Confident Risks

Taylor Rowan
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Confident Risks with Taylor Rowan is the podcast for entrepreneurs, leaders, and dreamers who are ready to stop overthinking and start taking bold action. Each week, Taylor breaks down what it really means to take risks with confidence sharing stories, strategies, and mindset shifts that help you grow your business, build resilience, and trust yourself through uncertainty. From navigating big decisions to overcoming fear of failure, you’ll discover how to transform challenges into opportunities and step fully into your potential. Whether you’re launching your first idea, scaling a business, or

  1. 16h ago

    NLFD Battalion Chief Matt Legg | Idaho's Busiest Fire Season

    Meet Matt Legg, Battalion Chief at Northern Lakes Fire. After 18 years in the service and a promotion to battalion chief just 8 months ago, Matt brings a front-line perspective on one of the most intense fire seasons North Idaho has faced. Northern Lakes covers 106 square miles, including Hayden, Rathdrum, Twin Lakes, and Garwood. With three staffed stations, a fourth on the way, and 9 new hires recently brought on, the department is growing fast. Matt and two fellow captains were all promoted to battalion chief at the same time, building a like-minded leadership group focused on one mission and pushing forward together. With almost no snow this year and low moisture levels, North Idaho and Eastern Washington are staring down a brutal fire season. Matt describes watching a recent windstorm kick up a fire in the valley, with around 12 aircraft, multiple helicopters and planes, dropping retardant and scooping water out of the Spokane River all day. Roughly 20 homes were lost. It was a sobering preview of what the summer could hold. In this conversation, Matt breaks down how mutual aid actually works, where departments across Kootenai County and Spokane send task forces to support each other for those critical first 24 hours, all while the 911 calls never stop in the background. He also opens up about the reality of triage, how firefighters decide which homes to defend based on brush, defensible space, and whether they can safely stay or need to move on. These are split-second, high-stakes decisions made under enormous pressure. Matt also shares what it's like staffing a station at the busy Coeur d'Alene Airport, home to a major retardant refilling station and firefighting aircraft. Outside the firehouse, Matt's life is family and travel sports. He and his wife Kelly are raising two daughters between basketball and soccer tournaments across the country. When asked about side hustles, his answer says it all: his real full-time job is being a dad. Whether you're in the fire service or not, Matt's perspective on growth, pressure, teamwork, and keeping your priorities straight is one you won't want to miss. Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.

    1h 1m

  2. Jun 23

    Hot Wash: KCFR Battalion Chief Justin Capaul

    After every guest, Taylor follows up with a recap to process and break down the biggest takeaways. This is the Hot Wash on Justin Capaul's visit. Taylor has known Justin for 3 to 4 years, and every time they talk, he learns something new. Here are the highlights that stuck with him most. First, the power of reviewing the tape. Just like in the Rusty episode, Taylor comes back to the value of going back and reviewing your calls, your performance, even your everyday life. We can lie to ourselves about how well we're doing, but the tape doesn't lie. The real question is: are you willing to learn? Second, Justin's mayday call. On one of his first calls as a battalion chief, Justin had a downed firefighter and a mayday come across the radio. Instead of letting it break him, he reevaluated, thought through the situation, and moved on. Then he reviewed the tape and found ways to do it better next time. Make a mistake once, that's okay. The people who grow are the ones willing to take the feedback and change. Third, how you react after a mistake is everything. Taylor shares a small, relatable story about sitting in the wrong spot at his son's soccer practice and then reliving the embarrassment over and over. Replaying a negative moment does nothing but hurt you. He ties it to NFL kickers who miss one kick and then miss the next two or three because they let it weigh on them. Encounter the situation, learn from it, and move on. Fourth, having many irons in the fire. Between Bat3, 2nd Due, his work at Taylor'd Systems, and his family, Justin has a lot going on. That's the mark of people who serve their community at the highest level. And finally, going headfirst into everything, even the negative feedback. Justin performs in front of hundreds at FDIC and thousands more online, and he doesn't let the 1% of negative comments stop him. Most people are deterred by one question: what will people think? Taylor's driving question is different: will I be upset later if I don't do this? If the answer is yes, he does it anyway. Justin lives that same way. We appreciate Justin for everything he brings to the table, his company, his family, and his community. Until next time, stay sharp and stay resilient. Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders, plus weekly recaps. New episodes every week.

    9 min

  3. Jun 16

    KCFR Battalion Chief Justin Capaul - From Fire Calls to Sales Calls

    Meet Justin Capal, a 4th generation firefighter and Battalion Chief at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. With 25 years in the fire service and a software company he runs on the side, Justin lives the dual life that defines Confident Risks. Justin comes from a family of firefighters going back four generations. His great-grandpa was the first paid fireman in the area, and his grandpa, dad, uncle, and cousins all served. Now he carries that legacy forward at KCFR, recently moving from a line battalion to the training division. Justin is also VP of Sales at Battalion 3 Public Safety Solutions, a software company that handles firefighter scheduling and incident command management. After using the software for years, he and a partner bought in. Today, several hundred departments across the United States and into Canada use their programs. In this conversation, Justin opens up about what it takes to run a business while serving full time. He talks about wearing every hat, from answering the phone to running demos to dabbling in code. He gets honest about the learning curve of building something, where you think it will be easy and then discover one mistake after another. Software rollouts and constant improvement teach you that nothing is ever as simple as it looks from the outside. One of the most powerful lessons in this episode is that you are not truly an expert until you get outside your own bubble. It is easy to rely on the relationships around you, but real growth comes from exposure, feedback, and connection beyond your comfort zone. Justin and his team have also been instrumental in helping build better fire training props by sharing their expertise. The lesson goes both ways. When experts speak, you listen. That back and forth is how great products and strong relationships get built. Whether you are in the fire service or building something of your own, Justin's story is a masterclass in balancing dedication, growth, and the courage to wear multiple hats. Watch or listen to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Until next time, stay sharp and stay resilient.

    55 min

  4. Jun 9

    Hot Wash: KCFR Battalion Chief Rusty Kramer

    Every time we have a guest on, Taylor follows up with a recap episode to process and break down the biggest takeaways. This is the Hot Wash on Rusty Kramer's visit. After 12 years in the service and a fast track to battalion chief at KCFR, Rusty left us with a lot to unpack. Here are the highlights that stuck with Taylor most. First, Rusty's ability to stay cool, calm, and collected under pressure. When he was in that confined space rescue, he stopped himself, calmed down, and fell back on his training. That kind of emotional control under extreme pressure is rare, and it's something we can all learn from. Second, the idea of reviewing your calls like game film. It's all data points. You go back, listen to how you responded, and find the things you couldn't see in the moment. Taylor relates this to his days as a kicker, filming his sessions to discover why his adrenaline was throwing off his performance. The lesson applies to everyone: review, reflect, and improve. Third, a callback to Kevin Shea's episode. Training is just the start. Forcing a door open is only the beginning of what you have to do on a real incident. Fourth, the reward of building people up. Rusty is exceptional as an instructor, and Taylor compares the pride of watching people grow to watching his own kids play sports. And finally, the importance of enjoying the moment you're in. When asked what position he enjoyed most, Rusty said captain. We all want to climb and chase the next promotion, but a lot of people get there and realize they loved what they were doing before. Before taking on the next role, ask yourself: Do I truly want this, or is it the pay? Does my current job give me the time I want? If the answer is yes, maybe you're already in the right position. There's a lot to unpack from Rusty's episode. If you haven't heard the full conversation yet, go back and give it a listen. Until next time, stay sharp and stay resilient. Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders, plus weekly recaps. New episodes every week.

    7 min

  5. Jun 2

    KCFR Battalion Chief Rusty Kramer - The Mindset That Saves Lives

    KCFR Battalion Chief Rusty Kramer shares what separates good firefighters from great ones. In this episode, Rusty breaks down the mindset that saves lives. With 12 years at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and a background in the Marine Corps, Rusty brings deep insights on training, discipline, and leadership under pressure. You'll learn why muscle memory matters in emergency situations, how company standards speed up operations and save time, and why reviewing calls like coaches review game film transforms performance. Rusty explains how the fire service mindset applies far beyond the fire ground, from managing adrenaline to building unbreakable teams. Whether you're a firefighter or not, this conversation will change how you think about preparation, pressure, and what it takes to perform when it matters most. Key topics: Battalion chief training approach, muscle memory in high-pressure situations, company standards and shift protocols, film review and debrief process, Marine Corps leadership principles, camaraderie in emergency services, adrenaline management through repetition, decision-making under stress. Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.

    44 min

  6. May 26

    Season 3: The Real Lessons Hidden in the Fire Service

    The Real Lessons Hidden in the Fire Service. We're back with Season 3, and this season is different. Season 1 was about entrepreneurship and building confidence to start a business. Season 2 was about positivity and happiness. Season 3? We're diving into the fire service. Real stories. Real training. Real calls. Real pressure. If you're not a firefighter, you might think this doesn't apply to you. But it does. There's a deep correlation between the fire service and life itself. Training. Mindset. How you work with people. How you handle pressure. How you make decisions when it matters most. After talking to thousands of firefighters, after working in the fire industry building training apparatuses, one thing became clear: We need to hear these stories. Why? Because the lessons firefighters learn aren't just about the job. They're about life. This season we're bringing on battalion chiefs, captains, and experienced firefighters who've been through scenarios most of us will never face. Who've learned lessons that apply to business, relationships, decision-making, and everyday pressure. Here's what we've learned: There's not one way to do anything. There are multiple ways. Firefighters don't say "do it this way." They say, "Take something from what you hear. Apply it. You never know when you're gonna need it." That's the philosophy of this season. You might hear something you don't immediately agree with. But take the knowledge. Apply it. Because who knows when you might need it. Whether you're a firefighter or not, there are lessons here for you. Because we all face high-pressure moments. We all face situations where our training, our mindset, our decisions matter. Confident Risks Start Here. That's our new motto. And it's true. So join us as we explore the real lessons hidden in the fire service—lessons that apply to all of us. Stay sharp. Stay resilient. New episode every week. Subscribe to Confident Risks on Spotify for real stories, real lessons, and real life advice from firefighters and first responders. Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

    8 min

  7. May 19

    Throwback Tuesday | What Does Real Confidence Look Like?: It's Not What You Think

    When you think of confidence, what comes to mind? The loudest person in the room? Here's the truth: That person is probably the least confident person there. Real confidence isn't about talking. It's about knowing your product. Doing the research. Making an educated decision. Knowing absolutely that you made the right choice. This is Episode 1 of Confident Risks, where we answer the question that changes everything: What is real confidence? We use the Honda Accord test as an example. You research for days. You check every detail. You find the perfect one. The mechanic approves. When someone asks, "Is this the right purchase?" you say, "I've done the research. This is 100% the right purchase." THAT is confidence. A majority of the time, the confident person in business is the quietest person in the room. They're not the chirper. They're the person who knows the answer. They've done the work. We also explore the 30-day employee evaluation test. When people make mistakes, how do they react? Real confidence means admitting the mistake, learning from it, and doing it right every time. Here's the principle: Be confident daily and use words when you have to. We define what a confident risk is. Every single thing you do has some sort of risk factor. The question is how confidently, how prepared, and how willing are you to make that choice? Taylor shares his real journey from zero experience to building a multi-million dollar business. From selling containers out of his house to designing fire department training facilities. How? Not by talking. By listening. By learning. By executing. We cover the breaking points of business: jumping in, surviving the speed bumps, and constantly adapting. If you're not willing to adapt, you die in the water. Real confidence is about quality. Standing behind your product. That's what builds a business. The most confident person in the room is not the loudest. It's the one who knows what they're talking about. Whether you're starting a business or improving at your current job: Know your product. Do your research. Be the quiet one who knows what they're talking about. That's real confidence. That's what separates people who succeed from people who don't.

    25 min

  8. May 12

    Throwback Tuesday | Self-Confidence is Your Brand: Here's How to Build It

    Self-Confidence Is Your Brand—Here's How to Build It. In this episode, we're talking about self-confidence. Not confidence in your product. Confidence in yourself. Because here's the truth: You are the brand. And self-confidence is how you sell it. **The Difference:** Product confidence means you know the product. You never have to say a word. Self-confidence means you can talk to other people about it. You can sell it. Most people are missing the self-confidence part. **The Real Story:** I bought ridiculous elf outfits and made my whole family wear them to the trampoline park. We're sitting in the car thinking: "What are people gonna think? This is so embarrassing." We walk in terrified. And here's what happens: Everyone in that park wished they were part of our family. Nobody thought we were ridiculous. They thought we were awesome. **The Insight:** That's self-confidence. It's when you stop thinking about what people think and start realizing: They're actually jealous of you. Most people won't think your idea is stupid. Most people will wish they had the courage to do it. **The Takeaways:** Self-confidence is your brand. When people look at you, they're thinking about your product. Are they more confident after talking to you, or less confident? Stop thinking about what they're thinking. Pretend you're in a room by yourself. Put yourself in their shoes. Are they judging you, or wishing they were you?

    18 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Confident Risks with Taylor Rowan is the podcast for entrepreneurs, leaders, and dreamers who are ready to stop overthinking and start taking bold action. Each week, Taylor breaks down what it really means to take risks with confidence sharing stories, strategies, and mindset shifts that help you grow your business, build resilience, and trust yourself through uncertainty. From navigating big decisions to overcoming fear of failure, you’ll discover how to transform challenges into opportunities and step fully into your potential. Whether you’re launching your first idea, scaling a business, or

Information

  • Creator
    Taylor Rowan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Taylor Rowan
  • Show Website
    Confident Risks

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