If you’ve ever felt stuck in a toxic workplace, frustrated by bad behavior, or convinced that change isn’t possible, this episode is for you. Together, we’ll unpack why this thinking is false, how it normalizes poor treatment, and what you can do to challenge it.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to use the FIRE Framework to thrive internally, make meaningful changes externally, and build a path forward—even if you’re in a tough environment. Let’s dive in and start forging a better way.

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Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)

Life will knock you down—it’s not a matter of if, but when. The question is, will you get back up stronger? In today’s episode of Forged by FIRE, I’m sharing the secrets to resilience—how to turn setbacks into comebacks, and challenges into fuel for growth. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or stuck, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss. Stay with me, and by the end, you’ll be equipped to face anything life throws your way—and thrive. Let’s ignite that fire!

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Resilience: A Mindset for Everyday Life | Joana Baquero | TEDxUTulsa

The saying, “It could always be worse” seems like harmless advice or a way to stay positive, but in reality, it often dismisses the struggles we face, keeps us stuck, and even excuses behavior or situations that aren’t okay.

In today’s episode, I will break it down and reframe this thinking so it aligns with growth, positivity, and resilience.

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TED Talk - The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage | Susan David (YouTube)

Welcome to Episode 221 of Forged by FIRE, the podcast that focuses on leadership, accountability, and self-mastery. I’m your host, Ryan Rodriquez. Today, we’re diving into a critical topic for anyone looking to improve their relationships, boost their productivity, and protect their well-being: setting boundaries.

As many of you know, my FIRE Framework focuses on achieving 12-week goals in Fitness, Intellect, Relationships, and Energy. Today, we’re zeroing in on Relationships, because boundaries are foundational to building trust, fostering alignment, and creating deeper connections with others—whether it’s your spouse, team, or community.

So let’s get into the 4 Ways to Set Boundaries. By the end of this episode, you’ll have practical tools to apply these strategies and build stronger relationships in every area of your life.

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Welcome to Forged by FIRE, the podcast where we ignite the flames of accountability, discipline, and progress. I’m Ryan Rodriquez, and today, we’re tearing down one of the biggest lies ever sold to you in the workplace; that“your workplace is your family.”

It’s one of those phrases that sounds warm and fuzzy, doesn’t it? But the truth is, it’s toxic. It sets you up for disappointment, burnout, and misplaced priorities.

By the end of this episode, not only will you understand why this mindset is harmful, but I’m also going to show you how the FIRE Framework can protect your mental and emotional health. And stick around, because I’m going to ask you one important question at the end: Why aren’t you part of The Forge yet?

Let’s dive in.

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⁠Join The Forge! (Application)⁠

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ARTICLES/TOOLS:

⁠The Toxic Effects of Branding Your Workplace a “Family” by Joshua A. Luna (Harvard Business Review)⁠

⁠The end of work spouses and work besties: Why now, more than ever, work is not your family by Kathleen Davis (Fast Company)⁠

AUDIO/VIDEO:

⁠Work is not your family | Gloria Chan Packer | TEDxUTAustin⁠

Ever feel like your workplace is drowning in rules? 💼 In this episode, I break down why the strongest organizations rely less on policies and more on culture to drive success. Learn how a well-built culture is like a self-cleaning system—keeping everything aligned without the need for endless bureaucracy. 💥

I dive into the minimalist magic of Netflix’s no-policy approach, highlight examples from Adam Grant’s Think Again, and explore why not everyone should fit in a high-performing team. 👊

🎧 Tune in and discover how a focused, resilient culture beats a stack of policies every time.

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Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)

Time is the one thing we all want more of, but the truth is, it’s slipping away every second. Every hour spent scrolling on your phone or watching another episode on Netflix is an hour you’ll never get back. So, are you going to keep making excuses for why you ‘don’t have time,’ or are you ready to take control and make time for what really matters?

This episode centers around the power of owning your time. We’ll explore why time is the most precious resource you have, how allowing distractions to dominate your schedule makes you a slave to them, and how strategies like time-blocking can help you reclaim your day and use it to fuel your personal growth. The theme is simple: you either run your day, or it runs you.

In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about how to make time, not excuses. We’ll uncover the passive time-wasters lurking in your day, and I’m going to give you a strategy I swear by—time-blocking. Stick around, because by the end of this episode, you’ll have a game plan to take back control of your time and use it to build the life you actually want. Let’s jump in!

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Join The Forge! (Application)

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Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)

Let me ask you something—when was the last time you truly paused? Not just took a day off, but really stepped away from the noise, disconnected, and gave yourself the space to breathe and reset? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably ‘I can’t remember.’ Well, today, we’re talking about the ultimate power move in a world obsessed with hustle—retreating. And no, it’s not running away. It’s about finding the clarity and strength you need to come back even stronger.

Retreating is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. In a world of constant hustle, hitting pause is the ultimate power move. It doesn’t mean you’ve got to take a month off, it could mean taking an afternoon for yourself outside, in your favorite chair with a cup of coffee, using your favorite patriotic mug.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the six powerful reasons why taking a retreat is essential for your health, well-being, and personal growth. We’ll explore how stepping away from the grind can help you reset mentally, physically, and emotionally—so you can come back stronger, more focused, and ready to take on whatever life throws your way.

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Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)

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EXOS Sports Performance Training (Phoenix, AZ)

ResortPass

Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort

What if I told you that the secret to unlocking your greatest potential lies in ancient wisdom from feudal Japan–and that you can use it to master the four key areas in your life? 

This four-tiered class system consists of the archetypes of Warrior, Farmer, Artisan, and Merchant and they perfectly tie into the FIRE framework of Fitness, Intellect, Relationships, and Energy.

In today’s episode, I’m going to introduce you to these archetypes, explain how they directly relate to the FIRE framework, and how combining them provides a practical and powerful tool for achieving growth in all areas of life.

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ARTICLES/TOOLS:

The Four-Tiered Class System of Feudal Japan

AUDIO/VIDEO:
Being different in the fire service, be like…VIDEO

How many times have you played a video game and gotten super frustrated to the point that you felt like throwing the controller? Did you give up and throw it? Did you quit the game in your frustrated state, or did you take a breath and press on until you beat the level or the game entirely?

Our emotions are great indicators for us being at a crossroads and they offer us a point in time where we get to actively choose how we want to move forward. You see lots of stickers and shirts out there that say things like, “Be nice” or “Happiness is attractive”, but you know what I find attractive? People who know what true anger feels like and they take that anger and make something amazing from it. People who have been beaten into the dirt, they stand up, dust themselves off and come back stronger from the challenges they face. Those are my people.

In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about those emotions that foster our dark energy, how we can use our dark energy to do amazing things, and some reasons why you should consider this approach the next time you’re experiencing so-called negative emotions.

Join The Forge! (Application)

Forged by FIRE Facebook Group

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Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)

How to Get Motivated - by Losing?! By Monica Wadhwa (Audio) Transcript

The Power of Not Winning - Dr. Monica Wadhwa (YouTube)

Why We Need to Talk About Shame - Brene Brown (YouTube)