the guys talk to Greg Bagdade, who is a 22 year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department and mental health counselor. we talk about his career and his own struggles. Greg tells how we can help each other in light of the growing numbers of suicide and mental health issues in the first responder community.

Episode 55: Prt 1 Greg Bagdade FF/PM and mental health counselor "How can we help?"

Talking to Tom Putnam, Producer and Director of the documentary "Burn" and "Burn X". Tom and the guys talk about the making of the Burn docs and the upcoming projects Tom is working on including a documentary about Paramedics across the country.

Episode 54:  "Burn" and "Burn X" documentary Director/ProducerTom Putnam

Mike and Jenni are members of The Chicago Fire Department and founders of the Stache Bash which promotes prostate cancer awareness and supports cancer charities with Ignite the spirit.  listen to how these Mike and Jenni raise money and support with creepy mustaches.

Episode 53: Mike Manchester and Jenni Yokas talk Stache Bash

The guys sit down and talk a little history with former Commissioner of The Chicago Fire Department from December 15th 1999 to April 30th 2004.

Episode 52: PT 2 with former Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department James Joyce

Get to know candidate for Cook County Sherriff and CPD officer Lupe Aguire. We talk to Lupe about everything from his acting with Vince Vaughn to his views about the state of Cook County and his plans to make the county better

Roll call with Cook County Sherriff candidate and CPD officer Lupe Aguire

Episode 52: PT 1 with former Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department James Joyce

Sit down with Shenan, Jen and Sarah, 3 women from the non profit organization Shield 23 all of whom had husbands in the fire service who battled cancer and now offer amazing insight and advice for anyone going through this battle. Shield 23 provides support, financially, spiritually and everything in between so firefighters and their families can navigate their battle with cancer.

Episode 51 : The wives of Shield 23

The Crew sits down with Sammy Vega from Calumet City Fire Department. We talk about how Sammy got into the fire service, his military career, and what it means to be an "All in Mother F***er"

Episode 50: Pt.2 Sammy Vega of Cal City Fire

Episode 50: Sammy Vega of Cal City Fire

The Crew interviews Firefighter Mitch Huner, Owner and designer of Fire Maul Tools. Mitch talks about his learning experience designing, developing, and manufacturing fire department specific hand tools. The Crew discusses his time as a DOD firefighter, and how he got involved in PFAS and cancer research.

Episode 49: Part 2, Firefighter Mitch Huner Owner and Designer of Fire Maul

Episode 49: Part 1, Firefighter Mitch Huner Owner and Designer of Fire Maul

Part 2 with Ron Smith of the Gary IN Fire Department. Ron recalls a "near death" situation at a fire where he almost gave up after becoming disoriented and out of air.

Episode 48: Part 2 with Ron Smith of the Gary FD and creator of "training seconds"

part 1 with Ron Smith of the Gary IN Fire Department. Listen how Ron got Started in the fire service and some of the decisions that would change his life.

Episode 48: Part 1 with Ron Smith of the Gary FD and creator of "training seconds"

Former prosecutor, retired FBI criminal profiler and writer/producer of the smash hit TV show Criminal Minds Jim Clemente. Jim talks to the guys about profiling and his own true life childhood trauma he overcame.

Episode 47: retired FBI criminal profiler, writer/ producer of  Criminal Minds Jim Clemente

Retired Chief Leo Cox talks about how he came from two suburban fire departments to the Chicago Fire Department in 1966. Leo spent his time as a fireman on Engine 77, Lieutenant of Engine 44, and his move to the Southside to be the Captian of Engine 116. Leo was promoted to Battalion Chief and was assigned to Battalion 9 where he had an extremely close call that brought an end to a very very busy career.

Episode 46: Retired Chief Leo Cox of the Chicago Fire Department, came on the job in ‘66

The Crew goes live at Rock Bottom Brewery for Day 2, “family day”, of The 100 Club of Illinois and the Orland Fire Protection District’s annual fundraiser. We talk to Project Fire Buddies, The Yard Foundation, and many more while knocking back a few Rock Bottom “Fire Chief Ales” in support of our favorite charities!

Episode 45: Live at Rock Bottom Brewery with The 100 Club of Illinois, and many more

part 2 with Firefighters Josh Hill and Joey Mathews. Joey talks about his emotional last days has a firefighter with some obvious comic relief.

Episode 44: Firefighters Josh  Hill And Joey Mathews Pt 2 near death to car jackin

Josh Hill and Joey Mathews from The Front Line Team stopped into the studio with a handful of notes thinking they're there to record a commercial (at least Josh did). Unbeknownst to Josh he was there to tell his life story with Joey. Josh talks about his infancy in the fire service and all the different places that started his career. Josh even tells the story the time he had to heroically step up and save a brothers life. Joey explains his childhood and walks us through his father's line of duty death as a police officer. He gives us details on how the 100 Club of Illinois stepped up to support his family, and how they showed him tough love when he got older. Joey explains his experience in Marine Corps Bootcamp and how he got started in the fire service. Lots and lots of laughs and light hearted conversations around some very serious and important topics... The only way The Front Line Team and Chicago's Bravest Stories could do it!

Episode 44: Firefighters Josh Hill and Joey Mathews part 1 saving Kevin and the 100 club  saves Joey

Episode 43: Lieutenant Rick Vega Pt.2,  Rescued as a boy only to work with the man who saved him! by Fire & Iron Media

Episode 43: Lieutenant Rick Vega Pt.2,  Rescued as a boy only to work with the man who saved him!

Retired Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant, Rick Vega immigrated to Chicago from Cuba, and at 5 years old found himself being rescued by a member of the Chicago Fire Department from a fire only to be reunited with that same man almost 40 years later. Rick talks about how he came up in the fitness and martial arts world, and his connection to some of the biggest rock and punk bands in the country. These stories and many more in this episode.

Chicago's Bravest Stories Podcast

Chicago's Bravest Stories Podcast

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