Most people think being tough means not feeling anything. KT and Dunnie spent careers as first responders — and they'll tell you that's exactly wrong.

In this episode, we sit down with Dunnie and KT — two former first responders — to talk about what it actually means to stay in control when everything around you is falling apart. This isn't theory. These are hard-won lessons from the frontline.

Suppressing what you feel doesn't make you stronger. It makes you a ticking clock. This conversation is for anyone who's ever been told to harden up — and felt something break inside when they did.

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Kevin Taylor - former police officer with extensive experience including leadership, civil defence, search and rescue, and foreign postings. He is currently deputy mayor of Taupo. Husband, dad and grandfather. He brings a wealth of experience.

Brendon Dunn (Dunnie) - firefighter in Tauranga, mental health advocate within the brigade, and always keen for a yarn.

#mentalhealth #frontline #firefighter #resilience #podcast #bbq

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Forged by the Fire is a podcast built around honest conversations that happen best around a BBQ. It’s where real people sit down, share food, and talk openly about resilience, mental health, identity, and purpose—without filters or fluff.

Hosted by a firefighter studying psychology, the show brings together frontline workers, leaders, athletes, and everyday people who’ve been tested by life. Each episode blends lived experience with practical psychological insight, turning chaos into clarity and struggle into understanding.

Pull up a seat. The BBQ is on.