Firefighter Nation Podcast Network’s

Navigating FDIC: Training, Learning, and Networking in Indy

A major conference like FDIC isn't just about the training—it’s an excuse to fully embrace being a firefighter. On this episode of The Revolutionaries, hosts John Velez and Preston Lyons discuss navigating the ins and outs of of the Indianapolis, Indiana, show. They explore how for many in the fire service, training at the station is a constant battle against the next lift assist or fire alarm. At FDIC, you're able to get hours of uninterrupted focus, learn directly from experts, and explore new methods. Velez and Lyons detail "H.O.T." classes, upcoming lectures, and the value of networking at an event where you're surrounded by people with similar goals and interests.
 
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Sparking Change in Firehouse Culture: Are You Vent Limited or Fuel Controlled?

Is your firehouse culture vent limited or fuel controlled? In this installment of Igniting the Shift Within, host David Dachinger sits down with Dr. Candace Ashby, a battalion chief for the Indianapolis Fire Department. Ashby is a 35-year career firefighter and doctor of organizational leadership who pulls no punches.She calls out the broken cycle of officer promotion, the soft skills gap nobody wants to talk about, and why the us-versus-them blame culture starts and ends with company officers. Plus, Ashby shares three tactical take aways to sharpen your health, performance, and leadership. If you're ready to start owning your circle of influence, this one's for you.
 
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National Survey: Cancer-Related Fatigue in the Fire Service

Firefighters are used to being tired after a long shift, but cancer-related fatigue is a different beast entirely. On this episode of Frontline Findings, Rachel Bozek speaks with Nick Buoncristiani to discuss his research study, "Examining Cancer-Related Fatigue Prevalence Among Firefighters in Cancer Remission." The study's focus is on the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that lingers long after cancer treatment ends. During the discussion, Buoncristiani describes his efforts to understand how this fatigue impacts career and volunteer firefighters in remission and the national survey that is fueling this research.
 
Who’s eligible for the survey?
Current or retired U.S. structural firefighters with a previous cancer diagnosis. Participants must have completed all cancer treatment and are currently in remission. Participants must be at least 18 years old.
 
Funding for this project was provided by the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
 
Survey link: https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_55f99NvLzudLE0e
 
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Inside FDIC’s New Health & Wellness Stage at Lucas Oil Stadium

What's on tap at the new LOS Health & Wellness Stage at FDIC 2026? Hosts Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux speak with Firefighter Nation Editor in Chief Stephanie White to find out. On this episode of We Can't Believe They Gave Us a Show, they discuss schedules, panels, and speakers. The conversation covers the topics guests will cover at the Health & Wellness Stage, including hypervigilance in the fire service, leadership isolation, impostor syndrome, nutrition, and training. During this episode, the panel also gets into topics including female firefighter health, peer support, department culture, and medical marijuana policy.
 
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Frontline Wellness, Act of Kindness, and the Kitchen Table Movement

On this episode of The C.A.N. Report, host Mike Goldstein speaks with Louis Cimino about frontline wellness, leadership, and the Kitchen Table Foundation's outreach in Arkansas. Cimino explains how small acts, a smile, a conversation, a shared table, and practical habits protect mental, physical, social and occupational health. He describes the Foundation's effort to build regional "tables," connecting first responders to peer support and counseling services. During the discussion, they discuss lessons learned from career trauma, workplace toxicity, and generational shifts in the workforce. They also outline how to reduce isolation and balance duty with self-care.
 
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Gut Check: Practical, Shift-Friendly Digestive Strategies

Is your gut healthy? Dietitian Callie Roseland joins host Megan Lautz to discuss what "gut health" actually means on this episode of Fueling Fire. Roseland dives into digestive tract basics and addresses what is normal versus what is a red flag when it comes to bloating, gas, and bathroom habits. They get into how shift work, under-fueling, dehydration, stress, and medications can wreck your gut over time. Roseland explains how to support gut health in ways that fit the reality of first-responder life. They also cover the microbiome, prebiotics, and when to seek clinical testing and care.

Preventing Burnout: Real‑World Recovery for First Responders

What does burnout look like? On this episode of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka and guest AK Dozanti discuss Dozanti's journey from law enforcement to becoming an author and speaker on burnout prevention. They explore mental health, trauma recovery, and Dozanti's ongoing efforts to support first responders and their families. They also talk about burnout, the recovery process, and the books and other resources Dozanti has created for first responders. Dozanti shares details about her recent Audible narration of her book and her new radio segment, The Thin Line Rock Station. 

What Does Training Need to Include in the Fire Service?

Host Scott Hewlett and guest Matthew Lysy, a firefighter/paramedic with Prince George’s County (MD) Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, detail their journeys into firefighting, early career influences, personal mentors, and work ethic. On this episode of Multiple Calls, they discuss mental health, with Hewlett detailing how a sudden stay in the ICU led him to therapy, and how to focus on mental well-being. They argue that training must include sleep, recovery, decision making, and leadership development. Hewlett explains how he blends practical fireground tactics with human performance. He talks about the importance of visiting firehouses nationwide to raise standards, improve retention, and build resilient crews.

How a Coffee Break Can Improve Your Mental Health

Hosts Dan DeGryse and Chris Muscle welcome Luke Schneider to Mental Health Monthly for a conversation about mental health stigmas, the power of vulnerability, balancing family and work, and staying steady under pressure. Schneider details his decade of service, opening Fire Department Coffee, and entrepreneurship. They explore how the simplest interventions, like sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee, can rebuild human connection and reduce isolation for first responders. Schneider explains why he prefers action over limelight and how small rituals restore purpose after trauma.

The Long Shadow of One Call

On this episode of Five After Midnight, host and Firefighter Nation Editor in Chief Stephanie White and her husband, Billy Hux, deliver a raw, personal, and honest conversation about mental health in the fire service. Hux recounts a traumatic 1999 call in Virginia—the death of a colleague, a botched immediate debrief, and its long-term effects on careers and relationships. The two examine the challenges of critical incident stress management (CISM) and peer support. They also make a case for simpler, human-first responses. They explore how small, unglamorous acts build trust, why the right peer-support leader matters, and how sensory triggers can reopen memories years after the fact.