National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

Jeremy sits down with Angela Skudin, founder of the Casey Skudin 343 Fund, to talk about her journey from severe, unexplained illness and chronic pain to reclaiming her health through advocacy, detox-focused wellness, and alternative therapies—including Iboga/Ibogaine and other integrative approaches. Angela shares what it was like being misdiagnosed, pushed toward surgeries that didn’t make sense...

In this episode, Mickey discusses the critical safety measures that firefighters must take when operating on the fireground. He emphasizes that the safest place is actually one step inside the fire building, away from potential hazards. Mickey also explains the concept of “collapse zones” and the importance of ongoing situational awareness, particularly the need for firefighters to always look up....

In this emotional and unfiltered episode, District Chief Nate Morgans of the Tulsa Fire Department sits down to share a story that spans leadership, trauma, addiction, redemption, and the power of truly transformational healing. Nate takes us from his earliest days on the job, through rapid promotions and deployments to Afghanistan and Ukraine, into the hidden battles that nearly cost him everythi...

n this episode, Jeremy sits down with  D eputy Chief Tom Wiezcerzak, the commanding officer overseeing Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) operations at Newark Liberty International Airport—one of the busiest and most complex aviation environments in the world. Tom breaks down the enormous responsibility of protecting thousands of passengers a day, managing responses to everything from in...

Another Street Talk, this time recorded at Manhattan's Dublin House on the Upper West Side.  In this episode, Mickey discusses lithium-ion battery fires in commercial occupancies — what we’re seeing in the field, why these fires are escalating rapidly, and how first due companies need to approach them with a different tempo and disciplined tactics.

This episode dives deep into the extraordinary career and impact of Jack Murphy—fire marshal, educator, code advocate, author, and one of the foremost voices in high-rise fire safety and building intelligence. Through storytelling, lessons learned, and decades of lived experience, Jack walks us through the evolution of the modern fire service and the crucial role relationships, communication, and...

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Jim Webb, the senior man of his home firehouse and a 53-year member of the Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department. From growing up in River Edge around his father’s firehouse to carrying on his grandfather’s FDNY Ladder 8 legacy, Jim walks us through a lifetime in the American volunteer fire service—back when yellow Maxims, tailboard riding, long coats, and...

In this episode, Mickey sits down with Capt. Mike Grey — a recently retired FDNY captain who led both Probationary Firefighter School and Ladder 19 in the Bronx. Two positions that carry real weight in this job. They get into everything: leadership, loyalty, friendship, self-doubt, and how all of it shows up on and off the fire floor. It’s real, it’s honest, and it’s the kind of conversation you o...

In this episode Jeremy and I sit down over a few cold beers to delve into the world of leadership and the critical traits and skills that define effective leaders in high-stakes environments, examine the concept of "Firefighter IQ," and discuss the ever-growing influence of social media on the firefighting community.

Episode 441,  Gas Tank Trips , brings back Shimek from Conversation Is Ventilation for another one of Jeremy’s on-air therapy sessions that a lot of us secretly need. What starts as a laugh about Jeremy’s new studio and his wall of t-shirts quickly turns into a deep dive on purpose, fulfillment, and why so many firefighters stop having fun as they get older on the job. Shimek breaks down his...

In this episode, Jeremy reconnects with longtime friend and Buffalo Fire Department Captain (and soon-to-be Battalion Chief)  Sean Eagen  for a wide-open, honest conversation about the fire service, personal growth, and the realities of the job after nearly three decades on the line. Sean shares the changes in his own life—stepping back from brewery work, rediscovering balance, dialing i...

In this quick episode, Mickey breaks down the line between the details we teach in training and the instincts that actually carry you on the fire floor. The discipline matters, the details matter but when the shit is on and the lights are out experience and instinct takes over. From victim removal to advancing the first line, Mickey cuts through the nonsense and gets to the truth the job — it isn’...

Jeremy sits down with Battalion Chief Dan Czaruk for an outstanding conversation that cuts right to the heart of today’s fire service: leadership, mentorship, communication, culture, and the responsibility we all share to build up the next generation. Dan talks about starting his career at 19, terrified but eager, and the mentors who shaped his path. Jeremy and Dan dig into the idea of information...

Paul Conway, a third-generation firefighter, former Milwaukee, WI Chief of Operations, founder of Conway Shield, and host of Beyond the Shield, joins Jeremy for a candid and powerful conversation about legacy, leadership, and the modern fire service. Together they explore how social media clips can distort context, why culture shapes performance inside every department, and how the “winners, avera...

A new venture from View From the Top Floor — short, unfiltered clips straight from the driver’s seat. No script, no edits, just raw thoughts from the road. In this episode, Mickey talks about the FAST Truck and RIT team — the reality behind the assignment, the mindset, and the responsibility that comes with it. It’s about preparation, awareness, and execution when it really matters. 

Jeremy sits down with Battalion Chief Kyle Romagus (East Montgomery County, TX; Smoothbore Cartel) for a straight-shooting conversation about engine company work and why simplicity wins. Kyle explains his “fire in a box” mindset, the priority of putting the probie on the nozzle, and how to teach firefighters to think—especially on three-person engines. They dig into black fire (underventilated, hi...

Jeremy sits down with Tim Walsh, retired Chief of Special Operations from the Chicago Fire Department, longtime instructor at IFSI, and now Deputy Chief of Operations in Burbank, Illinois. From starting as a 16-year-old cadet to serving more than three decades in one of the nation’s busiest cities, Tim shares real lessons on mentorship, leadership, and building a blue-collar fire service culture....

Mickey sits down with Jeremy for a real conversation about the American fire service — the good, the bad, and everything in between. No script, no fluff, just two firemen talking about what they see, what they miss, and what still matters. Honest, unfiltered, and straight from the a heart. 

Tom Merrill, the author of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department and podcast host on Fire Engineering Radio, joins Jeremy on the show for Episode 435. Tom’s passion is the volunteer fire service and his book breaks down the unique dynamic of the volunteer fire service. Jeremy and Tom talk about the concept of retention over recruitment, leadership, the dedication and expectations of...

Another round of “therapy” with Chris Shimek, Jeremy’s ‘therapist”. Shimek has been on the show multiple times and these episodes tend to go down a different path that the regular podcast episodes. Talking real life issues coupled with laughter and life lesson insights, Shimek and Jeremy find their conversations always therapeutic.  

This week, another street talk from Manhattan‘s Washington Square Park, Mickey dives into one of the most misunderstood responsibilities on the fireground: how the Outside Vent firefighter enters the window. It’s not random momentum or blind commitment—there’s technique, tempo, and intention behind every move. We break down body position, control, and how to use that skill to your advantage withou...

Jeremy and Dave Gallagher explore the importance of connection, mentorship, and the evolving challenges within the fire service. They discuss the significance of quality training, the need for depth over breadth in knowledge, and the commitment required to succeed in firefighting. The conversation also highlights the importance of capturing the stories and experiences of seasoned firefighters to p...

In this weeks conclusion with Pete Partridge, the conversation delves into the complexities of the fire service, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive learning, practical experience, and mentorship. They discusses the limitations of social media as a learning tool, the necessity of understanding the broader context of firefighting, and the critical role of experience in effective leadership....

Patrick Wirkus joins Jeremy in the studio for today’s episode. A Battalion Chief with the Elizabeth, NJ Fire Department, Patrick has 13 years with the department and serves in an administration role currently with the department. His passion is for the Fireground and he often finds himself getting in on work across the city and surrounding jurisdictions. He recognizes the importance...

In this episode, Mickey discusses the concept of transitional attack in firefighting, emphasizing its implications on fireground coordination and firefighter safety. He critiques the reliance on outside water as a default tactic, arguing that it disrupts the tempo and coordination necessary for effective firefighting. Mickey advocates for position-based firefighting, highlighting the importance of...