Playing With Fire

Send us Fan Mail Episode 17: Paul Hashagen, A Lifetime of Service Retired FDNY firefighter Paul Hashagen has spent a lifetime answering the call. Over a 40-year fire service career, Paul served 25 years with the FDNY, including two decades in the legendary Rescue 1 in Manhattan, while also volunteering for the Freeport Fire Department on Long Island, where he rose to Ex-Chief of Department. His ca...

Send us Fan Mail Bryan Spitulski delivers a quick reminder that fire extinguishers can save lives, but only if they’re accessible and ready to use. Make sure you have fire extinguishers placed in a few strategic locations throughout your home, that everyone knows where they are, and that they work properly. #fireextinguisher #firesmart #firesafety  Support the show www.playingwithfire.net

Send us Fan Mail Bryan Spitulski shares a quick, but vital reminder about the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home, and keeping them properly maintained. Studio: Playing With Fire Studios, Zoetic Studios  Support the show www.playingwithfire.net

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 16: Dr. Dean L. Winslow (Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics & Retired US Air Force Colonel) Bryan Spitulski has Dr. Dean L. Winslow on the show, to discuss his military career and firsthand experiences with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Dr. Winslow is currently a Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Stanford University and is a Retired C...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 15: Dr. Sarah-Rae Andreski (Psychologist - Trauma Specialist) Bryan Spitulski has Dr. Sarah-Rae Andreski on the show, to discuss PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Dr. Andreski offers evidence-based trauma therapy for veterans, first responders, and those who serve. If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, remember these vital crisis resour...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 14: Darline Spitulski (Foster Care - Survivor) Bryan Spitulski has his wife, Darline Spitulski, back on the show to share her compelling story of her survival from being raised in and out of the foster care system and eventually being adopted by a loving family.  Darline is now a volunteer and mentor with Sierra Vista Child & Family Services as well a...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 13: Scott & Laci Peterson (Burnt Van Investigation) - Vol. 02 Bryan Spitulski welcomes Shareen Anderson to the show for a discussion about the Scott & Laci Peterson case. Laci Peterson of Modesto, California, went missing on December 24, 2002. Her husband, Scott Peterson, was later convicted of her murder on December 25, 2004. Shareen has directed...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 12: Scott & Laci Peterson (Burnt Van Investigation) - Vol. 01 Bryan Spitulski welcomes Shareen Anderson to the show for a discussion about the Scott & Laci Peterson case. Laci Peterson of Modesto, California, went missing on December 24, 2002. Her husband, Scott Peterson, was later convicted of her murder on December 25, 2004. Shareen has directed...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 11: 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Bryan Spitulski shares background on the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, which took place on April 18, 1906, at 05:12 am. The estimated magnitude of the earthquake was 7.9, which caused devastating fires in San Francisco that lasted for several days. More than 3,000 people died, and over 80% of the city was destroyed, and...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 10: Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 03 Bryan Spitulski has Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson to discuss their highly-acclaimed book Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm . Recorded: 10-10-25 Studio: Just Curious Media Host...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 09: Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 02 Bryan Spitulski has Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson to discuss their highly-acclaimed book Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm . Recorded: 10-10-25 Studio: Just Curious Media Host...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 08: Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed - Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 01 Bryan Spitulski has Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson to discuss their highly-acclaimed book Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm . Recorded: 10-10-25 Studio: Just Curious Media Hos...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 07: Michael Avila (Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection) Bryan Spitulski has Michael Avila on the show, who is an engineer and firefighter with Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection in Riverbank, California. Recorded: 09-29-25 Studio: Just Curious Media Host: Bryan Spitulski #playingwithfirepodcast #justcuriousmedia #firesafety #fireprevention #firep...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 06: Austin Spitulski (Fire Academy) Bryan Spitulski has Austin Spitulski on the show, who is following in his father's footsteps and beginning his journey of becoming a firefighter. Recorded: 07-24-25 Studio: Just Curious Media Host: Bryan Spitulski #playingwithfirepodcast #justcuriousmedia #firesafety #fireprevention #fireprotection #firehazards #fi...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 05: Charles “Chuck” Butler (former Captain - Modesto Fire Department) - Vol. 02 Bryan Spitulski has Charles “Chuck” Butler back on the show, who was a former Captain of the Modesto, California Fire Department and Bryan's first captain as he began his career as a firefighter. Recorded: 08-04-25 Studio: Just Curious Media Host: Bryan Spitulski #playing...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 04: B. Harlan Boll (Eaton Fire - Survivor) Bryan Spitulski has celebrity publicist, B. Harlan Boll, on the show to share his harrowing account of the Eaton Fire, which burnt down his Altadena home on January 7th, 2025. The Eaton Fire took place in Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains. A powerful Santa Ana wind event drove the fire into foothill commu...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 03: Eaton Fire - January 7th, 2025 Bryan Spitulski shares background on the Eaton Fire which took place on January 7th, 2025 in Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains. A powerful Santa Ana wind event drove the fire into foothill communities, particularly Altadena. The fire killed at least 19 people and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings, becoming the...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 02: Darline Spitulski (former Community Service Officer - Modesto Police Department) Bryan Spitulski has Darline Spitulski on the show, who was a former Community Service Officer in the Modesto, California Police Department and is also Bryan's wife and co-producer & co-host of the Playing With Fire podcast. Recorded: 07-22-25 Studio: Just Curious...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire Episode 01: Charles “Chuck” Butler (former Captain - Modesto Fire Department) Bryan Spitulski has Charles “Chuck” Butler on the show, who was a former Captain of the Modesto, California Fire Department and Bryan's first captain as he began his career as a firefighter. Recorded: 06-21-25 Studio: Just Curious Media Host: Bryan Spitulski #playingwithfirepodcast...

Send us Fan Mail Playing With Fire - Preview Playing With Fire is a gripping podcast hosted by Bryan Spitulski—a former firefighter turned fire investigator—who brings a frontline perspective to the world of fire. From the chaos of first response to the quiet resilience of recovery, Bryan takes listeners deep into the personal and professional realities of firefighting and fire investigation. Thro...