Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast

Kevin Housley•rss.com

Welcome to the Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast where we coach you to deal with the stressors of the job as a first responder as well as how to thrive off-duty.

On the Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast we talk about positive ways to harness and increase human performance, how this applies to firefighters and first responders and dive into the concepts that lead to your overall health, happiness, and physical and mental health.

Topics covered will include human performance psychology, sports psychology, bodies response to stress, mental fitness, physical fitness, recovery techniques, breathing practices and how to be mindful even in the most challenging situations.

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Episodes

#27. How to Be Into the Job, Be Well Received & Change Cultures for the Better with Preston Lyons of Relentless Rejects

Have you ever been labeled as "too into the job" or struggled to bring a new concept back to your organization? Have you struggled to lead up or down the chain of command and are at a loss on where to start to get some buy-in and traction? Is the balance of being good at your job and good at home taking its toll? This week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast features Preston Lyons from the Relentless Rejects Podcast and he brings a realistic and simple approach that is not only based in effectiv...

May 29, 2024•1 hr 25 min

#26. Using Your Breath For Relaxation & a Box Protocol

On this week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast we’re going to dive into how to use your breath to help you calm down, have a clear mind, and even help you fall asleep or fall back asleep! In this episode we cover: What does CO2 have to do with respiration and why does it matter? 3 simple to use breath practices to help you refocus and mitigate stress How a box breath works and we practice this protocol References: Yoga For First Responders Podcast featuring Kevin Housley The Vital Connection. ...

May 22, 2024•26 min

#25. The Group Effect and Behavioral Matching

On this week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast we’re going to dive into the Group Effect and how Behavioral Matching can hinder or elevate you as an instructor and/or leader in emergency services. This is an integral component as you try to maintain and build cultures you want to be a part of. In this episode we cover: What is the Group Effect and why is this foundational for positive change? What are the Factors of Behavioral Matching How we can improve our teams, relationships and organizati...

May 15, 2024•32 min

#24. The 5 Components of Feeling Heard

On this week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast we’re going to continue the discussion about communication and how to build better teams and feel more connected. "Feeling Heard" is a concept all of us have experienced both in a positive sense and a negative one. In this episode we cover: What are the 5 components of feeling heard? How do the 5 components interact with the 3 entities (Me, You, We)? How we can improve our teams, relationships and organizations as a result of simply "feeling heard...

May 08, 2024•15 min

#23. Feeling Heard. What is the Research Around This Integral Concept?

On this week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast we’re going to talk about communication and how to build better teams and feel more connected. "Feeling Heard" is a concept all of us have experienced both in a positive sense and a negative one. In this episode we cover: What are the entities involved in feeling heard? Why is feeling heard such a big deal and how does it tie into employee retention? The research that supports it and how it impacts overall success and increases organizational cult...

May 01, 2024•18 min

#22 Increase Your Efficiency Using the Pomodoro Technique

On this week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast we’re going to talk about efficiency and how to get more done using a simple concept called the Pomodoro Technique. In this episode we cover: What the heck is the Pomodoro Techniqe Why it works and how it increases engagement, accomplishment and motivation The research that supports it and how it increases overall awareness Put this technique in play today to be a more effective emergency responder!...

Apr 24, 2024•17 min

#21 The Window & Mirror of Leadership

On this week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast we’re going to talk about Leadership. More specifically, we're starting a deep dive into the best selling book "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. An absolute must read! In this episode we cover: What the 5 Levels of Leadership identified in Good to Great are & how you can use them The 5 levels of leadership in conjunction with self-awareness to change your effectiveness Why the Window and Mirror Analysis is so important for leadership How to use ...

Apr 17, 2024•18 min

#20 Reappraisal and How To Use It For Your Mindset

Why don’t we every so often take an appraisal ourselves? Do you ever really stop and think about why you do what you do or if your current situation is still meeting your intended goals and objectives? On this week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast we’re going to talk about Reappraisal (aka Reframing) and how you can use it to increase your performance and mindset In this episode we cover: What is reappraisal and reframing? How you can use reappraisal in conjunction with awareness to change yo...

Apr 10, 2024•20 min

#19 Build Your Tribe

Have you noticed your career in emergency services has changed you? That your relationships both at work and off the job have diminished? On this week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast we’re going to talk about Building Your Tribe and why it's so important to focus on relationships to be happy, healthy and strong! In this episode we cover: Why can building culture be so difficult? How staffing models can impact how we are built as humans The ways you can control the controllables and grow thri...

Apr 03, 2024•22 min

#18 Imagery Training For An Increase In Your Skillset

Are you looking for a creative way to get more out of your training? Where the option is free, easily accessible and will increase performance? On this week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast we’re going to talk about a heavily studied sports psychology principle that you definitely already use in your daily life. It’s called Imagery Training and it can absolutely level up your game and basic skill set! In this episode we cover: What is Imagery and Why Can It Help Me Level Up? What are the part...

Mar 27, 2024•19 min

17. #17 "The 24/72 Shift & the Golden Handcuff Model" With James Geering of Behind the Shield Podcast

Have you wondered if there is a better shift schedule? One that potentially doesn't jeopardize your health or wellbeing? Or maybe you're frustrated by the "golden handcuff" narrative? This week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast features James Geering from Behind the Shield Podcast and he brings the HEAT about emergency responder health, shift schedules, not believing our own lies and speaks about his journey transitioning out of the fire service to pursue other options. It's a fantastic though...

Mar 20, 2024•1 hr 30 min

16. #16 Reframing Performance, Neuro Nidra, and Connection for Success With Emily Hightower of Shift- Part 2

Are you tired of performing well in one area of your life and completely struggling in another area? Do you have trouble falling asleep, turning your brain off, or falling back asleep after a wake-up or running a 911 call? This week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast features part 2 of our conversation with Emily Hightower from Shift and she gives you some great tools to sleep better, connect with yourself and those around you, and perform at an elite level in all areas of your life. Check it o...

Mar 13, 2024•47 min

15. #15 Get Tougher & Reintegrate With Some Simple Tools With Emily Hightower of SHIFT-Part 1

Have you ever had a hard time turning your brain off when you got off duty? Have your relationships ever been strained as you tried to reintegrate into daily life off shift? This week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast features Emily Hightower from Shift/Adapt and she gives you some great tools to be successful both at work and at home while playing the long game . Check it out here . In this episode we cover: What is down regulation and how do you do it successfully? How can you practice more...

Mar 06, 2024•36 min

14. #14 Anxious? Is It a Trait or a State?

On an emergency scene have you ever wondered why sometimes you didn't perform like you did hundreds of times in training? How about why you have a little more anxiety when you're in one situation vs another? Or even why you have an underlying anxiety when you're at work vs when you're not? This week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast dives into anxiety and the differences of Trait Anxiety vs State Anxiety. Check it out here . In this episode we cover: What are the differences of Trait & St...

Feb 28, 2024•25 min

13. #13 Challenge the Narrative Featuring Capt. Sean Gray

On this weeks Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast we talk with Captain Sean Gray from Cobb County Fire Department. Check it out here! In this episode we cover: How to be an agent of positive change in yourself & your fire department How a lifetime of fitness commitment transfers to our jobs as firefighters What the key is to play the long game in the emergency services Ways to increase your mental toughness and build a culture you want to be a member of You can listen here on Apple Podcast o...

Feb 21, 2024•47 min

12. #12 Do you have Expectations Of Yourself and How do You Communicate them?!

Episode 12 of the Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast continues to expand upon the concepts of mindset and expectations. We explore how to set positive expectations of ourselves and explore the concept of talking to ourselves vs listening to ourselves. Ultimately it is up to you! Check it out here . In this episode we cover: What are your expectations of yourself and how do you define them? Are these expectations building you up or holding you back? How does Self Determination Theory play into ou...

Feb 14, 2024•26 min

11. #11 Setting Expectations at the Crew Level and Beyond

This week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast is up and we talk about how to set expectations at the crew level to be clear, concise, and build a cohesive team. Check it out here! In this episode we cover: What are expectations and how do we define them? Who do the expectations actually belong to and how to get all members of the crew involved How do we build resilient cohesive teams through clearly defined and communicated expectations You can listen here on Apple Podcast or Spotify ! On the...

Feb 07, 2024•28 min

10. #10 Mindset and How to Win The Day

This week's Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast dives into Mindset and how we ultimately get to choose it. This choice can hinder us or it can propel us. Check it out here! In this episode we cover: What are the types of Mindset? How do we develop a helpful Mindset? What myelin is and how it might be the actual superpower towards success 4 strategies to train mindset to be successful in all areas of your life You can listen here on Apple Podcast or Spotify ! On the FFC Podcast we coach you to d...

Jan 31, 2024•23 min

09. #09 Psychological Detachment From Work

In this episode we talk about Psychological Detachment from Work and give you actionable tools to help bridge the gap between work life and off-work life In this episode we cover: What is Psychological Detachment? The research that supports this concept and its impact Ways to recognize where you are and what needs to happen to help keep you happy, healthy and strong as an emergency responder Strategies around psychological detachment and tools that you can implement for zero cost Boundary manage...

Jan 24, 2024•24 min

08. #08 Cancer Prevention & Action-Featuring Capt. Chris Van Luen

This week on the Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast we talk with Capt. Chris Van Luen about how to own your own health and steps you can take to proactively stay in the game. Since January is Cancer Awareness Month for Firefighters we dive into Chris' personal journey with cancer and get into some ways you can strengthen your ability to deal with some of the exposure issues we deal with as firefighters. In this episode we cover: How do we take charge of our own health as firefighters? How do we...

Jan 17, 2024•59 min

07. #07 Your Stress Is Affecting Those Around You

This week’s Firefighter Craftsmanship podcast is an honest conversation directed at you supervisors specifically (but we think there’s lots of value for all ranks!) We wrap up our series addressing the recent Fire Rescue1 survey in this episode and talk about How Your Stress is Affecting Those Around You. Check it out here! In this episode we cover: The data points around supervisor stress and yes it is affecting your people We’re falling down as organizations in providing tools and resources to...

Jan 10, 2024•30 min

06. #06 How to Empower Your People to Be Mentally Tough and Mentally Fit- Featuring Fire Chief Mike West

This weeks podcast features Chief Mike West who is doing some leading edge things with his department, Front Range Fire Rescue, especially in empowering his people to be resilient and ready. In this episode we cover: How to empower your firefighters to be mentally tough and mentally well How to develop happy and healthy firefighters and Chief officers The benefits of a 1900 start time for the 48/96 shift schedule! Semper Gumby: How to create flexible cultures that also are empowered to ask “Why?...

Jan 03, 2024•57 min

05. #05 What Firefighters Wanted in 2023

This week we talk about what Firefighters wanted in 2023 based on the survey conducted by Fire Rescue 1 of almost 2200 firefighters. In this episode we cover: The data from almost 2200 firefighters and the alarming trends that we can derive from these numbers How we can impact ourselves and our crew in a positive way Stress and how it is negatively impacting us in the fire service Some solutions for immediate results You can listen here on Apple Podcast or Spotify ! On the FFC Podcast we empowe...

Dec 27, 2023•23 min

04. #04 Athletic Identity, What is it and How Do we Build a Healthy One?

This week we talk about your athletic identity and some steps on how to build a healthy one. Check it out here! In this episode we cover: What is athletic identity and why does it matter for you as an emergency responder/tactical athlete? How do you develop healthy one? What sort of impact do others have on your athletic identity? Why does this matter in the overall scheme of things? You can listen here on Apple Podcast or Spotify ! On the FFC Podcast we coach you to deal with the stressors o...

Dec 20, 2023•24 min

03. #03 Building Resilience BEFORE You Need It

This week's podcast is up and it's chock full of great tips and strategies to help you go out and crush it. This week we talk about how to build resilience BEFORE you need it on an emergency call. Check it out here! In this episode we cover: What is resilience? How do we develop individual resilience before we need to tap into it How do we build resilient teams and how does leadership play into resiliency You can listen here on Apple Podcast or Spotify ! On the FFC Podcast we coach you to dea...

Dec 13, 2023•27 min

02. #02: Allostatic Load and Your Crews' Impact on It: featuring Lt. Taylor Montey

This weeks podcast is up and it's chock full of great tips and strategies to help you go out and crush it. This week features Lt. Taylor Montey who also happens to be a licensed counselor, fitness coach, mom and wife and she brings some serious knowledge to this conversation. Check it out here! In this episode we cover: What the heck is Allostatic Load and why should you care? The masks that we wear and the impact of these longterm Seeking the approval of others How to create environments wher...

Dec 06, 2023•35 min

01. #01: The Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast Launch and The Window of Tolerance

Tips and strategies to help you deal with the stressors of the job as a first responder and off-duty. In Episode 1 of the Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast we talk about ultimate human performance, how this applies to firefighters and first responders and dive into the concept of the Window of Tolerance. In this episode you'll hear: What the point of the Firefighter Craftsmanship Podcast is Physiological response to stress The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system and why it matters to ...

Nov 28, 2023•25 min

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