The 25 Live with Jim Burneka

On this episode of We Can’t Believe They Gave Us a Show, hosts Nick Magoteaux and Jim Burneka welcome guests Eileen and her daughter Kat Bellew. Eileen shares the raw and moving story of how their lives were changed by the tragic loss of Eileen’s husband John, a New York City firefighter who died in the Bronx Black Sunday Fire, 21 years ago. They recount the harrowing moments of that January day,...

In this episode of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka talks about his own experience living with cancer. He offers insight on the mental toll cancer takes, including the crippling fear of recurrence that can grip survivors from year to year. Burneka emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed support, mentorship from fellow firefighters who understand the unique challenges of a diagnosis. Beyond the str...

On this episode of We Can’t Believe They Gave Us a Show, hosts Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux welcome their longtime friend Jen Cramer (FirmFoundationCC.com/). The three tackle the real challenges of seasonal depression in the firefighting community. As the days get darker and the holidays approach, many firefighters face isolation, grief, and stress. Cramer, a licensed therapist in Ohio, shares p...

Seth Haley, president of Trotwood (OH) Firefighters Local 4024 joins host Jim Burneka on this episode of APS Radio. They discuss the proposed layoffs of five firefighters from the City of Trotwood and the SAFER grant they were part of, which expired in February 2025. The conversation addresses the implications for community safety, staffing shortages, and firefighter morale—especially amidst risin...

During this episode of We Can’t Believe They Gave Us a Show, hosts Nick Magoteaux and Jim Burneka welcome guest Frank Leto, the recently retired deputy director of the Counseling Service Unit (CSU) for FDNY. Leto works diligently with the IAFF’s Peer Support Program. He discusses his experience becoming part of the CSU, peer support before and after 9/11, and various other deployments. His stories...

In this episode of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka focuses on educating listeners on the importance of passing the Honor Act legislation. The Honor Act is a bipartisan bill that would extend the Public Safety Officers Benefits Program to families of firefighters who die from job-related cancer. This episode features Cyndi Westfall, Jay Leach, and Julie Paidar, firefighter spouses who have each experie...

In this episode of We Can’t Believe They Gave Us a Show, hosts Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux discuss this year’s Firefighter Health and Wellness Conference, happening October 15-17 at the Greene County Expo Center in Xenia, Ohio. This isn’t your average conference—it’s a combination of hard-hitting presentations from experts like Dena Ali, who tackles the real causes of firefighter suicide, and R...

Firefighters are built to push through anything, but at what cost? In this episode of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka sits down with Dr. Kellie O’Dare, executive director of the Second Alarm Project and deputy executive director at UCF RESTORES, to break down the real impact of the extended firefighter workweek. From chronic sleep deprivation and PTSD to burnout, recruitment, and family life, Dr. O’Da...

This episode of We Can’t Believe They Gave us a Show with hosts Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux features Anaheim (CA) Fire Captain (Ret.) Rick Cheatham and centers on a powerful conversation focused on forgiveness and faith. Cheatham speaks about his past addictions, his sons murder, and a fall that resulted in paralysis. Be prepared to go for a ride as Cheatham walks you through his adversities an...

Episode 54 of APS Radio features Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez from the University of Miami. Dr. Caban-Martinez discusses how the Firefighter Cancer Initiative (FCI) came to be and what type of research he would like to focus on in the future. Dr. Caban-Martinez also shares the findings on University of Miami’s Electric Vehicle firefighter study. Lastly Dr. Caban-Martinez discusses the International...

On this episode of APS Radio, Wendy Norris, founder and president of the Texas Line-of-Duty-Death (LODD) Task Force, discusses her own near-miss accident and how that led her to create the Texas LODD Task Force. She discusses the emotional and physical challenges first responders face, including mental health struggles, cancer risks, and cardiac issues, inspired by her late husband’s line-of-duty...

Dena Ali sits down with Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux to discuss her groundbreaking work in first responder mental health. Ali shares her journey from struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts to authoring Hope Out of Darkness (Fire Engineering), a comprehensive book on resilience, peer support, and wellness tailored for the fire service. As program manager for the First Responder Center f...

In episode 52 of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka sits down with Kentucky firefighter Chris Logan for a candid conversation about the evolving challenges of the fire service, especially when it comes to the next generation. They discuss their articles, “No Sons of Mine” & “Both Sons of Mine” Jim shares his personal struggle with the profession’s toll—occupational cancer, PTSD, hearing loss—and his...

In this episode of We Can’t Believe They Gave Us a Show, hosts Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux welcome guest (and fellow podcaster) David Dachinger. Dachinger, the host of Igniting the Shift Within, talks about the challenging transition from frontline firefighting to retirement. He shares his personal journey of leaving emergency response, navigating the loss of purpose, and finding new meaning th...

In the latest episode of APS Radio, Jim Burneka sits down with Jason Sautel, author of the memoir The Rescuer. Sautel opens up about his turbulent career in the fire service, the scars left by trauma, and the turning point that compelled him to share his story. They discuss the challenges of confronting PTSD, the struggle to break old firehouse stigmas, and the power of vulnerability in sparking h...

In this episode of We Can’t Believe They Gave Us a Show, hosts Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux welcome guest Danny Prince, retired FDNY veteran and tireless advocate for first responders and veterans. With 36 years on the force, Prince now devotes himself to causes that honor and support firefighting families, from cofounding the FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation, which provides vehicles for fa...

In this milestone episode of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka welcomes guest Dr. Hillary Snapp, chief of audiology at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. Together, they cover the critical issue of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) specifically affecting firefighters—a profession already burdened by numerous health risks. Dr. Snapp highlights the contributing factors, including toxic ch...

Episode 7 of “We Can’t Believe They Gave Us a Show with Nick & Jim” features Houston Firefighters Local 341 Director #5 Gabe Dominguez, the Director of Texas Firefighter Home, to discuss a crucial support resource for firefighters facing cancer. Established in 2014, the Texas Firefighter Home provides short-term housing for both active and retired first responders, allowing them to focus on r...

In this episode of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka talks with Stephanie White about “The LOS Experience” at Lucas Oil Stadium during FDIC. Focusing on health and wellness, they reveal plans for unique discussions and panels designed to foster open conversations among firefighters. Topics range from personal development, such as finding one’s unique voice, to crucial conversations about org...

In this episode of We Can’t Believe They Gave Us This Show, hosts Nick Magoteaux and Jim Burneka reunite with Jon Vought from Rescue 1 CBD, to discuss the critical conversation surrounding the health benefits of CBD for firefighters. Vought, who is a return guest, breaks down the essential differences between CBD and THC, explaining how CBD can improve REM sleep, reduce inflammation, and enh...

On this episode of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka welcomes Stephanie Ryall, founder and clinical director of Right Mind Wellness Center (rightmindwellnesscenter.org). This episode focuses on how our first-responder occupations can change our brains, and not always for the better. Ryall explains how she was able to reduce Burneka’s hypervigilance and anger. She teaches him how to relax using neurofeed...

In this episode, hosts Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux welcome Chad DePew, cofounder of Heroic Deeds, to discuss the pivotal role of faith-based wellness for first responders. With rising challenges like burnout and mental health struggles, DePew shares the origins and transformative journey of Heroic Deeds, which focuses on restoring hope through spiritual connection and community support. The dis...

Episode 4 of the Nick & Jim show features Dr. Caroline Smith from Appalachian State University. Dr. Smith describes her upcoming study that focuses on dermal exposure to chemicals/carcinogens for firefighters. This episode serves as a preview of what’s to come later this year. More information regarding Dr. Smith can be found at: https://phes.appstate.edu/faculty-staff/caroline-smith The post...

Episode 47 of APS Radio on Firefighter Nation features Dr. Kerry Ramella and focuses on behavioral health evidence-based treatment options above and beyond the traditional talk therapy. During the course of the episode Dr. Ramella touches on: • EMDR • Brainspotting • Motivational Interviewing • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) • Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) • Alpha Stim Therapy • Braintap...

Episode 3 of the Nick & Jim show features Canadian’s finest….Jadie Miller! Jadie discusses her struggles that led her to finding Dr. Chris Freuh and “Operator’s Syndrome”. After further discussions, with Dr. Freuh, it became clear that many of the characteristics involved in Operator’s Syndrome was relevant to what firefighters also deal with. During this episode Jadie discusses the 19 catego...