The Kitchen Table

About The Kitchen Table

I sit down and interview mostly firemen about their lives and careers. But I am broadening my audience by starting to interview anyone with an interesting story and life.

Publisher

Kenneth Delaney

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

18 Jan 2026

Latest episode

4 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

42 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Oct 2026

   FDNY Lt. JOE TORRILLO Ret. B37 L123 E10 BFS “Billy Blazes”

   Today I had the ultimate pleasure to chop it up with FDNY Retired Lt.JOE TORRILLO. Lt. Torillo got on the job in 1981. And was assigned to E10 out of probie school.  But before that, he was born and raised in Park Slope Brooklyn, the same neighborhood I grew up in. And attended the same high school, Bishop Ford.  At 16 he worked for the City Park Service. Eventually doing short stints in Corrections and Transit Authority before becoming a firefighter in 1981.  He transferred to L123 in 1996 and was soon promoted to Lieutenant. He covered in the 15th Division, 37 Battalion and worked in companies such as 310/174 257 (https://tel:310/174%20257)/170 323 & 253 engines. After a major injury to his hand he was assigned to the FDNY office of Fire Safety Education and soon became the director of the program. He would go on to co design the FIRE ZONE, a state of the art fire learning center located near Rockefeller center in NYC. Fisher Price toy company modeled a Rescue Hero Action Figure in Lt. Torrillo’s likeness,  named BILLY BLAZES. On the day he was scheduled to present this toy to the public, The World Trade Center was struck by a terrorist attack.  He responded to The WTC and was subsequently caught in the first collapse. After he was dug out and placed on a rescue boat the 2nd tower collapsed and dove into the engine room to avoid the debris. He was taken to a hospital in NJ with severe injuries to his head, neck and shoulder. Lt. Torrillo eventually retired from the FDNY and has become a key note speaker, detailing his story and many others. He also volunteers at the WTC museum giving tours. Thank you Joe for sharing your story with me at The Kitchen Table. #foryou #fire #firefighter #fyp #firefighters #fdny #brooklyn #brotherhood #firehouse #firedepartment #september11 #billyblazes #firezone #firesafety #firesafetyawareness #parkslope #giveback #keynotespeaker #joetorrillo #foryoupage #engine10 #ladder10 #fisherprice #rescueheroes Chapters: 00:00 intro 02:00 fire story 04:30 fire safety ed unit 14:00 fire zone 20:30 tea award 21:37 fisher price rescue hero’s 25:00 billy blazes 28:30 9/11 1:03:00 Parkinson’s 1:07:50 heart issues 1:14:00 family of medical professionals 1:15:00 engine 220 son 1:20:00 scenario 1:23:30 tough fires 1:26:40 engine or truck 1:28:30 Manhattan Brooklyn difference 1:34:20 key note speaking 1:46:00 picture time 1:49:00 Guantanamo 1:54:40 outro Links: Website https://joetorrillo.com/about.htm Joe’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1Mtr3ycZHL/?mibextid=wwXIfr WTC Memorial https://share.google/pTRhGLNJtFWMEHiqv The Fire Zone https://www.fdnysmart.org/firezone/ Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org/ Gary Sinise Foundation https://garysinisefoundation.org/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, and contributors are their own and do not reflect those of any affiliated organizations, employers, departments, or agencies. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not professional, legal, medical, financial, or other specialized advice. Guests are solely responsible for their statements. The podcast and its producers do not necessarily endorse guest opinions.

2. 

   27 Sept 2026

   FDNY FF CHRIS EDWARDS E-81 Author COMING THROUGH THE FLAMES PART 2

   Today’s guest on PART 2 of a 2 part episode is FDNY FF CHRIS EDWARDS E-81. Ret. FF Edward’s got on the FDNY in 1986 and was assigned to 46 Truck in the Bronx upon completion of probie school. He transferred to 42 Engine in 1990 and headed back to 81 Engine in 1995. Chris worked for many significant incidents while on the FDNY including the Washington Heights riots and FF line of duty deaths. He had 5 major knee surgeries and was fighting his way back to the job when 9/11 occurred. He responded to ground zero anyway and spent the next few weeks digging for his brothers. The FDNY eventually forced him to retire in May of 2002 due to major heart and other health issues directly related to 9/11. Chris also is a SAG actor and has appeared in many TV and Movie shows. In retirement Chris volunteers for The Tunnel To Towers foundation, The FDNY Dart Team and The Red Cross. Chris also has authored the book COMING THROUGH THE FLAMES, MY LIFE IN THE FDNY. Which can be found on Amazon, links below. He also recently appeared on the very popular Soft White Underbelly Podcast, where his episode has amassed almost 300,000 views.  His love and passion for the FDNY and brother firefighters is second to none, he wears his heart on his sleeve and it shows in every word he speaks. It was an honor to chop it with FF CHRIS EDWARDS. Thank you and good luck the rest of the way brother. #fyp # FDNY #fire #firefighter #firefighters #foryou # chrisedwards #september11 #neverforget #9/11 #firedepartment #firehouse #firestation #bronx #tunneltotowers #comingthroughtheflames #foryourpage #podcast #thekitchentable #thekitchentable59 #engine81 #engine42 #ladder46 #brotherhood #giveback #interview Chapters: 00:00 intro 00:30 knee surgeries 15:40 9/11 29:00 getting to ground zero 34:00 hope 53:18 after 9/11 58:30 heart issues 1:05:00 coming through the flames 1:11:40 final thoughts and words 1:14:00 outro Links to Chris: https://www.facebook.com/share/19ZaumM9m9/?mibextid=wwXIfr COMING THROUGH THE FLAMES Amazon: https://a.co/d/07ENRB6V Tunnel to Towers: https://t2t.org/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, and contributors are their own and do not reflect those of any affiliated organizations, employers, departments, or agencies. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not professional, legal, medical, financial, or other specialized advice. Guests are solely responsible for their statements. The podcast and its producers do not necessarily endorse guest opinions. While we aim for accuracy, we make no guarantees about the completeness or reliability of any content. Listeners should use their own judgment and seek qualified professional advice when needed.

3. 

   21 Sept 2026

   FDNY FF CHRIS EDWARDS E-81 Author COMING THROUGH THE FLAMES. PART 1

   Today’s guest on the first of this 2 part episode is FDNY FF CHRIS EDWARDS E-81. Ret. FF Edward’s got on the FDNY in 1986 and was assigned to 46 Truck in the Bronx upon completion of probie school. He transferred to 42 Engine in 1990 and headed back to 81 Engine in 1995. Chris worked for many significant incidents while on the FDNY including the Washington Heights riots and FF line of duty deaths. He had 5 major knee surgeries and was fighting his way back to the job when 9/11 occurred. He responded to ground zero anyway and spent the next few weeks digging for his brothers. The FDNY eventually forced him to retire in May of 2002 due to major heart and other health issues directly related to 9/11. Chris also is a SAG actor and has appeared in many TV and Movie shows. In retirement Chris volunteers for The Tunnel To Towers foundation, The FDNY Dart Team and The Red Cross. Chris also has authored the book COMING THROUGH THE FLAMES, MY LIFE IN THE FDNY. Which can be found on Amazon, links below. He also recently appeared on the very popular Soft White Underbelly Podcast, where his episode has amassed almost 300,000 views.  His love and passion for the FDNY and brother firefighters is second to none, he wears his heart on his sleeve and it shows in every word he speaks. It was an honor to chop it with FF CHRIS EDWARDS. Thank you and good luck the rest of the way brother. #fyp # FDNY #fire #firefighter #firefighters #foryou # chrisedwards #september11 #neverforget #9/11 #firedepartment #firehouse #firestation #bronx #tunneltotowers #comingthroughtheflames #foryourpage #podcast #thekitchentable #thekitchentable59 #engine81 #engine42 #ladder46 #brotherhood #giveback #interview Chapters: 00:00 intro 02:20 early life 09:50 becoming a father 21:00 FDNY test 26:50 46 truck 31:10 Mikey 32:20 42 engine 40:00 first fire 46:50 new segment “scenario” 53:20 garage fire 59:30 shooting ifo firehouse 1:08:00 the neighborhood 1:20:50 81 engine 1:32:20 acting 1:48:00 9/11 to be continued 1:48:30 outro Links to Chris: https://www.facebook.com/share/19ZaumM9m9/?mibextid=wwXIfr COMING THROUGH THE FLAMES Amazon: https://a.co/d/07ENRB6V Tunnel to Towers: https://t2t.org/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, and contributors are their own and do not reflect those of any affiliated organizations, employers, departments, or agencies. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not professional, legal, medical, financial, or other specialized advice. Guests are solely responsible for their statements. The podcast and its producers do not necessarily endorse guest opinions. While we aim for accuracy, we make no guarantees about the completeness or reliability of any content. Listeners should use their own judgment and seek qualified professional advice when needed.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.