The Fire You Carry

In this episode of The Fire You Carry, Kevin and Nole break down the wild, beautiful chaos of the Christian hardcore scene after catching a legendary Sleeping Giant reunion show. They discuss the intense energy of the barrier, crowd vocals, and how aggressive music can serve as a genuine form of spiritual warfare. Switching gears to the home front, Kevin opens up about a heavy and heartbreaking weekend, navigating an unexpected medical emergency with his family's beloved dog and making the ag...

What happens when a lifetime spent fighting fires turns into a fight for your own survival? In this incredibly raw and moving episode of The Fire You Carry, Kevin and Nole sit down with recently retired LA County Fire Captain Fred Barbosa. Over a 31-year career, Fred saw the landscape of the fire service change dramatically, culminating in the ultimate milestone of pinning his own son at graduation. But shortly after, Fred faced an entirely different kind of test: a diagnosis of Stage 3 colon...

In this candid and impromptu conversation, Nole and Kevin dive deep into the "Imposter Syndrome" that often plagues men as they step into leadership roles, whether it’s officiating a wedding for the first time or giving advice to the next generation of firefighters. They explore the tension between staying humble (the "new guy" mindset) and acknowledging the real-world experience and wisdom they have to offer. The duo also discusses the "Parable of the Talents," the importance of "faking it u...

In this high-energy catch-up, Nole and Kevin dive into the patriotic fever of the Winter Olympics, specifically the historic gold medal wins for both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s hockey teams against Canada. Between discussing the "grit and tenacity" of players like Jack Hughes and the bizarrely fascinating world of Scottish curling stones, the duo gets personal about their recent struggles with illness and the mental toll of the "firefighter trap"—working long overtime stretches at the station...

In this episode, Nole and Kevin sit down with Captain Scotty McKnight, currently serving at the "Fire Factory" (FS 16) in the heart of Los Angeles County. Scotty brings a unique perspective to the fire service, having transitioned from a professional baseball career to the front seat of a fire engine. The guys dive into the parallels between the elite environments of professional sports and the fire service, the mental game of visualization, and the weight of "failing" on the big stage. Scott...

Fresh off the mountain from Class 15 of the Fire Up Program, Nole and Kevin sit down to discuss the high of the retreat and the immediate "gut punch" of returning to reality. From 13-degree wind chills and frozen towels to skin cancer surgery and emergency room visits, this episode is an honest look at what it means to stay present when the "storms" of life hit all at once. Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast! https://www.youtube...

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 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...