The Fire You Carry

Nole Lilley and Kevin Welsh
  • 4.9 (130)
  • Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

Hosted by Nole and Kevin, two active-duty Los Angeles County Firemen with over a decade of service each, this podcast explores the fire we all carry within. Join them as they interview respected men and share lessons on how to be better husbands, fathers, and leaders. Drawing from the front lines, they tackle issues like trauma, fitness, and family life, providing universal principles for any man looking to stoke his inner fire and live with purpose. 

  1. 3d ago

    274: The Fire Up Blueprint: Breaking Down the Barriers to Growth

    Nole and Kevin dive straight into the "Summer Shred" mentality and debate whether fitness cycles should revolve around looking good at the beach or staying functional for real-world demands. Pulling back the curtain on the Fire Up Program, they address the common barriers from fitness intimidation to the faith factor that keep men from signing up. Whether it's drinking a gallon of milk a day to escape "victim weight" or finding the bravery to step into a tub of ice, this episode is a raw look at what it takes to break out of your comfort zone, duplicate success, and build a lasting brotherhood. Key Discussion Points The Summer Shred vs. Peak Fitness: Why our bodies naturally want to "level up" in the spring and summer, and how Nole builds his seasonal training around the grueling physical demands of brush fire season.The GOMAD Protocol & "Victim Weight": Kevin shares an old-school powerlifting story from the fire station about the "Gallon of Milk a Day" regimen and the distinct difference between aesthetic show muscle and true functional strength.Dismantling the Fire Up Fear Factor: Addressing the top anxieties that hold men back from attending a retreat—including fear of a "boot camp" physical beatdown, hesitation around faith-based discussions, and the psychological weight of the unknown.The Ice Bath Epiphany: Why the most universally dreaded challenge of the weekend consistently transforms into a massive psychological victory and a favorite takeaway for first-timers.Stop Reinventing the Wheel: The power of duplicating success by surrounding yourself with a tribe of men who are already winning in their marriage, their fitness, and their faith.Looking Forward: A look ahead to the upcoming October session and the 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb family event.Links & Resources Mentioned Prep and Defend: Chris Ruano’s periodization training program.The Fire Up Program: Information, scholarship requests, and sign-ups for the upcoming retreat (October 2–4).9/11 Memorial Stair Climb: Keep an ear out for upcoming details on the 25th-anniversary family memorial event.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 The Fire You Carry on YouTube. Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program! https://www.fireupprogram.com/programs 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

    51 min

  2. Jun 1

    273: You Have More Faith Than You Think

    With Kevin out this week, Nole takes the mic for a raw, honest solo session recorded straight from his backyard storage shed studio. After a brief two-week hiatus to run the latest Fire Up Program, Nole is back to unpack a concept that keeps recurring in his mind during recent conversations with family, friends, and the guys around the fire station kitchen table. We live in an information age overflowing with hot takes, political debates, and shifting "facts." But how much of what we strongly believe is actually based on our own firsthand, lived experience, and how much are we taking purely on faith? Using a harmless hypothetical scenario, Nole breaks down how we decide which voices to trust, the vital role of seeking divine discernment, and how to apply the "Sphere of Influence" framework to protect your time, energy, and family. If you've ever struggled with when to speak up, when to let a debate go, or how to tell your kids, "I don't know, let's figure it out together," this solo episode offers a grounded perspective on navigating a noisy world. 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 The Fire You Carry on YouTube. Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program! https://www.fireupprogram.com/programs 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

    23 min

  3. May 25

    272: From the Thin Blue Line to a Prison Cell with Kwesi Millington

    What happens when you do exactly what you were trained to do, but the outcome turns tragic, and you are the one who pays the price? In this powerful episode of The Fire You Carry, Nole and Kevin sit down with Kwesi Millington, a former member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Kwesi opens up about a fateful night at the Vancouver Airport in 2007 that ended in a tragic suspect death due to excited delirium. Despite being cleared of any operational wrongdoing by multiple forces, the fallout and a grueling public inquiry years later led to a shocking perjury conviction over minor memory inconsistencies. Kwesi went from wearing the iconic Red Serge to sitting in a maximum-security prison cell. Kwesi shares his raw, unfiltered journey through moral injury, deep depression, and severe PTSD. He reveals the exact turning point where he chose to stop looking at what broke him and start focusing on how he could serve others. From tutoring fellow inmates to becoming an international keynote speaker on resilience, Kwesi’s story is a masterclass in his mother’s golden rule: “It’s not your reality that matters, it’s your response.” Whether you are a first responder fighting burnout, someone wrestling with a lost identity, or just trying to navigate a dark season, this episode provides actionable strategies to build an unbreakable mindset. 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 Learn more about Kwesi. https://kwesimillington.com/ The Fire You Carry on YouTube. Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program! https://www.fireupprogram.com/programs 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

    1h 15m

  4. May 4

    271: Heavy Small Talk

    In this deeply personal solo episode, Nole explores the complex social dilemma that arises from a simple, ubiquitous question: "Do you have kids?" Drawing inspiration from the book Hope is the First Dose by Dr. W. Lee Warren, Nole discusses the internal tug-of-war between social convenience and honoring the memory of his two sons, Asher and Paxton. He breaks down how he navigates these conversations in different circles, from the firehouse to new friendships, and offers a practical "Tactical Pause" framework for listeners on both sides of a heavy conversation. Key Discussion Points The Three-Question Trap: How standard small talk (How long on the job? Where have you worked? Are you married?) often leads to a "conversational grenade" when the topic of children arises for a grieving parent.The Honesty Dilemma: The struggle between giving the "easy" answer (focusing only on living children) and the "honest" answer, which carries the weight of loss but honors the family’s full story.The Three Tiers of Connection:The Acquaintance/Stranger: Navigating interactions with people you may never see again.The Growing Friendship: Why it’s important to "stop the flow" and share the hard parts of your story early with those who will be in your life.The Professional Crew: The necessity of situational awareness and vulnerability within a high-stakes team like a fire engine company.Authenticity over Comfort: Nole reflects on a recent conviction to be more authentic in his beliefs and history, even if it creates a "tactical pause" or social awkwardness.The "Tactical Pause" Framework Nole provides advice for when you inadvertently ask a question that yields a heavy, unexpected response: Take a Tactical Pause: Stop for a few beats. Recognize the weight of the information given.Avoid Clichés: Phrases like "everything happens for a reason" or "they’re in a better place" are often unhelpful in the moment of disclosure.Ask for Permission: Instead of asking "What happened?" directly, try: "I'm so sorry, I didn't know. Would it be alright if I asked more about that, or are you okay talking about it?"Be Brave Enough to Stay: Entering the "muddy waters" of someone’s grief can be a profound act of love and validation.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 Get signed up for the next trip with Hold the Line! https://www.fireupprogram.org/hold-the-line The Fire You Carry on YouTube. Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program! https://www.fireupprogram.com/programs 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

    29 min

  5. Apr 27

    270: The Trauma Backpack: Why "I’m Good" is a Lie with Capt. David Hoy

    Guest: Captain David Hoy (Edmonton Fire Rescue Services) How we handle the first 24 to 72 hours after a critical incident determines whether a call becomes a "memory" or a "trauma." In this episode, Nole and Kevin sit down with David Hoy, a 20-year fire captain and peer support specialist from the "Great White North" of Edmonton, Alberta. Dave breaks down the "Gold Standard" of reintegration, a program that has led to a 75% reduction in long-term mental health claims, and shares the five physiological pillars every first responder needs to regulate their nervous system after a bad shift. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Reintegration Whiteboard: How Edmonton’s "Gold Standard" program uses a specific debriefing process to identify "hotspots" before they become injuries.The Bio-Chemistry of Trauma: Why stimulants (caffeine/nicotine) and depressants (alcohol) during the 72-hour "encoding window" can permanently scar the brain’s storage of an event.The Trauma Backpack: A powerful analogy for identifying which burdens are yours to carry and which boulders need to be left at the station."Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty": Practical advice on interviewing clinicians while you’re healthy to ensure you have a "tactical" baseline for when things go south.Functional Disconnection vs. Reconnection: The biological necessity of shutting down emotions on a call, and the specific relational tools needed to turn them back on when you walk through your front door.Sub-Zero Firefighting: What it’s like to fight fire at -30 and how to prevent getting literally frozen to your equipment.The 5 Pillars of Post-Call Regulation: If you’ve had a "bad night," Dave recommends hitting these five marks within 72 hours to restore homeostasis: Hydration: Flushing the "lactic acid of trauma" out of your system.Nutrition: Avoiding the "sugar-crash" cycle.Exercise: Utilizing cardiovascular work to process adrenaline.Sleep: The essential phase for brain restoration and memory filing.Physical Connection: Utilizing the release of oxytocin through intimacy to reset the nervous system.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 Get signed up for the next trip with Hold the Line! https://www.fireupprogram.org/hold-the-line The Fire You Carry on YouTube. Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program! https://www.fireupprogram.com/programs 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

    2h 4m

  6. Apr 20

    269: The Unwritten Rules of the Firehouse (feat. Taylor Morgan of Murrieta Fire)

    Becoming a "program guy" or a trusted member of a crew isn't just about your skill with a nozzle; it’s about how you handle the "game" of probation. This week, Nole and Kevin sit down with Taylor Morgan (Program Director for The Fire Up Program) to discuss the nuances of station culture that aren't taught in the academy. From the "laundry room dilemma" to handling the dreaded call to the Captain’s office, we explore how small actions build, or break, your reputation. In this episode, we cover: Ownership over BS: Why "I don’t know, sir, but I’ll find out" is the most important sentence in a new firefighter's vocabulary.The "Peanut Butter Spoon" Test: How menial station tasks are actually indicators of your reliability on a fire scene.Social Intelligence: The dangers of oversharing and why your actions should always speak louder than your resume.The "7-Foot Captain" Story: A lesson in why you should always have a tool in your hand (and which ones you shouldn't try to borrow).Mentorship & The Fire Up Program: How Taylor uses the fire service model to help men grow in leadership and character.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 Get signed up for the next trip with Hold the Line! https://www.fireupprogram.org/hold-the-line The Fire You Carry on YouTube. Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program! https://www.fireupprogram.com/programs 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

    1h 6m

  7. Apr 13

    268: Escaping the "Season of Blah" (And Why We’re Eating So Much Rice)

    Welcome back to The Fire You Carry! This week, Nole and Kevin sit down to tackle a feeling we all know too well: hitting a mental wall and finding yourself stuck in a "season of blah." When you're down in the valley, sprinting out isn't an option. The guys discuss how getting your momentum back is all about returning to the foundational basics. We dive into the importance of prioritizing sleep, dialing in your nutrition with Stan Efferding’s "Vertical Diet" (meat, rice, and bone broth), and learning to focus your energy only on your direct sphere of influence. Kevin and Nole also talk through the brutal reality of properly executing the Norwegian 4x4 VO2 Max protocol, the immune-boosting benefits of L-glutamine, and why putting on the "Dad Hat" and saying yes to your kids should always beat out finishing your household chores. 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 Get signed up for the next trip with Hold the Line! https://www.fireupprogram.org/hold-the-line The Fire You Carry on YouTube. Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program! https://www.fireupprogram.com/programs 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

    51 min

  8. Apr 6

    267: The Gritty Reality of Canadian Snipers in Afghanistan

    This week, Nole sits down with Barry Nisbet, a retired Canadian Army Sniper with 15 years of service and multiple deployments to the Balkans and Afghanistan, and Mir Bahmanyar, an author, historian, and former member of the US Army's 2nd Ranger Battalion. Together with Gordon Cullen, Barry and Mir co-authored the book Send It: Canada's Snipers at War in Afghanistan. In this episode, we strip away the romanticized Hollywood myth of the lone-wolf sniper to discuss the brutal reality of sniper selection, the agonizing physical toll of stalking exercises, and the heavy weight of operating downrange. Barry shares incredible firsthand stories, including a wild reunion with a US Green Beret he met at Ranger School, the terrifying aftermath of an IED blast, and the absolute relief of having an AC-130 Gunship overhead. Mir also drops some invaluable knowledge on the harsh realities of the publishing world for anyone looking to write a book of their own. Whether you’re interested in military history, the tactical mindset, or just hearing incredible stories of brotherhood from the Global War on Terror, you won't want to miss this one. Grab a copy of the book: Send It: Canada's Snipers at War in Afghanistan by Gordon Cullen, Barry Nisbet, and Mir Bahmanyar – available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Indigo. 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 Get signed up for the next trip with Hold the Line! https://www.fireupprogram.org/hold-the-line The Fire You Carry on YouTube. Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program! https://www.fireupprogram.com/programs 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

    1h 15m
See All (281)

4.9
out of 5
130 Ratings

About

Hosted by Nole and Kevin, two active-duty Los Angeles County Firemen with over a decade of service each, this podcast explores the fire we all carry within. Join them as they interview respected men and share lessons on how to be better husbands, fathers, and leaders. Drawing from the front lines, they tackle issues like trauma, fitness, and family life, providing universal principles for any man looking to stoke his inner fire and live with purpose. 

Information

  • Creator
    Nole Lilley and Kevin Welsh
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    281
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Fire You Carry
  • Show Website
    The Fire You Carry

You Might Also Like