Leadership Under Fire
Self-Improvement
About
The Leadership Under Fire Humanizing the Narrative Podcast provides a platform to prepare performance leaders to navigate the moral, mental, emotional, intellectual and physical rigors in high-risk and ultra-competitive settings by developing strength of mind, body, character and critical thought.
Episodes
- Leading at the Unit Level with Jerry Smith Jr. BCFD
Jerry Smith Jr. shares insights on unit-level leadership. He is a 24-year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department, involved with the Dive Team and a scuba instructor.
- Exploring Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” Part 2 with LtCol Charlie Black USMC (Ret)
This episode explores Part 2 of Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" with LtCol Charlie Black. The discussion centers on how purpose acts as an anchor during chaos and how attitude choice influences leadership and impact, even in dif…
- Exploring Viktor Frankl’s “Man's Search for Meaning” with LtCol Charlie Black USMC (Ret)
This episode explores Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" through the lens of leadership. LtCol Charlie Black discusses how purpose and chosen attitude serve as anchors during chaotic and uncertain times, impacting leadership and de…
- Listening Makes Everyone Better with Lt Mike O'Connell FDNY
FDNY Lieutenant Mike O’Connell, with 10 years of service, shares insights on how effective listening improves leadership. O'Connell's experience includes roles in Engine 202 and Ladder 102, and he is part of the MPI and Leadership Under Fi…
- Revisiting Jim McNamara’s Senior Man Feature Episode with FF Bob Athanas, FDNY
In this episode of Leadership Under Fire, host Jim McNamara speaks with retired FDNY firefighter Bob Athanas. Athanas discusses his 37-year career with the FDNY, including his extensive experience at Rescue 3, his roles as an instructor, a…
- Revisiting A Historic Human Performance Episode of the Equitable Building Fire with Lt Matt Connor FDNY
In this episode, we revisit a conversation between Patti Murphy and FDNY Lt Matt Connor covering the Equitable Building fire on January 9th, 1912. This event tested the courage and skill of the FDNY in some of the most extreme conditions.…
- Reading and Responding to Black Swans with Jim Roussell USMC/CPD - Part 2
Since its formal inception more than a decade ago, the LUF Team has championed professional reading as a cornerstone of leader development. LUF believes that a close study of history’s most accomplished, mission-oriented leaders reveals a…
- Continuing a Legacy of Service and Humanity with Lt Christopher Horgan FDNY
Lt Chris Horgan is a member of the FDNY, currently assigned to Ladder 20 in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan. He is a 20-year veteran of the department and previously served with Engine 84 and Ladder 34 in Washington Heights. In addition…
- Commanding with Competitive Conviction with BC Mike Rudasill, BCFD
Mike Rudasill serves as a Battalion Chief with the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD), assigned to the 3rd Battalion in West Baltimore. He joined the ranks of the BCFD in 1998 and has served in a variety of operational and leadership ro…
- 2025 Year in Review with Jason Brezler and James McNamara
In this episode we are joined by LUF Founder Jason Brezler and LUF’s Senior Man James McNamara. We reflect on the impact and reach of the Leadership Under Fire TEAM’s efforts in 2025. The LUF team has maintained its commitment to humanizin…
- Movement is Medicine with Dr. Dillon Caswell PT, DPT, SCS
Dr. Dillon Caswell is a Board Certified Sports Specialist Doctor of Physical Therapy, Human Performance Coach, and Top-Selling Author, who utilizes hope and modern neuroscience to replace the ‘nopes’ we face and empower desiring lifelong a…
- Consistency, Experience and Leadership with Capt. William Jasper BCFD
Captain Will Jasper served in the Baltimore City Fire Department for 28 years, spending his career in some of the city’s busiest and most storied companies. He entered the Fire Academy on February 22, 1994, and upon graduation was assigned…
- Principled Leadership with LtCol Kip Hughes
We’re joined today by LtCol Gareth “Kip” Hughes. Kip is a Naval Aviator by trade and has also served in several key billets with ground combat units. After transitioning to the private sector ten years ago, he built a successful career in…
- The Humble Professional with FF Mike Conicelli FDNY
Our guest today is Firefighter Mike Conicelli from Engine 301 in Hollis, Queens. Mike is a 21-year veteran of the FDNY whose contributions extend beyond the firehouse—from training new engine chauffeurs to his involvement in the MPI progra…
- Leadership, Longevity and a Love for the Job with Assistant Chief Donald Heinbuch BCFD (RET)
Today’s episode was recorded during a fireside chat at the week-long LUF Summit with the Baltimore City Fire Department. Captain Andrew Whitehead sits down with Assistant Chief Donald Heinbuch to discuss his remarkable and wide-ranging car…
- Build Talent as Soon as You Can with Captain Tim Buchenroth Lexington, KY FD
Today’s guest is Captain Tim Buchenroth, a 13-year veteran of the Lexington Fire Department in Lexington, Kentucky. Tim has been an active member of the LUF network since attending the team’s Columbus, Ohio, event in 2017. He is also a gra…
- That's the Way Out with Deputy Chief Jay Jonas FDNY (RET)
Today we have the great honor of welcoming Deputy Chief Jay Jonas. He was appointed to the New York City Fire Department on November 24, 1979. After graduating from probie school, he was first assigned to Engine Company 46 in the Bronx. He…
- Poised Under Pressure in West Baltimore’s Streets of Fire with Lt Paul Novak Sr. BCFD
The fireside chat is a longstanding staple in LUF leadership development and human performance courses. During a recent weeklong LUF human performance course, Baltimore City Fire Department leaders enjoyed the opportunity to hear Lt Paul N…
- Revisiting Tribe with Journalist, Author and Filmmaker Sebastian Junger
“Thrilling” and “thought-provoking” are just two words to describe the work produced by our guest in this episode. Sebastian Junger is an American journalist, author and filmmaker whose work demands contemplation regarding what history, sc…
- Reflections in Command - Coffee with Jim Roussell USMC/Chicago PD
In this conversation, LUF's senior mentor Jim Roussell, USMC(Ret) and Chicago PD (Ret) candidly discusses leadership in mission-oriented organizations. He reflects on the courageous actions of his U.S. Marines and their Iraqi allies in Fal…
- Building a Leadership and Tactical Performance File Cabinet with Shaun Ferguson CHFD
Shaun Ferguson is a member of the Cherry Hill Fire Department, where he has served since 2016. He is currently assigned to Special Operations Squad and Hazmat Company 13. Shaun plays a key role in the administration of the Cherry Hill FD R…
- Unpacking CPT Adolf von Schell's "Battlefield Leadership" with LtCol Charlie Black USMC (Ret)
In this episode you’ll hear LtCol Charlie Black, USMC (Ret) guide the LUF book club through Battlefield Leadership by Adolf non Schell. Battlefield Leadership is a classic exploration of leadership under fire, drawn from real experiences o…
- Revisiting Jim McNamara's Senior Man Feature Episode with Jerry Smith Jr., BCFD
The following episode originally aired in July of 2020 featuring Jerry Smith of the Baltimore City Fire Department. This episode was released in two parts, but today we are re-releasing the episodes in its entirety. Jim McNamara hosts this…
- Risk, Resiliency and Rural Fire Operations with Trevor Meador Frederick County DFRS
Firefighter Trevor Meador is a member of the Frederick County, MD Fire and Rescue Department, currently assigned to Station 3 in downtown Frederick. Trevor is also an instructor in the Frederick County Training Academy, teaching a variety…
- Luck Equals Preparation Plus Opportunity with LTC Mark Westphal USA and USAF
Today’s guest is Lt. Col. Mark Westphal, a highly accomplished leader with an extensive and diverse background. Mark grew up in Westchester County, New York before heading to Georgia Tech, where he earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s deg…
- Unpacking Robert Coram's "Brute: The Life of Victor Krulak" with Jim Roussell USMC/Chicago PD
The LUF team believes that a careful examination of history’s most accomplished mission-oriented leaders reveals that their success was strongly correlated to scholarship and professional reading. LUF book clubs have been a conduit to mean…
- Performance and Longevity in Professional Ironman Racing with Angela Naeth
Angela Naeth is a Canadian Professional Triathlete who made a significant mark on the sport with her exceptional performances in both Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events in her 20 year long career. In 2015, she became the North American Ironma…
- Enhancing Fireground Performance through Coaching with Kevin O’Connor, FDNY
Today’s guest is FDNY Firefighter Kevin O’Connor of Ladder 33 in the Bronx. Kevin is a 17 year member of the department and has represented the FDNY on countless occasions as a member of the Pipes and Drums band. He is a regular contributo…
- Remembering Black Sunday with FF Brendan Cawley, FDNY
The FDNY suffered line of duty deaths at two separate fire operations on January 23, 2005, “Black Sunday.” Firefighter Richard Scalfani of Ladder Co. 103 was killed in the performance of his duties while operating a private dwelling fire o…
- 2024 Year in Review with Jason Brezler and James McNamara - Part 2
Today's episode is part 2 of a 2 part conversation with Jason Brezler and James McNamara where we continue to reflect on the range, depth, and reach of Leadership Under Fire’s TEAM efforts in 2024. The LUF team has maintained its commitmen…
- 2024 Year in Review with Jason Brezler and James McNamara - Part 1
In this episode we are joined by LUF Founder Jason Brezler and LUF’s Senior Man James McNamara. In this conversation, we reflect on the range, depth, and reach of Leadership Under Fire’s TEAM efforts in 2024. The LUF team has maintained it…
- Legacy of Courage and Compassion with Kristina Moon
This episode features a powerful story of courage, compassion, and legacy. We’re honored to have Kristina Moon, wife of fallen FDNY firefighter William (better known as “Billy”) Moon II, whose heroic act of organ donation after a tragic ac…
- Developing Grey Collar Professionals with Capt Gabe Angemi, Camden FD
In this episode, we present part two of a two-part conversation between Jason Brezler and Captain Gabe Angemi of the Camden Fire Department, which originally aired on October 31st. In part one, Gabe shared his experiences during the recove…
- The Willingness to Prepare Sets Us Apart with Captain Trevor Renadette FDNY
Today’s guest is Trevor Renadette. Trevor is a native of Plattsburgh, NY where he was born and raised before going to college at Plattsburgh State in 1998. After one year at university Trevor decided to take a break from school in order to…
- Humanizing Real World USAR Operations with Capt Angemi, Camden FD
Our guest for this episode is Gabe Angemi. Gabe is a second-generation member of the Camden NJ Fire Department. He presently serves as a Captain and is assigned to Squad Company 7. Gabe has spent many years serving in Camden’s Special Oper…
- Understanding the History Behind Our Why with FF Joanne Mariano, FDNY
Joanne Mariano is a firefighter with the FDNY assigned to L136 in Elmhurst, Queens, and formerly assigned to E225 in East New York, Brooklyn. Prior to joining the fire department, she was a lighting technician with IATSE Local 52 Motion Pi…
- Whoever Shows Up on a Cold Rotten Day with LUF Chief Mentor Jim Roussell
This conversation was originally recorded in May of 2024 when Jim Roussell spoke to leaders in the Baltimore City Fire Department during the BCFD’s first weeklong LUF Optimizing Human Performance (MPI) Course. Jim Roussell served with the…
- Drawing Hope from the Memories of Those Lost with Battalion Chief Pat Connolly
Battalion Chief Pat Connolly is a twenty-three year member of the FDNY. Chief Connolly began his career at Engine 39/Ladder 16 on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, then promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to E231/TL120 in Brownsville B…
- Making Yourself Hard to Kill and the Limits of Operational Safety
This conversation is a continuation of an episode about Building the LUF Team which was published on May 16, 2024. LUF Senior Man Jim McNamara and Founder Jason Brezler revisit Leadership Under Fire’s origins and the genesis of LUF’s Makin…
- Reading and Responding to Black Swans with Jim Roussell
Since our formal inception more than a decade ago, the LUF Team has championed professional reading. The LUF team believes that a careful examination of history’s most accomplished mission-oriented leaders reveals that their success was st…
- Purpose and Performance Under Pressure with Lt Ben Baus, Milwaukee FD Rescue Co. 1
Lieutenant Ben Baus joined the ranks of the Milwaukee Fire Department in 2012. As a firefighter, Ben served in Rescue Co. 1 and on the department’s Heavy Urban Rescue Team which provides technical rescue throughout the city and surrounding…
- Don't Do Ordinary with Lt Evan Bergman USAF
Today we are joined by LT Evan Bergman with the United States Air Force. Evan is a Tactical Air Control Party Specialist, or TACP, at the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron in Savannah Georgia. He spent most of his youth in Annapolis Mar…
- Protecting Courage with Chief Paul Conway
Paul Conway is a third-generation firefighter who served with the Milwaukee Fire Department for 31 years and retired as the Chief of Operations in 2012. He also served with the New Berlin Volunteer Fire Department for seventeen years. Paul…
- From the Military to the Greatest Job on Earth - FDNY FF Exam Info Session
The filing period for the FDNY Firefighter Open Competitive exam #4044 opened on Monday, June 24, 2024. The last filing period was in 2017. The path to joining the Greatest Job on Earth is competitive and tedious – it requires both perseve…
- Burn the Boats with LT Jason Leone, Baltimore City FD
Lieutenant Jason Leone started his career with the Baltimore City Fire Department in 2010 and is currently assigned to Rescue Company 1. Prior to promotion, he was a firefighter in Truck Co. 23 and an Emergency Vehicle Driver in Truck Comp…
- Finding Balance with Deondre Smalls and Tom Flores, Camden City (NJ) Fire Department
In this conversation, Deondre Smalls and Tom Flores of the Camden City (NJ) Fire Department’s Squad Co. 7 discuss balancing the job with life away from the firehouse to optimize both professional and personal performance. Deondre is a seco…
- Building the Leadership Under Fire Team with Jason Brezler
In this conversation, Jim McNamara and Jason Brezler discuss the genesis of Leadership Under Fire. Jim and Jason explore how Jason’s experiences as a combat leader in Iraq and Afghanistan shaped his leadership philosophy and how he went ab…
- Pursuing Purpose with Intellectual Curiosity with Tom Miller, FDNY
Tom Miller is a FDNY firefighter assigned to Ladder Co. 26 in Harlem. He is a former US Marine and served as a forward observer in combat units in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Tom attended Columbia University on the GI Bill and obtained a ba…
- Reading and Leading with LUF's Chief Mentor Jim Roussell, USMC (Ret) & Chicago PD (Ret)
Since our formal inception more than a decade ago, the Leadership Under Fire Team has championed professional reading. We have fervently advocated for increased professional reading in the American Fire Service and similar high risk indust…
- Learning and Leading with Lt Tom Daly, FDNY R-2 (Ret)
Our guest in this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Humanizing the Narrative Podcast is Lieutenant Thomas Daly. Lt Daly joined the ranks of the FDNY in 1997. As a firefighter, Tommy served in Ladder Co. 176 and Rescue Co. 2. As a Lieute…