Stories From the Road Podcast: First Responders With Phil Klein

Send a text

“One thing I kind of regret doing, looking back now, is when everyone’s asking, 'Hey, are you good?' is saying, 'Yes, I’m fine.'” - Firefighter Brian

When Firefighter Brian joined the fire service in July 2021, he was living his childhood dream — helping people, running calls, and finding family in the firehouse. But one clear, sunny day, a single call changed everything.

Brian responded to a serious crash involving two teenagers. Despite the crew doing everything possible to save them, one of the girls didn’t survive. Brian recalls looking into her eyes as the time of death was called — and something inside him shifted. Still a probationary firefighter, Brian told everyone he was fine. But he wasn’t. The flashbacks came weeks later – first on a drive to work, then during EMT class, and finally on scenes where he found himself disconnected and lost in memory.

Then came the breaking point – a dark thought and an AR-15 in the closet. But before he could act, his cat walked into the room. That small moment – a simple reminder that he wasn’t alone – saved his life.

From there, Brian’s story became one of healing. A wellness check from his department led to hospitalization, therapy, and the realization that it’s okay to not be okay. He started journaling every call that weighed on him – entries that his therapist still uses to guide their sessions.

Today, Brian works doing non-emergency transfers, often with psychiatric patients. He finds meaning in being able to see them not as cases but as people who are still fighting.

He volunteers in fire service, but on his own terms now – when and how he chooses. His message to other first responders is simple: “As much as we love being prideful of the job – if it’s affecting you in any way, just take a step back.”

Support the show

AlwaysFaceForward

Send a text

**Listener Note: This podcast was recorded in November 2023, and as it happens, there have been changes in Chief Ashley's career. This podcast is in no way representative of those changes.**

"It’s not coming in with a chip on your shoulder and feeling like you have to prove something. It’s not being something that you’re not. It's really accepting who you are, what you bring to the table, and proving that every day through good customer service, and exceptional skills... and your ability to do the job just sets the tone for you." -Division Chief Ashley

With 23 years as a firefighter and paramedic and now serving as Division Chief of Public Affairs/Public Information, Ashley hasn’t seen it all… but she’s definitely seen plenty!

From navigating language barriers on medical calls to helping a woman in an awkward elevator incident (let’s just say it involved a very unhappy purse), Division Chief Ashley’s stories highlight the unpredictable – and sometimes humorous – side of being a first responder. She recalls the challenges and comedic moments of being a "booter," and she reflects on the lessons these moments teach about patience, communication, teamwork, and thinking on your feet. 

She also offers candid advice for women entering the fire service: prove yourself through proficiency rather than attitude, embrace humility, and navigate a career in a male-dominated environment while staying true to yourself.

Thanks for listening to this episode of Stories From the Road! Please take a moment to give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen.

Support the show

AlwaysFaceForward

Send a text

"And I looked at my Lieutenant and the time and I said, 'How is this so normal? Like, we’re that desensitized to this. There's a human life on the other end of that headline—somebody that we share this career with—and we just don’t care.' And he goes, 'Yeah man, welcome to the fire service. It comes with the territory—just part of the job.' And that statement, that sentence, is the part that I reject."                                                          — Firefighter/Paramedic Robbie

Firefighter/Paramedic Robbie knows what it means to fight fires—both on the front lines and within the culture of the fire service. With four years in the department and deep family roots in the profession, he’s seen how the job can wear down a firefighter’s body, mind, and spirit.

He came to realize that the greatest dangers aren’t always found in the flames—they often come from within the culture itself. Behind the heroism lies a quieter crisis: chronic stress, sleep deprivation, strained relationships, poor nutrition, and a persistent stigma surrounding mental health. Firefighters are trained to save others, yet many lack the tools to preserve their own health and longevity.

That realization became the foundation for Robbie’s next mission—to change the fire service from within. Today, he channels his passion into a coaching business that helps firefighters strengthen their cardiovascular, physical, and mental health through practical, sustainable systems designed for the realities of the job.

At the heart of Robbie’s work is a guiding belief: “There are two ways you change the world—you either change people’s lives, or you save them.” Every step of his journey reflects that philosophy, proving that saving lives isn’t just about pulling someone from a burning building—it’s about ensuring those who do the saving have the tools to protect their own.

Support the show

AlwaysFaceForward

Send a text

"Life leads you in directions you never expect." – CEO Jillian Crane

In the wake of 9/11, more than 800 children lost a first responder parent. From that unimaginable loss came a mission of hope – the First Responders Children’s Foundation. What began as executive Al Kahn’s simple idea—to give those first responder families a Thanksgiving together—has grown into a national movement of compassion, education, and unity.

In this episode, we sit down with Jillian Crane, CEO of the First Responders Children’s Foundation, to hear how she and others grew a grassroots response into a powerful network supporting the sons and daughters of America’s heroes. With nearly $1 million in scholarships, thousands of hours of free mental health counseling, and programs reaching families across the country, the Foundation is a lifeline for children who have lost first responder parents or faced financial hardship.

An actress and creative professional, Jillian never imagined leading a national nonprofit—but when opportunity called, she said yes, learned on the job, and built an organization that now partners with names like Louis Vuitton, Motorola, CSX, and JPMorgan Chase. 

Jillian reminds us that life can lead us in directions we never expected—and that purpose often rises from tragedy. This conversation is about healing, legacy, and the power of showing up for those who show up for all of us. To donate, volunteer, or learn more, visit https://1strcf.org/.

Support the show

AlwaysFaceForward

Send a text

“You know, I went from one of the most hated professions in the country right now – being a police officer – to the second most hated which is being a porn star. And how dare I work in the sex industry? So luckily, I was prepared for it in that aspect – I know what it’s like to not be liked for what I do.”  - Lieutenant Bella Lexi

From the moment she saw an episode of COPS at 14, Lieutenant Bella knew exactly what she wanted to be. And for nearly three decades she lived that dream, starting as a records clerk and eventually working her way up through dispatch, jail duty, and patrol, before becoming a sergeant and then lieutenant. Bella shares candid reflections on breaking barriers as one of the few women in command, serving as a mental health coordinator, earning respect in a male-dominated field, and learning how true leadership is about communication—not rank.

But an unexpected twist changed everything. A private OnlyFans page she shared with her husband was discovered, triggering an internal investigation, media frenzy, and a personal reckoning that played out on an international stage—from local headlines to The View.

Bella opens up about what it was like to watch her 28-year career unravel overnight—and how she found healing and purpose on the other side. Today, she’s using the same compassion and integrity that guided her in law enforcement to advocate for education, safety, and empowerment within the adult industry.

It’s a story about resilience, reinvention, and refusal to be defined by anyone else’s narrative.

Support the show

AlwaysFaceForward