9/11 Survivor Joe Torrillo Joins Scott Johnson and Peter Mingils on Building Fortunes Radio
Some interviews tell a story. Others put the listener in the presence of someone who actually lived through history.
On this special Building Fortunes Radio podcast, Peter Mingils joins distinguished host Scott Johnson, author of Stop The Amway Tool Scam, for a compelling personal interview with Joe Torrillo, a retired New York City Fire Department Lieutenant, 9/11 survivor, professional speaker, fire safety educator and contributor to the creation of the Fisher-Price Rescue Heroes action figure Billy Blazes.
Read all about Joe Torrillo on his website:
https://joetorrillo.com
Joe Torrillo brings something to a discussion about September 11, 2001 that cannot be duplicated by simply reading about the event. He was there. His remarkable survival story, combined with his FDNY experience and knowledge of structural engineering, has also made him an outspoken voice challenging some of the conspiracy theories that continue to circulate about the World Trade Center attacks.
Joe Torrillo’s 25-Year Career with the New York City Fire Department
Before September 11 made Joe Torrillo’s story known around the world, he had already built an impressive career with the New York City Fire Department.
Torrillo served for 25 years with the FDNY and spent the first 15 years of his career with Engine Company 10, located directly across from the World Trade Center. He later worked in the FDNY’s Office of Fire Safety Education and became Director of the program.
His work in fire safety education helped lead to the creation of The Fire Zone, an interactive children’s fire safety learning center in Manhattan.
That educational work would also lead to an extraordinary connection between Joe Torrillo, Fisher-Price and a children’s action figure named Billy Blazes.
The Remarkable Story Behind Billy Blazes
In early 2001, Torrillo worked with Fisher-Price on the development of a New York City firefighter character for the company’s popular Rescue Heroes line.
The character was named Billy Blazes.
The plan was to formally introduce Billy Blazes at a press conference in New York City. In what would become an almost unimaginable coincidence, September 11, 2001 was selected for the event because 9-1-1 is the emergency telephone number.
Joe Torrillo was traveling to the press conference on the morning of September 11 when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Everything changed.
Instead of continuing to the press event, Torrillo headed toward the World Trade Center and the firehouse where he had spent so many years of his career.
Buried Alive Twice on September 11, 2001
What happened next became one of the extraordinary survival stories to emerge from 9/11.
Torrillo joined the emergency response and rescue efforts near the World Trade Center. When the South Tower collapsed, he was buried in the debris and suffered devastating injuries, including a fractured skull, broken ribs, a broken arm, spinal injuries and internal bleeding.
He was eventually located and pulled from the rubble.
But his ordeal was not over.
While rescuers were attempting to transport him by boat across the Hudson River for medical treatment, the North Tower collapsed. Torrillo was caught in the destruction and buried a second time.
He survived again.
Adding another remarkable chapter to the story, Torrillo was wearing borrowed firefighting gear bearing another firefighter’s name. As a result, he was initially misidentified and was considered missing for three days.
A 9/11 Survivor Challenges Conspiracy Theories
More than two decades after September 11, conspiracy theories about the World Trade Center attacks continue to circulate through websites, videos, podcasts and social media.
Joe Torrillo has publicly addressed these theories from the unusual perspective of someone who was physically there and also had a background in structural engineering.
That makes this conversation with Scott Johnson and Peter Mingils particularly interesting.
Scott Johnson has built much of his work around questioning claims, investigating controversial subjects and encouraging people to examine the difference between evidence and speculation. He is widely known as the author of Stop The Amway Tool Scam.
Listeners can follow Scott Johnson’s work at:
https://www.facebook.com/stoptheamwaytoolscam
Bringing Scott Johnson together with Joe Torrillo creates an opportunity to discuss not only what happened on September 11, but also how stories, theories and interpretations can develop long after a major historical event.
Joe Torrillo Turns Survival Into a Message for Others
Joe Torrillo did not allow his injuries or the tragedy of September 11 to become the final chapter of his life.
Today, he travels as a professional motivational and keynote speaker, sharing his experiences with corporations, associations, schools, organizations and other audiences.
His presentations address subjects including leadership, overcoming adversity, patriotism, resilience, embracing change and refusing to give up when circumstances seem overwhelming.
Organizations interested in hiring Joe Torrillo for a keynote speech, conference, corporate event or other public speaking engagement can learn more through his official website:
His story provides a powerful reminder that history is ultimately made up of individual human experiences, decisions and moments of courage.
Building Fortunes Radio and the Youmongus Radio Network
This interview is part of the growing collection of educational and thought-provoking podcasts presented through the Building Fortunes Radio and Youmongus Radio Network.
Building Fortunes Radio programs are rebroadcast through Amazon Podcasts, Amazon Audible, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio, along with many other major podcast platforms. Listeners can also discover Building Fortunes Radio podcasts published on YouTube and Facebook.
Youmongus.com is also a corporate sponsor.
Each radio show is designed to be educational, motivational and inspirational for the Building Fortunes Radio listening audience.
The expanding Youmongus Radio Network provides additional opportunities to discover these programs online. You can find Youmongus Radio shows at:
Listeners can also visit the network’s AM and FM radio websites:
These additional radio websites continue to expand the online footprint of the Youmongus Radio Network and Building Fortunes Radio podcasts, providing more ways for listeners to discover interviews, commentary and educational programming.
Listen to Scott Johnson, Peter Mingils and 9/11 Survivor Joe Torrillo
This is more than another discussion about September 11.
It is an opportunity to hear directly from Joe Torrillo, a retired FDNY Lieutenant and 9/11 survivor who was buried alive twice during the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.
From his years with the New York City Fire Department and his involvement with Billy Blazes and Fisher-Price Rescue Heroes, to surviving September 11 and later challenging conspiracy theories about the attacks, Torrillo brings a perspective few people can offer.
Join Scott Johnson and Peter Mingils on Building Fortunes Radio for this personal conversation about survival, evidence, history, resilience and what one man learned from experiencing one of the most consequential days in modern American history.
For factual accuracy, I deliberately described Torrillo as someone who challenges or addresses 9/11 conspiracy theories, rather than broadly labeling him a “conspiracy debunker.” His first-person survival story is well documented, and there is specific evidence of him publicly discussing and rejecting 9/11 conspiracy claims. (Joe Torrillo on Vimeo)
His official site also currently presents him as available for professional speaking engagements. (Joe Torrillo) Joe Torrillo official website
You can see more of what Scott Johnson has on https://www.facebook.com/stoptheamwaytoolscam
The Amway tools scam is a hidden profit scheme within the Amway multi-level marketing (MLM) structure that exploits distributors, often leaving them with financial losses instead of the promised wealth. Amway, a well-known MLM company, markets health, beauty, and home products through independent business owners (IBOs). While the company emphasizes product sales, the real money for top-tier distributors, often at the Diamond level or above, comes from selling motivational “tools” like books, tapes, seminars, and rallies, not from product sales. These tools, promoted as essential for success, create a separate revenue stream that disproportionately benefits upline leaders while draining the profits of lower-level distributors.
Distributors are pressured to purchase these overpriced tools, often costing hundreds or thousands annually, with promises of learning the secrets to building a lucrative Amway business. However, studies and lawsuits reveal that 99% of Amway distributors lose money, with average earnings below $100 monthly after expenses. The tools business, controlled by high-ranking distributors like Dexter Yager, generates millions for the elite, who earn significant markups on items like cassette tapes sold at rallies for up to $10,000 a night in cash. Meanwhile, new recruits face high startup costs—starter kits, training sessions, and product samples, further eroding their profits. This creates a pyramid-like structure where uplines profit from downlines’ purchases, not retail sales, resembling an illegal scheme.
