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 Novak Sr. reflect on his career with host Jerry Smith. Lt Novak joined the ranks of the BCFD in 1973 and retired in 2004. Lt Novak established himself as one of the department’s most experienced, capable, and impactful fire officers. Paul Sr. was a 2nd generatio...
Jun 26, 2025•47 min•Ep. 167
“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, science and experience tells us about the ability to endure hardship and how to navigate our current cultural terrain. Junger’s work includes the books: Tribe and The Perfect Storm as well as the Academy Award-nominated film: Restrepo, which he co-directed with T...
Jun 12, 2025•45 min•Ep. 166
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 Fallujah. Jim also shares lessons that he learned during various chapters of his career as well as key takeaways from several historical vignettes. The conversation transpired over coffee in the farmhouse during the winter 2025 LUF Human-Centered Fireground Comman...
May 29, 2025•45 min•Ep. 165
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 Recruit Academy, where he is a member of the fire instructor cadre, teaching in both engine operations and hazardous materials disciplines. As part of the recruit academy command staff, Shaun serves as a drill instructor, taking on a formative role in shaping ne...
May 15, 2025•45 min•Ep. 164
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 on the front lines of World War I. With insight forged through experience, he’ll guide us through von Schell’s powerful reflections on decision-making, morale, and the human dimension of warfare.
May 01, 2025•49 min•Ep. 163
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 episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast. Jim is a senior Firefighter at the FDNY and serves as a Human Performance Advisor for LUF. He's also the principal author of the Leadership Under Fire Senior Man’s Performance Journal. ...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 162
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 of topics, from Firefighter Safety and Survival, truck Ops and much more. Trevor also served in the USMC.
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 161
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 degree in Mechanical and Materials Engineering. He also earned an MBA from LaSalle University. In his civilian career, Mark serves as the Chief Engineer for Special Operations Forces platforms and is a certified Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) with a major def...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 160
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 meaningful discourse, reflection, and critical thought. Jim Roussell has guided several LUF book clubs. Jim’s infectious commitment to professional reading was at the foundation of his preparation for the duration of his remarkable career in the USMC and Chicago PD...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 159
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 Ironman Champion, cementing her place among the elite triathletes of her generation. Known for her strength in cycling and running, Angela has consistently delivered top performances at major events, including multiple podium finishes at the Ironman 70.3 World Champi...
Feb 20, 2025•39 min•Ep. 158
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 contributor to the FDNY’s MPI program and a Tactical Performance Coach helping members hone their skills on the fire floor.
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 157
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 on Jerome St. in the East New York section of Brooklyn. Just hours prior, six members of Ladder Co. 27 and Rescue Co. 3 jumped from the top floor of a 4-story apartment building on E. 178th St in the Bronx. Lieutenant Curt Meyran, FF John Bellew, and Lieutenant ...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 156
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 commitment to humanizing and optimizing performance and leadership in today’s fire service and other high-risk industries through programs, research, and publications.
Jan 09, 2025•36 min•Ep. 155
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 its commitment to humanizing and optimizing performance and leadership in today’s fire service and other high-risk industries through programs, research, and publications.
Dec 27, 2024•56 min•Ep. 154
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 accident in December of 2022 has saved multiple lives and left an enduring legacy of service. For more information, please visit billymoonfoundation.org .
Dec 12, 2024•37 min•Ep. 153
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 recovery efforts in Asheville, NC, following Hurricane Helene. Part two shifts focus to the critical role of academia and higher education in shaping and informing leadership within the fire service. Sociocultural Human Performance: Education and Learning for Promoti...
Nov 27, 2024•59 min•Ep. 152
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 join the NY Army Nation Guard. In 1999 he attended Infantry basic training in Fort Benning, GA. before advanced infantry training where he achieved a dual MOS as an 11 Bravo Infantrymen and an 11 Charlie Mortarman. After graduating AIT, Trevor returned to coll...
Nov 14, 2024•44 min•Ep. 151
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 Operations companies and has been a member of NJ-TF1 FEMA USAR since 2008. Gabe serves as a tactical leadership advisor for Leadership Under Fire. Gabe last appeared on the LUF podcast in March of 2021.
Oct 31, 2024•38 min•Ep. 150
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 Picture Studio Mechanics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Film Production from Hunter College and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology with a concentration in applied practice at the University of Western States. Joanne is ...
Oct 17, 2024•47 min•Ep. 149
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 Chicago Police Department for more than 36 years and spent most of his career in gang-tactical units. He commanded the 24th District and the department’s mobile strike force which targeted gang violence citywide. Jim also served with the US Marines for 39 years...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 148
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 Brooklyn. Chief Connolly promoted again to the rank of Captain and was assigned to L-133 in South Jamaica, Queens. Recently, Chief Connolly was promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief and is assigned to Battalion 35 in Brooklyn. Chief Connolly is a graduate of F...
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 147
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 Making Yourself Hard to Kill construct, and more broadly the team’s endeavor to challenge and encourage leaders to think critically. Jim and Jason discuss the inherent limitations of operational safety in real-world operational environments and conversely its suitab...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 146
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 strongly correlated to a scholarly appreciation of literature and professional reading. In 2022, LUF launched our inaugural book club. LUF online book clubs have been a conduit to meaningful discourse, reflection, and critical thought. In this podcast episode, LU...
Aug 22, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 145
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 areas. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2020 and is currently assigned to Rescue Co. 1. Ben has been a contributor to the LUF Emerging Leadership Development course.
Aug 08, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 144
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 Maryland before attending the Virginia Military Institute where he majored in Psychology. After graduating in 2021 Evan attended TOPT, the AF Special Warfare Officer selection course for the TACP career field. In 2022 Evan began the arduous TACP pipeline where he ...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 143
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 used his fire service experience and passion to start Conway Shield. Nearly 40 years later, the Conway Shield business he founded strives to be a leading source of protective gear, safety equipment, and educational resources for first responders in the U.S. Pa...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 142
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 perseverance and patience. That is why the Leadership Under Fire Team and Paddy Brown Program hosted an information session to educate and encourage those military service members and veterans desiring to join the FDNY as well as those who are considering military ser...
Jun 27, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 141
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 Companies 23 and 6. Jason is a member of the BCFD’s Special Operations team and is an adjunct instructor at the Fire Academy. Jason is a former Captain Timmy Stackpole LUF Scholar recipient. This conversation you are about to hear was delivered during an online LUF...
Jun 13, 2024•51 min•Ep. 140
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 second-generation member of the Camden City Fire Department. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism/media studies from Rutgers University and has worked as a research assistant at NFL Films since 2020. Tom is a first generation American. Since 2022, he has wor...
May 30, 2024•46 min•Ep. 139
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 about building the LUF Team.
May 16, 2024•57 min•Ep. 138
