In 2018, a truck exploded just feet from firefighter Aaron Burlingame.

He came back. This one’s about leadership, culture, faith, and what the

worst days teach you about what actually matters.

Aaron Burlingame — Battalion Chief with the St. Charles Fire Department — sits down with Zach & Pat on leading vs. bossing, building a culture people choose over higher pay, first-responder mental health, raising sons who own their mistakes, surviving serious burns, and the faith he found on the other side. Real conversation, no clickbait.

▶ CHAPTERS

00:00 Meet Aaron Burlingame — St. Charles Fire

01:00 Why a fire chief fell for jiu-jitsu

06:00 The real lesson: consistency & doing hard things

11:30 Leadership isn’t being in charge —  ...