National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

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 idea of “gas tank trips” – filling the tank, picking a direction, staying off the interstate, and just going – as a metaphor for unplugging, being present, and saying yes to unplanned experiences with your family, your crew, or even by yourself.Jeremy opens up about being buried by life, trying to balance work, family, and the firehouse, and realizing he needs more of those simple, intentional getaways with his wife and kids. The two talk about avoiding the bitter, disgruntled firefighter trap, the responsibility of the senior man to tell stories and pass it on, and how powerful it is to be honest, vulnerable, and just 1% better than yesterday.From t-shirt walls and peanut butter-and-jelly “Shimek” sandwiches to heavy talk about mental load, happiness, and connection, this episode is a reminder to put the phone down, hit the two-lane roads, and start having fun on purpose again.

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 in his health, and gearing up for promotion after 28 years in the street. The two dive deep into topics that hit home for a lot of firefighters today: getting older in the fire service, managing fatigue, accountability, physical conditioning, and the discipline it takes to stay sharp when the job is trending younger than ever.They break down fireground operations in Buffalo: truck work, vent positions, riding assignments, staffing challenges, operational consistency, rooftop work, exposure protection, and the importance of clear expectations for younger firefighters. Sean talks through recent fires, lessons learned, and the mindset required to make aggressive but smart decisions on the fireground.The conversation also hits culture—how social media has changed attitudes, how accountability has shifted, and why experience, humility, and heart still matter more than looking the part. It’s two veterans pulling the curtain back on what the job really takes: conditioning, knowledge, discipline, teamwork, and the ability to learn and lead through every stage of your career.

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’t about perfect form, or what the data tells.  It’s about getting the job done under real fireground stress. 

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 gatekeeping — why it happens, how it hurts us, and why today’s young firefighters are hungry for knowledge and deserve leaders who are willing to share it.The two explore generational differences, the balance between old-school expectations and modern learning styles, and the importance of creating a firehouse environment where questions are welcomed rather than viewed as challenges. Dan lays out what it means to “meet people halfway,” deliver clear expectations, and allow firefighters to take initiative instead of operating in a permission-based culture.They also touch on company officer development, setting the tempo, investing in your crews, eliminating ego, and building a culture of trust where everyone understands their role and feels valued. Dan explains how his department’s in-house academy helps shape not just skills, but character — and why impact, not titles, is what creates true legacy.

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, average, and losers” framework challenges firefighters and officers to raise the bar.Paul shares his evolution from a hard-charging firefighter to a reflective leader whose perspective has been shaped by experience, loss, faith, and maturity. He talks about the importance of owning your choices, striving to improve a little each day, and recognizing the duty to live so that firefighters come home to their families and crews.The discussion dives into leadership, accountability, and the difference between being in charge and being one of the guys. They talk about fitness, mental resilience, and the need for personal responsibility on and off the job. Jeremy and Paul also challenge the tendency to romanticize the past, reminding listeners that while tradition matters, progress and innovation are essential to keeping the job moving forward.The episode closes with a message about having a seat at the table and influencing the direction of the fire service, rather than leaving decisions to those who do not understand the work. Paul also explains why he launched Beyond the Shield and how it gives him a way to share wisdom and keep honest, meaningful conversations alive.Paul Conwaywww.conwayshield.com

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, high-heat, low-oxygen conditions), gallons-per-second thinking for faster line selection, and the need to narrow options so crews execute without hesitation. Kyle talks staying in your lane, journaling after fires, and moving the credentialing “book” to match the street. It’s a nerdy, no-nonsense hour packed with tactics, training culture, and a push for the next generation to read, write, and lead.

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. He talks about the Chicago “quick water” mindset, the city’s iconic two-piece squads, and why the crew, the rig and the house should guide every leader’s day.The conversation hits on the reality of command, the politics that shape departments, and the need for training that stays accessible and ego-free. It’s a grounded talk about people, purpose, and carrying the job forward.“This is a people business. If you don’t like people, the fire service isn’t for you.” — Tim Walsh

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.