In Part 1 of this special series, we reunite with the incomparable Dave Angelo for a  chat that delves into the intricacies of rookie expectations, mentorship, and the challenges faced by chief officers.

🔥 Join your host, TJ, as he catches up with Dave and discovers the latest chapters in his life's story. Together, they embark on an insightful exploration of what it means to be a rookie firefighter in today's dynamic landscape.

🌟 Discover the realities faced by new recruits as Dave shares his wisdom gleaned from years of experience. From navigating the demands of training to assimilating into the firefighting brotherhood, this episode offers invaluable insights for rookies and seasoned firefighters alike.

💡 As the conversation unfolds, TJ and Dave delve into the importance of mentorship in the fire service. Explore the transformative power of guidance and support as they discuss how mentors can shape the careers and futures of their proteges.

🤝 Chief officers play a pivotal role in leading their departments, yet often face a disconnect from the challenges experienced by frontline firefighters. Tune in as TJ and Dave shed light on this phenomenon and explore strategies for bridging the gap between leadership and frontline personnel.

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🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!

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Welcome back to Part 2 of our  series with Jim Burneka! Today dive deeper into Jim's unwavering commitment to firefighter health and wellness. We explore his advocacy and insights that have transformed the firefighting community.

🔥 Follow along on Jim's remarkable journey. Learn about his tireless efforts to prevent occupational cancer among firefighters. He speaks about  his passion for change, and explains how he's helped firefighters far beyond his own department.

🌟 Find out more about Brothers Helping Brothers, the organization that Jim founded. Brothers Helping Brothers continues to blaze a trail in supporting firefighters' well-being. We also explore how peer support teams are evolving. And how they are making an impact on the mental resilience of those who serve our communities.

🤝 Jim's experiences shed light on the power of community and the importance of mental health awareness. Discover how he's breaking down barriers and fostering a culture of support and understanding.

🧠 Mental health remains a central theme in this episode. Jim shares essential insights on the steps firefighters can take to prioritize their mental well-being and how we can collectively work to end the stigma around seeking help.

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🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!

>>> Shop Keep the Promise! <<<

Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

Get ready for the beginning of an amazing two-part series with the remarkable Jim Burneka! In Part 1 of this  journey, we cover Jim's extensive career as a firefighter and his mission to promote health, wellness, and mental resilience within the firefighting community.

🔥 Join your host, TJ, as he uncovers the powerful insights and experiences Jim gained during his nearly 23-year tenure with the Dayton, OH, Fire Department. Discover the challenges and triumphs of his career and how they ignited his passion for firefighter well-being.

🌟 Jim's journey takes an extraordinary turn as he becomes a trailblazer in the fight against occupational cancer, presenting on cancer prevention across the United States and Canada. Learn what drove him to take on this critical cause and how it's reshaping the future of firefighter health.

🤝 Brothers Helping Brothers, an organization founded by Jim, is at the forefront of peer support and mental health awareness for firefighters. Explore how this organization is making a profound impact and creating a community of support that transcends departmental lines.

🧠 We delve into the vital topic of mental health in the firefighting world. Jim shares his insights on the unique stressors firefighters face and the importance of breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health support.

Support the show

🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!

>>> Shop Keep the Promise! <<<

Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

In Part 2 of this candid and unscripted podcast episode, TJ and Stack dive into a heartfelt conversation about their personal and professional journeys, discussing their visions for 2024, the importance of community, and their shared passion for storytelling. Join them as they reflect on the lessons learned, the challenges they've faced, and the powerful impact of their podcasting journeys.

Major Points of the Episode:

1. Reflecting on Personal Growth: TJ and Stack share their thoughts on personal growth and how they've evolved as individuals throughout their podcasting journeys.
2. The Power of Community: Both hosts emphasize the significance of building and nurturing a strong podcasting community. They discuss the positive impact of their listeners and patrons and their aspirations to continue supporting those in need.
3. Expanding Beyond the Fire Service: TJ talks about the evolution of his podcast and how he aims to broaden the scope of topics and stories beyond the fire service, emphasizing the importance of relatability and humanity.
4. Providing Platforms for Others: Stack and TJ speak on the ability to give others a platform for sharing their stories, highlighting the potential for growth and connection within the firefighting world.
5. 2024 Goals: TJ and Stack outline their goals for 2024, emphasizing their commitment to building a legacy on their own terms and continuing their journeys with passion and determination.

Support the show

🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!

>>> Shop Keep the Promise! <<<

Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

Join Keep the Promise host TJ as he and Stack (of The Things We All Carry podcast) take a deep dive into the complex world of firefighting and mental health. In this episode, they share their own experiences and tackle the critical issue of mental well-being within the fire service.

From dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health conversations to confronting medication and its effects, this off-the-cuff episode will have you asking tough questions of yourself and your department. 

Explore the vital role that peer support plays in helping first responders cope with the demands of their profession. Learn about alternative methods for managing stress and anxiety and why a holistic approach to wellness is essential.

Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on mental health in the fire service, and hear how open conversations and compassionate leadership can make a positive impact.

Support the show

🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!

>>> Shop Keep the Promise! <<<

Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

Get ready for the thrilling conclusion of our three-part series with Katy Garroway on Keep the Promise! In this final episode, we cover Katy's return to the fire service as a recruit, bridging the gap between rookie and seasoned firefighter, and discovering the profound connection between physical fitness and mental well-being.

💪 Learn how Katy's snap decisions led her back to the fire service, where she faced the unique challenges of being both a recruit and someone with prior experience.

🚒 Katy's story unfolds as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. We dive into the exhilarating highs and humbling lows of her firefighting training, uncovering the lessons and growth that emerge from walking the fine line between rookie and mentor.

🧘‍♀️ Beyond the firehouse, Katy reveals the transformative power of physical fitness on mental health. She shares how prioritizing wellness can benefit all those who serve their communities.

🔥 This episode encapsulates the essence of Katy's unwavering promise to herself and her community. Her story is a beacon of hope, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, reminding us that there is no limit to what one can achieve through determination and dedication.

Support the show

🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!

>>> Shop Keep the Promise! <<<

Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

This episode of the Keep the Promise podcast marks an incredible milestone - our one-year anniversary! Today we're taking a journey down memory lane to celebrate a year of transformation, community impact, and remarkable growth.

In this episode, we reflect on the personal transformations that have shaped our journey over the past year. I'll share the highs and lows, the lessons learned, and the ways this podcast has evolved since its inception.

We'll also shine a spotlight on the positive impact we've made on our community. From charitable donations to the lives we've touched, it's a testament to the power of our collective commitment as firefighters.

But it's not just about us; it's about you, our listeners. We'll feature inspiring stories of transformation from within our community, showcasing how Keep the Promise has played a role in your personal and professional growth.

We've witnessed the growth of a tight-knit firefighter community brought together by this podcast, and we'll explore the incredible connections that have formed among our listeners.

Of course, it hasn't been all smooth sailing. We'll also talk about the challenges and triumphs we've faced in the world of podcasting and how they've contributed to our growth.

As we look ahead to the future, we'll discuss our goals and ambitions for Keep the Promise in year two, including the exciting plans we have in store for our listeners.

This episode is a heartfelt thank-you to each and every one of you who has been a part of this incredible journey. Your dedication to the promise you've made to your communities is an inspiration, and we're honored to be on this journey with you.

Join us in celebrating one year strong, and let's continue to keep the promise we made to ourselves, our communities, and each other. Thank you for being a part of our firefighter family.

Support the show

🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!

>>> Shop Keep the Promise! <<<

Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

Welcome back to Part 2 of our extraordinary series with Katy Garroway! In this  episode, we continue to follow Katy's  journey from the fire service to the frontlines of humanitarian efforts in war-torn Afghanistan.

🌍 Join host TJ as we delve deep into the heart of Katy's story. Discover how her courage led her to leave the fire service behind, embarking on a mission to evacuate over 3000 people from the tumultuous landscapes of Afghanistan.

🔥 Listen in awe as she recounts the trials and triumphs of aiding families in their quest for safety and freedom, ultimately helping them find new homes in the United States.

🤝 We explore the power of community, resilience, and unwavering commitment to our fellow human beings. Katy's experiences unveil a profound commitment to the potential for positive change, even in the most challenging circumstances.

🛤️ As we journey alongside Katy through her life-changing experiences, we witness the incredible impact that one individual can have on the lives of many. Her story is a testament to the enduring spirit of service that knows no borders.

Support the show

🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!

>>> Shop Keep the Promise! <<<

Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

Get ready for an extraordinary journey as Keep the Promise kicks off a special three-part series with Katy Garroway. In  Part 1, we dive into Katy's remarkable story of enlisting in the Marine Corps, a decision that set her on an incredible path of adventure and discipline.

🌟 Join host TJ as he takes you back to the moment Katy made the life-changing choice to become a Marine. Hear her share the driving forces and the powerful motivations that led her to embark on this extraordinary adventure.

💪 Katy's boot camp experience, known for its intensity, becomes the stage for unforgettable tales of determination, growth, and transformation. Discover how the crucible of military training forged not only a Marine but a future firefighter.

🔥 Dive into the heart of Marine Corps culture as Katy reveals the values and traditions that continue to inspire her in her firefighting career. Explore the unique lessons she learned in teamwork, leadership, and dedication to service.

🛡️ Katy's stories of facing challenges head-on and finding the strength to overcome them are a testament to the human spirit. Her experiences provide invaluable insights for anyone striving to navigate life's obstacles with courage and conviction.

🔜 This is just the beginning of an epic journey. Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3, where we'll uncover more of Katy's incredible adventures, from military service to firefighting, and the lessons she carries with her along the way.

Support the show

🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!

>>> Shop Keep the Promise! <<<

Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

Welcome back to the second installment of our gripping two-part series with Dave Smith, a firefighter and mental health advocate. In Part 1, we delved into Dave's  journey from volunteer firefighter to Technician in Washington DC, exploring the challenges he faced and the pivotal moment when he decided to seek help through the IAFF's Center for Excellence.

In Part 2, we continue our captivating conversation with Dave as he takes us behind the scenes of his experiences at the Center for Excellence. Join us for an intimate look at the transformative moments that unfolded within those hallowed walls and the profound impact they had on his life.

Dave opens up about the deep connections he formed with fellow participants, sharing stories of resilience, hope, and the power of peer support. We'll learn how the Center for Excellence equipped him with invaluable tools and coping strategies that have not only helped him heal but have also guided him in becoming a beacon of hope for others within the firefighting community.

But the journey doesn't end there. Dave's passion for horseback riding and photography is a testament to his commitment to maintaining a balanced life amidst the challenges of firefighting. Discover how these pursuits have played a crucial role in his ongoing journey towards wellness and self-discovery.

We'll also revisit Dave's advocacy work and explore the progress he's made in his mission to destigmatize mental health within the fire service. As he candidly shares the highs and lows of his advocacy journey, you'll gain insight into the resilience required to confront adversity and push for meaningful change.

This episode is a powerful testament to the human spirit, the bonds that unite firefighters, and the unwavering commitment to "Keep the Promise" to their communities and themselves. Join us as we conclude Dave Smith's remarkable story of transformation, healing, and hope.

Support the show

🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!

>>> Shop Keep the Promise! <<<

Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!