The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast

Joined on this episode by the one and only Jake Ryks, and here is a taste of the talking points we we’re planning to cover: the importance of training, inspiring the next generation to care, taking pride in the job, recruitment and retention, when it’s time to promote, what it means to truly be a “master firefighter,” department morale, leading by example, and what it means to be “the senior man.”

We’ll also talk about fir...

There is not a more sacred number in the United States Fire service than 343 and I did not want to treat this as just another episode. With this year marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, it was important to approach Episode #343 with respect and honor. 

So with that said - this will be MEGA SCRAP FDNY! 

I will be joined by three of FDNY's best: Tom Richardson, Joe Jardin and Frank Leeb. Together they bring m...

Joined this week by Mr. Fully Involved himself, the one and only Mark vonAppen.  It promises to be an awesome conversation as one of my most influential mentors comes back on the Scrap!  We discuss how decisions made at the mid-level shape culture, trust, and long-term performance within organizations. How he likes to  emphasizes accountability without ego, discipline without arrogance, and the idea that credibility is built throug...

Joined this week by the one and only Chris Watson.  It was an interesting conversation for sure! We dove deep into transferring knowledge, not just skills. The big question: Are we really doing enough for the next generation of firefighters? Mentoring and how much he learned from his mentors and how that impacted him to pass it on. Chris is also passionate about sharing knowledge beyond the firehouse, especially with the public - a...

Joined this week by the one and only Phil Jose.
The first time Phil came on the show, I was out of the country and had Rob Fisher step in as guest host.  I enjoyed listening to that Scrap so much and knew I had to bring Phil back for another round. We talk a lot about tactical decision games, and the lessons he has learned after building and running them for years. The pitfalls to avoid and the best ways to go about setting up ...

Joining us this week is the editor-in-chief himself, Chief David Rhodes!  The number 339 holds deep significance for Rhodes, and we unpack what it means to him. We dive into the nuts-and-bolts… and where this philosophy comes from as well as how he uses it to guide his personal decision making.  No discussion with Chief Rhodes would be complete without checking in on the big show and what all he has planned for FDIC this year, and ...

Joined this week by Groovy himself, Chad Gruver and if you know Chad you know this was an interesting and wild conversation. We discuss Engine work, and how he builds and maintains the culture he desires. We  discuss charities and how a bunch of bad ass seals and bad ass firefighters have done a lot of badass things to make a difference in a lot of lives. Of course, Chad has had his own “Oh shit!  Life slapping you in the face!” ty...

Joined on this episode of the Weekly Scrap by none other than Zach King! This scrap has been a long time in the making and it finally happened.  We had a lot of conversations centered around the word importance!  The importance of having a plan. The importance of visualization of those plans. The importance of understanding that we do not always have tomorrow! The importance of the human element as it pertains to our future success...

Second half of the kickoff 2026 double header!!!!  Joined on this episode by the one and only James Nisbet, and it promises to be a doozy! We plan to discuss getting beyond the pre-connect. The purpose of the first line. Supporting search as the engine. The purpose of system based actions as the engine company (don’t know what this means but it’s provocative) Of course all of our plans as is always the case, will be derailed by the...

Joined on this unique episode by Cody Maine, and I was excited to have him on for this topic, because I believe it is the future of emergency services and an answer worth exploring. Cody has been on the forefront of implementing Mobile Integrated health in his department and in his state and he is passionate about it’s value to the community and the line firefighters. The audience showed up with their questions and it was a very in...

Joined on this episode by the one and only Chief Rick Lasky for the annual year-end episode of the Weekly Scrap!  It was his third time to come on the show to close out the year and I was excited to look back on 2025 in the fire service and field all of the questions from the audience, and they did not disappoint. Chief Lasky unleashed his passion for the job and took us to church in an amazing episode that I promise will leave you...

Joined this week by the one and only Anthony “AC” Casanas, and it was an amazing conversation! We started out by discussing firehouse culture and how he learned all about it long before he was ever a firefighter.  Why younger members need something real to emulate, and how social media can be either an incredible tool or an incredible hindrance. And so much more! Of course all of this was beautifully derailed by the amazing questio...

Joined this week by the one and only Kyle Shuford, and we kicked it off by discussing getting outside your bubble to train and why it matters.   Remembering the why. Work-life balance, mental health and staying in love with the job. How passion and leadership go hand in hand in the greatest job on earth. Of course all of this is just what we had planned and it was derailed by the beautiful questions from the audience to make sure w...

Joined this week by the one and only Ian Schulte, and I had an awesome time having this conversation. We open up with a discussion of being good versus looking good and it only went up from there!  We talked about leadership and mentorship in the fire service. Recruitment, training and setting the standard. Balancing education and On-the-job experience, and of course firehouse culture and morale!  All of this plus the usual beautif...

Joined this week by the one and only Dave Quick. We get nerdy and talk about all things engine, hose, leadership and tactics. We start with the NFPA as Dave explains what we are getting right and wrong. The importance of the “Engine Boss” and what the title really means. The Engine company "urgents"… how to identify and rectify these issues at the pump panel. Of course no discussion with Dave would be complete without ner...

Joined on this episode by two awesome guests. One of my favorite people on the planet in Chief Frank Leeb, and the other one that I am excited to meet and have an awesome conversation with in Kory Pearn.  We plan to talk about all the issues that can blindside us in the fire-service. The mission of Crackyl magazine.  Cancer, Cardiac, Physical fitness. How can we ensure that a young firefighter becomes an old firefighter! an informa...

Joined on this episode by the one and only Andrew Johnston and it was an amazing episode.  We discussed the project that Andrew has been the lead on for the last year... the Work of Search and how it is almost ready to be unveiled. We plan to discuss Andrew's wheelhouse... all about drilling and the difference between training and Drilling.  Of course the best laid plans of me and the guest are always beautifully derailed by t...

Joined on this episode by none other than Paul Watlington—fireground tactician, company officer mentor, and all-around training junkie. We’re diving into the engineer position and what the fire service is getting right and what it is getting wrong. We’ll talk about the mindset it takes to run a high-performing engine company, how to keep your edge without burning out, and the fine art of staying humble while still owning the room. ...