Silverback Leadership

Across the Street Productions
  • 5.0 (11)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Silverback Leadership is B-Shifter's deep dive into command-level leadership in the hazard zone and beyond. Rooted in the teachings of Alan Brunacini,  this series explores what it means to lead with calm authority, operational competence, and cultural responsibility. This isn’t about rank. It’s about responsibility.

  1. FEB 3

    Bonus: Ask the Chiefs with John Vance

    For Waldorf University Blue Card credit and discounts: https://www.waldorf.edu/blue-card/ For free command and leadership support, check out bshifter.com Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifter

    13 min

  2. JAN 29

    Perspective Part 2

    John Vance, Nick Brunacini, and Terry Garrison explore how fire service leaders can lend perspective to firefighters who possess education but lack experience, focusing on effective leadership approaches that protect firefighters while enabling them to deliver service. We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifter Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening! This episode was recorded at the AVB CTC in Phoenix, AZ on June 5, 2025. We  explore how perspective in leadership impacts firefighter safety and organizational effectiveness. • The transition from firefighter to company officer to battalion chief requires significant perspective adjustment at each level • Explaining consequences versus making threats – good leaders predict outcomes rather than impose punishments • Today's firefighters are smart and have instant access to information but lack the experiential perspective of veteran firefighters • Consistent messaging from leaders about expectations creates a culture of safety and accountability • Leading from appropriate distance – knowing when to intervene versus when to step back and assess • The responsibility leaders carry to families who trust them with their loved ones' safety • Labor groups and administration working together toward common goals benefits everyone • Effective leaders handle difficult situations by identifying critical factors before acting • Training is where perspective is most effectively shared with inexperienced firefighters • Be safe, be effective, be nice – simple consistent messaging that guides fire service behavior For more resources on fire service leadership, visit bshifter.com.

    1h 8m

  3. JAN 22

    Perspective Part 1

    This episode features Nick Brunacini, Terry Garrison, and John Vance. We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifter Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening! This episode was recorded at the AVB CTC in Phoenix, AZ on June 5, 2025. We  explore how perspective in leadership impacts firefighter safety and organizational effectiveness. Join us for part 2 next week • A number of firefighters involved in recent line-of-duty deaths were between 25-30 years old • Danger exists when leaders prioritize being "cool" over passing down hard-earned wisdom • Effective leadership requires the ability to say "no" in hazardous situations • Perspective naturally evolves with experience and knowledge • Tactical supervision (the middle command layer) is critical during extended operations • Accountability and kindness are not mutually exclusive leadership traits • Consistency in leadership approach across all contexts maintains organizational integrity • Operating within effective systems prevents freelancing and improves safety outcomes • After-action reviews are essential for continuous improvement and perspective development Join us next week for part two of this special podcast on leadership and perspective in the fire service.

    37 min

  4. 09/10/2025

    Anatomy & Physiology of Leadership: Ears

    We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifter Waldorf University articulates Blue Card training into credits! More here: https://waldorf.edu/lp/blue-card/ Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening! The Silverbacks, Nick Brunancini, Terry Garrison, Pat Dale, and John Vance discuss the anatomy and physiology of leadership, focusing on how effective fire service leaders balance priorities and build trust through active listening. • Addressing the viral social media post about uniforms that received over 200,000 views • Exploring Bruno's hierarchy of leadership engagement where service delivery takes priority over trivial matters • Discussing the Blue Card Hazard Zone Conference in Ohio featuring Silverback leadership class • Examining active listening as a critical leadership skill that builds organizational trust • Sharing real-world examples of how listening and taking action resolved issues like unsafe apparatus • Contrasting leaders who focus on service delivery versus those who micromanage uniform policies • Exploring how accessibility and where leaders physically spend their time impacts trust • Emphasizing the importance of simplicity in procedures and communication • Highlighting that the primary focus of fire service leadership should always be the work and service delivery Check out Timeless Tactical Truths at the B Shifter store for $10—makes a great Christmas stocking stuffer! This episode was recorded in Phoenix, AZ on September 9, 2025

    1h 4m

  5. 08/18/2025

    Push Brooms and Leaf Blowers

    We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifter Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening! Nick Brunicini, Terry Garrison, and Pat Dale examine the vital connection between internal department culture and external customer service in the fire service. • Core services involve technical aspects of firefighting while added value services humanize customer interactions • Customers rarely write letters about equipment or tactics but frequently comment on how firefighters made them feel • Treating members of the organization with kindness and respect creates the foundation for excellent public service • Leadership must consistently model the expected behaviors and hold everyone accountable to the same standard • The "push broom story" demonstrates how leadership decisions either support or undermine organizational culture • Being nice doesn't mean avoiding accountability—it means addressing issues with dignity and respect • Effective leaders establish personal authority through consistent behavior rather than relying solely on positional power • Organizational culture is shaped by how leadership responds to challenges and treats team members • Modern fire service leadership requires balancing tradition with evolving professional standards Join Pat and Terry at this year's Blue Card Hazard Zone Conference, September 29-October 3 at the Sharonville Convention Center near Cincinnati.

    22 min

  6. 07/15/2025

    The Silverbacks on Perspective (Part 1)

    This episode features Nick Brunacini, Terry Garrison, and John Vance. We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifter Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening! This episode was recorded at the AVB CTC in Phoenix, AZ on June 5, 2025. We  explore how perspective in leadership impacts firefighter safety and organizational effectiveness. Join us for part 2 next week • A number of firefighters involved in recent line-of-duty deaths were between 25-30 years old • Danger exists when leaders prioritize being "cool" over passing down hard-earned wisdom • Effective leadership requires the ability to say "no" in hazardous situations • Perspective naturally evolves with experience and knowledge • Tactical supervision (the middle command layer) is critical during extended operations • Accountability and kindness are not mutually exclusive leadership traits • Consistency in leadership approach across all contexts maintains organizational integrity • Operating within effective systems prevents freelancing and improves safety outcomes • After-action reviews are essential for continuous improvement and perspective development Join us next week for part two of this special podcast on leadership and perspective in the fire service.

    37 min

  7. 12/17/2024

    Eight No-Brainer Boss Strategies

    This episode features Nick Brunacini, Terry Garrison and John Vance. We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://youtu.be/-Wb5lA6f1uw Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifter Read the "8 No Brainer Boss Strategies" article here: https://conta.cc/3zY8FOH Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening! This episode was recorded November 14, 2024 at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center in Phoenix, AZ. Leadership in the fire service isn't just about strategy; it's about knowing when to step back and let the team shine. Through real-life stories and key learnings from industry veterans, we highlight the balancing act of power, recognition, and accountability within fire departments. From the dynamics of operational versus administrative roles to the critical importance of maintaining focus on core values, our discussion offers a candid look at the complexities of leadership.

    1h 17m

  8. 05/14/2024

    Ask The Chiefs; Pretty Good Career Advice

    This week, we will be hosting a Q&A session with the chiefs - Terry Garrison, Nick Brunancini, John Vance, and Greg Timinsky, to answer questions submitted by B Shifter listeners. We understand that dealing with a non-progressive fire chief who denies outside training requests can be challenging, but we have some insights that can help you navigate through the resistance. We will be discussing strategies for personal growth and the systemic issues of departments that avoid progressive leadership. We will also be drawing parallels to the importance of continuous training. Our conversation will extend to the repercussions chiefs may face when they fail to adapt and nurture their department’s personnel. This episode features Nick Brunacini, Josh Blum, Greg Timinsky and John Vance. B Shifter Buckslip: No one listened to the workers better than Bruno. In this edition's Silverback Leadership column, 17 observations from the workers that Big Al collected through the years. Read it here: https://conta.cc/4a8M11Z We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com Register for the 2024 Hazard Zone Conference here: http://hazardzonebc.com/ All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifter Please subscribe and share. Thank you for listening! This episode was recorded at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center in Phoenix,  Arizona  on May 9, 2024.

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Silverback Leadership is B-Shifter's deep dive into command-level leadership in the hazard zone and beyond. Rooted in the teachings of Alan Brunacini,  this series explores what it means to lead with calm authority, operational competence, and cultural responsibility. This isn’t about rank. It’s about responsibility.

Information

  • Creator
    Across the Street Productions
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Silverback Leadership
  • Show Website
    Silverback Leadership