National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

In this emotional and unfiltered episode, District Chief Nate Morgans of the Tulsa Fire Department sits down to share a story that spans leadership, trauma, addiction, redemption, and the power of truly transformational healing. Nate takes us from his earliest days on the job, through rapid promotions and deployments to Afghanistan and Ukraine, into the hidden battles that nearly cost him everything.

After years of functioning at a high level while quietly unraveling, Nate reveals how alcohol became his coping mechanism for anxiety, hypervigilance, and an inner turmoil he didn’t yet understand. DUIs, a demotion, a failing marriage, and suicidal ideations pushed him to a breaking point. He walked through the IAFF Center of Excellence, tried to rebuild, relapsed, and continued searching for a way out of the cycle that gripped his life.

The turning point came when Nate discovered Ibogaine therapy, an alternative treatment he now openly champions. He describes how the experience forced him to confront the trauma, ego, and emotional patterns driving his addiction—providing clarity and healing that traditional approaches alone hadn’t unlocked. Nate credits Ibogaine with helping him rebuild his relationship with himself, rebuild his life, and step fully into long-term sobriety with purpose and direction.

Today, Nate is committed to paying that healing forward. He shares his work with the Casey Skudin 343 Fund, supporting firefighters seeking alternative mental health and wellness treatments, including psychedelic-assisted therapies. Through this work, Nate is helping create new pathways for firefighters who feel trapped in silence, stigma, or suffering—offering real hope rooted in his own lived experience.

This episode is raw, brutally honest, and deeply needed. Nate’s story reminds us that the fire service must embrace conversations about mental health, addiction, trauma, and recovery. And it reinforces a truth we cannot ignore: our people deserve care, compassion, and access to every tool that can save their lives.

Nate’s vulnerability is a gift. His message is a wake-up call. His recovery is proof that healing is possible—and worth the fight.

For more information on the Casey Skudin 343 Fund, go to www.343fund.org

The Casey Skudin 343 Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to supporting first responders and their families who struggle with trauma, PTSD, depression, addiction, and other mental health challenges related to their careers. Founded by Angela Skudin in memory of her husband, FDNY firefighter Casey Skudin, the fund provides grants and access to holistic and alternative healing treatments—including psychedelic-assisted therapies and other non-traditional modalities that are often inaccessible through standard healthcare. It also offers structured preparation and integration support throughout the healing journey, aiming to help those who protect and serve find sustainable recovery and wellness.

n this episode, Jeremy sits down with Deputy Chief Tom Wiezcerzak, the commanding officer overseeing Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) operations at Newark Liberty International Airport—one of the busiest and most complex aviation environments in the world. Tom breaks down the enormous responsibility of protecting thousands of passengers a day, managing responses to everything from indicator lights and hot brakes to engine failures, bird strikes, and large-scale emergencies.

But the conversation reaches far deeper than operations. Tom opens up about faith, humility, and servant leadership as the cornerstones of his approach to the fire service. He talks about staying grounded, being accountable for your decisions, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who will call you out, refocus you, and help you grow. Together, he and Jeremy discuss what it means to be a good person first and a good firefighter second, how character shapes leadership, and why continuous education and honest communication are essential to earning trust—whether with firefighters, administrators, or the public.

They reflect on career paths, the weight of command, and the emotional aftermath of aviation tragedies, including the recent UPS crash that took the life of pilot Dana Diamond, a respected advocate within the ARFF community. Tom explains how moments like that sharpen the mission, reinforce preparedness, and remind every responder of the sacred obligation they carry.

From high-hazard operations to personal values, from professional evolution to the impact of mentorship and friendship, this episode is a compelling look at leadership, purpose, and the heart of the fire service—set against the backdrop of one of the most demanding response environments in America.

Another Street Talk, this time recorded at Manhattan's Dublin House on the Upper West Side. 

In this episode, Mickey discusses lithium-ion battery fires in commercial occupancies — what we’re seeing in the field, why these fires are escalating rapidly, and how first due companies need to approach them with a different tempo and disciplined tactics.

This episode dives deep into the extraordinary career and impact of Jack Murphy—fire marshal, educator, code advocate, author, and one of the foremost voices in high-rise fire safety and building intelligence. Through storytelling, lessons learned, and decades of lived experience, Jack walks us through the evolution of the modern fire service and the crucial role relationships, communication, and mentorship have played in shaping it.

From his early beginnings influenced by family legacy to becoming a national leader in fire code development, Jack highlights how personal connections and community ties remain at the heart of effective emergency response. He shares the challenges of enforcing fire safety in an increasingly complex built environment and explains how collaboration between firefighters, building officials, and industry partners is essential to true community risk reduction.

Jack recounts pivotal moments in his career—from massive events like Woodstock ’94 to the profound lessons that emerged from September 11th—showing how those experiences reshaped the fire service’s approach to preparedness, high-rise command, and incident management. Central to his message is the value of building intelligence and tools such as Building Information Cards, pre-incident planning, and Quick Action Plans, all of which have transformed how firefighters operate in dense urban environments.

Throughout the conversation, we explore the global influences on American fire safety, innovations in building technology, and the growing demand for integrated communication and data systems. Jack emphasizes that while technology drives efficiency, the fire service will always rely on the human element: mentorship, leadership, and the relationships forged on and off the fireground.

Ultimately, this episode is a masterclass in legacy. Jack Murphy reminds us that the future of the fire service depends on continuous education, sharing knowledge, embracing innovation, and preserving the traditions and pride that built the profession. His insights offer a clear roadmap for today’s leaders and tomorrow’s firefighters as they navigate an ever-changing operational landscape.

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Jim Webb, the senior man of his home firehouse and a 53-year member of the Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department. From growing up in River Edge around his father’s firehouse to carrying on his grandfather’s FDNY Ladder 8 legacy, Jim walks us through a lifetime in the American volunteer fire service—back when yellow Maxims, tailboard riding, long coats, and hip boots were the norm and the siren meant the whole town was running to the firehouse, not just checking their phones.

Jeremy and Jim trade stories about memorable jobs like the Franklin Lakes Building Supply fire and the Cider Mill, riding the back step, and the days when engines left the house packed with firefighters hanging off every grab bar. They talk about the social fabric of the firehouse—Old Timers dinners, Santa runs, long nights of cards and conversation—and how that camaraderie built the brotherhood so many of us still chase today.

Jim also shares his 40-year career as a civil engineer with Con Edison in New York City, including his connection to the 1975 New York Telephone fire and his time at Ground Zero after 9/11, and how infrastructure, incident command, and the fire service all intersected in his world. From there, the conversation turns to where we are now: recruitment vs. retention, overworking our senior members, the power of simple one-on-one appreciation, and why “fix your house before you invite anyone over” matters for every volunteer department trying to survive.

Along the way, they remember influential mentors like the legendary Jack Willer and talk about why National Fire Radio exists in the first place—to capture and preserve the stories of the senior man before they fade away. If you grew up in a firehouse, or you’re trying to rebuild one today, this is a sit-down at the kitchen table you don’t want to miss.