Playing With Fire
Playing With Fire is a gripping podcast hosted by Bryan Spitulski—a former firefighter turned fire investigator—who brings a frontline perspective to the world of fire. From the chaos of first response to the quiet resilience of recovery, Bryan takes listeners deep into the personal and professional realities of firefighting and fire investigation.Through candid conversations with firefighters, paramedics, investigators, scientists, and—most importantly—survivors of some of the most devastating fires in recent history, the podcast explores how fire transforms lives, departments, neighborhoods, and entire communities.Listeners will hear firsthand from those who lost everything, those who fought to save...
Public Service Announcement: Fire Extinguishers
Send us Fan Mail
Bryan Spitulski delivers a quick reminder that fire extinguishers can save lives, but only if they’re accessible and ready to use. Make sure you have fire extinguishers placed in a few strategic locations throughout your home, that everyone knows where they are, and that they work properly.
#fireextinguisher #firesmart #firesafety
Support the show
Public Service Announcement: Smoke Alarms
Send us Fan Mail
Bryan Spitulski shares a quick, but vital reminder about the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home, and keeping them properly maintained.
Studio: Playing With Fire Studios, Zoetic Studios
Support the show
Dr. Dean L. Winslow (Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics & Retired US Air Force Colonel)
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 16: Dr. Dean L. Winslow (Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics & Retired US Air Force Colonel)
Bryan Spitulski has Dr. Dean L. Winslow on the show, to discuss his military career and firsthand experiences with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Dr. Winslow is currently a Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Stanford University and is a Retired Colonel of the United States Air Force.
If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, remember these vital crisis resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Veterans Crisis Line, Crisis Text...
Dr. Sarah-Rae Andreski (Psychologist - Trauma Specialist)
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 15: Dr. Sarah-Rae Andreski (Psychologist - Trauma Specialist)
Bryan Spitulski has Dr. Sarah-Rae Andreski on the show, to discuss PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Dr. Andreski offers evidence-based trauma therapy for veterans, first responders, and those who serve.
If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, remember these vital crisis resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Veterans Crisis Line, Crisis Text Line, and SAMHSA National Helpline. For additional guidance, reach out to Dr. Andreski at https://www.drsarahraeandreski.com.
This episode is proudly sponsored...
Darline Spitulski (Foster Care - Survivor)
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 14: Darline Spitulski (Foster Care - Survivor)
Bryan Spitulski has his wife, Darline Spitulski, back on the show to share her compelling story of her survival from being raised in and out of the foster care system and eventually being adopted by a loving family. Darline is now a volunteer and mentor with Sierra Vista Child & Family Services as well as the co-producer and co-host of the Playing With Fire podcast.
Recorded: 01-15-26
Studio: Just Curious Media
Host:
Bryan Spitulski
Scott & Laci Peterson (Burnt Van Investigation) - Vol. 02
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 13: Scott & Laci Peterson (Burnt Van Investigation) - Vol. 02
Bryan Spitulski welcomes Shareen Anderson to the show for a discussion about the Scott & Laci Peterson case.
Laci Peterson of Modesto, California, went missing on December 24, 2002. Her husband, Scott Peterson, was later convicted of her murder on December 25, 2004. Shareen has directed and produced multiple documentaries examining the case—Trial By Fury (2016), The Murder of Laci Peterson (2017) for A&E/Hulu, and Face To Face With Scott Peterson (2024) for Peacock, in which she interviews Scott Peterson in pr...
Scott & Laci Peterson (Burnt Van Investigation) - Vol. 01
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 12: Scott & Laci Peterson (Burnt Van Investigation) - Vol. 01
Bryan Spitulski welcomes Shareen Anderson to the show for a discussion about the Scott & Laci Peterson case.
Laci Peterson of Modesto, California, went missing on December 24, 2002. Her husband, Scott Peterson, was later convicted of her murder on December 25, 2004. Shareen has directed and produced multiple documentaries examining the case—Trial By Fury (2016), The Murder of Laci Peterson (2017) for A&E/Hulu, and Face To Face With Scott Peterson (2024) for Peacock, in which she interviews Scott Peterson in pr...
1906 San Francisco Earthquake
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 11: 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
Bryan Spitulski shares background on the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, which took place on April 18, 1906, at 05:12 am. The estimated magnitude of the earthquake was 7.9, which caused devastating fires in San Francisco that lasted for several days. More than 3,000 people died, and over 80% of the city was destroyed, and it is remembered as the deadliest earthquake in United States history.
Recorded: 12-05-25
Studio: Just Curious Media
Host:
Bryan Spitulski
#playingwithfirepodcast #justcuriousmedia #firesafety #fireprevention #fireprotection #firehazards #fireawareness...
Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 03
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 10: Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 03
Bryan Spitulski has Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson to discuss their highly-acclaimed book Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm.
Recorded: 10-10-25
Studio: Just Curious Media
Host:
Bryan Spitulski
#playingwithfirepodcast #justcuriousmedia #firesafety #fireprevention #fireprotection #firehazards #fireawareness #firewatch #firefighting #wildfires #firecodecompliance #firefighters #fireinspections #firedevastation
Support the show
Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 02
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 09: Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 02
Bryan Spitulski has Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson to discuss their highly-acclaimed book Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm.
Recorded: 10-10-25
Studio: Just Curious Media
Host:
Bryan Spitulski
#playingwithfirepodcast #justcuriousmedia #firesafety #fireprevention #fireprotection #firehazards #fireawareness #firewatch #firefighting #wildfires #firecodecompliance #firefighters #fireinspections #firedevastation
Support the show
Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 01
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 08: Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson (Inflamed - Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm) - Vol. 01
Bryan Spitulski has Anne Belden & Paul Gullixson to discuss their highly-acclaimed book Inflamed: Abandonment, Heroism, and Outrage in Wine Country’s Deadliest Firestorm.
Recorded: 10-10-25
Studio: Just Curious Media
Host:
Bryan Spitulski
#playingwithfirepodcast #justcuriousmedia #firesafety #fireprevention #fireprotection #firehazards #fireawareness #firewatch #firefighting #wildfires #firecodecompliance #firefighters #fireinspections #firedevastation
Support the show
Michael Avila (Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection)
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 07: Michael Avila (Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection)
Bryan Spitulski has Michael Avila on the show, who is an engineer and firefighter with Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection in Riverbank, California.
Recorded: 09-29-25
Studio: Just Curious Media
Host:
Bryan Spitulski
#playingwithfirepodcast #justcuriousmedia #firesafety #fireprevention #fireprotection #firehazards #fireawareness #firewatch #firefighting #wildfires #firecodecompliance #firefighters #fireinspections #firedevastation
Support the show
Austin Spitulski (Fire Academy)
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 06: Austin Spitulski (Fire Academy)
Bryan Spitulski has Austin Spitulski on the show, who is following in his father's footsteps and beginning his journey of becoming a firefighter.
Recorded: 07-24-25
Studio: Just Curious Media
Host:
Bryan Spitulski
#playingwithfirepodcast #justcuriousmedia #firesafety #fireprevention #fireprotection #firehazards #fireawareness #firewatch #firefighting #wildfires #firecodecompliance #firefighters #fireinspections #firedevastation
Support the show
Charles “Chuck” Butler (former Captain - Modesto Fire Department) - Vol. 02
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 05: Charles “Chuck” Butler (former Captain - Modesto Fire Department) - Vol. 02
Bryan Spitulski has Charles “Chuck” Butler back on the show, who was a former Captain of the Modesto, California Fire Department and Bryan's first captain as he began his career as a firefighter.
Recorded: 08-04-25
Studio: Just Curious Media
Host:
Bryan Spitulski
#playingwithfirepodcast #justcuriousmedia #firesafety #fireprevention #fireprotection #firehazards #fireawareness #firewatch #firefighting #wildfires #firecodecompliance #firefighters #fireinspections #firedevastation
Support the show
B. Harlan Boll (Eaton Fire - Survivor)
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 04: B. Harlan Boll (Eaton Fire - Survivor)
Bryan Spitulski has celebrity publicist, B. Harlan Boll, on the show to share his harrowing account of the Eaton Fire, which burnt down his Altadena home on January 7th, 2025.
The Eaton Fire took place in Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains. A powerful Santa Ana wind event drove the fire into foothill communities, particularly Altadena. The fire killed at least 19 people and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings, becoming the fifth deadliest and the second most destructive wildfire...
Eaton Fire - January 7th, 2025
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 03: Eaton Fire - January 7th, 2025
Bryan Spitulski shares background on the Eaton Fire which took place on January 7th, 2025 in Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains. A powerful Santa Ana wind event drove the fire into foothill communities, particularly Altadena. The fire killed at least 19 people and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings, becoming the fifth deadliest and the second most destructive wildfire in California history.
Recorded: 07-24-25
Studio: Just Curious Media
Host:
Bryan Spitulski
#playingwithfirepodcast #justcuriousmedia #firesafety...
Darline Spitulski (former Community Service Officer - Modesto Police Department)
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 02: Darline Spitulski (former Community Service Officer - Modesto Police Department)
Bryan Spitulski has Darline Spitulski on the show, who was a former Community Service Officer in the Modesto, California Police Department and is also Bryan's wife and co-producer & co-host of the Playing With Fire podcast.
Recorded: 07-22-25
Studio: Just Curious Media
Host:
Bryan Spitulski
#playingwithfirepodcast #justcuriousmedia #firesafety #fireprevention #fireprotection #firehazards #fireawareness #firewatch #firefighting #wildfires #firecodecompliance #firefighters #fireinspections #firedevastation
Support the show
Charles “Chuck” Butler (former Captain - Modesto Fire Department)
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire
Episode 01: Charles “Chuck” Butler (former Captain - Modesto Fire Department)
Bryan Spitulski has Charles “Chuck” Butler on the show, who was a former Captain of the Modesto, California Fire Department and Bryan's first captain as he began his career as a firefighter.
Recorded: 06-21-25
Studio: Just Curious Media
Host:
Bryan Spitulski
#playingwithfirepodcast #justcuriousmedia #firesafety #fireprevention #fireprotection #firehazards #fireawareness #firewatch #firefighting #wildfires #firecodecompliance #firefighters #fireinspections #firedevastation
Support the show
Playing With Fire - Preview
Send us Fan Mail
Playing With Fire - Preview
Playing With Fire is a gripping podcast hosted by Bryan Spitulski—a former firefighter turned fire investigator—who brings a frontline perspective to the world of fire. From the chaos of first response to the quiet resilience of recovery, Bryan takes listeners deep into the personal and professional realities of firefighting and fire investigation.
Through candid conversations with firefighters, paramedics, investigators, scientists, and—most importantly—survivors of some of the most devastating fires in recent history, the podcast explores how fire tra...
