Leadership And Command Episodes

Dr. Johnny Torgeson opened a top-grossing fitness franchise at 25, served as an Army sergeant, and now commands operations at a federal fire department. Along the way he identified a gap most fire officers never get taught: how to actually build a team, not just staff one.

Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz made history the moment she took office — the first elected Sheriff of Miami-Dade County in nearly sixty years, the first woman to hold the role, and the first Latina sheriff in Florida history. But making history was never the point. What she did next was.

In this episode, David Dachinger and guest co-host Dr. Tracy Hejmanowski sit down with retired Chief Deputy Rosanne Richeal, Trauma-informed Executive Coach, and founder of The Richeal Group, to understand the conditions impacting leadership, performance, and culture in public safety.

Jimmy Van Wattum knows what it’s like to carry the weight of the job long after the shift ends. In this episode, we get inside Jimmy’s story—the pain he couldn’t shake, the breaking point that sent him searching for help, and how he turned raw trauma into a hard-fought promotion.

In this episode, we sit down with Commander Eric Tung, the visionary behind Blue Grit, who’s on a mission to elevate the lives and careers of Law Enforcement Officers. Get ready to delve into the art of resilience—how can we not only strengthen ourselves but also inspire those around us?

In this episode of Responder Resilience's Visionary Leaders Masterclass, Fire Chief Nick Marsan from Westport, CT, shares his mantra: “Mission First, People Always.” This phrase isn’t just a slogan; it’s a guiding principle that can reshape leadership in the fire service.

In this encore presentation of Responder Resilience, we revisit the compelling journey of retired FDNY EMS Chief Lillian Bonsignore, who recently took on the role of Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department.

In this episode, we converse with Dr. Stephanie Conn, a leading expert in police psychology and resilience training for first responders. With nearly three decades of experience, Dr. Conn brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, especially from her newly updated book, "Increasing Resilience in Police & Emergency Personnel."

In this episode, we sit down with Sheriff Michelle Cook from the Clay County, Florida, Sheriff's Office for an eye-opening discussion about the ever-evolving landscape of law enforcement. Sheriff Cook shares her insights on the crucial topics of recruitment and retention within the force, diving deep into the challenges and opportunities that face law enforcement agencies today.

Josh Bitsko was one of three officers who breached the suspect’s room during the 1 October mass shooting in Las Vegas, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. That moment was not just a test of tactics; it was a critical examination of the emotional core of what it truly means to be a first responder.

In this episode, we hear from seven influential FDNY leaders who share their insights on effective leadership, resilience, and wellness.

Get ready to embark on the inspiring journey of Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, the groundbreaking former U.S. Fire Administrator

Join us for a powerful conversation with Retired Fire Chief Patrick J. Kenny, author of “Taking the Cape Off: How to Lead Through Mental Illness, Unimaginable Grief, and Loss.” We peel back the layers of leadership in emergency services and what it truly means to lead with strength and vulnerability.

In this episode, Deputy Chief Thomas Dunne (FDNY, Ret.) unravels the stressors that grip firefighters and fireground officers on critical calls. Chief Dunne shares secrets to maintaining command presence, and for those stepping into the shoes of Incident Commander, he offers wisdom to lead with confidence.

We sit down with Captain Jared Vermeulen of Boca Raton Fire Rescue to unpack critical components of effective leadership and management within the fire service. Captain Vermeulen shares insights from his book, The Modern Fire Officer, offering a roadmap for cultivating a thriving, supportive environment for both fire officers and their teams. Join us for an enlightening conversation that provides practical, actionable insights for fire officers striving to lead with integrity, support their teams, and excel in their roles.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with retired Chief Lillian Bonsignore, a trailblazing 31-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) who served as the FDNY Chief of EMS Operations from 2019-2022, a period that encompassed the harrowing COVID-19 pandemic. As the highest-ranking Officer in the EMS command and the first female to achieve a 4-star rank in the history of FDNY, Chief Bonsignore's career is a testament to resilience, leadership, and breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.

In this compelling episode, we dive into the heart of firefighter wellness with Kory Pearn—Publisher, Editor-In-Chief, and CEO of CRACKYL Media Inc. Kory is a 20-year veteran firefighter, industry author, and keynote speaker. His mission? To shine a light on the wellness challenges that come with the territory and to teach others how to thrive, not just survive, in this high-stakes profession.

This week's episode is a wild ride into the heart of leadership with Dr. Candace Ashby, Battalion Chief of the Indianapolis Fire Department. Dr. Ashby dives deep into the essence of "Bottom Up" leadership, revealing how the rank and file can make a difference.

Join us as we converse with Hi Nguyen, a former officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police turned Leadership Coach, exploring the critical role of leadership training for frontline supervisors. We'll uncover how effective leadership techniques not only enhance team performance, but also bolster mental health and boost retention rates.

Tune in to this new episode as we explore the mental health challenges faced by first responders, through the lens of Captain Chris Moore's personal and professional experiences with post-traumatic stress. He discusses Adverse Childhood Experiences Scores (ACES), alcohol use, faith in the fire service, and the Save a Warrior program. Captain Moore emphasizes the importance of comprehensive mental health care and community support for recovery.

Ready to take your career to the next level and achieve that long-awaited promotion? We welcome Al Pratts, Deputy Chief and Chief of Special Operations at North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue and delve deep into the intricate relationship between the first responder promotional process and mental health.

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Anthony Perez, the Fire Chief of Pasco County, Florida.

Guest co-host Captain Rom Duckworth joins us on the latest episode of Responder Resilience as we sit down with Battalion Chief Dena Ali from the Raleigh (NC) Fire Department. Chief Ali shares valuable insights on how to cultivate resilience as leaders, and approach conversations with those who are struggling.

🔥 In this episode of Responder Resilience podcast, we have a special guest - FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Frank Leeb. 🚒 He's the author of the best-selling book "Cornerstones of Leadership - On And Off The Fireground."