Fire Family Collective Podcast

Real talk for fire wives, firefighter spouses, and first responder families. Fire Family Collective is the podcast for fire wives, firefighter spouses, and first responder families navigating the realities of life in the fire service. Formerly the Firehouse Roundtable, each episode features real conversations about firefighter marriage, fire wife mental load, parenting through shift work, and building community when isolation feels like part of the job.

You'll hear from real fire spouses — new and seasoned — sharing honest stories about mental health, trauma, resilience, and the unique pressures of loving someone in the fire service. No topic is off-limits: shift schedules, deployments, marriage strain, identity outside the "fire wife" role, grief, and the small moments that make fire family life worth it.

This podcast is an extension of the Fire Family Collective, a nationwide community built to support fire wives and firefighter families and break down the isolation so many face. Whether you're brand new to this life or a decade in, you're not alone — come as you are, and find your people.

Contributors

Host

Alex Barrera

Alex Barrera is a fire spouse, mother, and community builder who is passionate about strengthening connections within the fire service family. Through her involvement with Fire Family Collective, Alex has helped create opportunities for fire families to find support, build relationships, and navigate the unique challenges of the fire service lifestyle. She is a strong advocate for maintaining personal identity, fostering open communication, and developing local support networks that help families thrive. Drawing from her own experiences, Alex encourages fire spouses to seek community, pursue personal interests, and embrace mentorship as essential tools for resilience and well-being.

Host

Amanda Ellis

Amanda is an educator, fire wife, and a homeschooling mother of two. She is a Board Member for the Ventura Fire Foundation, where she spearheaded development of the Fire Family Collective.

Host

Battalion Chief Jason Kay

Host

Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.)

Host

Heather Arnzen

Heather Arnzen is a fire spouse, homeschooling mother, and advocate for authentic connection within the fire service community. Drawing from her family's experiences navigating the unique demands of first responder life, Heather shares practical insights on resilience, communication, and maintaining strong family relationships amid uncertainty. She is passionate about fostering supportive communities, encouraging open conversations, and helping fire families build deeper connections through vulnerability, understanding, and shared experiences. Heather's perspective reflects a commitment to personal growth, family-centered living, and finding strength through life's challenges.