Stories are important. Through story-telling, we find comfort in what connects us and expand our minds through our differences. 

I've come late to the party when it comes to podcasts. A move in the summer of 2017 that involves an hour plus commute, opened up the opportunity to fill that time with some quality content. I've been inspired by a number of podcasts and listed the fire-related ones on the Multiple Calls Website in the Resources section along with books, Facebook pages, websites, literature, and videos. You can also find a running list of those in the Fire Service at large that deserve our respect and acknowledgment for their efforts to keep us grounded and progressing, in the Credits section. Please message me if you want me to add someone. 

We get to know each other very well in this line of work. From all that we experience together, we create strong bonds, and we use deeply meaningful words like Family and Brotherhood to describe them. As shift schedules, generations, where we choose to live, our societal norms, and the size of our departments change, our view of the importance and tradition of the Fire Service Family and Brotherhood can be challenged, strained and at risk of being lost. This would be incredibly sad, tragic, and detrimental. We need to continue to invest in each other and learn and participate in each other's stories. 

Much Love,

Scott

Multiple Calls Podcast

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