Critical Conversations Podcast

03/13/2026

What happens when a White Lieutenant from rural Georgia and a Black Firefighter from the "tough streets" of Detroit sit down at the same kitchen table?

In the 90s, Sam Heaton and Bill Tanks didn’t just share a shift - they started a dialogue. They had the "Critical Conversations" most avoid, and it changed their lives - and their department - forever.

Fast forward to today: One became the Fire Chief and Director of Public Safety; the other became a City Manager. Together, they created "Courageous Conversations," a program that has resulted in ZERO substantiated EEOC complaints for their department since 2008.

Join us LIVE on the CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS podcast to hear their story of friendship, leadership, and how to fix station culture from the inside out. March 18, 2026 at 7pm - live webcast

02/19/2026

We’re excited to share our latest episode featuring Chief John Oates, CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI) and former Fire Chief of East Hartford, CT.

In this powerful conversation lead by JLN Associates' own Nick DeLia, Chief Oates dives into the critical role of data-driven decision-making, national safety initiatives, and what today’s fire service leaders must understand to protect their people and communities.

💡 If you care about responder safety, performance, and the future of public safety leadership - this is a must-listen.

🎧 Watch now on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eHPeCcH7
🎧 Watch now on Youtube: https://lnkd.in/eeF7Suxu

Tell us your biggest takeaway in the comments!

02/16/2026

🎙️ LIVE Critical Conversations

Join us for a live recording featuring John Oates, CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute and former East Hartford Fire Chief. We’ll dive into data-driven decision making, responder health, and the evolving standards shaping today’s emergency services.

👉 Don’t miss this powerful conversation with one of the fire service’s leading voices in public safety.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026 at 7PM

01/22/2026

🎙️ New Episode Alert : Our latest episode is live, and it’s an inspiring one.

We’re joined by Eriks Gabliks, Superintendent of the United States National Fire Academy, for a conversation that goes far beyond leadership theory.

This episode highlights the extraordinary opportunities the National Fire Academy provides to the fire service and emergency management community - from leadership development and technical training to professional growth pathways that truly shape careers and strengthen departments nationwide.

If you’re a firefighter, officer, safety professional, emergency manager, or organizational leader, this is a must-listen episode that will change how you view training, development, and what’s possible for your future in the fire service.

🎧 Watch & listen here:
👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Hf2IiFZzTTd4hX65OH0Oj?si=b2NxyMcKRveIm2jMgBz0VQ

👉 YouTube: https://youtu.be/gYmQN-WTyT0?si=-Y8JjXRV85yHUKVP

Nick DeLia

12/18/2025

🎙️ New Episode of Critical Conversations is Live!

This week, we sit down with Andy Shay, Head Coach of Yale Men’s Lacrosse, for a powerful conversation on leadership, accountability, and what it takes to guide today’s young adults toward success.

While this episode steps outside the fire service, the leadership lessons translate across teams, professions, and everyday life.

🎥 Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/

🎧 Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/CRITICALCONVERSATIONS

Let us know what resonates with you after listening — we’d love to hear your take.

12/18/2025

Critical Conversations | Spotify Wrapped 2025

This year reminded us why we started this podcast in the first place. These conversations matter - and people are listening.

We saw nearly 1,000% growth in new listeners, a 23% increase in followers, and listeners tuning in from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Our most listened-to episode this year focused on leadership with Chief Dennis Rubin - a conversation that clearly resonated.

Critical Conversations exists to create space for honest discussions about leadership, mental health, and the realities of the fire service. We’re grateful to every guest who shared their experience and every listener who made time for these conversations.

If you haven’t yet, follow Critical Conversations on Spotify, share an episode with someone on your team, and help us continue the work of elevating leadership and protecting those who serve.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2nQ3GNYxIGnOnnrAIIN0Js

11/21/2025

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6t3oCXSOzxV1YFZly4OT7G?si=Hf5hxrn_RBGaUNYS6x0_Zg

11/20/2025

Last night we had an excellent live recording of Critical Conversations with our guest, Deputy Chief Mark Waters diving deep into leadership - the mindset, the mission, the real-life fire-service journeys. Nick DeLia
📺 Watch the replay on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eIppgNCrMhU?si=noXEnxNU1YScIoZL
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2nQ3GNYxIGnOnnrAIIN0Js

Some of the recommended reading by Mark & our guests:
- Five Alarm Leadership: From the Firehouse to the Fireground by Rick Lasky & John Salka - a powerhouse of fire-service leadership lessons. https://tinyurl.com/fivealarmbook2
- Cornerstones of Leadership: On and Off the Fireground by Frank Leeb - full of stories and principles shaped by decades of FDNY leadership. https://tinyurl.com/shx58fyc

There are many others - tune in to find out which ones we are talking about. We’re not just talking leadership - we’re walking it, training it, and living it together.

11/19/2025

🔥 TONIGHT! LIVE at 7PM 🔥
Join us for a special LIVE episode of Critical Conversations featuring Deputy Chief Mark Waters of the New London (CT) Fire Department.

With 35 years in the fire service - including 27 as Deputy Chief - Mark brings unmatched leadership insight, experience, and real-world perspective.

Tonight’s episode, “Literature Review Leadership Lessons,” dives into the leadership principles he’s studied, taught, and lived. From academic research to day-to-day command challenges, Mark connects the dots between effective leadership, mentorship, and organizational excellence.

If you’re passionate about professional growth, fire officer development, and learning from seasoned leaders, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

📅 Tonight - Wednesday, November 19th
⏰ 7:00 PM EST
🎥 LIVE Broadcast: https://mailchi.mp/326a5564bd19/tonight-with-jln-distance-learning-9315742

Tune in and join the conversation.
See you tonight!

Nick DeLia

10/30/2025

Our own Nick DeLia is hanging out with the crew at JLN Associates and Top Rung at booth 607!

Join Rung Inspection & Testing this week at the New England Fire Chiefs Exhibit Hall inside the Uncas Ballroom - Booth #607!
📍 Uncas Ballroom, Mohegan Sun
🗓️ October 29–31, 2025
🕔 Wednesday: 5:00–7:30 PM
🕘 Thursday: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
🕘 Friday: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
We’ll be connecting with fire service professionals from across the region to share how our -compliant ladder, hose, and pump testing services help departments stay safe, efficient, and ready for service - all in one appointment.

Stop by Booth 607 to meet our team, talk testing schedules, and check out the latest equipment and innovations supporting today’s fire and rescue professionals. International Association of Fire Fighters
Learn more: www.newenglandfirechiefs.org

10/16/2025

Did you miss last night’s live broadcast?
No problem - you can catch the full episode now! 🎙️

Join us on Critical Conversations Podcast as we dive into leadership, safety, and the stories shaping today’s fire and emergency services. Nick DeLia

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4O6v8NHTR4iXNdCPGKYa5r?si=aefcd24c4b294d64

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7CTDXJ1A2Y

Join us for the first of our 2025 Leadership Series episodes of Critical Conversations. In this episode, we sit down with one of the fire service’s respected...