Echo Valor Podcast
The Echo Valor Podcast is where courage meets storytelling. Hosted by David Burnell—a U.S. military veteran, special operations team leader, and rescue operator—the show dives into the real stories of those who serve in the shadows and on the front lines. With a high-threat security and humanitarian response background, David brings raw insight and deep respect to each episode. Through powerful interviews, battlefield reflections, and original tribute music, Echo Valor honors the warriors, medics, and rescuers who risk everything for others. This podcast is part of the greater mission at EchoValor.com—to preserve legacy, inspire courage, and give voice to those who carry the weight of valor.
Echo Valor Podcast
Before It Happens - The Good Samaritan Dilemma
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.
For more information, please visit www.echovalor.com
