Happy Holidays and welcome back to Outside the Bay!  Please excuse the delay in episodes, but real life has been uber busy.  Stay tuned as we’ll be back in 2021 with many more great guests and stories to share!

On last this episode of season 1 (recorded pre-COVID in September 2019), I sat down with my good friend and client, Firefighter-Paramedic Pete Rimoldi of Mifflin Township in Gahanna, OH.  I’ve known Pete and his wife Jill for over 16 years and they have to be one of the most happy, loving couples I’ve ever met.  Just great, genuine people- so I wanted to have Pete on to share what makes him tick and the wisdom he’s learned in his 29+ yr. career in the fire service.

Throughout our conversation, Pete explains what it’s like:  

• Growing up a 3rd generation San Diegan,  
• Finding the fire service later in life,
• Pete’s not-so-secret, sauce to living a happy life, even in times of immense loss,
• And one of my favorite surprise, real-life stories – when Pete and Jill met another Pete and Jill.

If you’ve enjoyed this interview with Pete and would like to email him, he can be reached at: [email protected]  

Welcome back after a brief summer break...

On OTB's 10th episode, recorded pre-COVID about a year ago, I sat down with now 30-yr veteran Lieutenant Dottie Dorn from City of Columbus Fire Department. When she arrived at my office, the electricity was out, but we make the most of it.

To say Dottie’s had a journey is an understatement  She began the CFD Academy in December of 1989 and became only the 19th woman firefighter hired by the city.  She’s a veteran of many stations throughout the city, has taught at the Training Academy, and then promoted to lieutenant back in 2013.  After 6 months as a roving officer and then some time at the Fire Prevention Bureau, Dottie took-up her lieutenant position at station 30 on 1 unit.  She has a great crew that works well together and if you can’t tell, she loves her job!  

Dottie also shares with us on:

·       Coming from a large family with two sibling police officers, 

·       Why she puts on her ‘cape to save the city’,

·       What’s it been like being a female in the predominantly male Fire Service, 

If you’ve enjoyed this interview with Dottie and would like to connect with her, she can be emailed direct at: [email protected].

On this episode, I sat down with my friend (and attorney) Josh DiYanni, at the law offices of Bailey Cavalieri in Downtown Columbus.  As a practicing attorney, Josh’s focus is on small and to mid-sized businesses with their corporate needs, commercial real estate, and of course, estate planning which is what we’re going to discuss today.  

Knowing this isn’t the most exiting topic to listen too, we keep light, fun and informative.  How many of you listening right now don’t have a will or need to update yours?  If that’s you, listen in, and then run to Josh to get one setup!  His contact info will be in the show notes.  If you care about your loved ones and want to prepare for the unknown, it’s not too late until it’s too late!

The topics we hit today are:

• The infamous “if the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit!”,
• Are all attorneys bad?
• What happens if you don’t have a will like Prince and Bob Marley?,
• And did Tom Petty have a DNR and should you have one?

If you’ve enjoyed this interview with Josh and want to get your legal affairs in order, he can be reached direct at:

[email protected] 

Office: (614) 229-3270

***Originally recorded live on June 8th, 2019***

On this episode, which has a live-interview feel (before Coronavirus social distancing), my family and I traveled out west last year to visit my parents. While there, I got to sit down with Retired Assistant Chief Charlie Cook from Central Yavapai Fire District in Arizona.  Charlie is a friend of my father’s whom he had met through their church’s Men’s group in Prescott, AZ.  

He had an outstanding 27yr. career in the fire service and he shares his wisdom on the topics of:

• What it’s like to deliver a baby on your very first EMS run,
• How he started in law enforcement, but found his way in the fire service,
• His personal journey from being a 24hrs. on / 48hrs. off firefighter to Fire Administration and creating the Fire Pals program,
• The evolution of wildland firefighting in the varying terrain and weather of Arizona, 
• And the June 30th, 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire tragedy that claimed 19 of the 20 Granite Mountain Hotshots. 

If you’ve enjoyed the interview and would like to connect with Charlie, he can be emailed direct at: [email protected]. 

On this episode (recorded in September 2019), I sat down with special guest, Dr. Robert Merritt.  Dr. Merritt is the Director of Thoracic Surgery at the Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital.  He’s the epitome of excellence: a thoroughly-educated, family man, an utmost professional to both his patients and colleagues, and can still talk football and not mention that team up north!

Once get into our discussion on first responder health, we dig deeper on:

• Effects of vaping,
• Telltale signs that 'something is wrong', and
• How prevention is the best tool we have in health- how relevant is that right now?

I need to give a special shout out to our family friend, Amy Ware, for setting up this interview.  Thanks Amy!

Without further ado, please enjoy this enlightening discussion with Dr. Merritt from whatever device you’re tuning in from…. and let’s get 'Outside The Bay'!

To get a hold of Dr. Merritt, please follow this link:
https://cancer.osu.edu/find-a-doctor/search-physician-directory/robert-e-merritt

On this episode, I get to sit down with a living legend of the fire service and genuinely great guy- Retired Assistant Chief Dave Whiting from the City of Columbus Fire Department.  He brings a wealth of leadership knowledge from a long, decorated career and shares easy-to-understand life lessons about: teamwork, honesty, and respecting others opinions to achieve the team’s goals.  

Throughout our sit down, we cover a lot of ground, but get Dave’s perspective on: 

• My favorite African Proverb,
• How a BB gun changed the course of his life,
• The importance of having a mentor outside the fire service,  
• Memorable firehouse pranks...
• And why he would love to grab a whiskey with Teddy Roosevelt. 

If you’ve enjoyed this interview with Dave and would like to contact him, he can be emailed at: [email protected]

On this 2nd episode discussing mental health, I sit down with special guest, Dr. Kenneth Yeager.  Dr. Yeager is the Director of the STAR program, short for Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, at The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital.  He has also contributed to the OAPFF Behavioral Health program and Peer Group Support training.  Dr. Yeager is uniquely dedicated to the mental well-being of first responders having both a son as a police officer and nephew as a Fire Captain.

Throughout our discussion on first responder mental health, we dig deeper on:

1. How to spot mental illness amongst peers and how to offer help,
2. Asking the question: ‘how has your work changed you?’ Fact: 1 in 4 Americans has a mental health issue at some point in life.
3. What to expect in a counseling session. 
4. And the fascinating life-story of Winston Churchill.  

If Dr. Yeager has struck a chord with you and would like to connect with the STAR program, they can be reached at: 

 614-293-7827 (STAR)
 Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8 am – 5 pm

And additionally, the OAPFF Peer Support can be found www.firefightermentalhealth.org/   The page has a full list of peers by district with their direct phone number.  If you, or someone you know, needs, or just wants to talk with a trained PEER in absolute confidentiality, please look them up.

Heith Good is a 22+ year veteran Firefighter-Paramedic serving at Norwich Township in Central Ohio.  At Norwich Township, Heith was instrumental in developing the Peer/CISM or Critical Incident Stress Management Program.  And In 2017, he became an IAFF-trained Peer Supporter, where he assists departments throughout the United States and Canada in developing their own Peer support programs. 

In true-to-Heith fashion, when we contacted him for this interview, he immediately responded by saying ‘YES.’  As you’ll hear, he’s fully-committed, anytime and anywhere, to the well-being of every first responder that he comes into contact with.  I have to give a big shout-out to his wife Pamela and their three children- Hayley, Hannah, and maybe the best name ever for a son of a fireman… Blaze!  When Heith’s off-duty and a brother or sister in need calls, they share their family time, so I thank you for your sacrifice.

As a first reminder, you can get more info on the OAPFF Peer Support at www.firefightermentalhealth.org/   The page has a full list of peers by district with their direct phone number.  If you, or someone you know, needs, or just wants to talk with a trained PEER in absolute confidentiality, please look them up.

IF YOU ARE HAVING A CRISIS AND IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE 1-800-273-8255. AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

Happy New Year!  On this special episode, I get to sit down with Columbus, OH NBC4’s very own Morning Anchor and reporter extraordinaire, Hattie Hawks.

Through our very own morning show, fueled by coffee, we get to discuss:  

1.       The best thing about waking up at 2:30AM for work,

2.       The inspiration and impact of ‘The Fighting 126’ cancer series,

3.       Breaking the stigma of Mental Health in First Responders, 

4.       And why she’d loved to share a PB&J with Oprah  

If you've enjoyed my conversation with Hattie and if you’d like to connect with her on Twitter her handle is @HattieHawksNBC4 or you can catch her live in action on Columbus’s own WCMH-TV, NBC4 daily.

On this episode, I get to sit down with my good friend and client, Lieutenant Anthony Torres of Mifflin Township.  Since we met over 10+ years ago, we’ve both got married, bought houses, and had only daughters... so we’re both in touch with our feminine sides!  Life has gotten a tad busier these days, but we still get to visit regularly at the fire station where we discuss life, finances, and the future.  One of the many reasons Anthony’s got my utmost respect is that he’s had to deal with physical adversity firsthand- losing his lower left leg in a motorcycle accident back in 2012 and then how he and his beautiful wife Stephanie responded and moved forward… especially with the incredible help and generosity he received from his fire union brotherhood! 

Besides this, we get to jump in on a variety of subjects, including:

·       The heart-wrenching moment he knew as a 17 year old kid, he could handle the fire service,

·       The reality of life with a prosthesis,

·       The Brotherhood behind Torres Trail 5k Fundraiser, 

·       His cross fit team ‘Some Assembly Required’,

·       And the great retirement gig he has planned.

If you’ve enjoyed the interview and would like to connect with Anthony, he can be emailed direct at: [email protected] or contact him via social media on Facebook.

If there’s someone you’d like to nominate as a guest for the show OR have any burning questions, comments, and /or just general heckling- please feel free to reach out to me direct, so we can make this the best platform it can be.  
Make it a great day!