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. 2d ago

    Battalion Chief Chris Sleigher | Leadership is an Infinite Game

    Meet Chris Sleigher, a retired Battalion Chief with a 25 year career and an inductee into the Arizona Firefighter Hall of Fame. Today he travels the country teaching and mentoring firefighters, and in this episode he breaks down what real leadership actually looks like. Chris opens with a line that reframes everything: "It's not my job to bring you home at the end of your shift. That's easy. It's my job to bring you home at the end of a 25 year career and teach you everything that I possibly can." That's the heart of how he leads. It's not about surviving one call. It's about developing people for the long haul. Drawing on Simon Sinek's idea of the infinite game, Chris explains that leadership isn't something you win. Search and rescue and running fire calls are the easy part. The real work is building relationships across the entire organization so that when you want to make a change, you're not butting heads. You've already built the trust, and the obstacles disappear. He also shares one of the most freeing lessons in the episode: you don't have to change to be a leader. So many people get promoted and think they have to act differently. But the best leaders are the ones who got the role precisely because of who they already were. You just have to be authentically yourself and genuinely care about your people. When asked what he wants his crews to know at the end of it all, Chris doesn't mention the Hall of Fame or anything he accomplished. He says simply, "I want the guys to know that I care about them." Everything else is fluff. Whether you lead a fire company, a business, a team, or a family, Chris's philosophy on authentic, caring, relationship first leadership is one that will stick with you. Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.

  2. Aug 11

    Spokane Fire Captain Scott Coldiron | 2 Minutes to Save a Life

    Meet Scott Coldiron, Captain of Truck 14 at Spokane Fire on the South Hill. Scott is known for training at an elite level, and in this episode he breaks down the mindset, the discipline, and the real life stakes behind why he trains the way he does. Scott shares one of the most incredible saves of his career. From air break to calling "we've got him in the front yard" was just 2 minutes and 8 seconds. The doctor later said that 10 seconds longer and the patient would have been gone. That's not luck. That's the direct result of relentless training, pace, and a serious approach to the job. His philosophy is simple: 110% on every effort. Master the basics, drill the basics, and never forget the basics. His crew runs timed drills, laddering buildings, VES, and forcing the roof off the aerial, then compares notes across the station. Drawing on methods he learned from FDNY, he standardizes the work across shifts and crews so everyone always knows their tool and their job. Whether it's a working fire with a rescue or a false alarm, his team approaches all of it with the same intensity and professionalism. Scott also speaks with real humility about the privilege of being a firefighter. Good pay, a strong pension, and the respect of the community are things he doesn't take for granted. The way he sees it, the only way to earn that respect is to operate at the highest level every time he steps on the rig, and to hold everyone who trains under him to that same standard. Whether you're a firefighter or not, Scott's mindset about discipline, standards, and earning your position is one that applies to any pursuit worth taking seriously. Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.

  3. Aug 4

    First Responder Coach Darren Richardson | The Part of the Job Nobody Talks About

    Darren Richardson spent 14 years as a firefighter/paramedic and 18 years total as a first responder before a mental health crisis changed the course of his life. Today, he's a first responder coach, motivational speaker, and two time amputee who helps first responders, veterans, and others navigate trauma and rebuild their sense of purpose. In this powerful episode, Darren opens up about the part of the job nobody talks about. Darren says it plainly: the hardest thing he ever did in his life wasn't running into a fire or performing a rescue. It was asking for help. He shares that it was easier for him to tell a mother her child was no longer alive than it was to raise his hand and admit he was struggling. That's the reality so many first responders carry, and it's exactly why this conversation matters. Darren's journey started in the Denver, Colorado area, where he spent years with a busy department before taking a lateral position with South Metro Fire as a firefighter/paramedic. He grew up in a small mountain town near Yosemite, went to college in Colorado, and fell in love with the fire service during his paramedic internship. Later in his career, Darren pursued a second chapter and interviewed for a chief position. He didn't move past that first interview panel, and at the time it stung. But he now sees it as a blessing. That closed door led him to build his coaching business, focused entirely on first responder mental health, the very thing he needed most. Darren is also honest about how far first responder mental health support has come and how far it still has to go. Some areas have strong conversations happening, but other departments still resist it, choosing to fund a new truck or training center over mental health resources. As Darren puts it, all of those things are needed, but if you don't have someone mentally capable of doing the job, a new truck won't fix that. Whether you're a first responder, a veteran, or someone quietly fighting a battle no one sees, Darren's story is a reminder that asking for help isn't weakness. It's the bravest thing you can do. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Just call or text 988. Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.

  4. Jul 21

    Hot Wash: ESFD Deputy Fire Chief Charlotte Pegoraro

    After every guest, Taylor follows up with a recap to process and break down the biggest takeaways. This is the Hot Wash on Charlotte Pegoraro's visit. Charlotte came highly recommended, and once Taylor started mentioning her name around the North Idaho and Eastern Washington fire community, everyone knew her. She's at every event, always thinking outside the box, and truly dynamic at what she does. Here are the highlights that stuck with Taylor most. First, be a bigger fish in your own pond. So often we feel like we have to move up, move on, or go somewhere bigger to make an impact. But Charlotte flips that idea. She's at a small volunteer department and, instead of chasing something bigger, she's chosen to grow deeper roots right where she is. Sometimes the grass isn't greener somewhere else. Growing where you're planted is its own kind of success. Second, her investment in her community is bar none. Charlotte could easily coast and take the job day by day. Instead, she goes above and beyond with genuine passion for the people in her area, and that makes her whole community better. Third, she took the confident risk. Charlotte was in her 30s with kids, working a completely different job, when she saw an opportunity and took it. She did it on the side at first, taking calls in the middle of the night while raising her family. No excuses. How many of us see opportunities, think about them, and never act? Charlotte is the prime example of someone who looked at the fear and went for it anyway. And finally, get uncomfortable on purpose. What are you doing each month to push yourself out of your comfort zone? Because almost every opportunity comes from the very things that make us uncomfortable, the things we second-guess, the things that add a little pressure. Until you lean into those things, it's very hard to be successful. We appreciate Charlotte for everything she does for Coeur d'Alene, the greater region, and the community she serves. 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.

  5. Jul 14

    ESFD Deputy Fire Chief Charlotte Pegoraro | Rising From Web Designer to Deputy Chief

    Meet Charlotte Pegoraro, Deputy Fire Chief at Eastside Fire. Her path to the fire service is unlike any we've featured. At 35, with a business degree and an established career in web and graphic design, Charlotte decided to take a leap and become a volunteer firefighter, all while raising two kids with her husband. Fifteen years later, she leads the same department she started with. Charlotte earned her degree in computer applications and built a career in web and graphic design, even running her own client base from home. But when the opportunity to volunteer with her local fire department came along, something clicked. She took every training and advancement opportunity she could, rising from volunteer to officer to deputy chief, all with one department over 15 years. In this conversation, Charlotte shares story after story about how connected the fire service community is. From chance encounters on a fishing trip to crews covering each other's stations during tough times, she captures how everybody is part of everybody in this line of work. She also opens up about her deep involvement in first responder mental health and mentorship. She mentors through a clinicians support team, participates in outings that give first responders, military, and law enforcement a chance to turn off their pagers and reconnect with nature, and champions smaller organizations doing incredible work, including the Red and Blue Foundation and Mission 43. Whether it's volunteering, mentoring, or showing up wherever she's needed, Charlotte lives by a simple philosophy passed down from her grandpa: staying busy keeps you young. Whether you're in the fire service, considering a career change, or simply looking for inspiration to bet on yourself, Charlotte's story is proof that it's never too late to answer the call. Subscribe to Confident Risks for real stories from firefighters and first responders. New episodes every week.

  6. Jul 7

    Hot Wash: NLFD Battalion Chief Matt Legg

    After every guest, Taylor follows up with a recap to process and break down the biggest takeaways. This is the Hot Wash on Matt Legg's visit. Taylor has had the chance to travel to FDIC with Matt and get to know him well, which made this conversation even richer. Here are the highlights that stuck with him most. First, don't let the moment take over. One of the most powerful parts of Matt's episode was the story of one of his first calls, where the pressure nearly caused his thought process to go out the window. The lesson: get cool, calm, and collected, and ask yourself where you are, what your assignment is, and what you need to do. Second, slow the game down. Taylor connects this to coaching his kids in soccer. A kid panics, gets the ball, and boots it away as fast as possible. But most of the time, you have more time than you think. As you mature in the fire service, you learn to slow the moment down, and that composure is a skill that develops with experience. Third, surround yourself with people who just get it. Matt talked about the value of working around people with that street-smart edge who read a situation and know what to do. Taylor compares it to football, where the higher you climb, the higher the collective IQ around you. When you're on a high-level team, even if you don't have the answer, someone next to you probably does. Fourth, different perspectives make you better. People who come in from different parts of the country bring fresh ways of looking at things. If you're willing to let those perspectives mold you, your knowledge base expands. The key is being willing to accept the advice and not act like a know-it-all. And finally, the heart of the recap: listen to understand, not to respond. Too often we hear someone talking and we're already forming our reply. But when you truly listen to understand, you can apply it to any circumstance in life. Because when you understand how things work, that's when you can innovate. And the only way to get there is by listening. We appreciate Matt for everything he does for his community and for coming on the show. 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. Jun 30

    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.

  8. 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.

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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
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Taylor Rowan
  • Show Website
    Confident Risks

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