Pull up a chair and grab a cup of station coffee, you're in the Engine House now.
This is where firefighters come to do what we do best: Shoot-the-shit, give each other a hard time, and solve all the world's problems (at least until the next call drops). No scripts, no polish, just real conversations like you'd hear sitting around the kitchen table at 2 AM when you've been getting your a@! handed to you.
A show brought to you by Engine House Designs. Whether we're talking about the job, swapping war stories, or going completely off the rails, this is your spot to kick back and hang with the crew.
It's informal. It's unfiltered. It's exactly what you'd expect from a bunch of firefighters with too much time and not enough supervision.
Welcome to the Engine House.
Explore the fascinating case of Thomas Sweat, DC's most prolific arsonist, through an in-depth conversation with firefighter and author Jonathan Riffe. Discover insights into his motives, methods, and the impact on victims, revealing how technology and profiling have evolved in arson investigations.
Jonathan Riffe
Instagram: @jonriffe (https://www.instagram.com/jonriffe?stkn=MTI5bWdrbHZkcjlteA==)
Thomas Sweatt Book: https://a.co/d/04slmR2p (https://a.co/d/04slmR2p)
Give Suggestions OR Be A Guest
enginehousepodcast@gmail.com (mailto:enginehousepodcast@gmail.com)
Engine House Designs - Uniforms, Designs, Custom Apparel
Website: https://www.enginehousedesigns.com/TEH/ (https://www.enginehousedesigns.com/TEH/)
Dinges Fire Company - Trucks. Tools. Tradition.
Website: https://www.dingesfire.com/ (https://www.dingesfire.com/)
Vanguard Safety Wear - Made for Work
Website: https://vanguardsafetywear.com (https://vanguardsafetywear.com)
Til Valhalla Project
Website: https://www.tilvalhallaproject.com/ENGINEHOUSE (https://www.tilvalhallaproject.com/ENGINEHOUSE)
Use Code: ENGINEHOUSE (Save 20%)
The Energy Drink
Website: https://theenergydrink.com/ENGINEHOUSE/ (https://theenergydrink.com/ENGINEHOUSE/)
Use Code: ENGINEHOUSE (Save 10%)
Topics Covered:
Thomas Sweat's background and motives
Methods used by Sweat to set fires
Impact on victims and families
Evolution of arson investigation techniques
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
01:57 The Prolific Arsonist: Thomas Sweat
08:44 The Investigation and Arrest of Thomas Sweat
14:00 The Methodology Behind the Fires
20:29 Casualties and Consequences of Arson
23:56 Understanding the Mind of an Arsonist
26:45 The Unanswered Questions of Arson
28:14 Personal Stories of Impact
30:40 The Complexity of Closure
32:23 The Elusiveness of the Arsonist
35:16 The Psychology Behind the Fires
37:11 The Hunt for the Arsonist
40:10 Motivations and Obsessions
41:18 Close Calls with Capture
45:26 Family Ties and Secrets
48:43 Revelations and Reflections
50:04 The Intrigue of Arson and Innovation
53:05 The Psychology Behind Arsonists
56:33 Motivations for Targeting Occupied Structures
01:00:05 Remorse and the Thrill of Arson
01:02:41 The Emotional Toll on Victims
01:05:49 Changing Perspectives on Arson Investigation
Guest: Jonathan Riffe
Host: Cody Hill
Brought to you by Engine House Designs | enginehousedesigns.com (http://enginehousedesigns.com)
19 Sept 2026
025 - Table Talk w/ Scott Etheridge
In this episode, Cody Hill interviews Fire Chief Scott Etheridge about his 30-year career in the fire service, leadership lessons, career fulfillment, and advice for upcoming firefighters and officers.
Scott Etheridge
Fire Chief - Princeton Fire Department (IL)
Give Suggestions OR Be A Guest
enginehousepodcast@gmail.com (mailto:enginehousepodcast@gmail.com)
Engine House Designs - Uniforms, Designs, Custom Apparel
Website: https://www.enginehousedesigns.com/TEH/ (https://www.enginehousedesigns.com/TEH/)
Dinges Fire Company - Trucks. Tools. Tradition.
Website: https://www.dingesfire.com/ (https://www.dingesfire.com/)
Vanguard Safety Wear - Made for Work
Website: https://vanguardsafetywear.com (https://vanguardsafetywear.com)
Til Valhalla Project
Website: https://www.tilvalhallaproject.com/ENGINEHOUSE (https://www.tilvalhallaproject.com/ENGINEHOUSE)
Use Code: ENGINEHOUSE (Save 20%)
The Energy Drink
Website: https://theenergydrink.com/ENGINEHOUSE/ (https://theenergydrink.com/ENGINEHOUSE/)
Use Code: ENGINEHOUSE (Save 10%)
Topics Covered:
Leadership in fire service
Career fulfillment and regrets
Mentorship and training
Promotions and responsibilities
Teamwork and department culture
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Engine House Podcast
01:18 Meet the Fire Chief: Scott Etheridge
03:16 Reflections on a Fulfilled Career
05:00 Taking Opportunities and Avoiding Regrets
08:22 The Importance of Mentorship in Fire Service
10:25 Transitioning from Firefighter to Mentor
12:56 Motivating the Stagnant Firefighter
14:01 Challenges of Being a Young Officer
16:20 Navigating Difficult Conversations
19:29 The Balance of Leadership and Feedback
22:17 Empowering Decision-Making in the Firehouse
25:20 Training New Firefighters
30:09 The Journey to Becoming a Fully Functioning Firefighter
31:52 The Journey to Confidence in EMS and Fire Services
34:42 Encouraging Continuous Learning and Specialization
38:00 Building a Supportive Firehouse Culture
40:26 Exploring Shift Schedules and Staffing Challenges
44:52 The Dynamics of Firefighting in Small Departments
49:45 Reflections on a Rewarding Career in Firefighting
Guest: Scott Etheridge
Host: Cody Hill
Brought to you by Engine House Designs | enginehousedesigns.com (http://enginehousedesigns.com)
11 Sept 2026
024 - The Effects of 9/11 w/ Joe Bonanno
Joseph Bonanno shares his remarkable journey from a Bronx upbringing to a 21-year career with the NYFD, his experiences during 9/11, and his inspiring work in firefighter nutrition and cookbooks. In this episode, Joe shares his profound insights on the lasting effects of 9/11, mental health challenges faced by first responders, and the importance of brotherhood and support within the fire service. A heartfelt conversation aimed at raising awareness and fostering resilience among firefighters and first responders.
‼️SUICINE PREVENTION HOTLINE‼️
Call or Text: 988
Chat: https://chat.988lifeline.org/ (https://chat.988lifeline.org/)
Website: https://988lifeline.org/ (https://988lifeline.org/)
Joe Bonanno
Website: https://www.americanfirehousecuisine.com/ (https://www.americanfirehousecuisine.com/)
Give Suggestions OR Be A Guest
enginehousepodcast@gmail.com (mailto:enginehousepodcast@gmail.com)
Engine House Designs - Uniforms, Designs, Custom Apparel
Website: https://www.enginehousedesigns.com/TEH/ (https://www.enginehousedesigns.com/TEH/)
Dinges Fire Company - Trucks. Tools. Tradition.
Website: https://www.dingesfire.com/ (https://www.dingesfire.com/)
Vanguard Safety Wear - Made for Work
Website: https://vanguardsafetywear.com (https://vanguardsafetywear.com)
Til Valhalla Project
Website: https://www.tilvalhallaproject.com/ENGINEHOUSE (https://www.tilvalhallaproject.com/ENGINEHOUSE)
Use Code: ENGINEHOUSE (Save 20%)
The Energy Drink
Website: https://theenergydrink.com/ENGINEHOUSE/ (https://theenergydrink.com/ENGINEHOUSE/)
Use Code: ENGINEHOUSE (Save 10%)
Guest: Joe Bonanno
Host: Cody Hill
Brought to you by Engine House Designs | enginehousedesigns.com (http://enginehousedesigns.com)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Contact The Engine House
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
