Leadership Lessons from the Fire Station (with Marc Hill)

Leadership doesn’t start with a badge; it starts with self-awareness. In this powerful episode of Beneath the Helmet, retired Fire Chief and coach Arjuna George sits down with Marc Hill—a teacher turned firefighter, chief, author, and coach—to explore what real leadership looks like inside the fire station walls.

From the classroom to command, Marc shares hard-won lessons on patience, politics, and personal growth. His honesty about the mistakes that shaped him will resonate with anyone who’s ever carried responsibility under pressure. Whether you lead a crew, a classroom, or a company, these lessons will remind you that great leadership is built on humility and self-reflection.

Marc opens up about how his early days in rural volunteer firefighting, his time as a teacher and principal, and his experiences as a fire chief taught him to slow down, listen more, and lead from experience rather than ego. You’ll hear stories about learning from failure, managing politics with patience, and how “teaching through stories” became one of his most powerful leadership tools.

🎧 Tune in now to gain actionable insights and inspiration from one of the fire service’s most reflective leaders.
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• 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
  Meet Marc Hill: teacher, coach, firefighter, and former fire chief.

• 04:00 – From the Classroom to the Fireground
  How Marc’s teaching background shaped his leadership in the fire service.

• 10:00 – The Reality of Leadership Politics
  Navigating culture, conflict, and patience in a department under pressure.

• 20:00 – Embracing Mistakes and Failure
  Why failure is a necessary part of growth and the secret to self-leadership.

• 30:00 – Storytelling and Connection
  The importance of authentic communication in building resilient teams.

• 40:00 – Final Reflections & Resources
  Marc’s books, coaching insights, and how to connect with him.

marchill@twodarkthirty.comwww.twodarkthirty.comIf this conversation hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review. Your support helps us keep amplifying the voices shaping the future of leadership in the fire service.

Stay well,
Arjuna George
Host, Beneath the Helmet Podcast

Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)

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