Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast

#57. What It Really Means to Be a Professional

We throw the word professional around a lot in the fire service. But are we truly approaching the job with a professional mindset?In this episode, we explore the transition from amateur to professional—what it takes, what it really means, and how to apply those lessons on and off the job. Inspired by The Way of the Champion by Paul Rabil, we break down the mindset shifts that separate those who show up from those who excel.What You’ll Learn:🔥 The difference between getting paid and thinking like a pro 🔥 How to apply elite athlete preparation to firefighting 🔥 Why self-assessment (and even game film) should be part of your routine 🔥 The professional mindset beyond the job—home life, recovery, and personal growthIf you're serious about sharpening your edge and leveling up, this episode is for you.Resources Mentioned: (Some of these might be affiliate links)📖 The Way of the Champion – Paul Rabil📖 Turning Pro – Steven PressfieldJoin the Conversation!If this episode hit home, share it with a crew member or drop us a message—how do you define professionalism in the fire service?👉 Don’t forget to rate, review, and follow the show so you never miss a new episode.Stay smart, The Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast

#56. Firefighter Wellness, Resilience, and Crackyl Magazine with Kory Pearn

What happens when we stop focusing just on the job and start taking care of the person behind the gear? This week’s podcast answers that question in a big way.I sat down with Kory Pearn, firefighter and founder of Crackyl Magazine, to talk about building resilient firefighters and tackling the challenges that impact us beyond the calls. Kory’s got an incredible story—one shaped by health scares, years in the fire service, and a mission to put firefighters first.🔥 Here’s what we dive into:The Seven Pillars of Wellness—Kory breaks down the areas that actually impact your well-being, from mental health to finances.Why It’s Not Just About the Job: How we can stay sharp, connected, and present both at work and at home.Teachable Moments: Kory’s insights on leadership, peer support, and how a simple phone call can change everything.Crackyl Magazine’s Mission: A free resource built to challenge, inspire, and support firefighters everywhere.This episode hits home for anyone who’s ever struggled to balance work, life, and the weight of the job. Kory reminds us that firefighting isn’t just about showing up—it’s about showing up whole.Want to dive deeper? Check these references mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)Crackyl Magazine Digital or Print Version Here!​Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​​​Reading is a necessary part of growth. Here is a list we compiled for you to help get you started!​​Guiding Principles Download​​FFC Podcast Episode #46: Firefighter Syndrome Could It Be Affecting You Too?

#55. Building Resilient Firefighters with Captain Dani Landholm

Join us as we dive into the world of training, leadership, and resilience with Captain Danielle Landholm of the Omaha Fire Department.Dani brings a wealth of experience, from her beginnings as a volunteer firefighter to leading innovative changes in fire academies. She’s a trailblazer in cultivating meaningful training experiences that focus not just on skill but also on building resilient, well-rounded firefighters.🔥 Here’s what we cover in this episode:The Journey of Leadership: Dani’s story of navigating challenging calls, burnout, and her pivotal career shift to the training division.Redefining Training: How Omaha Fire Department’s academy incorporates collaboration, hands-on EMS days, and cultural preparation for recruits.The Human Element: How to balance high standards with empathy, creating recruits who excel on the job while staying grounded at home.Guiding Principles: Learn how Captain Landholm uses introspection and the Guiding Principles framework to foster resilience and self-awareness in recruits.Whether you’re an academy instructor, a recruit, or a seasoned firefighter, this episode is packed with actionable insights that’ll make you rethink how we approach growth in the fire service.Want to dive deeper? Check these references mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)​Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​​​Reading is a necessary part of growth. Here is a list we compiled for you to help get you started!​​Guiding Principles Download​​FFC Podcast Episode #40: Designing Relevant Training with Cpt Ian BennettCpt Landholm can be reached at: danielle.landholm@cityofomaha.org

#54. Building Resilience & Saving Lives: A Wellness Blueprint with Christian Macklin

How do you revolutionize wellness in the fire service? You listen, you lead, and you start small but think big.In this episode, we sit down with Christian Macklin, Health and Wellbeing Officer at South Metro Fire Department. Christian’s journey from a light-duty assignment to leading one of the most innovative wellness programs in the country is nothing short of inspiring. Whether you're a line firefighter, officer, or chief, there’s something in this episode for you.Here’s what we dive into:The Turning Point: How a life-threatening cardiac event led South Metro to rethink firefighter health and safety.Starting Small: How Christian leveraged relationships, minimal resources, and a $42K grant to launch South Metro’s program.Actionable Solutions: From pre-authorizing MRIs to implementing cutting-edge coronary artery screening—learn cost-effective ways to prioritize firefighter health.The Future of Wellness: Discover the next frontier of firefighter preparation: mental readiness, resilience, and performance psychology.🎙 Ready to dive in? Listen Now!Share this episode with your crew or anyone passionate about advancing the fire service. Let’s start building a healthier, more resilient future together.P.S. What do you think about the ideas Christian shares? Let me know! Send a message to ffcraftsmanship@gmail.com or drop a comment on our social media channels.References mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)Reading is a necessary part of growth. Here is a list we compiled for you to help get you started!​Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​FFC Podcast Episode #39. Forging Wellness With Captain Jesse ClarkNational Association of Worksite Health Centers

#53 Thriving Through Resilience with Jay Bettencourt: Lessons from the Fireground and the Loss of Captain Bowen

In this powerful episode of the Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast, we sit down with Jay Bettencourt, company officer from Asheville, North Carolina, instructor, and founder of the Resilient Mind Program. Jay shares how a life-altering line-of-duty death early in his career shaped his approach to training, resilience, and mindfulness. Together, we explore the psychology of high performance in the fire service and how firefighters can thrive under pressure.From Survival to Thriving: Jay recounts his experiences at a tragic line-of-duty death fire, its impact on his career, and how it inspired his focus on rapid intervention training and mental resilience.The Resilient Mind Program: Jay explains how mindfulness and intentional breathing practices can help firefighters handle stress, enhance situational awareness, and thrive in both their professional and personal lives.Practical Applications: Insight into Asheville's training model, which integrates mindfulness into fire academy modules and focuses on success-based, real-world RIT and survival drills.References mentioned in this episode (Some of these might be affiliate links)Reading is a necessary part of growth. Here is a list we compiled for you to help get you started!​Presilience For the Emergency Scene: Firefighter Craftsmanship​The Loss of Captain Bowen by Jay Bettencourt Part 1The Loss of Captain Bowen by Jay Bettencourt Part 2FFC Podcast Episode #48 “Breathe How You Want to Feel with Matteo Pistono”FFC Podcast Episode #45 Dena Ali “It's Not Only The Calls. Mental Health and Organizational Leadership”Article: Just 10 minutes of mindfulness daily boosts wellbeing and fights depressionNorth Carolina Breathing Equipment SchoolFollow Firefighter Craftsmanship on social media for updates, training tips, and new episodes. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform—it helps us reach more firefighters like you!