DC Fire Chief John Donnelly shares what it takes to stay calm under pressure, lead through crisis, prepare before disaster strikes, and keep public service centered on the people.

Boris Maguire explores what modern leaders can learn from the Samburu of northern Kenya — from resilience through community to the power of slowing down, sharing burdens, and thinking beyond the next quarter. It’s a compelling vision of leadership shaped by belonging, service, and enduring wisdom.

Watch on Youtube What does the American Dream look like through the eyes of someone who had to flee his country, learn a new language, rebuild his life, and choose service over bitterness? For Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen, the answer is not abstract. It is deeply personal — shaped by war, family sacrifice, resilience, public service, and a lifelong belief that your beginning does not have to define your future. In a recent episode of The Leadership Crucible Podcas

Watch on Youtube What does a lifetime inside Major League Baseball teach you about leadership, character, and legacy? For LA Dodgers broadcaster José Mota, the answer runs deep — rooted in a Dominican childhood, 12 years of professional baseball, two decades behind the microphone, and a front-row seat to some of the game's greatest leaders. In a recent episode of The Leadership Crucible Podcast , Chief Randy Bruegman (Ret.) sat down with Mota to unpack the leadership lessons

Watch on Youtube In the high-stakes world of public safety, the true measure of a leader isn’t found in a title, a badge, or a presidential appointment. According to John Marshall—former Director of the U.S. Marshals Service and Virginia Secretary of Public Safety—it is found in the trust, loyalty, and care a leader invests in their people. In a recent episode of the Leadership Crucible Podcast , John Marshall sat down with Chief Randy Bruegman to reflect on a career spanning

Watch on Youtube In the high-stakes world of the fire service, the margin for error is razor-thin. Yet, according to Chief Aaron Tyerman, the most dangerous leader isn’t the one who makes mistakes—it’s the one who is afraid to. In a recent episode of the Leadership Crucible Podcast , Tyerman shared his journey from paramedic to Chief of Training for the South King County Fire Training Consortium. Throughout the conversation, one theme remained central: failure is not the oppo

Watch on Youtube Are you feeling stuck, exhausted, or disconnected at work? You’re not alone. In a recent episode of The Leadership Crucible Podcast , Carol DiBattiste—former Under Secretary of the U.S. Air Force and a veteran of the DOJ and DHS—unpacked why so many driven professionals feel frustrated and how to find your way back to fulfillment. With a career spanning high-stakes military leadership and turning around private companies in crisis, Carol shares the hard-won l

Watch on Youtube In the world of emergency services, leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about carrying the weight of those decisions when lives are on the line. In a recent episode of The Leadership Crucible Podcast , host Chief Randy Bruegman sat down with Trisha Wolford , the Fire Chief of Anne Arundel County and one of only three women to ever serve as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) . Their conversation is a masterclass in

Watch on Youtube In the world of emergency services, there is perhaps no stage larger or more scrutinized than New York City. Leading the FDNY (Fire Department of the City of New York) requires more than just tactical expertise; it demands a unique brand of steadiness, consistency, and character. In a recent episode of The Leadership Crucible Podcast , host Chief Randy Bruegman sat down with Chief John Esposito , Acting Chief of Department for the FDNY. With over three deca

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

“Crisis doesn’t create character — it reveals it.” – Melissa Agnes, Founder of the Crisis Ready® Institute Watch on YouTube In this powerful new episode, Chief Randy Bruegman sits down with world-renowned crisis expert Melissa Agnes to explore one of the most overlooked truths in leadership:Most organizations fail before the crisis even starts. Melissa isn’t just a theorist — she’s a practitioner who has advised organizations at the highest levels, from NATO and the Pentagon

About This Episode In this episode, you will learn about: Overcoming adversity: Learn valuable leadership lessons from navigating challenging circumstances and emerge stronger and more resilient. Fostering trust: Master the art of building trust in leadership roles to inspire confidence and loyalty among your team members. Seamless career transitions: Discover effective strategies for transitioning careers to ensure a smooth and successful shift to a new professional path. T