Meet Jen Roberts, a retired firefighter with a passion for adventure and a deep love for serving Hawaiʻi. She’s lived a dynamic life - bartending, fighting fires, and leading a women's motorcycling club - all while embracing each moment with gusto. Jen shares career-defining stories, from delivering a baby on the H-1 freeway to the meaningful work of The Pantry in Kalihi, where her team coordinates food distribution to nearly 10,000 residents each month. She also reflects on her side gig as a TV and movie extra (cue EMT!), along with adrenaline-packed travels to Dubai, Thailand, and South Africa with her family. Tune in for a lively conversation about chasing flames, loving big, and the joy of the open road.

Episode Highlights

0:21 Jen: a globe-trotting, motorcycle-riding firefighter

1:32 Volunteering at The Pantry, an e-commerce food distribution center

3:20 Roots: From Florida to Hawaiʻi at 21

4:20 Bartender to Firefighter

5:45 Delivering babies? Just another day on the job

9:25 Juggling a variety of jobs and new skillsets

10:18 Motorcycle magic and the open road

13:00 Steppin'

13:55 World travels with the fam

18:49 Giving back at Chai Lai Orchid in Thailand

22:42 Adrenaline-chasing in Dubai

26:45 Cape Town tales

28:09 Background acting gigs (aloha, Hollywood!)

31:55 Appreciate, volunteer, love big

Learn more about the organizations Jen mentioned by visiting:

The Pantry: https://thepantry.org/ (Kalihi, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi)

Chai Lai Orchid: https://chailaiorchid.com/what-we-do/ (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

Photos: Jen Roberts

Episode Art: Molly Mamaril

Host and Producer: Molly Mamaril

Guitarist: Amund Gismervik