Playing With Fire
Playing With Fire is a gripping podcast hosted by Bryan Spitulski—a former firefighter turned fire investigator—who brings a frontline perspective to the world of fire. From the chaos of first response to the quiet resilience of recovery, Bryan takes listeners deep into the personal and professional realities of firefighting and fire investigation.
Through candid conversations with firefighters, paramedics, investigators, scientists, and—most importantly—survivors of some of the most devastating fires in recent history, the podcast explores how fire transforms lives, departments, neighborhoods, and entire communities.
Listeners will hear firsthand from those who lost everything, those who fought to save what they could, and those rebuilding from the ashes. Each episode unpacks the emotional toll, systemic challenges, and acts of heroism that emerge in the wake of disaster.
With compassion, insight, and unflinching honesty, Playing With Fire shines a light on stories that need to be told—stories of loss, hope, innovation, accountability, and the enduring human spirit.
Episodes
19 episodes
Public Service Announcement: Fire Extinguishers
Bryan Spitulski delivers a quick reminder that fire extinguishers can save lives, but only if they’re accessible and ready to use. Make sure you have fire extinguishers placed in a few strategic locations throughout your home, that everyone kno...
Public Service Announcement: Smoke Alarms
Bryan Spitulski shares a quick, but vital reminder about the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home, and keeping them properly maintained.Studio: Playing With Fire Studios, Zoetic Studios
Dr. Dean L. Winslow (Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics & Retired US Air Force Colonel)
Playing With FireEpisode 16: Dr. Dean L. Winslow (Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics & Retired US Air Force Colonel)Bryan Spitulski has Dr. Dean L. Winslow on the show, to discuss his military career and firsthand experiences ...
Dr. Sarah-Rae Andreski (Psychologist - Trauma Specialist)
Playing With FireEpisode 15: Dr. Sarah-Rae Andreski (Psychologist - Trauma Specialist)Bryan Spitulski has Dr. Sarah-Rae Andreski on the show, to discuss PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Dr. Andreski offers evidence-based traum...
Darline Spitulski (Foster Care - Survivor)
Playing With FireEpisode 14: Darline Spitulski (Foster Care - Survivor)Bryan Spitulski has his wife, Darline Spitulski, back on the show to share her compelling story of her survival from being raised in and out of the foster care s...
Scott & Laci Peterson (Burnt Van Investigation) - Vol. 02
Playing With FireEpisode 13: Scott & Laci Peterson (Burnt Van Investigation) - Vol. 02Bryan Spitulski welcomes Shareen Anderson to the show for a discussion about the Scott & Laci Peterson case.Laci Peterson of Modes...
Scott & Laci Peterson (Burnt Van Investigation) - Vol. 01
Playing With FireEpisode 12: Scott & Laci Peterson (Burnt Van Investigation) - Vol. 01Bryan Spitulski welcomes Shareen Anderson to the show for a discussion about the Scott & Laci Peterson case.Laci Peterson of Modes...
1906 San Francisco Earthquake
Playing With FireEpisode 11: 1906 San Francisco EarthquakeBryan Spitulski shares background on the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, which took place on April 18, 1906, at 05:12 am. The estimated magnitude of the earthquake was 7.9, wh...
Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 03
Playing With FireEpisode 10: Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 03Bryan Spitulski has Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson to discuss their highly-...
Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 02
Playing With FireEpisode 09: Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 02Bryan Spitulski has Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson to discuss their highly-...
Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 01
Playing With FireEpisode 08: Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed - Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 01Bryan Spitulski has Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson to discuss their highly...
Michael Avila (Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection)
Playing With FireEpisode 07: Michael Avila (Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection)Bryan Spitulski has Michael Avila on the show, who is an engineer and firefighter with Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection in Riverbank, Califor...
Austin Spitulski (Fire Academy)
Playing With FireEpisode 06: Austin Spitulski (Fire Academy)Bryan Spitulski has Austin Spitulski on the show, who is following in his father's footsteps and beginning his journey of becoming a firefighter.Recorded: 07-24-25<...
Charles “Chuck” Butler (former Captain - Modesto Fire Department) - Vol. 02
Playing With FireEpisode 05: Charles “Chuck” Butler (former Captain - Modesto Fire Department) - Vol. 02Bryan Spitulski has Charles “Chuck” Butler back on the show, who was a former Captain of the Modesto, California Fire Department...
B. Harlan Boll (Eaton Fire - Survivor)
Playing With FireEpisode 04: B. Harlan Boll (Eaton Fire - Survivor)Bryan Spitulski has celebrity publicist, B. Harlan Boll, on the show to share his harrowing account of the Eaton Fire, which burnt down his Altadena home on January ...
Eaton Fire - January 7th, 2025
Playing With FireEpisode 03: Eaton Fire - January 7th, 2025Bryan Spitulski shares background on the Eaton Fire which took place on January 7th, 2025 in Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains. A powerful Santa Ana wind event drove...
Darline Spitulski (former Community Service Officer - Modesto Police Department)
Playing With FireEpisode 02: Darline Spitulski (former Community Service Officer - Modesto Police Department)Bryan Spitulski has Darline Spitulski on the show, who was a former Community Service Officer in the Modesto, California Po...
Charles “Chuck” Butler (former Captain - Modesto Fire Department)
Playing With FireEpisode 01: Charles “Chuck” Butler (former Captain - Modesto Fire Department)Bryan Spitulski has Charles “Chuck” Butler on the show, who was a former Captain of the Modesto, California Fire Department and Bryan's fi...