The Fire You Carry

In this episode, Greg Rudiger shares his journey through the fire service, the impact of family legacy, and his transition to a new calling focused on resilience and authenticity. He discusses the challenges of PTSD, the importance of emotional connection, and the birth of his training company, R.A.D., which aims to empower others in the fire service and beyond. In this conversation, Greg Rudiger...

In this heartfelt episode, Nole shares his personal struggles with mental health, vulnerability, and the journey of healing. He discusses the challenges of quitting nicotine, the impact of past traumas, and the importance of faith and community support in overcoming difficulties. Nole emphasizes the need for honesty and vulnerability in sharing experiences, encouraging listeners to seek help and l...

In this episode, Kevin explores the concept of calling, distinguishing it from career, family, and causes. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one's true calling and reflects on personal identity and purpose. The conversation encourages listeners to ponder their own calling and what they want to be known for, while also recognizing the challenges that come with self-discovery. Big t...

In this conversation, Kevin and Nole delve into their personal struggles with caffeine and nicotine addiction, exploring the impact of these substances on their lives and relationships. They discuss the challenges of self-control, the importance of honesty in marriage, and the complexities of negotiating addiction with loved ones. The dialogue emphasizes the need for self-awareness and the journey...

In this episode of the Fire You Carry podcast, Ian Meyers shares his personal journey through mental health struggles, including depression and PTSD, and how he found recovery through hormonal health and lifestyle changes. He discusses the importance of seeking help, the role of his wife in encouraging him to get his hormone levels checked, and the development of Fireproof Wellness, a program desi...

In this conversation, Kevin and Nole discuss their recent experiences during spring break, focusing on family adventures, culinary delights, and the emotional connections they feel in their faith journeys. They explore the importance of community, the balance between routine and spirituality, and the need for mindfulness in their daily lives. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of being prese...

In this episode of the Fire You Carry podcast, Nole reflects on the challenges of addressing personal struggles and the importance of sharing burdens within a community. He emphasizes the need for vulnerability and support, particularly among men, and discusses biblical teachings encouraging open communication about struggles. Nole also highlights the transformative experiences offered through the...

In this episode of the Fire You Carry podcast, Kevin speaks with veteran Danny Flores about his experiences in the Marine Corps, particularly during his deployment to Afghanistan. They discuss the importance of resilience, the impact of loss in combat, and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. Danny shares his personal journey of coping with trauma, finding purpose after service, and t...

In this week's episode, Kevin and Nole explore various fitness topics, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, strength training with Atlas stones, and the significance of memorial workouts. They share personal stories and reflections on their fitness journeys, discuss the impact of supplementation on health, and recommend a unique TV show, 'Severance.' The conve...

In this conversation, Randy Rozzell shares his journey from being a Navy SEAL to becoming a firefighter and self-defense instructor. He discusses the challenges he faced in transitioning careers, the importance of developing effective combatives programs for first responders, and the lessons learned from real-life combat experiences. Randy emphasizes the significance of situational awareness and t...

In this episode, Kevin and Nole work through the second half of the list of questions they started in episode 217. Through answering these, they explore various themes related to the fire service, including the importance of mentorship, adaptability in challenging situations, and the unique culture within firefighting. They share personal anecdotes about their experiences and delve into controvers...

In this conversation, Nole and Kevin explore various aspects of firefighting and emergency services, including the unexpected emotional labor involved, communication challenges, cultural sensitivity, and the myths surrounding the profession. They also discuss the balance between work and family life, as well as the challenges of career growth and leadership opportunities within the fire service. T...

In this conversation, Nole and Kevin discuss the significance of Lent, the importance of spiritual disciplines, and how to navigate the busyness of life while maintaining focus on personal growth. They share their commitments for the 40-day period leading up to Easter, including fitness challenges, fasting, and prayer practices. The discussion emphasizes the value of structure, discipline, and giv...

In this episode of the Fire You Carry podcast, Battalion Chief (retired) Ron Cabrera discusses his extensive career in the fire service and the critical importance of leadership within the organization. He shares insights on the challenges of implementing effective leadership training, the influence of military leadership styles, and the necessity of empathy and communication in leadership roles....

In this week's episode, we are joined by Battalion Chief Pete Finnerty to talk about his experience being one of the first BCs on the scene of the Eaton Fire. This conversation includes some insight into the mysterious world of what a BC actually does and what they are thinking about and preparing for en route to an incident, all alone in their "fire SUV". This conversation hinges h...

In this Fire You Carry podcast episode, Kevin and Nole welcome back Landon Patterson, CEO of Hundred Acre Wine Group. The conversation explores Landon's journey in the wine business, the importance of grit and determination in achieving success, and the challenges of parenting in today's world. Landon shares insights on resilience, the balance between work and family life, and how becomi...

In this week's episode, Kevin is joined by Rich Zuniga. Rich is a fireman with us here at Los Angeles County Fire, and while he's excellent in that role, it is just his day job. By night, he is an artist in many arenas, from tattoos to digital art to comedy; Rich is a force of nature. Come along for the ride as Rich and Kevin talk about finding your way in the fire service and doing an e...

In this episode, Nole goes solo to talk about some of the mental and emotional effects of fighting the Eaton Fire.  Podcast email: thefireyoucarry@gmail.com Nole's email: nolerltw@gmail.com https://youtu.be/FXz0ZTwl_iI?si=y332JFE3q9ShiHIp The video is referenced in the episode. Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast! https://www...

We are back! In this episode, Kevin and Nole talk about the Eaton Fire. The Eaton Fire started in station 66's area, where Nole is currently stationed, and yes, Nole was on duty the day it started.  We are barely able to scratch the surface of everything that went on during the course of this fire, but for those of you who have been wondering what we've been up to, it's time to find...

In this conversation, Nole and Kevin discuss Nole's journey toward the Captain's Academy, exploring the challenges and personal growth that come with it. The discussion shifts to the importance of family time and intentional planning for adventures, as well as the physical challenges they are considering for the year. They reflect on the value of embracing failure and resilience in their...

Miguel Aguilar came on the podcast with Kevin back in December of 2021. His story is truly inspiring and well worth your time. We are reposting this episode because Miguel has tragically passed away. A few months ago, he was followed home by four men who attempted to rob him at gunpoint. Details of what went on are scarce, but we do know that Miguel was shot and spent the past few months fighting...

In this week's episode, we're back with James Reyes. We really enjoyed the previous conversation with James and wanted to take a deeper dive into the topic of resiliency together. We come at this issue from multiple different angles and regardless of where you are at in your journey, you will get something good out of this episode. Nole was challenged explicitly during the course of this...

In this week's episode, Kevin and Nole reflect on keeping our focus on the things that matter most. We recently had another death in our department, which always provides a moment to reflect on how tomorrow is never guaranteed. When it comes to Christmas or any other holiday or special event it is also a good time to reflect on the things that really matter in a season where so much emphasis...

In this week's episode, we are on with James Reyes. James is here to tell us his story of getting blown up by an IED in Iraq, getting seriously injured as a result, and the journey he went on to overcome those injuries. He went on from there to be a fireman paramedic with us at Los Angeles County, and in the episode, we cover that transition. James also shares some profound dad wisdo,m so don...

In this week's episode, we are talking about a sudden opportunity that has arisen to possibly promote. Most of the episode hinges on the process that went into making the decision on whether or not we were going to pursue the opportunity and how we're thinking about the potential changes in the future.  Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail&qu...