The Fire You Carry

Latest Episodes:

242: The Five-Year Interview with Kevin Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

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," their vision for its future, and their dream guests.

Kevin opens up about the "fire he's carrying" right now—the drive to be a "Band One Dad" and connect with his kids as they navigate their middle school years. The conversation then shifts to the trials they're facing, with Kevin sharing his struggle of grappling with new physical limitations after his neck surgery and learning to find his identity outside of the intense physicality he's relied on for his entire life. It's a powerful conversation about growth, vulnerability, faith, and the future.

Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz2RZThURTU&ab_channel=FacedownRecords

"Memories" by Dreamwake (Saxaphone Metalcore)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq8p0pDKTKA

Send Nole an email: nolerltw@gmail.com

Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program!
https://www.fireupprogram.com/programs
MyZone facility code for The Fire You Carry: CALIFUS001
Get $60 off a MZ-Switch Heart Rate Monitor!
https://buy.myzone.org/?lang=enUS&voucher=CALIFUS001-60
The Fire Up Progam video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I__ErPW46Ec&t=12s&ab_channel=FireUpProgram
The Fire You Carry Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/thefireyoucarry/
Donate to The Fire Up Program.
https://www.fireupprogram.com/donate
The Fire Up Program Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/fireup_program/
Kevin's Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/kevinpwelsh/?hl=en
Nole's Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/nolelilley/?hl=en

241: Why Did It Hurt So Much? Reaction to the Charlie Kirk Assassination, Featuring Jeff Lilley. Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

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 crucial question: How does an event like this become a catalyst for change, and what do we do now?

Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz2RZThURTU&ab_channel=FacedownRecords

Send Nole an email: nolerltw@gmail.com

240: Distracted in Alaska Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

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 immensity of God's creation.

He explores the difference between man-made distractions that pull us away from what matters and the "good" distractions found in nature that endlessly point us back to our Creator. This is a call to action for all of us, no matter where we live, to pause, look up, and find the whispers of God's glory in the world around us.

Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz2RZThURTU&ab_channel=FacedownRecords

Send Nole an email: nolerltw@gmail.com

239: The Day I Couldn't Be There Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

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 importance of choosing to show up for life's hardest moments.

Join Nole as he explores the bittersweet pride of watching his family's strength, the lessons learned through their grief, and the universal truth that our character is forged when we willingly walk into the hard rooms of life.

Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz2RZThURTU&ab_channel=FacedownRecords

Send Nole an email: nolerltw@gmail.com

238: Let Them Carry the Fries. Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

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 about becoming "the old guy" at the station doing a workout, and the crucial mindset shift required to keep showing up. The conversation also touches on personal integrity, the surprising power of a "bro hug," and navigating the tricky phase of a middle-schooler discovering makeup.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/911-memorial-climb-tickets-1302529443629?aff=oddtdtcreator

Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz2RZThURTU&ab_channel=FacedownRecords

Send Nole an email: nolerltw@gmail.com

237: It's Not Enough, It Never Was. Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

"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 success always leave us feeling empty.

Reflecting on his recent experience at a Fire Up program, Nole shares how our modern battles with things like alcohol, pornography, and even doom-scrolling are simply new versions of an old story—chasing after the wind. He shares a raw, personal story of facing a powerful moment of temptation in his own journey to quit nicotine and introduces a simple yet profound phrase to use as a weapon in those moments: "It's not enough."

This episode is a challenge to look past the "mediocre things" we use to find temporary peace and instead focus on the one thing that offers true, lasting fulfillment: a relationship with God.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/911-memorial-climb-tickets-1302529443629?aff=oddtdtcreator

Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz2RZThURTU&ab_channel=FacedownRecords

Send Nole an email: nolerltw@gmail.com

236: When the Lifesaver Needs Saving, with Jason Sautel. Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

In this deeply moving episode, Nole and Kevin sit down with Jason Sautel, a retired Oakland firefighter and the author of the powerful memoir, "The Rescuer." Jason shares his harrowing journey from a traumatic childhood to the front lines of one of America's busiest fire departments.

Jason pulls back the curtain on the "stone-cold lifesaver" persona, revealing the internal darkness and despair that hid behind his acclaimed career. He recounts the moment he hit rock bottom, planning to take his own life, and the painful experience of being turned away by a church in his darkest hour. Yet, in that same moment of desperation, a simple, unexpected visit from a San Francisco firefighter pulled him back from the brink.

This conversation is a masterclass in vulnerability, as Jason details his path to finding faith, the profound influence of his wife Kristie, and the life-altering fire that solidified his belief in God. He also offers invaluable, hard-won wisdom for first responders on navigating marriage, communicating trauma with a spouse, and raising children in a world of chaos.

This isn't just a story about firefighting; it's a story about the universal human struggle, the power of authentic connection, and the hope that can be found even after the deepest wounds.

Get the book, The Rescuer.

https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/the-rescuer/

Jason Sautel on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/GracefullyRescued/

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/911-memorial-climb-tickets-1302529443629?aff=oddtdtcreator

Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz2RZThURTU&ab_channel=FacedownRecords

Send Nole an email: nolerltw@gmail.com

235: My Parents' Home Burned Down: Surviving the Eaton Fire with Ronnie Evans Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Nole and Kevin are joined by their friend and fellow firefighter, Ronnie Evans, for a deeply personal and powerful conversation. The episode centers on Ronnie's harrowing experience during the recent Eaton Fire, where he, while on duty, had to watch his childhood home burn to the ground as his own home was simultaneously threatened. Ronnie shares a minute-by-minute account of that night—the difficult calls with his father, the chaos of evacuating his family, and the helpless feeling of watching his community burn.

Beyond the fire, Ronnie discusses his journey into the fire service through the grueling LA County Fire Camps, the life-altering perspective shift of becoming a young father, and his brilliant "plate" analogy for balancing the heavy commitments of work, family, and personal growth. This is a story of devastating loss, incredible resilience, and the hard-earned wisdom that comes from weathering the storm.

Key Topics & Timestamps

(01:56) - Welcome, Ronnie Evans
(02:54) - The origins of Ronnie's nickname, "Regular Ronnie," and the dangers of revealing your pet peeves in a fire station.
(05:40) - Ronnie's start in the fire service as a student worker and being reluctantly pushed to apply for the Fire Suppression Aide (FSA) program.
(08:20) - The brutal reality of his first day of training and the year-long physical transformation it took to prepare for the academy.
(11:35) - What is an FSA? A look inside LA County's Type 1 Hand Crews.
(17:28) - Juggling a new baby, a wife in nursing school, and the financial struggles of being an FSA during a hiring freeze.
(18:45) - The story of getting the call for the fire academy five months before his wedding.
(21:18) - How becoming a father immediately changes your priorities and provides the "death of selfishness."
(25:14) - The Eaton Fire: The story begins, starting with the 4 a.m. winds.
(28:00) - The phone calls with his dad and the moment of regret over his initial "you'll be fine" assessment.
(30:01) - The chaotic scene evacuating his elderly parents, his grandma, and his young children.
(31:00) - The "blowtorch" conditions and the grim reality of telling friends their homes were gone.
(33:00) - The devastating moment he saw his childhood home fully engulfed in 40-foot flames.
(34:00) - Believing his own house was also lost and the relief of finding it still standing amidst the destruction.
(37:41) - An important discussion: Why staying behind to "defend your home with a garden hose" was not a viable or safe option.
(43:20) - The aftermath: The immense stress of displacement and trying to help his parents start over.
(49:15) - A lesson for all first responders: Balancing the professional "we've got this" attitude with the reality of worst-case scenarios for your own family.
(01:04:24) - The Plate Analogy: Ronnie’s brilliant concept for managing life’s commitments by categorizing them as "steaks," "sides," and "salads."
(01:14:39) - A key fatherhood lesson: How to react to your children to create a safe space for them to be honest with you.
(01:22:12) - An interesting question: What is the difference between having a "goal" and having an "agenda"?
Sign up for this year's 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb!
Send us an email: thefireupprogram@gmail.com
Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program!
The Fire You Carry Instagram.

234: Mouth Taping, Traumatic Calls, and Feeding the Good Dog Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Nole and Kevin jump straight in with an urgent call to action for everyone to sign up for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. The guys then dive into a compelling discussion about the book "The Rescuer" by Jason Sautel, exploring the idea that first responders leave a piece of themselves on every call. This leads to a broader conversation about professionalism, personal accountability, and the internal battle between doing what you know is right versus taking the easy way out, whether that's cleaning the station bathrooms or avoiding the endless dopamine chase of "doomscrolling." They touch on proactive mental health, the tools they use to stay grounded, and the simple but powerful act of mentorship. Finally, Nole shares his latest bio-hacking experiment: mouth taping for better sleep.

Key Topics & Timestamps

(00:13) - Urgent Call to Action: Sign up for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb now!
(02:01) - Book Discussion: "The Rescuer" by Jason Sautel.
(02:20) - The concept of leaving a piece of yourself on every call.
(04:00) - The profound impact of small, professional acts on the people we serve.
(06:49) - The "Shopping Cart Theory" and the importance of doing what's right when no one is watching.
(08:45) - The trap of doomscrolling and its effect on being present with family.
(11:05) - Understanding social media as an addiction to dopamine hits.
(14:30) - How reading "The Rescuer" brought up uncomfortable emotions and memories of traumatic calls.
(17:25) - Using the HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) method and the value of proactive mental health check-ins.
(19:25) - The constant battle of feeding the "good dog" versus the "bad dog."
(20:10) - The common struggle of knowing what to do for self-improvement but failing to execute.
(23:10) - Kevin discusses his sobriety and why alcohol isn't a viable coping tool for him.
(25:36) - Nole provides an update on his journey of quitting nicotine.
(28:00) - The power of fatherhood, mentorship, and positive male role models in the fire service.
(36:00) - Nole shares a tool for starting difficult but important conversations.
(38:32) - Mouth Taping: Nole's deep dive into using "Hostage Tape" for better sleep.
(45:55) - Final details and push for the 5th Annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

Resources Mentioned

Event: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Registration
Book: "The Rescuer" by Jason Sautel
Bible Verse: James 4:17
Sleep Aid: Hostage Tape, 3M Micropore Tape
Health Service: Function Health Blood Tests (for County employees)
Send us an email: thefireupprogram@gmail.com
Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program!
The Fire You Carry Instagram.

233: A Life Changing Question, for David Hartmann the Answer is Lightning McQueen Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

What can a talking race car teach us about our own lives? In this episode, Nole and David Hartman dive deep into the unexpected and profound life lessons from the Cars trilogy, using Lightning McQueen's journey as a powerful metaphor for our own.

The conversation explores how we find pieces of ourselves in the characters we love and how their stories can guide our personal growth. From the intense pressure of competition to the humbling journey of self-discovery, this episode touches on the core struggles we all face. Nole and David discuss the weight of financial stress, the challenge of navigating multiple crises at once, and the importance of anchoring oneself in faith and community.

Join them as they unpack the power of mentorship, the beauty of sacrificial leadership, and the essential shift from a mindset of mere survival to a life filled with purpose. This is a conversation for anyone who has ever felt lost, overwhelmed, or is searching for their identity beyond their latest win or loss.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/911-memorial-climb-tickets-1302529443629?aff=oddtdtcreator

Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz2RZThURTU&ab_channel=FacedownRecords

Pastor Joby Martin, Act Like Men Conference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CfMnG2Nll8&t=1640s&ab_channel=CrosspointCityChurch

Pastor Jack Hibs, Who Are Those Who Can Never Be Saved?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWDTxZ5y0XU&ab_channel=RealLifewithJackHibbs

Send us an email: thefireupprogram@gmail.com