In This Episode

• Christmas energy from the jump: Foreigner references, “when the **** did we get ice cream?” and the show immediately going off the rails (as usual).

• Patreon is officially LIVE:

  Patreon LINK!

  • Rookie Tier ($5): Member shout-outs, submit topic requests, and a chance to be chosen for the Turnout Drill via Wheel of Names.

  • Engineer Tier ($10): Everything in Rookie plus behind-the-scenes videos, occasional bonus episodes, and entry into a monthly raffle for fire goodies.

  • The mission: grow the show’s reach (marketing + expanding the community), not “back pocket” money.

• Merch update: Store is moving, more items coming, and the crew is pumped to keep evolving it.

  MERCH LINK!

• Sponsor love: Quick hits for The Burn Box / FD Collectors Club and Unkie’s Seasoning (with some classic side quests along the way).

• Real-world reminder: Talk about a house explosion in Salisbury that injured firefighters—thankfully no deaths—and a broader reminder about highway operations and winter hazards.

• Christmas gifts at the fire station:

  • Matt breaks down how gift-giving can get awkward when expectations aren’t clear.

  • Solution: just ask the crew upfront if they want to do a gift exchange and set a price limit.

  • Brian shares a boss move: cooking for the crew during the day to build connection without adding another night obligation.

  • Adam talks “in-house” traditions: crew tools, shared gift ideas, and company pride items (bags, mugs, station-branded gear).

• Christmas lights at the firehouse:

  • Stations that go full-send on decorations (including a kitchen that looks like Christmas exploded—in the best way).

  • A tradition of cutting a “Charlie Brown” tree behind the station and decorating it with firehouse flair.

• Snail Mail segment:

  • Listener questions on other fire podcasts to check out (National Fire Radio + Fire Engineering get mentioned).

  • A great listener comment about why it’s hard to talk about calls with people outside the job—followed by a powerful conversation on talking to your spouse, setting boundaries, and protecting your mental health.

• Big picture: Gratitude for the community, momentum heading into year three, and excitement for what’s coming in 2026.

• “Patreon… you gotta get on!”

• “It’s seven minutes and thirty seconds… new record for off the rails.”

• “Do you guys put up Christmas lights around your firehouse?”

• “Sometimes they don’t understand it—but they need to hear you.”

✅ Join Patreon: Support the show + unlock bonus content + raffle entries.
✅ Check the merch store: New designs/items always coming.
✅ Follow/Subscribe: Spotify + Apple + YouTube (video episodes).
✅ Comment: Does your station do gift exchanges? And do you decorate the firehouse?

Quotes / Moments You’ll RememberCalls to Action