Loading...

PODCAST

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table

Captain Berlin Maza & Deputy Fire Chief Bill Mack sit down with leaders in all professions and industries from across the country to have leadership conversations at the firehouse kitchen table!Leaders share their stories, philosophies and perspectives on leadership. They talk about their non-negotiable behaviors, actions and traits, as well as offer action items for newer employees, emerging leaders, and senior members of organizations to grow as leaders!

business non-profit

All Episodes

01:12:00

Ep: 106: Chuck Heitz (ret.) - Own Your Training &...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/09/29

Retired Battalion Chief Chuck Heitz draws on his experience with King County Medic One to discuss personal responsibility for training and professional growth. Your department can provide opportunities, but it cannot anticipate everything you need to learn. Chuck challenges us to ask: What commitment have we made to our own development, and how are we showing up for the people around us?

en

01:25:02

Ep: 105: FC Eric Saylors, BC Kyle Andersen, BC Marcus...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/09/21

In this episode, three fire chiefs discuss the Succession Project—an initiative started by one battalion chief to create an environment where current and emerging leaders can prepare for future roles. They explore how the project brings leaders together several captains across the department to build relationships, share experiences, strengthen leadership skills, and learn from one another. The conversation highlights why succession planning is more than preparing people for promotion; it is about

en

01:07:54

Ep. 104: Anthony Kastros, Battalion Chief (ret.) -...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/09/12

On the 25th anniversary of September 11, Battalion Chief Anthony Kastros opens with a tribute to the lives lost and the families and communities forever affected, reminding us to “Never Forget.” He explores why all problems are ultimately human problems, how to overcome “recliner snipers,” and the power of having a mentor while mentoring others. He closes by sharing how faith guides his family, life, and leadership.

en

01:05:34

Ep. 103: Dave Tait, Fire Chief - Succession Planning...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/08/24

Fire Chief Dave Tait of the City of Bellevue Fire Department in Washington takes us inside the world of leadership, problem-solving, and succession planning. In this episode, Chief Tait unpacks what he calls the “monkey” in problem-solving—the issues we can unintentionally take on ourselves instead of empowering others to solve them. He also shares his “identify two people” method for succession planning, a practical approach to developing future leaders and building organizational depth.

en

01:09:41

Ep. 102: Pete Brummel, Deputy Chief (ret.) -...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/08/22

Pete Brummel, retired Deputy Chief and 35-year veteran of the fire service, for a powerful conversation about authentic leadership and the personal work required to lead others well.Pete shares lessons from a career spent serving, leading, and developing people, with a focus on the importance of authenticity, self-awareness, and self-reflection. He explores what it means for leaders to truly know themselves—their strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and blind spots—and how that awareness can shape

en

58:32

Ep. 101: Brooke Lundquist, PhD, LMHC - Advocating for...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/07/29

Dr. Brooke Lundquist is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has dedicated her career to supporting the people who answer the call. With more than 25 years as part of a fire service family, she brings both professional expertise and personal perspective to the unique challenges facing first responders and their loved ones. As the owner of First Responder Counseling and Consulting, Brooke and her team provide culturally competent therapy for firefighters, law enforcement, EMS personnel, and their

en

85:39

Ep. 100: Berlin Maza, Captain - Perspectives

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/07/26

Berlin Maza, a Captain with Eastside Fire & Rescue in Washington, shares leadership lessons shaped by the mentors, colleagues, and experiences that have influenced his career in the fire service. He points out that none of these ideas are his alone—they are the result of a lifelong commitment to learning from others.Berlin explores the importance of remaining a student of leadership, drawing wisdom from fellow firefighters, formal education, books, podcasts, workshops, and everyday experiences

en

72:09

Ep. 99: David Brannan, CHDS NPS Program Director -...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/06/28

David Brannan, Program Director at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School, joins us for a conversation on staying in the fight—both professionally and personally. He discusses the importance of mentorship, succession planning, and developing the habit of challenging your own biases to become a better critical thinker. He explains why we should "train for the known and educate for the unknown," recognizing that leadership is full of challenges no amount of

en

67:48

Ep. 98: Ryan McGrady, Fire Chief - Humility &...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/05/31

Fire Chief Ryan McGrady of West Pierce Fire & Rescue, one of the most powerful leadership traits isn't about having all the answers—it's about being willing to be vulnerable. Chief McGrady discusses how vulnerability accelerates growth, both for leaders and the teams they serve. By acknowledging mistakes, asking questions, and being open about challenges, leaders make change easier to navigate and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Vulnerability also equips leaders to handle difficult

en

86:28

Ep. 97: Jim Whitney, Deputy Fire Chief - Lead Where...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/05/18

Deputy Fire Chief Jim Whitney of the Redmond Fire Department—a leader who stood on the front lines during one of the most defining moments in modern emergency response. As the Medical Services Administrator involved in the nation’s first confirmed COVID-19 case, Chief Whitney brings a perspective on leadership under pressure.This conversation dives into what it truly means to lead through conflict. Chief Whitney explores the concept of “turning up the heat without burning down the organization,”

en

71:46

Ep. 96: Trisha Wolford, Fire Chief - Perspective &...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/04/12

Fire Chief Trisha L. Wolford of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department in Maryland leads one of the largest combination fire departments in the country, serving more than 600,000 residents—but her path to Fire Chief is anything but traditional. She began as a firefighter/paramedic and built a diverse career through the Fire Marshal’s Office, sworn law enforcement, fire and explosives investigations, and service as a Tactical Medic on a SWAT team. She is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer

en

70:14

Ep. 95: Mike Dugan, Captain (ret.) - It's Your Turn

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/03/25

A powerful conversation with Mike Dugan, a 27-year veteran of the FDNY and retired Captain of Ladder Company 123, whose fire service journey spans nearly five decades. A recipient of the prestigious FDIC International Tommy Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award, Mike brings unmatched perspective on what leadership truly looks like—both in the firehouse and on the fireground. In this episode, he challenges the traditional mindset with a simple but impactful truth: everyone is a leader. From promoting

en

89:24

Ep. 94: Chuck DeSmith, Deputy Fire Chief (ret.) -...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/03/17

Chuck DeSmith, a retired Deputy Fire Chief with 35 years of service at Renton Regional Fire Authority in Washington draws from decades of leadership experience sharing his passion for peer support and the importance of modeling resiliency within the fire service. He challenges today’s leaders to move beyond treating peer support as a program, and instead embed it into the organization’s operating budget with clear policy and long-term commitment. This conversation offers practical insight into

en

80:32

Ep. 93: Paul Conway, Assistant Chief (ret.) - A Life...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/02/23

With more than 40 years in the American Fire Service, Paul Conway’s journey—from firefighter to assistant chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department—is a masterclass in leadership earned the hard way. Throughout his career, he served at every level of the organization—operational, tactical, and strategic—leading emergency response, managing complex resources, and overseeing multidisciplinary teams with a steady hand and a servant’s heart. But what makes Paul’s story powerful isn’t just the titles; it’s

en

78:47

Ep. 92: Mike Gagliano, Captain (ret.) - Remember Who...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/02/13

Retired Seattle Fire Department Captain and 2008 FDIC International keynote speaker Mike Gagliano brings decades of fireground leadership and life-earned wisdom to the show. As president of the Firefighter Air Coalition and co-author of Air Management for the Fire Service and Challenges of the Firefighter Marriage, he shares a powerful message for today’s firefighters: expect challenges, don’t quit, and remember—no one is stopping you from becoming the best firefighter you ever wanted to be. Lead

en

65:38

Ep. 91: Tyrral Quinn, Captain - Vulnerability & Failures

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/01/30

Captain Tyrall Quinn, author of The Calling: The Unseen Work of Leading Well, joins the podcast to share a powerful story of service, departure, and return. After stepping away from the fire service following 20 years on the job, Quinn reflects on what it meant to be welcomed back by his department and how that experience reshaped his understanding of leadership. The conversation explores humility, confidence, accountability, and mental wellness—both on and off the fireground—while honoring the

en

73:13

Ep. 90: Randy Chevalier, Fire Chief - Leading thru...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2026/01/22

Fire Chief Randy Chevalier of Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District shares hard-earned lessons on leading through crisis and challenge. Having guided his department through three firefighter line-of-duty deaths, Chief Chevalier discusses the importance of building a solid support team inside and outside the organization, understanding that no leader can do everything alone. He emphasizes navigating crisis with a focus on mental health, and the necessity for leaders to give themselves grace while

en

55:18

Ep. 89: Ash Shapiro, Lieutenant - Getting the Job Done

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2025/12/30

Lieutenant Ash Shapiro of Hartford Fire Department talks getting the job done, especially if no one else is. Take the job seriously but don't take yourself too seriously. A good leader keeps their eyes open and watches people. They must get to know the people they lead and have a little fun. There will always be a few bad apples, but leaders must learn their strengths and weaknesses too. It's ok to knock someone down, as long as you build them back up!

en

72:44

Ep. 88: Ryan Power, Deputy Chief - The Power of...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2025/12/15

Deputy Chief Ryan Power of the Spokane County Fire in Washington talks about the lost art in the fire service, "The Human Factors of Communication." Chief dives into the 4 C's of Communication: 1) Connection, 2) Choice, 3) Competency, 4) Consistency. Chief also dives into the different styles of communicators: 1) Social, 2) Direct, 3) Empathetic, 4) Logical. Effective communication is a cornerstone to effective leadership and the best leaders can transition between the different styles

en

56:48

Ep. 87: Sionna Stallings-Ala'ilima, Fire Chief -...

Leadership @ the Kitchen Table ·

2025/11/30

Fire Chief Sionna Stallings-Ala'ilima of the Tacoma Fire Department talks Family & Servant Leadership! Be purposeful on how you show up every day in whatever role you are in, because pessimism and optimism are both contagious! Every leaders holds a certain amount of power. The most influential of leaders have the power of respect and are experts at their job. Remember that people will follow you if they respect you and if you are really good at your job.

en

106 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

SoldiOnline

Mondadori Digital

Inside the ICE House

Intercontinental Exchange

36氪·有识芝士

36氪音频频道