The David Burnell Podcast

Life, leadership, and truth forged in real experience.
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  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED DAILY

Reflections on service, leadership, faith, and the lessons forged through a life spent in war zones, rescue missions, and humanitarian work. davidburnell.substack.com

  1. David Burnell: Sorab and Rustum - The Son He Never Knew

    4D AGO

    David Burnell: Sorab and Rustum - The Son He Never Knew

    Some stories aren’t just told…they’re felt. This is the legendary story of Sohrab and Rustum—an ancient tale of a father and son who meet on the battlefield… without knowing who each other truly are. It’s a story of pride.Of missed moments.Of love discovered too late. And it’s a reminder— Don’t wait to say what matters. If this episode moves you, share it with someone you love. Get full access to David Burnell at davidburnell.substack.com/subscribe

    9 min
  2. Defense for Women: The Color Code of Awareness

    6D AGO

    Defense for Women: The Color Code of Awareness

    Most people move through life unaware of what’s happening around them. Until something forces them to pay attention. In this episode of Defense for Women, David Burnell breaks down the Color Code of Awareness—a simple, powerful system for staying ahead of danger before it develops. You’ll learn how awareness levels shift, how people become vulnerable without realizing it, and how to stay in control of your environment at all times. Because awareness is not complicated—but it must be intentional. Get full access to David Burnell at davidburnell.substack.com/subscribe

    4 min
  3. Defense for Women: The Interview Phase

    6D AGO

    Defense for Women: The Interview Phase

    Most dangerous situations don’t start with force. They start with a test. In this episode of Defense for Women, David Burnell explains the “interview phase”—the subtle, often unnoticed moment when someone is evaluating you as a potential target. This is where boundaries are tested, hesitation is measured, and decisions are made. You’ll learn how to recognize these early interactions, how attackers use conversation and behavior to assess you, and how to shut them down before they escalate. Because if you understand the interview… You can end the situation before it ever begins. Get full access to David Burnell at davidburnell.substack.com/subscribe

    3 min
  4. Audiobook: The Weight We Carry - A True Story About Holding On, Letting Go, and Learning to Rise

    APR 6

    Audiobook: The Weight We Carry - A True Story About Holding On, Letting Go, and Learning to Rise

    A True Story About Holding On, Letting Go, and Learning to Rise He was never supposed to go that deep. At over 100 feet beneath the surface of a crystal-clear glacier lake, the mission was already dangerous—cold water, high altitude, and a downed aircraft resting on the bottom with two men still inside. But when the wreckage shifted and a body came free, everything changed. In an instant, what began as a controlled recovery became a fight for survival. Pulled downward by the full weight of the man he was trying to bring home, David Burnell found himself descending—despite doing everything he had been trained to do. Air added. Buoyancy maxed. Every movement pushing upward. Still going down. In that moment, he faced a decision with no easy answer: Let go—and live.Or hold on—and risk everything. The Weight We Carry is a powerful true story of survival, responsibility, and faith under pressure. But it is also something more. Because what happened beneath that water reflects something we all face in life. We all carry weight. Some of it is necessary—responsibility, commitment, the people who depend on us. But some of it is not. Regret. Anger. Guilt. Things we hold onto long after they begin to pull us under. Through a real-world mission where the margin for error disappeared in seconds, David Burnell reveals a deeper truth: There are moments when holding on matters. And there are moments when holding on is exactly what will take you down. Learning the difference is not just physical. It is spiritual. Grounded in real experience and anchored in Christian and Latter-day Saint principles, this book explores: * The unseen weight we carry in life * The difference between strength and surrender * How to recognize when to hold on—and when to let go * The role of faith, grace, and the Savior in lifting burdens we cannot carry alone This is not just a story about a dive. It is a story about decision. About responsibility. About the moments that define who we become. And about the truth that when we reach the limit of what we can carry… we are not meant to carry it alone. Perfect for readers of faith-based true stories, leadership under pressure, and real-world lessons drawn from military, rescue, and high-risk environments. Get full access to David Burnell at davidburnell.substack.com/subscribe

    57 min
  5. Tiger Stripe: A Camouflage History

    APR 5

    Tiger Stripe: A Camouflage History

    In the dense jungles of Vietnam, survival depended on more than courage—it depended on concealment. Tiger stripe camouflage was not just a pattern. It was a weapon. Forged in the chaos of unconventional warfare, tiger stripe became the signature of elite units, reconnaissance teams, and warriors operating deep behind enemy lines. It broke the human silhouette, disrupted recognition, and gave those who wore it a critical edge in one of the most unforgiving environments on earth. But the story of tiger stripe is more than fabric and color. It is a story of adaptation under fire.Of innovation born from necessity.Of men who operated in the shadows—and the tools that helped keep them alive. In Tiger Stripe: A Camouflage History, David Burnell takes you beyond surface-level descriptions and into the real-world evolution of one of the most iconic camouflage patterns ever created. Drawing from historical research, field application, and a lifetime of operational experience, this book explores: * The origins and early development of tiger stripe patterns * The variations used by U.S. Special Forces, MACV-SOG, and allied units * The practical function of camouflage in jungle warfare * How pattern, scale, and contrast impact real-world concealment * The legacy of tiger stripe in modern military and civilian use This is not a catalog.This is not theory. This is the reality of camouflage as it was used—under pressure, in combat, where getting it wrong had consequences. Whether you are a student of military history, a camouflage enthusiast, or someone who understands that details matter when lives are on the line, this book delivers a clear and grounded look at one of the most respected patterns ever worn in war. Some patterns are designed.Tiger stripe was earned. Get full access to David Burnell at davidburnell.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 27m
  6. Quiet Readiness: Martial Arts and the Reality of Self-Defense

    APR 1

    Quiet Readiness: Martial Arts and the Reality of Self-Defense

    Martial arts builds discipline, confidence, and physical capability—but does it actually prepare you for real-world self-defense? In this episode of Quiet Readiness, David Burnell explores the gap between martial arts training and real-world violence. Drawing from a lifetime of experience in martial arts and self-defense instruction, David breaks down why most traditional training assumes a fight will happen—and why that assumption can be dangerous. This episode covers: • the strengths of martial arts for discipline, fitness, and mental resilience• why most training environments do not reflect real-world violence• how rules, structure, and technique can create a false sense of security• the role of aggression and unpredictability in real encounters• why awareness and prevention are the foundation of true self-defense• how to shift from a “fight mindset” to a “readiness mindset” Quiet Readiness is not about learning how to win fights. It is about learning how to avoid them—and how to think clearly when avoidance is no longer possible. Make sure to follow or subscribe for more Quiet Readiness insights on awareness, preparedness, and practical self-defense thinking. Stay aware.Stay prepared.Stay quietly ready. Get full access to David Burnell at davidburnell.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min
  7. Defense for Women: This Is Where Real Self-Defense Begins

    MAR 28

    Defense for Women: This Is Where Real Self-Defense Begins

    If you’re here, it’s because you’ve thought about your safety. This isn’t about fear. It’s about being prepared. Most self-defense training teaches you how to fight—but by the time you’re fighting, you’re already behind. Real safety starts earlier. In this program, you’ll learn how to recognize danger before it escalates, set boundaries with confidence, and take action before it becomes physical. Because violence isn’t random—and once you understand how it develops, you can stay ahead of it. You don’t need to be a fighter. You need to be aware. Prepared. And willing to act. More information available at: https://defenseforwomen.com/ Get full access to David Burnell at davidburnell.substack.com/subscribe

    1 min
  8. Defense for Women: What Predators Look For

    MAR 26

    Defense for Women: What Predators Look For

    Violence is not random. The people who commit it are not guessing—they are choosing. In this episode of Defense for Women, David Burnell breaks down how attackers think, how they select targets, and what they are looking for before anything ever happens. This isn’t about fear—it’s about understanding the process. You’ll learn why distraction, hesitation, and isolation matter, and how small changes in awareness and behavior can make you a hard target instead of an easy one. Because the truth is simple: You don’t get chosen by accident.And once you understand what they’re looking for…you can take it away. Get full access to David Burnell at davidburnell.substack.com/subscribe

    3 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Reflections on service, leadership, faith, and the lessons forged through a life spent in war zones, rescue missions, and humanitarian work. davidburnell.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Life, leadership, and truth forged in real experience.
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © David Burnell
  • Show Website
    The David Burnell Podcast

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