Couplings Fire Podcast

Get ready for an inside look at an extremely cool, effective, and useful tool in the fire service: The Williams Key.  Trevor and I get into his testing journey for the fire service, the tools he is creating to help firefighting operations, and - as always - Family Firefighter Survival. See the Williams Key for yourself here: www.williamskey.com As always, I don’t claim to be an expert, I just...

Happy New Year! I'm not a fan of New Years Resolutions - so we get into something I'm trying this year - Anti Goals. What the heck are Anti Goals? Let's dig in. As always, I don’t claim to be an expert, I just love to talk fire and I’m not afraid to get into real & deep discussions.  Everything I say is my own opinion and does not reflect the opinions of any agency or organization I am as...

Join me as I get into some amazing tips and tricks with my friend Brandon Fletcher ( Chief Fletcher - 901 ) about AFG Strategies for Success.  Chief Fletcher is one of those who volunteer their time to evaluate and score the applications that are received by AFG - part of the process that determines if your grant is selected - which means he knows better than many what works and what usually...

Are you ready for a different type of episode this week?  You're in for a ride. Join me and my good friend, Logan Watts, as we get into the age old debate of Standards vs Excellence.  There is no right or wrong opinion for this topic - our goal is to get you to think and really understand the different ways this can be approached.  When we are able to look at things from all sides,...

Merry Christmas, Everybody! This week, I'm joined by my husband, Chris, and Rob Ridley from National Fire Radio!  Join us as we dig into our 2022 Christmas Lists.  There are no rules for our lists, so get ready for some fun, laughter, and rabbit trails on what we would like for the fire service this year. As always, I don’t claim to be an expert, I just love to talk fire and I’m not afra...

Here we go again - ready for another episode where I combing several of my loves together into one? You're in the right spot! What do the fire service, Disney, and Star Wars have in common?  Choosing a successor, of course!  Join me this week while I dive into some current events in the Walt Disney Company and how that got my brain churning of why the change up is such a relatable topic...

This week, I'm joined by Dennis Reilly for some amazing conversations, chasing that poor rabbit till it's completely tuckered out.  From his journey of getting into the fire service to retirement and everywhere in between (and even beyond), this is an episode chalked full of stories and life lessons.  Of course, we end the episode with a segment of Family Firefighter Survival and see jus...

Are you guys ready for a new episode series?? I introduce to you: The Pregnancy Files. When I found out I was pregnant back a few months ago, I scoured the internet for tips and advice on firefighter pregnancies - but was pretty unsuccessful.  Yes, there were some resources out there, but nothing on what I wanted to know.  So, I decided to take it into my own hands - If I couldn't find w...

I'm back from a small hiatus due to moving houses, but I'm ready to record in full force! This week, Dr. Sara Jahnke joins me in an amazing talk all about firefighter reproductive health.  With talk on pregnancy, miscarriages, sperm, hormones, and more - this podcast is not just for the ladies out there, or even just those looking to have kiddos around.  Hormones affect all of us - so come learn s...

Hello for the 2nd installment of Fireflix and Chill.     Chris is back and this time, we watch Backdraft 2.... and boy, was it a doozy.    Join us every month or two for a new installment on this series where we will pick a fire movie, watch it, and record our reactions & opinions to share with you all.  Do you agree with what we think?  Is there something we shou...

It's that time again.  The last time I updated everyone on what life as a firewife was back in January when I talked about how the academy experience was like from my perspective.  Well, my husband is now off of his probationary status and we've been tackling his new schedule out on the streets for about 10 months. So.... what's it been like?  Have we finally gotten used to it? &nbs...

We are allowed to change our opinions.  As we gather more information, times change, and our personal circumstances evolve, so may - and should - our opinions.   Are we judging people based on something they did/said years ago, even when they are a different person now?  Are we discrediting some who support an opposing view than their earlier years?  Are we as people too worrie...

Bonus Episode time!!! I was so honored to be asked by Jeremy Sanders to be a guest on the Crew 1st Culture podcast! "I'm joined today by my friend Taylor Anderson host of the Couplings Fire Podcast. Taylor talks about her journey that has brought her into the fire service and into becoming a podcast host. I enjoyed giving her the opportunity to be on the other side of the microphone this time and...

"Anyone Can Cook" - I love this quote from Ratatouille.  But what does it mean?  Can anyone really cook?  How does this have any ties into the fire service?  Join me and all of my quirks as we dig into this topic. As always, I don’t claim to be an expert, I just love to talk fire and I’m not afraid to get into real & deep discussions.  Everything I say is my own opinio...

Yep, that title caught you, didn't it? This week, let's get into the top points I took from my experiences in high school & college band that helped shape me into the firefighter I am today, and the reminder of what I want to be. As always, I don’t claim to be an expert, I just love to talk fire and I’m not afraid to get into real & deep discussions.  Everything I say is my own opinio...

Join me and Adam Haywood from Independent Fire Training as we go into all things rotary saws!  This subject is so niche, how and why did Adam decide to create a training company based off of this tool?  Find out with me. Some of the subjects we touch on this week: Formative moments in our careers, why being a passionate instructor matters, how do you find out more about those nice subjec...

If you've been around the fire service for any length of time, I can almost guarantee you've heard the phrase "Water boils from the bottom."  It's empowering, inspiring, and makes us feel invincible.  Now, I don't think this is a bad phrase, but I do have a bone to pick with it and those of us (yes - me included) who use it.  Are we truly understanding & vocalizing what this phr...

This week, my friend Brandon Fletcher (Chief Fletcher 901) joins me for one of the most unscripted episodes ever.  When I told him rabbit trails were encouraged, he took that to heart - and I'm thankful he did! Where did we go?  Pursuing knowledge, never stop learning, make it happen, jealousy, resentment, quality over quantity, applying leadership principles of volunteer leadership to t...

We're in the middle of some longer guest episodes and I wanted to give you something short, but very powerful to think about today: Do you take the time to "enjoy the sunsets"? As always, I don’t claim to be an expert, I just love to talk fire and I’m not afraid to get into real & deep discussions.  Everything I say is my own opinion and does not reflect the opinions of any agency or orga...

Are you ready for something NEW?!  This episode marks the beginning of a brand new series on the podcast: Fireflix and Chill.   Would it surprise you to know that I have not seen very many fire movies and shows?  I know, I know - I'm so into this fire life, it doesn't make any sense.  Dude, I had never seen Backdraft before we recorded this episode!  Oh yes...I said WE: We...

This week, Corley Moore from Firehouse Vigilance joins me on the podcast to dig into - well, just about everything.  I thought I loved rabbit trails and chasing squirrels... Corley is right there with me! Consistency, Introvert Power, Navigating Conflict, Promotion, Death by 1000 Cuts, Tradition, Family Firefighter Survival, and more..... The topics are real, the people are down to earth, and...

Join me as I talk with some amazing people in the fire service at Revolutionary Fire Tactics at the Lake 2022 - at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Everyone in these mini episodes:   - David Mellen & Ben Burbridge with Valor Fire Training    www.valorfiretraining.com - Andy Soccodato with The Water Theives    www.thewaterthieves.com - Kathy Edwards & Tracy McCart wi...

As this episode comes out, I'm currently at Revolutionary Fire Tactics at the Lake in Missouri - no doubt having an absolute blast.  While I was packing a few days ago, the quote I have on my folio that I keep my notebook in for conferences caught my eye: "Kick down doors for others to walk through."   Yeah, it can seem silly to have this quote written on my folio for others to see, but...

I was joined by Pip & Tracey (aka Mrs. Pip) and we had FUN. The rabbit trails are endless - and these are when you know things are coming from the heart, and some of the best conversations can be had. What happens when both spouses are in the "helping" world? Have you always been into fitness? Are family workouts easy? Do changes & problems come up after 18 years of marriage? How do you be...

We have a problem in the fire service, and this one is called Monday Morning Quarterbacking.  You know - where someone sits and watches fire videos from fire departments running calls across the country & world, but they don't just watch - they bash & critique, throwing any sense of professionalism and decorum out the window.  I can't stand people like this.  But - more impo...