Welcome to the latest installment of The Kitchen Table podcast's 'Self-Help Series'. This episode features our own Captain Juliet Draper and 'Her Majesty' Pam as they share personal stories of addiction, recovery, and resilience. Training Chief Justin White hosts the Drapers for 90 minutes of thought-provoking, heartfelt conversation focused on self-care and destigmatizing a problem impacting our peers.

This episode is an experiment with something different.  It’s called the “Quick Hits” series.  These will be short conversations about a specific topic and will last no longer than 20 minutes.  Let us know what you think. This episode Justin White sits down with Lieutenant Brian Lynch to discuss the value of 360 Size Ups.  They get into what there're for, why we do them, and how they should be completed.  This is truly one of the most valuable actions that must be taken on each and every structure fire. So come join us at the Kitchen Table.  Sit down, enjoy, and be ready to learn a little bit about 360 Size Ups.

Leader of Character (S3, E1) - There are plenty of leadership speakers and authors available who tell all who will listen what they need to be a great leader.  Often times, however, these leadership guru’s don’t provide their students the things they need to do to practice the skills needed to be that effective leader.  In this episode we talk with author Dave Anderson who has written a book that not only describes the traits needed by great leaders, but also provides direction on how to create, exercise, and nurture those traits.  Mr. Anderson wrote his book Becoming a Leader of Character with his father, General James Anderson.  Both are graduates of the Military Academy at West Point.  General Anderson spent 41 years leading members of the US Army, while Dave took a different path after serving eight years in the Army.  Dave left the Army to lead teams in the private sector in a Fortune 50 company.  With a good blend of military and civilian experience Dave and his father provide a practical approach to leadership that can help even experienced leaders become more effective.   Sit down, enjoy, and be ready to learn a little about leadership and how to practice becoming a leader of character; one that is a respected and effective member of the team.

Sometimes life throws us curveballs…Sometime we reach our goals and fulfill our dreams just to have them ripped away by unfortunate circumstances.  At that time we have we have two choices: give up, back down and become miserable or Ruck On finding new ways to live happy, healthy, and successful lives. In this episode we talk to former Army Officer Joe Kramer.  Joe grew up dreaming of following in his father’s footsteps from attending the Military Academy at West Point into a long career in the Special Forces.  Unfortunately, Joe received significant hearing damage during his Army career and had to be medically discharged effectively ending his lifelong dream.  From there Joe realized that he had along time left to live and a lot to live for with a young family which needed to be provided for.  Joe found another career in the medical sales industry and is now using the leadership skills taught to him by the Army to create successful teams in private industry. Come sit down at the Kitchen Table and have a listen, be ready to learn, and discover how one man turned bad luck into a valuable life lesson we can all learn from. Music: Doozey – Instrumental Version by Oliver Dodge Ace High by Nick Poss Bluerock by Cayson Renshaw As always, this music can be found on artlist.io as well as all major music streaming platforms and youtube.com.

Being a firefighter, a first responder, is a job full of stress.  Stress from running alarms. Stress from training.  Stress from not sleeping at work (and at home).  All this stress can compound the stress associated with everyday life and lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideations.  The stress from this job and life in general is real as are the physical and mental toll that compounds over time.  We’re not talking about a specific traumatic event that happens once in a lifetime.  We are talking about exposure to stress for significantly long periods of time…sometimes for 10, 20, 30, or more years. The first thing we as firefighters need to recognize is that our stress has a significant impact on us.  The second thing is that we need to have enough awareness and courage to do something about it; we need to be ready to either offer help or ask for help whatever the case maybe. On this episode we sit down with Dr. Judith Long and Driver Engineer John Giacoma to discuss the problem of suicide in the fire service community.  The conversation is raw, vulnerable, and a bit dark.  Be that as it may, this is the first step to bringing this topic into the light allowing us to accept it as a normal reaction to the compounding stress that builds upon us through our everyday life both inside and outside the fire station.  We also discuss the signs and symptoms of the stress related disorders that lead to suicide and most importantly the steps you can take to get help. Come sit down at the Kitchen Table and have a listen.  Be ready to learn, be ready to give help when someone needs it, and be ready to ask for help when you need it. Resources discussed in the Podcast and another related to first responder suicide: Ruderman: Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders NFFF: Everyone Goes Home - 13. Psychological Support   Music For This Episode: Opening – Daybreak Ritual by Sand Diver Out the Door – The World Inside by Rodello’s Machine   As always, this music can be found on artlist.io as well as all major music streaming platforms and youtube.com.   If you have any topics that you would like us to discuss, please contact either Josh or I in the Training Division.  You can either participate in creating the Podcast or we can put it together on our own.  Also, we would be more than happy to come to your station to sit down at your kitchen table and talk about whatever is on your mind.   Thank you all for listening and we hope to hear from you soon.

Anthony Kastros is a 32-year veteran of the fire service and a retired Battalion Chief with SacramentoMetro Fire District.Chief Kastros was personally affected by a fatal fire early in his career which fueled his desire to improvehis command and control skills. Through this event, he discovered not only a desire to improve himself,but also a passion and desire to teach others with the hope that they would not have to have the sameexperience he did.Chief Kastros has written many books including Mastering the Fire Service Assessment and MasteringFireground Command – Calm the Chaos. Though we do not dive too deeply into these booksspecifically, we do briefly discuss them within the context of leadership as well as the how and why weneed to continuously improve our skills.Chief Kastros demonstrates his passion for the fire service through a wide-variety of experiences, greatstorytelling, and a genuine interest in making the fire service better one person at a time…in essence, hetruly cares about people.If you are interested in Chief Kastros’ online or in-person workshops you can visit his website attrainfirefighters.com. His books are available at fireengineeringbooks.com/anthony-kastros/.Come sit down at the Kitchen Table have a listen, be ready to learn, and be invigorated by the energy ofBattalion Chief Anthony Kastros!Music For This Episode:Intro – El Monte by Luke MelvilleInto Interview – We Will Get There – Short Version A by Dan AyalonOut of Interview – Circles – Instrumental Version by Adam TurleyOut the Door – Help Me Stand by John CogginsAs always, this music can be found on artlist.io as well as all major music streaming platforms andyoutube.com.If you have any topics that you would like us to discuss, please contact either Josh or I in the TrainingDivision. You can either participate in creating the Podcast or we can put it together on our own. Also,we would be more than happy to come to your station to sit down at your kitchen table and talk aboutwhatever is on your mind.Thank you all for listening and we hope to hear from you soon.

Many consider ice hockey to be the ultimate team game. A culture developed over 100 yearsemphasizes that no one is above the game, the team comes first, and the term “we” instead of “I” ismost used whenever players discuss the game.The fire service attracts people from all walks of life; it truly is a direct reflection of the community.Many who join the fire service have been involved and/or enjoy athletics for the “team” aspect itprovides. In the fire department we work and live in teams. Though not as high profile as major sportsthe team aspect of our job is just as important.This episode we look outside of the fire service family to gain some insight and perspective onleadership. We are joined by Topher Scott and Jeff Lovecchio of the Hockey Think Tank podcast; twoformer high level hockey players who have a passion for leadership and team building.Topher Scott is a consultant who works with clients across the country to up their leadership and teambuilding skill and ability. Topher played NCAA Division 1 ice hockey at Cornell and has been on all sidesof the game including player, coach, and scout. He shows a great understanding and a deepappreciation of leadership and how it effects the game that he has been a part of his whole life.Jeff Lovecchio has a great love for leadership and how it effects our everyday lives. He has playedhockey at the highest level by playing NCAA Division 1 ice hockey at Western Michigan and 10 yearsprofessionally including time with the National Hockey League’s Boston Bruins. Jeff has built a sterlingreputation using mental and physical fitness to assist his clients in reaching new heights.If you would like to speak to Jeff about personal or group leadership and team building, you can reachhim at thehockeythinktank.com. To get a hold of Jeff to talk about all that he offers to help bothathletes and Average Joes with physical fitness, direct message him on Instagram at @jefflovecchio. Youcan also access his workouts using the Train Heroic app on your phone.Come sit down at the Kitchen Table and have a listen, be ready to learn, and discover some of thedifferences between high level athletics and fire service leadership…I’m sure you’ll find many things thatare the same as well!!! Music For This Episode:Intro – JB by Ido MaimonInto Interview – Grinding Bones by CustomMelodyOut of Interview – Gotta Keep Goin’ by MILANOOut the Door – Big Leagues by Vic SageAs always, this music can be found on artlist.io as well as all major music streaming platforms andyoutube.com. If you have any topics that you would like us to discuss, please contact either Josh or I in the TrainingDivision. You can either participate in creating the Podcast or we can put it together on our own. Also,we would be more than happy to come to your station to sit down at your kitchen table and talk aboutwhatever is on your mind. Thank you all for listening and we hope to hear from you soon.