The Velvet Hammer Podcast: Recent Episodes
David Burnell
The Velvet Hammer is a hard hitting series with clarity regarding missions, training and world events. These stories are sometimes intense, but are always filled with powerful lessons in life. David is a Military Veteran, Former Dive Rescue International Instructor, National Taekwondo Champion, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Certified Bodyguard for High Risk Areas and a successful businessman.
This episode features Chapter 16 from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
Helping others is noble, but good intentions alone aren't enough in a world of deception, chaos, and rapidly evolving threats. In this gripping and wise chapter, David Burnell breaks down one of the most challenging questions in modern personal safety:
When should you step in? And when should you step back?
Through powerful real-world examples from law enforcement, humanitarian missions, and civilian encounters, you’ll learn:
- How to spot a setup trap
- Why reactive heroism can backfire
- When pause and observation are safer than intervention
- What legal and ethical lines do you need to know before helping
- How to help smart, safe, and effective—without becoming the next victim
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What would I do if I saw someone in danger?”—this chapter is for you.
This is a single chapter from Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell, available now on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features a standalone chapter from the book Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
In Chapter 8 – Eyes, Hands, Direction of Travel, David reveals one of the most powerful threat-detection tools you’ll ever carry: the ability to read human behavior before violence starts.
Whether you’re walking a quiet parking lot or standing in a crowded store, people don’t just “snap.” They leak intent. Through their eyes, their hands, and their direction of travel, would-be attackers send subconscious signals long before they act.
From war zones to city streets, David shares stories and insights that teach you how to:
- Recognize predatory eye behavior (from target fixation to glance patterns)
- Spot the hidden danger of concealed or fidgeting hands
- Understand how the direction of travel reveals true intent
- React early by trusting social pattern disruptions
- Avoid danger—not through paranoia, but presence
This chapter isn’t just about avoiding a fight—it’s about winning the encounter by seeing it before it starts.
This is a single chapter from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts, available now on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features a complete standalone chapter from the book Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
In Chapter 9 – Environmental Red Flags, David teaches one of the most overlooked yet life-saving skills in personal safety: reading your environment for silent threats—before the bad guy even shows up.
From war zones to strip malls, he’s learned one truth: the environment sets the stage for danger long before it happens.
In this powerful chapter, you’ll learn how to spot the subtle yet deadly signals of high-risk spaces—often missed by the untrained eye:
- Light: Why predators love darkness and broken lighting
- Sound: What eerie silence or staged noise really means
- Cameras: How to assess visibility, deterrence, and exposure
- Isolation: Why being alone is a tactic predators count on
Through real-world stories and expert field experience, David explains how to stay alert without being paranoid so you can move through life with more awareness, confidence, and control.
This is a single chapter from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts, available now on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features a critical and potentially life-saving chapter from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
Chapter 10 – Secondary Locations Are Death Traps delivers one uncompromising message:
If someone tries to move you—resist. With everything you’ve got.
Drawing from years of experience in protection, rescue, and real-world violence prevention, David explains why abductions that move to a secondary location almost always end in tragedy—and what you can do to stop it before it escalates.
You’ll learn:
- Why secondary locations are almost always where the worst happens
- Real case studies where survival hinged on resistance
- What predators gain by moving you—and what you lose
- Mental cues and physical actions to rehearse now—before it happens
- How to teach your family the non-negotiable rule: Never go
This isn’t paranoia. This is pattern recognition. This is survival training you can use right now to protect yourself and those you love.
This is a single, complete chapter from the full audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell, available on Audible, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features Chapter 11 from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
Mental Models for Survival explores one of the most powerful tools in personal safety—not technique but thought structure. In moments of chaos, the mind either panics or performs. This chapter shows you how to ensure that it performs.
From combat zones to crisis convoys to everyday parking lots, David has relied on a few core mental frameworks—OODA Loops, Baseline + Anomaly, Pre-Decided Lines—to stay calm under pressure and act purposefully.
You’ll learn:
- How to override panic with clarity using the “Next Right Move” model
- Why “thinking faster” beats “fighting harder”
- How to spot danger by noticing what doesn’t belong
- The life-saving value of mentally pre-drawing your line in the sand
- How to simplify decisions under stress for faster, smarter reactions
This is more than a self-defense episode—it’s a mindset blueprint for living with alertness, confidence, and peace in the world.
This is a single chapter from the full audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell, available now on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features Chapter 12 from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
When everything goes sideways, thinking faster can save your life. This chapter introduces the legendary OODA Loop—a four-step mental model used by fighter pilots, protectors, and survivors to stay ahead of violence before it erupts.
Observe. Orient. Decide. Act.
Mastering this simple framework turns hesitation into action and confusion into control. David explains how to apply the OODA Loop in real-world situations—from dimly lit hallways to gas station standoffs—and why action always beats reaction.
You’ll learn:
- How to “reset” a threat’s timeline and take back control
- Why predators run subtle compliance tests—and how to fail them with confidence
- How to apply OODA at gas stations, restaurants, parking lots, and your daily life
- What happens in the mind under stress—and how to train around it
Whether you’re a protector, parent, professional, or human navigating an unpredictable world, this chapter equips you with the fastest, clearest survival tool you’ll ever learn.
This is a single chapter from the audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell, available now on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features Chapter 13 from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
Sometimes, awareness isn’t enough. Words fail. Distance collapses. And violence is forced upon you. What do you do when there’s no other way?
David Burnell delivers one of the most intense and empowering chapters yet—teaching the mindset and method behind Surprise, Speed, and Violence of Action. This battle-tested triangle has saved lives in war zones, protection missions, and ordinary parking lots.
You’ll learn:
- Why hesitation can cost everything
- How to use controlled surprise to break an attacker’s rhythm
- Why speed of movement is a force multiplier
- What violence of action really means—and why it’s not rage, but clarity under pressure
- How small, unarmed individuals can stop larger threats when they fully commit
This chapter is for the moment you hope never comes—but must be ready for. It doesn’t glorify violence—it prepares you to survive it.
This is a single chapter from the full audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell, available on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features Chapter 14 from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
What happens to your brain when fear hits? Why do people freeze, forget, or fall apart—even with training? In this powerful chapter, David Burnell breaks down the inner battle that happens the moment stress spikes—and how to win it.
You’ll discover:
- The difference between the cognitive brain and the survival brain
- What the “amygdala hijack” is—and how to stop it from taking over
- Why freezing isn’t failure, but biology—and how to move through it
- Simple mental tools like box breathing, stress inoculation, and pre-decision planning
- How to train your brain to stay functional, not perfect, when everything’s on the line
Whether you’re a protector, parent, student, or someone preparing for the unexpected, this chapter will change how you view stress and prepare for the worst day of your life.
This is a single chapter from the full audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell, available on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features Chapter 15 from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
What if real strength isn’t about fighting—but about knowing when not to?
In this heartfelt and eye-opening chapter, David Burnell takes you to the edge of conflict and back again, sharing moments from humanitarian missions and tense street encounters where empathy, ethics, and escape proved more powerful than aggression.
You’ll learn:
- Why restraint can be the highest form of courage
- How empathy sharpens your awareness, not dulls it
- The importance of defining your personal “line” before danger strikes
- Why escape is a win, not a weakness
- How to train with clarity so you avoid unnecessary violence—and its life-altering consequences
This isn’t about pacifism. It’s about power with purpose.
When you live by a warrior code anchored in ethics, you don’t just survive threats—you walk away with your values intact.
This is a single chapter from the audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell—available now on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features Chapter 18 from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
In this powerful chapter, David shares the life-saving mindset of necessity—the ability to act decisively under pressure when the luxury of time, analysis, or politeness has vanished.
From a tense alley in Southern California to elevator escapes and real-life decisions under stress, you’ll learn:
- Why perfect plans don’t work in imperfect moments
- How to identify and act on the next right move—fast
- What are the three filters of necessity for making wise choices under threat
- How to overcome hesitation rooted in manners or fear of overreacting
- Why training yourself to move with intent can mean the difference between regret and relief
This chapter will reset your thinking in critical moments, whether on a dark street, in a parking garage, or facing unexpected confrontation.
It’s not about being aggressive. It’s about being ready, decisive, and alive when it counts.
Listen to this standalone chapter from Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell—available now on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features Chapter 17 from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
In this chapter, David Burnell teaches what might be the most powerful and underrated skill in personal defense: de-escalation.
Whether it’s a gas station standoff, a heated public argument, or an unexpected confrontation, the ability to lower the emotional temperature without losing your center can mean the difference between walking away and winding up in court—or the hospital.
You’ll learn:
- How to read the signs of escalation before it’s too late
- What to say (and how to say it) to preserve dignity without surrender
- How to use voice, body language, and presence to defuse tension
- When de-escalation shifts to tactical delay—and how to use it to escape
- Why legal and ethical restraint protects you long after the threat is gone
This isn’t about backing down. It’s about owning the moment without ego—and knowing how to exit with peace, power, and purpose.
This is a single chapter from Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell—available now on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This is the final chapter of the audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell. In this powerful conclusion, David delivers a personal message of strength, clarity, and purpose for those who’ve walked through the full journey of preparation, mindset, and situational awareness.
This chapter is not a recap—it’s a call to action.
You’ll be reminded:
- That survival is already inside you—it’s in your design
- That the world may present danger, but readiness sets you free
- That you can live boldly, love deeply, and still be fully prepared
- That your greatest tools are not gadgets or weapons—but awareness, confidence, and clarity
- That you’re now part of a tribe that stands between peace and chaos
Whether you’re a protector by profession or a person determined to live with eyes open and courage engaged, this chapter will reinforce one truth:
You were born to survive. Now go live like it.
Listen to this closing chapter from Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell—available on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you stream audiobooks and lessons that matter.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode brings you Chapter 2 from Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell—an eye-opening lesson on the most essential survival tool you already have: your awareness.
In Situational Awareness is Your Superpower, David draws from decades spent in war zones, disaster zones, and violent urban environments to reveal a hard truth:
You don’t need to be the strongest, fastest, or most aggressive person to survive.
You need to see it coming.
This chapter teaches you how to develop calm, confident awareness—the kind of observation that keeps you out of harm’s way before trouble begins.
You’ll learn:
- What it means to live in Condition Yellow
- How predators identify vulnerable targets
- The difference between intuition and fear
- The “eyes, hands, direction” triad that reveals intent
- Simple daily habits that build real-life situational awareness
This isn’t about fear or paranoia.
It’s about showing up alert, empowered, and in control—wherever you go.
Whether you’re a parent, student, traveler, first responder, or someone who refuses to walk through life distracted and unaware—this skill you can build starting today.
This is a standalone chapter from the full-length book Before It Happens, available now in audiobook, ebook, and paperback on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and more.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features Chapter 3 from Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell—a critical lesson on one of the most effective mental models in personal safety: Jeff Cooper’s Color Code of Awareness.
Based on decades of experience in war zones, rescue missions, anti-terror operations, and civilian protection, David explains the color-coded mindset that has kept professionals and ordinary people alive around the world.
In this powerful standalone chapter, you’ll discover:
- Why most people live in Condition White, oblivious to the threat until it’s too late
- How to train your brain to stay in Condition Yellow, alert yet calm
- When to shift into Condition Orange and start planning your response
- What Condition Red looks like when action is your only option
- How to avoid Condition Black, where stress takes over and your body freezes
David shares real-life stories—from hardware stores to war zones—where applying the Color Code gave people the edge they needed to survive.
This isn’t about paranoia.
It’s about preparedness.
And it’s not just for soldiers or bodyguards—it’s for parents, teachers, students, travelers, and anyone who wants to move through life with more confidence and control.
This is a single chapter from the full-length book Before It Happens, available now as audiobook, ebook, and paperback on Amazon, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Audible.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This is Chapter 4 from the full audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell. It is a guide to understanding danger before it strikes and living with quiet confidence in a chaotic world.
In this episode, David explores what living in Condition Yellow means—a calm, composed, and prepared state of alertness. It’s not about fear. It’s not about paranoia. It’s about developing the everyday mental discipline that keeps you ahead of threats and firmly in control of your environment.
You’ll discover:
- Why “living in Red” will break you—and why Yellow is the state that sustains real readiness
- What “head on a swivel” actually means when practiced by elite protectors
- How to build situational awareness into your lifestyle through simple, habitual cues
- Real stories from high-risk zones where awareness made the difference
- How can you apply this mindset in parking lots, restaurants, gas stations, schools, or airports
This chapter is part of a greater mission: helping ordinary people stay safe in extraordinary moments—before violence starts.
Before It Happens is available now in audiobook, ebook, and paperback and on Amazon. This podcast series previews the full chapters of the work.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features Chapter 5 from the book Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell—a striking exploration of the biology, psychology, and responsibility behind one of your greatest survival assets: your vision.
“You were born to see danger.”
With parallax vision—forward-facing eyes that grant depth perception—humans are designed to navigate and assess threats. David Burnell explains how this gift, shared by apex predators, equips you to avoid danger before it happens.
In this chapter, you’ll learn:
- How predator vision helps you detect threats before they strike
- Why predators avoid other predators—and how to signal you’re not prey
- How calm eye contact and posture create powerful deterrence
- Why the predator within us must be mastered to prevent overreaction
- Real-world tactics to track movement, gauge distance, and maintain space
- Why awareness is protection—not paranoia
Whether you’re walking through a parking lot, working in security, raising a family, or just living in a fast-moving world—this chapter will reframe how you see.
This is not about fear.
It’s about using your biology with intention.
This is a single chapter from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell, available now on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features Chapter 6 from the book Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell—a powerful, practical lesson in protecting your most sacred defensive asset: your personal space.
We all have a box—an invisible perimeter built by instinct and experience. In this chapter, David Burnell shares gripping stories and hard-earned wisdom about why controlling your space, setting boundaries, and trusting your gut can be the difference between vulnerability and survival.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why your “box” is your first line of defense
- How intuition signals danger before you see it
- What predators look for—and how to make them look elsewhere
- Why you have the right to deny access to your space, no explanation needed
- Verbal tools to assert boundaries confidently, not confrontationally
- Why distance = time, time = options, and options = safety
From gas stations to crowded sidewalks, from social pressure to real threats, this chapter gives you the mindset and mechanics to own your space, without apology.
This is a single chapter from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell, available now on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features a standalone chapter from the book Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
In Chapter 7 – Reading the Room & the Streets, David Burnell takes you deep into one of the most vital survival skills: understanding what your environment is trying to tell you. Whether you’re walking into a gas station, a restaurant, or across a quiet parking lot, the room—and the street—are speaking.
Drawing from decades of experience in protective operations, disaster zones, and training simulations, David teaches how to identify subtle environmental cues and behavioral red flags before danger happens. You’ll learn how to:
- Read body language, hands, and posture
- Identify abnormal patterns and environmental red flags
- Scan for exits, barriers, and transitional zones
- Trust your subconscious, "cold prickly," and use it as data
This isn’t about paranoia. It’s about pattern recognition.
This isn’t about being a warrior. It’s about being aware.
Train your eyes, trust your gut, and tune into the signals—because the room always tells a story.
This is a single chapter from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts, available on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This episode features a whole narrated chapter—The Prelude—from the book Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.
In this powerful opening message, David—combat veteran, rescue operator, and protector of innocents—delivers a raw, honest, and essential foundation for anyone who wants to live prepared, not paranoid.
This isn’t a book about fighting. It’s about seeing danger before it turns into violence. It’s about training your mind, trusting your instincts, and choosing wisely—long before you’re forced to react.
Drawing from a lifetime spent in war zones, disaster areas, and dark alleyways where law didn’t apply, David shares the real reason most people lose in violent encounters: they overlooked the threat in time. You don’t rise to the occasion—you fall to the level of your training. And before any physical technique matters, awareness decides who walks away.
You’ll learn how predators think, how to “read the room,” and how to reclaim your peace of mind with simple but powerful mindset shifts. This chapter is your invitation never to be chosen as a victim again.
Whether you’re a civilian, teacher, parent, traveler, or first responder—this message is for you.
Listen now to one of the most empowering chapters from the full-length audiobook, available on Audible, Apple, and Spotify.
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
Welcome to a powerful feature on the Echo Valor Podcast — where real-world survival meets real-world stories. In this episode, we spotlight Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts, the newest life-saving guide by veteran and tactical expert David Burnell.
Why This Book Matters:
Violence rarely happens in a vacuum. It builds. It signals. And in most cases, it can be seen — before it happens. This isn’t just a safety book. It’s a mindset reset. Before It Happens teaches you how to recognize danger cues, assess environments, and make decisive moves to keep yourself and others safe before an attack begins.
Who It’s For:
Whether you’re a student, a traveler, a parent, a protector, or someone who wants to feel confident walking down the street — this book is for you. It’s also ideal for security, law enforcement, emergency response professionals, churches, schools, and preparedness organizations.
Meet the Author:
David Burnell is a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran, tactical instructor, rescue diver, humanitarian, and founder of the Urban Warfare Center. He has operated in war zones, disaster areas, and high-risk environments around the globe. This book distills decades of real-world experience into something anyone can understand and apply.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How to sharpen your situational awareness without paranoia
- The “Color Code of Mental Awareness” and how to live prepared
- What the behavior tells of a threat looks like (eyes, hands, direction)
- Why boundaries matter — and how to enforce them
- What predators look for and how to make yourself a hard target
- Why most attacks begin with deception — and how to recognize it
- Why second locations are death traps and how to say no with clarity
Bonus: Full Audiobook Now Available
This podcast also announces the release of the official audiobook — over 2 hours and 10 minutes of practical, powerful instruction narrated by the author himself. It’s ideal for on-the-go learning, tactical teams, women’s safety seminars, or anyone who wants to own their space and sharpen their awareness.
Why You Should Listen:
Before It Happens is about reclaiming agency. It doesn’t promote fear — it empowers readiness. You’ll understand why this book belongs in every home, car, and classroom by listening to this episode. You’ll walk away thinking differently. And that mindset could save your life — or someone else’s.
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Search: Echo Valor Podcast – Before It Happens
Support the show
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
Actor and emergency responder Corbin Allred shares a deeply personal and powerful testimony about his mentor, friend, and inspiration—David Burnell. From tactical training and search and rescue missions to faith, family, and personal growth, Corbin reflects on how David’s example has shaped his life across every domain. This tribute is more than praise—it's a window into the life of a man forged in fire and driven by purpose. Whether you’re a leader, a first responder, a man of faith, or someone seeking clarity in chaos, this episode will move you.
Learn what it means to lead with honor, to serve with humility, and to live a life that inspires others to rise.
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For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This gripping spoken ballad tells the true story of a defining moment from David Burnell’s childhood—a moment when fear had a face, a name, and a daily routine. As a young boy, David was relentlessly bullied, cornered, and humiliated. Day after day, he endured it… until one conversation with his father changed everything.
Told in David’s own voice, The Bully and the Boy is more than a tale of playground justice. It’s a raw and honest reflection on what it means to confront fear—not with the absence of it, but in spite of it. With cinematic pacing and vivid emotional detail, the ballad captures the tension of a school bathroom turned battlefield, the crack of a first punch, and the moment a young boy reclaimed his power.
This story is pulled directly from a chapter in David Burnell’s memoir Built by Fire, where he shares life-altering lessons forged through service, struggle, and faith. Now adapted as a spoken ballad for the Echo Valor podcast series, this piece resonates with anyone who’s ever felt small, cornered, or powerless—and reminds us all that courage is not born… it is chosen.
This is a true story.
This is a spark that lit a fire.
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For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
In this gripping episode of the Echo Valor Podcast, David Burnell shares a raw and personal chapter from his youth, featured in his book Built by Fire. Set in Lawndale, California, “The Boy Named Red” recounts the haunting experience of growing up as the son of an LAPD officer in a neighborhood where that badge made you a target.
Every morning, David walked past a house where a red-haired gang member—ironically named Red—would threaten to kill his father. Red wasn’t just a bully. He was a storm brewing. A ghost-in-the-making. Years later, that threat became real when Red engaged in a fatal shootout with a Torrance police officer just blocks from David’s home.
This is more than a story about fear—it's about vigilance, violence, and the vow of a young boy who learned that the good guys can never truly clock out. Through fire drills and fists, flags and fear, David forged a mindset that would shape a lifetime of service and readiness.
“The bad kids were always ready… so I made myself ready too.”
This episode blends vivid storytelling, emotional reflection, and a lesson that resonates beyond the streets of Lawndale—into the heart of anyone who has ever stood for something in a world that pushes back.
Based on a true story from the book Built by Fire by David Burnell.
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For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
On March 4, 2002, a U.S. Air Force Combat Controller was believed to be killed in action during a brutal mountaintop battle in Afghanistan. But the truth—revealed by drone footage years later—was far more heroic and haunting.
This is the spoken ballad of John Chapman, the Medal of Honor recipient who stood alone on Takur Ghar… and fought until his final breath.
A tribute in voice to a man who defined what it means never to quit.
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For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
In February 1945, 70,000 U.S. Marines landed on the island of Iwo Jima—an eight-square-mile fortress defended by over 20,000 entrenched Japanese soldiers. What followed was one of the most grueling and iconic battles in American military history.
In this special episode of Echo Valor, we dive deep into the timeline, strategy, heroism, and heartbreak of the Battle of Iwo Jima. You'll hear the story behind the flag on Mount Suribachi, the price of every inch of black volcanic sand, and the valor of men whose courage echoed across generations.
From Medal of Honor recipients to the haunting silence of the caves, this is the full story—told with reverence, truth, and gratitude.
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For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
In this episode of the Echo Valor Podcast, we tell the gripping true story of Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart—two Delta Force snipers who gave their lives during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu to protect the crew of a downed Black Hawk. With unmatched courage, they volunteered to insert alone into hostile territory, fighting against overwhelming odds to defend their brothers-in-arms. Both were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
This is a tribute to loyalty, sacrifice, and the warrior code: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
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For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
This is an overview of what to expect in the women's self-defense live taught course. This course is great for young women's groups, adult women or a group of family and friends. You provide the place and the people and David will come and teach. These self-defense techniques and models will help you avoid becoming a victim. If you get caught in a small space and trapped, he will show you simple and effective ways to get away. His methods are simple and straight forward with a no non-sense attitude.
With so much pressure on so many people, I am struck by the comparison of the deep black water environments where there is intense pressure and little to no light, to our lives. In this podcast David talks about how we can overcome that darkness and find light, even in the midst of constant pressure from all around us.
Are you looking to improve your companies growth, retention, trust with employees and overall well being? Listen to this podcast and get some insights into RESPECT as one of the key principles that can take you, your team and company to the next level. In this podcast David was interviewed by Maikel Bailey and Rich Baron from Mainline Executive Coaching on the dynamics of respect and leadership. This is a great team of experienced coaches that help accelerate business growth and personal development. More from them at executiveleadersactilec.com
The ability to let our will go and depend upon the wisdom of a loving God and the intervention of the heavens yields true peace and joy on this earth. This does not mean we do not try or we give up, it means we trust in the outcomes that we cannot force or control. We connect to heaven and let his will be done knowing the results will be what is ultimately best for us.
For the FIRST TIME EVER I share the true story of my mission to find an abducted 3 year old Haitian American boy who was abducted from primary at church in Haiti and ransomed for $20,000 USD. PLEASE Share this. I hope you find a message inside this story that gives you hope and lifts you.
Gangs, rescue, medical aid, bodyguards, abduction, evil, heartwarming children, angles and demons. This is a true story that is about two special operations veterans that went to Haiti after the brutal earthquake in 2010 to protect doctors and nurses in what was then the largest natural disaster in recorded history. On top of protecting the doctors and nurses, they were asked to find an abducted Haitian three year old American boy who had been ransomed after being taken from a church meeting on a Sunday. This is the gritty real world story of that mission in a first hand account from David Burnell who was the Chief of Security for the largest volunteer Task Force to go to the beleaguered island and help. www.davidburnell.com
Freedom isn't just an American thing, it is an everyone thing. Sometimes it feels like we in America feel that we are the inventors of freedom and we lay claim to its inherent natural rights as its founder. Right now in March of 2022 we are witnessing like few times before an entire nation fight to be free from the oppression of another nation that desires to bind them into captivity. They are rejecting this outright and desire to be free and self governing.
This is an excerpt from one of David online course found at www.davidburnell.com
THE COLOR CODE OF MENTAL AWARENESS IS THE KEY TO LIVING IN SAFETY OR TO BE READY FOR A THREAT!
CONDITION WHITE - unawareWhite is the lowest level on the escalator. In Condition White one is unaware, not alert, oblivious. This state can be characterized as "daydreaming" or "preoccupied". People in White tend to walk around with their heads down, as if watching their own feet. They do not notice the impending danger until it literally has them by the throat.
CONDITION YELLOW - aware, alert and relaxedThis is a relaxed state of general alertness, with no specific focal point. You are not looking for anything or anyone in particular; you simply have your head up and your eyes open. You are alert and aware of your surroundings. You are difficult to surprise, therefore, you are difficult to harm. You do not expect to be attacked today. You simply recognize the possibility.
CONDITION ORANGE - potential threat - create a planThis is a heightened state of alertness, with a specific focal point. The entire difference between Yellow and Orange is this specific target for your attention. Your focal point is the person who is doing whatever drew your attention to them. It might be the fact that they are wearing a field jacket in August. It might be that they are standing by a column in the parking garage, instead of going into the building, or getting in a car and leaving. It might be that you have been in five stores at the mall, and saw this same person in every one of them. Their actions have caused you to take note, so you must assess them as a potential threat, just as the fighter pilot assessed the blip earlier.
CONDITION RED - Threat verified - implement planIn Red, you are ready to fight! You may not actually be fighting, but you are MENTALLY PREPARED to fight. In many, or perhaps even most, circumstances where you have gone fully to Red, you will not actually physically do anything at all. The entire process of escalating from Yellow, to Orange, to Red, then de-escalating right back down the scale as the situation is resolved, occurs without any actual physical activity on your part. The key is that you were mentally prepared for a conflict, and thus could physically act if the situation demanded.
CONDITION BLACK - in the fight and fight to get awayThe fight is on. Your outcome will depend upon your preparation. Muscle & mental memory from training is recalled. You will fight how you trained
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The "Long Walk" is part of the Elite Delta Force selection process. David compares life's journey and the common principles of this Long Walk. These principles if followed will help us to have joy during the journey as well as enrichment other people along the way!
Change is hard, in fact the brain has a real physiological response to change . Part of the brain—the amygdala—interprets change as a threat and releases the hormones for fear, fight, or flight. Your body is actually protecting you from change. That is why so many people when presented with a new idea—even a good one, with tons of benefits—will resist it. This podcast identifies three keys to overcoming this response and illustrates how we can learn to win!
All of us fit in the puzzle of life's great picture, even when we don't feel like it. In a conversation with a very wise person one day, the comment was made that we are not suppose to be like everyone else. We are unique and just like no puzzle has two pieces that are the same, we are also an important piece of the great picture with our size, shape, colors and designs.
Life is a series of turns, twists, ups and as we all know downs. The opportunity exists while on our individual paths to lift, love, learn, laugh and listen to others. This is a critical "joy" set of skills to acquire and makes all of life's experiences so very rich and worth while!
This podcast is a short story of a chance meeting in a swimming pool early one morning where a young man who was burdened with such a heavy weight was lifted a few inches through simple acts of kindness. We move through life with one of the greatest opportunities all around us! Looking for the one who needs a simple smile, affirmation or understanding can create such joy and gratitude is one of our main purposes on this earth.
This important principle is the foundation of our nations Declaration of Independence from England and the formation of the Bill of Rights. It is why millions have come to America to prosper and become all that they desire. In this podcast David talks about this principle as well as individual rights compared to collectivism.
Necessity - this important principle dictates your next activity and focus. When thought out clearly and while limiting external influences it can be a liberating and calming exercise and will lead to success, good mental health and well being.
Every once in a while, a ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. There are many reasons she may do this. If the lamb is returned to the ewe, the mother may even kick the poor animal away. Once a ewe rejects one of her lambs, she will never change her mind.
These little lambs will hang their heads so low that it looks like something is wrong with its neck. Their spirit is broken.
These lambs are called “bummer lambs.” Unless the shepherd intervenes, that lamb will die, rejected and alone. So, do you know what the shepherd does?
He takes that rejected little one into his home, hand-feeds it and keep it warm by the fire. He will wrap it up with blankets and hold it to his chest so the bummer can hear his heartbeat. Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock.
But that sheep never forgets how the shepherd cared for him when his mother rejected him. When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess who runs to him first?
That is right, the bummer sheep. He knows his voice intimately.
It is not that the bummer lamb is loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it.
It's not that it is loved more, it just believes it because it has experienced that love one on one.
So many of us are bummer lambs, rejected and broken. But He is the good Shepherd. He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart so we can hear His heart beat.
We may be broken but we are deeply loved by the Shepherd.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
~ Psalm 23
"Author Unknown "
This is one of my very favorite Podcasts here at the Velvet Hammer. I interviewed my very good friend and former South African Special Forces soldier David Fabricius on the topic of wolves, sheep and sheepdogs. There are "good wolves" according to David and it is a very powerful concept. He is also an American citizen by choice and he speaks of America and the threats to her. I endorse his message and share his perspectives. Thank you David Fabricius!
David shares an intense experience while becoming a Dive Rescue International Public Safety SCUBA Instructor that illustrates failure and how it can crush us, or become the catalyst for growth and becoming.
I give thanks to America the beautiful this day. I love this Republic with my whole soul and have and will continue to defend her against all enemies foreign and domestic. She was founded as a Republic by intention and divine foresight. A Republic is ruled by law (constitution) where a democracy is ruled by a majority. The powerful difference is in the western analogy of a Lynch mob deciding someone is guilty and taking immediate action upon that person with no law to govern, nor protect the person accused. This is a significant reason that this “Nation Shall Endure” as President Ezra Taft Benson stated in that title of his talk given on December 4, 1973 as the presiding member of the quorum of the twelve apostles. I might add that we must also be a righteous and worthy people to retain this land that is choice above all other lands. It must however be protected and endure in order to fulfill its divine destiny to bring about its important purposes.
When I got my DNA test done it said I was 48% Scottish and the rest was British and Northwestern European. There was no “American” DNA to be found. Even the Native American Indians when they get their DNA done they are labeled from the tribe they descend from. When we come to America like millions have for generations, we become trusted with this sacred Republic for which it stands regardless of our previous rank or nationality. We are ALL Americans under the umbrella and protection of our constitution and bill of rights.
Red, white and blue runs through my veins only because I understand this Republic for what it is and what she stands for. So much blood has been spilled on this and other lands to protect this Republic and other places that also desire the same fairness and life under the rule of law and not a potentially evil majority.
God Bless America and God bless all people who are pointed towards heavens light to embrace freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Have you ever had an experience or challenge in life that you cannot fix? Are there unresolved issues that cannot at this time be mended? In this short podcast David talks about two specific experiences in Haiti and Burma where what he and others serving saw was unfixable. David discusses the quote from the Apostle Boyd K. Packer "Restoring what you cannot restore, healing the wound you cannot heal, fixing that which you broke and you cannot fix is the very purpose of the atonement of Christ." (Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1995, pp. 19-20.)
PTSD is widely misunderstood and many people have it or are in relationships with friends or family who suffer from its effects. Listen to these powerful personal insights into how you can identify symptoms and have the courage to step up and get some help from the right people. If you know or work with someone who has experience TRAUMA PLEASE listen to this podcast, it could save a life. Too many have given up and checkout out from the negative effects of serving others and paying the price. There can be JOY in the journey and the screwed vision of hard experiences can be forged into strengths and resilience!
What does it take to be a mighty man or woman of valor? Gideon shows us in this short but powerful story from the Bible told by David. The principles of doubt, faith, action and results are highlighted in this podcast. David also gives some personal insights into this story from his life experiences which helps you connect to relevant things happening in your life now. Enjoy this podcast and make sure to share it.
www.davidburnell.com - This is a speaking engagement to over 200 youth in Utah. In order to not only survive, but thrive in hard times the keys are to see the needs in others, and seek the inspiration from God. Then hear his words, act upon them and finally share the story with others to inspire, uplift and make a difference in this world!
www.davidburnell.com - Life changing in every way. This is a story of the deep lessons learned from a gunshot wound and a trip afterwards to climb the Middle Teton Mountain. #overcoming #gunshot #woundedbutnotdone #motivated #neverquit
www.davidburnell.com - While serving and a contractor in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake I was on a food drop with the 82nd Airborne Division and we were overrun. This is the story of that day on the complexities of an event that happens quickly without warning and the dynamics of being prepared for something that is already happening.
From Blackhawk Down to recent missions in the War On Terror and for over 40 years Dan Laguna has been on the Tip of the Spear. He has overcome racial prejudice and bias without blame or finger pointing to become one of our nations most decorated, celebrated and successful warriors. He is my friend and he knows what personal loss on the battlefield looks like. He is a Chiricahua Apache American who has spent his decades of service in Special Operations. He has operated around the globe as a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, contractor and Elite Little Bird pilot with the 160th SOAR. Dan was the program director for Blackwater Aviation and has rescued U.S. Diplomats and performed covert missions throughout his career. Hear the personal stories of danger, triumph and loss from his own voice during this interview. As I said Dan is a personal friend and one of my iconic heroes. Thank you Dan Laguna for being the kind of person to rise above racial discrimination to become one of our nations best!
How does a knuckling dragging bodyguard blend in and succeed as a bodyguard in one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history? David shares a few stories and some keen insights in the dynamics of protecting doctors and nurses in one of the most grueling and demanding environments.
David shares personal stories of his closest friends who have been wounded in combat. The walking wounded are among us and they deserve more that a once of year remembrance. Say hello to a Veteran, Police Officer or Emergency Medical Services person today! It makes a difference at that moment to them!
David talks openly about some of the aspects of the Haiti Mission in 2010. He was the Chief of Security for the Utah Hospital Task Force in post earthquake Haiti. This was at the time the largest recorded natural disaster in history. In David's own words it was "medieval". Listen as David explains the dynamics of working to protect doctors and nurses as well as his search in the mountains of Haiti for a 3 year old American boy who was kidnapped. This is one of the most challenging environments on earth!
This is a very short segment taken from one of David's Live Seminars on the "why" he has gone to some dangerous and far away places and done many things including rescue and recovery work to anti-human trafficking, humanitarian missions and more. Why? This is a complex question and the answer is very simple yet deep.
In 2012 David went to Myanmar (Ancient Burma) with a former Special Forces soldier and Physicians Assistant (PA) named John with a call sign of BACSI (Thai for Medic). This journey would take them through the forbidden rivers and jungles into the heart of the Karen nation. The Karen have been at war since the end of World War II and have a small army of about 5000. They are fighting an army of over 500,000 and have been exterminated by the government for decades. In World War II on a specific mission the Japanese sent over 1000 soldiers into this jungle and because of the danger... NONE returned.
David and BACSI worked with the General of the Karen Army and he will share his personal experiences about this, the people, and what it was like to work with a legend in the Special Forces community.
NOTE: The Live Seminar is now an edited Podcast. It is best to the link below while listening and view the photos posted there. You can get these podcasts on Spotify or iTunes if you prefer. Search for the Velvet Hammer by David Burnell. Cheers.
https://davidburnell.com/pages/myanmar-burma-mission-2012
This is an incredible look into the simple tools that can be used to help the very complex emotions we all can feel. David begins this live seminar converted into a podcast with a very intense live changing mission to rescue two teen age boys under the ice. The insights gained here are timeless and a must listen!
Learn timeless and proven principles to avoid danger! This was a LIVE seminar that focuses on how to Avoid Danger using the same timeless and proven principles that has helped David protect others as well as himself on missions around the world.
David shares his vast experience with Go Bags and 72 Hour Kits. His has been around the world in major disaster areas and military operations. This very detailed podcast talks openly about what you should consider having in your Go Bag or 72 Hour Kit. More info as well as the complete checklist of items can be found at www.davidburnell.com - Enjoy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ TOP RATED by the participants. This was an online Velvet Hammer video and audio seminar converted into a podcast. The discussion was hosted by David Burnell and included several firearm experts including a Police Chief, SWAT Veterans, Federal Air Marshal, Counter Terrorism Specialists, Private Contractors and Military Veterans. Subject matter participants are Jeff Denning, Chief Paul Childs, David Hoffman, Mark Burnell and Jimmy Massey.
Shared from my global experiences around the world in major disaster areas. This Podcast is where I share a VERY positive approach to national and worldwide disasters, pandemics and events. The ability for us to reach out to others in need during times that squeeze our very souls is the measure of who we truly are. www.davidburnell.com
This podcast is CRITICAL for you to hear! Learn how to AVOID conflict and learn how to ESCAPE if you are pushed into a confrontation. David has real world experience as a military veteran, counter terrorism specialist, bodyguard for high risk areas and a defensive tactics instructor for military and law enforcement. www.davidburnell.com
This is a VERY important podcast that breaks down the lessons learned as the founder and lead instructor of the Urban Warfare Center® where thousands of Police, Military and Federal Agents were trained to understand and leverage the effects of stress on the brain and body. If you are interested in self defense, military or law enforcement this podcast is a must listen. www.urbanwarfarecenter.com
David is a successful businessman and has created successful multi-million dollar enterprises from the ground up.
After the 9/11 attacks he founded the Urban Warfare Center and the Combat Stress Program. Thousands of soldiers, federal agents and police were trained to win the fight through his stress inoculation training. According to senior military and law enforcement leadership these programs saved lives and reduced casualty rates.
David is the creator of the Defensive Tactics self-defense system which has been featured internationally and can be found commercially on DVD.
Some of David's recent missions include Burma with the Karen Army, Thailand, Nicaragua with the RAMA Indians, Costa Rica, Japan Tsunami Recovery Operations, and Alabama Tornado Relief Operations.
In 2010 David was selected as the chief of security for the Utah Hospital Task Force for post Earthquake Haiti. His duties included protection of the Task Force Commander, a former advisor to President Reagan, as well as ensuring the protection of 120 doctors, nurses and translators. This event was the largest natural disaster in modern recorded history.
He is a published author and continues to serve and express his experiences in a series of short stories with the preamble “Danger Calls”. www.davidburnell.com
Do we hold on to dead weight or should we let go and be released? This is a complex question and our circumstances are all different. Are we going to the bottom of our own abyss by not letting something heavy go? If we release this thing will we fail in our mission? This story is a real event where I did not let go and it nearly cost my my life. However holding on gave closure to a a family. Your thoughts are what matter, I share my experience to help you consider both options. There are some deep personal spiritual tones to this story today. www.davidburnell.com
This is a true short story of what I did when a 357 Magnum was pushed up into my nose and I could see the rounds in the cylinder as he cocked the hammer back. I was 21 years old and while intervening in a street fight. www.davidburnell.com
This is a four (4) hour program on an indoor range. This program helps people handle their handgun safely and get great hits. We do a drill called 10x4 which is 10 rounds at 10 feet in ten seconds on a 10 inch target. This is accomplished by using the correct principles of sight alignment, sight picture and trigger control. Schedule your training with David today! www.davidburnell.com
A powerful short message from Native American Chief Tecumseh who lived in the early 1800's. I have adopted this philosophy in my life and share it with you this day. Enjoy!
This is a short story of an awesome experience in finding an older lady from Chicago on a mountain side in the Needles of South Dakota. The faith of one of my Search and Rescue friends was key to this success and may have saved this wonderful ladies life. The other element that was critical was action, doing, moving and not quitting.
This podcast gives insights into David's personal experience with PTSD. He connects the dots in a way that helps you understand the dilemma faced by most veterans. This article David shares has been widely published. Many veterans have responded to this with positive affirmations. PLEASE spread this podcast as it can help those struggling to know others understand!
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call 1-800-273-8255
This mission was an epic one that was not what I thought it would be... You must listen to this to understand. It's about finding two emotionally lost American boys and using a velvet hammer to inspire them to greater heights when I thought my primary reason for being there was recovery operations. Enjoy and switch on and do some good!