Dr. Johnny Torgeson opened a top-grossing fitness franchise at 25, served as an Army sergeant, and now commands operations at a federal fire department. Along the way he identified a gap most fire officers never get taught: how to actually build a team, not just staff one.

He wrote Forging Your Team: Demystifying Team Development for First Responders. Then he built Forging Teams AI, a 24/7 leadership coaching agent trained on his own research and experience, designed to help officers diagnose team dysfunction, low morale, and stalled performance in real time, without the cost of traditional executive coaching.

In this conversation, Johnny explains how the tool works, what it catches that emotional decision-making misses, and why he believes the fire service needs to move past outdated 1990s leadership models.

Learn more: forgingteams.com

Responder Resilience is produced by Mind Health Media, LLC, hosted by Lt. David Dachinger (Ret.), Dr. Stacy Raymond, and Bonnie Rumilly, LCSW/EMT.
Subscribe for more conversations with the people building a stronger, more resilient first responder culture.

**Resources for Responder Wellness:**

• Book: Helping the Helpers https://a.co/d/dm0VS4Q

• Free App: CRACKYL http://crackyl.respondertv.com

• Fitness: FightCamp (code RESILIENCE for 10% off) http://joinfightcamp.com/rr

Contact Johnny Torgeson:
Website: forgingteams.com

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Phone: +1 844-344-6655
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This show is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical, psychological, or professional treatment. Views expressed are those of the individuals, not any affiliated agency or organization.

In an emergency, call 911. For mental health support, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).