In episode 383 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Sam Maclean.

Sam is a firefighter by day but also the Founder and host of The Lonely Chapter Podcast (TLCP).

TLCP bills itself as “a podcast for people doing okay on the surface, but still figuring life out.”

Sam started the podcast in May 2024 because of his love for listening to podcasts but increasingly, as he was listening to them, he “wanted to be in the room and ask the next question”.

Since launching it, he has done over 110 podcasts at time of recording, and has interviewed friends of the pod George from TheTinMen and Dr Susie Bennett amongst a host of other great and inspiring guests.

In this episode we discuss how and why he launched the podcast, what he’s learned along the way, how the skills he’s learned as an interviewer has helped him in his firefighting job and vice-versa.

We also discuss how he’s been able to set up a men’s mental health support group in the Fire Service as a result of the podcast and through speaking to Susie in particular.

For Sam’s mental health journey, we discuss burnout he’s experienced whilst being a firefighter, volunteering with the charity Samaritans from January 2024-March 2025 and the skills he learned there, and the detachment skills he’s implemented in firefighting and running the podcast.

As always, #itsokaytovent

You can listen and subscribe to The Lonely Chapter Podcast, as well as where follow them on social media here.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support Us:

• Patreon
• PayPal
• Merchandise