What The Fire

The hangout for everyone who works around fire. Join our host, Vithyaa Thavapalan an international certified forensic fire investigator as we get into the world of fire. We trade scene stories, break down the how-did-that-happen bits, and spotlight the folks we team up with: investigators, engineers, adjusters, insurers, lawyers, other experts - expect the whole crew. Expect plain chats, practical takeaways, and a few laughs along the way. It’s candid, useful, and a little smoky, just like the job. Grab a coffee, pop on your headphones, and come behind the tape with us.

What The Fire is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 14 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts What The Fire, a education show with 14 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #13

  Women In Fire: Changing The Culture, Not The Woman

  May 18, 202653 minS1

  <p>Episode 13: Belonging Over Fitting In with Melinda “Min” McDonald</p><p>In this episode of What the Fire, I’m joined by Melinda “Min” McDonald CF, Senior Firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW, President of Women and Firefighting Australasia, Churchill Fellow, and PhD candidate at the University of Technology Sydney.</p><p>Min’s work sits at the intersection of operational firefighting, organisational culture, leadership, inclusion, and community risk reduction. In this conversation, we explore what it means to belong in the fire service, rather than simply fit in.</p><p>Min shares her journey into firefighting, her experience as a woman i...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #12

  Prevention vs Box Ticking: Fire Suppression and the Real Risk Control with Vince Atkinson

  Apr 22, 202653 minS1

  <p>In Episode 12 of What The Fire, we sit down with Vince Atkinson to unpack what fire suppression really means in high-risk environments, particularly the mining and heavy equipment space.</p><p>Vince shares a practical, outcomes-driven approach to fire risk: understanding where ignition is most likely to occur, prioritising preventative controls, and using suppression as a mitigating measure to reduce consequences when risk remains.</p><p>We also explore what’s changing globally in the fire suppression market , from procurement pressures and “box-ticking” approaches, to the industry-wide transition away from AFFF foams toward fluorine-free alternatives (F3). Vince explains why educat...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #11

  The Biggest Mistakes In Fire Investigation: An Insights Episode

  Apr 13, 202612 minS1

  <p>This episode is a little different. It is a solo episode, with Vithyaa unpacking one of the most important topics in the field: the biggest mistakes made in fire investigations.</p><p>Drawing on her experience across complex losses, Vithyaa shares the common pitfalls that can weaken an investigation, from reaching conclusions too early to misunderstanding fire patterns, overlooking key evidence, and using language with more certainty than the facts support.</p><p>This episode is a practical discussion on why thoroughness, discipline, and staying current matter so much in origin and cause work. Whether you are a fire...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #10

  Training, Standards and the Truth: 44 Years and the Future of Investigation

  Apr 6, 202643 minS1

  <p>Jim Kanavy, a fire investigator, instructor and long-time leader in the fire investigation profession with more than 44 years in the fire service.</p><p>Jim shares how he started as a junior firefighter in Pennsylvania at just 14 years old, built a career across public and private fire investigation, worked with accelerant detection canines for more than two decades, and became deeply involved in training, standards and professional development through the IAAI, NAFI and NFPA.</p><p>We talk about how fire investigation has changed over the years, from older indicators and outdated beliefs to the increased use of science...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #9

  Where Fire Meets Engineering with Doron Levy: Exploring the Overlap between Fire Engineering and Fire Investigation

  Mar 30, 202643 minS1

  <p>Title: From Engineering to Investigation: The Journey of Doron Levy and Fahrenheit Global</p><p><br></p><p>Introduction: </p><p>In the dynamic world of fire safety, few professionals bridge the gap between engineering and investigation like Doron Levy, the founder of Fahrenheit Global. In a recent episode of the podcast "What the Fire," Levy shares his inspiring journey from structural engineering to the intricacies of fire investigation, shedding light on the importance of both disciplines in ensuring safety and preventing future incidents.</p><p><br></p><p>The Path to Fire Engineering and Investigation: </p><p>Doron...

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on What The Fire. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.