Best Community Risk Reduction Podcasts (2025)

1
#107 Check-In Time: Passion, Balance, and the B.S. That Burns It Out 32:33

8h ago32:33

32:33

In this week’s episode, Matt, Doug, and Unkie get real about burnout, passion, and what it means to stay motivated in the fire service—especially after decades on the job. Doug’s allergies are flaring up, Adam’s pulling full-time dad duty, and Matt’s stuck in a hotel… but the mics are on and the conversation is solid. The crew checks in on themselv…

1
The Politics Of Progress On Climate And Energy – U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) 43:53

3d ago43:53

43:53

“While the word ‘climate’ may be politically charged for some, the need for affordable, reliable, and secure energy is something we can all agree on. Americans are calling for action, and as Members of Congress it’s our responsibility to deliver. If we want long-term solutions that address both our constituents' concerns and growing climate risks, …

1
E97: The Thrill of Fully Following Christ with Sameed Osman (Part 1) 44:59

4d ago44:59

44:59

“It’s better to be broken than crushed.” Sameed Osman has held that reference to Matthew 21:44 through times of true brokenness, like when he gave up his old life as a Muslim and ended up on the street when he converted to Christianity. Today, Eric Scovill sits down with Sameed to explore questions like identity, the risk and reward of following Je…

1
Daniel Snyder: Interview 8: Exposure To Death & Trauma 51:42

4d ago51:42

51:42

In this episode, you’ll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung interview Daniel Snyder about exposure to death and trauma and how he copes with it. Daniel describes outlets he uses to deal with stress, the importance of taking breaks to avoid burnout, and steps he is taking to maintain boundaries between his peer work and his personal life. This episode…

1
The Microbiome and Cancer, Timing of Antihypertensive Medication Administration, What is Chronic Migraine and more 7:52

7d ago7:52

7:52

Editor’s Summary by Linda Brubaker, MD, and Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ, Deputy Editors of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, for articles published from May 10-16, 2025.

1
#106 The Fire Life: Sippy Cups and Shift Change 47:03

7d ago47:03

47:03

This week, Matt, Doug, and Unkie are back behind the mics — sweating it out in a closet, talking dryers that don’t work, how many horses is too many, and why the 48/96 schedule might be the greatest fire department hack of all time. 👨‍🚒 We break down shift schedules and how they impact family life, mental health, and relationships. Matt raves about…

1
End of the Road for a Fire Chief with Scott Freitag 29:42

8d ago29:42

29:42

This edition of Code 3 is a little different than most. It’s about a Fire Chief who lost his job after he incurred the wrath of the Union Local’s officials and, ultimately, the IAFF. Scott Freitag was the chief of the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority, or CAFMA. The agency was created under Scott’s leadership when two fire districts combin…

1
Women Rewriting The Climate Conversation – Voices From The Earth Day Women’s Summit 54:29

9d ago54:29

54:29

“How do we get people in the tent to even hear the story? With ‘Living with Ed’ and other projects, we were a family they could identify with. We were yelling, laughing, loving each other while talking about real issues. I represented the average person’s perspective on issues like taking the subway. There’s the funny, and there’s the conflict. If …

1
Daniel Snyder: Interview 7: Financial Realities & Career Aspirations 48:04

11d ago48:04

48:04

In this episode, you’ll hear Daniel Snyder speak to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about the financial realities of peer work and his future career aspirations. Daniel describes the lack of permanent, full-time positions for peers, and how pursuing a career involving only peer work could impact him financially. Daniel also discusses the importance of…

1
E96: Intimacy with Jesus in Hostile Territory with Carole Ward (Part 2) 54:32

11d ago54:32

54:32

What happens when we empty ourselves in full surrender to God? In Part Two of this powerful conversation, Eric Scovill and Carole Ward dive into the often-misunderstood discipline of fasting—not as a religious exercise, but as a gateway to deeper intimacy with God, sharper discernment, and breakthrough-level prayer. Carole, founder of Favor Interna…

1
Influenza and COVID-19 Multicomponent Vaccine, Procedural-Based Treatments for Mixed Urinary Incontinence, Estimating Reform Impact on the Medicare Advantage Quality Bonus Program, and more 6:32

14d ago6:32

6:32

Editor’s Summary by Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ, Deputy Editor of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and Anne R. Cappola, MD, ScM, Senior Editor at JAMA, for articles published from May 3-9, 2025.

1
#105 Budget Cuts & Cowboy Hats 46:53

14d ago46:53

46:53

What happens when your dream tool gets cut from the budget? The guys talk fire department finances, backup plans, and hovercraft rejections. Brian breaks down the budget process, Unkie explains how credit cards vanished from his department, and Doug? Well… he’s still trying to get cowboy hats approved because that mustache deserves a brim. 🤠🔥 Plus:…

1
Briony Rogers on resilient communities, systems change, and fire to flourish 35:24

17d ago35:24

35:24

In this episode, Elizabeth speaks with Professor Briony Rogers, based at Monash University’s Sustainable Development Institute. Briony is CEO of Fire to Flourish, a pioneering initiative partnering with fire-affected communities, researchers and philanthropy to co-create a model of holistic support for community-led disaster recovery and resilience…

1
A Sheriff Improves his Public Safety Approach: Sheriff Austin Brookwell Addresses Mental Health Crises 24:14

18d ago24:14

24:14

The conversation delves into the intricate relationship between law enforcement and mental health, particularly in the context of suicide prevention. Sheriff Brookwell's extensive experience in the Washakie County Sheriff’s Office provides a rich backdrop for the exploration of the challenges faced by law enforcement officers when confronted with i…

1
How Michigan Turns IRA Tax Credits Into Growth – Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer, Michigan 45:40

18d ago45:40

45:40

“We did lots of infrastructure investments over the last handful of years to make sure our communities are in the best possible place they can be. And we complemented federal investment with workforce investment to ensure Michiganders are getting access to those kinds of roles, some of which didn't even exist previously. [This ensures] that Michiga…

1
Daniel Snyder: Interview 6: Financial Compensation 49:25

18d ago49:25

49:25

In this episode, you’ll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung interview Daniel Snyder about financial security and the lack of standard payment practices across agencies for peer workers. Daniel discusses how many peers do gig work rather than engaging in salaried employment, and the importance of making peers feel valued by compensating them fairly. T…

1
E95: Intimacy with Jesus in Hostile Territory with Carole Ward (Part 1) 52:11

18d ago52:11

52:11

What happens when fear meets perfect love? In this unforgettable episode, Eric Scovill sits down with Carole Ward, a third-generation missionary who has spent over 20 years in some of Africa’s most dangerous regions—places most people would run from, not toward. But by the grace of God, Carole doesn’t flinch. With raw honesty and deep spiritual ins…

1
Spending Reductions With the Medicare Shared Savings Program, Extended Caffeine Use in Preterm Infants, Survival Trends for Periviable Infants, and more 7:43

21d ago7:43

7:43

Editor’s Summary by Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, Editor in Chief, and Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ, Deputy Editor of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, for articles published from April 26-May 2, 2025.

1
#104 East Coast Lincoln & the Candle Crusade 53:41

21d ago53:41

53:41

From kitchen fires to candle mishaps, from firehouse kitchen tables to national fire code debates—we’re hitting it all in this one. Brian, aka East Coast Lincoln, opens the show with heartfelt honesty and a long-overdue moment of silence. The crew dives deep into the real-life value of public education in the fire service, how fire inspections aren…

1
Sustainable Business Is Good Business – Tensie Whelan, Founding Director of the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business 50:38

24d ago50:38

50:38

“Blue state pension funds are doubling down on sustainability while red state pension funds are firing you. Companies are challenged because for some constituencies, they have to demonstrate their sustainability credentials, and for others, they have to hide them. So it's a really challenging time. But if you can demonstrate the business case, then…

1
Daniel Snyder: Interview 5: Harm Reduction & Human Connection 1:00:05

25d ago1:00:05

1:00:05

In this episode, you'll hear Daniel Snyder talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about differing viewpoints in approaching harm reduction work, the limits of policy solutions, and the importance of human connection for people who use drugs. This episode was recorded on November 22, 2022.By Unsilencing Stories

1
E94: Giving Wisely and Obediently with Mike Childs 32:14

25d ago32:14

32:14

Is it truly better to give than to receive? …and what does listening to God have to do with it? Eric Scovill and Mike Childs dive into the heart of biblical stewardship, revealing how generosity can transform your life and finances. This episode offers a refreshing perspective on wealth management, encouraging listeners to embrace a heart of giving…

1
Fighting Fires Inside the Box with Eric Wahlberg 24:00

27d ago24:00

24:00

Are you tired of being told to “think outside the box?” Well, if you are, I have good news: today’s show is about thinking inside the box. It's about looking at structures as a series of boxes, determining which box has the active fire in it, and how to attack that fire. Boxes determine flow path in large modern residential structures. It’s an inte…

1
Shingles Vaccination and Dementia, Varenicline for Vaping Cessation, Mental Health Trends in Publicly Insured Children, and more 10:13

28d ago10:13

10:13

Editor’s Summary by Preeti Malani, MD, MS, and Chris Muth, MD, Deputy Editors of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, for articles published from April 19-25, 2025.

1
#103 Back in the Box (ft. Burn Box Tom) 🔥📦 1:00:52

28d ago1:00:52

1:00:52

The boys are back with Burn Box Tom, and it’s safe to say the chaos has never been more fun. From Tom’s Buzz Lightyear headset to tales of FDIC madness, we’re talking booths, mustaches, and the mysterious art of cutting a hole in a Burn Box (yep, that joke gets made). We dive into what it’s like to sling firefighter-owned gear at the Super Bowl of …

1
Female Farmers Are Transforming Cotton – Alison Ward, CEO of CottonConnect 53:31

30d ago53:31

53:31

“I've been particularly passionate about working with women in those communities to teach them about new techniques so they can understand how to run their farm more effectively, but also understand their rights as women in those communities so they have a stronger voice…. And because they were called an ‘ambassador,’ their status in the village ro…

1
E93: Redefining Stewardship with Mike Childs 29:50

1M ago29:50

29:50

When financial advisor Mike Childs realized he was a “Christian advisor” but wasn’t necessarily giving Christian advice, everything changed. In this episode, Mike—CEO of CIG Financial Services—joins host Eric Scovill to challenge conventional thinking around money and invite believers to manage their resources through a biblical lens. No matter you…

1
Daniel Snyder: Interview 4: Referring to Resources 1:04:50

1M ago1:04:50

1:04:50

In this episode, you'll hear Daniel Snyder talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about referring individuals to resources in his community. Daniel suggests that recovery option should be person-centred and tailored to the individual needs of the person seeking treatment. Daniel explains the importance of keeping those struggling with substance use d…

1
Sex-Based Differences in Alcohol Consumption, ICU Patient Outcomes, Trends After Drug Decriminalization in British Columbia, and more 8:59

1M ago8:59

8:59

Editor’s Summary by Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, Editor in Chief, and Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ, Deputy Editor of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, for articles published from April 12-18, 2025.

1
#102 Fed Fire, Dirty Rice, and Giveaway Dice! 1:03:44

1M ago1:03:44

1:03:44

Fresh off Episode 100, the crew is back in action—and it’s a fed fire kind of night. Matt, Unkie, and special guest Nick Hammond (aka @fireman1231) break down the wild world of federal fire service—what it’s like to get hired, how operations differ from city departments, and the perks of repping stars and stripes on the job. Doug and Nick bring the…

1
Marco Toscano-Rivalta on human rights, disaster risk reduction, and finding harmony 55:26

1M ago55:26

55:26

Elizabeth speaks with Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Chief of United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) for Asia and the Pacific based in Bangkok. Across his career, Marco has worked with the UN and other international organisations in humanitarian relief, refugee protection, promotion and protection of human rights, justice administration,…

1
Building A Culture Of Innovation – Telle Whitney, Author of “Rebooting Tech Culture,” Co-Founder of AnitaB.Org Institute 46:01

1M ago46:01

46:01

“Talking to people from different disciplines pushes your thinking about your assumptions, going out and listening to what other people are doing helps inform the way that you creatively solve the problem that's in front of you. Leaders often are scared by some of these ideas that are coming out of their workforce and that's why they're shutting th…

1
Daniel Snyder: Interview 3: Community Outreach, Exposure to Death & Trauma 51:39

1M ago51:39

51:39

In this episode, you'll hear Daniel Snyder talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about different responses he encounters while doing community outreach, the presence of cynicism in peer spaces in response to the death and trauma peers face in their work and the importance of client centred treatment for those experiencing substance use disorder. Thi…

1
E92: Staying Dependent on God When You Have Everything 44:56

1M ago44:56

44:56

What does relying on God look like in the land of plenty? Isaac Schafer and I discuss the dangers of financial abundance and how to maintain an open-handed approach to wealth. Listen for a practical approach to checking your heart for alignment with God's purpose, even in a wealthy society. Be challenged to examine your "non-negotiables" and discov…

1
Trends in Group A Strep Infections, Outcome Measurements for Community-Acquired Sepsis, USPSTF Recommendations for Breastfeeding Counseling, and more 8:18

1M ago8:18

8:18

Editor’s Summary by Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, Editor in Chief, and Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ, Deputy Editor of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, for articles published from April 5-11, 2025.

1
#101 Live(ish) from Indy: FDIC Recap, Burn Box Shenanigans & Brotherhood Moments 30:27

1M ago30:27

30:27

Big City Doug and Big Body Brian are coming to you almost live from FDIC in Indianapolis! It’s the first time they’ve recorded in-person together, and they’re bringing the laughs, the lessons, and a whole lotta love for the fire service. In this special episode:🔥 We reflect on the first days at FDIC—massive booths, gear galore, hovercrafts (yes, re…

1
Where’s My Carbon Coming From? – Zara Summers, Chief Science Officer, LanzaTech 51:25

1M ago51:25

51:25

“We've worked with partners like AcelorMittal… and oil and gas refineries. Emissions that would've been destined for the atmosphere are piped into our bioreactor and our magnificent microbes turn that gas into ethanol. When we pull out that ethanol, we can send it a lot of different places. You can go to On, Adidas, Athleta and buy products made by…

1
E91: Pursuing Wealth with a Godly Heart with Isaac Schafer 36:11

2M ago36:11

36:11

Sure, maybe money can buy (fleeting) happiness. But is our goal happiness, or is it God? In this thought-provoking episode of Wealth Well Done, Eric Scovill and Pastor Isaac Schafer challenge listeners to examine their motives for wealth and the pursuit of it. Eric and Isaac tackle tough questions head-on: Is making money inherently wrong? How can …

1
Daniel Snyder: Interview 2: Stigma 1:03:23

2M ago1:03:23

1:03:23

In this episode, you'll hear Daniel Snyder talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about the stigma that surrounds substance use and people who use drugs. He describes the internal stigma he faced as his substance use escalated and the lengths he went to hide his substance use. Daniel also explains that many people in the trades are affected by the ov…

1
We Are happy You Are Here 29:19

2M ago29:19

29:19

This podcast episode features a profound dialogue with Kimberly, a courageous survivor of a suicide attempt. Her narrative illuminates the stark reality that suicidal thoughts can afflict anyone, regardless of their mental health history or life circumstances. We delve into the intricate layers of her experiences, revealing the interplay of persona…

1
Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for Coagulopathic Bleeding After Cardiac Surgery, IV Iron for Patients w/ Heart Failure and Iron Deficiency, Cardiac Arrest and Long-Distance Races, and more 10:13

2M ago10:13

10:13

Editor's Summary by Linda Brubaker, MD, MS, and Chris Muth, MD, Deputy Editors of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, for articles published from March 29-April 4, 2025.

1
#100 A Look Back and a Big Thank You 1:07:19

2M ago1:07:19

1:07:19

We made it to triple digits, folks! 💯 In this special 100th episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast, the crew reflects on the wild ride of the last two and a half years — from chaotic pre-shows and unforgettable guests to real firehouse laughs, emotional stories, and everything in between. We highlight some of our favorite moments: 🔥 Chief Ronnie Hayes…

1
What Canada’s Energy Policies Can Teach The U.S. – Claire Seaborn, former Chief of Staff to Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources 59:27

2M ago59:27

59:27

“One of the big differences between Canada and the United States on climate policy spending broadly is that unlike the United States, Canada has a national carbon pricing system. So, we have a carbon pricing system that sets a national minimum standard…. Without strategy, coordination, investment, we will be putting ourselves at a painful disadvant…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Community Risk Reduction Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide