Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast

We throw the word professional around a lot in the fire service. But are we truly approaching the job with a professional mindset?

In this episode, we explore the transition from amateur to professional—what it takes, what it really means, and how to apply those lessons on and off the job. Inspired by The Way of the Champion by Paul Rabil, we break down the mindset shifts that separate those who show up from those who excel.

What You’ll Learn:

🔥 The difference between getting paid and thinking like a pro 🔥 How to apply elite athlete preparation to firefighting 🔥 Why self-assessment (and even game film) should be part of your routine 🔥 The professional mindset beyond the job—home life, recovery, and personal growth

If you're serious about sharpening your edge and leveling up, this episode is for you.

Resources Mentioned: (Some of these might be affiliate links)

📖 The Way of the Champion – Paul Rabil

📖 Turning Pro – Steven Pressfield

Join the Conversation!

If this episode hit home, share it with a crew member or drop us a message—how do you define professionalism in the fire service?

👉 Don’t forget to rate, review, and follow the show so you never miss a new episode.

Stay smart, The Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast

What happens when we stop focusing just on the job and start taking care of the person behind the gear? This week’s podcast answers that question in a big way.

I sat down with Kory Pearn, firefighter and founder of Crackyl Magazine, to talk about building resilient firefighters and tackling the challenges that impact us beyond the calls. Kory’s got an incredible story—one shaped by health scares, years in the fire service, and a mission to put firefighters first.

🔥 Here’s what we dive into:

• The Seven Pillars of Wellness—Kory breaks down the areas that actually impact your well-being, from mental health to finances.
• Why It’s Not Just About the Job: How we can stay sharp, connected, and present both at work and at home.
• Teachable Moments: Kory’s insights on leadership, peer support, and how a simple phone call can change everything.
• Crackyl Magazine’s Mission: A free resource built to challenge, inspire, and support firefighters everywhere.

This episode hits home for anyone who’s ever struggled to balance work, life, and the weight of the job. Kory reminds us that firefighting isn’t just about showing up—it’s about showing up whole.

Want to dive deeper? Check these references mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)

Crackyl Magazine Digital or Print Version Here!​

Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​​

​Reading is a necessary part of growth. Here is a list we compiled for you to help get you started!​

​Guiding Principles Download​

​FFC Podcast Episode #46: Firefighter Syndrome Could It Be Affecting You Too?

Join us as we dive into the world of training, leadership, and resilience with Captain Danielle Landholm of the Omaha Fire Department.

Dani brings a wealth of experience, from her beginnings as a volunteer firefighter to leading innovative changes in fire academies. She’s a trailblazer in cultivating meaningful training experiences that focus not just on skill but also on building resilient, well-rounded firefighters.

🔥 Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• The Journey of Leadership: Dani’s story of navigating challenging calls, burnout, and her pivotal career shift to the training division.
• Redefining Training: How Omaha Fire Department’s academy incorporates collaboration, hands-on EMS days, and cultural preparation for recruits.
• The Human Element: How to balance high standards with empathy, creating recruits who excel on the job while staying grounded at home.
• Guiding Principles: Learn how Captain Landholm uses introspection and the Guiding Principles framework to foster resilience and self-awareness in recruits.

Whether you’re an academy instructor, a recruit, or a seasoned firefighter, this episode is packed with actionable insights that’ll make you rethink how we approach growth in the fire service.

Want to dive deeper? Check these references mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)

​Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​​

​Reading is a necessary part of growth. Here is a list we compiled for you to help get you started!​

​Guiding Principles Download​

​FFC Podcast Episode #40: Designing Relevant Training with Cpt Ian Bennett

Cpt Landholm can be reached at: [email protected]

How do you revolutionize wellness in the fire service? You listen, you lead, and you start small but think big.

In this episode, we sit down with Christian Macklin, Health and Wellbeing Officer at South Metro Fire Department. Christian’s journey from a light-duty assignment to leading one of the most innovative wellness programs in the country is nothing short of inspiring. Whether you're a line firefighter, officer, or chief, there’s something in this episode for you.

Here’s what we dive into:

• The Turning Point: How a life-threatening cardiac event led South Metro to rethink firefighter health and safety.
• Starting Small: How Christian leveraged relationships, minimal resources, and a $42K grant to launch South Metro’s program.
• Actionable Solutions: From pre-authorizing MRIs to implementing cutting-edge coronary artery screening—learn cost-effective ways to prioritize firefighter health.
• The Future of Wellness: Discover the next frontier of firefighter preparation: mental readiness, resilience, and performance psychology.

🎙 Ready to dive in? Listen Now!

Share this episode with your crew or anyone passionate about advancing the fire service. Let’s start building a healthier, more resilient future together.

P.S. What do you think about the ideas Christian shares? Let me know! Send a message to [email protected] or drop a comment on our social media channels.

References mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)

Reading is a necessary part of growth. Here is a list we compiled for you to help get you started!

​Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​

FFC Podcast Episode #39. Forging Wellness With Captain Jesse Clark

National Association of Worksite Health Centers

In this powerful episode of the Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast, we sit down with Jay Bettencourt, company officer from Asheville, North Carolina, instructor, and founder of the Resilient Mind Program. Jay shares how a life-altering line-of-duty death early in his career shaped his approach to training, resilience, and mindfulness. Together, we explore the psychology of high performance in the fire service and how firefighters can thrive under pressure.

• From Survival to Thriving: Jay recounts his experiences at a tragic line-of-duty death fire, its impact on his career, and how it inspired his focus on rapid intervention training and mental resilience.
• The Resilient Mind Program: Jay explains how mindfulness and intentional breathing practices can help firefighters handle stress, enhance situational awareness, and thrive in both their professional and personal lives.
• Practical Applications: Insight into Asheville's training model, which integrates mindfulness into fire academy modules and focuses on success-based, real-world RIT and survival drills.

References mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)

Reading is a necessary part of growth. Here is a list we compiled for you to help get you started!

​Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​

The Loss of Captain Bowen by Jay Bettencourt Part 1

The Loss of Captain Bowen by Jay Bettencourt Part 2

FFC Podcast Episode #48 “Breathe How You Want to Feel with Matteo Pistono”

FFC Podcast Episode #45 Dena Ali “It's Not Only The Calls. Mental Health and Organizational Leadership”

Article: Just 10 minutes of mindfulness daily boosts wellbeing and fights depression

North Carolina Breathing Equipment School

Follow Firefighter Craftsmanship on social media for updates, training tips, and new episodes. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform—it helps us reach more firefighters like you!

It's our one year anniversary of the Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast and to celebrate we have a very special topic and guest to share with you.

This week we speak with former professional baseball pitcher and retired firefighter Doug McGraw on how to show up strong, serve well, and finish strong. Doug has been an instrumental part of my human performance journey and without his guidance, ecouragement, and mentorship over the years, Firefighter Craftsmanship would not be a thing.

In this episode we cover:

• How sports psychology directly correlates to you as a first responder and how he was able to bring in concepts he learned in Major League baseball to help him navigate 25 years as a firefighter
• Why setting boundaries is a must in your life and within emergency services
• How he has adopted the "acknowledge, accept, let go" mindset and framework and how that has helped him tremendously as he navigates retirement and the next phase of his life

References mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)

Firefighter Craftsmanship Weekly Email Education

Reading is a necessary part of growth. Here is a list we compiled for you to help get you started!

​Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​

Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast Episode #40 Ian Bennett Designing Relevant Training

Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast Episode #4 Athletic Identity

In this episode of the Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast, we dive into how creativity can transform the fire service by building a culture rooted in high performance and genuine engagement. Creativity is often seen as an afterthought in a field focused on discipline, protocols, and safety. But what if tapping into our creative potential could enhance individual and team performance, job satisfaction, and overall well-being?

We explore the following key topics:

1. Self-Determination Theory and Motivation

Discover how Self-Determination Theory (SDT) applies to the fire service and how it supports high performance. By focusing on the core needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, leaders can foster an environment where firefighters feel empowered and motivated from within.

2. The Role of Autonomy in High-Performance Teams

Autonomy isn't about throwing out structure—it's about granting firefighters the freedom to make decisions and problem-solve, which enhances both competence and morale. Learn practical strategies to bring autonomy into daily operations, training exercises, and emergency response scenarios.

3. Linking Creativity to Personal Happiness and Well-Being

Firefighters face high-stress environments, so personal well-being is essential. We explore the connection between creative problem-solving and personal happiness, looking at how fulfilling work can contribute to overall mental health and resilience.

By the end of this episode, you'll come away with actionable insights for building a culture that values creativity, supports autonomy, and prioritizes well-being—all essential elements of a high-performance fire service team. Whether you're a seasoned firefighter or just starting, this episode will provide valuable perspectives on nurturing a thriving firehouse culture.

References mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)

Creative Calling by Chase Jarvis

Further Resources and Education:

Firefighter Craftsmanship Weekly Email Education

Reading is a necessary part of growth. Here is a list we compiled for you to help get you started!

​Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​

Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast Episode #49: Identifying the Good in the Small Spaces with Jeremy Sanders

Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast Episode #37. Self Efficacy and How it Increases Your Mental Toughness

How good are you at actually choosing your response? Is it an intentional choice or is it more of a reaction that you just kind of muddle through?

This week on the Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast we continue our deep dive in how to build your firefighter resilience through intentional training. Division Chief Dave Gillespie helps us connect some dots and gives us some great and simple to implement techniques and processes to help make our response an attainable thing.

In this episode we cover:

• How to integrate sports psychology techniques and processes into your daily life both as an emergency responder and off the job as a human
• Why intentional training on the human factor is not only nice to have but it's an organizational responsibility to empower and lead your people
• His involvement with Tactical Resiliency Training and his fantastic resource guide "Developing Firefighter Resiliency" that he co-authored with Bob Carpenter and Ric Jorge

References mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)

Developing Firefighter Resiliency Book

Tactical Resilience Training Homepage

On Scene Practice Playlist

Further Resources and Education:

Firefighter Craftsmanship Weekly Email Education

Reading is a necessary part of growth. Here is a list we compiled for you to help get you started!

​Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​

Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast Episode #31 Olivia Mead Resiliency Training Through Yoga

Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast Episode #18 Imagery Training

We hear a lot about how we get to choose our mindsets and how we should see the good in everything and every situation we're involved in. That's all great but is it reality?

This week on the Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast we have the honor of speaking with Jeremy Sanders of Crew 1st Culture and we dive deep into how things like the growth mindset and separating from the negativity actually work. This is a conversation you aren't going to want to miss.

In this episode we cover:

• Why having foundations can help you in the darkest of times and can increase your resilience as a firefighter or emergency responder
• What sort of mindsets Jeremy wished he would have had from the beginning of his career and why they are the secret sauce for yourself, those you lead, and those you instruct
• What's next for Crew 1st Culture including his podcast and how human performance is the common thread for his success

References mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)

Crew 1st Culture

Reading is a necessary part of growth. Here is a list we compiled for you to help get you started!

Mindset by Carol Dweck (Growth Mindset Principle Foundation)

Further Resources and Education:

Firefighter Craftsmanship Weekly Email Education

​Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​

Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast Episode #45 Dena Ali-It's Not Just the Calls

Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast Episode #37: Self Efficacy

Want a free resource that you already have harnessed and built into you physiology, psychology and biology? One that can amp you up or slow you down and can absolutely help you CRUSH your goals, expand your mental toughness, and grow your resilience?

This week on the Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast we have the honor of speaking with Matteo Pistono and expand on his recent book "Breathe How You Want to Feel" and learn some actionable tools that you have access to right at this exact moment. This is a conversation you aren't going to want to miss.

In this episode we cover:

• Why Matteo wrote this book and why it's 100% relevant for you
• What free resource do you have access to right now that is the portal to your nervous system
• Multiple different ways you can use your breathing to level up your game whether it is on the job or at home.

References mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)

Breathe How You Want to Feel Book by Matteo Pistono

Microfiber Mouth Tape

Further Resources and Education:

Firefighter Craftsmanship Weekly Email Education

​Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​

Episode 44 Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast Nitric Oxide

Episode 40 Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast Designing Relevant Training with Cpt Ian Bennett

Episode 33 Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast Tape It Up! Mouth Taping while sleeping