# Finding Purpose in the Ashes: Steve Chikerotis

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/firefighter-nation-podcast-network-s-7114247/finding-purpose-in-the-ashes-steve-chikerotis
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/firefighter-nation-podcast-network-s-7114247/finding-purpose-in-the-ashes-steve-chikerotis.md
Podcast: [Firefighter Nation Podcast Network’s](https://stenobird.com/podcast/firefighter-nation-podcast-network-s-7114247)
Published: 2026-08-06T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://firefighternationpodcastnetwork.podbean.com/e/finding-purpose-in-the-ashes-steve-chikerotis/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/rtyzirqe4pmujagw/FFN_-_20260806-_Mental_Health_Monthly78f2e.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/firefighter-nation-podcast-network-s-7114247/episodes/finding-purpose-in-the-ashes-steve-chikerotis
Duration seconds: 4485

## Resource

Former Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief and Chicago Fire screenwriter Steve "Chik" Chikerotis joins Dan DeGryse and Chris Muscle for this episode of Mental Health Monthly. Drawing on over three decades of field experience, Chikerotis opens up about his first day on the job, the emotional toll of responding to Ground Zero after 9/11, and a devastating personal loss of his own. He breaks down how shifting from a culture of stoic silence to open dialogue saves lives, offering actionable stress-management techniques like box breathing and positive visualization.

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## Transcript

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