Couplings Fire Podcast

This week, we go DEEP into something I knew basically nothing about: CBD.  Jon Vought from Rescue 1 CBD joined me for an inside look at CBD for first responders.  I had a great time and learned SO MUCH from someone who has gone above and beyond to do the research.  But - before we got into that - we take a rabbit hole down the topic of explorer programs and the amazing impact it can...

Okay, maybe I watch too much HGTV, but have you ever noticed how similar finding a fire department to apply for or join is eerily similar to House Hunters?  Then, once you are on, there tends to be the unavoidable renovations like on Property Brothers?  Is there a one-size-fits-all approach to finding the perfect department or is there room for different tastes?  Let's dig in. As al...

This week, I'm joined by Lance Routson from the Iowa Fire Flyer podcast to talk about... well, just about everything!  Starting out with how he came to be in the fire service, we quickly dive into rabbit hole after rabbit hole - following it almost down into Fire Service Wonderland.  This was such an engaging episode with amazing perspectives that I can't wait for you to hear. We end the...

Are you learning the information and skills being taught to you, or are you simply memorizing for the "test"?  Are you building your Lego model with a solid foundation you know is right, or are you going to have to tear it apart and start over halfway through when you figure out you messed up?  How do you find out which one you're doing, and how do we make sure that amazing Hogwarts Cast...

Taking advantage of the rewind.  What the heck do I mean by that?  We live in an amazing day and age where we have the ability to stop, rewind, and take things in again.  Do we take advantage of it as much as we should?  Now, you may think of a video, podcast, or music right away when I talk about rewinding, but this also happens when we retake a class, read the notes we've wri...

This week, I went through a fire training.  I was completely ready to go, tons of energy, I'd done it plenty of times before - I'd be fine.  Middle of the training, I completely botched it and had to tap out.  I was angry with myself, embarrassed, and just plain frustrated.  This feeling.  This is what we're talking about today: Dealing with Failure.  How do we deal w...

“You want weapons? We’re in a library! Books! The best weapons on the world!” - Doctor Who It's true, books are our best weapons - even when fighting fires.  Do you have a dedicated library space in your firehouse?  What does it look like? What resources do you have in it?  Is it an inviting place where people want to be?  Does your department or crew foster an atmosphere of le...

It's time to stay true to the intro for the show and get into some real & deep discussions.  Earlier this week, I was driving and the song Pretender by AJR popped up on my playlist.  This song hit me SO HARD and sent me straight back to some situations where I know I've played the pretender before.  I'm here to openly admit that I've been a pretender in past situations - and a g...

I think it's time to get into a little bit of Human Behavior talk.  I have a personal love for personality type quizzes (mainly to figure out what the heck my own brain is trying to tell me), so this week let's get into a few common ones.  We'll go over Type A vs Type B, Myers-Briggs, and the Enneagram.  Ever wonder what type I am in these tests? Well, you'll get those answers, as w...

Join me for a special bonus episode as I talk about what's going on in life & an update on stickers! 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 associated with.            ...

Wait - they have a fire department in Antarctica?! What's it like? How's the weather? How many people are there? What does your day look like? Is firefighting the same in that climate? Do you use different equipment? What about hydrants? How do you even get the opportunity to go down there??  Yep - those were all of my questions, and more. My friend, Justin Ferris, joins me on the podcast thi...

Many of us are not only unaware of the number of choices we make in a given day, but - more importantly - how each choice we make plays an impact on our lives.  From small decisions (like what to have for breakfast) to larger decisions (like what job to take), each decision creates a new path and either sets us up for success or slows our progress.  What's decision fatigue? Are small dec...

This week, Tom Marchiano joins me to talk all about engaging new members - from the application all the way to the officer's seat.  Way back in Episode 2, Chris and I went into Tips for the New Volunteer Firefighter, now join Tom & I for a great look from the senior firefighter/officer's view to make sure we set them up for success.  We jump into so many tracks of thought on this one...

If you've been listening for a while, you may have picked up that I'm a fan of Disney.  No, not just the movies & parks, but the business side of the company too.  From paying attention for the last 10 or so years, I've picked out 3 things I think Disney has been doing right to keep their business at forefront people's minds when they want quality - and how those 3 things translate s...

How do I even begin to describe this episode? I'm joined by Jeremy Sanders from the Crew 1st Culture podcast - and we dig DEEP.  Choosing what "hill to die on", doing things in your own time, finding your place, pursing daily growth, managing life as a single parent, becoming a foster parent, unique struggles of a blended family, life balance, and going over the fears we all have of opening u...

UGH!  Isn't it just THE WORST when you're driving the rig, lights & sirens blaring, and you get stuck behind someone who just won't pull over?  Maybe they do, but it's the absolute last place you'd like them to go.  It's SO frustrating!   I get it.  I don't like it either.  But, have you ever stopped to think that it may not be entirely their fault?  Whe...

This week, I dive with my friend Steven Bridges into the process of what it's like to purchase a new apparatus from a manufacturing company.  We go into the whole process, how long it takes, what it's like, and some tips Steven's learned through the years.  If you've never been through the process before, this is definitely an episode that will open your eyes and give you a good starting...

It's been 1 year since the start of this podcast - How is that possible?! Take a look into the journey of this past year, where our listeners are from, the most popular episodes, and exciting new things coming for the podcast! 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 d...

I'm back this week with another guest episode - this time featuring Richard "Zuni" Zuniga from Talkin Outta My Stache!   This episode has A LOT of great information in it.  We start out exploring the mind of a creative, jump into how he found his way to the fire service, touch on interview prep tips, and then dig into the main topic - Having "The Job" be your identity - and our thoughts...

How did we get to the "Chief/President does everything" way of running things?  Are there ways we can spread out that responsibility off of their shoulders to help prevent burnout and keep the people in those positions focusing on the overall picture of moving the department forward?  Let's go through some ideas and thoughts I have on this subject. As always, I don't claim to be an exper...

The Line of Duty Deaths from Baltimore this week have been bothering me, more than any past LODD I've heard about... Why is that?  What's changed?  Why am I suddenly experiencing fear: Fear for my friends, fear for my husband, even fear for myself.  You can do everything right, train, be in great shape..... and yet, still..... things happen.  I'm not going to let fear stop me f...

I'm back this week with another guest episode - this time featuring Nick Higgins from The Firehouse Tribune! We dig into his new book - The 5-Tool Firefighter - and have some amazing conversation.  "It has long been said that firefighters are truly a special breed of athletes. In fact, firefighting and sports go hand in hand. Instead of training for world championships or gold medals, firefig...

I'm feeling a bit under the weather this week, so it's the perfect time to use one of my short episode topics. Life can be tough and frustrating.  Have you stopped to think about all of the good things lately?  Whether in your personal life or at the fire station, there are plenty of things to be thankful for.  Whatever we look for, we will find. As always, I don't claim to be an ex...

Chris is getting to finishing his fire academy with his new department.... so how did I end up handling it?  You saw the first week's woes back in Episode 30, now get the entire low down of what it's like being a spouse during the academy: - What each section was like - What the hardest timeframe was for me - What we did to survive - What I wish we would have done - What I look forward to wit...

Should we chat about the elephant in the room?  Doors that closed (or slammed) in your face: Didn't pass your NREMT or FF1, Didn't get the job, Didn't make the officer position, Let go from your career or volunteer department, You just don't understand a training no matter how hard you try, or maybe you had an injury.  Why does this happen?  What does it mean?  What can we do a...