Forged by the Fire

Scotty Harvey is a registered social worker in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand — but you won't find him behind a desk. For the last three and a half years, he's been running his practice out of a camper van, meeting people where they are. In this episode, Scotty shares why he walked away from the traditional clinical model, what 42 out of 45 workers admitting to mental health struggles taught him a...

What happens when a volunteer walks into a career fire station — and nobody knows how to talk to each other? Joel, Ethan, and Levi all started as volunteers before making the jump to career firefighting. In this episode, they get honest about the ego, the misunderstandings, and the moments that actually changed things — for the better. We talk about: 🔥 Why the tension between volunteers and caree...

Life doesn't deal a fair hand to everyone. Swanie knows that better than most — but what he did with that unfairness built a philosophy that carried him through 35 years in the fire service, a union career, and some of the hardest moments a person can face. "I'm not a victim of life. I'm a participant in life." That line says everything. This isn't a conversation about what went wrong — it's about...

*WARNING* this episode covers some raw content including traumatic deaths and suicide.  In this episode, we sit down with Bruce — Chief Fire Officer, mentor, and the man Levi calls his "fire dad." Bruce joined the fire service at 18 and hasn't looked back. What started as a bit of volunteering became a 45-year journey through leadership, loss, identity, and a complete rethink of what it means to b...

Ritchie doesn't lead by talking the most — he leads by listening the best. In this episode of Forged by the Fire, we sit down with Ritchie: a station officer, peer support advocate, and a quietly empathetic leader. He's not the loudest voice in the room — but the wisdom he carries is earned, not borrowed. We dig into what it really means to lead people through hard things: how empathy without bala...

Most people think being tough means not feeling anything. KT and Dunnie spent careers as first responders — and they'll tell you that's exactly wrong. In this episode, we sit down with Dunnie and KT — two former first responders — to talk about what it actually means to stay in control when everything around you is falling apart. This isn't theory. These are hard-won lessons from the frontline. Su...

Toxic workplaces don’t just ruin morale — they slowly take your power if you let them. In this full conversation, the guys unpack how to deal with a toxic workplace  without losing yourself in the noise. They talk through why people give their power away too easily, how workplace culture shapes behaviour, and what it actually looks like to stay grounded when the environment around you is negative,...

What do you do when you're told you're too short, not good enough, not the right fit? If you're Joe Sullivan — you go win anyway. Joe is a World Champion rower and Olympic Gold Medalist in Double Sculls. But long before the gold medal, there was a stubborn, competitive kid who just kept getting overlooked. In Part 1 of his story, we go back to where it all started — picked up rowing in his teens,...

Joel, Joe and Levi unpack influence.  Joel - ex-firefighter with 8 years experience on the trucks and as a trainer for recruit firefighers. Joel has had a rough journey at times with mental health and life's challenges. He is an awesome guy and an exemplary dad.  Joe Sullivan - Olympic gold medallist for rowing, two time America's cup winner, Joe is an elite sportsman, firefighter and rowing coach...

Joe, Joel and Levi unpack radical responsibility, blame culture, resilience, and what ownership really looks like in frontline work, family life, and everyday mistakes. From station culture to parenting, this conversation explores how taking responsibility can reduce anxiety, strengthen mental resilience, and change the way we lead ourselves and others. Joel - ex-firefighter with 8 years experienc...

A raw and honest conversation with Joel, Geordie and Matt about what mental health really looks like on the frontline. We talk isolation, alcohol, identity, culture, tall poppy syndrome, not fitting the mould, and the habits that can quietly drag people deeper into the trenches. This one goes deeper than usual. Less banter, more truth — from people who’ve lived it. If you work in emergency service...

Mark gives his presentation created for firefighters on developing resilience.  Mark O'Conner - firefighter from Rotorua, active and passionate about peer support and an all round great guy Joe Sullivan - Olympic gold medallist for rowing, two time America's cup winner, Joe is an elite sportsman, firefighter and rowing coach. #mentalhealth #frontline #firefighter #resilience #bbq ............... F...

Episode 6 - What actually makes a crew feel like family? We talk with Ritchie and Joe to unpack trust, belonging, leadership consistency, and the role of banter in building strong teams. If you’re trying to find your place in a crew—or lead one better—this one’s packed with real-world tools and stories. Richard (Ritchie) Moreland - Station Officer in Greerton fire station. With 40 years as a firef...

Episode 5 - We talk with Dunny and Mark about how they bring their best as a dad while facing many challenges of being a firefighter. Covering shift work, dealing with traumatic work incidents and fatigue, they share openly about the challenges and their strategies for being present with their kids.  Brendon Dunn (Dunny) - firefighter in Tauranga, mental health advocate within the brigade, and alw...

Episode 4 - Dunny, Dan, Ethan and Levi discuss how to reach out to mates to check in on their mental state. Brendon Dunn (Dunny) - firefighter in Tauranga, mental health advocate within the brigade, and always keen for a yarn.  Dan Quate - former professional rugby player for the Highlander's and in Japan. Current firefighter in Kauwerau, New Zealand. He has served in his community with youth and...

Episode 3 - we talk to Dan, Dan and Ethan about anxiety, how perspectives have changed over the years, and how anxiety in the form of anticipation or nervousness can be used to sharpen performance.  Dan Lusby - property expert and business man Dan Quate - former professional rugby player for the Highlander's and in Japan. Current firefighter in Kauwerau, New Zealand. He has served in his community...

Episode 2 - We talk with Kevin Taylor, Dan Quate and Ethan about how identity is formed, a healthy approach to comparison and current cultural norms that impact identity.  Kevin Taylor - former police officer with extensive experience including leadership, civil defence, search and rescue, and foreign postings. He is currently deputy mayor of Taupo.  Husband, dad and grandfather. He brings a wealt...

We talk to guest speakers Kevin Taylor and Joe Sullivan about what it means to have positive mental health and how they have achieved this in their lives. Kevin Taylor - former police officer with extensive experience including leadership, civil defence, search and rescue, and foreign postings. He is currently deputy mayor of Taupo.  Husband, dad and grandfather. He brings a wealth of experience. ...