Beyond the Stretch

Back in El Garage for Season 5, Cousin Vinnie and Uncle Mike kick things off talking music, Olympic hype, and why Snoop Dogg somehow makes perfect sense as Team USA’s ambassador. Episode 51 brings laid-back firehouse vibes, random song debates, and the kind of off-the-rails conversations that only happen when the mics turn on. It’s laughter, perspective, and a little bit of “good life” energy.

Episode 50 hits different. Cousin Vinnie and Uncle Mike celebrate the milestone with family in the room, twins in the mix, and a quick reminder that Beyond the Stretch is still “family-friendly” in 2026. There’s light banter, dad pride, reflective glasses, and a ceremonial pour of Eagle Rare as the guys keep it loose, unscripted, and exactly on brand.

Episode 49 almost died thanks to bad whiskey, root beer, and a cursed SD card. But we’re back. Unwilling is firehouse chaos, family moments, and real talk you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode, we toe the line of one of the edgiest firehouse roles—acting company officer. Uncle Mike throws down the challenge: Are you the thermostat or the thermometer? One sets the tone, the other just reacts. No fluff, no hand-holding. Just real talk, straight from the bunkroom.
🎙️ Hit play, and decide for yourself.

Yes, we went there. Uncle Mike was sober before the first sip of bourbon and got serious with AI. Don't worry we make sense of the technology and bring it back to firefighting - sort of. 

Manager? Naw man, we prefer the title of Coordinator to describe Uncle Mike. Take a listen and we will explain. 

Uncle Mike and Cousin Vinnie share thoughts about the similarities between parenting and leadership in the fire service. Both of these roles require the individual to function in the trivial "grey" instead of the simple black and white which some feel is the ideal state. 

It is everybody's job no matter how small. That's the marching order in 2025 per Uncle Mike. 

Our leaders message to the rank and file typically involves the future of the organization. But what about the now?

Number 42 finds us talking about a wide array of topics, from reputations to high performers. We also plug our whiskey, Uncle Nearest 1856. 

Continuing on with our ghosts content, Mike and Vinnie discuss a fire in Houston, Texas that resulted in the loss of two firefighters from Houston FD. Some good information can be learned, especially in structures that are commonly found throughout our response districts. 

The NIOSH report is here:

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200013.html

Echoing a leadership analogy used by our friend; The Company Officer, Mike and Vinnie compare company officer interactions to the rumble strips on roadways. 

We finish a shorter episode talking about ourselves a little bit. Leading off is the question, “What would you be doing if you weren’t a firefighter?”

Kicking off Season 4 with a new concept. "Ghosts". We are going to discuss some challenges and unfortunate events firefighters experienced resulting in a LODD back in 1999. What did we learn from their sacrifice?

The final episode of 2023 finds the two of us talking about the crazy new hiring processes departments are implementing in order to quickly fill their organization's ranks. Wrapping up 2023 talking about the hot topics of transfers, laterals, and abbreviated hiring. Happy New Year, and here's to a wonderful 2024. 

We take on a suggestion from one of our listeners and tackle the process of "bridging the gap" between the old school and new school firefighters. 

Nothing sets the the tone for a shift war like some stolen pumpkin spice coffee creamer. But how do we end the absurd behaviors?  Well, maybe buffaloes have the answer.