Best Tim Merrill Podcasts (2025)

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439. "Meet Me Half Way" - Dan Czaruk 1:04:10

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3h ago1:04:10

1:04:10

Jeremy sits down with Battalion Chief Dan Czaruk for an outstanding conversation that cuts right to the heart of today’s fire service: leadership, mentorship, communication, culture, and the responsibility we all share to build up the next generation. Dan talks about starting his career at 19, terrified but eager, and the mentors who shaped his pat…

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632: Graphite's Merrill Lutsky 21:12

2d ago21:12

21:12

Merrill on LinkedIn Graphite Alice for Snowflake Mike on X Mike on BlueSky Coder on X Show Discord Alice & Custom Dev Mike's Recent Omakub Blog PostBy The Mad Botter

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438. "Context Matters" - Paul Conway 1:24:50

1d ago1:24:50

1:24:50

Paul Conway, a third-generation firefighter, former Milwaukee, WI Chief of Operations, founder of Conway Shield, and host of Beyond the Shield, joins Jeremy for a candid and powerful conversation about legacy, leadership, and the modern fire service. Together they explore how social media clips can distort context, why culture shapes performance in…

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Ch. 98 From The Front Seat. FAST / RIT 8:03

1h ago8:03

8:03

A new venture from View From the Top Floor — short, unfiltered clips straight from the driver’s seat. No script, no edits, just raw thoughts from the road. In this episode, Mickey talks about the FAST Truck and RIT team — the reality behind the assignment, the mindset, and the responsibility that comes with it. It’s about preparation, awareness, an…

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437. Cruel Intentions: The Case for Simplicity - Kyle Romagus 1:11:37

2h ago1:11:37

1:11:37

Jeremy sits down with Battalion Chief Kyle Romagus (East Montgomery County, TX; Smoothbore Cartel) for a straight-shooting conversation about engine company work and why simplicity wins. Kyle explains his “fire in a box” mindset, the priority of putting the probie on the nozzle, and how to teach firefighters to think—especially on three-person engi…

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436. The Crew, The Rig, The House - Tim Walsh 1:32:39

1d ago1:32:39

1:32:39

Jeremy sits down with Tim Walsh, retired Chief of Special Operations from the Chicago Fire Department, longtime instructor at IFSI, and now Deputy Chief of Operations in Burbank, Illinois. From starting as a 16-year-old cadet to serving more than three decades in one of the nation’s busiest cities, Tim shares real lessons on mentorship, leadership,…

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631: Aeroview's Marc Weiner 29:36

2d ago29:36

29:36

Aeroview Marc on LinkedIn Alice for Snowflake Mike on X Mike on BlueSky Coder on X Show Discord Alice & Custom Dev Mike's Recent Omakub Blog PostBy The Mad Botter

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Ch 97 Mick & Jeremy 50:24

3d ago50:24

50:24

Mickey sits down with Jeremy for a real conversation about the American fire service — the good, the bad, and everything in between. No script, no fluff, just two firemen talking about what they see, what they miss, and what still matters. Honest, unfiltered, and straight from the a heart.

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435. The Professional Volunteer Fire Department - Tom Merrill 1:29:45

6d ago1:29:45

1:29:45

Tom Merrill, the author of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department and podcast host on Fire Engineering Radio, joins Jeremy on the show for Episode 435. Tom’s passion is the volunteer fire service and his book breaks down the unique dynamic of the volunteer fire service. Jeremy and Tom talk about the concept of retention over recruitment, leader…

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434. Therapy with Shimek 1:20:38

8d ago1:20:38

1:20:38

Another round of “therapy” with Chris Shimek, Jeremy’s ‘therapist”. Shimek has been on the show multiple times and these episodes tend to go down a different path that the regular podcast episodes. Talking real life issues coupled with laughter and life lesson insights, Shimek and Jeremy find their conversations always therapeutic.…

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Chapter 96 Street Talk - Window Entry 3:45

10d ago3:45

3:45

This week, another street talk from Manhattan‘s Washington Square Park, Mickey dives into one of the most misunderstood responsibilities on the fireground: how the Outside Vent firefighter enters the window. It’s not random momentum or blind commitment—there’s technique, tempo, and intention behind every move. We break down body position, control, …

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See Hear Episode 131 - Deliver Me From Nowhere (first reaction) 27:51

11d ago27:51

27:51

So many biopics feature the story of an artist from cradle tograve....all in 2 hours. Those of you who know me or have listened tothe show before know I'm....uh....not a fan of these types of pods.They're often a cherry picked list of moments in the artist's lifeuntil the moment of triumph – artistically and in overcomingpersonal obstacles. Springs…

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433. You Should've Seen Me Back Then" - Dave Gallagher 1:19:52

13d ago1:19:52

1:19:52

Jeremy and Dave Gallagher explore the importance of connection, mentorship, and the evolving challenges within the fire service. They discuss the significance of quality training, the need for depth over breadth in knowledge, and the commitment required to succeed in firefighting. The conversation also highlights the importance of capturing the sto…

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Re Run CH. 44 Pete Partridge Chief of Special Operations Newark FD Part 2 of 2 1:00:49

14d ago1:00:49

1:00:49

In this weeks conclusion with Pete Partridge, the conversation delves into the complexities of the fire service, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive learning, practical experience, and mentorship. They discusses the limitations of social media as a learning tool, the necessity of understanding the broader context of firefighting, and the cr…

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432. Division Command - Patrick Wirkus 1:20:51

15d ago1:20:51

1:20:51

Patrick Wirkus joins Jeremy in the studio for today’s episode. A Battalion Chief with the Elizabeth, NJ Fire Department, Patrick has 13 years with the department and serves in an administration role currently with the department. His passion is for the Fireground and he often finds himself getting in on work across the city and surrounding jurisdic…

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Chapter 95. Transitional What? 5:45

17d ago5:45

5:45

In this episode, Mickey discusses the concept of transitional attack in firefighting, emphasizing its implications on fireground coordination and firefighter safety. He critiques the reliance on outside water as a default tactic, arguing that it disrupts the tempo and coordination necessary for effective firefighting. Mickey advocates for position-…

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See Hear Episode 130 - Interview with Ido Fluk, director of Koln 75 1:19:41

26d ago1:19:41

1:19:41

History is full of famous tales that are told from one perspective. As we all know, everyone has their own version of how something went down....even if it doesn't contradict the popular narrative, there's always something that happened in the background whose importance is diluted or not told at all. Welcome to episode 130 of See Hear Podcast. In …

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630: Edward Schmitz 13:10

27d ago13:10

13:10

SigCore UC SigCore UC on Crowd Supply Alice for Power BI Mike on X Mike on BlueSky Coder on X Show Discord Alice & Custom Dev Mike's Recent Omakub Blog PostBy The Mad Botter

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431. "Let's go to the Tailgate" - Matt Bays 1:05:42

27d ago1:05:42

1:05:42

Jeremy and Matthew Bays delve into the critical themes of mentorship, training, and the evolving culture within the fire service. They discuss the importance of clear expectations, the challenges of attracting talent to high-performing firehouses, and the need for a positive training environment. Matt shares insights on the systematic approach to t…

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430. Life After Retirement - Larry Di Camillo 1:08:13

29d ago1:08:13

1:08:13

In this episode, Larry Di Camillo discusses his recent retirement after over 35 years of service, including his role as a fire chief. He reflects on the importance of shared vision and collaboration within the fire department, emphasizing the need for open communication and feedback. Larry shares insights on the evolution of fire apparatus and the …

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Chapter 94. Area of Refuge 6:39

1M ago6:39

6:39

In this episode of View from the Top Floor, Mickey is on the road in Reno, Nevada, where he breaks down “the area of refuge,” what it means, where it’s found, and why it matters. Too often, it’s a tactic that’s misunderstood or overlooked, but it can mean the difference between control and chaos for the inside team.…

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429. "The Third In Mindset" 1:08:59

1M ago1:08:59

1:08:59

The Shimek has become a regular on the show and Jeremy's therapist. Another great session talking about food, The First-In Fire Conference and the "Third In Mindset".

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629: Tom Totenberg from LaunchDarkly 30:46

1M ago30:46

30:46

Mike sits down with Tom Totenberg to discuss disastrous Friday night deployments, selective feature flags, Launch Darkly and more general development goodness. Alice for Power BI Mike on X Mike on BlueSky Coder on X Show Discord Alice & Custom Dev Mike's Recent Omakub Blog Post Tom's LinkedIn LaunchDarkly…

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Chapter 93. Highway Runs 3:39

1M ago3:39

3:39

Operating on the Highway at Accidents — One of the most dangerous firegrounds we face isn’t inside a burning building, it’s on the highway. In this shot episode, Mickey explains why roadway operations are so deadly, the stats on line-of-duty deaths, and some common sense to keep you and your company alive and available for our next fire.…

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628: Co-Pilot Vibe Coding 29:52

2M ago29:52

29:52

Alice for Power BI Mike on X Mike on BlueSky Coder on X Show Discord Alice & Custom DevBy The Mad Botter

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Chapter 92. Ray McCormack 35:48

2M ago35:48

35:48

This conversation Ray McCormack joins Mickey in Wildwood New Jersey as they dive into the evolving landscape of the fire service, focusing on the importance of tradition, culture, and training. They discuss how these elements are crucial for maintaining standards and ensuring effective operations. They also emphasize the need for strong leadership …

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428. “Winners Win” 26:49

2M ago26:49

26:49

This episode is a portion of Jeremy’s new program titled, “Winners Win”, A Program by a Recovering Loser. Presented at the First In Fire Conference in Little Rock, AR on September 12, 2025, this segment of the complete program discusses accountability, leadership and going all in. The entire program will be posted at a later date.…

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Episode 49 – Deputy State Fire Administrator Luci Labriola-Cuffe 1:18:04

2M ago1:18:04

1:18:04

In this episode of "Frontline Mindset," host Rob sits down with Luci Labriola-Cuffe, Deputy State Fire Administrator for New York State. Luci shares her inspiring journey from childhood experiences with fire emergencies to becoming a trailblazer in the fire service. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of leadership, the importance of mental he…

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427. Balance?? With The Shimek 1:10:48

2M ago1:10:48

1:10:48

From Recruit Construction to Work Life Balance, this episode between Jeremy and The Shimek is becoming a weekly therapy session for Jeremy. Alot of great nuggets in this episode.

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Chapter 91. Survival Tips Taxpayers 8:15

2M ago8:15

8:15

In this episode, Mickey breaks down the term “taxpayer” in its truest form—where it came from, what it really means, and why it still matters on today’s fireground. From cellar fires to cockloft conditions, taxpayers demand a different level of awareness and discipline. We’ll dive into survival techniques, tactical considerations, and the realities…

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426. “Don’t Ever Meet Your Hero” - Bobby Eckert 1:10:24

2M ago1:10:24

1:10:24

Bobby Eckert joins Jeremy on the podcast for episode 426. The leader of Eckert Fire Tactics, his passion cannot be denied when it comes to his commitment to training firefighters. Focusing on realistic training, Bobby and his crew are known for going all in on their students. Bobby has never been one to shy away from hard conversations and addressi…

3M ago1:33:51

1:33:51

In this inspiring episode, Jeremy Donch sits down with Frank Viscuso — retired Deputy Chief from Kearny, NJ, bestselling author, nationally recognized speaker, and the 2025 George D. Post Instructor of the Year — to explore the intersections of leadership, coaching, and personal development. Drawing from over 26 years in the fire service, Viscuso s…