Season III is here!!

Blog

July 25, 2025

From Great to Magnus: Unlocking Competency-Based Leadership for First Responders

What does it take to go from being a “good” leader to becoming a truly Magnus leader? In this in-depth Beneath the Helmet conversation, I sat down with Dr. Terry Anderson, retired criminologist, author, leadership coach, and lifelong ad…

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July 10, 2025

Beat the Burnout: Lessons from AK Dozanti on Nervous System Recovery

Beat the Burnout: Lessons from AK Dozanti on Nervous System Recovery, First Responder Trauma, and Self-Leadership.  As someone who has experienced career-ending burnout and is now in recovery mode, this episode resonates deeply with me.  B…

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July 2, 2025

From Grenfell to Healing: The Power of Story, Survival, and Self-Leadership

Firefighter Ricky Nuttall's raw account of the Grenfell Tower fire teaches us more about resilience, trauma, and human strength than any textbook ever could. As a retired Fire Chief and a coach who walks beside first responders on their healing jou…

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June 8, 2025

Mental Visualization & High Performance: Tools Every First Responder Should Know

In the latest episode of Beneath the Helmet, I had the honour of sitting down with Dr. Brendan Guarino, a licensed psychologist, professor, and the director of Guardians for Guardians at Baker Street Behavioural Health. Our conversati…

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June 7, 2025

Fire to Light: A Journey of Courage, Change, and Conscious Leadership in the Fire Service

In this inspiring episode of Beneath the Helmet, I sat down with Brandon Evans, a former Brampton firefighter turned entrepreneur and wellness leader, who now lives in Costa Rica and runs Fire to Light, a platform dedicated to mental fitness…

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June 7, 2025

The Promise of Character-Based Leadership in the Fire Service: Why Character Is the New Competence

The fire service has long been defined by courage, grit, and tactical precision. But in this episode of Beneath the Helmet, we explore a truth that’s reshaping modern leadership in fire departments across North America. Technical skills may…

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May 28, 2025

Leading with Integrity: Fireground Wisdom and Life Lessons with Battalion Chief Rick Davis

Fireground Wisdom and Life Lessons with Battalion Chief Rick Davis In a powerful and deeply human conversation, Retired Battalion Chief Rick Davis joined me on Beneath the Helmet to talk about leadership, culture, and character in the fire service.…

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May 28, 2025

Mental Visualization & High Performance: Tools Every First Responder Should Know

In the latest episode of Beneath the Helmet, I had the honour of sitting down with Dr. Brendan Guarino, a licensed psychologist, professor, and the director of Guardians for Guardians at Baker Street Behavioural Health. Our conversation explored the…

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April 26, 2025

How Vulnerability Builds Stronger Leaders: Lessons from Deputy Chief Scott Booth

"Vulnerability is not a weakness. It's a leadership superpower."– Deputy Chief Scott Booth, Beneath the Helmet Podcast Why This Conversation Matters More Than Ever.  Leadership in the fire service is evolving.  The old-school, "nev…

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April 10, 2025

Alec Wons on Purpose, Passion, and Public Safety: Lessons from a Connector and Curator

What happens when a former college athlete with zero background in public safety becomes one of its most powerful advocates? You get Alec Wons, podcaster, author, wellness systems thinker, and fierce supporter of those who serve. In this inspiring…

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March 27, 2025

From Applesauce to Performance: A First Responder's Guide to Nutrition with Megan Lautz

“You’re tactical, you’re athletic—but you’re also human. Your fuel matters.” — Megan Lautz, Registered Dietitian and Founder of RescueRD Welcome to another empowering episode of Beneath the Helmet, where we…

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March 13, 2025

The Tactical Athlete: Achieving Health and Wellness as a Firefighter With Ryan Provencher

Why Firefighters Must Train Like Tactical Athletes Firefighting is more than a job—it’s a physically and mentally demanding profession that requires strength, endurance, resilience, and recovery. Every call to action is unpredictable, r…

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Feb. 27, 2025

First Responders' Wellness: A Deep Dive into TRE with Robert Cefoli

First Responders' Wellness: A Deep Dive into TRE with Robert Cefoli As a certified TRE provider myself, this topic is deeply personal and central to the work I do with first responders, high performers, and anyone navigating stress, burnout, and re…

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Feb. 14, 2025

Courageous Conversations: Healing, Resilience, and Advocacy with Keith Hanks

Firefighters are built to handle the heat—but what about the invisible battles they face daily? In Episode 74 of Beneath the Helmet, I had the privilege of sitting down with Keith Hanks, a former firefighter turned mental health advocate, to …

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Feb. 4, 2025

Unlocking Resilience and Fitness in the Fire Service – Episode 73 Nuggets

Welcome back to Beneath the Helmet! In this exciting episode, I sat down with Aaron Zamzow—firefighter, fitness expert, and host of the Better Every Shift podcast. Known as Zam, Aaron brings decades of experience in fitness, firefighting, and …

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Jan. 16, 2025

Tackling Firefighter Blind Spots: A Conversation with FDNY Chief Frank Leeb

Firefighting is a profession steeped in tradition, bravery, and camaraderie. Yet, as Chief Frank Leeb reveals in Episode 72 of Beneath the Helmet, it’s also a field fraught with unseen challenges. As we launch Season 3, we’re honoured to…

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Jan. 8, 2025

Beneath the Helmet: Closing Season 2 with Joseph Bonanno

Season 2 of Beneath the Helmet has been an incredible discovery, learning, and connection journey. As we wrap up this season, we’re honoured to feature Joseph Bonanno, retired FDNY firefighter, celebrated chef, and advocate for mental health a…

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Dec. 19, 2024

Forging Excellence: The 4 Steps to Building High-Performing Fire Service Teams

Forging Excellence: The 4 Steps to Building High-Performing Fire Service Teams Building a cohesive, high-performing team is essential in the fire service—not just for job success but survival. Teams that function like families save lives make…

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Dec. 13, 2024

Shape the Future of Beneath the Helmet!

Shape the Future of Beneath the Helmet! Hello, Beneath the Helmet family! As we plan for 2025, we want to hear from YOU. Your feedback will help us refine our episodes, bring in the guests you want to hear, and keep delivering valuable content for…

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Dec. 7, 2024

Firefighter Fitness and Wellness with Dr. Jason Won

Firefighter Fitness and Wellness with Dr. Jason Won In this great episode of Beneath the Helmet, host Arjuna George sits down with Dr. Jason Won, a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist, podcast host, and movement expert specializing in ho…

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Nov. 24, 2024

Unlocking Resilience Through Journaling: Insights from Lynda Monk on Burnout and Healing

Unlocking Resilience Through Journaling: Insights from Lynda Monk on Burnout and Healing Burnout is a silent epidemic, often creeping up unnoticed until it takes a toll on your emotional, physical, and mental well-being. In the latest episode of Be…

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Nov. 23, 2024

Rekindling Connections: Season One Reunion – Insights from Beneath the Helmet

Rekindling Connections: Season One Reunion – Insights from Beneath the Helmet Introduction: Celebrating Resilience and Connection On November 19, 2024, Beneath the Helmet hosted a landmark episode that brought together the incredible guests …

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Nov. 14, 2024

Unlocking the Power of Mindfulness: Key Nuggets from Our Chat with Firefighter Josh Grandinetti

Unlocking the Power of Mindfulness: Key Nuggets from Our Chat with Firefighter Josh Grandinetti In our latest episode of Beneath the Helmet, I had the privilege of speaking with Josh Grandinetti, a firefighter, paramedic, and foun…

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Oct. 31, 2024

Unlocking the Power of Breath and Fascia with Deanna Hansen

Episode 64 Recap: Unlocking the Power of Breath and Fascia with Deanna Hansen In this enlightening episode of Beneath the Helmet, we explore the transformative world of fascia and diaphragmatic breathing with Deanna Hansen, founder of Block The…

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