Episode Details

Summary

In this episode, the guys welcome back Greg Rudiger (Resilient Another Day / The Radcast) for a real, needed conversation about mental health in the fire service—and why we must start talking to recruits and new members early, not just after 15–20 years of calls, stress, and life piling up. The crew covers how peer support, resiliency tools, spirituality, and the “power of the pause” can help firefighters stay in the fight—at work, at home, and into retirement.

• Greg returns (first appeared on Episode 75) for Episode 145.

• Matt sets the tone: firefighters are killing themselves—and we need to stop acting like it’s not real.

• The crew agrees this topic should be in fire academies nationwide, not treated as an afterthought.

Patreon update

• Patreon is growing fast: 12 members (with a recent surge of new sign-ups).

• The team discusses possible perks like watching the podcast live during recording via Riverside.

New subscribers shout-outs

• Tyler Carson (free member)

• Tyler Adams

• Jesus & Sophia

• Social FD (paid supporter)

Merch

• New flagship merch drop: shirts/hoodies/hats/long sleeves + specialty designs.

• Discount code mentioned: “Episode144” for 15% off (limited time).

Sponsors

• Unkie’s Seasonings

• Burn Box / FD Collectors Club

• Plus love for Blue Collar Firemen

Greg breaks down the shift toward a proactive approach:

• If firefighter survival training is 75% prevention, why isn’t mental health training the same?

• They’re teaching recruits common language + tools before they ever hit the street:

  • Stress continuum (blue/green/yellow/orange/red)

  • Breath work / mindfulness

  • Work-life balance, sleep, nutrition, exercise

  • Peer support resources and apps

• The goal: normalize “Cap, I’m not okay” and make it safe to say.

Brian brings up the tension:

• Some firefighters reject the mental health conversation as “victim mindset.”

• Greg responds: it’s not about weakness—it’s about leading with love, listening, and meeting the human.

• Also discussed: the “weaponization” concern—people claiming mental health issues to avoid accountability—without dismissing anyone who truly needs help.

Greg’s point hits hard:

• You don’t carry one tool on the rig—you carry a toolbox.

• Same for wellness: breath work might work today, but tomorrow it might be running, faith, calling a buddy, stretching, ocean time, etc.

• The theme: sometimes you have to sit in the uncomfortable long enough to move through it.

• The crew emphasizes not being afraid of silence—on the mic and in real life.

• The pause helps you:

  • respond instead of react

  • recognize what you’re feeling

Brian shares scripture and the Footprints poem to underline the spiritual dimension:

• Faith isn’t “religion as performance”—it’s spiritual grounding and support.

• Greg ties it into wellness: the spiritual pillar is often the missing piece.

• Shared theme: we’re not meant to carry it alone.

Freddy raises a huge poi