Confident Risks

Episode

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  2nd Due Training | Giving the Next Generation a Reason to Teach 15.09.2026 1j 1mnt

  For the first time on Confident Risks, we've got two guests at the table. Steve "Jonesy" Jones, recently promoted to Division Chief of Training at the City of Coeur d'Alene Fire Department after nearly 25 years, and Justin Capaul, KCFR Battalion Chief and 4th generation firefighter. Together they co own 2nd Due Training, and in this episode they share why it exists and who it's really for.2nd Due started in 2014 when a group of instructors needed an LLC and insurance to teach out of state. But the mission became clear fast. Small volunteer and combination departments get the same fires as the big cities. They just show up with fewer people. Their most popular class, Shorthanded Tactics, was built to answer that exact problem, sketched out on a bar napkin with Chief Jeff Welch. Everything 2nd Due does comes back to bringing quality, affordable training to the crews that need it most.When the original instructors started retiring, 2nd Due was headed for the end. Steve stepped up to keep it going. Now, with both of them only a few years from their own retirements, they see 2nd Due as an avenue for the next generation. They already own the trailers, the tools, and the insurance, so younger instructors can step in as lead instructors while Steve and Justin handle logistics and coach from the back. It's about carrying on what mentors like Jeff Welch, Rick Clutter, Chris Sleigher, and David Rhodes poured into them.They also talk about bringing the Backstep Symposium back after COVID, with 60 students and a lineup that included Chris Sleigher, John Kwan, Jay Bonnefield, Scott Herbert, and keynote speaker David Rhodes, with every dollar of proceeds going to the Jeff Welch Memorial Foundation. And they break down the partnership with Taylor'd Systems, from the first walkthrough at District 4 to installing a prop on the island of Molokai for Maui County, and how hands on feedback from the drill ground has shaped training props now in hundreds of departments across the country.Steve also opens up about a hard season of his own. After nearly 35 years between fire and EMS, he thought he could keep pushing it all down. But you never know when your drum is going to overflow. Someone close to him saw it coming and connected him with help before it hit, and with that support, his family, and the work he put in, he got back on the line. His message is simple: if you're struggling, there's help, and it's okay to ask for it.Whether you're a firefighter, an instructor, or someone thinking about what you'll leave behind, this episode is a masterclass in mentorship, legacy, and giving the next generation a reason to carry it forward.If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Call or text 988.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.
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  M.A. LMFT Nicole Nestor-Gray | Caring for Those Who Care for Us 08.09.2026 1j 3mnt

  Meet Nicole Nester Gray, a licensed marriage and family therapist with 35 years in the mental health field and 20 years dedicated to working with first responders. From her office in Hayden, Idaho, she founded and leads the First Responder Clinician Support Team, and in this episode she shares the mission behind caring for the people who spend their lives caring for everyone else.Nicole explains how the First Responder Clinician Support Team came to be, and why it works. Every clinician is vetted both clinically and culturally, through a strict process that has turned away many qualified therapists who simply weren't the right fit. As Nicole puts it, you can be a great trauma therapist, but if you don't understand the culture of the first responder world, it's a whole different thing. The team now runs three clinical and mentor teams covering the top five counties in the region and into Spokane Valley.First responders are a highly specialized population. They see things most people never will, and they carry it. Nicole's team calls themselves specialists for a reason. The trust they build, the reputation they've earned, and their deep understanding of the culture are what allow first responders to finally open up and get the help they need.Nicole also speaks about being on the ground during one of the most difficult days the Idaho first responder community has faced. Because her team was already in place and the relationships were already built, they were able to go to work immediately, deploying clinicians, chaplains, and peer supporters to care for those in the middle of the crisis. It's a powerful reminder that the support systems we build in advance are the ones that carry us through the hardest moments.Whether you're a first responder or not, Nicole's work is a reminder that the people who run toward danger and carry the weight of other people's worst days deserve care too. Mental health isn't weakness. Reaching out is strength. And no one should have to carry it alone.If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Call or text 988.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.
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  Retired CAL FIRE Captain Scott Herbert | Giving Firefighters Eyes in the Smoke 01.09.2026 50mnt

  Meet Scott Herbert, a retired CAL FIRE Captain with a 22 year career and a lifelong passion for training the next generation of firefighters. Today he works with Seek Thermal, helping departments across the country put life saving technology into the hands of firefighters. In this episode, Scott shares his journey, his philosophy on developing people, and why thermal imaging is changing the fire service.Scott started as a paid call firefighter at 18, with the fire station sitting right next to his high school. He spent seven years there, worked as a roofer, joined a wildland hotshot crew, and eventually landed a full time career with CAL FIRE out of Riverside County, where he spent the bulk of his 22 years.Some of Scott's proudest work was running a fire explorer program for roughly 14 years, training somewhere between 350 and 400 young firefighters ages 14 to 21. He says that's where he truly learned how to teach, because you can't rely on life experience with a 14 year old. You have to find what makes each person tick. His belief is simple: work ethic and confidence can beat raw talent every time.The heart of this episode is thermal imaging. Scott explains how these cameras give firefighters the ability to see through smoke, find the seat of the fire faster, locate victims, and find their way out when disoriented. As he says, we don't send our military into battle without eyes, so why send firefighters into a burning building without them? What used to be one expensive camera per battalion is now affordable enough to put on every single firefighter. In Scott's words, it's cheaper than a set of turnouts, and it saves lives.Scott is also honest that even the best technology can hinder you if you don't train with it. Like a set of irons, a thermal camera in the hands of someone who never practices won't help when it counts. His crawl, walk, run philosophy applies to everything: master the basics, then add the tools.Whether you're a firefighter or someone who leads and develops people, Scott's wisdom on mentorship, work ethic, and using the right tools the right way is one worth hearing.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.
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  Retired Chief David Rhodes | The Search Decision That Saves More Lives 25.08.2026 1j 8mnt

  Meet David Rhodes, Chief (Ret.), Education Director for FDIC and Editor in Chief of Fire Engineering. With a 30 year career in Atlanta and a national reputation as a teacher and creator of the Georgia Smoke Diver program, David is one of the most respected voices in the fire service.David opens with a harrowing story from his early days, laying on the ground at a fire he had no business being at, with a burned firefighter beside him and almost no training to fall back on. That experience shaped his lifelong mission to make sure firefighters are truly prepared for the reality they will face.The heart of this episode is David's approach to search, a course he wrote nearly 20 years ago. While most training focused on the technique of search, David focused on the decision making. Where do you start? He compares it to playing blackjack. There is a book that tells you the odds for every hand, and if you play those odds, you have the best chance of winning. Search works the same way. By reading the building, the conditions, the time of day, and your knowledge of the neighborhood, you can determine the highest probability location of a victim. Start there, work your way back, and you make more rescues.David also breaks down his popular Nuts and Bolts presentation, which uses core values as the foundation for building a strong organization. These principles are universal to any team, any business, and any group trying to perform at a high level.From a chance conversation with a fire chief during a land surveying job, to becoming a battalion chief in Atlanta, to leading education at the largest fire conference in the world, David's journey is a masterclass in curiosity, commitment, and giving back to the next generation.Whether you are a firefighter or someone who leads people in any field, David's wisdom on preparation, decision making, and core values will change how you think about doing your job well.Watch or listen to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Until next time, stay sharp and stay resilient.
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  Battalion Chief Chris Sleigher | Leadership is an Infinite Game 18.08.2026 52mnt

  Meet Chris Sleigher, a retired Battalion Chief with a 25 year career and an inductee into the Arizona Firefighter Hall of Fame. Today he travels the country teaching and mentoring firefighters, and in this episode he breaks down what real leadership actually looks like.Chris opens with a line that reframes everything: "It's not my job to bring you home at the end of your shift. That's easy. It's my job to bring you home at the end of a 25 year career and teach you everything that I possibly can." That's the heart of how he leads. It's not about surviving one call. It's about developing people for the long haul.Drawing on Simon Sinek's idea of the infinite game, Chris explains that leadership isn't something you win. Search and rescue and running fire calls are the easy part. The real work is building relationships across the entire organization so that when you want to make a change, you're not butting heads. You've already built the trust, and the obstacles disappear.He also shares one of the most freeing lessons in the episode: you don't have to change to be a leader. So many people get promoted and think they have to act differently. But the best leaders are the ones who got the role precisely because of who they already were. You just have to be authentically yourself and genuinely care about your people.When asked what he wants his crews to know at the end of it all, Chris doesn't mention the Hall of Fame or anything he accomplished. He says simply, "I want the guys to know that I care about them." Everything else is fluff.Whether you lead a fire company, a business, a team, or a family, Chris's philosophy on authentic, caring, relationship first leadership is one that will stick with you.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.
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  Spokane Fire Captain Scott Coldiron | 2 Minutes to Save a Life 11.08.2026 1j 26mnt

  Meet Scott Coldiron, Captain of Truck 14 at Spokane Fire on the South Hill. Scott is known for training at an elite level, and in this episode he breaks down the mindset, the discipline, and the real life stakes behind why he trains the way he does.Scott shares one of the most incredible saves of his career. From air break to calling "we've got him in the front yard" was just 2 minutes and 8 seconds. The doctor later said that 10 seconds longer and the patient would have been gone. That's not luck. That's the direct result of relentless training, pace, and a serious approach to the job.His philosophy is simple: 110% on every effort. Master the basics, drill the basics, and never forget the basics. His crew runs timed drills, laddering buildings, VES, and forcing the roof off the aerial, then compares notes across the station. Drawing on methods he learned from FDNY, he standardizes the work across shifts and crews so everyone always knows their tool and their job. Whether it's a working fire with a rescue or a false alarm, his team approaches all of it with the same intensity and professionalism.Scott also speaks with real humility about the privilege of being a firefighter. Good pay, a strong pension, and the respect of the community are things he doesn't take for granted. The way he sees it, the only way to earn that respect is to operate at the highest level every time he steps on the rig, and to hold everyone who trains under him to that same standard.Whether you're a firefighter or not, Scott's mindset about discipline, standards, and earning your position is one that applies to any pursuit worth taking seriously.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.
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  First Responder Coach Darren Richardson | The Part of the Job Nobody Talks About 04.08.2026 1j 5mnt

  Darren Richardson spent 14 years as a firefighter/paramedic and 18 years total as a first responder before a mental health crisis changed the course of his life. Today, he's a first responder coach, motivational speaker, and two time amputee who helps first responders, veterans, and others navigate trauma and rebuild their sense of purpose.In this powerful episode, Darren opens up about the part of the job nobody talks about.Darren says it plainly: the hardest thing he ever did in his life wasn't running into a fire or performing a rescue. It was asking for help. He shares that it was easier for him to tell a mother her child was no longer alive than it was to raise his hand and admit he was struggling. That's the reality so many first responders carry, and it's exactly why this conversation matters.Darren's journey started in the Denver, Colorado area, where he spent years with a busy department before taking a lateral position with South Metro Fire as a firefighter/paramedic. He grew up in a small mountain town near Yosemite, went to college in Colorado, and fell in love with the fire service during his paramedic internship.Later in his career, Darren pursued a second chapter and interviewed for a chief position. He didn't move past that first interview panel, and at the time it stung. But he now sees it as a blessing. That closed door led him to build his coaching business, focused entirely on first responder mental health, the very thing he needed most.Darren is also honest about how far first responder mental health support has come and how far it still has to go. Some areas have strong conversations happening, but other departments still resist it, choosing to fund a new truck or training center over mental health resources. As Darren puts it, all of those things are needed, but if you don't have someone mentally capable of doing the job, a new truck won't fix that.Whether you're a first responder, a veteran, or someone quietly fighting a battle no one sees, Darren's story is a reminder that asking for help isn't weakness. It's the bravest thing you can do.If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Just call or text 988.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.
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  Hot Wash: ESFD Deputy Fire Chief Charlotte Pegoraro 21.07.2026 5mnt

  After every guest, Taylor follows up with a recap to process and break down the biggest takeaways. This is the Hot Wash on Charlotte Pegoraro's visit.Charlotte came highly recommended, and once Taylor started mentioning her name around the North Idaho and Eastern Washington fire community, everyone knew her. She's at every event, always thinking outside the box, and truly dynamic at what she does. Here are the highlights that stuck with Taylor most.First, be a bigger fish in your own pond. So often we feel like we have to move up, move on, or go somewhere bigger to make an impact. But Charlotte flips that idea. She's at a small volunteer department and, instead of chasing something bigger, she's chosen to grow deeper roots right where she is. Sometimes the grass isn't greener somewhere else. Growing where you're planted is its own kind of success.Second, her investment in her community is bar none. Charlotte could easily coast and take the job day by day. Instead, she goes above and beyond with genuine passion for the people in her area, and that makes her whole community better.Third, she took the confident risk. Charlotte was in her 30s with kids, working a completely different job, when she saw an opportunity and took it. She did it on the side at first, taking calls in the middle of the night while raising her family. No excuses. How many of us see opportunities, think about them, and never act? Charlotte is the prime example of someone who looked at the fear and went for it anyway.And finally, get uncomfortable on purpose. What are you doing each month to push yourself out of your comfort zone? Because almost every opportunity comes from the very things that make us uncomfortable, the things we second-guess, the things that add a little pressure. Until you lean into those things, it's very hard to be successful.We appreciate Charlotte for everything she does for Coeur d'Alene, the greater region, and the community she serves.Until next time, stay sharp and stay resilient.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders, plus weekly recaps. New episodes every week.
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  ESFD Deputy Fire Chief Charlotte Pegoraro | Rising From Web Designer to Deputy Chief 14.07.2026 1j 9mnt

  Meet Charlotte Pegoraro, Deputy Fire Chief at Eastside Fire. Her path to the fire service is unlike any we've featured. At 35, with a business degree and an established career in web and graphic design, Charlotte decided to take a leap and become a volunteer firefighter, all while raising two kids with her husband. Fifteen years later, she leads the same department she started with.Charlotte earned her degree in computer applications and built a career in web and graphic design, even running her own client base from home. But when the opportunity to volunteer with her local fire department came along, something clicked. She took every training and advancement opportunity she could, rising from volunteer to officer to deputy chief, all with one department over 15 years.In this conversation, Charlotte shares story after story about how connected the fire service community is. From chance encounters on a fishing trip to crews covering each other's stations during tough times, she captures how everybody is part of everybody in this line of work.She also opens up about her deep involvement in first responder mental health and mentorship. She mentors through a clinicians support team, participates in outings that give first responders, military, and law enforcement a chance to turn off their pagers and reconnect with nature, and champions smaller organizations doing incredible work, including the Red and Blue Foundation and Mission 43.Whether it's volunteering, mentoring, or showing up wherever she's needed, Charlotte lives by a simple philosophy passed down from her grandpa: staying busy keeps you young.Whether you're in the fire service, considering a career change, or simply looking for inspiration to bet on yourself, Charlotte's story is proof that it's never too late to answer the call.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.
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  Hot Wash: NLFD Battalion Chief Matt Legg 07.07.2026 6mnt

  After every guest, Taylor follows up with a recap to process and break down the biggest takeaways. This is the Hot Wash on Matt Legg's visit.Taylor has had the chance to travel to FDIC with Matt and get to know him well, which made this conversation even richer. Here are the highlights that stuck with him most.First, don't let the moment take over. One of the most powerful parts of Matt's episode was the story of one of his first calls, where the pressure nearly caused his thought process to go out the window. The lesson: get cool, calm, and collected, and ask yourself where you are, what your assignment is, and what you need to do.Second, slow the game down. Taylor connects this to coaching his kids in soccer. A kid panics, gets the ball, and boots it away as fast as possible. But most of the time, you have more time than you think. As you mature in the fire service, you learn to slow the moment down, and that composure is a skill that develops with experience.Third, surround yourself with people who just get it. Matt talked about the value of working around people with that street-smart edge who read a situation and know what to do. Taylor compares it to football, where the higher you climb, the higher the collective IQ around you. When you're on a high-level team, even if you don't have the answer, someone next to you probably does.Fourth, different perspectives make you better. People who come in from different parts of the country bring fresh ways of looking at things. If you're willing to let those perspectives mold you, your knowledge base expands. The key is being willing to accept the advice and not act like a know-it-all.And finally, the heart of the recap: listen to understand, not to respond. Too often we hear someone talking and we're already forming our reply. But when you truly listen to understand, you can apply it to any circumstance in life. Because when you understand how things work, that's when you can innovate. And the only way to get there is by listening.We appreciate Matt for everything he does for his community and for coming on the show.Until next time, stay sharp and stay resilient.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders, plus weekly recaps. New episodes every week.
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  NLFD Battalion Chief Matt Legg | Idaho's Busiest Fire Season 30.06.2026 1j 1mnt

  Meet Matt Legg, Battalion Chief at Northern Lakes Fire. After 18 years in the service and a promotion to battalion chief just 8 months ago, Matt brings a front-line perspective on one of the most intense fire seasons North Idaho has faced.Northern Lakes covers 106 square miles, including Hayden, Rathdrum, Twin Lakes, and Garwood. With three staffed stations, a fourth on the way, and 9 new hires recently brought on, the department is growing fast. Matt and two fellow captains were all promoted to battalion chief at the same time, building a like-minded leadership group focused on one mission and pushing forward together.With almost no snow this year and low moisture levels, North Idaho and Eastern Washington are staring down a brutal fire season. Matt describes watching a recent windstorm kick up a fire in the valley, with around 12 aircraft, multiple helicopters and planes, dropping retardant and scooping water out of the Spokane River all day. Roughly 20 homes were lost. It was a sobering preview of what the summer could hold.In this conversation, Matt breaks down how mutual aid actually works, where departments across Kootenai County and Spokane send task forces to support each other for those critical first 24 hours, all while the 911 calls never stop in the background. He also opens up about the reality of triage, how firefighters decide which homes to defend based on brush, defensible space, and whether they can safely stay or need to move on. These are split-second, high-stakes decisions made under enormous pressure.Matt also shares what it's like staffing a station at the busy Coeur d'Alene Airport, home to a major retardant refilling station and firefighting aircraft.Outside the firehouse, Matt's life is family and travel sports. He and his wife Kelly are raising two daughters between basketball and soccer tournaments across the country. When asked about side hustles, his answer says it all: his real full-time job is being a dad.Whether you're in the fire service or not, Matt's perspective on growth, pressure, teamwork, and keeping your priorities straight is one you won't want to miss.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.
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  Hot Wash: KCFR Battalion Chief Justin Capaul 23.06.2026 9mnt

  After every guest, Taylor follows up with a recap to process and break down the biggest takeaways. This is the Hot Wash on Justin Capaul's visit.Taylor has known Justin for 3 to 4 years, and every time they talk, he learns something new. Here are the highlights that stuck with him most.First, the power of reviewing the tape. Just like in the Rusty episode, Taylor comes back to the value of going back and reviewing your calls, your performance, even your everyday life. We can lie to ourselves about how well we're doing, but the tape doesn't lie. The real question is: are you willing to learn?Second, Justin's mayday call. On one of his first calls as a battalion chief, Justin had a downed firefighter and a mayday come across the radio. Instead of letting it break him, he reevaluated, thought through the situation, and moved on. Then he reviewed the tape and found ways to do it better next time. Make a mistake once, that's okay. The people who grow are the ones willing to take the feedback and change.Third, how you react after a mistake is everything. Taylor shares a small, relatable story about sitting in the wrong spot at his son's soccer practice and then reliving the embarrassment over and over. Replaying a negative moment does nothing but hurt you. He ties it to NFL kickers who miss one kick and then miss the next two or three because they let it weigh on them. Encounter the situation, learn from it, and move on.Fourth, having many irons in the fire. Between Bat3, 2nd Due, his work at Taylor'd Systems, and his family, Justin has a lot going on. That's the mark of people who serve their community at the highest level.And finally, going headfirst into everything, even the negative feedback. Justin performs in front of hundreds at FDIC and thousands more online, and he doesn't let the 1% of negative comments stop him. Most people are deterred by one question: what will people think? Taylor's driving question is different: will I be upset later if I don't do this? If the answer is yes, he does it anyway. Justin lives that same way.We appreciate Justin for everything he brings to the table, his company, his family, and his community.Until next time, stay sharp and stay resilient.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders, plus weekly recaps. New episodes every week.
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  KCFR Battalion Chief Justin Capaul - From Fire Calls to Sales Calls 16.06.2026 55mnt

  Meet Justin Capal, a 4th generation firefighter and Battalion Chief at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. With 25 years in the fire service and a software company he runs on the side, Justin lives the dual life that defines Confident Risks.Justin comes from a family of firefighters going back four generations. His great-grandpa was the first paid fireman in the area, and his grandpa, dad, uncle, and cousins all served. Now he carries that legacy forward at KCFR, recently moving from a line battalion to the training division.Justin is also VP of Sales at Battalion 3 Public Safety Solutions, a software company that handles firefighter scheduling and incident command management. After using the software for years, he and a partner bought in. Today, several hundred departments across the United States and into Canada use their programs.In this conversation, Justin opens up about what it takes to run a business while serving full time. He talks about wearing every hat, from answering the phone to running demos to dabbling in code. He gets honest about the learning curve of building something, where you think it will be easy and then discover one mistake after another. Software rollouts and constant improvement teach you that nothing is ever as simple as it looks from the outside.One of the most powerful lessons in this episode is that you are not truly an expert until you get outside your own bubble. It is easy to rely on the relationships around you, but real growth comes from exposure, feedback, and connection beyond your comfort zone.Justin and his team have also been instrumental in helping build better fire training props by sharing their expertise. The lesson goes both ways. When experts speak, you listen. That back and forth is how great products and strong relationships get built.Whether you are in the fire service or building something of your own, Justin's story is a masterclass in balancing dedication, growth, and the courage to wear multiple hats.Watch or listen to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Until next time, stay sharp and stay resilient.
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  Hot Wash: KCFR Battalion Chief Rusty Kramer 09.06.2026 7mnt

  Every time we have a guest on, Taylor follows up with a recap episode to process and break down the biggest takeaways. This is the Hot Wash on Rusty Kramer's visit.After 12 years in the service and a fast track to battalion chief at KCFR, Rusty left us with a lot to unpack. Here are the highlights that stuck with Taylor most.First, Rusty's ability to stay cool, calm, and collected under pressure. When he was in that confined space rescue, he stopped himself, calmed down, and fell back on his training. That kind of emotional control under extreme pressure is rare, and it's something we can all learn from.Second, the idea of reviewing your calls like game film. It's all data points. You go back, listen to how you responded, and find the things you couldn't see in the moment. Taylor relates this to his days as a kicker, filming his sessions to discover why his adrenaline was throwing off his performance. The lesson applies to everyone: review, reflect, and improve.Third, a callback to Kevin Shea's episode. Training is just the start. Forcing a door open is only the beginning of what you have to do on a real incident.Fourth, the reward of building people up. Rusty is exceptional as an instructor, and Taylor compares the pride of watching people grow to watching his own kids play sports.And finally, the importance of enjoying the moment you're in. When asked what position he enjoyed most, Rusty said captain. We all want to climb and chase the next promotion, but a lot of people get there and realize they loved what they were doing before. Before taking on the next role, ask yourself: Do I truly want this, or is it the pay? Does my current job give me the time I want? If the answer is yes, maybe you're already in the right position.There's a lot to unpack from Rusty's episode. If you haven't heard the full conversation yet, go back and give it a listen.Until next time, stay sharp and stay resilient.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders, plus weekly recaps. New episodes every week.
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  KCFR Battalion Chief Rusty Kramer - The Mindset That Saves Lives 02.06.2026 43mnt

  KCFR Battalion Chief Rusty Kramer shares what separates good firefighters from great ones. In this episode, Rusty breaks down the mindset that saves lives.With 12 years at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and a background in the Marine Corps, Rusty brings deep insights on training, discipline, and leadership under pressure.You'll learn why muscle memory matters in emergency situations, how company standards speed up operations and save time, and why reviewing calls like coaches review game film transforms performance. Rusty explains how the fire service mindset applies far beyond the fire ground, from managing adrenaline to building unbreakable teams.Whether you're a firefighter or not, this conversation will change how you think about preparation, pressure, and what it takes to perform when it matters most.Key topics: Battalion chief training approach, muscle memory in high-pressure situations, company standards and shift protocols, film review and debrief process, Marine Corps leadership principles, camaraderie in emergency services, adrenaline management through repetition, decision-making under stress.Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.
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  Season 3: The Real Lessons Hidden in the Fire Service 26.05.2026 7mnt

  The Real Lessons Hidden in the Fire Service.We're back with Season 3, and this season is different.Season 1 was about entrepreneurship and building confidence to start a business. Season 2 was about positivity and happiness.Season 3? We're diving into the fire service.Real stories. Real training. Real calls. Real pressure.If you're not a firefighter, you might think this doesn't apply to you. But it does.There's a deep correlation between the fire service and life itself. Training. Mindset. How you work with people. How you handle pressure. How you make decisions when it matters most.After talking to thousands of firefighters, after working in the fire industry building training apparatuses, one thing became clear: We need to hear these stories.Why? Because the lessons firefighters learn aren't just about the job. They're about life.This season we're bringing on battalion chiefs, captains, and experienced firefighters who've been through scenarios most of us will never face. Who've learned lessons that apply to business, relationships, decision-making, and everyday pressure.Here's what we've learned: There's not one way to do anything. There are multiple ways.Firefighters don't say "do it this way." They say, "Take something from what you hear. Apply it. You never know when you're gonna need it."That's the philosophy of this season.You might hear something you don't immediately agree with. But take the knowledge. Apply it. Because who knows when you might need it.Whether you're a firefighter or not, there are lessons here for you.Because we all face high-pressure moments. We all face situations where our training, our mindset, our decisions matter.Confident Risks Start Here.That's our new motto. And it's true.So join us as we explore the real lessons hidden in the fire service—lessons that apply to all of us.Stay sharp. Stay resilient.New episode every week. Subscribe to Confident Risks on Spotify for real stories, real lessons, and real life advice from firefighters and first responders.Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
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  Throwback Tuesday | What Does Real Confidence Look Like?: It's Not What You Think 19.05.2026 25mnt

  When you think of confidence, what comes to mind? The loudest person in the room?Here's the truth: That person is probably the least confident person there.Real confidence isn't about talking. It's about knowing your product. Doing the research. Making an educated decision. Knowing absolutely that you made the right choice.This is Episode 1 of Confident Risks, where we answer the question that changes everything: What is real confidence?We use the Honda Accord test as an example. You research for days. You check every detail. You find the perfect one. The mechanic approves. When someone asks, "Is this the right purchase?" you say, "I've done the research. This is 100% the right purchase." THAT is confidence.A majority of the time, the confident person in business is the quietest person in the room. They're not the chirper. They're the person who knows the answer. They've done the work.We also explore the 30-day employee evaluation test. When people make mistakes, how do they react? Real confidence means admitting the mistake, learning from it, and doing it right every time.Here's the principle: Be confident daily and use words when you have to.We define what a confident risk is. Every single thing you do has some sort of risk factor. The question is how confidently, how prepared, and how willing are you to make that choice?Taylor shares his real journey from zero experience to building a multi-million dollar business. From selling containers out of his house to designing fire department training facilities. How? Not by talking. By listening. By learning. By executing.We cover the breaking points of business: jumping in, surviving the speed bumps, and constantly adapting. If you're not willing to adapt, you die in the water.Real confidence is about quality. Standing behind your product. That's what builds a business.The most confident person in the room is not the loudest. It's the one who knows what they're talking about.Whether you're starting a business or improving at your current job: Know your product. Do your research. Be the quiet one who knows what they're talking about.That's real confidence. That's what separates people who succeed from people who don't.
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  Throwback Tuesday | Self-Confidence is Your Brand: Here's How to Build It 12.05.2026 18mnt

  Self-Confidence Is Your Brand—Here's How to Build It.In this episode, we're talking about self-confidence. Not confidence in your product. Confidence in yourself.Because here's the truth: You are the brand. And self-confidence is how you sell it.**The Difference:**Product confidence means you know the product. You never have to say a word.Self-confidence means you can talk to other people about it. You can sell it.Most people are missing the self-confidence part.**The Real Story:**I bought ridiculous elf outfits and made my whole family wear them to the trampoline park.We're sitting in the car thinking: "What are people gonna think? This is so embarrassing."We walk in terrified. And here's what happens: Everyone in that park wished they were part of our family.Nobody thought we were ridiculous. They thought we were awesome.**The Insight:**That's self-confidence. It's when you stop thinking about what people think and start realizing: They're actually jealous of you.Most people won't think your idea is stupid. Most people will wish they had the courage to do it.**The Takeaways:**Self-confidence is your brand. When people look at you, they're thinking about your product. Are they more confident after talking to you, or less confident?Stop thinking about what they're thinking. Pretend you're in a room by yourself.Put yourself in their shoes. Are they judging you, or wishing they were you?
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  Throwback Tuesday | Sacrifices vs. Trade-Off: Why You Don't Need to Give Up Everything to Start 05.05.2026 15mnt

  Sacrifices vs. Trade-Offs: Why You Don't Need to Give Up Everything to StartIn this episode, we're talking about something that stops most people from starting: sacrifices.The word "sacrifice" is aggressive. It makes us think we have to give up everything.But here's the truth: It's not about sacrifice. It's about trade-offs.**The Real Insight:**Trade-offs is a better word than sacrifice. You don't have to give up everything to start.The real sacrifice is time, not money. If you keep overhead low, the money sacrifice is minimal.You don't need to see the whole path—just the next step.**The Hairstylist Story:**I was talking to a hairstylist who wants to start a school for hairstylists.She's thinking about the facility, the setup—everything. And she's overwhelmed.So I ask: "What do you absolutely have to do first?"She says: "I have to get my teaching license. It's gonna take a year."Perfect. That's the baby step. Not the facility. Just the education first.**The Mindset Shift:**I got diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. And I realized something powerful.Before: "I should work out. I should eat better."After: "I have to work out. I have to eat better."The shift from "I should" to "I have to" changes everything.**The Baby Steps Framework:**Don't think about the whole mountain. Just take the first step.Identify what you absolutely have to do first.Then take step two. Then step three. The rest falls into place.20 minutes a day for a year = 365 hours of real progress.**The Challenge:**What's your first baby step? Identify it today. Then do it.Not next month. Now.By this time next year, you'll be amazed at how far you've come.
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  Throwback Tuesday | Discipline is Your Best Safety Net: Everything Else is Secondary 28.04.2026 12mnt

  Discipline Is Your Best Safety Net—Everything Else Is SecondaryIn this episode, we're talking about what separates successful people from everyone else: discipline.Most people talk about having a backup plan. A safety net.But here's the truth: Your best safety net isn't a backup plan. It's discipline.Discipline is doing something when you don't have to do it, but you do it anyway.**The Real Story:**I quit my job to sell containers full-time. I was waking up at 4 AM, driving 300 miles to Seattle and back every single day.Halfway through the first week, the phone calls stopped. No sales. No income. Nothing.I remember thinking: "This is bad. I don't have any calls. This is what I rely on."But I knew from the past weeks that people wanted containers. So I stayed disciplined.I woke up every morning. Drove to the coast. Got a container. Brought it back. Even though I didn't have a sale yet.After a few days, the phone calls picked back up. Sales started flowing.That's what discipline is. Not giving up. Doing what needs to be done, even when it's hard.**Key Principle:**Discipline is contagious. When you're disciplined, everyone around you raises their standards.Disciplined people don't talk about what they're going to do. They just do it.Discipline is the bridge between what you want and what you actually achieve.Be disciplined daily. Use words when you have to. Show others your success through your actions, not your words.That's what separates successful people from everyone else.