Best Smart Firefighting Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 271: The Role of Drones in Emergency Response with Russell Turner 28:08

4d ago28:08

28:08

What are the benefits of using drones for emergency response? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How drones are being used for situati…

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Episode 458: Infinite tech debt hack and figuring out what is going on 34:00

9h ago34:00

34:00

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Nearly every time certain developers on the team want to address technical debt, they end up just adding more technical debt. Of course, after one round of addressing technical debt, the developers in question believe that yet another round of redesigning and refactoring is in order. This st…

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#69 - Carl Zimmer: Airborne - The Hidden History of the Air We Breathe 1:32:39

22h ago1:32:39

1:32:39

Send us a text Carl Zimmer, columnist for the New York Times and acclaimed science writer, discusses his new book "Airborne" which explores the fascinating yet troubling history of how we understand disease transmission through air. • Pandemic debates about COVID transmission revealed historical patterns of resistance to airborne disease theories •…

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433: Coffee with Mom—That Toy Really Sucks 1:07:44

6d ago1:07:44

1:07:44

Peggy Rowe, a.k.a. Mike’s three-time NYT bestselling mom, is back for a check-in. In this episode you’ll hear about the horrors of hoarding, books you’ll never read, dancin’ chicken, crab pickin’, and a Mother’s Day story about a toy that really sucks! Big thanks to our terrific sponsors AuraFrames.com/Mike Use code: Mike to get $35 off their best-…

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Episode 457: How do I get off the on-call rotation and "big tech" == "big leagues"? 27:25

7d ago27:25

27:25

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I am a senior software engineer in a big tech/faang company and this week is my first ever on call rotation. My team is doing a lot of CI work, monitoring pipelines and support queues during on call. It is probably not as much of a hassle as on call for product teams, but for me personally o…

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Episode 270: Providing Global Fire Capability and Data Equity with Karen O’Connor 12:29

11d ago12:29

12:29

Here’s how Earth Fire Alliance is enhancing global fire monitoring: Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How Earth Fire Alliance provide…

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432: Gene Simmons—The Sun Never Sets on Planet Cool 1:15:54

11d ago1:15:54

1:15:54

The multilingual, bass-thumping, capitalist dives into what made him fall in love with America, his unforgettable first job involving prosthetic testes, and the etymology of the word a**hole. It’s a free-wheeling discussion from Moses to Superman and everything in between. Shout out to our great sponsors ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to try ZipIntro for FR…

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Episode 456: Will I look bad on the job market if I'm a crypto developer and struggling to go from management back to dev work 31:39

15d ago31:39

31:39

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey, I am a web developer getting bored of the regular development work. I am interested in finance and the monetary system and due to the overlap of finance and engineering I feel down the Bitcoin rabbit hole and even spiked interest in crypto like Solana and Sui. I am pretty sure most of c…

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#68 - Jelle Laverge, Gaëlle Guyotte and Marc Abadie - Clean Air, Smart Buildings and Annex 86 1:29:37

15d ago1:29:37

1:29:37

Send us a text What happens when 46 research institutes from 21 countries join forces to tackle one of our most pressing indoor environmental challenges? A groundbreaking framework that's already changing how we approach air quality in our homes. The Annex 86 project represents a fascinating convergence of engineering, chemistry, and public health …

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Episode 269: The Importance of Interoperability in Rail Fire with Nicholas Coney and Brett Richardson 16:56

18d ago16:56

16:56

What are the challenges (and solutions) of emergency response in the rail corridor? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: The specialized…

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431: David Bahnsen—Poor Smart and Desperate 1:16:52

21d ago1:16:52

1:16:52

David Bahnsen is the founder, managing partner, and chief investment officer of The Bahnsen Group, which manages over seven billion dollars in assets. He’s also a podcaster, author, and Christian intellectual. His book, Full Time: Work and the Meaning of Life, is simpatico with Mike’s S.W.E.A.T. pledge. Big thanks to our awesome sponsors American-G…

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Episode 455: UX designer without a mentor and I get bored too easily and stressed too easily 33:00

22d ago33:00

33:00

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: A listener named Dakota asks, I’m a UX designer, and I’m constantly looking for growth opportunities. I’m having trouble finding mentors to help challenge me, as every time my boss/senior designer leaves the company, I assume their work and we don’t backfill their spot or my old position. Th…

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#67- Barry Cope: You Can't Manage What You Don't Measure: How Proper Ventilation Testing Could Save Lives 1:58:10

22d ago1:58:10

1:58:10

Send us a text The quality of air we breathe in our homes directly impacts our health, yet the ventilation systems responsible for delivering that air are failing at alarming rates. In this eye-opening conversation with Barry Cope, Group Managing Director of ATMA and SITMA, we delve into the troubling disconnect between air tightness testing (which…

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Episode 268: The Fire Service: A Sense of Family and Common Goal with Eric Combs and Kelly Richardson 14:12

25d ago14:12

14:12

What are the 3 keys to effective fire service products? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How technology can make firefighters safer …

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Episode 454: Tracking productivity? and my CTO is ChatGPT 28:11

29d ago28:11

28:11

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’m a manager on a Product team. I’ve been asked by upper management to measure “story points completed per developer per sprint” and display the results publicly each sprint to motivate lower-performing employees. I explained why, according to Scrum, I don’t think this is a good idea. But I…

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66 - Aayush Jha: Clean Air as a Service: The Future of Indoor Environments? 1:30:44

29d ago1:30:44

1:30:44

Send us a text The revolutionary "clean air as a service" business model is transforming how we approach indoor air quality in challenging environments. Rather than simply selling filtration equipment with uncertain outcomes, companies like Clairco are guaranteeing results through a comprehensive system of monitoring, analytics, and accountability.…

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Ep 127: Charlie Clark: Empire Virtual Support - Streamlining and Transforming Business Operations 58:09

1M ago58:09

58:09

Welcome to today’s episode, where we dive into the world of virtual support with Charlie Clark from Empire Virtual Support. Visit www.empirevirtualsupport.com.au to learn how you can streamline your business operations. Charlie shares insights into how their company helps businesses streamline operations by offering expert virtual assistant service…

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#65 - Steven "Robbie" Burns & Ian Ray: The Air They Breathe: A Firefighter's Unseen Battle 1:54:16

1M ago1:54:16

1:54:16

Send us a text What happens when those who run toward danger face an invisible, deadly threat long after the flames are extinguished? This compelling episode pulls back the curtain on the shocking occupational health crisis affecting firefighters worldwide. Stephen "Robbie" Burns and Ian Ray bring decades of fire service experience to share the dev…

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430: Enrico Colantoni—The Balls on this Guy! 1:34:36

1M ago1:34:36

1:34:36

Award-winning actor and old friend Rico drops by for a hysterical, if not irreverent, hang with Mike and Chuck, friends he’s had for 40+ years. There is laughter; there are tears, and there is laughter that turns into tears. Warning: Don’t listen while drinking coffee in front of a computer. Tip o’ the hat to our excellent sponsors ZipRecruiter.com…

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Episode 453: Why did my company build an internal LinkedIn and how do I not get stagnant in my skills? 31:34

1M ago31:34

31:34

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Greetings! I work at a research company with ~500 engineers and scientists. My company started promoting this new portal they setup that is like a private linkedin. You can fill up the profile they setup for you and apply for positions within the company. Why is my company doing this? They e…

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429: Gary Sinise—The Importance of Showing Up 1:21:10

1M ago1:21:10

1:21:10

The multi-award-winning actor, chronic philanthropist, and all-around outstanding human drops by to talk about his son, Mac Sinise, who sadly passed away January 5, 2024. Gary shares Mac’s story and the musical compositions he left behind, all of which can be found on Resurrection & Revival parts 1 and 2, which are available on vinyl here. The thre…

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Episode 452: Consulting refactor and extra work, extra scrutiny 25:12

1M ago25:12

25:12

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’ve been a developer for about 1.5 years. I work for a large consultancy. we provide services to big clients. I’m working on a front-end codebase that has been through three consulting companies already. Tired of just moving tickets and fixing bugs, I decided to refactor the front end of th…

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#64 - Liz Male: Communicating Complexity: How to Craft Messages That Resonate and Tell Stories that win Hearts and Minds 1:44:06

1M ago1:44:06

1:44:06

Send us a text We explore the art of communicating technical subjects effectively with PR expert Liz Male MBE, focusing on how consistency in messaging builds trust and the power of storytelling to convey complex information. • Communications in the built environment have improved but remain inconsistent across the industry • Consistency in messagi…

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Episode 267: Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the Fire Service with Dr. Sabrina Cohen-Hatton and Michael Morgan 30:42

2M ago30:42

30:42

Here’s how diversity and inclusion contribute to a more effective fire service workforce: Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: The impor…

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Episode 266: Promoting Competency and Building Safety within Fire Engineering with Hayley Burgess 14:25

2M ago14:25

14:25

Here’s how to promote competency and safety in the fire sector: Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How the IFE supports fire professio…

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Episode 265: Making Solar Energy Safe for First Responders with Jim Foran 24:01

2M ago24:01

24:01

How is PVStop training first responders and electrical technicians to safely handle solar panels? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: A…

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428: Mike Albrecht—Got Wood? 1:25:01

2M ago1:25:01

1:25:01

As a logger and forester, Mike Albrecht knows a lot about wood. He is the two-time president of the American Loggers Council, and he’s on a mission to reintroduce America to one of its most abundant and reliable renewable resources—wood. Mike also speaks to how we can better manage our forests to prevent wildfires. Today’s episode is sponsored by P…

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Episode 451: Un-collaborative architect and who is my boss? 32:47

2M ago32:47

32:47

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: A listener named Scot asks, A new architect was hired at my company 6 months ago. I’m an engineer one rung lower on the hierarchy and have been here for 3.5 years. He hasn’t done much to learn about any of us who have been here for a while, so he is constantly undermining my skills and sugge…

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#63 - David Pierpoint: Quality Over Quantity. Why Proper Training Transforms Our Building Environment 1:17:34

2M ago1:17:34

1:17:34

Send us a text David Pierpoint discusses how skills and training are key to improving quality in our built environment, drawing from his 15 years of experience developing the retrofit sector through The Retrofit Academy. • Industry struggles with consistent quality in both retrofit and ventilation sectors • Government funding often focuses on singl…

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Episode 264: Challenges and Fire Safety Risks Faced by Tunnels with Craig Hiscock 10:45

2M ago10:45

10:45

What are the unique challenges that tunnels face in terms of fire safety and ventilation? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: The impac…

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Episode 450: I'm terrible at behavioral interviews and time zonessssssss 34:04

2M ago34:04

34:04

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I struggle with behavioral interviews. I’ve gotten a little bit better as I’ve done more interviews, but it’s still a major pain point for me. I have some common behavioral question answers written out in a spreadsheet in SAR format, but I feel that not all of them are good examples for a mi…

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#62 - Simon Jones: Healthy Building, On Air, Mouldy Homes and New Laws 25:55

2M ago25:55

25:55

Send us a text Solo episode this week as we catch up on the ISIAQ Healthy Buildings Conference in Hyderabad in India, a new venture for Air Quality Matters and an exploration of indoor air quality intersects with the urgent issues of damp and mould affecting housing today. The importance of recent legislation and proactive measures for healthy livi…

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Episode 263: Enhanced Regulations and Tools for All People During Disasters in Evacuation with Daniel Nilsson and Kevin Frank 13:42

2M ago13:42

13:42

How can we improve evacuation systems for people with movement disabilities? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: The challenges of desi…

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427: Carlos Whittaker—How Fast is Godspeed? 1:30:46

2M ago1:30:46

1:30:46

Carlos spent seven weeks without any screens—no phone, no computer, no TV. His newest book, Reconnected, documents that journey filled with monks, Amish, a bobcat, and lots of self-discovery. Many thanks to our excellent sponsors ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to try ZipRecruiter for FREE. PureTalk.com/Rowe Switch today to a qualifying plan of just $45 per …

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Episode 449: My tech lead ignored my warnings and I don't know what my leadership style is 29:54

2M ago29:54

29:54

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hello, long time listener first time question asker. I work for a medium sized tech company and I recently moved teams. Right now my old team is attempting to refactor a bunch of code I wrote to use a library that’ll make life easier. I don’t blame them, I tried to do the same thing. It does…

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#61 - Hector Altimirano: Rethinking Mould - Health Implications, Diagnostic Challenges, and Global Collaboration in Building Science 1:44:57

2M ago1:44:57

1:44:57

Send us a text In this episode, we delve into the intricate relationship between mould, our built environments, and health. Hector Altamirano shares insights on how mould serves as a messenger for underlying issues in our homes, the potential health impacts of mould exposure, and the importance of fostering healthier living conditions. • Exploring …

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Episode 262: The Importance of Community Connection and the Role of Governance in Resilience with Beck Dawson 13:19

2M ago13:19

13:19

Here’s how to build community resilience: Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: Why resilience is a community effort How to shape decisio…

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426: Tim Allen Loves the Ballet 2:11:57

2M ago2:11:57

2:11:57

It’s a compelling hang with the iconic comedian, actor, and renaissance man who takes a deep dive on a myriad of topics, including philosophy, physics, and fire prevention. His new sitcom, Shifting Gears, can be seen on ABC Wednesdays at 8PM. Big thanks to our awesome sponsors NetSuite.com/Mike Download the CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning fo…

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Episode 448: Title over salary and from figure skater to software developer 28:01

2M ago28:01

28:01

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: A listener named Steven says, Long-time listener of the podcast here—it always brings me so much joy! Should I prioritize title over salary? I’m currently based in Europe, working as a Senior Engineer at a big company that pays really well. The problem is, there’s almost no chance for promot…

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#60 - Corinne Mandin, Paweł Wargocki & Henry Burridge: Transforming Classroom Air Quality – Cognitive Impact, Health Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions 1:10:20

2M ago1:10:20

1:10:20

Send us a text This episode, live from the Eurovent Conference on School Air Quality we discusses the crucial relationship between indoor air quality and children's health and cognitive performance in classrooms. We analyse the current state of air quality in schools, the need for effective monitoring and improvement strategies, and the potential b…

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Episode 261: Addressing Climate Change and Natural Hazard Risks with Andrew Gissing 13:08

2M ago13:08

13:08

The big question that we all want the answer to: how should we tackle climate change? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How the 'Be A…

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425: Darrell Lester—The Eight Letter F Word 1:36:19

3M ago1:36:19

1:36:19

Former vice president of marketing at Publishers Clearing House, Darrell Lester, tells the inside story of how PCH started as a mom & pop shop, meteorically rose to one of the most beloved companies in America, and then was nearly destroyed by bad press and lawsuits because of greed. Darrell witnessed it all and chronicled it in his book, Downfall …

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Episode 447: Overleveled at FAANG and accidental draft feedback 30:11

3M ago30:11

30:11

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I am a mid level engineer overleveled as a senior engineer in a FAANG company. I got super lucky landing this high paying remote job, but dang… I did underestimate the expectations for my senior level. I had no FAANG experience before, just working at startups, flat hierarchies, just doing t…

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#59 - Plum Stone: Addressing Indoor Air Quality – Health, Accessibility, Social Justice, and Pandemic Lessons 1:55:34

3M ago1:55:34

1:55:34

Send us a text Indoor air quality is an often-overlooked issue that directly impacts public health, especially for individuals with chronic illnesses. Plum Stone, founder of the Safer Air Project, emphasizes the need for better air quality standards to ensure accessibility and inclusion for vulnerable populations. Through personal anecdotes and pro…

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Episode 260: The Science of Fire: James Braidwood's Insights with David Dow 15:48

3M ago15:48

15:48

Who is James Braidwood and how did he transform the fire service? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: What “finding the seat of the fir…

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424: Anson Frericks—Last Call for Bud Light 1:22:51

3M ago1:22:51

1:22:51

As President of Anheuser-Busch Sales and Distribution, Anson had a front-row seat to witness how and why Bud Light lost its position as the most popular beer in America (as well as $30 billion in market cap) by changing its focus from shareholder profits to stakeholder capitalism and partnering with Dylan Mulvaney. His new book, Last Call for Bud L…

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Episode 446: Wading through AI slop and they don't get git 33:19

3M ago33:19

33:19

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: A listener named Matthias (mah-TEA-as) asks, In episode 444 you’re talking about the problems when hiring in the age of AI. I’m a manager who’s trying to hire right now and frankly I’m at a loss. If feels like I’m wading through a sea of AI slop. What tips do you have to cut through the slop…

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#58 - Jeff Colley: Navigating Sustainability Challenges – Building Performance, Regulatory Evolution, and Global Perspectives 1:34:38

3M ago1:34:38

1:34:38

Send us a text This episode emphasises the vital connection between indoor air quality and building sustainability, featuring insights from expert Jeff Colley. The discussion covers advancements in air-tightness standards, the importance of empirical data, the challenges of communication in the industry, and the necessity for robust regulatory fram…

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Episode 259: The Importance of Training and Sense-Making in Firefighting Decision-Making with Dr. Greg Penney 21:55

3M ago21:55

21:55

What is sense-making, and how can it transform firefighters’ decision-making? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: The importance of tra…

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423: Alex Epstein—On Littering and Underpants 1:38:10

3M ago1:38:10

1:38:10

Alex Epstein is back! He’s a philosopher and energy expert who argues that "human flourishing" should be the guiding principle of energy and environmental progress. Many thanks to our excellent sponsors PureTalk.com/Rowe Switch to a plan of $45 per month and get an iPhone 14 or Samsung Galaxy. ZipRecruiter.com/Rowe to try ZipRecruiter for FREE. MCS…

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Smart Firefighting Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen