Leadership Under Fire
Episodes
LUF Fireside Chat Series featuring FDNY Chief Jack Pritchard (Ret) and Captain Tommy Gardner–Part II
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second and final installment of our Leadership Under Fire Fireside Chat Series featuring FDNY Chief Jack Pritchard (Ret) and Captain Tomm...
Cold Case Investigations: Serving Justice and Building Resilience with Detective Wendell Stradford, NYPD (Ret)
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On September 11, 2021, Wendell Stradford marked his 63rd birthday, the birth of his granddaughter, and the end of his nearly forty-year career with t...
LUF Fireside Chat Series featuring FDNY Chief Jack Pritchard (Ret) & Captain Tommy Gardner--Part I
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast is hosted by Jim McNamara and features FDNY Battalion Chief Jack Pritch...
Reflections on a Family Legacy with Deputy Chief Jim Ginty, FDNY (Ret)
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Deputy Chief Jim Ginty is a 37 year veteran of the FDNY. Assigned as a probationary firefighter to Einge Co. 43/Ladder Co. 59 in 1984 to the war ravag...
Rescue Company Command with Capt Brian McNulty, Rescue Co. 2, Milwaukee FD
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership Under Fire founder Jason Brezler hosts this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast. Our guest in this e...
Cultivating Personal and Team Resilience with Jennifer Baker
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, listeners will hear the final installment of a recording captured in 2019 at a Leadership Under Fire Summit in Annapolis, Maryland. T...
A Reflection on Individual Risk and Resiliency with FDNY Firefighter Brendan Cawley
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
FDNY firefighter Brendan Cawley is a survivor of the horrific Black Sunday Fire which occurred in the Bronx on the morning of January 23, 2005. Brenda...
A Historic Human Performance Episode of the Equitable Building Fire
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
2022 marks the 110th anniversary of the Equitable Building Fire in New York City. On January 9, 2012, the Equitable Life Assurance Building located i...
2021 Year in Review with Jason Brezler and James McNamara
30 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Patti Murphy is joined by LUF Founder Jason Brezler and LUF’s Human Performance Advisor James McNamara. If you’re tuning int...
Smarter Not Harder with David Sears, US Navy SEAL (Ret)
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Commander David Sears (Ret) served twenty years of active military duty as a US Navy SEAL officer. He served on multiple east coast SEAL Teams, Naval ...
Breathing for Warriors with Dr. Belisa Vranich
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast we welcome back to the show renowned clinical psychologist and breat...
Miracle in Afghanistan‘s Hindu Kush with Shaun Cullen, FDNY and Air National Guard
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the Optimizing Human Performance Podcast is hosted by Leadership Under Fire Founder Jason Brezler. Our guest is Shuan Cullen, a native...
Optimal Human Performance During the FDNY War Years with DC Joseph DiBernardo (Ret) & Capt Louie Andrade (Ret) Part II
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second and final installment of our second Virtual Fireside Chat. The conversation affords seasoned leaders the opportunity to candidly re...
Fire in My Eyes with Paralympian LT Brad Snyder, US Navy EOD
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership Under Fire Human Performance Data Analyst Timothy Clarke guest hosts this episode of the Optimizing Human Performance Podcast featuring Br...
Optimal Human Performance During the FDNY War Years with DC Joseph DiBernardo (Ret), Capt Louie Andrade (Ret)—Part I
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is part one of two, and is a recording of a live event. The “Fireside Chat” has become a staple of Leadership Under Fire leadership...
What Science Informs Us About Resilience with Dr. George Bonanno
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
According to psychologist and emotions expert Dr. George Bonanno, all of us share a surprising ability to be resilient. The interview you will hear i...
Remembering FDNY Captain Patrick J. ”Paddy” Brown
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. To mark this anniversary on the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing ...
Revisiting Perseverance with MLB Hitting Coach Anthony Iapoce
26 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The original broadcast date for this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast was April 4, 2019. In 2016—after a 1...
Revisiting Career Reflection with FDNY Lt Mickey Conboy
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The original broadcast date for this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast was January 10, 2019. In 2018, Lieutena...
Resilience in Mission-Critical Teams with Dr. Preston Cline and Coleman Ruiz
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Co-founders of the Mission Critical Team Institute, Dr. Preston Cline and Coleman Ruiz, are our guests in this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Op...
LUF Virtual Fireside Chat Series featuring FDNY Lieutenants Danny Murphy & Dennis Gordon (Ret)--Part II
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second and final installment of our first Virtual Fireside Chat. The conversation affords seasoned leaders the opportunity to candidly ref...
Freedom with Sebastian Junger
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcome back to the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast American author, journalist, and filmmaker Sebastia...
LUF Virtual Fireside Chat Series featuring FDNY Lieutenants Danny Murphy & Dennis Gordon (Ret)--Part I
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is part one of two. What you’re about to hear is a recording of a live event. The "Fireside Chat" has become a staple of Leadership Un...
Optimal Performance at Wildfires, Off-road and in the Backcountry
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest in this episode is Battalion Chief Thomas Smith from CAL FIRE Nevada Yuba Placer Unit and the Placer County Fire Department. Smith started ...
From Renegade to Reformer with Capt Gabe Angemi, Camden NJ FD
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Gabe Angemi 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...
Exploring the Complexities of the FDNY War Years with Joe Flood
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist Joe Flood is the founder of n2 Communications and the author of the book The Fires, which examines New York City’s 1970s fire epidemic ...
Leading as a Performance Pioneer in Professional Baseball with Rachel Balkovec
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Balkovec is making history this 2021 season as the first woman hired by a major league baseball team to work as a full-time hitting coach. Balk...
Battle-Tested: Service and Sacrifice with FDNY Lt Josh Wiener, USMC (Ret)
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Josh Wiener is a Lieutenant in the FDNY and is currently assigned to the Rescue Battalion. His previous assignments were to Division 7 as a covering L...
A Historic Human Performance Episode of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On March 25, 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory in New York City burned, tragically killing 146 workers. It is remembered as one of the mos...
Better Great Than Never with Olympic Rower and Performance Coach Lindsay Shoop
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features Lindsay Dare Shoop. Lindsay is a lifelong athlete turned coach, author, and speaker. She is an Olympic gold medalist, a three-ti...
Tactical Leadership with a Midtown (Manhattan) Mentality with FDNY Lt Dan Saalfrank
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dan Saalfrank is our guest in this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast. Dan is a FDNY Lieutenant assigned to La...
Living, Leading and Loving in a Messy World with Officer Jon Matthews
11 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jon Matthews was a police officer in Greensboro, North Carolina, for more than a decade, from 2008 to 2019, before leaving the policing profession t...
Jim McNamara's Senior Man Feature Episode with Chief Pat Maloney, CFD (Ret)
28 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Pat Maloney is a retired 39-year member of the Chicago Fire Department, who rose through the ranks to become the Chief of Special Operations. Pat en...
"With You" - Combat Leadership with Capt Nick Kalt, USMC (Ret)
14 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nick Kalt is our guest in this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast. Nick serves as a Captain with the Long Beac...
2020 Year In Review with Jason Brezler and James McNamara
31 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Patti Murphy is joined by Jason Brezler and Jim McNamara as we look back at a year that was like no other we've experienced in ...
Gold Medal Mindset with Olympian Erin Cafaro
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Erin Cafaro is one of the most decorated female rowers in American history. Cafaro was a star rower at Cal from 2001 to 2006, helping the Golden Bears...
From Vietnam to 9/11: Leading by Learning and Adapting with Commissioner Sal Cassano, FDNY (Ret)
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Salvatore Cassano is the former Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department. He was appointed Commissioner by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in Janua...
Finding Flow Under Pressure with Dr. Nathaniel Zinsser
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Nathaniel Zinsser has been a sport psychology teacher and trainer for three decades. He has served on the faculties of William Paterson College in...
Delivering Critical Care Under Pressure in NYC and Around the World with Chris Summers
05 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Summers is a Physician Assistant, Critical Care Specialist and Quality Assurance and Education Coordinator, who has practiced cardiothoracic sur...
Jim McNamara's Senior Man Feature Episode with Capt Al Hagan, FDNY (Ret)--Part II
22 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is the second and final installment of a two-part interview featuring guest host Jim McNamara and retired FDNY Captain Alexander Hagan. C...
Jim McNamara's Senior Man Feature Episode with Capt Al Hagan, FDNY (Ret)--Part I
08 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is part one of two. Alexander (“Captain Al”) Hagan began his career during the War Years of the FDNY, in 1973, when he was assigned ...
What the USS Indianapolis Tells Us About Resilience with Sara Vladic and Lynn Vincent
24 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic are the NY Times bestselling authors of the book Indianapolis: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in US Naval Hist...
Remembering FDNY Captain Timothy M. Stackpole
11 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast, we're honored to bring you the inspiring story of FDNY Captain Tim...
Revisiting Life As Sport with Dr. Jonathan Fader
27 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The original broadcast date for this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast was December 28, 2018, but the convers...
Revisiting Love and War with Photojournalist Lynsey Addario
13 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode from 2018 is our very first of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast. Our guest in this episode has spent two d...
Leading with Character and Curiosity: From Combat to Moneyball with Sandy Alderson
30 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mr. Sandy Alderson has served as an executive in Major League Baseball for four decades. His teams have won six division titles, three American League...
Jim McNamara's Senior Man Feature Episode with Jerry Smith Jr., BCFD--Part II
16 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the second part of Jim McNamara's Senior Man Feature Episode with Jerry Smith Jr., BCFD. This episode picks up with guest host James McNa...
Jim McNamara's Senior Man Feature Episode with Jerry Smith Jr., BCFD--Part I
02 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jim McNamara hosts this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast. Jim is a senior Firefighter at the FDNY and serves ...
A Competitor's Mindset with Chicago Cubs Slugger Kyle Schwarber
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When faced with a career-halting injury, our guest in this episode, used the challenge as an opportunity to hone his skills in a way that ultimately h...
Risk, Restraint and Resilience in Lethal Environments with James Roussell, USMC (Ret) & Chicago PD (Ret)
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The conversation you will hear in this episode was recorded in early 2019 at a Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Summit, which took p...
USMC Top Shooter's Perspective on Optimal Performance with J. Carlson, USMC (Ret)
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is going on inside of the mind of one of the USMC's top marksman? Joining us in the latest episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human...
Revisiting Tribe (with a Pandemic Epilogue) with Sebastian Junger
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Leadership Under Fire welcomes back to the Optimizing Human Performance Podcast American journalist, author and filmmaker Sebastian...
Embracing Extreme Adversity with LCDR Justin Legg, USN SEAL (Ret)
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast, we'll unpack Justin Legg's unprecedented story of resilience. In...
Deep Survival with Author Laurence Gonzales
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Laurence Gonzales is the author of three novels and five books of nonfiction. His bestselling book Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why has b...
Jim McNamara's Senior Man Feature Episode with Bob Athanas, FDNY
26 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is hosted by Jim McNamara. For those tuning in for the first time, Jim is a senior Firefighter at the FDNY and serves as a Human Performa...
Managing Risk and Morality as a Paramedic with Jacob Dutton
12 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jake Dutton is a firefighter with the FDNY currently assigned to Ladder Company 102 in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. He was previously a...
Mental Skills Coaching with Ben Oliva
27 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ben Oliva is a certified mental performance consultant and mental health counselor. He is a member of the SportStrata team, which utilizes the most r...
Leading in a Rapidly Changing World with LtCol Charlie Black, USMC
13 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Charlie Black is a retired Marine Corps Officer with diverse experiences that span over three decades of service on four continents with conventiona...
Leading as a Fire Company Commander with FDNY Captain Michele Fitzsimmons
30 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Captain Michele Fitzsimmons is an 18-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department. She currently is the Department’s highest-ranking, senior ...
Reflections of a Senior Marine General Officer with Lieutenant General Lawrence Nicholson, USMC (Ret)
16 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we're honored to have U.S. Marine Lieutenant General Lawrence Nicholson as our guest. General Nicholson served as the Commanding...
2019 Year in Review with Jason Brezler and James McNamara--Part II
02 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the second part of our 2019 Year In Review. This episode picks up with podcast host Patti Murphy, Leadership Under Fire Founder and Presid...
2019 Year in Review with Jason Brezler and James McNamara--Part I
19 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Patti Murphy is joined by Leadership Under Fire Founder and President Jason Brezler and FDNY Senior Firefighter James McNamara. ...
Measuring Rigor: From the Ironman to the Fireground with Tim Clarke
05 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Timothy Clarke is an FDNY Firefighter in Ladder Company 12 in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and an International Association of Firefighters P...
Developing Mission-Oriented Leaders with Eric Nurnberg
21 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, listeners will hear from a guest who you may recognize from an episode we published in the spring of 2019 on Risk and Resilience. P...
Tactical Science and Lethal Threats with Charles “Sid” Heal
07 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Charles “Sid” Heal retired as a Commander from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department in 2008 after nearly 33 years of service, more than half of ...
Mental Sweat with Mental Performance Coach Hannah Huesman
24 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Hannah Huesman is a Mental Performance Coach with the Philadelphia Phillies. She earned a Master of Science degree in Sport Psychology and Motor Behav...
Remembering FDNY Captain John T. Vigiano--Part II
10 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second and final installment in a series dedicated to Remembering FDNY Captain John T. Vigiano. Captain Vigiano passed away on July 8, 20...
Remembering FDNY Captain John T. Vigiano--Part I
26 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
FDNY Captain John T. Vigiano was a resilient leader, dedicated to a life of service. On July 8, 2018, he passed away after a long battle with cancer, ...
2019 Summer Recap with Patti Murphy
12 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This summer, we took a hiatus from publishing new episodes. But thanks to the brief pause, the Leadership Under Fire team accomplished a lot. In this ...
Capturing the Moment with NFL Defensive End Romeo Okwara
27 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Romeo Okwara currently is a Defensive End for the NFL’s Detroit Lions. Prior to this, he played college football at Notre Dame and signed with the N...
High Performance in Tower Climbing with Troy Ryan
13 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Renewable energy offers many benefits to the environment and its workforce. But while these are often great jobs, they can also be dangerous. Renewabl...
Enhancing Evidence-Based Practice Among Nurses with Stacy Shilling
30 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Stacy Shilling has dedicated the last 21 years to educating patients and families about health and wellness as a Registered Nurse. After obtaining he...
Leading Your Peers with FDNY Senior Firefighter James McNamara
16 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Senior Firefighter is one of the most significant roles in the fire service. A member who carries this informal position can be a valuable source ...
Mission-Oriented Reform with Colonel Michael Wyly, USMC (Ret)
02 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Colonel Michael Wyly was a principal author of the FMFM 1 – Warfighting manual, a seminal doctrinal publication that cemented the USMC’s adoption...
Tactical Fitness with FDNY Firefighter James Lopez
18 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
James Lopez joined the FDNY in 1997 and currently is assigned to Rescue Company 2 in Brooklyn. He also serves as a tactical fitness advisor for both L...
Perseverance with MLB Hitting Coach Anthony Iapoce
04 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the fall of 2018, the Cubs named Anthony Iapoce as the team’s Hitting Coach. Iapoce began his coaching career in 2006, but prior to that he spent...
Risk and Resilience With a Navy SEAL Commander
21 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In 2014, the Leadership Under Fire team hosted the 3rd Annual Making Yourself Hard to Kill Conference. During this event, a Navy SEAL Commander with e...
Tribe with Journalist, Author and Filmmaker Sebastian Junger
07 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sebastian Junger is an American journalist, author and filmmaker whose work demands contemplation regarding what history, science and experience tells...
Ultra-Competitive Settings with Brendan and Danny Fowler
21 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Brendan Fowler was a two-time NCAA Champion during his days of playing lacrosse at Duke, the NCAA Championship most outstanding player in 2013, and ...
Leadership Under Fire with FDNY FF and USMC Major Jason Brezler
07 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jason Brezler is the Founder and President of Leadership Under Fire (or LUF). In this episode, we’ll get to share how Leadership Under Fire came to ...
Breathing to Support Peak Performance with Dr. Belisa Vranich
24 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Belisa Vranich will tell us some surprising information about breathing and walk us through the simple, revolutionary program s...
Career Reflection with FDNY Lt. Mickey Conboy
10 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In 2018, the FDNY’s highest honor for the most outstanding act of heroism was awarded to Lieutenant Mickey Conboy. Lt. Conboy has more than 30 year...
Life As Sport with Dr. Jonathan Fader
28 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
"Life As Sport.” It’s an approach to performance and everyday situations that Dr. Jonathan Fader strongly believes in based on his experience work...
Love and War with Photojournalist Lynsey Addario
28 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest in this episode has spent two decades traveling to some of the most dangerous and remote areas of the world. Lynsey Addario is an American p...