In the remote jungles of Burma, amid war and danger, I met a little boy named No Du Tu.

What began as a humanitarian mission with a former U.S. Green Beret became something far more profound — a story of joy, simplicity, and the unspoken bond between two people from entirely different worlds.

In this account, you’ll hear about the Karen Army’s fight for survival, the long journey through monsoon-soaked jungle roads, and the extraordinary beauty of the Burmese people. But most of all, you’ll meet a child whose infectious smile has stayed with me for over a decade.

This is a story of friendship beyond borders — a reminder that the most significant impacts in life often come from the smallest hands.

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Change isn’t just a decision—it’s a battle. In this deeply personal episode of Echo Valor, David Burnell shares the story of his ongoing transformation—physically, mentally, and emotionally—as he takes ownership of his health and rewires the thinking that held him back for decades. Guided by elite trainer and master nutritionist Tamara Watt, David is learning the science, behavior, and discipline behind fueling the body for real performance, not just comfort.

Drawing parallels between his decade of training soldiers, airmen, federal agents, and law enforcement at the Urban Warfare Center, David reveals how the brain resists change, why the amygdala triggers fear and avoidance, and how to break through the mental and physical barriers that hold us hostage.

From shedding 30 pounds in three weeks to dismantling lifelong habits, this episode is about more than fitness—it’s about honesty with yourself, trusting a proven process, and staying the course no matter how hard it gets. Whether you’re fighting to reclaim your health, mindset, or mission, these lessons will help you push through the fog, embrace the challenge, and build a future worthy of your best self.

Key themes:

* Understanding how the brain resists change

* Turning fear into fuel for growth

* The science of nutrition and behavior change

* Drawing strength from military and tactical training principles

* The three pillars of transformation: honesty, validation, and persistence

Stay the course. Continue the mission. The battle for change is worth winning.

Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast?

In That Others May Live, David Burnell takes you deep into the perilous world of combat search and rescue, cave diving, and humanitarian recovery missions. From the motto of the U.S. Air Force Pararescue to the harrowing 2018 Thai cave rescue, these stories reveal the grit, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve of those who put themselves in harm’s way so that others might survive. Drawing on firsthand experience from missions across the globe—Japan, Haiti, Burma, and beyond—Burnell offers raw insight into the courage it takes to step into darkness when the stakes are life or death.

Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast?

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Freedom isn’t confined to one flag or nation—it belongs to everyone everywhere. In this Velvet Hammer Podcast episode, David Burnell reflects on the universal human drive for liberty, the sacrifices to defend it, and the dangers of losing it through law, tyranny, or complacency. From Ukraine’s fight against invasion to the resilience of people in Haiti, Burma, Africa, and beyond, this is a call to honor and protect the inalienable rights granted to us by God and nature. Freedom is not just an American thing—it’s an everybody thing.

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When disaster strikes, evil often follows—this is the untold mission to bring a boy home.

In the shattered streets of post-earthquake Haiti, chaos reigned—collapsed buildings, desperate survivors, and 10,000 felons set loose into a lawless landscape. Amid this devastation, a three-year-old American boy named Gardy was abducted from a church meeting and ransomed for $20,000.

In this gripping, first-hand account, David Burnell—fresh from high-threat protection training—was unexpectedly tasked with leading a covert, high-risk mission deep into the Haitian mountains to find the child. Partnered with a trusted brother-in-arms known as “Bravo,” they navigated armed gangs, human traffickers, and the dark underworld of post-quake Haiti in a relentless pursuit for justice.

This story of danger, moral resolve, and brotherhood under fire is an unflinching testament to those willing to risk everything when the call comes.

From the depths of darkness to the heights of gratitude — a journey guided by breath, faith, and love.

In this deeply personal episode, David Burnell takes listeners into the abyss — that crushing, lightless place beneath the ocean and in the depths of life’s hardest seasons. Drawing from dive rescue experiences, military breathing techniques, and spiritual insights, David shares how to navigate overwhelming pressure without losing hope.

He reveals how love for God and others can pierce the darkest waters through deliberate breathing, seeking light, and embracing gratitude. Overcoming the Abyss Through the Light of Love is both a reflection and a call to action — to lift others, find peace amidst chaos, and let light prevail over darkness.

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Echo Valor presents “Break Glass in Time of War,” a spoken-word tribute by David Burnell blends raw storytelling with a haunting cinematic score. This piece captures the inner weight of those who serve in silence—warriors, rescuers, and medics who carry others through chaos but often bear their burdens alone. Written from firsthand experience in combat zones and humanitarian missions, this narrative honors those who always stand up for everyone else. It’s not just a track—a moment of recognition for our unseen heroes.

Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast?

This is the song by David Burnell, “Break Glass in Time of War.”

“White Crosses and Steel Rain” is a powerful spoken-word tribute written by David Burnell— veteran, rescue operator, and founder of Echo Valor. Set against a cinematic backdrop, this ballad recounts his pilgrimages to sacred grounds of war: the fields of Flanders, the graveyards of Arnhem, and the storm-swept beaches of Normandy.

From the grave of an unnamed Polish paratrooper to the endless rows of white crosses above Red Beach, David weaves memory, reverence, and raw emotion into a reflection on sacrifice few have the words—or experience—to express.

Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast?

“The Longest Day: Voices on the Wind” is a cinematic spoken ballad commemorating the 81st anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Through haunting narration and light ambient music, it recounts the beach landings, airborne drops, and air missions of June 6, 1944. Honoring American, British, Canadian, Free French, Polish, and Allied soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy, it captures the intensity, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of that historic day.

Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast?

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In this haunting spoken ballad, David Burnell recounts the 1996 Sheridan Lake ice rescue—one of his career’s most harrowing dive calls. Through vivid storytelling and minimal ambient music, “Beneath the Ice” draws the listener beneath the frozen surface where adrenaline, protocol, and faith collide.

When a dune buggy plunges through ice with two teenage boys inside, rescue divers face a grim race against time. One boy is saved by chance. The other vanishes into the cold depths. With two divers already down—one injured, one overwhelmed—Burnell steps up for a final attempt under conditions that defy logic and survival.

This spoken narrative explores the razor-thin line between courage and consequence, and the moment when even the most trained must make a life-preserving choice to abort. It’s a tribute to every diver, medic, and rescuer who shoulders the risk—that others may live.

Where to stream the Echo Valor Podcast?

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