Firehouse Talks with Jersey Rick: Igniting Leadership Excellence

Hosted by Rick Davis

Business Management

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Join Jersey Rick and his co-host Emily to elevate your leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities. As a military veteran of both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps, and drawing from a career in the fire service, we discuss everything from leadership styles and methods to communication and decision making. To learn more about Jersey Rick and the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 13, 2026Episode 6646 min

High Stakes Leadership: Lessons from a Former FBI Swat Operator

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews Eric Robinson who joined the FBI after being in the ministry for 12 years. During Eric's time with the FBI, he worked a range of crimes including white collar, counterterrorism, crimes against children, gangs, drugs, and public corruption. He also served as a SWAT operator, a firearms instructor, and a tactics instructor. Eric will soon release his first book, a collection of humorous, surprising, and intriguing moments from his career. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com or send an email to rick@fireofficerleadershipacademy.com. Jersey Rick is also the author of The Furnace of Leadership Development, available at Amazon in paperback, audiobook, and eBook formats. Music title: Honor and Glory, Audiorezout, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC

July 30, 2026Episode 651 hr 1 min

Jersey Rick: Fifty Years of Leadership Lessons

In this episode, Emily interviews Jersey Rick and he talks about his experiences and leadership lessons learned from the military and fire service. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com or send an email to rick@fireofficerleadershipacademy.com. Jersey Rick is also the author of The Furnace of Leadership Development, available at Amazon in paperback, audiobook, and eBook formats. Music title: Honor and Glory, Audiorezout, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC

July 16, 2026Episode 6444 min

Episode 64 - Surviving to Thriving: Damian Marquez from Law Enforcement to Leadership Coach

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews Damian Marquez, a former law enforcement officer and now a leadership coach, mentor, and team-building facilitator, working with individuals and organizations to identify their strengths, develop healthy habits, and lead with purpose. Damian helps high-achieving professionals, leaders, and teams move from surviving to thriving by unlocking their purpose, building unshakable confidence, and creating lasting impact. To contact Damian, email him at Damian@threestronglife.com or visit his website at https://www.threestronglife.com/ . Damian may also be found on LinkedIn. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com or send an email to rick@fireofficerleadershipacademy.com. Jersey Rick is also the author of The Furnace of Leadership Development, available at Amazon in paperback, audiobook, and eBook formats. Music title: Honor and Glory, Audiorezout, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC

July 2, 2026Episode 6329 min

Episode 63 - The United States of America 250th Birthday Celebration

In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily recognize the 250th birthday of the United States of America. They not only talk about the signers of the Declaration of Independence, but they highlight the December 1774 tea party in Greenwich, New Jersey, the importance and privilege of our freedom, and discuss several historic sites in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com or send an email to rick@fireofficerleadershipacademy.com. Jersey Rick is also the author of The Furnace of Leadership Development, available at Amazon in paperback, audiobook, and eBook formats. Music title: Honor and Glory, Audiorezout, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC

June 18, 2026Episode 621 hr 0 min

Episode 62 - Navigating Leadership Challenges: Insights from John Hilbrich's book, "Get to CEO"

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews John Hilbrich coach, author of “Get to CEO”, and entrepreneur. After almost three decades as a CEO, entrepreneur and investor, John has navigated large and small organizations, struggled through recessions and successfully managed companies to success who were once drowning in poor management or deeply in debt. John has grown businesses organically and through acquisition; and has exited two companies as an entrepreneur. John’s book is available on Amazon in hardback, audiobook, and Kindle versions. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com or send an email to rick@fireofficerleadershipacademy.com. Jersey Rick is also the author of The Furnace of Leadership Development, available at Amazon in paperback, audiobook, and eBook formats. Music title: Honor and Glory, Audiorezout, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC

June 4, 2026Episode 6138 min

Episode 61 - From Experience to Action: Nick Dunagan & the Health 4 Heroes Journey

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews Nicholas Dunagan, a U.S. Army combat veteran, certified personal trainer, and the Founder & CEO of Health4Heroes. With over a decade of leadership in the nonprofit sector, he has worked alongside veterans and first responders to strengthen long-term health and resilience. His background spans military service, business operations and management, health promotion, and fitness—bridging performance, purpose, and sustainable well-being for those who’ve served. Visit the Health4Heroes website at: https://health4heroes.org/ https://health4heroes.org/ To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com or send an email to rick@fireofficerleadershipacademy.com. Jersey Rick is also the author of The Furnace of Leadership Development, available at Amazon in paperback, audiobook, and eBook formats. Music title: Honor and Glory, Audiorezout, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC

May 21, 2026Episode 6028 min

Episode 60 - Discovering the Lasting Impact of an Uncle: A Journey into Leadership & Influence

In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily talk about the leadership and lasting influence that an uncle had on Rick’s and how it changed the course of his life. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com or send an email to rick@fireofficerleadershipacademy.com. Jersey Rick is also the author of The Furnace of Leadership Development, available at Amazon in paperback, audiobook, and eBook formats. Music title: Honor and Glory, Audiorezout, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC

May 7, 2026Episode 591 hr 5 min

Episode 59 – Interview with retired USMC Colonel Paul Callan Discussing Leadership

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Paul Callan who is the Chief Strategy Officer for the San Diego based aerospace company, PKL Services, Inc., where he leads strategic performance for the company. Paul discusses his career in the Marine Corps, addresses heroic leadership, the importance of virtue, and leadership challenges, development, and growth. Additionally, Paul talks about the Callan Courses that he developed. You can learn more about this at the following link: https://www.callancourses.com/ To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com or send an email to rick@fireofficerleadershipacademy.com. Jersey Rick is also the author of The Furnace of Leadership Development, available at Amazon in paperback, audiobook, and eBook formats. Music title: Honor and Glory, Audiorezout, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC

April 23, 2026Episode 5836 min

Episode 58 – Building Trust Through Vulnerability: Sharing Disappointment as a Leadership Tool

In this episode, Jersey Rick and Emily discuss Chapter 8, Disappointment , from Rick’s book, The Furnace of Leadership Development. Disappointment is a universal emotion and is often not written about, not discussed in leadership seminars, and the impacts are often misread in organizations as someone who is “checked out.” Listen to this episode as Jersey Rick and Emily discuss disappointment and how to overcome it through resilience and perseverance. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com or send an email to rick@fireofficerleadershipacademy.com. Jersey Rick is also the author of The Furnace of Leadership Development, available at Amazon in paperback, audiobook, and eBook formats. Music title: Honor and Glory, Audiorezout, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC

April 9, 2026Episode 5746 min

Episode 57 - Dr. Richard Gasaway, Unlocking the Secrets of Situational Awareness

In this episode, Jersey Rick interviews retired Fire Chief Dr. Rich Gasaway, a subject matter expert on situational awareness (SA) and decision making under stress. Dr. Gasaway talks about his research path and the various impacts that SA has on decision making at the scene of an emergency. To learn more about Jersey Rick, the Fire Officer Leadership Academy, and how we can help you develop as a professional, visit our website at https://www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com or send an email to rick@fireofficerleadershipacademy.com. Jersey Rick is also the author of The Furnace of Leadership Development, available at Amazon in paperback, audiobook, and eBook formats. Music title: Honor and Glory, Audiorezout, Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC