Episode Notes

In remembrance of the attacks on September 11th, 2001, we have a special guest on the show, and for the first time in our Combat Story community, we'd like to introduce Darin Kinder — Former Secret Service Agent • 9/11 Survivor.

Darin Kinder brings a rare blend of courage, clarity, and conviction from years spent navigating the world's most high-pressure moments. As a former Secret Service Agent and survivor of the 9/11 attacks, he uses his story to help individuals and leaders live with bold purpose and unwavering resilience.

Author of Bury Me in a Dirty Suit: Discovering Man's Valiant Purpose in the Aftermath of 9/11, Darin invites listeners to reframe how they live—seeing everyday work not simply as provision, but as purpose in motion. His own experience, assisting, evacuating, and enduring on that fateful day, embodies the idea that courage is always a choice.

Darin's story is one of heroism and humility—his actions during the 9/11 attacks earned him the Secret Service Medal of Valor. As the founder of Fierce Comms, based in Dallas, Darin empowers people to rediscover mission and meaning—not just in what they do, but why they do it. Through keynote talks and multi-session seminars, he challenges audiences to "get their suit dirty"—to choose the narrow, courageous path of sacrifice over comfort.

Join us as we sit down with Darin Kinder—a man who invites us to embrace the grit of life, unlock purpose in our work, and live courageously, even when the world tells us we can't.

Find Darin Kinder Online:

🔗 Website: https://www.darinkinder.com/

📸 Instagram   / darinkinder

Find AJ Online:

📸Instagram:   / ajpasciuti

📘 LinkedIn:   / angelo-pasciuti

 🔗Personal Website & Book Pre-Order ("Darkhorse"): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah):

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqn...👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle):https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast

👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature:  / 602000529075284

👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course:https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leaders

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory

🔗Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats

🛒 Email ryan@combatstory.com

📸 Instagram @combatstory   / combatstory  

📘 Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial

📖 Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial

✔ Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Chapters:

00:40 Introduction 00:59 Meet Darren Kinder: 9/11 Survivor and Secret Service Agent02:47 The Story Behind 'Bury Me In a Dirty Suit'07:17 Darren's Path to the Secret Service11:06 Inside the Secret Service: Training and Missions24:20 First Days in New York: Pre-9/11 Assignments30:58 Isolation and Law Enforcement Collaboration31:24 AJ Pesi's Story and New Book Announcement32:46 Recounting 9/11: Initial Impact and Evacuation35:59 Heroic Efforts and Personal Sacrifices45:55 Surviving the Collapse and Aftermath56:02 Reflecting on the Day and Moving Forward57:06 Veterans Help Group Sponsorship58:28 Divine Intervention and Final Thoughts01:01:47 Evacuation Efforts on 9/1101:02:37 Returning Home and Reuniting with Family01:04:32 Receiving the Secret Service Medal of Valor01:05:31 Serving on the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force01:06:23 Protecting President George W. Bush01:07:38 Reflecting on 9/11 and Ground Zero01:14:29 Traveling the World with the Secret Service01:18:40 Memorable Moments and Close Calls01:24:06 Leadership Lessons and Personal Reflections01:30:28 Final Thoughts and Farewell