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Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Berlin Maza
Captain Berlin Maza & Deputy Fire Chief Bill Mack sit down with leaders in all professions and industries from across the country to have leadership conversations at the firehouse kitchen table! Leaders share their stories, philosophies and perspectives on leadership. They talk about their non-negotiable behaviors, actions and traits, as well as offer action items for newer employees, emerging leaders, and senior members of organizations to grow as leaders!
Latest Episodes
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- 2 days ago58 min
Ep. 101: Brooke Lundquist, PhD, LMHC - Advocating for Mental Health
Dr. Brooke Lundquist is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has dedicated her career to supporting the people who answer the call. With more than 25 years as part of a fire service family, she brings both professional expertise and personal perspective to the unique challenges facing first responders and their loved ones. As the owner of First Responder Counseling and Consulting, Brooke and her team provide culturally competent therapy for firefighters, law enforcement, EMS personnel, and their families. She also serves as the on-site Mental Health Professional for Redmond Fire Department, Bellevue Fire Department, and Harborview Medical Center's Paramedic Training Program. Trained in EMDR, Gottman Couples Therapy, and certified as a First Responder Counselor, Brooke is leading the conversation on why mental health is no longer just a benefit—it's an operational necessity. Her message is clear: changing the culture of wellness in the fire service begins with leadership, trust, and making mental health a part of the job from day one.
- 6 days ago1h 25m
Ep. 100: Berlin Maza, Captain - Perspectives
Berlin Maza, a Captain with Eastside Fire & Rescue in Washington, shares leadership lessons shaped by the mentors, colleagues, and experiences that have influenced his career in the fire service. He points out that none of these ideas are his alone—they are the result of a lifelong commitment to learning from others.Berlin explores the importance of remaining a student of leadership, drawing wisdom from fellow firefighters, formal education, books, podcasts, workshops, and everyday experiences. His message is simple: great leaders are never finished learning. By continuously seeking knowledge and adapting it to your own style, you can become the authentic leader you aspire to be. Berlin is joined by three members of the fire service, offering practical insights and thoughtful perspectives on the real-world challenges today's leaders face.
- Jun 28, 20261h 12m
Ep. 99: David Brannan, CHDS NPS Program Director - Stay in the Fight
David Brannan, Program Director at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School, joins us for a conversation on staying in the fight—both professionally and personally. He discusses the importance of mentorship, succession planning, and developing the habit of challenging your own biases to become a better critical thinker. He explains why we should "train for the known and educate for the unknown," recognizing that leadership is full of challenges no amount of training alone can fix. It's a conversation about continuous learning, leadership, and why sometimes the best advice is also the simplest: "You gotta say yes," and "Kill your television and read books."
- May 31, 20261h 7m
Ep. 98: Ryan McGrady, Fire Chief - Humility & Vulnerability
Fire Chief Ryan McGrady of West Pierce Fire & Rescue, one of the most powerful leadership traits isn't about having all the answers—it's about being willing to be vulnerable. Chief McGrady discusses how vulnerability accelerates growth, both for leaders and the teams they serve. By acknowledging mistakes, asking questions, and being open about challenges, leaders make change easier to navigate and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Vulnerability also equips leaders to handle difficult conversations with honesty and empathy, strengthening relationships and helping teams work through conflict more effectively.A key lesson from Chief McGrady's leadership philosophy is that great leaders are also great followers. Leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room. Instead, it requires the willingness to listen, learn, and trust the expertise of others.
- May 18, 20261h 26m
Ep. 97: Jim Whitney, Deputy Fire Chief - Lead Where You Stand
Deputy Fire Chief Jim Whitney of the Redmond Fire Department—a leader who stood on the front lines during one of the most defining moments in modern emergency response. As the Medical Services Administrator involved in the nation’s first confirmed COVID-19 case, Chief Whitney brings a perspective on leadership under pressure.This conversation dives into what it truly means to lead through conflict. Chief Whitney explores the concept of “turning up the heat without burning down the organization,” breaking down the balance between urgency and stability. He introduces the idea of the 60-25-15 dynamic—where 25% is the critical space where real productivity, growth, and progress happen.More importantly, this episode challenges the notion that leadership is tied to rank. Whether you’re in a formal position or not, leadership is about stepping forward where you stand—taking risks, embracing discomfort, and having the courage to fail. Growth doesn’t happen without friction, and sometimes the boldest ideas are the ones that feel the most uncomfortable to put on the table.
- Apr 12, 20261h 11m
Ep. 96: Trisha Wolford, Fire Chief - Perspective & Gratitude
Fire Chief Trisha L. Wolford of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department in Maryland leads one of the largest combination fire departments in the country, serving more than 600,000 residents—but her path to Fire Chief is anything but traditional. She began as a firefighter/paramedic and built a diverse career through the Fire Marshal’s Office, sworn law enforcement, fire and explosives investigations, and service as a Tactical Medic on a SWAT team. She is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy and the IAFC’s Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI), and currently serves as President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Vice President of the IAFC’s Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association Executive Board, and an Executive Board member for the FirstNet Authority. Grounded in perspective and gratitude, her story is a reminder that leadership has no rank—and that an untraditional path, driven by grit and purpose, can take you wherever you’re willing to go.
- Mar 25, 20261h 10m
Ep. 95: Mike Dugan, Captain (ret.) - It's Your Turn
A powerful conversation with Mike Dugan, a 27-year veteran of the FDNY and retired Captain of Ladder Company 123, whose fire service journey spans nearly five decades. A recipient of the prestigious FDIC International Tommy Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award, Mike brings unmatched perspective on what leadership truly looks like—both in the firehouse and on the fireground. In this episode, he challenges the traditional mindset with a simple but impactful truth: everyone is a leader. From promoting yourself and investing in others, to the often-overlooked skill of truly listening, Mike delivers candid insights that resonate across all ranks. He also tackles the critical conversation around mental health in the fire service, reinforcing that seeking help isn’t weakness—it’s survival. Because sometimes, talking to someone can save your marriage, your career, and even your life.
- Mar 17, 20261h 29m
Ep. 94: Chuck DeSmith, Deputy Fire Chief (ret.) - Resiliency & Peer Support
Chuck DeSmith, a retired Deputy Fire Chief with 35 years of service at Renton Regional Fire Authority in Washington draws from decades of leadership experience sharing his passion for peer support and the importance of modeling resiliency within the fire service. He challenges today’s leaders to move beyond treating peer support as a program, and instead embed it into the organization’s operating budget with clear policy and long-term commitment. This conversation offers practical insight into building a culture that truly supports the people behind the badge.
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About Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table
Captain Berlin Maza & Deputy Fire Chief Bill Mack sit down with leaders in all professions and industries from across the country to have leadership conversations at the firehouse kitchen table! Leaders share their stories, philosophies and perspectives on leadership. They talk about their non-negotiable behaviors, actions and traits, as well as offer action items for newer employees, emerging leaders, and senior members of organizations to grow as leaders!
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