The David Burnell Podcast

The Bummer Lamb is more than a story—it’s a parable of our times. In this episode, we reflect on the tender truth of the lamb that is left behind by its mother, too weak to survive on its own. But when seen by the shepherd, lifted with care, and raised with love, it becomes the one who knows the Shepherd most intimately. Blending themes of brokenness, healing, spiritual rescue, and quiet acts of g...

In this deeply personal episode of the David Burnell Podcast, David shares his firsthand experiences deploying to Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake as part of the Utah Hospital Task Force. Serving in a security and protective role for medical teams operating in one of the most unstable humanitarian disasters in modern history, David reflects on the emotional weight, hypervigilance, and q...

The Life and Mission of David Burnell” is a powerful spoken word narrative tracing the extraordinary life of a modern warrior. From elite U.S. Air Force missions and rescue dives beneath frozen lakes, to leading post-earthquake security in Haiti and guiding humanitarian operations in Burma and Japan, David Burnell has lived where most only imagine. This ballad isn’t a résumé—it’s a reckoning. It’s...

“We The People: A Spoken Ballad for America” — written by David Burnell for Echo Valor — is a powerful, cinematic spoken word piece celebrating the spirit of unity and freedom. Drawing on the words of our Founding Fathers and the courage of everyday Americans, this ballad reminds us that we are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. It is a call to remember that unity...

Some victories are measured not by survival, but by who lives because you didn’t. Greater Love: Mogadishu, 1993 is an Echo Valor episode documenting the actions of Delta Force snipers Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart during the Battle of Mogadishu. This episode focuses not on tactics or spectacle, but on the moment of decision—when two men repeatedly requested insertion into an unwinnable situation...

Listen to the Built by Fire audiobook here and get your copy of the book at DavidBurnell.com Built by Fire is the story of a life forged in the crucible of service—and what happens after the fire. From military operations and intelligence work to search and rescue missions, humanitarian deployments, and high-risk environments around the world, David Burnell lived a life defined by action, responsi...

On March 4, 2002, on a snow-covered summit in Afghanistan, a helicopter insertion turned into a fight for survival. A teammate fell into enemy-held terrain. The team moved toward him under fire. And in the chaos that followed, Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman—an Air Force Combat Controller attached to a Navy SEAL element—was wounded, separated, and later fought on after others believed he was de...

This gripping episode tells the true story of a defining moment in David Burnell’s childhood—a moment when fear had a face, a name, and a daily routine. As a young boy, David was relentlessly bullied, cornered, and humiliated. Day after day, he endured it… until one conversation with his father changed everything. The Bully and the Boy is more than a tale of playground justice. It’s a raw and hone...

Most violence does not begin with an attack. It begins with a shift. A moment when something feels off. A subtle change in behavior. A quiet internal warning that’s easy to dismiss. This audiobook exists for that moment. In Before It Happens , David Burnell draws on decades of experience in high-risk environments, disaster response, and real-world protective work to teach one essential skill: how...