Dr. Mynda Ohs,  marriage and family therapist and author of Fully Involved: A Guide for Being in a Relationship with a Firefighter, talks about her new book When the Calls Stop: Retiring as a First Responder. Drawing on her own family's experience and input from hundreds of first responders, Mynda provides practical advice -- for both spouses -- on how to successfully transition away from the firehouse.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Mynda Ohs, PhD, Fully Involved Life
 
Link:  When the Calls Stop: Retiring As A First Responder

Link:  Fully Involved: A Guide For Being In A Relationship With A Firefighter

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.

Brent and Stephanie Fenton (a.k.a. Firefighter Fenton and Mrs. Firefighter Fenton) discuss how Firefighter Fenton originated, where the character is going, the role of humor in mental health, and building a life outside the fire service.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Brent Fenton (aka Firefighter Fenton), Daisy Mountain Fire Department

Follow Firefighter Fenton on Facebook | Instagram
 
Guest: Stephanie Fenton (a.k.a. Mrs. Firefighter Fenton),

Follow Steph’s Cookie Creations and Alive AZ IV

Follow Mrs. Firefighter Fenton on Facebook | Instagram

Karen Follows Firefighter Video
"My Knee Hurts Now" Music Video

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Listen on the go:
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Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNC3faooGcHBr1dHm_FVYBsPQ7XAtBtd

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.

Madeline and Erin Hoffman, two of Ventura City Fire Captain Thom Hoffman's children, talk about growing up in a fire family. They swap stories about the "cool" benefits of having a firefighter dad as well as the additional stress the fire service added to their family. Madeline and Erin provide practical advice for younger fire kids, including how to deal with "Captain Mode."

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Madeline Hoffman
 
Guest: Erin Hoffman 

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Listen on the go:
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Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNC3faooGcHBr1dHm_FVYBsPQ7XAtBtd

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.

Ventura City Fire Captain Kyle Tong joins the show to talk about how he went from teaching snowboarding to five-year-olds to becoming one of the youngest fire captains in Ventura City history. Tong, a.k.a. the "G.O.A.T. of Grants", also talks about his success in securing nearly $8 million in funding for the Ventura City Fire Department.
 
Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Captain Kyle Tong, Ventura Fire Department 

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Listen on the go:
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Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNC3faooGcHBr1dHm_FVYBsPQ7XAtBtd

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.

Aaron Foster has been a firefighter for 24 years, the last 19 of those with the District of Columbia Fire Department. Not only that, Aaron has been successfully investing in real estate for 20 years, hosts the First Responder Financial Freedom podcast, and owns a small woodworking company in College Park, Maryland. Aaron shares his story, why he started investing in real estate, strategies for successful real estate investing, and the FITFO mentality.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Firefighter Aaron Foster,
District of Columbia Fire Department  |  First Responder Financial Freedom podcast | The Wildfire Creations

Link: My REI

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Listen on the go:
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Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNC3faooGcHBr1dHm_FVYBsPQ7XAtBtd

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.

Ventura City Fire Chief David Endaya discusses the Department's future, changes in the fire service over the last 20 years, the role of first responders, and firefighters' mental health.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Chief David Endaya, Ventura City Fire Department

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Listen on the go:
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Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNC3faooGcHBr1dHm_FVYBsPQ7XAtBtd

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.

Physical Therapist Jim Magnusson, Dr. Phil Long, and Coach Justin Reading of Performance Wellness and Injury Prevention have worked with firefighters for many years. Their motto is "Trust, Commitment to Excellence, and Care," and that's exactly what these guys do. They discuss the unique considerations when working with firefighters, preventing injuries, increasing mobility, preparing for the fire academy, and the connections between physical and mental health.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Jim Magnusson, Performance Wellness and Injury Prevention

Guest: Phil Long, Performance Wellness and Injury Prevention

Guest: Justin Reading, Performance Wellness and Injury Prevention

Link: First Responder Financial Freedom Podcast

Link: The Ready State (mobility training)

Link: Firefighters' Ball and Awards Ceremony

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Support the show

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Listen on the go:
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Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNC3faooGcHBr1dHm_FVYBsPQ7XAtBtd

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.

As a military spouse, Lizann Lightfoot can relate to the daily challenges and trials that most firefighter spouses go through. She's the author of "Open When: Letters of Encouragement for Military Spouses" and the "Seasoned Spouse" blog. Lizann discusses the importance of practicing self-care, building a support network, learning to adjust to your spouse's absence, and preparing for retirement. 

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Lizann Lightfoot, The Seasoned Spouse Blog

Link: Firefighters Ball and Award Ceremony

Link: Open When: Letters of Encouragement for Military Spouses 

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Support the show

JOIN US! 👉 https://bit.ly/JoinFireFamilyCollective

Support our Mission. 👉 https://bit.ly/Donate2FFC

Connect with us on Instagram. 👉 https://www.instagram.com/firefamilycollective/

Listen on the go:
Apple podcasts: https://apple.co/4kvLKwb
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/45IIRDl

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNC3faooGcHBr1dHm_FVYBsPQ7XAtBtd

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.

Ventura City Fire has a therapy dog, Hope, to help firefighters work through the emotional stress of their jobs. Hope's handler, EMS Coordinator Heather Ellis, and trainer, VIP Dog Team Owner Nancy Mitchell join the show to talk all about Hope and lift the curtain on what it takes to be a therapy dog for firefighters.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Heather Ellis, Ventura Fire Department

Guest: Nancy Mitchell, VIP Dog Teams

Link: Learn More About Hope and Support Her Training

Link: Sponsor the Firefighters' Ball

Link: Hope's Fire Safety Video

Link: Help raise a therapy puppy!
 

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Support the show

JOIN US! 👉 https://bit.ly/JoinFireFamilyCollective

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Listen on the go:
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Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNC3faooGcHBr1dHm_FVYBsPQ7XAtBtd

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.

Retired firefighter Steve Peterson has successfully purchased and managed rental properties in Ventura for over 30 years. Starting while he was an active firefighter, Steve looked for ways to invest his money and, while it hasn't always been easy, he's now been retired for 20 years and is financially secure. Steve provides advice on a wide range of topics, from managing your finances to purchasing income-generating rental properties, to preparing for retirement.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Engineer Steve Peterson 

Link: Your Money or Your Life Paperback

Link: Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! Paperback

Link: Cal Poly SLO, California Oaks Property Mgmt, Accidental Landlord 

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Support the show

JOIN US! 👉 https://bit.ly/JoinFireFamilyCollective

Support our Mission. 👉 https://bit.ly/Donate2FFC

Connect with us on Instagram. 👉 https://www.instagram.com/firefamilycollective/

Listen on the go:
Apple podcasts: https://apple.co/4kvLKwb
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/45IIRDl

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNC3faooGcHBr1dHm_FVYBsPQ7XAtBtd

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.