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Resilient Fire Podcast
Welcome to the Resilient Fire podcast! Using over 25 years of experience, Dave takes principles of survival, balances them with scripture and the Gospel, and talks through ways to apply them to our daily lives. The podcast is aimed at people who want to deepen their relationship with Jesus so that they can be a blessing to their families, church, and community. Be resilient...be fire, because we need to continually be reminded that the light shines in the darkness...and where there is fire, there is light.
Episodes
40 episodes
3AM Rant: Mapping the Battlefield
I talk a lot about physical endurance and leadership under pressure. But what happens when the fight is no longer external? In this episode, I explore the concept of Spiritual Resistance—what you believe is true when everything else is s...
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The Commander’s Capture: From Pearl Harbor to the Cross
OverviewIn this episode, I look at the life of Mitsuo Fuchida—the man who led the first wave of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I follow his journey from a dedicated warrior fueled by nationalistic pride to a man shattered by defeat, ...
The Standing Man: Resistance Beyond the Breaking Point
In this episode, I explore the profound difference between "tactical humility" and "unyielding resistance." While some battles are won by moving under the radar, others require a refusal to move at all. I dive into the harrowing and heroic stor...
The Shadow of the Rescuer: How the Rescue of the F15 Crew Members Reflects the Heart of God
In this episode of the Resilient Fire Podcast, Dave explores the harrowing 48-hour rescue of a U.S. Air Force Colonel in the Zagros Mountains. Using the military’s five phases of Personnel Recovery (PR), he examines how the tactic...
Artemis II, and the Mission of the Intelligent Designer
In the wake of the historic Artemis II launch, Dave explores the intersection of high-stakes space exploration, survival, and the unmistakable fingerprints of a Master Architect. Drawing from his background and career, Dave breaks down ...
CRO Phase II – The Narrow Gate and the Refiner’s Fire
In this episode, I reflect on my recent experience as Senior Cadre for the latest Combat Rescue Officer (CRO) Phase II screener. Out of 23 candidates, only 5 moved forward—a staggering 78% attrition rate.I go beyond the phy...
The Incredibly Stupid One: Tactical Humility and the Art of Being Underestimated
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Resilient Fire, Dave explores the concept of "Tactical Humility" through the lens of a 20-year-old Navy sailor named Doug Hegdahl. After falling off his ship in 1967 and being captured by...
James Series 5: Standing Firm Until the End
In this final installment of our journey through the Book of James, I tackle the "last mile." It’s often the hardest part of any journey—the moment right before the breakthrough when the temptation to quit is at its peak. James closes his lette...
James Series 4: The War Within: Humility, Conflict, and the Vapor of Life
In this episode of the Resilient Fire Podcast, Dave goes "below the deck" to the engine room of the soul. Exploring James 4, we move past the outward symptoms of our words to the internal desires that fuel conflict. Using a high-speed Wi...
James Series 3: Taming the Flame...Words, Wisdom, and Control
In this episode, Dave continues the series through the Book of James, tackling the convicting and powerful imagery of James 3. We often underestimate the power of small things, but James reminds us that the tongue acts as the "rudder" of our li...
James Series 2: Belief to Action
Episode OverviewIn this episode, I move from the mindset of Chapter 1 to the "mechanics" of Chapter 2. I break down what I call the "Academic Illusion"—the dangerous gap between knowing survival theory in a classroom and actually ...
James Series 1: The Formation of Faith
Episode SummaryWelcome to the premiere of our deep dive into the Book of James. In this episode, Dave explores the "paradox of joy" found in James 1. We often view trials as interruptions or signs of God’s absence, but James argue...
The Tire Around Your Neck
In this episode of the Resilient Fire Podcast, I unpack a true and unusual story from Colorado involving a bull elk that carried a tire around its neck for more than two years. What begins as a strange wildlife story becomes a powerful...
Standing Firm Without Burning It Down: Truth, Disagreement, and Faith in a Fractured World
In this timely episode, Dave addresses a nation on edge and a culture increasingly unable to disagree without destruction. Against the backdrop of unrest, violence, and outrage-driven reactions, this episode calls Christians to something harder...
SERE Series #8: Code of Conduct
In this episode of the Resilient Fire Podcast, I conclude the SERE and Faith Series by exploring the idea of a Code of Conduct — not just as a military concept, but as a deeply spiritual one. Drawing from SERE principles, biblical wisdom, and e...
SERE Series #7: Recovery and Restoration
Freedom is not the finish line—restoration is the work that follows.In this episode of the Resilient Fire Podcast, we move beyond escape and into what comes next. Drawing from SERE recovery principles and anchored in Psalm 40:2,...
SERE Series #6: Escape and Freedom
🎧 EPISODE SUMMARYIn survival training, escape is not panic—it is purposeful movement toward freedom. It requires patience, discipline, and a clear understanding of who you are and where you’re going.In this epis...
SERE Series #5: Endure the Elements
🎧 EPISODE SUMMARYIn survival scenarios, the greatest threat is often not an enemy—but the elements.Heat, cold, wind, rain, darkness, and time slowly wear down the body and the will. In this episode of the Resili...
Christmas Eve: The Light In the Darkness
Key Scripture: John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”Christmas Eve is a night filled with light—candles in windows, glowing trees, porch lights, and sanctuaries illuminated ...
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SERE Series #4: Resist and Return
In this episode of The Resilient Fire Podcast, I explore Week 4 of the SERE & faith series: Resist and Return. Just as SERE training teaches Airmen to maintain identity and honor despite captivity or coercion, Scripture teaches bel...
SERE Series #3: Evade
Episode SummaryIn this episode of The Resilient Fire Podcast, I dive into the SERE principle of evasion and connect it with the spiritual call to vigilance found in 1 Peter 5:8. Just as evasion requires awareness, discipline, ...
SERE Series #2: The Rule of 3's
🔥 Episode Summary:In SERE training, the Rule of Threes helps you determine what matters most when everything falls apart:3 minutes without air3 hours without shelter3 days without water
Tear Down This Wall!
The Berlin Wall fell 36 years ago - November 9, 1989.In this episode, I look back at one of history’s defining moments—the fall of the Berlin Wall—and draw spiritual parallels to the walls Christians build in their hearts and communities...
SERE Series #1: Faith Over Fear
🔥 Episode Summary:Fear is one of the most dangerous forces in both the wilderness and the soul. In this debut episode, we explore how biblical faith equips people to overcome fear — on deployment, in leadership, in family l...
Faith and Survival: Faith in the Wilderness
When it comes to having faith as a Christian, there are times when we will face the "wilderness." It's a place where the enemy wants us to feel alone, isolated, and without any sort of help. But that's not necessarily the truth of the matter. L...