Before They're Gone
bonnieweidler
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S1E12 Mutual Mutual Aid
Every Texas flooding season brought danger to low water crossings.During one downpour weekend, Dad was working the dive van and swiftwater boat for Austin when they got a call from Thorndale—over an…
S1E11 The Saudi Chapter
In 1991, after the Kuwait War, Dad had the opportunity to go to Saudi Arabia to help with a major oil spill.It wasn’t something he had planned. He had to get special permission from the chief to go,…
S1E10 From Fire to Friendship
In this episode of Before They’re Gone, it’s just me and Country again — and this time we go back to 1991.After a massive explosion in Houston, my dad was sent down to help with industrial cleanup…
S1E9 “Bowl of Spaghetti”
Firefighters are known for their side jobs on days off but for Country, that usually meant more firefighting.In this episode, we dig into the “bowl of spaghetti”: the tangled, overlapping roles,…
S1E8 What the Tones Brought In
In Episode 8, the focus is the calls.Country reflects on some of the largest and most demanding incidents he responded to as a firefighter, including six-alarm fires and major vehicle crashes. These…
S1E7 Answering Calls Below the Surface
In Episode 7, Country reflects on dive training—something he dreamed about as a kid—and what it took to prepare for one of the most demanding roles in the fire service.He shares what training was…
S1E6 Off Probation — Becoming Austin Fire
In Episode 6 — and the final episode of 2025 — Country reaches a milestone he worked to earn: getting off probation and becoming a real Austin firefighter.This chapter dives into some of his most…
S1E5 Two Poles, No Waiting — Central Fire Station
In Episode 5, Country looks back on his first six months as a probationary firefighter at Central Fire Station — a station with two poles, no waiting, and no shortage of lessons.This is where he…
S1E4 Cadet to Capitol Fire: Country’s Early AFD Days
In this episode, Country looks back at his start with the Austin Fire Department. After a grueling 6-month cadet training program, Country stepped into a chapter that would shape the next 30 years of…
S1E3 The College Station Chapter
In this episode, Warren “Country” Weidler looks back on his time with the College Station Fire Department — a chapter full of memorable calls and lessons learned on and off duty.Like many College…
S1E2 Let's Go to Fireman School
In this episode, my dad shares what it was like leaving the University of Texas to become a firefighter. His journey led him to fireman school at TEEX in College Station — a place that tested his…
S1E1 Where It All Began — Round Rock Volunteer Fire Department
Before the calls, the chaos, and the courage — there was a 16-year-old kid in borrowed gear, learning what it meant to serve.In our very first episode, we go back to where it all began: my dad’s time…
Introducing “Before They’re Gone”
I’m Bonnie, and I’m honored to host “Before They’re Gone”, a podcast about courage, sacrifice, and the stories we can’t afford to lose.In Season 1, we dive into my dad’s extraordinary life of service…
Frequently Asked Questions
Before They're Gone has published 13 episodes since September 2025, covering topics in Personal Journals, Society & Culture.
Before They're Gone is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 55m.
