Echo Valor Podcast

Combat Ready: Mastering Force-on-Force Training is a powerful, experience-driven guide to the most realistic and practical preparation methods for combat, crisis, and confrontation. Written by David Burnell—a veteran, tactical instructor, rescue diver, and founder of the Urban Warfare Center—this book takes you deep inside the philosophy, psychology, and technology of modern force-on-force training, where warriors, law enforcement officers, and protectors of all kinds learn to think clearly and act decisively under extreme pressure.Burnell shares the evolution of stress-based tactical realism and the principles that make it life-changing, from the establishment of the Urban Warfare Center after 9/11 to today’s cutting-edge use of Paintball systems, rubber projectiles, and enhanced simulations. You’ll learn how controlled chaos builds confidence, how stress inoculation reshapes performance, and how tactical decision-making, leadership, and communication are forged through consequence-based training.Through detailed chapters on scenario design, OPFOR (opposing force) development, law enforcement applications, medical integration, stress reduction, and after-action reviews, Burnell delivers a blueprint for building safe, lawful, and practical training programs that produce calm, capable, and ethical professionals. His firsthand accounts and real-world lessons provide technical instruction and deep insight into readiness’s mental and moral dimensions.Combat Ready also looks toward the future—examining how Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, and biometric analytics are revolutionizing how we prepare warriors and first responders. Yet at its core, the book reinforces a timeless truth: technology can simulate the fight, but only disciplined humans can master it.Whether you are a soldier, law enforcement officer, instructor, or civilian protector, this book will challenge your thinking about readiness. It will teach you how to turn stress into strength, uncertainty into confidence, and fear into focused performance.Key Lessons and Takeaways* The origins and evolution of force-on-force training* How to design and lead safe, practical tactical scenarios* The critical role of OPFOR and how to train them for realism* Techniques for stress inoculation, performance tracking, and AAR mastery* Integrating medical, rescue, and interagency response into scenarios* The future of tactical training through VR, AI, and adaptive analyticsTrain hard. Think clearly. Lead well.Combat Ready: Mastering Force-on-Force Training by David Burnell is more than a manual—it’s a mindset. It’s a guide for anyone who must perform when everything is on the line.Be prepared. Be disciplined. Be Combat Ready. Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

Bad Gods: Haiti is a ground-level memoir of duty under pressure. In January 2010, David Burnell landed in Port-au-Prince as Chief of Security for the Utah Hospital Task Force—120 doctors, nurses, and volunteers dropped into chaos. With a five-man security element and the help of the 82nd Airborne, he built perimeters out of trucks, moved clinics through hostile streets, and called hard exits when daylight died.This is the work as it really happens: food drops that tilt toward riot, a bus “explosion” that became a drill, camp sickness that knocked healers off their feet, and the quiet routine of rules that save lives—never alone, hide real cash, break contact early, at dusk security calls it. Threaded through it all is the search for a kidnapped boy, Gardy Mardy, pushed into Haiti’s hills and alleys where law had broken.Burnell keeps the language simple and the tone honest. There’s some dry humor (yes, a “Fixer” and a few Jack-Bauer-for-TV moments), but the center stays steady: protect people, get them home, and live with the choices. Faith shows up in a truck-bed sacrament and field blessings—not a sermon, just the spine he leaned on.If you want the polished press release, this isn’t it. If you want a protector’s notebook read aloud by the man who carried it, you’re in the right place.Written & narrated by: David BurnellGenre: Nonfiction • Memoir • Disaster/Field OperationsHighlights* Chief of Security in Haiti, 2010* Working with the 82nd Airborne* Food drop nearly overrun* “We go up, you go down”* Rules that actually keep you alive* Camp sick call and IV lines* The hunt for an abducted child* Faith without fanfareWhere to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

David Burnell and Jeffrey Denning team up for a practical, no-fluff guide to everyday preparedness. Starting with true-to-life scenarios—urban errands, highway shutdowns, earthquakes, and mass-casualty responses—they break down exactly what to keep on your person, in your vehicle, and in a grab-and-go 72-hour kit.Topics include: picking footwear that won’t fail when you have to run, water storage and purification, calorie-smart foods, EDC blades and flashlights (and why “one is none”), tourniquets, gauze packing, chest seals, reflective vests, backup power/solar, analog radios, maps and alternate routes, meds/insulin contingencies, and simple annual kit refresh routines. Plus: realistic triage realities, Stop the Bleed/CPR training, and how-to kits for family members.Brought to you by EchoValor.com with friends at CrisisResponse.Help, JeffreyDenning.com, and DavidBurnell.com—because being prepared is an act of love.DOWNLOAD EDC PRINTABLE CHECKLISTS - PDF FILEDOWNLOAD FIRST AID PRINTABLE CHECKLISTS - PDF FILE Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

Former operators David Burnell and Jeffrey Denning dive into what happens to your mind and body when chaos erupts—physiologically (cortisol, adrenaline, dopamine) and practically (fight/flight/freeze, tonic immobility, decision-making under fire). Sparked by a recent attack at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints meetinghouse and Jeffrey’s conversation with 22 SAS CQB instructor Christian Craighead (the Nairobi hotel rescue), they unpack how elite training translates to civilian readiness: stress inoculation, when to hold vs push, accuracy on demand, and building a lifestyle of preparation—not paranoia.Along the way: Nairobi lessons on small-team initiative, why some people get calmer as the danger rises, drills you can do without a “tier one” facility, and a faith-centered framework for managing fear using concentric “rings of control” (control, influence, everything else). It’s a candid, unscripted talk about courage, conscience, and competence—so you can protect what matters without losing your peace.You’ll learn:* How cortisol and other chemicals shape performance under stress* Simple training ideas to build real decision speed (no hero cosplay required)* When “wait” is the best tactic—and when surprise, speed, and violence of action save lives* A practical, faith-anchored way to stay prepared without living in fear(Hosts: David Burnell • Echo Valor | Jeffrey Denning • Crisis Response & Firearms Training)Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

In this powerful episode of Echo Valor, David Burnell sits down with longtime friend and seasoned law enforcement officer, federal agent, military veteran, and mental health professional Jeffrey Denning. Together, they unpack the realities of crisis response, the cumulative toll of trauma, and the tools needed to stay grounded in the face of overwhelming events.From frontline experiences in Iraq to critical incident stress debriefings after officer-involved shootings, Jeffrey shares practical strategies for pre-incident preparation, managing acute stress, and long-term self-care. The discussion covers primary, secondary, and tertiary trauma, how first responders and families are impacted by tragedy, and why sleep, exercise, connection, and gratitude are essential for healing.Whether you are in law enforcement, EMS, the military, or simply navigating today’s chaotic world, this episode offers wisdom, actionable insights, and hope. Learn why “healing hurts, but helping heals”—and how to prevent isolation, find community, and keep your mental armor strong.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

“Wings of the Silent Few” is an adrenaline-charged anthem honoring the United States Air Force Special Warfare community. From the legendary pararescue who risk all to save lives, to Tactical Air Control Party operators who rain steel on the enemy, Combat Controllers who open up the fight, Special Recon teams in the shadows, and SERE instructors who break and rebuild the best — this song dives into their world with respect and raw energy. It celebrates the brutal selection process, the power of tactical comms, and the unmistakable roar of special operations helicopters and AC-130 gunships — a dedication to those who live on the edge for us all.STREAMING ECHO VALOR MUSIC* Spotify * Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/echo-valor-music/1812793174* Itunes https://music.apple.com/us/artist/echo-valor-music/1812793174* Amazon https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0F7T767W4/echo-valor-music* Pandora https://pandora.app.link/0x3k2MpAoTb* YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@echovalormusic* Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/echovalormusic* Echo Valor Military Emblems here https://www.etsy.com/shop/echovalor/?etsrc=sdt Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

I’m David Burnell. In March 2011, while most were flying out of Japan, I flew in—alone, with two hundred pounds of gear and a quiet prayer: Use me how You need me. This audiobook is my field journal read aloud—plain talk from the mud and the cold—about rescue and recovery after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.You’ll hear what it felt like to embed with the Mexico City team, Los Topos, crawl under broken homes in Onagawa and Ishinomaki, and stand at the tape with families waiting for names, not headlines. You’ll meet a young woman in a white mask bowing through tears, kids in a gym who reset the room with a single “boing,” and two American boys who needed a velvet-hammer nudge to go home and fix what was theirs. You’ll ride with me past Fukushima as the meter pegs, through aftershocks and tsunami alerts, and into small mercies—a rice ball shared with both hands, a paper crane, a bow that lasts one breath longer than expected.This is not a hero story. It’s a real account of steady hands, quiet humor, dignity under pressure, and the simple rules that still guide me: go when you’re called, carry your weight, bow first, measure risk then move, and lift where you stand.What you’ll get* Short, chapter-length episodes in my voice* Firsthand scenes from Sendai, Onagawa, Ishinomaki, and the Fukushima corridor* Lessons on leadership, service, faith, and resilience you can use at homeContent note: Includes frank, respectful descriptions of disaster scenes, body recovery, and earthquakes.If you’re a first responder, a volunteer, a person of faith—or someone who believes ordinary people can do hard things—I made this for you.Subscribe to listen, share it with someone who needs courage today, and let’s lift where we stand.Available on Amazon and Streaming Services* Amazon Kindle & Paperback: View David Burnell’s Amazon Author Page* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple Podcast* Listen on SoundcloudPLEASE CONSIDER A SHORT COMMENT IF YOU HAVE READ OR LISTENED Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

When war whispers through the jungle, some answer with fire. Others, with healing hands.David Burnell didn’t go to Burma to wage war. He went unarmed, on a promise—to protect a friend and help train twelve medics deep within territory controlled by the Karen resistance, amid a brutal conflict few in the world even knew was still raging.Beyond the Border is a gripping true story of jungle survival, spiritual conviction, and the unseen cost of service. Through sweltering heat, silent threats, and the constant presence of death, David’s journey became far more than a mission—it became a calling.From the moment he stepped off the plane in Thailand to the day he embraced a barefoot child beside a bamboo hut, this book captures the reality of humanitarian warfare—where life-saving decisions are made under the shadow of violence, and where the measure of a man isn’t in the weight of his weapon, but in the strength of his resolve.Raw. Redemptive. Unforgettable.Beyond the Border is not just a memoir—it’s a witness to the miracles that still happen when courage walks in with no banner, and love refuses to retreat.Available on Amazon and Streaming Services* Amazon Kindle & Paperback: View David Burnell’s Amazon Author Page* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple Podcast* Listen on Soundcloud Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

In January 2010, a catastrophic earthquake struck Haiti, killing over 300,000 people and displacing millions. What awaited those who entered in the days after was chaos, danger, and the desperate struggle of a nation already on its knees.In this gripping episode, David Burnell takes you inside his role as Chief of Security for the Utah Hospital Task Force — a humanitarian mission of doctors, nurses, and translators thrust into the deadliest natural disaster in modern history. With former operators among the early team and only a handful of security personnel, David ensured 120 lives made it home safely.From protecting medical teams in riot-torn streets, to escorting orphan extractions under threat of violence, to tracking a kidnapped American toddler through Haiti’s mountains, this mission pushed the limits of endurance, resourcefulness, and faith. It’s a story of high-stakes decisions, improvised alliances — including the unexpected support of the 82nd Airborne — and the sobering truth of operating where law and order have collapsed.This isn’t just a disaster response story. It’s a ground-level look at leadership under extreme pressure, the moral weight of protection, and the stark contrast between the comforts we take for granted and the fragility of life when they’re gone.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

In this deeply personal episode, David Burnell reflects on friends, comrades, and family members who carry the visible and invisible scars of service. From Green Berets and rescue officers to law enforcement and search-and-rescue volunteers, these are the walking wounded — men and women forever changed by the battlefield, disaster zones, and the unthinkable moments they’ve faced.David shares vivid, first-hand accounts of friends like Jeff, a Bronze Star recipient wounded in Afghanistan; John, a comrade blown up by terrorists in Tunisia; his Uncle Bill, a Chosin Reservoir Marine haunted by decisions no one should have to make; and others who have endured catastrophic injuries, PTSD, and lifelong pain.These are not stories of weakness — they are stories of resilience, duty, and a brotherhood that survives beyond the fight. This episode is a call to honor those who’ve paid the price in body, mind, and spirit, whether or not they wear the Purple Heart. It’s about never letting their sacrifices fade into silence.If you’ve ever served, loved someone who has, or want to understand the hidden cost of freedom, this conversation will stay with you long after the final words.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? . Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

In the shattered streets and remote villages of post-earthquake Haiti, a unique task force set out to save lives. As Chief of Security for the Utah Hospital Task Force, David Burnell’s mission wasn’t medicine but survival.In this gripping, behind-the-scenes account, David shares the untold stories of missions deep into dangerous territory, safeguarding doctors and nurses as they delivered aid amid machete-wielding locals, potential abductions, and moments where seconds meant the difference between safety and catastrophe.From tense standoffs in remote villages to unexpected collisions—both literal and cultural—this episode reveals the complex relationship between medical teams driven to help at any cost and the protectors sworn to bring them home alive. It’s a study in respect, trust, and the hard-earned unity that can emerge when two very different callings serve one purpose.Listeners will hear of volatile encounters, life-saving instincts, hard conversations, and the turning point where mutual understanding transformed the mission. These are the real-world challenges of protecting healers in a world where compassion and danger walk side by side.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? . Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

PTSD. Four letters that carry a weight far heavier than most can imagine.For those who live with it, there’s no badge of honor — only the challenge of navigating a world that looks fractured, distorted, and untrustworthy. In this deeply personal episode, David Burnell shares his own path through decades of trauma from military service, rescue missions, and humanitarian operations — from the streets of gang-ridden Los Angeles to the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.Through vivid storytelling, David reveals what it’s like to view life through a “kaleidoscope” of memories, why certain triggers can take your breath away, and how the right help can rewire the brain to restore hope and clarity. He shares the tools, therapies, and mindsets that have helped him — and others — recognize, manage, and sometimes overcome the invisible wounds of service.This episode is for veterans, first responders, survivors, and anyone who’s carried the firehose weight of trauma. It’s a message of resilience, an unflinching look at the reality of PTSD, and a reminder that you are not alone — and you are not broken.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

In this powerful episode, David Burnell shares a grueling personal story from his time at Dive Rescue International Instructor School in Fort Collins, Colorado—a seven-day crucible designed to create elite instructors for 9-1-1 rescue diving in the most hazardous environments on earth: swift water, under ice, and deep open water.Through punishing physical demands, complex problem-solving under pressure, and team evolutions where failure carried real consequences, David witnessed firsthand how the mind often gives up before the body—and how those moments reveal who has the will to persevere.This is a raw, inside look at how failure can become the ultimate training tool, from swimming endless laps and treading water with 25-pound weight belts to devising strategies under fatigue and watching experienced divers quit on Day One.You’ll learn:* Why failure can clarify your mission and filter out distractions* How pressure reveals both weakness and hidden strength* The essential role of confidence, control, and teamwork under stress* How to “deal with it” and adapt when plans fall apartThis is more than a diving story—it’s a lesson for every high-stakes mission, whether in the water, combat, or life.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? . Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

Active shooter incidents aren’t just headlines—they’re here, in our schools, malls, libraries, and places of worship. The unthinkable has happened before, and it will happen again.David Burnell—featured on CNN and MSNBC after one of the largest school active shooter incidents—has trained over 1,000 teachers in unconventional defense options. This episode is part of his ongoing mission to prepare people for the unthinkable.You’ll step inside real-life responses to active shooters, from the Trolley Square shooting to the North Hollywood shootout, and hear firsthand how split-second decisions save lives. We break down the DHS Run, Hide, Fight protocol for civilians and reveal why police must go beyond the firing range—into force-on-force training that builds real-world readiness.From SWAT history to cutting-edge Urban Warfare Center scenarios, this is a clear, unflinching look at what it takes to survive when every second counts.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

In this gripping episode of Echo Valor, David Burnell sits down with longtime friend Dan Laguna — Green Beret, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers) pilot, and former head of Blackwater Aviation.Dan’s journey spans decades of elite military service, from training and advising in Central and South America to flying Little Birds in Mogadishu during Black Hawk Down and leading high-risk missions in Iraq. He shares the formative influence of his Korean War veteran father, the creation of his life motto “You have to live hard to be hard”, and the fateful day in 2007 when his brother was killed in action beside him.This is not just a combat memoir. It’s a testament to resilience, leadership, and living purposefully every day — no matter the cost.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? . Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, David Burnell reflects on two of the most powerful words we can live by: remember and necessity. Drawing from years of operational experience in military service, rescue missions, and running the Urban Warfare Center, David shares how the principle of necessity—identifying and acting on the single most important next step—can cut through chaos and bring clarity.From high-pressure tactical training to navigating today’s noisy, overstimulated world, necessity becomes the compass that points us toward what truly matters—whether it’s political action, personal restoration, or simply drinking a glass of water. Through vivid stories and hard-earned lessons, David challenges listeners to strip away the unnecessary and focus on what will make the greatest difference, right now.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? . Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, David Burnell explores the timeless doctrine of natural rights—the God-given, inalienable freedoms that belong to every human being. Drawing on the ideas of 17th-century thinkers like John Locke and the vision of America’s Founding Fathers, David unpacks how these principles shaped the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.Through a clear, apolitical lens, he examines the tension between individual rights and collectivism, the responsibility that comes with liberty, and why protecting these rights remains essential in a free society. With historical context and personal conviction, this discussion reminds us why people from around the globe still look to America as a beacon of opportunity and self-determination.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? . Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

In this heartfelt episode, David Burnell shares a quiet yet powerful moment at his local pool—an encounter with a weary law enforcement officer whose eyes told a story of years spent carrying the invisible scars of service. Drawing from his own experiences alongside police, rescue personnel, and military veterans, David reflects on the importance of being present, listening deeply, and extending compassion to those weighed down by the fog of life’s battles.This story is a call to action—to slow down, notice those in our path, and offer the healing gift of affirmation, understanding, and hope.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? . Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

Change isn’t just a decision—it’s a battle. In this deeply personal episode of Echo Valor, David Burnell shares the story of his ongoing transformation—physically, mentally, and emotionally—as he takes ownership of his health and rewires the thinking that held him back for decades. Guided by elite trainer and master nutritionist Tamara Watt, David is learning the science, behavior, and discipline behind fueling the body for real performance, not just comfort.Drawing parallels between his decade of training soldiers, airmen, federal agents, and law enforcement at the Urban Warfare Center, David reveals how the brain resists change, why the amygdala triggers fear and avoidance, and how to break through the mental and physical barriers that hold us hostage.From shedding 30 pounds in three weeks to dismantling lifelong habits, this episode is about more than fitness—it’s about honesty with yourself, trusting a proven process, and staying the course no matter how hard it gets. Whether you’re fighting to reclaim your health, mindset, or mission, these lessons will help you push through the fog, embrace the challenge, and build a future worthy of your best self.Key themes:* Understanding how the brain resists change* Turning fear into fuel for growth* The science of nutrition and behavior change* Drawing strength from military and tactical training principles* The three pillars of transformation: honesty, validation, and persistenceStay the course. Continue the mission. The battle for change is worth winning.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe

In That Others May Live, David Burnell takes you deep into the perilous world of combat search and rescue, cave diving, and humanitarian recovery missions. From the motto of the U.S. Air Force Pararescue to the harrowing 2018 Thai cave rescue, these stories reveal the grit, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve of those who put themselves in harm’s way so that others might survive. Drawing on firsthand experience from missions across the globe—Japan, Haiti, Burma, and beyond—Burnell offers raw insight into the courage it takes to step into darkness when the stakes are life or death.Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast? . Get full access to Echo Valor: Stories of Service, Sacrifice & the Human Spirit at echovalor.substack.com/subscribe