The 5% Podcast Lab

Mike Norris
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**The 5% Podcast Lab | Leadership, Human Performance & Psychology Under Pressure** Hosted by Fire Captain Mike Norris, The 5% Podcast Lab explores leadership, human performance, decision-making under pressure, firefighter psychology, and the science of human behavior during emergencies. Through candid conversations with fire service leaders, psychologists, researchers, authors, and first responders, we examine what happens when stress, uncertainty, fear, and responsibility collide. From fireground command and tactical decision-making to disaster psychology, mental resilience, team dynamics,

  1. 2 days ago

    Tradition Isn't Immunity

    What does it really mean to be an aggressive firefighter? And where is the line between aggression and recklessness? In this episode of The 5% Podcast Lab, Mike Norris sits down with Chris Fenner of Send Me Culture Co. and Backstep Fire Training for a candid conversation about the fire service, professional standards, leadership, and the responsibility we carry to the people we serve. From truck company operations and search tactics to ego, tradition, and firehouse culture, Mike and Chris explore why preparation matters more than slogans, why years on the job don't automatically equal experience, and why great leaders develop the people around them rather than simply exercising authority. They also discuss how the next generation of firefighters can preserve the values of the profession while challenging outdated thinking. The central message: Aggression without preparation is recklessness. Excellence requires intention, education, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Whether you're a probationary firefighter, seasoned company officer, or chief, this conversation challenges you to examine the standards you maintain and the example you set. Stay humble. Stay aggressive. Never stop learning.

  2. 19 Oct

    BE THE HOPE

    The fastest way to become a stronger firefighter isn’t chasing ego or advanced tactics—it’s mastering the basics, knowing your tools, and training with purpose. Griffin Coiner, founder of StacheSalt and a Utah firefighter and trainer, shares his path from off-road fabrication to the fire service, the life reset that changed his direction, and the lesson that stuck: “We hire people, not certs.” We get into no-ego training, leading from any seat, building confidence on air, and preparing for the realities of understaffed crews and chaotic calls. Griffin explains why the fire academy is only the beginning—and how showing up ready to learn helps build better firefighters and stronger teams.A practical conversation for new firefighters, company officers, and anyone committed to getting better at the craft. We also discuss what it means to bring hope to the public that we serve and the people that depend on us in their worst moments.

  3. 16 Oct

    Command without Micromanaging

    The best firefighters are not the ones who memorize the playbook—they’re the ones who can stay calm when the playbook falls apart. Nick Esposito of Truck Tactics joins Mike Norris to explore the mental side of fireground performance, from command decisions and truck positioning to preparing crews to adapt when conditions change.Nick reflects on the transition from company officer to chief officer, and how mentorship, honest conversations, and clear communication help firefighters make better decisions under pressure. He also explains how truck drivers can contribute to decentralized command, and why empowering experienced team members can help crews respond more effectively. At 52:06, Nick discusses commander’s intent: why firefighters should ask their chief or company officer what’s expected of them—and how understanding that intent helps them act confidently when the situation changes.You’ll also hear about training firefighters to anticipate problems, the different perspectives of engine and truck companies, and the influence of veteran truck driver Mike Candela on the development of Truck Tactics.A valuable conversation for firefighters, company officers, chief officers, and training leaders who want to build more adaptable crews and stronger fireground communication.

  4. 8 Oct

    The memories dont fade...

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION: The fires are the easy part. The real job starts when the calls, the grief, and the pressure follow you home. Grand Prairie Fire Captain Justin Morris opens up about the leadership lessons, mental health realities, and family losses that changed how he leads.Mike Norris and Justin discuss why rushing through the ranks can leave you underprepared, why officer development matters, and why strong leaders build relationships before they lead. Justin shares the principles that guide him—purpose, perception, and persistence—and how humility helps leaders keep learning.They also talk about how grief and traumatic calls can affect first responders, how trust makes it easier to ask for help, and how showing genuine care for your crew can make a lasting difference. A candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and being there for the people around you.

  5. 1 Oct

    Be Intentional

    Being intentional is easy to talk about. What does it actually look like in the firehouse, on the fireground, and in the way we lead? Captain Bobby Reichardt and Battalion Chief Manny Maldonado from the Southwest Fire Conference join me, Mike Norris, on The 5% Podcast Lab for a candid conversation about leadership, humility, and the fire service. We dig into what it means to lead with purpose, keep your ego in check, and stay willing to learn—regardless of your rank or years on the job. At the center of the conversation is a simple question: Are your actions serving the people who depend on you? A conversation for firefighters at every level who care about the job and the people doing it. Be intentional.

  6. 22 Sept

    Command Under Pressure: Leadership, Decisions & the Fireground

    Interim Deputy Chief Patrick Wirkus joins The 5% Podcast Lab to talk fireground command, leadership, training, and decision-making under pressure. We also get into the Executive Fire Officer Program, self-education, professional growth, and the responsibility to keep becoming the best version of yourself—regardless of rank, title, or where you are in your career.

  7. 15 Sept

    Below Grade: Decisions, Fire Behavior, and the Lessons That Cost Us

    In this episode of The 5% Podcast Lab, I sit down with Deputy Chief Jim York for a deep conversation on below-grade fires, tactical decision-making, and the lessons the fire service has learned through experience, tragedy, and research. We talk basement fire hazards, fire behavior, leadership under pressure, and the importance of understanding what’s happening beneath you before committing crews. Jim brings the perspective of a seasoned fire officer, fire marshal, instructor, and lifelong student of the job. This episode is about more than tactics. It’s about recognizing risk, making better decisions under stress, and continuing to learn from the incidents that have shaped the fire service. Leadership. Fire behavior. Decision-making. Experience. This is The 5% Podcast Lab.

  8. 8 Sept

    Passion Under Pressure: The Leadership Lessons That Make the Difference

    Passion will get you criticized, but it can also make you the person others quietly turn to for real guidance. Chief Frank Viscuso breaks down why leadership, writing, and firefighting all come down to the same thing: intentional action, emotional control, and having the courage to stand for something.From the power of setting expectations up front to the difference between healthy friction and toxic conflict, Frank shares the hard-earned lessons behind Step Up and Lead, Flashpoint, and his new leadership novel One Degree of Difference. He and Mike dig into how to handle negative people, why “be aggressive” can become reckless without strategy, and why the best leaders focus on what’s working before they correct what isn’t.

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About

**The 5% Podcast Lab | Leadership, Human Performance & Psychology Under Pressure** Hosted by Fire Captain Mike Norris, The 5% Podcast Lab explores leadership, human performance, decision-making under pressure, firefighter psychology, and the science of human behavior during emergencies. Through candid conversations with fire service leaders, psychologists, researchers, authors, and first responders, we examine what happens when stress, uncertainty, fear, and responsibility collide. From fireground command and tactical decision-making to disaster psychology, mental resilience, team dynamics,

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Norris
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mike Norris
  • Show Website
    The 5% Podcast Lab

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