9/11: Remembering Through Love and Loss

Summary

Podcast Summary: Kennedy Saves the World

Episode: 9/11: Remembering Through Love and Loss
Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Kennedy
Guests: Kristin Marino & Noah Schnacki (newlyweds; Kristin is the daughter of FDNY firefighter Kenneth Marino, who perished on 9/11)

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Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode centers on love, loss, heroism, and the enduring spirit of remembrance, filtered through both national tragedy and personal story. On the eve of 9/11, Kennedy welcomes Kristin Marino—daughter of fallen FDNY firefighter Kenneth Marino—and her husband, country music artist Noah Schnacki. Together, they reflect on the legacy of 9/11, the pain of recent loss (notably the assassination of Charlie Kirk), and the healing power of love and hope, both in their marriage and in how they honor Kristin’s father. Throughout, the episode balances grief with hope, emphasizing the necessity of bearing witness to history and celebrating the resilience found in love.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Immediate Context—Personal and National Grief

• Opening Reflection
  Kennedy begins by expressing the personal and communal grief over the assassination of Charlie Kirk, connecting it emotionally to the eve of 9/11. She highlights the need to remember such events and to not “turn away” from the difficult truths (00:10–02:42).

“We cannot pretend it didn't happen... but we can highlight the heroism and the stories and remember where we were and where we are going as a society.”
— Kennedy (01:09)

• Importance of Remembrance
  Kennedy shares her family tradition of visiting the firehouse across the street every 9/11, voicing concern that younger generations do not grasp the significance of the day (01:40–02:20).

Kristin Marino’s Father: A Legacy of Heroism and Kindness

• Personal Memories of Her Father
  Kristin speaks about her father, Kenneth Marino, noting his selflessness and ability to make everyone feel important. She shares a story of her father staying with a man having a heart attack in the Twin Towers, illustrating his dedication and compassion (02:55–03:44).

“He had stopped for a guy having a heart attack and didn’t want to let him suffer alone... because to him, every single person mattered.”
— Kristin Marino (03:16)

Love, Healing, and the Power of Support

• About Kristin and Noah’s Relationship
  Noah compliments Kristin, identifying her as inheriting her father’s qualities of kindness and loyalty (03:49–04:01). Both discuss the significance of being a source of encouragement during hard times.

“She’s definitely got a lot of characteristics of the same thing her father has. She never leaves anybody behind.”
— Noah Schnacki (03:50)

• Wedding Location and Significance
  Kristin initially hesitated to have a wedding because her father wouldn’t be there. Ultimately, they married in New York, her father’s city, where his spirit still resonates for her (05:11–05:45).

“My dad was never recovered. So for that, he’s still fully here in the city. Like, this was his place.”
— Kristin Marino (05:28)

Emotional Moments: Honoring the Fallen

• Firefighter Tribute at the Wedding
  Kristin describes how current and retired Rescue 1 firefighters lined up outside the Plaza Hotel to honor her as she left for her wedding. This deeply moving tribute made her feel her father’s presence (06:14–07:00).

“I just could see my dad in that line. Like, for sure he was there...the way that they honored me...just took my breath away.”
— Kristin Marino (06:26)

The Role of Faith and Family

• How Faith Sustains Hope
  When asked about raising children after such tragedies, Noah stresses the importance of hope and seeing good amidst suffering. He expresses belief in spiritual comfort and eventual reunion (08:59–09:35).

“For every one thing that’s going wrong in our country, there’s a lot of good. And even in the tragedy, God is still in works.”
— Noah Schnacki (09:12)

Vows of Love and Musical Tribute

• Who Walked Kristin Down the Aisle
  Kristin’s grandfather (her “poppy”) walked her down the aisle, with her father’s dress blues draped over a chair in his honor. Noah wrote a song, “Meet the Man,” inspired by knowing and loving someone whose father had already passed; he performed it at the rehearsal dinner (09:49–11:14).

“The bridge goes: he can’t walk you down the aisle, but I know he’s looking down.”
— Noah Schnacki (10:44)

Advice for the Recently Bereaved

• Words for Others Grieving, Including Charlie Kirk’s Widow
  Kristin offers compassion and practical advice for those facing profound loss, focusing on taking things day by day and leaning into faith and family (11:14–12:22).

“Just leaning into God, I think that’s what really changed everything was when my relationship with God became so real.”
— Kristin Marino (11:47)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We cannot gloss over it, but we can highlight the heroism and the stories and remember where we were and where we are going as a society.”
  — Kennedy (01:05)
• “He just put us first, loved us. Was so kind. Would stop his day to make sure that someone else was doing okay.”
  — Kristin Marino (03:13)
• “She never leaves anybody behind. She’s beautiful. I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to have her.”
  — Noah Schnacki (03:52)
• “When people survive, love prevails. And it is so important to focus on that love.”
  — Kennedy (02:37)
• “I started bawling my eyes out... the way that they honored me and the way that they showed up was like no other.”
  — Kristin Marino (06:27)
• “I got to give vows to not just her, but to her dad. ...I promised to love her the way that he would.”
  — Noah Schnacki (10:54)
• “It’s incredible how the human heart truly is elastic...Your story really does bring people together.”
  — Kennedy (12:22)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening & Setting the Scene (Personal and National Loss): 00:10–02:42
• Kristin’s Memory of Her Father: 02:55–03:44
• Noah on Kristin’s Character: 03:49–04:01
• Why New York for the Wedding: 05:11–05:45
• Rescue 1 Firefighters’ Tribute: 06:14–07:00
• Christian Faith and Hope: 08:59–09:35
• Kristin’s Grandfather Walks Her Down the Aisle/Noah’s Song: 09:49–11:14
• Advice for the Bereaved: 11:14–12:22
• Closing Reflections on Grief and Connection: 12:22–13:05

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Tone & Closing Thoughts

The conversation is raw, compassionate, and tender, with moments of humor and resilience skillfully woven throughout by Kennedy’s trademark candor. The episode invites listeners to remember the cost of freedom, honor both public and private acts of heroism, and rededicate themselves to love, hope, and connectedness in the face of loss.

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For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode stands as a stirring reminder: love endures, memories matter, and sharing our stories can save the world—one heart at a time.

Transcript

[Kristin Marino]

Foreign.

[Kennedy]

Hello and welcome to this episode of Kennedy Saves the World. It has been a brutal, awful last 18 hours. Last we spoke, I was talking to Winston Marshall and we found out after our podcast that Charlie Kirk had died. He had been assassinated. And you know, just trying to process that because he had seen the footage of the shooting and he knew that he wasn't going to make it. I am very sensitive and I can't watch that stuff. And so I was hoping and praying during the podcast that somehow, some way, he would survive. And he did not. And of course, that was on the eve of 9 11, which is a very solemn day. And it should be not just in New York City and Pennsylvania and the Pentagon, but everywhere around the world and in these United States. We need to remember what happened. We cannot turn away from it. We cannot pretend it didn't happen. We cannot gloss over it, but we can highlight the heroism and the stories and remember where we were and where we are going as a society. I, when we lived across the street from a firehouse in New York City, I would take my girls every year on 9 11. One is in college in the Midwest, the other is in high school. And we talk about it all the time in our house. We have an action plan. God forbid something like that happens again. But my biggest worry is people don't talk about it, that there are kids their age and younger who have no idea what happened to the city and to our country on 9 11. Having said that, the thing that we must keep in mind is when people survive, love prevails. And it is so important to focus on that love. And I have two people here who are newlyweds. They are sweet, incredible, and they are here to share their story. Kristin was born Kristin Marino. Her father, Kenneth Marino perished on 9 11. He was an FDNY firefighter with Rescue 1 in Hell's Kitchen. He died in the North Tower helping people. He gave his life. He sacrificed his life heroically. His daughter was only three and a half years old. Kristin recently married Noah Schnacki. He is a country music star. And they are here. Welcome to Kennedy Saves the World.

[Kristin Marino]

Thank you. Happy to be here.

[Kennedy]

I know 911 is probably for you in ways that the rest of us can't imagine, but I want to know about your dad. Like, what do you want people to know about your dad?

[Kristin Marino]

He to me is a hero and he was so kind. I actually recently my mom uncovered all of our home videos, which I hadn't even seen videos or even heard his voice. And from that just Seeing the way that he loved on me and my brother is like no other. And he just put us first, loved us. Was so kind. Would stop his day to make sure that someone else was doing okay. That was actually one of the stories that we heard from a firefighter that just told us recently that in the Twin Towers, he had heard that he had stopped for a guy having a heart attack and didn't want to let him suffer alone. So he stayed with him while everything was going on, and then, of course, went on his way, but didn't want to just leave him because to him, every single person mattered.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Kristin Marino]

And that's who he was, and that's who he is to me.

[Kennedy]

Tell me about your wife.

[Noah Schnacki]

She's awesome.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Noah Schnacki]

She's definitely got a lot of characteristics of the same thing her father has. She never leaves anybody behind. She's beautiful. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to have her. And I think she's really brave for sharing her story.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Noah Schnacki]

And for making that a part of her testimony. And it's so funny because an hour ago we were on Fox and Friends, and we were the last segment of the hour, and I thought it was so cool with everything going on and just like you said, a very heavy day, that we could be just a glimmer of a smile of hope, of encouragement at the very end. That even in the midst of these great tragedies, there are still stories of encouragement.

[Kennedy]

Yes. You know, and people finding each other.

[Noah Schnacki]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And love prevailing and honoring that and not turning away from it. So I'm really going to try and get through this. I'm already, obviously, like, everyone who knew Charlie, Kirk, everyone who knows his story, like, we're devastated. And that's a fresh pain. You know, nine, 11 happened 24 years ago. And for those of us here, for those of us who are covering it and experiencing it, it's still very fresh for you. That's a part of your life, you know, that's something that you internalize. And the reason that so many people know about the two of you is that beautiful photo on your wedding day. So you. Why did you choose to get married in New York City?

[Kristin Marino]

So, originally, I didn't want to get married just because my dad wouldn't be there to be represented. And I wanted to really be walked down the aisle by him. But as we started thinking and praying about it, we felt like we were supposed to have a wedding. And so I just asked Noah, I said, is it okay if we do it in New York, where I Feel like my dad is still. My dad was never recovered. So for that, he's still fully here in the city. Like, this was his place. Like, he loved New York with his whole being. So that's kind of just how we wanted to get married in New York.

[Noah Schnacki]

And, I mean, the second she said, I would love for my dad to be represented in New York, I was like, there's no other option. Yeah, whatever it takes. You know, when somebody says something that special, it's like you just make it happen.

[Kennedy]

And where do you guys live now?

[Noah Schnacki]

We're in Orlando.

[Kennedy]

Oh, nice. Okay, that's. That's beautiful.

[Noah Schnacki]

I mean, it works. It does.

[Kennedy]

So you were here. You're getting ready at the Plaza Hotel?

[Kristin Marino]

Yes.

[Kennedy]

You're ready to go over to Rockefeller center for the actual wedding?

[Kristin Marino]

Yes.

[Kennedy]

And what happened when you walked outside the Plaza?

[Kristin Marino]

So I walked outside, and the two Rescue 1 fire trucks were there. Current firefighters and retired firefighters that knew my dad were all lined up, just, like, smiling at me. I walked out, and I just could see my dad in that line. Like, for sure he was there like this. Like, the way that they honored me and the way that they showed up was like no other. Like, it just took my breath away. I started bawling my eyes out. I couldn't even make eye contact with anyone because I was just such a mess.

[Kennedy]

And you're like, I want to keep my lashes on.

[Kristin Marino]

Yeah, but they are.

[Kennedy]

I need to keep my wedding makeup. I'm not wearing lashes right now. I'm such an ugly crier. But I need to hear this story. Like, I need to feel that love and that honor for your dad.

[Kristin Marino]

It was. It was. It was incredible. I just. I look over as I'm walking by them, and I. It's just crazy to me. I don't even know what these two buildings are, but from the left of the Plaza, I look out, and there's these. Too many, like, almost twin towers. They were both identical. I took a picture of it because I was like, oh, my goodness. Like, even in that way, I feel like my dad is there, like, anywhere I looked. I just felt my dad's presence so much and him just, like, winking down at me, just letting me know that he's there with me. It was just. It was just so special. I can't even. I don't know. It just. I can't even rewatch the video. Every time I rewatch it, I just start crying.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, that's okay. And, you know, it'll be like watching your home movies as an Adult. You'll go back to that moment. You will, but you just have to be ready for it. But you're taking us there now, which is so special and important because, you know, for many people who lost their family members on 9 11, and for those, you know, like our co worker Jessica Tarlov, who lost her father to 911 related cancer, like, it's. It's so important and beautiful to internalize those things and for you to be able to share those things. Like, it really does help people heal and process. Don't go anywhere more. Kennedy Saves the World right after this.

[Will Kane]

It's Will Kane Country. Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through [e-mail] or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

[Kennedy]

Now, I want to ask you. Sorry, I have to wipe my face because it is so, like, it is just. I was chopping onions on the weird studio. Just kidding. Oh, God. Okay. And scene. That's the best thing about this podcast is, like, just leave it in. I don't care. So when people say to you, like, how could you bring children into this world knowing what you've been through and your mom and your family, what do you say to them?

[Noah Schnacki]

I think we still have to have hope. I think we still have to see that there's a lot of good in the world.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Noah Schnacki]

And that we're not all lost. Like, I think if there's one thing that I love about Charlie Kirk is he was all about turning around America.

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Noah Schnacki]

And, like, I gotta be honest, like, I see the same thing. You know, for every one thing that's going wrong in our country, there's a lot of good. And even in the tragedy, God is still in works. And so, like, it's really cool to get to be just a bystander in that story and to watch the way that, like. Like, she may have not gotten to see her father that day, but I know he was looking down, and I know she's gonna get to see her father, and I'm gonna get to thank her father in person. It's this life is not our own. We're just getting started.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, that's right. And, you know, the eternal love and the beauty and perfection of heaven that awaits us all, like, you know that it has to give us comfort and solace. So tell me, who walked her down the aisle?

[Noah Schnacki]

Who's really special? And it was her Grandpa, her poppy. And it was a unique thing because, you know, they had his. They call it the blues, but it was his formal dress wear draped over the chair next to her mom just to represent him. And I remember the conversations that me and Ko would have where she told me she didn't want to have a wedding because she didn't want that awkward moment. And, like, getting to see her grandfather step in in that way, and for her grandfather to pass her off to me and to be in that moment, seeing her so secure and seeing her taken care of, it was so special, so unique. And beyond that, I think it was really special because I got to give vows to not just her, but to her dad. Just kind of. It's funny because I wrote a song when I started country music called Meet the Man about meeting and falling in love with a girl who didn't have a father before you met her.

[Kennedy]

Stop it.

[Noah Schnacki]

It's called Meet the Man, and the bridge goes. He can't walk you down the aisle, but I know he's looking down. And so I got to play her that song at our rehearsal dinner. And getting to live those moments out with her and to see that that song was just another wink, that this was the relationship meant for me. And then also to get the. To let. Not just through the song, but through vows to let her father know that I promised to love her the way that he would. And so the day I get to meet him in person and thank him for giving me the most beautiful girl in the world, I think that was really special to me.

[Kennedy]

What would your mom say to Charlie Kirk's widow? She's got two young children, 1 and 3. Your mom had two young children when your father passed away on 9, 11. What do you think she would say to Erica?

[Kristin Marino]

I think just taking it day by day, being there fully for your children. My mom stopped everything just to make sure that we are taken care of. She was at every field trip, every Girl Scout, everything. And I would just say, just leaning into God, I think that's what really changed everything was when my relationship with God became so real. And my heart just goes out to their children. I mean, me, I'm the same age as her daughter and the little boy, when I lost me and my brother, lost them. And I just can't even think about something, any other children going through what we had to go through. And then it's just horrible. I just can't. My heart is with them. And it's been a hard day processing that, going from yesterday to today. And just kind of reliving those moments and like my childhood through now, their childhood that they're gonna have to face. And I'm just with them.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. It's incredible how the human heart truly is elastic. And, you know, the fact I look at the two of you and the fact that you are capable of, of processing so many things at once and, you know, honoring your grief, honoring your dad's life, honoring the meaning of 9, 11 and devoting your lives to one another and your future family, it really is a beautiful thing. And I want to thank you so much for taking the time and sharing your story and, you know, making women like me just cry and feel because we don't do that enough. We don't feel enough. We try and push things away and separate ourselves from one another. But your story really does bring people together. So thank you.

[Kristin Marino]

Wow.

[Noah Schnacki]

Thanks, Kennedy.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. And I want to thank Kristen and Noah. This has been Kennedy Save the World along with these two new Listen ad free with a Fox News podcast plus subscription on Apple Podcasts and Amazon Prime. Members can listen to this show ad free on the Amazon music app. Oh, go ahead and leave me a review while you're there. I'd love to hear hear what you have to say. You've been listening to Kennedy Saves the World on the Fox News Podcast network.

[Will Kane]

It's the Will Kane Show. Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday on foxnews.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss a show. Get the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.