About this episode
In this episode, David Burnell shares the full story of a mission he has rarely spoken about in public.
In the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake—amid collapse, armed violence, prison escapes, trafficking networks, and humanitarian chaos—David was serving as chief of security for the Utah Hospital Task Force, protecting doctors and nurses in one of the most dangerous environments on earth.
Then came a new mission: find an abducted American child.
Three years old. Taken from a church meeting. Sold for ransom. Vanished into the mountains of Haiti.
What followed was a high-risk search through a country with no real Government, no reliable infrastructure, and no backup—only brotherhood, necessity, and the determination to do whatever could be done to bring a little boy home.
This is not a Hollywood story.It is a first-hand account of service, danger, moral weight, and the kind of brotherhood forged only in fire.
Built By Fire is the true story of David Burnell—a life forged through war, rescue missions, hardship, faith, leadership, and history.
If this episode speaks to you, subscribe and follow for more stories and lessons shaped in the fire.
Get full access to David Burnell at davidburnell.substack.com/subscribe
Get every episode summarized
Each time Echo Valor Podcast publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
