It was an absolute honor to host a true baseball legend on the show. Alan Trammell isn't just a Hall of Famer; he is a masterclass in consistency, professional loyalty, and the "blue-collar" work ethic that defines the city of Detroit. We dive deep into his 20-year career with the Tigers, his legendary double-play partnership with Lou Whitaker, and how the lessons learned on the diamond translate perfectly to the fire station Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the u...

Captain Evan Halquist is back for another round, and he's here to announce a new resource that we have been anxiously awaiting here at The Fire You Carry. Fire Built is a purpose-driven set of training protocols designed for the first responder that will benefit anyone who puts them into practice. Follow the links below to learn more. When the tones don’t stop going off, how do you show up for your family the next morning? When you're exhausted from all that life throws at you, how do y...

In this special pre-Christmas episode, Kevin sits down with Captain Jon Engle of the Colton Fire Department. Jon shares a vulnerable and powerful testimony of enduring a "season of shadows"—losing his grandfather, a fellow engineer, a childhood friend, and his brother in a short span, all while navigating a life-threatening medical crisis with his newborn son. The heart of the episode is the announcement that Jon’s nonprofit, Hold the Line Fishing, has officially merged with The Fire Up Progr...

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 a career milestone) are important, they occupy only a tiny fraction of our time. The bulk of our lives is s...

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 how this mindset affects your performance as a first responder and your daily life, the stoic philosophy of Sisu, ...

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 "savage" crew, Kevin pushed past his physical limits (running 10 miles farther than he ever had before!)...

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 dives deep into the science that proves this "old-fashioned" way is actually superior for learning, mem...

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 resilience. This episode is a raw look at the power of brotherhood, the importance of servant leadership, and how to take the...

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's big questions. Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our pod...

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 maintaining perception and acting with true integrity. They discuss whether our actions are driven by a need for recognition or by a commitment to ...

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 his writing, explaining how a difficult upbringing and a demanding career forged the mindset he lives by to...

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 path of compromise and fear. Instead, the scriptures call us to pray for things like boldness, holiness, courag...

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—and connects them to the unique challenges faced by first responders. This is a must-listen for any man loo...

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 incredible story of how his wife's loving intervention prompted him to slow down and leave one of the busies...

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 podcast community. From there, they dive into a deep discussion about the last five years of "The Fire You Carry...

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 moment where tragedy is celebrated by some and mourned by others. Ultimately, they ask the crucia...

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-inducing kind from our phones and screens, but a beautiful, soul-filling distraction by the sheer immensi...

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 pain, the profound growth that happens when we let our loved ones carry heavy responsibilities, and the i...

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 more responsibility (even if it means risking a tray of fries). Nole shares a humbling story abou...

"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 powerful song "It's Not Enough" by Dustin Kensrue, he explores why our pursuits of worldly comfort, pleasure, and su...