Former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent and 9/11 survivor Darin Kinder joins the GOA Speakers Podcast to share how a small-town kid from Virginia ended up protecting five U.S. presidents and walking through the fire at Ground Zero. Darin unpacks his firsthand experience inside the World Trade Center complex on 9/11, the unseen “hell on earth” between the tower collapses, and the moment he started calling people to “follow the light.”

He also explains the powerful meaning behind his book title “Bury Me in a Dirty Suit,” why courage is a choice, and how God turned one of America’s darkest days into a launching pad for his life’s purpose—calling men into fierce, biblical faith and into the arena against real-world evil like child sex trafficking.

Timed highlights:
00:00 – Intro to GOA Speakers Podcast; meet former Secret Service agent and 9/11 survivor Darin Kinder
03:00 – Small‑town Virginia, parents’ example of service, and a front-row seat to his mom’s faith through divorce
08:00 – Coming to genuine faith in high school and the love‑at‑first‑date story at James Madison University
12:30 – From history teacher and basketball coach to Secret Service candidate after a “divine appointment”
16:30 – What it really takes to become a Secret Service agent: testing, vetting, and seven months of training
21:00 – 9/11 morning: Secret Service office in 7 World Trade Center and realizing “we’re under attack”
26:00 – Inside the chaos: climbing Trade Center stairs, the second plane overhead, and choosing to stay in the fight
31:00 – Fire everywhere: cars, paper, ammo cooking off—and four agents figuring out how to run a firetruck
36:00 – The alleyway moment: choking in the dust, seeing a shaft of light, and calling people to “follow my voice”
40:00 – From Ground Zero to the gospel: coming to Christ filthy, wounded, and taken as you are
44:00 – Clean suits vs. dirty suits: the scene that inspired “Bury Me in a Dirty Suit” and a life of mission
48:00 – Fierce Faith, book two ideas, and Darin’s heart for younger men and dads in the grind today
51:00 – Where to find Darin online and how to bring him to your church, men’s group, or event

Socials and links:
Darin Kinder
Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn: @DarinKinder
Faith/ministry site: https://fierce-faith.com
Speaking site: https://DarinKitner.com

GOA Speakers
Booking & info: https://goaspeakers.com

Podcast Production:
ItsYourShow.co