Show overview
Better Every Shift has been publishing since 2020, and across the 6 years since has built a catalogue of 317 episodes. That works out to roughly 220 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 28 min and 58 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-language Government show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 3 days ago, with 27 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 71 episodes published. Published by FireRescue1.
From the publisher
FireRescue1’s Better Every Shift Podcast spotlights the passion and perseverance of firefighters. Hosted by Madison, Wisconsin, Firefighter Aaron Zamzow, the show brings kitchen table conversations to the airwaves, always focused on solutions, positivity and the realities of station life. Zamzow and guests tackle myriad hot topics, whether fire service, news or even pop culture-focused, bringing some levity to the often very serious nature of the profession. Dig into what drives firefighters to improve themselves, their crew, even the fire service as a whole. Listen in to get better every day, every call, every shift.
Latest Episodes
View all 317 episodesLearning to lead differently
How EV weight impacts your tactics
How to build company drills from NIOSH reports
Your tone is your leadership
Today's fires demand a hazmat mindset
Inside the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service with Chief Fennessy
Cold storage close call
Your post-call reset starts here
NERIS: Everybody calm down already
The grant clock is ticking
Schaeffer: The fire service can’t afford CAVE leadership
Safety Stand Down 2026 goes all-in on fitness
Zam’s formula for better health and performance
Dena Ali returns: Mental health starts with leadership
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell’s mission to elevate the fire service
Develop TIC discipline
Ep 302Stress changes everything: Gasaway talks fireground decision-making
How could they not see it coming? It’s a common knee-jerk reaction to news or incident reports about calls that went south. But Dr. Rich Gasaway — a former fire chief and the founder of Situational Awareness Matters — cautions against judgment, emphasizing that it can be extremely difficult to see the red flags flying around us, as stress compromises decision-making during high-risk situations. You have to train your brain through mental rehearsals so you’re able to go beyond simply having your head on a swivel to being able to predict what will happen next — and make the right decision for yourself and your crew. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore. Email [email protected] to share your feedback.
Ep 301What’s your bold vision? Chief Dan Munsey talks innovation
How can we be the best 2030 fire department, today? That’s Fire Chief Dan Munsey’s goal for the San Bernardino County (Calif.) Fire Protection District, which has become one of the most progressive agencies in the country in recent years. Chief Munsey details some of the initiatives underway at SBCFPD and urges fire service leaders to prioritize technology and innovation that better serves both the community and the membership. Considering the current pace of change, Munsey underscores that “what got us here won’t get us there” — and our members, particularly newer members, desperately want innovative leaders who have not only a bold vision for the future of the department but also a clear plan to make it happen. Munsey addresses some of the fire service lies we tell ourselves that hinder change, and offers his insights for how to embrace a growth mindset. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore. Email [email protected] to share your feedback.
Ep 300If Gordon Graham ran the country ...
The man, the myth, the legend Gordon Graham returns to Better Every Shift to deliver several new doses of commonsense wisdom, including three things he would do if he ran the country. Gordon spotlights Lexipol’s upcoming First Responder Wellness Week, shares the 10 Fs of a long and fulfilling career, and asks key questions to help you get back on track. Learn more about First Responder Wellness Week, March 23-27, and register for the FRWW daily webinars. Email [email protected] to share your feedback.
Ep 299Is firefighter stress really different? Captain Marc Wysocki weighs in
Mental health shouldn’t be treated as a crisis — it should be part of our operational readiness. That’s the charge from Captain Marc Wysocki, who joins Zam for a discussion on the cultural changes needed to address mental health, the implications of assigning your job as your identity, and how to do a “personnel 360” to for your crew. Plus, Wysocki shares the personal experiences and research findings behind his article, “Behind the mask: Uncovering the root causes of mental health challenges in the fire service,” which won top honors in Darley’s annual essay contest. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore. Email [email protected] to share your feedback.