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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
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 weeks ago1h 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.
- Feb 23, 20261h 20m
Ep. 93: Paul Conway, Assistant Chief (ret.) - A Life Full of Mistakes
With more than 40 years in the American Fire Service, Paul Conway’s journey—from firefighter to assistant chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department—is a masterclass in leadership earned the hard way. Throughout his career, he served at every level of the organization—operational, tactical, and strategic—leading emergency response, managing complex resources, and overseeing multidisciplinary teams with a steady hand and a servant’s heart. But what makes Paul’s story powerful isn’t just the titles; it’s the lessons learned from a life full of mistakes, growth, and reflection. In 1985, he founded Conway Shield with a vision to become the nation’s leading provider of protective gear, safety equipment, and training—proof that leadership doesn’t retire, it evolves. In this episode, we talk about what it really means to “be where your feet are,” to enjoy the view even in the chaos, and to remember that in the fire service, you don’t have to do this job—you get to.
- Feb 13, 20261h 18m
Ep. 92: Mike Gagliano, Captain (ret.) - Remember Your Mission
Retired Seattle Fire Department Captain and 2008 FDIC International keynote speaker Mike Gagliano brings decades of fireground leadership and life-earned wisdom to the show. As president of the Firefighter Air Coalition and co-author of Air Management for the Fire Service and Challenges of the Firefighter Marriage, he shares a powerful message for today’s firefighters: expect challenges, don’t quit, and remember—no one is stopping you from becoming the best firefighter you ever wanted to be. Lead with gratitude, stay disciplined, and don’t forget to have fun along the way.
- Jan 30, 20261h 5m
Ep. 91: Tyrral Quinn, Captain - Vulnerability & Failures
Captain Tyrall Quinn, author of The Calling: The Unseen Work of Leading Well, joins the podcast to share a powerful story of service, departure, and return. After stepping away from the fire service following 20 years on the job, Quinn reflects on what it meant to be welcomed back by his department and how that experience reshaped his understanding of leadership. The conversation explores humility, confidence, accountability, and mental wellness—both on and off the fireground—while honoring the legacy of those who paved the way. As Quinn reminds us, “If I have seen further [than others], it is by standing on the shoulders of giants,” a truth that underscores the importance of remembering those who came before us as we lead, grow, and serve.
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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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