He’s not just fighting fires. He’s fighting for kids who may not live to see another birthday.

Kurt DeGroot is a firefighter and the founder of Project Fire Buddies, a nationwide nonprofit connecting firefighters with children battling serious illnesses—especially terminal ones. These aren’t just meet-and-greets. They’re life-changing moments. Some of these kids have days left to live. Others just need a reason to smile through the pain.

This episode dives deep into how one small act of kindness turned into a national mission of hope. Kurt opens up about the emotional weight, the kids who changed his life, and why the fire service is uniquely positioned to serve families in crisis.

👉 Follow Beyond the Dispatch for raw stories that bring our heroes out of the shadows — and give them the mic.

Nine firefighters died in a furniture store fire. David Griffin was pumping water at the panel when it happened.

This episode goes deep with Assistant Chief David Griffin of the Charleston Fire Department — a man who lived through one of the deadliest days in American fire service history. From rookie years to command, from trauma to transformation, Griffin walks us through the 2007 Super Sofa Fire, the cultural reckoning that followed, and the lifelong burden of survivor’s guilt.

He didn’t just survive. He rebuilt. And he’s still here.

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He earned two Bronze Stars, called in airstrikes under fire, and lost brothers to suicide. But his hardest fight came after the war.

Combat Controller Eric Lionheart didn’t just see combat — he lived through four-hour firefights, called in F-15s under fire, and carried the weight of survivor’s guilt when he came home alone. He opens up about the loss of his teammates, the battle to stay alive after the battlefield, and the foundation he built — First There — to save others when nothing else worked.

This is not just a story about war. It's about what happens when warriors are left to fight alone.

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They left him behind on a snowy mountain in Afghanistan. Then they lied about how he died.

In Part Two of our interview with Lori Chapman Longfritz, we walk through the aftermath of John Chapman’s death—and the betrayal that followed. From the night her family was notified, to the battle over his Medal of Honor, to the disgraceful way he’s been treated in the Medal of Honor Museum, this episode is Lori’s raw and unfiltered account of a truth the SEALs fought to bury.

This story isn’t over. The lies are still happening. And Lori’s not backing down.

John Chapman didn’t just earn the Medal of Honor.
He earned the truth.

John Chapman didn’t become a hero the day he died — he lived like one every day before that.

In Part 1 of our interview with Lori Chapman Longfritz, we trace John’s journey from a soft-spoken, fiercely loyal kid to one of the most lethal and respected warriors in the U.S. military. We talk about his early life, the moment he nearly washed out of CCT training, and how he clawed his way into the 24th STS before being deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11.

His final mission would push the limits of human endurance. After being shot and left for dead, John regained consciousness — and chose to stand and fight. He took out multiple enemies, engaged in hand-to-hand combat, and defended the incoming QRF team until his last breath.

🎧 Part 2 begins with the KIA notification and the family’s fight to bring the truth to light — a battle that still isn’t over.
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This is Part 2 of Mike’s story. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, start there — it’s one of the most powerful interviews we’ve ever released.

Mike’s journey continues as he returns home from war and trades one uniform for another — stepping into the world of law enforcement alongside his twin brother. But the battle didn’t end overseas. In this episode, Mike opens up about FTO trauma, burnout, panic attacks, and the mental toll of life behind the badge.

From SWAT team camaraderie to therapy breakthroughs, this is a brutally honest look at the cost of service — and the road to healing.

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Episode 15: From Abandonment to Afghanistan – Mike’s Story (Part 1)
Mike’s journey begins in China, where he and his twin brother were abandoned at age 4 when their mother emigrated to the U.S. Reunited years later, they came to America at 11 and would go on to serve together in the Marine Corps during the deadliest year in Afghanistan.

In Part 1 of this powerful two-part episode, Mike shares the raw truth about loss, brotherhood, and war—from the frontlines of Helmand Province to moments of dark humor that helped them survive. After leaving the Marines, both brothers planned to return as officers... but life had other plans.

Next week: Part 2 – Their life on the force, and the war that followed them home.

Follow, share, and leave a review if Mike’s story moves you.

Eric Tung, police commander and host of Blue Grit Radio, joins us to share his powerful journey through the front lines of law enforcement. From K9 units to critical incident response, Eric opens up about leadership, loss, and the mission to reshape wellness culture in policing. This is a must-hear conversation for officers, families, and anyone who believes we can build better protectors by protecting those who serve.
🎙️ Learn more at bluegritwellness.com