- 16
- Episodes
- 1
- Ratings
- Monthly
- Cadence
- 2025
- First episode
About EMTS Academy Podcast
Join host Matt Nealand, Paramedic and Program Director of EMTS Academy, as he sits down with leading voices in emergency medical services, public safety, and healthcare education. In each short, high-impact episode, you'll hear insights from EMS innovators, field medics, educators, and thought leaders shaping the future of prehospital care. Whether you're an EMT student, a veteran paramedic, or a leader looking to strengthen your team, this podcast delivers practical takeaways and inspiring stories from those answering the call every day.
- Publisher
- Matt Nealand
- Category
- education · health & fitness
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 29 Oct 2025
- Latest episode
- 6 Aug 2026
Latest episodes
16 episodes in the feed.
6 Aug 2026
Flash Flood Alley: Disaster Medicine Lessons from the Kerrville Floods with Dr. Stephen Harper
"You don't rise to the occasion — you sink to your level of training." When the Guadalupe River rose on July 4th, 2025, Dr. Stephen Harper drove straight toward one of the deadliest flood disasters in Texas history. Dr. Harper is an emergency medicine physician, EMS medical director for the Kerrville Fire Department, and a former Army brigade surgeon. In this conversation with host Matt Nealand, he gives a firsthand account of the Camp Mystic flood response — from the first alerts at dawn to triaging evacuated children at a helicopter flight line, tracking patients with Pulsara, and turning an ambulance bus into a makeshift warming shelter. He also shares the lessons that outlast the headlines: why preparation and resiliency start today, how to know a physician's real role in disaster command, the "disaster after the disaster" of unvetted volunteers, and how peer support helps responders process the things no one should have to see. A grounded, deeply human episode for EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, and physicians alike. Listener note: This episode discusses the Kerrville floods, Camp Mystic, loss of life, survivor experiences, and responder stress. Our thoughts and prayers remain with everyone affected. If you need support related to a disaster, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, call or text 988. 🎥 Watch: https://youtu.be/9r4neO7lPAA 🎧 Listen: https://pod.link/1810050200 Sign up today to become an EMT or Paramedic: https://emtsacademy.com/
7 Jul 2026
Texas EMS Director on Whole Blood, AI, and Why We Have to Stop Eating Our Young
Texas is putting whole blood in the field, and medics say patients on the verge of death are waking up and talking. In this episode, Texas EMS Director Joe Schmider joins Matt Nealand to explain how it's happening and what's coming next. Joe started in 1974 as a volunteer firefighter and now oversees more than 84,000 EMS providers across Texas. He shares the inside story of the state's $10 million whole blood program and the goal of reaching every county, why whole blood matters for medical calls and not just trauma, and how Texas is beating the EMS workforce crisis through Senate Bill 8 funding and a renewed focus on retention. The conversation goes deeper than policy: why we have to stop "eating our young," the shift from "emergency" to pre-hospital healthcare and community paramedicine, how AI is poised to transform documentation and clinical decision support, and the hard-won wisdom of a 50-year career that includes 9/11 and studying Israel's EMS system. Joe's bottom line: it was never about the lights and sirens — it's about the people. When it stops being fun, find another job.
30 Jun 2026
Why Ambulances Make Better Firefighters (And Better Leaders)
Should you get your paramedic certification before being hired at a fire department? It's one of the most common questions aspiring firefighters wrestle with — and Battalion Chief Chris Nored of New Braunfels (TX) Fire Department doesn't dodge it. With 18 years in the fire service, Chief Nored makes a case you don't hear often: the time you spend running calls on the ambulance is exactly what makes you a better firefighter and a stronger leader. In this episode he answers the paramedic-before-hire question head-on, explains why nearly every department is hungry for paramedics, and walks through how the civil service hiring process really works — from the eligibility list to "paramedic preference." He also covers the quiet mistakes that knock good candidates out of the running, including old social media posts, and how to prepare for the entrance exam, background, and interview. Beyond hiring, Chief Nored talks about how leadership starts on the ambulance, how to handle difficult conversations, why you should only promote for the right reasons, and the one thing every long, respected fire service career has in common: attitude. Whether you're about to test for your first department or you're an officer trying to stay sharp, this conversation is packed with practical, been-there advice. You'll learn: • Whether to get your paramedic certification before being hired • Why time on the ambulance makes better firefighters and better leaders • How the civil service hiring and eligibility list works • How to prepare for the entrance exam, background, and interview • How your social media can cost you the job • Leadership, tough conversations, and promoting for the right reasons • The #1 thing you must get right to build a lasting career YouTube: https://youtu.be/-CkzhDyKAh8 Interested in EMT or Paramedic training: www.EMTSacademy.com Special thanks to the New Braunfels (TX) Fire Department: https://www.newbraunfels.gov/fire
23 Jun 2026
What if EMS prevented the call? With Dr. David Miramontes
What if EMS could prevent the call before it ever happens? Dr. Miramontes, EMS Medical Director in San Antonio, has built one of the most innovative Mobile Integrated Healthcare programs in the country — and it's saving $2 million a year by keeping people out of the ER, off the 911 queue, and healthier at home. In this episode, Matt Nealand sits down with Dr. Miramontes to unpack how a fire department paramedic became the bridge between a lonely patient and their doctor, a hospice family and a pain-free death at home, and a psychiatric patient and the medication they stopped taking. You'll learn: What Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) actually is — and why it's illegal in some states How San Antonio knocks off 20 calls a day (a full ambulance's worth of runs) The hospice program that keeps dying patients comfortable at home and out of the ER Why three of four MIH paramedics were also pastors — and why that makes perfect sense The psychiatric program that saves $7 for every $1 invested How a 14-acre homeless shelter became a model for out-of-hospital care Why Texas delegated practice is a game-changer for EMS medical directors Whether you're a paramedic, EMS chief, medical director, or just someone who thinks the healthcare system is broken — this one will change how you see the ambulance. 🎥 Watch: https://youtu.be/vwLL0VYan8M 🎧 Listen: https://pod.link/1810050200
17 Jun 2026
The Accidental EMT: John Gonzales on Going from Army Medic to EMS Director
John Gonzales didn't plan on a career in EMS — he stumbled into it through the Army and a National Registry patch he didn't know he'd earned. Today he's the Director of Williamson County EMS, overseeing one of Texas's most respected prehospital systems. In this conversation, Matt and John cover the full arc: military medic to paramedic school, clinical captain to director, and what he learned along the way about research, teaching, leadership, and Just Culture. They also get into the future of AI in EMS — from smart documentation to autonomous ambulances — and why John thinks the next decade will transform prehospital care more than the last fifty years combined. If you're an EMT, paramedic, educator, or EMS leader, this one's worth the full listen. To learn more about EMTs Academy or start your EMS career, visit emtsacademy.com. YouTube: https://youtu.be/aW4333-Baic
10 Mar 2026
Core Values in EMS: Transforming Lives with Garnet Morris
What does it take to build a lasting career in EMS and a life you're proud of? Garnet Morris, author of "17 Runs," shares the four core values that became the foundation of everything he's accomplished — and how he broke free from the generational limiting beliefs he calls "bricks." In this episode, Garnet and Matt Nealand talk about what integrity actually looks like on the truck, how to identify the beliefs that are holding you back, and why four simple habits can change everything: show up on time, do what you say, finish what you start, and say please and thank you. Free download: 17 Runs Personal Growth Workbook — a companion guide with reflection questions and action steps. Get it at https://tr.ee/O025OCZ\_m1 (https://tr.ee/O025OCZ/_m1) Watch on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ogmhXWFhBNM Listen at https://pod.link/1810050200
4 Mar 2026
From Firefighter to EMS Medical Director: Dr. Ratcliff's Journey
On the EMTS Academy Podcast, host Matt interviews Dr. Taylor Ratcliff, former Lubbock firefighter/paramedic and current medical director for multiple Texas EMS agencies (including Williamson County EMS, Marble Falls Area EMS, Robertson County EMS, and Texas EMTF Region 7) and associate medical director for Travis County Star Flight. Ratcliff recounts starting in EMS as a teen, becoming a paramedic, dispatch experience, transitioning to the fire service, and ultimately pursuing medical school after studying for the MCAT at the station. They discuss how an EMS background both frustrates and helps in early medical school, why EMT training benefits pre-meds as early clinical exposure, and the unique Texas delegated-practice model for medical direction. Ratcliff explains the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force's post-Katrina origins, capabilities, and national influence, and they explore likely EMS changes over the next decade including treat-in-place, telemedicine, AI decision support, report-writing, drones, and workforce career-ladder and reimbursement challenges. Watch: https://youtu.be/r7VOayyQy6s
19 Feb 2026
How High-Performance EMS Systems Think Differently With Dr. Casey Patrick
What truly separates average EMS agencies from elite, high-performance systems? In this episode of the EMTS Academy Podcast, host Matt Nealand sits down with Dr. Casey Patrick, Medical Director for MCHD EMS, to explore how top-tier EMS organizations think, lead, and deliver patient care at a higher level. Dr. Patrick shares his unique path into EMS medical direction and explains why great systems focus on developing clinicians, not protocol memorizers. The conversation dives into the often-misunderstood role of medical direction, the importance of culture and shared decision-making, and how thoughtful oversight improves outcomes for both patients and providers. This episode is a must-listen for EMTs, paramedics, EMS leaders, educators, and medical directors who want to understand what excellence in EMS really looks like. 🔍 In This Episode, You'll Learn: · What defines a high-performance EMS system · Why medical direction is about culture, not control · How elite agencies develop critical thinking and accountability · The risks of protocol-only thinking in patient care · How strong medical oversight improves outcomes and provider confidence 🎧 Listen to the full episode: 👉 https://pod.link/1810050200 YouTube: https://youtu.be/ut2uUHTNsb4 🩺 Medical Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace local medical direction, protocols, or professional medical advice.
3 Feb 2026
When Ignoring Your Health Finally Catches Up With You
When Ignoring Your Health Finally Catches Up With You Most people don't wake up one day unhealthy. They arrive there slowly — one compromise at a time. In this episode of the EMTS Academy Podcast, Matt Nealand talks with Charles Fielder, who openly shares how years of putting everything and everyone else first led him to a breaking point at 375 pounds. Charles walks through the moment he realized his health was no longer something he could postpone, the difficult honesty required to face it, and the steps he took to finally turn things around — including the role a GLP-1 medication played in resetting his trajectory. While Charles is not from the EMS world, his story mirrors a pattern many first responders know well: ignoring personal health in the name of service, responsibility, and endurance. This is not a medical episode. It is a human one. In this episode, we discuss: How health decline happens quietly, not suddenly Why people who serve others often neglect themselves The moment "later" turns into "now" Using modern tools responsibly as part of long-term change Taking ownership before your health forces the issue 🎧 Listen now: https://pod.link/1810050200 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yCz_148yIcw
20 Jan 2026
Fixing EMS with Former State EMS Director Steve Tafoya
In this episode, Matt Nealand sits down with Steve Tafoya, a critical-care paramedic, U.S. Coast Guard veteran, EMS educator, and former State EMS Program Manager for Nevada. With more than 25 years of experience across frontline care, regulation, leadership, and system design, Steve brings a unique perspective on how to improve EMS, build better leaders, and prepare the next generation for the realities of public safety. This episode covers: • High-risk decision-making • What EMS must fix to grow • Leadership development in public safety • Clinical access challenges • Building systems that serve providers and patients 🎧 Listen now on Podlink: https://pod.link/1810050200 Watch here: https://youtu.be/zoQeokPLPEM
16 Dec 2025
Rewiring the First Responder Brain and Healing Trauma with Dr. Don Wood
In this powerful episode of the EMTS Academy Podcast, Matt Nealand sits down with Dr. Don Wood, founder of the Inspired Performance Institute and creator of the TIPP Method, to unpack how unresolved trauma, chronic stress, and environmental triggers quietly sabotage human performance—especially for EMS professionals. Dr. Wood explains why the brain isn't "broken" but simply interrupted, and how healing old patterns can unlock clarity, emotional regulation, and higher-level decision-making. Matt and Dr. Wood explore how this applies to EMTs, paramedics, and anyone working in high-stakes environments. In this episode you'll learn: · Why trauma is not what people think it is · How the brain stores "glitches" that interrupt performance · Why EMS providers often carry invisible burdens from calls · How to reset the nervous system and reduce triggers · The science behind the TIPP Method · Practical steps to improve focus, emotional stability, and sleep 🎧 Listen now: https://pod.link/1810050200 Rebekah Gregory's story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM4CCauqEhs Evan Carmichael goes through the process: https://youtu.be/pIU1TsnrDeQ?si=e4ogadhtnTVZuGjy Dr. Don Wood: https://www.inspiredperformanceinstitute.com/ Ready to get your EMT or paramedic certification? Or want EMS training at your department? Or ready to get your Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences EMS from Texas State University? Reach out here: www.EMTSAcademy.com
22 Nov 2025
Clear Thinking Under Pressure: A Fighter Pilot's Framework for EMS
When lives are on the line, you don't just need skills — you need a framework for making clear decisions under pressure. In this special EMTS Academy session, Program Director and paramedic of nearly 30 years Matt Neland sits down with Justin "Hasard" Lee, F-16/F-35 fighter pilot and author of The Art of Clear Thinking, to translate combat-tested decision frameworks directly into EMS. Hazard shares a gripping story from Afghanistan, where a fuel emergency, a destroyed runway, and a team of strangers in the sky turned into a masterclass in calm, coordinated decision making. Together, Matt and Hasard walk through the five laws of ownership and the ACE decision framework — adapted specifically for EMTs and paramedics. In this episode, you'll discover: Why good teams focus on tasks but great teams own the outcome The Five Laws of Ownership and how they map directly to EMS The ACE framework (Assess–Choose–Execute) for high-stakes decisions How to "wind the clock" and avoid freezing when everything goes sideways The power of micro-debriefs and the "3×3" method to get better after every shift How to build a culture where people take ownership instead of waiting for orders Whether you're a new EMT or a seasoned paramedic, this conversation will change how you think about leadership, decision making, and teamwork on every call. 🎧 Listen now and learn how to think more clearly when seconds count.
18 Nov 2025
A Medic's Guide to Mastering Money with Mike Knipstien
In this episode of the EMTS Academy Podcast, Matt Nealand sits down with Mike Knipstien for a powerful conversation about money, budgeting, and financial freedom for EMTs and Paramedics. Mike shares the real-world strategies he and his wife have used for more than 20 years to create stability—strategies that allowed her to stay home and raise their children without financial stress. From tackling debt to using the envelope system, from syncing calendars to using EveryDollar to plan their future, Mike breaks down the habits that help first responders get ahead, not fall behind. If you've ever struggled with irregular income, unexpected expenses, overtime dependence, or the feeling that "the money disappears," this episode will show you where to start. Whether you're early in your EMS career or you've been on the truck for decades, this straight-talk money guide will help you build a life with margin, peace, and long-term security. Topics include: Why most medics feel "behind" financially The #1 budgeting habit that changed Mike's family How he and his wife successfully budgeted for 20 years Why budgeting creates freedom, not restriction The money mindset every EMT and Paramedic should develop Real strategies to reduce stress and build long-term stability Listen now and start building the life you want—one dollar at a time. Mike's Website: https://www.onpoint-financial.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mike-knipstein-7215a7ba Watch: https://youtu.be/r7t5LndQOxY EMTS Academy: https://emtsacademy.com/ Connect with Matt: linkedin.com/in/mattnealand
12 Nov 2025
You Can Do Hard Things: Lessons in Resilience and Legacy
In this episode of the EMTS Academy Podcast, host Matt Nealand talks with entrepreneur and author Rich Christiansen about what it truly means to build resilience that lasts a lifetime. From climbing Kilimanjaro with his sons to helping families rediscover their values, Rich shares stories and frameworks that teach us how to stay grounded, connected, and "anti-fragile" in a world that often feels chaotic. You'll learn: Why defining your values changes everything How to build family and team cultures that endure The "kidney test" that reveals what real wealth is How breathwork, stillness, and small habits build mental toughness This episode is a masterclass in leadership, legacy, and the mindset behind doing hard things. 🎧 Listen now — and discover how to lead, live, and serve with purpose.
4 Nov 2025
From Paramedic to Physician: Dr. Jeff Jarvis on EMS, Research, and the Future of Medicine
In this inaugural episode of the EMTS Academy Podcast, Program Director Matt Nealand sits down with Dr. Jeff Jarvis—emergency physician, medical director, and host of the EMS Lighthouse Project Podcast. From his early days as a volunteer firefighter in East Texas to becoming one of the most respected voices in prehospital medicine, Dr. Jarvis shares lessons on leadership, lifelong learning, and how to think clearly under pressure. He discusses what makes a great clinician (hint: it's not your IV skills), how research shapes better patient care, and why embracing tools like AI and ChatGPT can make smarter, more reflective medics. With humor, humility, and hard-won wisdom, this conversation dives deep into what it means to serve, learn, and lead in EMS today.
29 Oct 2025
Coming Soon: The EMTS Academy podcast
Join host Matt Nealand, Paramedic and Program Director of EMTS Academy, as he sits down with leading voices in emergency medical services, public safety, and healthcare education. In each short, high-impact episode, you'll hear insights from EMS innovators, field medics, educators, and thought leaders shaping the future of prehospital care. Whether you're an EMT student, a veteran paramedic, or a leader looking to strengthen your team, this podcast delivers practical takeaways and inspiring stories from those answering the call every day.
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