Forged by the Fire

Forged by the Fire
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Hearing from frontline emergency service workers, sporting champions, and real world people about their stories of mental health and developing resilience through trails and success.

  1. Jul 24

    Integrity, Authenticity and Faith: A Police Perspective

    Nick just hung up the badge. After 8 years as a New Zealand police officer — a job he genuinely loved — he walked away to pursue a role at his church. In this episode, he sits down around the BBQ to talk about trust, integrity, and the faith that carried him through the darkest moments on the job. From responding to family crises to attending multiple suicides in a single week, Nick shares what it takes to build rapport with people on their worst day. He opens up about the mental toll of frontline policing, the counseling that brought him back, and the "bridge checkpoint" routine that helped him switch from cop to dad on the drive home. In this episode:- Building trust in supercharged moments — when you have seconds, not hours- "Truth without grace is mean; grace without truth is meaningless"- How faith became the foundation for authenticity in uniform- The W.I.N. model: What's Important Now, What's Important Next- Leaving a career you love for a calling you believe in- The pulse check every first responder needs Whether you're a police officer, navigating a career change, or just trying to be more present at home — this one's for you. ............. Forged by the Fire is a podcast built around honest conversations that happen best around a BBQ. It’s where real people sit down, share food, and talk openly about resilience, mental health, identity, and purpose—without filters or fluff. Hosted by a firefighter studying psychology, the show brings together frontline workers, leaders, athletes, and everyday people who’ve been tested by life. Each episode blends lived experience with practical psychological insight, turning chaos into clarity and struggle into understanding. Pull up a seat. The BBQ is on.............. Forged by the Fire is a podcast built around honest conversations that happen best around a BBQ. It’s where real people sit down, share food, and talk openly about resilience, mental health, identity, and purpose—without filters or fluff. Hosted by a firefighter studying psychology, the show brings together frontline workers, leaders, athletes, and everyday people who’ve been tested by life. Each episode blends lived experience with practical psychological insight, turning chaos into clarity and struggle into understanding. Pull up a seat. The BBQ is on. Chapters:0:00 — Highlights2:25 — Introductions: 8 years in the NZ Police3:28 — Trust and integrity — where it starts5:48 — How do you define trust?8:48 — Building trust in supercharged moments10:17 — Where does authenticity come from?11:46 — Telling the truth when it's harder than lying13:34 — Grace without truth vs. Truth without grace16:29 — "Say yes to one thing, say no to everything else"19:36 — The depth of character that builds trust22:52 — Integrity tested when no one's watching27:05 — How policing shaped identity outside the job32:22 — Mental health, counseling, and the pulse check35:38 — Does integrity cost mental health or build it?37:51 — Coming home: the bridge checkpoint & dad life42:29 — Leaving the police: the fork in the road48:20 — Identity after policing — who are you without the badge?53:45 — Parting encouragement

  2. Jul 11

    The Social Worker Who Ditched the Office to Save Lives - Episode 18. Forged by the Fire podcast

    Scotty Harvey is a registered social worker in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand — but you won't find him behind a desk. For the last three and a half years, he's been running his practice out of a camper van, meeting people where they are. In this episode, Scotty shares why he walked away from the traditional clinical model, what 42 out of 45 workers admitting to mental health struggles taught him about the system, and how sitting with an angry stranger for two hours — just listening — changed everything. He opens up about his own bipolar diagnosis, past suicide attempts, and the radical responsibility he's taken to stay well so he can show up for others. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:• Why Scotty left the office for a camper van• 42 out of 45: the workplace stat that shocked him• The "maladjustment" that shapes how we see ourselves• Elder abuse, menopause, and the conversations nobody has• His personal battle with bipolar and surviving suicide• Why communities need to stop outsourcing care This is what social work looks like without the walls. 🎙️ Forged by the Fire — real conversations that happen best around a BBQ. #ForgedByTheFire #MentalHealth #SocialWork #Resilience #WorkplaceMentalHealth #CommunityCare

  3. May 12

    Humility on the Fire Ground: Bridging the Gap Between Volunteer and Career Firefighters

    What happens when a volunteer walks into a career fire station — and nobody knows how to talk to each other? Joel, Ethan, and Levi all started as volunteers before making the jump to career firefighting. In this episode, they get honest about the ego, the misunderstandings, and the moments that actually changed things — for the better. We talk about:🔥 Why the tension between volunteers and career staff exists (and where it really comes from)🔥 What it's like to transition from volunteer to career — and why humility is everything🔥 The "mess table" culture that keeps both sides stuck🔥 How one simple drill changed an entire relationship between a station and a brigade🔥 Building real connection in composite brigades and family-friendly station culture Whether you're in the fire service or not — this one's for anyone who's ever had to earn their place in a room full of people who weren't sure they wanted you there. Leave the ego at the door. That's where it starts. .............. Forged by the Fire is a podcast built around honest conversations that happen best around a BBQ. It’s where real people sit down, share food, and talk openly about resilience, mental health, identity, and purpose—without filters or fluff. Hosted by a firefighter studying psychology, the show brings together frontline workers, leaders, athletes, and everyday people who’ve been tested by life. Each episode blends lived experience with practical psychological insight, turning chaos into clarity and struggle into understanding. Pull up a seat. The BBQ is on.

  4. May 5

    Life Isn't Fair. Here's How He Dealt With It. | Swanie's Story

    Life doesn't deal a fair hand to everyone. Swanie knows that better than most — but what he did with that unfairness built a philosophy that carried him through 35 years in the fire service, a union career, and some of the hardest moments a person can face. "I'm not a victim of life. I'm a participant in life." That line says everything. This isn't a conversation about what went wrong — it's about what you choose to do when it does. In this episode, Swanie — a 35-year veteran of the fire service and union rep — sits down around the BBQ to talk about the philosophy that's carried him through it all: you can't always control what happens to you. But you can always control what you do next. In this conversation:- Losing his father at 10 and why his family refused to be victims- The "rock in the storm" mindset — and why worrying about the uncontrollable is a waste of energy- "1 plus 1 equals 5" — what real teamwork actually looks like- The invisible bucket we all carry — and why some people's fills up faster than others- How 35 years in emergency services hardens you — and the scar it leaves on the people who love you- "Only you have the power to stop loving the job" — staying in love with the job when the system fights back- Why fairness isn't just a value for Swanie — it's the whole story This one's for anyone who's been handed a hard life and had to figure out what to do with it. Mike (Swanie) Swanson - Firefighter for 35 years, husband and father, union representative and great team player. He brings. refreshing, practical approach to life. .............. Forged by the Fire is a podcast built around honest conversations that happen best around a BBQ. It’s where real people sit down, share food, and talk openly about resilience, mental health, identity, and purpose—without filters or fluff. Hosted by a firefighter studying psychology, the show brings together frontline workers, leaders, athletes, and everyday people who’ve been tested by life. Each episode blends lived experience with practical psychological insight, turning chaos into clarity and struggle into understanding. Pull up a seat. The BBQ is on.

  5. Apr 28

    45 Years in the Fire Service | Bruce's Story

    *WARNING* this episode covers some raw content including traumatic deaths and suicide.  In this episode, we sit down with Bruce — Chief Fire Officer, mentor, and the man Levi calls his "fire dad." Bruce joined the fire service at 18 and hasn't looked back. What started as a bit of volunteering became a 45-year journey through leadership, loss, identity, and a complete rethink of what it means to be strong. Whether you lead a team, serve your community, or are quietly carrying more than you let on — Bruce's story will hit home. Bruce Nilson - Chief Fire Officer of the Tauranga Volunteer Unit, 45 years as a volunteer firefighter and a respected leader. Bruce is known for being supportive and no-nonsense.  .............. Forged by the Fire is a podcast built around honest conversations that happen best around a BBQ. It’s where real people sit down, share food, and talk openly about resilience, mental health, identity, and purpose—without filters or fluff. Hosted by a firefighter studying psychology, the show brings together frontline workers, leaders, athletes, and everyday people who’ve been tested by life. Each episode blends lived experience with practical psychological insight, turning chaos into clarity and struggle into understanding. Pull up a seat. The BBQ is on.

  6. Apr 22

    Empathetic Leadership in a Fire Station | Ritchie's Story - Episode 14. Forged by the Fire podcast

    Ritchie doesn't lead by talking the most — he leads by listening the best. In this episode of Forged by the Fire, we sit down with Ritchie: a station officer, peer support advocate, and a quietly empathetic leader. He's not the loudest voice in the room — but the wisdom he carries is earned, not borrowed. We dig into what it really means to lead people through hard things: how empathy without balance burns you out, why the old school firefighter identity clashes with the modern workplace, and what happens when communication breaks down at the worst possible moment. This one is for anyone trying to figure out how to show up for others without losing themselves in the process. #mentalhealth #firefighters #frontline #podcast #bbq #teamwork #crewlife  .............. Forged by the Fire is a podcast built around honest conversations that happen best around a BBQ. It’s where real people sit down, share food, and talk openly about resilience, mental health, identity, and purpose—without filters or fluff. Hosted by a firefighter studying psychology, the show brings together frontline workers, leaders, athletes, and everyday people who’ve been tested by life. Each episode blends lived experience with practical psychological insight, turning chaos into clarity and struggle into understanding. Pull up a seat. The BBQ is on.

  7. Apr 14

    Emotional Regulation: Why You're a Responder, Not a Reactor - Episode 13 - Forged by the Fire podcast

    Most people think being tough means not feeling anything. KT and Dunnie spent careers as first responders — and they'll tell you that's exactly wrong. In this episode, we sit down with Dunnie and KT — two former first responders — to talk about what it actually means to stay in control when everything around you is falling apart. This isn't theory. These are hard-won lessons from the frontline. Suppressing what you feel doesn't make you stronger. It makes you a ticking clock. This conversation is for anyone who's ever been told to harden up — and felt something break inside when they did. ............ Kevin Taylor - former police officer with extensive experience including leadership, civil defence, search and rescue, and foreign postings. He is currently deputy mayor of Taupo.  Husband, dad and grandfather. He brings a wealth of experience.  Brendon Dunn (Dunnie) - firefighter in Tauranga, mental health advocate within the brigade, and always keen for a yarn.  #mentalhealth #frontline #firefighter #resilience #podcast #bbq .............. Forged by the Fire is a podcast built around honest conversations that happen best around a BBQ. It’s where real people sit down, share food, and talk openly about resilience, mental health, identity, and purpose—without filters or fluff. Hosted by a firefighter studying psychology, the show brings together frontline workers, leaders, athletes, and everyday people who’ve been tested by life. Each episode blends lived experience with practical psychological insight, turning chaos into clarity and struggle into understanding. Pull up a seat. The BBQ is on.

  8. Apr 7

    Stop giving away your power in your workplace. Episode 12 - Forged by the Fire

    Toxic workplaces don’t just ruin morale — they slowly take your power if you let them.In this full conversation, the guys unpack how to deal with a toxic workplace  without losing yourself in the noise. They talk through why people give their power away too easily, how workplace culture shapes behaviour, and what it actually looks like to stay grounded when the environment around you is negative, polarised, or draining. If you’ve ever worked in a toxic work environment, dealt with workplace politics, or struggled to keep your peace in hard conversations, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more real conversations on resilience, identity, leadership, and mental strength. #ToxicWorkplace #WorkplaceCulture #MentalHealth #Leadership #Podcast Kevin Taylor - former police officer with extensive experience including leadership, civil defence, search and rescue, and foreign postings. He is currently deputy mayor of Taupo.  Husband, dad and grandfather. He brings a wealth of experience.  Brendon Dunn (Dunny) - firefighter in Tauranga, mental health advocate within the brigade, fun dad, and always keen for a yarn.  ............... Forged by the Fire is a podcast built around honest conversations that happen best around a BBQ. It’s where real people sit down, share food, and talk openly about resilience, mental health, identity, and purpose—without filters or fluff. Hosted by a firefighter studying psychology, the show brings together frontline workers, leaders, athletes, and everyday people who’ve been tested by life. Each episode blends lived experience with practical psychological insight, turning chaos into clarity and struggle into understanding. Pull up a seat. The BBQ is on.

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About

Hearing from frontline emergency service workers, sporting champions, and real world people about their stories of mental health and developing resilience through trails and success.

Information

  • Creator
    Forged by the Fire
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Forged by the Fire