Firehouse Talks with Jersey Rick: Igniting Leadership Excellence

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews Chad Hufford, a financial advisor, Dave Ramsey SmartVestor Pro, and author of Forging Financial Freedom . Earlier in his career, he also trained airborne soldiers, giving him a deep respect for disciplined leadership under pressure. Chad focuses on how leaders think and operate day-to-day, not just in business, but in life. He teaches that the same principle...

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews Kurt Uhlir, a globally recognized chief marketing officer, who has served in leadership roles at organizations ranging from early growth to over $1.4 billion in revenue, with experience operating across six continents. Kurt is a champion of servant leadership. He teaches that great leaders don’t control—they serve, by removing obstacles, coaching high perfor...

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews retired U.S. Army Major General Robert W. Mixon. MGEN Mixon served 33 years in the Army, commanding the 7th Infantry Division and Division West of First Army. After transitioning into corporate and nonprofit leadership, including helping create the Warrior Salute program for veterans with TBI and PTSD—he now advises organizations on leadership, culture, and...

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews Mark Andrew, a retired captain from the Deaborn Fire Department in Michigan and author of Leading Through the Heat . In his book, Mark distills decades of experience into a practical guide that proves the principles forged in emergency response apply to any workplace. He also talks about what good leadership looks like based on a 28-year career in the fire s...

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews Eric Robinson who joined the FBI after being in the ministry for 12 years. During Eric's time with the FBI, he worked a range of crimes including white collar, counterterrorism, crimes against children, gangs, drugs, and public corruption. He also served as a SWAT operator, a firearms instructor, and a tactics instructor. Eric will soon release his firs...

In this episode, Emily interviews Jersey Rick and he talks about his experiences and leadership lessons learned from the military and fire service. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com or send an email to rick@fireofficerleadershipacademy.com. Jersey...

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews Damian Marquez, a former law enforcement officer and now a leadership coach, mentor, and team-building facilitator, working with individuals and organizations to identify their strengths, develop healthy habits, and lead with purpose. Damian helps high-achieving professionals, leaders, and teams move from surviving to thriving by unlocking their purpose, bui...

In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily recognize the 250th birthday of the United States of America. They not only talk about the signers of the Declaration of Independence, but they highlight the December 1774 tea party in Greenwich, New Jersey, the importance and privilege of our freedom, and discuss several historic sites in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire...

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews John Hilbrich coach, author of “Get to CEO”, and entrepreneur. After almost three decades as a CEO, entrepreneur and investor, John has navigated large and small organizations, struggled through recessions and successfully managed companies to success who were once drowning in poor management or deeply in debt. John has grown businesses organically and throu...

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews Nicholas Dunagan, a U.S. Army combat veteran, certified personal trainer, and the Founder & CEO of Health4Heroes. With over a decade of leadership in the nonprofit sector, he has worked alongside veterans and first responders to strengthen long-term health and resilience. His background spans military service, business operations and management, health p...

In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily talk about the leadership and lasting influence that an uncle had on Rick’s and how it changed the course of his life. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com or send an email to rick@fireofficerleadershipacademy.c...

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Paul Callan who is the Chief Strategy Officer for the San Diego based aerospace company, PKL Services, Inc., where he leads strategic performance for the company. Paul discusses his career in the Marine Corps, addresses heroic leadership, the importance of virtue, and leadership challenges, development, and growth. Additiona...

In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily discuss Chapter 8, Disappointment , from Rick’s book, The Furnace of Leadership Development. Disappointment is a universal emotion and is often not written about, not discussed in leadership seminars, and the impacts are often misread in organizations as someone who is “checked out.” Listen to this episode as Jersey Rick and Emily discuss disappointment and h...

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews retired Fire Chief Dr. Rich Gasaway, a subject matter expert on situational awareness (SA) and decision making under stress. Dr. Gasaway talks about his research path and the various impacts that SA has on decision making at the scene of an emergency. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a p...

In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily discuss Dr. Tim Elmore’s acronym ALEG: asking, listening, empathizing, and guiding as it applies to a firefighter who asked the question of his lieutenant, “Why do I have to clean the toilets?” To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerle...

In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily interview Robin Baker, a Society of Human Resource Managers-certified HR professional. She is a certified trainer through The Bob Pike Group and a certified facilitator for Working Genius. They discuss the relationship between culture and leadership and common misconceptions about the human resources department. Robin’s website is https://www.the-people-facto...

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews Dr. Burton Clark about firefighter safety, injuries, and deaths. Burt has been in the fire service for 45 years. He was a firefighter in Washington, DC, Assistant Fire Chief in Laurel, MD, and the Management Science Program Chair at the National Fire Academy in Emmittsburg, MD. In 2021, Burt was inducted into the National Fire Heritage Center’s Hall of Legen...

February 12th is Abraham Lincoln’s 217th birthday. In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily look at our 16th President’s leadership and discuss character before rank, building strong teams, and learning from failure. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.co...

In this episode, From the Badge to Business , Jersey Rick interviews Hannah Gleditsch a former Loveland, Colorado police officer and now the owner of Colorado Coffee in Loveland. Rick and Hannah talk about her career, leadership, PEER support, and the transition from a high risk, dynamic career as a police officer to a business owner. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Ac...

In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily interview Christian “Boo” Boucousis is a former fighter pilot, bestselling author, inspirational speaker, and the CEO of Afterburner, a global leadership and human performance company that helps leaders and teams turn chaos into clarity and execution. As a former Royal Australian Air Force fighter pilot, Boo brings a unique perspective on leadership, precisio...

In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily talk about Rick’s book, The Furnace of Leadership Development. Rick and Emily discuss the story behind the book, why this leadership book is different than others, the self-publishing journey, Rick’s favorite chapter, and what was Rick’s most difficult chapter to write. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help...

In this episode, Jersey Rick completes the interview with retired fire chief Arjuna George who served with the Salt Spring Island Fire Department in British Columbia, Canada. Chief George is the host of the podcast Beneath the Helmet , author of Burnt Around the Edges , co-author of Survival Burnout , and owner of Silver Arrow Coaching. In this interview, Chief George talks about the importance of...

In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily talk about Leadership in the Hot Zone: dealing with generational issues in the fire station and work place. They discuss recent surveys related to employee engagement, the different personalities in the workplace, and how that connects to personnel issues. Jersey Rick and Emily also refer to Dr. Tim Elmore's book, A New Kind of Diversity, Making the Diff...

In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily interview retired Fire Chief, Coach, and Author Arjuna George. Chief George talks about his career, leadership, burnout, and his book Burnt Around the Edges . Both of his books,  Burnt Around the Edges and  Leading the Charge: A Firefighter's Approach to Resilient Leadership  (co-authored with Les Karpluk) are available on Amazon. To learn more about Jer...

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews Jerry Maclin, a retired U.S. Army officer, former senior pastor, speaker, coach, and author of eight books. Jerry speaks about toughness, resilience, building teams, fostering culture, and the importance of having a mentor. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our websi...