Why do some leaders surround themselves with people who won't challenge them? In Episode 145, we explore the insecurity that can creep into leadership positions and how fear of being outshined can hold back individuals, teams, and entire organizations. True leaders don't fear strong people around them. They develop them.

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer firefighter for the last 30+ years. He currently serves as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department, a deputy fire coordinator for the County of Sullivan and for the past 22 years has been a New York state fire instructor. Soller also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years.

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel.

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to professionalvff@gmail.com.
• Interested in being a guest on the show? Please email professionalvff@gmail.com.

Kara Judd, is a 12 year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Captain and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness.

Her full time career is a fire protection specialist with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

On social @st.florianfitness

No, it's not the LAST episode. It's the LOST episode!

Originally recorded on Instagram live on November 18th, 2024; on this episode Kara and Brian discuss standards, consolidation and self reflection. In typical social media fashion, IG cut of off at one hour, hence the sudden ending!


Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years. He currently serves as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY. Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years.

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel.

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to professionalvff@gmail.com.
• Interested in being a guest on the show? Please email professionalvff@gmail.com.

Kara Judd, is a eight year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness.

Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and Burn Prevention Outreach Educator.

On social @st.florianfitness

What type of firefighter / leader do you want to be? When it's all over, how do you want to be remembered? Let's end 2024 with an bang and set some personal goals for 2025.

Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years. He currently serves as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 19 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY. Soller also served as chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department from 2018 - 2020 and also served as chief of the Monticello Fire Department from 2001-2002.

Soller has also been a New York State emergency medical technician for the last 25+ years.

He speaks extensively on the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service through his podcast and YouTube channel.

• Follow us on social @professional.brotherhood @chiefsoller
• On the web at professionalbrotherhood.com
• Send future episode suggestions or comments on past episodes to professionalvff@gmail.com.
• Interested in being a guest on the show? Please email professionalvff@gmail.com.

Kara Judd, is a eight year member of the Cazenovia Fire Department where she currently serves as a Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician. Kara is also a certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefer as well as an AFAA certified fitness instructor and the owner of Saint Florian Fitness.

Her full time career is at the Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she is a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and Burn Prevention Outreach Educator.

On social @st.florianfitness