Ep. 95: Mike Dugan, Captain (ret.) - It's Your Turn
About this episode
Mike Dugan shares insights on leadership and mental health from his extensive experience in the fire service.
A powerful conversation with Mike Dugan, a 27-year veteran of the FDNY and retired Captain of Ladder Company 123, whose fire service journey spans nearly five decades. A recipient of the prestigious FDIC International Tommy Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award, Mike brings unmatched perspective on what leadership truly looks like—both in the firehouse and on the fireground. In this episode, he challenges the traditional mindset with a simple but impactful truth: everyone is a leader . From promoting yourself and investing in others, to the often-overlooked skill of truly listening, Mike delivers candid insights that resonate across all ranks. He also tackles the critical conversation around mental health in the fire service, reinforcing that seeking help isn’t weakness—it’s survival. Because sometimes, talking to someone can save your marriage, your career, and even your life.
People in this episode
Host: Berlin Maza
Guest: Mike Dugan
Topics covered
- leadership
- fire service
- mental health
- listening skills
- personal development
Keywords
- leadership
- firefighter
- mental health
- listening
- career development
- FDNY
- Tommy Brennan
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: FDNY, FDIC International
More episodes of Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table
- Ep. 96: Trisha Wolford, Fire Chief - Perspective & Gratitude
- Ep. 94: Chuck DeSmith, Deputy Fire Chief (ret.) - Resiliency & Peer Support
- Ep. 93: Paul Conway, Assistant Chief (ret.) - A Life Full of Mistakes
- Ep. 92: Mike Gagliano, Captain (ret.) - Remember Your Mission
- Ep. 91: Tyrral Quinn, Captain - Vulnerability & Failures
- Ep. 90: Randy Chevalier, Fire Chief - Leading thru Crisis
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