Most movies, songs, and modern media teach us that love is an intense, passive feeling, and that when the feeling fades, the relationship is over. In this episode of The Fire You Carry, Nole and Kevin dive deep into what true love actually requires.

Anchored by a classic reflection from C.S. Lewis, they break down the critical difference between "being in love" and choosing to love through commitment, daily habits, and shared faith. They share real-world lessons from over 40 years of combined marriage, discuss the importance of proactive marital counseling, and explore how small daily sacrifices build a foundation strong enough to withstand life's biggest storms.

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 Weight" - Thrice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC5JL54tHgA&list=RDCC5JL54tHgA&start_radio=1

Sign up for the stair climb!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/6th-annual-911-memorial-climb-25th-anniversary-sponsored-by-stairmaster-tickets-1992947168630?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

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

It might be 97 degrees in the recording studio, but Nole and Kevin are sitting down for an open conversation about mindset shifts, family dynamics, and setting hard boundaries.

In this episode, the guys discuss the temptation to complain about living in California and why shifting toward gratitude and contentment changes everything. They dive deep into the concept of "tough love," unpacking the difference between healthy parenting and codependent enabling. Finally, Kevin shares a raw, post-shift realization about coming home exhausted after three days on the squad and how we can better manage the "storms" in our households.

Plus, details on the upcoming 6th Annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the LA County Fire Museum.

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

Sign up for the stair climb!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/6th-annual-911-memorial-climb-25th-anniversary-sponsored-by-stairmaster-tickets-1992947168630?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

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

Summer is in full swing, the sleeves are off, and the yard work is endless. This week, Nole and Kevin sit down to look back at how their perspectives of the fire academy have changed after 15 years in the county—shifting from anxious tension on the grinder to warm bro-hugs in the captain's office.

We also circle back to a massive conversation that sparked incredible listener feedback: Can you be a leader if you're overweight? We share a brilliant perspective sent in by our academy classmate, Captain Dave Tebo, that completely reframes the debate. It turns out the true test of leadership isn't just your BMI—it's the deeper root of personal discipline across every single area of your life.

Plus, we break down:

• The Viral "Sardine Fast": Nole and Kevin dive deep into the elimination diet taking over grocery store shelves. From Kevin’s history with clinical GI protocols to Nole and Diego Garcia eating kippers out on the station lawn so the crew doesn't mutiny, we talk about using small baitfish for fat loss, ketosis, and fighting inflammation.
• The Art of Coaching: The unique dynamics of coaching your kids, why gifted athletes often make horrific coaches, and the sheer joy of watching a lightbulb click when teaching someone how to throw Atlas stones.
• Media & Recommendations: A shoutout to Nole's childhood youth pastor, Cliff Carey, and his podcast Back Shed Bible Study, alongside a review of Cliff Graham's brutal, violent, and highly engaging historical fiction audiobook series, Lion of War.

Grab a dark roast coffee, pull up a chair, and join the conversation.

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

Cliff Carey - Back Shed Bible Study episode on Forrest Frank

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jl9qIs4YACGYFYYHs7cFU?si=dd54f51355694a5d

Day of War - Cliff Graham

https://www.audible.com/pd/Day-of-War-Audiobook/B0FL93ZGPT?ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=f3abc0ee-320d-4c19-8388-fcd3a8e6c3a4&pf_rd_r=YGHMVYEAWMW0NZ0P2N6G&plink=8wlAphfm3PKx5lBX&pageLoadId=prjnKazT1kto41GO&creativeId=73c32a9a-e504-4597-bb87-c30c58fc0204&ref=a_author_Cl_c19_lProduct_1_3

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