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Better Every Shift

FireRescue1
Fire Service
Mental Health
Leadership
Firefighting
Health and Wellness
Emergency Medical Services
Community Engagement
Firefighter Safety
First Responders
National Fire Academy
Training
Emergency Response
Wildfires
Firefighter Health
Community Risk Reduction
Artificial Intelligence
Firefighter Training
NFPA Standards
Resilience
Accountability

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 s... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes313Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Government

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Artwork for Better Every Shift

Latest Episodes

The next hazmat challenge probably isn't coming — it's already in your first-due. Mesa Fire and Medical Department Captain Jim Barnhart has spent years studying lithium-ion batteries, photovoltaics and emerging energy systems, and he makes the case t... more

“Why do we have all of these fire agencies?” It’s a question many in the wildland world have asked for years — and Chief Brian Fennessy is now in position to do something about it. The director of the newly created U.S. Wildland Fire Service explains... more

One routine smoke investigation. Ten minutes later, a cold storage building erupted around Firefighter Andrew Klein. This week, we’re revisiting the harrowing close call that nearly ended Klein’s career. Klein walks through the fireground decisions, ... more

“Pain sucks,” as Zam puts it — and ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. Dr. Bita Shahidi, a physical therapist who has worked with firefighters and professional athletes, explains why the aches and pains firefighters push through during their careers... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Brian Fennessy
Director of the US Wildland Fire Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Episode: Inside the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service with Chief Fennessy
Andrew Klein
Firefighter from Southern California, Local 2020 member
Local 2020 / department in Southern California
Episode: Cold storage close call
Bita Shahidi
Physical therapist, doctor, and PhD
Independent practitioner/academic
Episode: Your post-call reset starts here
Craig Weinschenk
Director of Research for the Fire Safety Research Institute
FSRI / UL Research Institutes
Episode: NERIS: Everybody calm down already
Jane Prescott
Member of Lexipol Grants Team; volunteer firefighter for six years
Lexipol Grants
Episode: The grant clock is ticking
Chief Jason Caughey
Fire department chief providing frontline perspective on grants
Episode: The grant clock is ticking
Brian Schaeffer
Fire Chief, Columbia Fire Department, former Spokane leader
Columbia Fire Department; former Spokane Fire Department
Episode: Schaeffer: The fire service can’t afford CAVE leadership
Darin Wallentine
Chief Deputy Fire Chief, Sarasota County Fire Department; IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section chair
Sarasota County Fire Department; IAFC
Episode: Safety Stand Down 2026 goes all-in on fitness
Dena Ali
Battalion Chief, author; affiliated with First Responder Center for Excellence
First Responder Center for Excellence
Episode: Dena Ali returns: Mental health starts with leadership

Host

Aaron Zamzow
Host of Better Every Shift; focuses on solutions, positivity, and station life in fire service.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings
  • real experts

    I like the Aaron has real leaders in the fire service on his podcast and he lets them talk. I do feel for "the commander" it sounds like it may be hard to keep focused.....lol

    Audible
    5
    Zackary H.
    United States8 months ago
  • I like the Aaron has real leaders in the fire service on his podcast and he lets them talk. I do feel for "the commander" it sounds like it may be hard to keep focused.....lol

    Audible
    5
    Zackary H.
    United States8 months ago
  • Won’t play

    I’ve been trying to listen to this podcast, I believe I heard about it on ems1 but haven’t been able to get any episodes to play yet.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joelt_86
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the practical leadership and wellness guidance, with real-world stories that feel actionable.
Some episodes struggle with accessibility of episodes at times, but the content is generally valued by the audience.
Guests are consistently industry experts, adding credibility and depth to discussions.
Sponsorship reads are seen as helpful resources rather than distractions for many listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#172
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#104
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#78
Saudi Arabia/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cold storage close call
Q: What are the key takeaways for other firefighters?
Always wear PPE, maintain strong door control and ventilation discipline, understand building construction and insulation materials, rely on a defined action plan and accountability, and prioritize mental health and peer support after traumatic incidents.
Cold storage close call
Q: What happened on May 13th that turned routine operations into a near-miss?
A routine check in a cold storage facility revealed an interior void with heat below the floor; a sudden pressure and flame front caused a roof and wall failure, forcing a retreat and then a focused water application to save teammates who were trapped or in danger.
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell’s mission to elevate the fire service
Q: How does Lori view the balance between local action and national/global collaboration?
Local actions should be informed by global knowledge; it's essential to communicate with policymakers and translate research so that leaders understand how the fire service actually operates across interfaces (local, state, federal).
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell’s mission to elevate the fire service
Q: What leadership lesson does Lori emphasize for someone new to the fire service?
Learn continually, stay humble, bring people along, and balance ambition with the needs and sanity of your team to avoid burnout.
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell’s mission to elevate the fire service
Q: What is front and center on Lori Moore-Merrell's radar in her new role?
Her focus is on global engagement, translating UL's research into locally relevant messaging, and lifting up fire services in lower-income nations while continuing to push lithium battery safety and climate-related wildfire preparedness.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Better Every Shift

What is Better Every Shift about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A candid, practitioner-first discussion hub for fire service professionals, focusing on leadership, wellness, safety, and innovation. Episodes frequently spotlight high-ranking officials, training experts, and veteran investigators who share actionable guidance on leadership pipelines, mental health, fitness, and technology adoption in the fire service. Notable throughlines include mentorship culture, sustainable wellness programs, and practical strategies that departments can implement—from shift scheduling to gear and training—often anchored by real-world stories and sponsor-supported resources. This show tends to attract listeners who want concrete improvements for their crews and organizations, and it stands out for blending tough topic... more

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How many listeners does Better Every Shift get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Better Every Shift?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Better Every Shift:

1. The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast
2. Fire Engineering Podcast Network
3. Cleared Hot - Powered By BRCC
4. The Shawn Ryan Show
5. Jocko Podcast

How many episodes of Better Every Shift are there?

Better Every Shift launched 6 years ago and published 313 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Better Every Shift?

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What guests have appeared on Better Every Shift?

Recent guests on Better Every Shift include:

1. Brian Fennessy
2. Andrew Klein
3. Bita Shahidi
4. Craig Weinschenk
5. Jane Prescott
6. Chief Jason Caughey
7. Brian Schaeffer
8. Darin Wallentine

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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