The Chief Exchange Podcast brings together fire chiefs, police chiefs, sheriffs, and other public safety leaders for authentic conversations about leadership, life, and the lessons learned along the way. Each episode goes beyond the title and uniform to explore the experiences, challenges, successes, and failures that shaped the person behind the badge. The goal is simple: exchange ideas, share stories, and help develop the next generation of leaders in public safety.
Borrow International Ideas, Practice Calendar Discipline & Get Yourself a Coach (with Trisha Wolford) Ep|142
Fire Chief Trisha Wolford didn't enter the fire service with a master plan to become Chief. She studied graphic design and fine arts, played college volleyball, worked professionally outside public safety, and didn't become a firefighter until age 27. Years later, frustration with barriers inside the system led her to ask a different question: instead of complaining about the system, how could she put herself in a position to change it? That question eventually took her from Anne Arundel County to leadership positions in Montana and Washington before bringing her home as Fire Chief of the department where her career began.
In this episode of The Chief Exchange Podcast, Chief Wolford shares why she intentionally sought coaches and mentors, how relationships created opportunities throughout her career, and why leaders need discipline around their most finite resource: time. We also explore what the American fire service can learn from international departments, why leaders shouldn't be afraid to try different roles, and how confidence eventually allowed her to stop worrying about fitting the traditional image of a fire service executive and become more comfortable being herself.
26 Oct 2026
36 Years of Lessons Learned from former San Diego Police Chief, David Nisleit (with David Nisleit) Ep|141
For former San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit, policing has always been a family business. His father spent 35 years with San Diego PD, Nisleit followed him into the department at 22 years old, and today his son and son-in-law are carrying that tradition forward. What began as a goal simply to become a captain eventually turned into 36 years in policing and more than six years leading one of the largest police departments in the country.
In this episode of The Chief Exchange Podcast, Chief Nisleit reflects on the unexpected path to the chief's chair, leading through 2020, recruitment and the next generation of law enforcement, and one of the hardest challenges of his career: figuring out who he was once the uniform came off. We also discuss the importance of coaching, family, education, self-reflection, controlling your ego, and why younger officers shouldn't be in such a hurry to reach the next rank. After 36 years behind the badge and 18 marathons, his advice is fittingly simple: this career is a marathon, so slow down and enjoy it.
19 Oct 2026
Stop Leading Today’s Firefighters by Yesterday’s Rules (with Suwanna Kerdkaew) Ep|140
Santa Clara County Fire Chief Suwanna Kerdkaew didn't take the traditional path into the fire service. After earning a biology degree and beginning a career in biotech, an EMT class and one ride-along with the San Francisco Fire Department changed the trajectory of her life. She spent years preparing, testing, hearing “no,” and figuring out what she uniquely brought to the profession before finally being hired in her mid-30s. Twenty-four years later, she leads the organization she has spent her entire fire service career serving.
In this episode of The Chief Exchange Podcast, Chief Kerdkaew shares how her upbringing, immigrant family, military influences, and experience entering a profession where few people looked like her shaped the leader she is today. We talk about creating belonging, staying true to yourself, balancing confidence with humility, learning from mistakes, adapting leadership to a changing generation of firefighters, and why some of the most influential leaders in an organization may never hold a Chief's title. Her story is a powerful reminder that your life experience matters, there is a place for you, and leadership begins with knowing who you are.
Who has been a guest on The Chief Exchange
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Mark Niemeyer
Michael Monds
Sergeant Siobhan McTighe
Chief Loy Senter
Josh Waldo
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
13 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
89
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
71
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Guest appearances
Books guests
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