Better Every Shift Podcast

Spotlighting the passion and perseverance of firefighters, the Better Every Shift Podcast helps all firefighters get better every day, every call, every shift.

Hosted by Madison (Wisconsin) Fire Lieutenant Aaron Zamzow and FireRescue1 Editor-in-Chief Janelle Foskett, the show brings kitchen table conversations to the airwaves, always focused on solutions, positivity and the realities of station life. Zamzow and guests tackle myriad hot topics, fire service news, plus a dash of pop culture, bringing some levity to the often very serious nature of the profession. Dig into what drives firefighters to improve themselves, their crew, even the fire service as a whole. Listen in to get better every day, every call, every shift.

New episodes of the Better Every Shift podcast launch every Thursday on FireRescue1.com as well as major podcast platforms. A video version of the podcast will air on YouTube.

Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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MOST POPULAR EPISODES

Better Every Shift Podcast

‘Have a date on the calendar’: Joe De Sena’s pro-tip for staying motivated

February 22, 2024 11:33 AM

Better Every Shift Podcast

‘We’re going (100 miles per week) streaking!’ with firefighter/ultra-runner Andy Glaze

March 21, 2024 01:49 PM

Education & Training

Rocco Alvaro: ‘Once you stop developing others, it’s time for you to leave’

February 08, 2024 11:16 AM

Better Every Shift Podcast

Chief Bryan Frieders: We need Super Bowl-level efforts to conquer cancer

February 15, 2024 11:10 AM

Better Every Shift Podcast

‘You saved Hawkeye’: Inside the Jeremy Renner snowplow incident response

March 07, 2024 12:33 PM

Better Every Shift Podcast

‘Build your band’: Country music star Frank Ray on the power of peer support

March 14, 2024 12:15 PM

MORE EPISODES

Better Every Shift Podcast

‘The better we are, the better we serve’: Common themes from 40 shows

Zam takes the “who said it?” challenge to highlight some of the best advice from fire service leaders

August 30, 2023 06:57 PM

Risk Management

‘It’s the same circus with different clowns’: Gordon Graham talks universal FD problems

The risk management expert says too many firefighters are unaware of the issues facing the entire industry

August 23, 2023 10:51 PM

Personal Protective Equipment

Chief John Oates: “Can we just retire the ‘it’s a generational thing’ mindset?”

The IPSDI CEO argues that labeling firefighters by arbitrary birth years is unfair, too convenient and shortchanges the conversation around individuality

August 13, 2023 04:55 PM

What Firefighters Want

‘We can’t read your mind’: Ben Thompson urges firefighters to speak up about stress

The battalion chief addresses a worrying statistic about the impact of stress level on firefighters’ day-to-day work

August 09, 2023 07:22 PM

Leadership

‘Make THIS place better’: Kris Kazian’s advice to frustrated firefighters

The chief urges firefighters to quit wishing for a better situation and take action to develop future leaders

July 31, 2023 01:55 PM

Entertainment

LACoFD firefighter details the ‘surreal experience’ appearing on ‘LA Fire & Rescue’

Firefighter-Paramedic Mike Anderson shares what it was like having his work life chronicled for NBC’s new show – and the playful razzing that followed

July 24, 2023 08:41 PM

Fitness & Health

‘Human risk reduction’: Todd LeDuc’s focus on firefighter health

The chief details the biggest firefighter health and wellness risks and offers simple ways to build accountability

July 19, 2023 05:56 PM

Leadership

Dr. Candace Ashby: ‘The company officer is more powerful than any fire chief’

The Indianapolis battalion chief highlights the power of company officers to quash negativity

July 12, 2023 05:54 PM

Leadership

Chief Jim Keiken: ‘You have to periodically reinvent yourself’

The IFSI director – who is also responsible for unleashing Zam on the world – highlights how to stay engaged and current in your learning

July 05, 2023 04:07 PM

Leadership

Corley Moore: ‘If you’re not having fun doing this job, you are doing it wrong’

The battalion chief talks passion for the job, fighting complacency, empowering your leaders, and the difference between being right and being effective

June 28, 2023 02:49 PM

Search and Rescue

‘A flowchart mindset’: UL FSRI researchers talk dynamic decisions on the fireground

Keith Stakes and Craig Weinschenk detail new FSRI research focused on search and rescue tactics in single-story single-family residential structures

June 20, 2023 05:46 PM

Lithium-ion battery fires

Lithium-ion battery fires: A ‘relevant, recent and important’ challenge for firefighters

Deputy Chief Darin Wallentine details this year’s Firefighter Safety Stand Down theme, from EVs to e-bikes and beyond

June 14, 2023 03:21 PM

Family & Home

The Goldfeders: ‘The fire service has been wonderful to this family’

Billy and Brian Goldfeder share their insights on prioritizing family amid such passions for fire service life

June 06, 2023 03:27 PM

NFFF

‘It’s an honor’: Victor Stagnaro on his new role as NFFF CEO

The chief highlights the immense responsibility, plus the importance of support, that comes with his new role at the Foundation

May 30, 2023 07:39 PM

Better Every Shift Podcast

‘Attack every situation’: Vince Bettinazzi shares shift expectations

The Myrtle Beach (S.C.) training chief talks go/no-go decision-making, plus creating a culture that prioritizes action

May 24, 2023 09:26 PM

Fire-based EMS

Chris Cebollero: ‘We need to reverse the organizational chart’ in EMS

The EMS leader and advocate emphasizes putting the workforce at the top, with leaders giving them every opportunity to succeed

May 17, 2023 08:02 PM

Education & Training

Nick Martin: ‘When the bell rings, it’s game time’

The Salisbury (N.C.) division chief shares the origins of his training focus, his personal evolution on the job, and what it means to be “combat ready”

May 10, 2023 10:29 PM

FDIC: North America’s Largest Fire Event

FDIC 2023 playback: Reliving the chaos, appreciating the connections

Highlighting the best moments of the show, from memorable “hallway run-ins” to attention-getting exhibits and non-stop special events

May 03, 2023 10:21 PM

Leadership

Chief Randy Bruegman: ‘Nothing good happens without a plan’

The fire chief – and longtime strategic-thinker – urges firefighters to develop their 1-, 3- and 5-year game plans

April 22, 2023 05:34 PM

Level Up Your Mayday Training

‘Crawl. Walk. Run’: Andy Beck details smart mayday training

The training officer explains the physiological response during a mayday incident and why training that’s too difficult can build problematic habits

April 17, 2023 04:58 PM

Better Every Shift Podcast

Jonathan Tate: ‘I know I’m supposed to bring healthier meals into the firehouse’

The DC firefighter and founder of Food on the Stove shares the impetus for building the nonprofit and offers simple nutrition tips

April 12, 2023 08:51 PM

Better Every Shift Podcast

Chief Ron Siarnicki: ‘Leave it better than you found it’

With his retirement nearing, the NFFF’s executive director reflects on the Foundation’s evolution and the profound connections he’s made along the way

April 05, 2023 09:37 PM

Leadership

Chief John Salka: ‘Spend more time at home’

The retired FDNY battalion chief underscores that while being into the job is great, finding balance in your life ultimately makes you a better firefighter

March 22, 2023 05:41 PM

First Responder Wellness Week

The Healthy 10: How to define a healthy firefighter

Chief Marc Bashoor joins a special live Better Every Shift to discuss what it really means to be a healthy firefighter

March 17, 2023 07:41 PM

Leadership

Dr. David Griffin: ‘The success in my life has come from the worst day of my life’

The Charleston, S.C., chief reflects on his journey from the trauma of the Sofa Super Store fire tragedy to finding – and living – his growth-focused mission

March 14, 2023 05:55 PM

Electric Vehicles & Fire Apparatus

Electric vehicle fires: Products, strategies and the power of time

From ‘let it burn’ to full submersion, Captain Patrick Durham explains the continuum of extinguishment approaches

March 07, 2023 12:05 PM

Better Every Shift Podcast

‘We need to walk the walk’: Leaders face off in wellness competition

Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, Chief Erik Gabliks, Dr. Sara Jahnke and Chief Bryan Frieders hope to inspire health-focused action – and talk some serious smack along the way

February 28, 2023 04:57 PM

Better Every Shift Podcast

Jason Patton: ‘Nothing comes natural to me at all’

The first firefighter-influencer of the modern era shares how his early speaking nerves transformed into a love of making comedy videos

February 22, 2023 07:54 PM

Family & Home

‘Don’t do that!’: A first responder therapist signals common relationship red flags

Dr. Rachelle Zemlok – who is also married to a fire captain – details the ‘4 horsemen’ of the firefighter-relationship apocalypse, plus how to avoid conflict escalation

February 15, 2023 10:53 AM

Recruitment and Retention

Chief Jason Caughey: ‘Everything we do is about people’

The Laramie County fire chief tackles recruitment and retention misses, organizational tempo and fostering a culture of critical thinking

February 03, 2023 11:47 PM