Fire Family Collective Podcast | Real Talk for Fire Wives & Partners.

Ashley Iverson talks about losing her husband, Corey Iverson, in the Thomas Fire and how she uses the Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness to advocate for, and provide, mental health support for firefighters and their families.

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

Guest: Ashley Iverson, Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness

Link: Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness

Link: Thomas Fire

Link: Yarnell Hill Fire

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

Support the show

JOIN US!  👉 https://www.firefamilycollective.org/collective

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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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests of the Fire Family Collective Podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of their affiliated fire departments, agencies, employers, the Fire Family Collective, or the Ventura Fire Foundation.

All content shared on this podcast is for informational and personal perspective purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, mental health, legal, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2026.

Tiffany Atalla, licensed marriage and family therapist AND fire wife, talks about how to improve first responder family life and connectedness among first responder families. Tiffany also talks about the trained peer support program for spouses that she helped create at her husband's fire department, as well as an upcoming (2/9/2023) training she will be conducting for Ventura area fire spouses.  Listen in...

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

Guest: Tiffany Atalla, MFT - First Responder Wellness, Shift Wellness, Counseling Team International, Best Solutions Therapy

Link: Register for February 9, 2023 Spousal Peer Support course

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

Support the show

JOIN US!  👉 https://www.firefamilycollective.org/collective

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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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests of the Fire Family Collective Podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of their affiliated fire departments, agencies, employers, the Fire Family Collective, or the Ventura Fire Foundation.

All content shared on this podcast is for informational and personal perspective purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, mental health, legal, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2026.

The Thomas Fire was the largest wildfire in California history, when it broke out on December 4, 2017. Four Ventura City firefighters who battled the blaze that first night--Battalion Chief Douglas Miser, Captain Luke Mitchell, Captain Mark Neilsen, and Captain Chris Plessner (ret.)--join the Firehouse Roundtable to talk about their experiences, the difficulty of battling a wildfire that threatens your own community and loved ones, and the impact of the Thomas Fire on their mental health. Listen in...

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

Guests: Battalion Chief Douglas Miser, Captain Luke Mitchell, Captain Mark Nielsen, and Captain Chris Plessner (ret.) of Ventura City Fire Department

Link: Thomas Fire

Link: Montecito Mud Slide

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

Support the show

JOIN US!  👉 https://www.firefamilycollective.org/collective

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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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests of the Fire Family Collective Podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of their affiliated fire departments, agencies, employers, the Fire Family Collective, or the Ventura Fire Foundation.

All content shared on this podcast is for informational and personal perspective purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, mental health, legal, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2026.

Captain Myles Smith (ret.) and Engineer Austin Foulke talk about being a firefighter family and the accident that forced Myles' retirement. Myles also tells a few stories from the 1980s, '90s, and 2000s, and reveals his legendary halibut recipe! Listen in...

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

Guests: Captain Myles Smith (ret.) and Engineer Austin Foulke of Ventura City Fire

Link: News Story of Myles' Injury (Fire captain severely injured fighting Ventura brush fire Sunday)

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

Support the show

JOIN US!  👉 https://www.firefamilycollective.org/collective

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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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests of the Fire Family Collective Podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of their affiliated fire departments, agencies, employers, the Fire Family Collective, or the Ventura Fire Foundation.

All content shared on this podcast is for informational and personal perspective purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, mental health, legal, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2026.

Flying Embers founder and CEO Bill Moses talks about his harrowing experience in the Thomas Fire and how it led to the Flying Embers organic alcohol brand. For 3 nights, Bill witnessed the power of nature, as well as firefighters' skill and determination in battling it. In that moment (and in gratitude to them), Bill dedicated himself and Flying Embers to supporting firefighters by giving back 1% of all sales to firefighter causes. Listen in...

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

Guest: Bill Moses, Founder and CEO of Flying Embers and the Embers Foundation

Link: Thomas Fire

Link: Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council

Link: LA County Fire Museum

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

Support the show

JOIN US!  👉 https://www.firefamilycollective.org/collective

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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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests of the Fire Family Collective Podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of their affiliated fire departments, agencies, employers, the Fire Family Collective, or the Ventura Fire Foundation.

All content shared on this podcast is for informational and personal perspective purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, mental health, legal, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2026.

Ventura City Fire Engineer/Paramedic Will Nackers discusses his military service, being wounded in action, PTSD, and creating a legacy. Will also discusses the September 11th Memorial Stair Climb, which he organized. Listen in...

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

Guest: Will Nackers of the Ventura City Fire Department

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

Support the show

JOIN US!  👉 https://www.firefamilycollective.org/collective

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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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests of the Fire Family Collective Podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of their affiliated fire departments, agencies, employers, the Fire Family Collective, or the Ventura Fire Foundation.

All content shared on this podcast is for informational and personal perspective purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, mental health, legal, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2026.

A conversation with married firefighters, Battalion Chief Amber Henderson (CAL Fire) and Captain Jeremy Henderson (Ventura City Fire). Amber and Jeremy discuss their careers, the challenges of being a firefighter spouse, and overcoming trauma. Listen in...

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

Guests: Battalion Chief Amber Henderson (CAL Fire) and Captain Jeremy Henderson (Ventura City Fire) | Email Amber: [email protected]

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

Support the show

JOIN US!  👉 https://www.firefamilycollective.org/collective

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

-----------------

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests of the Fire Family Collective Podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of their affiliated fire departments, agencies, employers, the Fire Family Collective, or the Ventura Fire Foundation.

All content shared on this podcast is for informational and personal perspective purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, mental health, legal, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2026.

Peter and Jason introduce themselves and discuss what to expect from the Firehouse Roundtable podcast. The kitchen table is the heart of the firehouse. It’s where those who are “Always Ready” bond over shared war stories of a career in the fire department and its impact on their everyday lives, including their families and both their physical and mental health. On Firehouse Roundtable, we’ll bring you those stories, so you can be a fly on the wall around the firehouse kitchen table. Your hosts Capts. Peter McKenzie (retired) and Jason Kay (active) lead these conversations exploring all aspects of that decision to become one of the “Always Ready.” They will invite other active and retired firefighters, supporters, and experts to join as their guests. So, whether you are considering a career in fire service, have fire stories of your own, or support a firefighter who does, grab a cup of coffee and join us at the Firehouse Roundtable! Listen in...

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

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

Support the show

JOIN US!  👉 https://www.firefamilycollective.org/collective

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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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests of the Fire Family Collective Podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of their affiliated fire departments, agencies, employers, the Fire Family Collective, or the Ventura Fire Foundation.

All content shared on this podcast is for informational and personal perspective purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, mental health, legal, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2026.