HAZARD CLASS

Jake sits down with T. John Cunningham, Assistant Commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. With a background in fire service leadership and emergency management, Cunningham shares his unique journey from a young fire explorer in Greenwich, Connecticut, to overseeing statewide emergency response systems in Minnesota.

John@tjohncunningham.com

www.tjohncunningham.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjohncunningham/

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Jeremy Redman, a former FBI Special Agent and SWAT sniper with over two decades in the Bureau and prior experience with the U.S. Air Force and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI). Jeremy walks through the winding path from a childhood dream of being a fighter pilot to a career built around investigations, tactical operations, and leadership—plus what Hollywood gets wrong, why preparation is everything, and how fait...

Jake talks with filmmaker/advocate Eli Yetter-Bowman about how learning his hometown Wilmington, NC had been drinking PFAS-contaminated water (publicly revealed in 2017) pushed him into documentary work—and into confronting PFAS (“forever chemicals”) exposure in the fire service. They cover why storytelling can turn complex science into action, the realities of funding independent documentaries, how Burned became a major impact cam...

Chad Costa, Assistant Fire Chief at Petaluma Fire Department, has over 25 years of experience in municipal, rural, and wildland fire operations. In this episode of Hazard Class Podcast, he shares his journey from growing up in rural Sonoma County to becoming a seasoned leader in the fire service. Chief Costa discusses early career challenges, recruitment and retention issues, and the balance between structural and wildland firefigh...

Dr. Michael Guirguis, an emergency medicine physician whose career has defied every conventional path. From hoisting patients off cliffs with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Air Rescue, to advising executive protection teams and serving as Chipotle’s medical director, Dr. Guirguis has lived multiple lives in one. This conversation explores the gritty truths of ER medicine, the high stakes of protective health care in elite circles, an...

Jake sits down with one of the most revered names in the American fire service—Captain Mike Dugan. With over 40 years of firefighting experience, including a distinguished career with the FDNY and multiple valor awards, Captain Dugan shares a raw, heartfelt, and unfiltered look into the culture, brotherhood, and challenges of the fire service. From childhood inspiration to rooftop rescues, and from leadership lessons to life after ...

Battalion Chief Marc Aloan of the West Columbia Fire Department discusses his two-decade career in the fire service. From chasing fire trucks as a child to becoming a battalion chief, Marc reflects on his experiences, including the challenges, leadership lessons, and learning from mistakes along the way. He also shares insights into the role of education in his career, the value of hands-on firefighting, and how he navigates the co...

Jake dives deep into the multifaceted career of Gary Oldham, a veteran in public safety with experience as a police officer, dispatcher, and global strategist at Apple. Gary shares the evolution of his career—from the front lines of law enforcement to managing major technological transitions in emergency services, and now running his own consulting firm, Accelerant 4. This episode is rich with leadership insights, practical innovat...

Chief Rob Ramirez returns to the show to talk about one of the most unique opportunities in modern firefighting: helping build a brand-new fire department from the ground up. He shares stories of leadership, culture, training, and staying sharp after leaving the fire truck.

Segment Breakdown & Timestamps

[0:00 – 0:07] Intro & Career Leap
Rob returns to the podcast, recounting his jump from 20+ years in operations to a ...

Dr. David Griffin shares his transformation from minor league baseball player to fire service leader, shaped by one of the most devastating tragedies in firefighting history—the 2007 Sofa Superstore Fire in Charleston, SC. Griffin recounts the incident in vivid detail, reflecting on how it reshaped his view of leadership, mental health, and responsibility. Nearly two decades later, he continues to advocate for cultural change, peer...

Deane Benninghoven, a certified hypnotherapist who specializes in treating anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and emotional trauma through hypnosis. Deane shares his personal journey from chronic pain and opioid dependency to healing through self-hypnosis, leading to a decades-long career helping others unlock the power of their subconscious. This conversation challenges common misconceptions, dives into how hypnosis works, and explores its...

This explosive episode dives into the story of Erik Holt, a former fire chief fired after reporting alleged election fraud—an election that installed the very board that terminated him. From military service and firefighting to confronting corruption, Holt walks us through his journey, decisions, and consequences.

LINKS:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/free-speech-retaliation-and-the-cost-of-integrity

https://www.facebook.com/justicef...

In this episode of the Hazard Class Podcast, we sit down with Deputy Chief Daniel DeYear, a 45-year veteran of the fire service, including notable positions such as U.S. Department of State Fire Marshal and Deputy Chief of Dallas Fire Rescue. In a candid conversation, Chief DeYear shares stories from his extensive career, including his early days in the fire service, the evolution of EMS and fire tactics, and the importance of trai...

In the Season 2 premiere of the Hazard Class Podcast, Jake sits down with John Esposito, Chief of Department for the FDNY, for an intimate and wide-ranging discussion on leadership, legacy, and the realities of life in one of the world’s busiest fire departments. From 9/11 reflections and the evolution of FDNY to the traits of impactful leaders and memorable fireground moments, Chief Esposito shares hard-earned wisdom and never-bef...

In this compelling episode, Jake is joined by Lt. Col. Quinn Gallagher, a veteran U.S. Air Force pilot with nearly 20 years of service. Gallagher's story is one of deep personal loss, resilience, and unwavering dedication to preserving life—both on and off the battlefield. From harrowing combat rescue missions in Afghanistan and Iraq to evaluating cutting-edge aircraft as an experimental test pilot, Quinn shares a raw and insightfu...

The Hazard Class Podcast takes a step back to reflect on one year of podcasting. Celebrating the show's first anniversary, he shares behind-the-scenes insights, the journey so far, mental health milestones, and exciting future directions. This episode offers a rare, personal look into the making of the podcast, the powerful impact of its guests, and what’s ahead—including a few intriguing curveballs like Bigfoot and ghost hunters.

In this episode, we welcome Chief Corley Moore, retired battalion chief, author, podcaster, and the mind behind Firehouse Vigilance. Known for his thought leadership in fire service culture, leadership development, and his popular “Weekly Scrap” podcast, Corley shares his personal journey from a young father working dead-end jobs to becoming a leader and voice in the fire service.

This episode is packed with relatable stories, valua...

In this powerful and emotionally charged episode, the host sits down with Josh Shores, a Marine Infantry Combat Veteran, Purple Heart recipient, retired firefighter, and author of the raw and gripping memoir "Counting on Death." Together, they explore Josh's harrowing experiences during the Iraq War, his emotional return to civilian life, his time in the fire service, and his long journey through trauma, identity, and healing.

Wheth...

In this episode of the Hazard Class Podcast, Jake talks with Eric Guida, a retired Fire Captain from Sacramento Fire Department and now Sales Director at HEN Nozzles. With more than 30 years of experience, Eric opens up about his early inspirations, firefighting culture, leadership lessons, and why the future of fireground safety lies in innovation. It’s a candid conversation bridging tradition and technology, with advice that reso...