Keep the Promise Podcast - Fire Service Lessons for Strength, Resilience, and Real Life

In May of 2024, the DEA rescheduled cannabis from a Schedule I substance to a Schedule III substance. This ruling sent waves of excitement throughout the fire service, but many unknowns still remain. In this episode, Jon from Rescue 1 CBD joins TJ to discuss the impact of rescheduling cannabis. They explore the complexities and ongoing challenges this change brings. including the need for extensiv...

In Part 2 of our imposter syndrome series, Brian Yonkin discusses his personal experiences with imposter syndrome, specifically in the context of firefighting. He covers how receiving positive feedback can help mitigate feelings of inadequacy and how empowering team members can create a more supportive environment. Brian reveals how EMDR therapy and reflection helped him overcome his doubts. He al...

In this episode of the Keep the Promise Podcast, host TJ welcomes back Lieutenant Brian Yonkin from the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire, a previous guest known for his discussions on cooking, leadership, and firefighting. This episode explores Brian's personal experiences with imposter syndrome, especially within the context of the fire service.  Brian shares his journey from being a cook to becomi...

In Part 2 of our series with Joff Fierro from Fire Athlete , we explore firefighter training, culture, and the commitment to excellence within the fire service. 🔥 Joff and TJ describe the trials and triumphs of the firefighter testing process and the arduous path to earning a coveted spot on the fire department roster. Joff sheds light on the grueling and often lengthy testing process that aspiri...

In Part 1 of our series with Joff Fierro from Fire Athlete, we spark a conversation on firefighter fitness, exploring the challenges, triumphs, and transformative power of prioritizing health and well-being within the fire service. 🔥 Join your host, TJ, as he and Joff explore the unique hurdles firefighters face when striving to maintain peak physical condition amidst the demands of the job. 🏋️‍♂...

In Part 2 of our series with Joey Scrivani, we dive deeper into the realms of self-care, resilience, and personal growth within the firefighting community. 🔥 Join TJ as he embarks on a journey with Joey, exploring innovative approaches to self-care and resilience. From float therapy and breathing exercises to journaling and identity separation, this episode offers a treasure trove of tools and in...

In Part 1 of our two-part series with Joey Scrivani, we embark on an eye-opening exploration of trauma, PTSD, and resilience within the firefighting community. 🔥 Join your host, TJ, as he and Joey delve into the territory of firefighter trauma. Together, they confront the harsh reality that many firefighters struggle to understand the profound impact of trauma on their mental and physical well-be...

Join us for the conclusion of our three-part series with Dave Angelo on Keep the Promise! In this episode, we journey deeper into the heart of the firefighting brotherhood, exploring the bonds that transcend distance, the pride passed down through generations, and the essential qualities of successful leadership within the fire service. 🔥 TJ and Dave delve into the remarkable ways in which the fi...

In Part 2 of our series with returning guest Dave Angelo, we delve deeper into the unique challenges faced by today's firefighters and explore the profound impact of generosity, camaraderie, and self-worth within the fire service. 🔥 Join your host, TJ, as he embarks on an emotional journey with Dave, reflecting on the challenges that modern firefighters confront. From the battles against can...

In Part 1 of this special series, we reunite with the incomparable Dave Angelo for a  chat that delves into the intricacies of rookie expectations, mentorship, and the challenges faced by chief officers. 🔥 Join your host, TJ, as he catches up with Dave and discovers the latest chapters in his life's story. Together, they embark on an insightful exploration of what it means to be a rookie fir...

Welcome back to Part 2 of our  series with Jim Burneka! Today dive deeper into Jim's unwavering commitment to firefighter health and wellness. We explore his advocacy and insights that have transformed the firefighting community. 🔥 Follow along on Jim's remarkable journey. Learn about his tireless efforts to prevent occupational cancer among firefighters. He speaks about  his passion fo...

Get ready for the beginning of an amazing two-part series with the remarkable Jim Burneka! In Part 1 of this  journey, we cover Jim's extensive career as a firefighter and his mission to promote health, wellness, and mental resilience within the firefighting community. 🔥 Join your host, TJ, as he uncovers the powerful insights and experiences Jim gained during his nearly 23-year tenure with...

In Part 2 of this candid and unscripted podcast episode, TJ and Stack dive into a heartfelt conversation about their personal and professional journeys, discussing their visions for 2024, the importance of community, and their shared passion for storytelling. Join them as they reflect on the lessons learned, the challenges they've faced, and the powerful impact of their podcasting journeys. M...

Join Keep the Promise host TJ as he and Stack ( of The Things We All Carry podcast ) take a deep dive into the complex world of firefighting and mental health. In this episode, they share their own experiences and tackle the critical issue of mental well-being within the fire service. From dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health conversations to confronting medication and its effects, thi...

Get ready for the thrilling conclusion of our three-part series with Katy Garroway on Keep the Promise! In this final episode, we cover Katy's return to the fire service as a recruit, bridging the gap between rookie and seasoned firefighter, and discovering the profound connection between physical fitness and mental well-being. 💪 Learn how Katy's snap decisions led her back to the fire...

This episode of the Keep the Promise podcast marks an incredible milestone - our one-year anniversary! Today we're taking a journey down memory lane to celebrate a year of transformation, community impact, and remarkable growth. In this episode, we reflect on the personal transformations that have shaped our journey over the past year. I'll share the highs and lows, the lessons learned,...

Welcome back to Part 2 of our extraordinary series with Katy Garroway! In this  episode, we continue to follow Katy's  journey from the fire service to the frontlines of humanitarian efforts in war-torn Afghanistan. 🌍 Join host TJ as we delve deep into the heart of Katy's story. Discover how her courage led her to leave the fire service behind, embarking on a mission to evacuate over 30...

Get ready for an extraordinary journey as Keep the Promise kicks off a special three-part series with Katy Garroway. In  Part 1, we dive into Katy's remarkable story of enlisting in the Marine Corps, a decision that set her on an incredible path of adventure and discipline. 🌟 Join host TJ as he takes you back to the moment Katy made the life-changing choice to become a Marine. Hear her share...

Welcome back to the second installment of our gripping two-part series with Dave Smith, a firefighter and mental health advocate. In Part 1, we delved into Dave's  journey from volunteer firefighter to Technician in Washington DC, exploring the challenges he faced and the pivotal moment when he decided to seek help through the IAFF's Center for Excellence. In Part 2, we continue our capt...

In this two-part episode of Keep the Promise, we embark on an  journey alongside our guest, Dave Smith, a firefighter from Washington DC. Dave's story is a testament to the strength, resilience, and unwavering dedication that defines the firefighting spirit. Part 1 of this captivating series unveils Dave's early days in the fire service, beginning as a volunteer firefighter, and the path...

In this episode of the Keep the Promise podcast, your host TJ delves into an important and sensitive topic that often lurks in the shadows of the fire service world. Joined by special guest Stephanie White, they shine a light on the hidden epidemic of firefighter suicide, a pressing issue that claims the lives of hundreds of brave firefighters each year. Stephanie is not only a mental health advoc...

Keep the Promise dives into a riveting episode that uncovers the journey of Nick Lindsay, a firefighter who dared to make an unconventional move from a prestigious department to a smaller, lesser-known one. Join host TJ as he unravels Nick's inspiring story of embracing change and finding a new sense of purpose within the fire service. 🔥 Tune in to explore the highs and lows of Nick's p...

Are you ready to experience a switch in the spotlight? In this special episode of Keep the Promise , your host TJ steps out from behind the microphone and takes a seat on the other side as Mike Nasti of Tip of the Spear assumes the role of interviewer. Get ready for an engaging and insightful conversation that delves deep into the origins, aspirations, and heart of the podcast that's been fue...

In this captivating episode of Keep the Promise, host TJ embarks on an eye-opening journey with Jon Vought of Rescue 1 CBD . Delving into the world of CBD, Jon seamlessly weaves science with personal experience, offering easy-to-understand insights on how CBD can be a game-changer for anxiety, sleep, and inflammation. As a firefighter himself, Jon brings a unique perspective to the table, demystif...

Join host TJ in a captivating conversation with his friend and mentor, Dave Angelo.  With 36 years of experience in the fire service and retiring as a Captain in the Baltimore County Fire Department, Dave has encountered it all - from battling fires to surviving a house explosion and facing a cancer diagnosis. Despite the challenges, Dave's unwavering spirit and dedication to the fire service...