Episodes

Send us a Text Message. Ben is a US Army Veteran who served a one year tour in Afghanistan. Ben's unit was scheduled to return home on June 28th, 2012. On the day before, June 27th, his best friend, Sgt James Skalberg, was killed by an IED Explosion. After coming home, Ben struggled with symptoms of PTSD. After the urging of his wife to get some help, he was able to overcome his diagnosis. A few years later, Ben became a career Firefighter and works in a very busy area of the city. We talk about...

Send us a Text Message. Craig is an US Army Ranger Veteran who is passionate about helping other veterans. Last December he participated in the Worlds Toughest Row. A 3,000 mile rowing race across the Atlantic with three other Army Rangers to raise awareness about Veterans Mental Health. Craig is also a fellow Save A Warrior Alum. We attended the same cohort in October of 2021. We talk about what Save A Warrior did for us and Craig also talks about his experience with the Heroic Hearts Project a...

Send us a Text Message. Todays episode features Joseph Bonanno. Joe Bonanno is a 21 year veteran firefighter with the New York City Fire Department and served in Engine 319, Ladder 129 and Ladder 152. Joe’s father was a 34 year FDNY veteran firefighter in Engine 88 and Engine 306 as well as his brother Michael, also a firefighter in Engine 315, Engine 216 and Ladder 7. While serving as a firefighter, Joe became certified as a fitness trainer and nutritionist with certifications from New York Uni...

Send us a Text Message. On this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with Sgt. Michael Sugrue. Michael is the co-author of the International Best Selling book Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma. Michael is an USAF Veteran and served with the Phoenix Ravens while in the Air Force. After his time in the military, Michael joined the Walnut Creek Police Department in California. He had the career he had always wanted until December 27th of 2012. Michae...

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, we talk with Deborah Green. Deborah retired after 30 years of dispatching for both the Sacramento Police Department and the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office. Deborah was on duty the night of October 23, 2019 when she dispatched a call that no dispatcher ever wants to experience. The reports of "Shots Fired" and "Officer Down". We talk about her career and how that one night changed everything. Did you know that 9-1-1 dispatchers are currently not class...

Send us a Text Message. On this weeks episode, we have Andrea McKeever! Andrea is a former Law Enforcement Officer / Canine handler and now works for the Ohio Department of Health as a Parent Educator for Help Me Grow to provide assistance to families and children who may need assistance. She has her degree in psychology and works to help "Get Ahead" of the trauma and break the cycle of childhood neglect and abuse. We discuss the "ACES" quiz as well. What it consists of and what it can reveal! M...

This was an unscheduled recording but I felt it was a necessary one. I start off with a short story called "The Soldier in the Hole". This story rings true to many of us who have found ourselves in those "Dark Holes". Sometimes it can feel like you're alone and all by yourself but I assure you that you are not alone. This week, I had a very good friend reach out to me and he was about to take his own life. He needed help and I wasn't sure what to do but I relied on some of the Peer Support trai...

Is there anything better than sitting around the Firehouse Table with a good cup of coffee? I don’t think so! On today’s episode, we with down with Craig “Nolsy” Nolan. Craig is a US Army Gulf War Veteran, a retired Police Officer and the Founder and Owner of Nolan’s Pour House Coffee Company outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We talk about military service, his career as a police officer, our love for dogs and, of course, the coffee! Help support those that support our podcast! Pickup some ...

In the first "official" episode, we sit down in the basement at Columbus Fire Station 17 to talk with Brian Weiskittle (Skittles) on the origin of the Kitchen Table short story, his career as a Firefighter and Paramedic, and we talk a little about the struggles of mental health that First Responders face and how Brian deals with that through his love of music! I'm working on the sound issues, bare with me! It ain't perfect. Just like us! Enjoy!

Welcome to Episode 1 of our new podcast Firehouse Table Talks. This podcast is for First Responders and Military Veterans, their families and anyone else interested into getting a peek behind the curtain of our chosen professions! We are currently working on a logo design and looking to interview guests to share their stories! Do you know of a First Responder or Military Veteran that has a story to tell? Contact us at firehousetabletalks@gmail.com!