Watch on Youtube Some leaders are forged in fire, others walk into it willingly. Fire Lieutenant and Licensed Professional Counselor Taylor Montey  has done both. In this powerful episode of The Leadership Crucible Podcast , Chief Randy Bruegman sits down with Lt. Montey to explore the essential, often-missed intersection of mental health , physical fitness, and public safety leadership. This conversation offers a new blueprint for building genuine, lasting resilience  in hig

Watch on Youtube Before the brand became famous for its ButterBurgers  and Fresh Frozen Custard , Culver’s was a single, struggling restaurant in Sauk City, Wisconsin, that almost failed in its first year. Today, with over 1,000 locations, Culver’s co-founder Craig Culver  shares the story of how persistence, passion, and a radical commitment to people built one of America’s most beloved quick-service chains. In a masterclass on The Leadership Crucible Podcast, Craig Culver r

Watch on Youtube Mediocre service is not just frustrating—it is the "silent killer of business,"  according to customer experience strategist Stephen Merrill. While outright service failure might grab headlines, the slow erosion caused by "just-okay service" quietly destroys your reputation, revenue, and retention. In this powerful episode of The Leadership Crucible Podcast , Retired Fire Chief Randy Bruegman sits down with Stephen Merrill, the bestselling author of The Custo

Watch on Youtube Public trust in law enforcement is more critical and complex than ever. In a compelling conversation on The Leadership Crucible Podcast , Commissioner Sean Duryee of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) offers a transparent and value-driven look into how one of the nation's largest state police agencies is evolving to meet modern demands. His 27-year career and unique perspective from every rank within the CHP provide a foundation of integrity and steadfastnes

Watch on Youtube The journey to leadership isn't always a straight line. For Mike Goodrum, the City Manager of Sugar Land, Texas, it began on a path marked by immense hardship. From living in his car at 18 to leading one of America's most respected cities, his story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of resilience, empathy, and servant leadership. In a recent episode of "The Leadership Crucible," Mike sits down for a candid conversation about what it truly ta

Watch on Youtube Are you ready to stop playing defense and start leading through disruption? In a world of increasing complexity and constant change, relying on outdated risk management models is a blueprint for failure. The truth is, traditional risk management is broken. In a powerful episode of The Leadership Crucible, host Randy Bruegman sits down with globally recognized risk strategist and author, Dr. Gav Schneider, to explore why resilience is the new core competency f

Watch on Youtube Great leaders don’t just give feedback—they model it. In a culture where trust is eroding and conflict is feared,...

Watch on Youtube Fire service is evolving — and so is the way we train its leaders. In this forward-thinking episode of the Leadership Crucible Podcast, Chief Randy Bruegman sits down with Joe Bennett, Director of Fire Service Training at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, to explore how one of the nation’s most respected hands-on programs is reshaping firefighter education. But this isn’t just about tactical skills — it’s about forming character, cultivating leadership

Watch on Youtube In a time when trust in leadership is eroding across institutions and industries, Rear Admiral Mike Studeman (Ret.) believes the greatest crisis we face isn’t geopolitical — it’s moral. On this powerful episode of The Leadership Crucible Podcast , Chief Randy Bruegman sits down with Admiral Studeman to explore the root of our leadership failures: a breakdown in character. Drawing from 35 years of military service, including as Director of Intelligence for bot