The C.A.N. Report

In this episode, Brendan McDonough shares his powerful story of survival, grief, and recovery after the Yarnell Hill Fire claimed the lives of 19 of his brothers.

He discusses the impact of trauma, the journey to sobriety, and how faith and community played a vital role in healing.

Brendan McDonough shares his inspiring journey of overcoming tragedy, addiction, and finding purpose in the fire service. Brendan reminds all of us the power of resilience, the importance of mental health, and the power of faith and community.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Brendan McDonough's background

00:26 Introduction to Brendan McDonough's Journey

02:56 The Yarnell Hill Fire: What happened and its significance

03:10 The Impact of Personal Loss and the Fire Service

07:12 The Making of 'Only the Brave' and Honoring Heroes

09:58 Brendan's early life, firefighting career, and the 2013 fire

12:14 The Role of Faith and Community Support

16:01 Overcoming Addiction and Embracing Sobriety

20:04 The fire's progression and Brendan’s role as a lookout

20:18 Returning to Firefighting and Leadership

24:00 The Importance of Mental Health and Self-Care

27:58 Lessons in Humility and Service

30:06 The fire's rapid change and the deployment of fire shelters

31:56 Future Goals and Continuing the Mission

36:00 Final Thoughts and Words of Inspiration

40:12 The tragedy unfolds: loss of 19 firefighters

50:01 Brendan’s immediate reactions and survivor’s guilt

59:48 The aftermath: grief, community support, and personal struggles

01:10:03 Brendan’s journey to sobriety and faith

01:20:04 The role of therapy and counseling in healing

01:29:53 Reflections on the media, movie, and legacy

01:40:12 Lessons learned and messages of hope and resilience

You can find Brendan McDonough Book on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/001wXxUp

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In this Episode,

I had an opportunity to learn more about Jason Yerkovich, a battalion chief with nearly two decades in the fire service, as he talks through the path that took him from art director to firefighter, and how that journey shaped his view of leadership, family, and service.

It centers on the idea that the job only works when you stay human, stay teachable, and bring the best of the firehouse home with you.

We discuss the cultural side of the fire service, including bad leadership, training, accountability, and why self-awareness matters just as much as technical skill.

Jason also shares the personal experiences behind his book, Carrying the Fire, and why therapy, vulnerability, and servant leadership are part of building better firefighters and better people.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

01:46 Jason's Journey from Art Director to Fire Service

04:31 Leadership, Fatherhood, and Building Camaraderie

07:58 Balancing Family Life with a Demanding Career

11:47 The Power of Authenticity and Vulnerability

15:12 Overcoming Challenges and Developing Leadership Skills

19:52 The Role of Social Media in Modern Leadership

25:10 Handling Difficult Conversations and Performance Issues

29:49 The Importance of Self-Reflection and Continuous Growth

34:56 Building a Culture of Respect and Accountability

40:07 Advice for Emerging Leaders in Emergency Services

45:03 Closing Remarks and Resources

Check out Jason Yerkovich book available on AMAZON:

https://a.co/d/0hI5ECVL

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In this episode, Jason Sautel shares his inspiring journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a firefighter and a man of faith. He discusses the impact of trauma, the importance of faith, and how to find hope and healing through faith and community.

Jason Sautel shares his inspiring journey from firefighter to evangelist, emphasizing the importance of mental, spiritual, and physical resilience. He discusses his book, the impact of sharing personal stories, and how faith and community support can help overcome life's challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

00:29 Introduction to Jason Sautel's journey and mission

02:03 Growing Up in California and Early Influences

02:42 The impact of sharing personal stories and writing the book

04:03 Childhood Trauma and Lack of Love

07:05 Getting Into Firefighting by Grace of God

07:24 The role of faith in overcoming adversity

12:04 Building resilience through mental, spiritual, and physical health

13:03 The Downward Spiral and Mental Health Struggles

17:48 The importance of community, leadership, and leading by example

22:30 Overcoming imposter syndrome and embracing authenticity

23:54 Finding Faith and Hope in Christianity

27:05 The ripple effect of the book and helping others

29:00 Near-Death Experience and Spiritual Awakening

32:19 The significance of early resilience training in firefighting

36:04 Writing Books and Spreading Hope

36:57 Jason's message to those struggling and the power of hope

37:56 The Power of Faith and Seeking Help

42:09 Closing thoughts and how to connect with Jason

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What happens when two firefighters from different backgrounds connect over shared experiences? In this episode, Mike Goldstein welcomes Rob Masters to discuss their journeys in the fire service, the challenges they faced, and the importance of speaking up about issues that often go unaddressed.

Rob Masters began his firefighting career later in life, starting at 37 after years in the dog training business. Rob and Mike share a bond rooted in their experiences at the same fire department. They reflect on how their paths intertwined through social media, sparking conversations about the realities of the fire service that many are hesitant to discuss.

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This conversation follows Mike Goldstein and guest Carter Shaw as Carter shares his path through fire service, military service, and the devastating loss of his lieutenant and close friend, Kyle Hines, to suicide.

The episode turns a personal tragedy into a practical warning about what to look for, how departments miss signs, and why peer support and therapy cannot be an afterthought.

Carter Shaw brings firsthand experience from the fire service, the military, and a deeply personal recovery process.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and episode overview

01:59 Carter Shaw's background and journey into the fire service

04:00 What draws people to the fire service and the mindset required

06:02 The challenge of separating personal life from firefighting

09:01 Signs leading up to the suicide of Carter’s lieutenant

14:06 The traumatic call and its impact on Carter and his team

20:06 The warning signs and mental health struggles of Carter’s lieutenant

23:55 Department response, debriefing, and resources available

30:05 The importance of mental health support and seeking help

39:58 Carter’s personal recovery and ongoing mental health journey

49:55 Resources for first responders and their families

57:11 Final thoughts and message of hope and support

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In this episode,

Mike Goldstein sits down with Dylan Brown, the founder of The Unmasked Fireman, for a straight-up conversation about fire service culture, fitness, humility, and leadership.

Dylan shares how his page became a place to talk honestly about the job, the good and the bad, and why he believes accountability starts with the person in the mirror.

They also dig into smoke diver training, staying grounded after hard-earned accomplishments, and how social media can either build up or drag down the fire service. If you care about becoming a better firefighter without losing your edge, this one is worth your time.

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In this episode, I sit down with Chief Clyde Gordon for a wide ranging interview about his time in the fire service, including more than three decades with the Houston Fire Department. The conversation centers on the leadership lessons Chief Gordon learned the hard way, the responsibility officers have for training and accountability, and how modern tactics must adapt to midrise, townhome, and short staffed operations.

Chief Clyde Gordon shares personal stories from the fireground and from his life outside the job, including the loss of a firefighter that reshaped his leadership style and the impact the fire service had on a young man named Rodney who later became part of his family. It is an honest, practical conversation about standards, courage, and why doing the right thing matters more than being liked.

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In this episode I sit down with Jordan LaPoint as we unpack a messy fight over leadership, staffing, and accountability in a Michigan fire department.

Jordan explains how a proposed fire district, personnel actions, and a hostile work environment led to multiple resignations and a legal battle that is still unfolding.

We discuss what it looks like when a department loses trust from the inside out, why members stay quiet, and what happens when speaking up puts your career at risk.

Jordan also shares why he ultimately resigned, what the remaining staffing looks like, and why the community could feel the consequences most.

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In this episode I sit down with husband and wife coaching team Sarah and TJ Prieur about the systems, habits, and mindset shifts that helped them move from overwhelm and fight or flight into a more intentional family and professional life.

They also unpack TJ’s traumatic fireground experiences, how those calls affected his nervous system, and why mindfulness, communication, and structure matter so much for first responders and their families.

In this interview, Sarah and TJ share how clarity, boundaries, and daily routines can reduce chaos at home and at work. They also explain how their coaching approach blends practical structure with mindset, trauma awareness, and family-centered living.

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Honor Captain Joshua Laird

https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/joshua-d-laird/

Linda Crane is a Colorado firefighter/EMT, founder of Salty Sirens Training, and a national fire service instructor dedicated to developing competent, confident, and resilient firefighters. She has taught at regional and national conferences on topics including search operations, victim removal, ladders, VEIS, forcible entry, hose movement, firefighter health, leadership, and performance.

In this episode, Linda Crane shares her inspiring journey from growing up in a fire service family to becoming a firefighter and founder of Salty Sirens Training.

She discusses her advocacy work, training philosophy, and how she empowers women and first responders through education and mentorship.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and guest background

01:18 Linda Crane's journey into the fire service

03:37 Her advocacy work with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

05:31 Creating Salty Sirens Training and its mission

07:37 Overcoming negativity and online trolls

08:50 Her involvement in fire service conferences and mentorship

11:35 Getting into the fire service as a woman

13:52 Physical training, fitness, and passing the CPAT

23:28 Inspiration behind Salty Sirens and representation

27:18 Building a high-performance training culture

33:32 Handling criticism and staying resilient

40:54 Balancing passion, humility, and authenticity

49:01 Specialized skills and training in the fire service

54:47 Connecting with Linda for training and mentorship

01:02:11 Closing remarks and future plans

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