On my fire department, and many other departments around the county, the fire service is the "tail wagging the dog".  The fire service has become the big brother to emergency medical services or at times the not-so-nice step father...  Where I'm from, our city had two different entities, fire and EMS, that were merged in the early 2000's.  While this was seemingly a good thing, it was not and is not without it's challenges.  

Fast forward almost 20 years later, we continue to be a slow changing, inefficient, stuck-in-our ways department that is teetering on the edge of trouble.  We continue to have paramedic shortages, disgruntled paramedics and EMT's, and management that is hesitant to address the issue.       

We did ourselves a disservice by advertising the 911 system so well.  We receive calls through the 911 system for anything from a rug burn caused by a piece of yarn, a toe nail that caught in a blanket and possibly ripped off, a quicker ride to the hospital because the waiting room was too busy, and someone who inserted something into something he shouldn't have.  And YES, those are all calls I personally have been a part of!  People are calling 911 and seeking help from the emergency departments for ailments and injuries that deserve a family practitioner, a nurse, or sometimes, just a little ice and to go to bed.   Instead, ambulance calls are on the rise and emergency rooms are too full.     

Every once in awhile, I go through a music depression, if you will.  This usually happens when an artist I like hasn't released an album lately, and the older albums are pretty well worn.  

When this happens, I usually settle on some podcasts.  Having found podcasts a couple years ago, I thought I would recommend some of my favorites.  So here we go!

Sports Podcasts
My favorite sports podcast is The Bill Simmons Podcast.  Bill Simmons is my favorite sports guy, with great takes on the NBA, MLB (Go Soxs!), and the NFL.  He also has some amazing connections with celebs, who he invites to the show.  For example, recent guests include Judd Apatow, Malcolm Gladwell, Will Ferrell, James Corden, Ice Cube, etc... and that's just the guests over this last month!!!  If you like sports, Bill Simmons is your guy, must listen!

My other go to pod is The Herd with Colin Cowherd.  Colin is another guy I love listening to.  I've been listening to Colin for years, and he keeps getting better.  The pods are clips and full shows recorded from his tv show on FS1.  He, like Simmons, brings on all kinds of sports figures and celebs.  The Herd is a must listen too!

Make you think Podcasts
There is no better than Malcolm Gladwell's pod called Revisionist History.  Malcolm is one of my favorite authors, having read the books David and Goliath and Outliers, they are two of my all time favorites.  Revisionist History discusses the "overlooked and misunderstood" moments of history.  He is in season 2 currently, releasing an episode a week.  There is some really good thinking material in these podcasts, please listen!  

Invisibilia is another "make you think" pod.  This podcast is brought to you by NPR and covers a long list of topics.  I've only listened to a couple pods from Invisibilia, but one I loved is titled "The Problem with the Solution"​ discussing mental illness and how it's treated differently around the world.  

Narrative Podcasts
These podcasts are like reading a book.  Both of my favorite narrative pods are real stories, with twists that will make your jaw drop.  The first I thought was really special, titled S Town.  S Town focuses on a small town in Alabama and a gentleman named John B. McLemore.  Please listen to this podcast, it takes so many amazing turns, all during the interviewing stage.  I couldn't stop listening to this amazing story!  

Serial is another amazing story telling pod.  The first season of Serial, a high school murder case was discussed.  Before long, you'll be searching about Adnan and his case!  The second season discussed Bowe Bergdahl, the supposed deserter in Afghanistan.  Some of the interviews and sound bites are just amazing!  

Financial Podcasts
Being a YNAB (You Need a Budget) family, I recommend the YNAB founder's podcast.  These pods are awesome!  Really interesting topics all within 4-5 minute pods.  These are great to keep you motivated to make wise financial decisions.  

​Lastly, my main man Dave Ramsey and his podcast is awesome!  My wife and I started our financial revolution with Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover.  His down to Earth, no nonsense, common sense approach is great for young married couples, like we were.  His podcasts are clips from his radio show, and they too keep us motivated to making smart moved with our money!