The Fire You Carry

In this solo episode, Nole dives deep into the tension between the cultural push for men to be extraordinary and the profound value of simply embracing the ordinary —or the mundane—in daily life. Inspired by a simple observation about a frantic lemur at an animal park ("He leads a simple life"), Nole explores the idea that while high-achieving goals (like a podcast, an adventure race, or...

In this episode, Nole and Kevin tackle a seemingly small but significant habit: subconscious groaning and complaining . Inspired by a clip from Jocko Willink's camp, the hosts realize that those small sounds—like groaning when you stand up or sighing when the tones drop—are forms of negative self-talk and a passive concession to "letting the old man in." The conversation digs into h...

In this intensely personal and inspiring episode, Kevin dives deep into his recent experience completing David Goggins' legendary 4x4x48 challenge —running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours. What started as a daunting personal pursuit, fueled by years of hesitation, transformed into a profound spiritual and mental breakthrough on the historic Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. Joined by his &...

The Analog Advantage: Why We Should All Carry a Notebook Nole flies solo this week to discuss a personal habit he started for simplicity that turned out to have powerful scientific backing : carrying a paper notebook and pen . Frustrated with missed notifications and the constant need to pull out his phone for reminders, Nole made the switch to analog note-taking for daily tasks. This episode dive...

Nole is missing in action (at the firehouse!), so Kevin steps up to the mic for a powerful solo episode. Fresh off the high of the Fire Up Program's Class 14, Kevin shares an immediate and personal debrief of the weekend. He discusses why it's so difficult—and so necessary—for first responders to take a "tactical pause" away from both work and family to reset and build resilien...

We live in a world of constant consumption, where every spare second is filled with music, podcasts, social media, or videos. In this solo episode, Nole explores the vital and uncomfortable practice of being alone with our thoughts. He shares insights from a Harvard professor's video on the power of "boredom" to unlock creativity, introspection, and our ability to wrestle with life&...

What's your motivation? In the firehouse, there are a million "unwritten rules." From leaving "veto in the toilet" to making sure there's "water on the ground" after washing the rig, many tasks are done simply to prove they were done. In this episode, Nole and Kevin dive deep into this unique aspect of firehouse culture, exploring the line between maintainin...

Randy Rozzell—22-year Navy SEAL veteran, former firefighter, and tactical combatives instructor—is back on the show! Since his last appearance on episode 219, Randy has written a powerful book called "Pressing Forward," a story of resilience that goes far beyond the battlefield. In this conversation, we dive deep into the lessons from his book and his life. Randy shares the heart behind...

In this thought-provoking episode, Nole and Kevin welcome their good friend, Pastor Jim Stitzinger, back to the show. They dive deep into a powerful concept from an article Jim wrote: Safety Second . This idea presents a revolutionary paradigm shift, challenging the common prayer to "keep us safe." Jim argues that when we make personal safety our ultimate priority, it can lead down a pat...

In this solo episode, Kevin takes the helm while Nole is away and dives deep into a powerful framework for fatherhood from Jim Ramos of Men in the Arena. Whether you're a new dad or a seasoned grandfather, this episode provides a gut-check on where you are and where you're headed. Kevin breaks down the four distinct phases—Father Fidelis, Father Figure, Father Friend, and Father Forever—...

In this powerful and personal episode, Kevin sits down with 20-year LA County Fire veteran, Captain Rick Cook. Kevin and Rick dive deep into what it truly means to be a "good dude"—a man whose character is defined not by his job title, but by his role as a husband and father. Rick shares profound wisdom from his 27-year marriage, the challenges and triumphs of raising children, and the i...

After a three-week hiatus, Kevin is back in the co-host chair! In honor of his return and the podcast's five-year anniversary, Nole turns the tables and interviews Kevin as if he were a guest on the show. The guys kick things off with personal updates, including Nole's restorative trip to Hume Lake and his journey of finding a new church for his family after being challenged by the podca...

In this powerful and reflective episode, Nole sits down with his father, Jeff Lilley, to process their deep, visceral reactions to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. They explore why this event stirred up such strong emotions for so many. The conversation delves into the complex emotions of anger, grief, and the desire for justice, while also examining the political polarization that has led to a...

In this short solo episode, Nole shares a powerful reflection from a recent, life-changing trip to Alaska with his wife. Hosted by Samaritan's Purse and Firefighters for Christ, the retreat was meant to honor families impacted by major fires. But amidst the stunning landscapes of Mystic Lake Lodge, Nole found himself overwhelmed by a profound sense of distraction—not the negative, anxiety-ind...

In this deeply personal solo episode, Nole shares the recent, difficult experience of saying goodbye to his beloved family cat, Finn. An unexpected work call-up prevents Nole from being there, forcing him to rely on his wife, Heather, and his son, North, to handle the heart-wrenching task. This event becomes a powerful catalyst for reflection on a father's desire to shield his family from pai...

In this lighthearted and wide-ranging episode, Kevin and Nole share lessons from fatherhood, fitness, and finance. The guys reflect on the fast-approaching reality of retirement and the importance of taking small, consistent actions to prepare for the future. They discuss the parental tightrope walk of balancing saving money with making memories, and the daily challenge of trusting your kids with...

"It's Not Enough" - Dustin Kensrue (In the episode, Nole mistakenly stated that this song was performed by The Modern Post) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeRSlQlPkpo&ab_channel=DustinKensrueVEVO In this solo episode, Nole gets vulnerable about the universal, timeless struggle for meaning and satisfaction. Drawing inspiration from the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes and the powe...

In this deeply moving episode, Nole and Kevin sit down with Jason Sautel, a retired Oakland firefighter and the author of the powerful memoir, "The Rescuer." Jason shares his harrowing journey from a traumatic childhood to the front lines of one of America's busiest fire departments. Jason pulls back the curtain on the "stone-cold lifesaver" persona, revealing the internal...

Nole and Kevin are joined by their friend and fellow firefighter, Ronnie Evans , for a deeply personal and powerful conversation. The episode centers on Ronnie's harrowing experience during the recent Eaton Fire , where he, while on duty, had to watch his childhood home burn to the ground as his own home was simultaneously threatened. Ronnie shares a minute-by-minute account of that night—the...

In this episode, Nole and Kevin jump straight in with an urgent call to action for everyone to sign up for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb . The guys then dive into a compelling discussion about the book "The Rescuer" by Jason Sautel , exploring the idea that first responders leave a piece of themselves on every call. This leads to a broader conversation about professionalism, personal acc...

What can a talking race car teach us about our own lives? In this episode, Nole and David Hartman dive deep into the unexpected and profound life lessons from the Cars trilogy, using Lightning McQueen's journey as a powerful metaphor for our own. The conversation explores how we find pieces of ourselves in the characters we love and how their stories can guide our personal growth. From the in...

In this episode of the Fire You Carry podcast, hosts Nole and Ryan Shook delve into the profound impact of COVID-19 on faith communities. They explore how the pandemic challenged traditional church engagement and ultimately where it failed, and discuss the struggles of reconnecting with faith in a post-pandemic world. Ryan shares his unique perspective, drawing from his experiences growing up in M...

In this episode of the Fire You Carry podcast, Nole and Kevin are joined by Ben Steele, a former Marine officer turned entrepreneur. The conversation explores Ben's journey from military service to the world of filmmaking and marketing, discussing the challenges of leadership, the transition to civilian life, and the importance of maintaining physical and mental health. Ben shares insights on...

In this episode of the Fire You Carry podcast, Nole dives into the world of selvedge denim, exploring its history, craftsmanship, and the personal significance of quality clothing. He contrasts selvedge denim with modern mass-produced jeans, emphasizing the unique character and stories that come with each pair. This episode may not seem to fit into what we normally do here on the podcast, but stic...

In this episode of the Fire You Carry podcast, hosts Nole and Kevin explore a variety of topics ranging from the impact of marketing on consumer behavior to personal fitness challenges and the importance of community. They share personal anecdotes about their fitness journeys, discuss the emotional and mental challenges associated with nicotine withdrawal, and reflect on the significance of having...