In this episode, Kyle and Kerry discuss the critical issue of mental health in the fire service with 2025 essay contest winner Marc Wysocki. They explore the challenges firefighters face, the importance of maintaining mental wellness, and the need for a cultural shift in how mental health is perceived and addressed within the industry. Mark shares his personal experiences and insights from his essay, emphasizing the need for proactive measures and support systems to help first responders cope with the unique stresses of their profession.

Takeaways

Mental health challenges in the fire service are often overlooked.

The identity of firefighters can lead to emotional suppression.

Proactive mental health measures should be part of operational readiness.

Cumulative stress can lead to severe mental health issues.

Peer support is crucial but often insufficient without professional help.

The culture of emotional regulation can hinder appropriate emotional responses.

Younger generations are more open to discussing mental health.

Training should include soft skills for better leadership and support.

Everyone deserves mental health support, regardless of their experiences.

The fire service must evolve to address the changing nature of emergency response.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mental Health in Fire Service

02:09 Mark Wysocki's Background and Insights

05:59 The Importance of Mental Health Awareness

11:57 Identity Fusion and Its Impacts

17:56 Unique Vulnerabilities in Emergency Services

24:02 Cumulative Stress and Seeking Help

29:52 Future Directions for Mental Health in Fire Service

Keywords

mental health, fire service, leadership, identity, emergency response, wellness, peer support, resilience, community service, mental health awareness

In this fun, off-the-cuff episode of the HC Leadership Podcast, Kyle and Kerry dive into a rapid-fire “Would You Rather” session with a leadership twist. No prep, no scripts — just honest reactions, personal stories, and real-time reflection.

From choosing between being trusted or respected, to navigating decisive vs. democratic leadership, to the classic debate of coffee vs. hobbies, the conversation goes everywhere from lighthearted laughs to deep insights about self-awareness, maturity, mentorship, blind spots, and the realities of leading at home and at work.

This episode is a perfect blend of humor, vulnerability, and wisdom—showing how even simple questions can spark meaningful conversations about leadership, culture, and growth.

Tune in, reflect on your own answers, and join the conversation on our socials!

In this podcast, there is a call to leaders to understand the personality structure behind the highly motivated and hardworking individuals. They argue that leading people considered 'easy' by default is not as effortless as it appears. Instead of taking a backseat, leaders should challenge themselves and these individuals for further growth and development. Often, these individuals may burn out because they tend to overload themselves with work. Leaders are challenged to employ different tactics for different people in different environments, a feat which they admit is tough but essential. They remind listeners that leadership never stops regardless of how easy or hard someone is to lead!.

In the final episode of this season, Kyle and Kerry take the gloves off and talk about what most leaders won’t: you can’t lead forward while clinging to who you used to be.

This is a no-frills conversation about the hard truth of transformation. Real leadership requires shedding old armor, unlearning habits that used to work, and facing the pain of becoming someone new. You’ll hear about the resistance that shows up when you try to grow, the backlash from those who liked you better when you were smaller, and why most people quit before they ever change.

But it’s also a call to keep going—to grow anyway. To stand by those who are in the fight. And to remember that becoming a better leader often means becoming a more honest, broken, and resilient human first.

If you're not uncomfortable, you're not growing. And if you're not growing, you're just playing dress-up with a title.

In this podcast episode, the hosts delve into the concept of emotional intelligence and its significance in fire service leadership. They discuss the four components of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. The importance of introspection and understanding one's own emotions is highlighted, along with the need to recognize and understand the emotions of others. The hosts explore the role of empathy, compassion, and reading the room in fostering effective communication and building strong team dynamics. They stress the value of holding oneself accountable and managing emotions in stressful situations. Conflict resolution and relationship management are also discussed, emphasizing the need for empathy and coaching to drive behavioral change. This engaging episode offers valuable insights and strategies for developing emotional intelligence in the fire service and creating a positive work environment.