Leadership @ the Kitchen Table

Hosted by Berlin Maza

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

108

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

About the show

Captain Berlin Maza & Deputy Fire Chief Bill Mack sit down with leaders in all professions and industries from across the country to have leadership conversations at the firehouse kitchen table! Leaders share their stories, philosophies and perspectives on leadership. They talk about their non-negotiable behaviors, actions and traits, as well as offer action items for newer employees, emerging leaders, and senior members of organizations to grow as leaders!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 23, 2026Episode 10848 min

Ep: 108: Randy Bruegman, Fire Chief (ret.) - Always Leading

From succession planning at a 12-station, 200-plus firefighter department to the culture shifts behind his new book Down the Pole, Up the Ladder , this conversation is a blueprint for anyone who wants to lead better before the pressure hits.Retired Fire Chief Randy Brugman built his reputation by thinking past today - replacing apparatus, funding stations, expanding ambulance revenue, and preparing the next generation long before he left Anaheim. In this episode, he breaks down the leadership moves that helped create lasting success and why so many organizations still make the same mistake: rewarding technical skill without building the communication, education, and strategic thinking that real leadership requires. You’ll discover: Why succession planning has to start early, not when a promotion opens up How Anaheim raised certification and education standards without killing morale The leadership trap of lowering standards just to fill vacancies How to turn a strategic plan into an actual operating tool, not a binder on a shelf Why communication changes as you move up the ranks - and what leaders must learn to say differently to cities, boards, and communities Bruegman also shares the simple weekly habits that compound into leadership growth: improve one behavior, reinforce one standard, and invest in one person. He and Berlin Maza also get real about accountability, the danger of silos, and why “don’t widen the plate” is such a powerful reminder for leaders at every level. This episode also introduces the Local Impact Leadership Summit from the Leadership Crucible Foundation, featuring Gordon Graham on risk management and predictable preventable problems, Dr. Don Barden on the traits of successful leaders and the rise of female leadership, a panel of city and nonprofit leaders, and Kim Anthony on resilience and performance under pressure. Perfect for firefighters, company officers, chiefs, and local leaders who want to build stronger teams, make better decisions, and leave their organizations better than they found them.

October 19, 2026Episode 1071 hr 19 min

Ep: 107: John Walters (FDNY), FF Resilience & Brotherhood

John Walters, retired FDNY Rescue One firefighter and former chief of the Port Washington Fire Department, shares hard-earned lessons on resilience, peer support, and the brotherhood that sustains the fire service. Drawing from a career spanning engine, ladder, squad, and rescue assignments, he reflects on 9/11, grief, and the catastrophic injury that changed his life. In this episode, we explore: Why shared experience makes peer support so powerful How firefighter-led counseling helps members ask for and accept support What different company assignments teach about leadership, humility, and problem-solving Why the best firefighters remain lifelong students How mentorship, accountability, and doing the right thing build stronger teams Walters also opens up about amputee recovery, the pressure to “tough it out,” and how his experience led him to support burned service members and injured firefighters. His message—“if you’re not about the team, you’re on the wrong team”—carries through this honest conversation about service, recovery, and finding renewed purpose. For firefighters, emergency responders, and anyone who leads a team, this episode offers practical lessons on supporting others and keeping the mission alive long after the sirens stop.

September 29, 2026Episode 1061 hr 12 min

Ep: 106: Chuck Heitz, Battalion Chief (ret.) - Own Your Training & Stay Positive

Retired Battalion Chief Chuck Heitz draws on his experience with King County Medic One to discuss personal responsibility for training and professional growth. Your department can provide opportunities, but it cannot anticipate everything you need to learn. Chuck challenges us to ask: What commitment have we made to our own development, and how are we showing up for the people around us?

September 21, 2026Episode 1051 hr 25 min

Ep: 105: FC Eric Saylors, BC Kyle Andersen, BC Marcus Regan - Preparing Future Leaders

In this episode, three fire chiefs discuss the Succession Project—an initiative started by one battalion chief to create an environment where current and emerging leaders can prepare for future roles. They explore how the project brings leaders together several captains across the department to build relationships, share experiences, strengthen leadership skills, and learn from one another. The conversation highlights why succession planning is more than preparing people for promotion; it is about intentionally developing capable leaders who are ready to serve their organizations and communities when opportunities arise.

September 12, 2026Episode 1041 hr 7 min

Ep. 104: Anthony Kastros, Battalion Chief (ret.) - Every Problem is a Human Problem

On the 25th anniversary of September 11, Battalion Chief Anthony Kastros opens with a tribute to the lives lost and the families and communities forever affected, reminding us to “Never Forget.” He explores why all problems are ultimately human problems, how to overcome “recliner snipers,” and the power of having a mentor while mentoring others. He closes by sharing how faith guides his family, life, and leadership.

August 24, 2026Episode 1031 hr 5 min

Ep. 103: Dave Tait, Fire Chief - Succession Planning & Problem Solving

Fire Chief Dave Tait of the City of Bellevue Fire Department in Washington takes us inside the world of leadership, problem-solving, and succession planning. In this episode, Chief Tait unpacks what he calls the “monkey” in problem-solving —the issues we can unintentionally take on ourselves instead of empowering others to solve them. He also shares his “identify two people” method for succession planning , a practical approach to developing future leaders and building organizational depth.

August 22, 2026Episode 1021 hr 9 min

Ep. 102: Pete Brummel, Deputy Chief (ret.) - Vulnerability Creates Credibility

Pete Brummel, retired Deputy Chief and 35-year veteran of the fire service, for a powerful conversation about authentic leadership and the personal work required to lead others well. Pete shares lessons from a career spent serving, leading, and developing people, with a focus on the importance of authenticity, self-awareness, and self-reflection. He explores what it means for leaders to truly know themselves—their strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and blind spots—and how that awareness can shape the way they show up for their teams. We also dig into the often-misunderstood role of vulnerability in leadership. Pete explains why vulnerability isn’t a sign of weakness, but can actually create credibility, strengthen relationships, and build trust. Being willing to acknowledge mistakes, admit what you don’t know, listen to others, and continually learn can make a leader more relatable, more credible, and ultimately more effective. Drawing on 35 years in the fire service, Pete offers perspective on leadership, humility, accountability, trust, and the importance of staying connected to the people you serve. This is a conversation about more than leadership skills—it’s about the person behind the leader, the courage to look inward, and the impact authenticity can have on a team, an organization, and a career.

September 29, 2024Episode 531 hr 31 min

Ep. 53: Scott Booth, Assistant Chief - Vulnerability & Followership

Assistant Chief Scott Booth of Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One talks about the the necessity of being vulnerable in effective leadership. In his EFO paper, he unpacks "shared struggle," encouraging leaders to create opportunities for their team or crew to struggle together, instead of relying on chance to offer those situations. He challenges everyone to be just a little more vulnerable, today, with something simple, and see what happens! Scott also talks about how followership can be argued as more important than leadership.

August 5, 2023Episode 2155 min

Ep. 21: Mary Lou Pauly, Mayor - Being Authentic & Political

City of Issaquah, Washington Mayor Mary Lou Pauly offers perspectives on authenticity in being a leader. Be humble, do research, be patient, rely on your team and listen intentionally when serving others to truly hear people's needs. To be authentic, you must put yourself out there, expose yourself, take chances, being ok to say you don't know and never assume you know someone else's perspective. Leaders must embrace difficult conversations and include others in decision making so you do things with them and not to them.

October 28, 2024Episode 561 hr 15 min

Ep. 56: Shannon Stone, Fire Chief - Adversity & Opportunities

Fire Chief Shannon Stone of Midway Fire District talks company officer leadership, adversity, high performing teams and cultures. Are you a leader who sees problems or sees opportunities? Leaders must be good at teaching and sharing information. They should be an expert at their job and every job below theirs. Always put others before yourself, study servant leadership and study human behavior. Anyone who knows how to effectively communicate will get more out of life.