🎙️ The Velvet Hammer Podcast
Hard Truth. Real Missions. Life Lessons.
The Velvet Hammer is a powerful, no-nonsense podcast that delivers hard-hitting insights into real-world missions, elite training, and global events. These stories are raw, sometimes intense, but always grounded in profound life lessons and actionable wisdom.
Hosted by David Burnell—a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran, entrepreneur, and seasoned operator—this series dives into the reality of search and rescue, urban warfare, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian aid. David’s experience spans multiple continents and critical roles:
- Founder of the Urban Warfare Center (2002–2012)
- Former Dive Rescue International Instructor
- Certified bodyguard for high-risk environments
- Anti-human trafficking and defensive tactics specialist
- Small arms expert and National Taekwondo Champion
- Executive producer of over 16 commercial films
David has also built several successful businesses from the ground up, bringing that same clarity and grit to every episode.
👉 Learn more at www.davidburnell.com
🎙️ The Velvet Hammer Podcast
You have to "Live Hard to be Hard" with Dan Laguna
From Blackhawk Down to recent missions in the War On Terror and for over 40 years Dan Laguna has been on the Tip of the Spear. He has overcome racial prejudice and bias without blame or finger pointing to become one of our nations most decorated, celebrated and successful warriors. He is my friend and he knows what personal loss on the battlefield looks like. He is a Chiricahua Apache American who has spent his decades of service in Special Operations. He has operated around the globe as a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, contractor and Elite Little Bird pilot with the 160th SOAR. Dan was the program director for Blackwater Aviation and has rescued U.S. Diplomats and performed covert missions throughout his career. Hear the personal stories of danger, triumph and loss from his own voice during this interview. As I said Dan is a personal friend and one of my iconic heroes. Thank you Dan Laguna for being the kind of person to rise above racial discrimination to become one of our nations best!
For more information, please visit www.davidburnell.com
