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 or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.

FEATURED EPISODES

Fitness & Health

Dr. Glenn Landry: Firefighters can ‘shock the system’ back to a healthy sleep routine

The sleep expert details three factors to manage within the shift work system to maintain proper day/night sleep signals

January 04, 2024 11:12 AM

Better Every Shift Podcast

‘The podcast of misfit firefighters’ team reflects on 2023

December 28, 2023 10:46 AM

Legal Issues

Curt Varone: Beware the ‘human equivalent of a lightweight wood truss building’

December 21, 2023 11:07 AM

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

Search and Rescue

‘The impact is generational’: An award-winning rescue provides perspective

May 02, 2024 12:16 PM

MORE EPISODES

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

Better Every Shift Podcast

Super Bowl showtime: How Glendale fire crews are preparing for the big game

Captain Ashley Losch explains the endless coordination at play, identifies the biggest hurdles ahead, and even spills a little big game tea

January 31, 2023 10:59 PM

Better Every Shift Podcast

January rear-view: Hamlin ‘takes,’ tattoo controversy, giving life beyond death

The big stories, hot takes and moments that moved us from the month

January 25, 2023 11:36 AM

Leadership

Chief Tim Sendelbach: ‘This profession can’t afford the status quo’

The Loveland, Colo., chief shares lessons from his time in media and urges leaders to maintain forward progress for their organizations

January 18, 2023 01:19 AM

Mental Health

Battalion Chief Dena Ali: ‘You can’t leave your baggage at the door’

The Raleigh firefighter and peer support advocate explains her perspective on healthy boundaries, therapy and why connection is life-sustaining

January 11, 2023 04:24 PM

Better Every Shift Podcast

‘Royal Rumble’ of firefighter fitness: Zam goes head-to-head with Dan Kerrigan and Jim Moss

‘Pull up your jogging pants and take some notes’ because the three fitness experts offer actionable tips for health in the new year

December 31, 2022 05:56 PM

Better Every Shift Podcast

2022 in review: ‘Words of the year,’ major incidents that hit hard, uplifting moments

Tackling the mixed bag of electric vehicle coverage and whether we need a fire service “reset,” plus what’s ahead for 2023

December 19, 2022 06:24 PM

Better Every Shift Podcast

Chief Josh Waldo: ‘You’re only going to grow when you get uncomfortable’

The Bozeman fire chief shares tips for getting buy-in from FD leadership, the gut-check moment that changed his career, and his hopes for his new IAFC role

December 13, 2022 06:52 PM

Better Every Shift Podcast

Chief Reggie Freeman: ‘I refused to be the weakest link’

The former Oakland fire chief talks lifelong learning, the biggest challenge of his career, plus ‘calculated aggression,’ future book titles and pet peeves

December 01, 2022 10:45 AM

Better Every Shift Podcast

Better Every Shift Podcast

Dr. Sara Jahnke on data-driven change: ‘You have to give early, easy wins’

The fire service scientist details her newest adventure, the Science Alliance, plus how to make data accessible at the station level

December 01, 2022 10:41 AM

Better Every Shift Podcast

FDNY’s Frank Leeb: ‘We can do better. Start today.’

The deputy chief talks ‘30 Fires You Must Know,’ learning from the Twin Parks fire, his best advice, plus his favorite firehouse meals

December 01, 2022 10:19 AM

Better Every Shift Podcast

Better Every Shift Podcast

Submit a question, comment or show idea to the Better Every Shift podcast

What do you want Zam and the team to discuss on the Better Every Shift podcast?

November 28, 2022 06:31 PM

Better Every Shift Podcast

FireRescue1 launches Better Every Shift podcast

Hosted by Firefighter Aaron Zamzow, the show spotlights the passion and perseverance of firefighters and how they can strive to be better every call, every day, every shift

November 28, 2022 01:49 PM

Leadership

FireRescue1 launches Better Every Shift podcast

November 28, 2022 01:41 PM