Sebastian Junger

We sit down with bestselling author and war journalist Sebastian Junger to unpack why so many veterans struggle after leaving the military—and why it’s not just about trauma. From Tribe to The Great Abandonment , we dive into the loss of human connection, the dangers of modern society, and what purpose, duty, and belonging really mean. Resources & Links Sebastian Junger Website Sebastian Junger Substack Sebastian's Books: Tribe , War , The Perfect Storm , In My Time of Dying Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O’Kelly Polestar Coffee Guest Info Sebastian Junger is a bestselling author, journalist, and filmmaker known for works like In My time of Dying , The Perfect Storm , War , and Tribe . He has reported from conflict zones including West Africa, Afghanistan and Bosnia and co-directed the documentary Restrepo . His work explores human connection, combat psychology, and the deeper meaning behind modern life. Standout Quotes “We’re social primates—take us out of the group, and things go wrong.” “Home is missing something—that’s why people miss war.” “Love means: stay here.” “Humans are not designed for comfort without purpose.” “The loss isn’t just to society—it’s to the individual.” If this episode hit home, share it with someone who needs it—especially a veteran or first responder. If you are into this and you are a veteran, active duty service member, first responder, or anyone really, check out our website https://aloneandunafraid.org .

Sebastian Junger is an award-winning journalist, a New York Times bestselling author, and an Academy Award–nominated filmmaker. Regular listeners are surely familiar with his work, as I've mentioned his books a ridiculous number of times on this podcast over the years—especially his book "Tribe," which has had a lasting influence on how I think about community, purpose, and the kinds of experiences that give people meaning. So for Episode 300, I was excited to sit down with Sebastian for a real, in-person conversation. Sebastian is the author of "The Perfect Storm," "War," "Tribe," "Freedom," and most recently "In My Time of Dying," and he's spent decades reporting from war zones and writing about how humans behave under extreme pressure. In this conversation, we start with his early experience with NOLS and use that as a jumping-off point to explore a theme that runs through much of his work: why small groups facing real adversity create such strong bonds, and why those experiences often feel more meaningful than anything in modern, comfortable life. From there, we get into boxing, jiu-jitsu, and the idea that environments with real consequences tend to strip away status and surface-level differences, leaving people to be judged on effort, character, and how they show up for others. We also spend a good amount of time on his recent powerful book, "In My Time of Dying"—including the near-death experience that led to it, how he processed it afterward, and what it changed about how he thinks about fear, mortality, and what actually matters in life. We talk about parenting, contentment versus happiness, and how different phases of life demand different kinds of attention and energy. And toward the end, we get into writing, his new Substack project (that I highly recommend), smartphones, and why he's chosen to opt out of many versions of modern technology, including social media. This one covers a lot of ground, but it all ties back to a few core questions: what makes a life feel meaningful, what we lose when things get too easy, and how to stay connected to the people around us. We recorded this in Aspen, the morning before Sebastian was scheduled to speak at the Aspen Institute, and I'm grateful he took the time to do it—especially on a such a busy day. As always, check out the episode notes for a full list of topics and links to everything we discuss. Thanks for listening, I hope you enjoy! --- Sebastian Junger In My Time of Dying Sebastian's new Substack Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/sebastian-junger --- THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Mountain & Prairie is listener supported via Patreon , and brought to you with support from the Central Grasslands Roadmap , The Nature Conservancy in Colorado , North Bridger Bison , and the Old Salt Co-op for their generous sponsorship. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 0:00 - Intro + thank you to our sponsors 6:54 -

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit smokeempodcast.substack.com “The Left has done itself a huge disservice by demonizing men,” says Sebastian Junger, while discussing his recent piece, “ Young Men and How the Democrats Lost Them .” The post ran on his new Substack , named TRIBE, also the title of his 2016 book , though readers may know him best from his 1997 blockbuster, The Perfect Storm , about the sinking of the commercial fishing vessel Andrea Gail . More recently, Junger is the author of In My Time of Dying , a chronicle of a medical emergency that brought him within seconds of death. “And then my dead father appears above me to welcome me to help me cross over,” says Junger. Did it make sense that Junger, an atheist, would be visited at that moment by his father, who was “a physicist and an atheist, which is like atheist squared”? Or is that the wrong question? Had he come, as physicist Sir Author Eddington did 100 years ago, up against the essential nature of existence and concluded, “Something unknown is doing we don’t know what.” Nancy and Junger talk politics, publishing, the liberal publication that asked him to write a piece about what it means to be a man in today’s society and then spiked it because, as the editor wrote, “The science seems solid but the conclusions go against the prevailing political currents at this publication,” and the public capacity for collective resistance, viz. Minneapolis. “At the end of the day, our politics have to be calm and reasonable,” Junger says. “If they’re inflamed and angry, it leads to chaos and conflict.” Also discussed: * Sebastian Junger, flip-phone devotee * Substack is the new busking * On 95% of workplace and combat fatalities being male: “You can kill enormous numbers of men with almost no impact on the population. You kill the same number of women and the population crashes.” * “Megyn Kelly’s, in my opinion, almost sociopathic remarks…” * The deeply empathetic filmmaker Meg Smaker and the shame of the people who don’t want her work seen * Some love for National Review * Hemingway’s penchant for five-syllable titles * The sinking this week of another fishing boat off Gloucester Plus, Junger on Restrepo , the documentary he made with his late friend Tim Hetherington (“A human and experiential look at what it feels like to be a soldier in combat”); on WWI/WWII reporter Mary Heaton Vorse (“One of the most extraordinary voices in American literature”), the sexiness of a book that fits in the back pocket of your jeans, and much more! NOTE: Sarah’s schedule kept her from being on this podcast, but she will be back soon. This podcast sounds 95% sexier when you become a paid subscriber

Mac brings back something he thought he had lost - an interview with best-selling author Sebastian Junger. In 2024, Junger's book, "In My Time of Dying," which covered his near death experience. There was one part to Mac's interview with Junger that stuck out, and it should resonate with all of us who question a life after our death. Sometimes the most meaningful conversations are the ones you thought were gone forever. In this episode of Engel Angle, Mac Engel shares a rediscovered interview with acclaimed author and journalist Sebastian Junger — a conversation pulled from the digital archives that feels even more powerful today than when it was first recorded. Junger, best known for The Perfect Storm, War, Tribe, and Freedom, opens up about a near-death experience caused by a ruptured aneurysm — an event that nearly ended his life and fundamentally challenged how he understands existence. Despite identifying as an atheist and skeptic, Junger describes a vivid moment in which his deceased father appeared to him as he was slipping toward death, urging calm as everything went dark. What follows is a deeply thoughtful discussion about near-death experiences, shared patterns among people on the brink of dying, and the uncomfortable questions that arise when science, neurochemistry, quantum physics, and human consciousness begin to overlap. Junger doesn’t claim answers — instead, he explores possibilities, acknowledging that both life itself and the idea of life after death may be equally “preposterous.” Mac reflects on curiosity, aging, memory, and why gathering meaningful experiences matters — especially when they force us to admit we may not understand nearly as much as we think we do. This isn’t a religious discussion or a scientific lecture. It’s a calm, honest exploration of uncertainty — and why that uncertainty might make existence itself even more remarkable. Chapters 00:00:00 – Rediscovering a conversation thought lost 00:01:25 – Why curiosity still drives the podcast 00:02:31 – Interviewing people beyond sports 00:03:33 – Why Sebastian Junger mattered to Mac 00:05:12 – Asking the unanswerable questions about the afterlife 00:07:15 – The interview that almost ran out of time 00:10:00 – Junger’s ruptured aneurysm and near-death experience 00:10:28 – Seeing his deceased father as death approached 00:11:51 – Why near-death experiences are strangely consistent 00:12:20 – Neurochemistry vs. something we don’t understand 00:12:59 – Quantum physics, shamanism, and alternate explanations 00:13:52 – Did the experience change Junger’s beliefs? 00:14:34 – The “preposterousness” of existence itself 00:15:18 – What the experience ultimately changed 00:15:50 – Final reflections on life, memory, and mystery Contact us: tengel@star-telegram.com Instagram: @macengelprof x: @macengelprof Tiktok: macengelprof Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfw Instagram: sunsetloungedfw Tiktok: sunsetloungedfw X: SunsetLoungeDFW FB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Sebastian Junger’s Reflection on Death and What Might Follow… Sebastian Junger, author of the blockbuster, "The Perfect Storm," will discuss his latest book, "In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife." This book is Mr. Junger’s powerful reflection on death — and what might follow — inspired by his near-fatal health emergency. In the summer of 2020, Mr. Junger became crippled by abdominal pain and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Once there, he began slipping away. As blackness encroached, he was visited by his dead father, inviting Mr. Junger to join him. “It’s okay,” his father said. “There’s nothing to be scared of. I’ll take care of you.” That was the last thing he remembered until he came to the next day when he was told he had suffered a ruptured aneurysm that he should not have survived. This experience spurred Junger—a confirmed atheist—to undertake a scientific, philosophical, and deeply personal examination of mortality and what happens after we die. "In My Time of Dying" is part drama, part autobiography, and part scientific inquiry into the mystery of death. We’ll take audience questions.

Facing death rewires your view of the world. Today's guest, bestselling author and legendary war reporter Sebastian Junger, can explain how. In this episode, Sebastian opens up to Ryan about the sudden, freak medical emergency that nearly killed him in minutes and how that moment completely rewired the way he thinks about time, technology, fear, fatherhood, and what actually matters. Sebastian Junger is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of The Perfect Storm , Fire , A Death In Belmont , War , Tribe , Freedom and In My Time Of Dying . As an award-winning journalist, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a special correspondent at ABC News, he has covered major international news stories around the world, and has received both a National Magazine Award and a Peabody Award. Junger is also a documentary filmmaker whose debut film "Restrepo" , a feature-length documentary (co-directed with Tim Hetherington), was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. He is also the founder and director of Vets Town Hall . Follow Sebastian on Instagram @SebastianJungerOfficial and on X @SebastianJunger 📚 Grab signed copies of Sebastian’s books Tribe , Freedom and In My Time Of Dying at The Painted Porch | https://www.thepaintedporch.com 🎥 Watch

After you have faced death, you can’t believe what people care about online. In this episode, Ryan sits down with bestselling author and legendary war reporter Sebastian Junger. Sebastian talks about why he refuses to get a smartphone, how technology gives us the illusion of control, Ambrose Bierce, and the multiple times he was nearly executed as a war reporter. Sebastian Junger is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of The Perfect Storm , Fire , A Death In Belmont , War , Tribe , Freedom and In My Time Of Dying . As an award-winning journalist, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a special correspondent at ABC News, he has covered major international news stories around the world, and has received both a National Magazine Award and a Peabody Award. Junger is also a documentary filmmaker whose debut film "Restrepo" , a feature-length documentary (co-directed with Tim Hetherington), was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. He is also the founder and director of Vets Town Hall . Follow Sebastian on Instagram @SebastianJungerOfficial and on X @SebastianJunger Grab signed copies of Sebastian’s books Tribe , Freedom and In My Time Of Dying at The Painted Porch | https://www.thepaintedporch.com 🎥 Watch Sebastian Junger's fir

War by Sebastian Junger (Introduction) w/Jesan Sorrells. --- 00:00 Welcome and Introduction - War by Sebastian Junger. 01:00 Understanding Soldiers and Modern War. 07:23 Fear, Killing, Love Dynamics. 10:16 Sebastian Junger: Journalist & Author. 13:01 Sebastian Junger's Endurance & Neutrality. 17:51 War’s Heat, Fear, and Struggle. 22:07 Modern Warfare's Changing Motivations. 23:19 Evolution of Warfare's Psychology. 30:36 Violence, Legacy, and Inflection Points. 32:01 Transitioning to Serious Leadership. --- Music: Requiem, Op.22 - VIII. Agnus Dei, Draeseke, Requiem h-moll, op. 22 (WDR 11.11.11). --- Opening and closing themes composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON ! Check out the 2022 Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list! --- ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribe Check out HSCT Publishing at: https://www.hsctpublishing.com/ . Check out LeadingKeys at: https://www.leadingkeys.com/ Check out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ Contact HSCT for more information at 1-833-216-8296 to schedule a full DEMO of LeadingKeys with one of our team members. --- Leadership ToolBox website: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ . Leadership ToolBox LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ldrshptlbx/ . Leadership ToolBox YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadershiptoolbox/videos Leadership ToolBox Twitter: https://twitter.com/ldrshptlbx . Leadership ToolBox IG: https://www.instagram.com/leadershiptoolboxus/ . Leadership ToolBox FB: https://www.facebook.com/

In this bonus episode of Reading Hannah Arendt with Roger Berkowitz , we feature a talk by Sebastian Junger, a keynote speaker at the Arendt Center's fall 2024 conference on Tribalism and Cosmopolitanism. Junger, author of Tribe, discusses the complexities of tribalism, its positive and negative facets, and its relevance to contemporary society. He emphasizes the need to understand and elevate positive tribalism to create unity. Addressing liberal responsibilities in combatting negative tribalism, Junger critiques the left's failure to engage with class issues and patriotism. The episode includes a discussion between Junger and Roger Berkowitz on promoting civic engagement and national unity. Sebastian Junger is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of THE PERFECT STORM, FIRE, A DEATH IN BELMONT, WAR, TRIBE, FREEDOM and IN MY TIME OF DYING. As an award-winning journalist, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a special correspondent at ABC News, he has covered major international news stories around the world, and has received both a National Magazine Award and a Peabody Award. Junger is also a documentary filmmaker whose debut film "Restrepo", a feature-length documentary (co-directed with Tim Hetherington), was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. ABOUT: Produced by the Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College, this podcast offers close readings of Arendt's books alongside engaging interviews and thought-provoking conversations. Released weekly, each episode provides listeners with a deeper understanding of Arendt's philosophy and its relevance to contemporary issues. Available on all major podcast platforms, listeners join us on a captivating intellectual journey through the mind of Hannah Arendt. New episodes every Friday morning! Join Roger Berkowitz, Founder and Academic Director of the Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities at Bard College, as he discusses the works of German Jewish political theorist Hannah Arendt (1906-1975). THE HANNAH ARENDT CENTER: The Hannah Arendt Center provides an intellectual space for passionate, uncensored, and nonpartisan thinking that reframes and deepens the fundamental questions facing our nation and our world. Become a member and enjoy several benefits including access to our virtual reading group that takes place every Friday: https://hac.bard.edu/membership/ More information can be found on our website: https://hac.bard.edu/ Follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/arendt_center and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hannaharendtcenteratbard/ THE HOST: Roger Berkowitz is the Founder and Academic Director of the Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College. He is the editor of The Perils of Invention: Lying, Technology, and the Human Condition , and co-editor of Thinking in Dark Times: Hannah Arendt on Ethics and Politics (2009) , and Artifacts of Thinking: Reading Hannah Arendt’s Denktagebuch (2017). Berkowitz edits HA: The Journal of the Hannah Arendt Center and the weekly newsletter Amor Mundi . He is the winner of the 2019 Hannah Arendt Prize for Political Thought given by the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Germany. EDITED BY: Alex Fox Tschan is the editor & co-producer of the “Reading Hannah Arendt with Roger Berkowitz” podcast. He is a working musician, creative producer, & audio/visual editor at his Brooklyn-based studio, The Fox & The Sound. With 25 years of recording & performance experience, Tschan’s recent projects range from indie-pop albums to audiobooks for McNally Jackson. A full spread of his work & coll

Award winning author Sebastian Junger talks about human yearning to be part of a tribe. We discuss the effects of war on man and how the tribal culture is fundamental to First Responders. Sebastian Junger is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of THE PERFECT STORM, FIRE, A DEATH IN BELMONT, WAR and TRIBE. As an award-winning journalist, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a special correspondent at ABC News, he has covered major international news stories around the world, and has received both a National Magazine Award and a Peabody Award. Junger is also a documentary filmmaker whose debut film "Restrepo", a feature-length documentary (co-directed with Tim Hetherington), was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. "Restrepo," which chronicled the deployment of a platoon of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley, is widely considered to have broken new ground in war reporting. Junger has since produced and directed three additional documentaries about war and its aftermath. "Which Way Is The Front Line From Here?", which premiered on HBO, chronicles the life and career of his friend and colleague, photojournalist Tim Hetherington, who was killed while covering the civil war in Libya in 2011. "Korengal" returns to the subject of combat and tries to answer the eternal question of why young men miss war. "The Last Patrol", which also premiered on HBO, examines the complexities of returning from war by following Junger and three friends--all of whom had experienced combat, either as soldiers or reporters--as they travel up the East Coast railroad lines on foot as "high-speed vagrants." Junger has also written for magazines including Harper's, The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, Outside and Men's Journal. His reporting on Afghanistan in 2000, profiling Northern Alliance leader Ahmed Shah Massoud, who was assassinated just days before 9/11, became the subject of the National Geographic documentary "Into the Forbidden Zone," and introduced America to the Afghan resistance fighting the Taliban. He lives in New York City and Cape Cod.

December has already been crazy. But it may feel like the calm before the storm once we get to January. With less than 60 days until Trump’s inauguration, the news, chaos and controversy is taking no holiday break. And we’ve got the perfect returning guest to help us make sense of all of it. And anticipate what may come next. Best-selling author Sebastian Junger is a powerful, thoughtful and trusted conscience for America. His books and films explore the heart of our past, present and future. From The Perfect Storm , to War , to Tribe , to Freedom , to Restrepo , to his newest, In My Time of Dying , Sebastian Junger explores what it means to be American and his key takeaways from the election. With our nation divided as a crossroads, his wisdom-filled voice is invaluable to all Americans–and especially to independents. Sebastian reacts to Trump’s cabinet nominees, rips into why he thinks the Democrats and Harris failed, and takes us behind the scenes of an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience . It’s a raw, insightful and important conversation you don’t wanna miss. And our host, Paul Rieckhoff, pulls no punches–per usual. Before the conversation with Sebastian, he independently digs into the latest controversial Trump nominations, shares below-the-radar news from the battlefields of Ukraine and Syria, analyzes the crumbling nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, and highlights the one Senator that might be key. He also updates us on the squeaker of a final race called this week featuring an Independent Veterans of America -endorsed candidate. And, finally he reflects on this extremely unusual holiday and shares a new favorite family film. Skip the cable news and partisan spin and get your weekly dose of independent vigilance. Every episode is the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 51% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. And delivers the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. Previous Sebastian Junger appearances: Episode 116 - May 27, 2021 Episode 207 - January 6, 2023 Episode 250 - November 9, 2023 -Learn more about Independent Veterans of America and reach out if you’re interested in running in 2025 or 2026. - WATCH video of Paul and Sebastian’s conversation on our YouTube channel. - Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra exclusive content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. -Check the

December has already been crazy. But it may feel like the calm before the storm once we get to January. With less than 60 days until Trump’s inauguration, the news, chaos and controversy is taking no holiday break. And we’ve got the perfect returning guest to help us make sense of all of it. And anticipate what may come next. Best-selling author Sebastian Junger is a powerful, thoughtful and trusted conscience for America. His books and films explore the heart of our past, present and future. From The Perfect Storm , to War , to Tribe , to Freedom , to Restrepo , to his newest, In My Time of Dying , Sebastian Junger explores what it means to be American and his key takeaways from the election. With our nation divided as a crossroads, his wisdom-filled voice is invaluable to all Americans–and especially to independents. Sebastian reacts to Trump’s cabinet nominees, rips into why he thinks the Democrats and Harris failed, and takes us behind the scenes of an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience . It’s a raw, insightful and important conversation you don’t wanna miss. And our host, Paul Rieckhoff, pulls no punches–per usual. Before the conversation with Sebastian, he independently digs into the latest controversial Trump nominations, shares below-the-radar news from the battlefields of Ukraine and Syria, analyzes the crumbling nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, and highlights the one Senator that might be key. He also updates us on the squeaker of a final race called this week featuring an Independent Veterans of America -endorsed candidate. And, finally he reflects on this extremely unusual holiday and shares a new favorite family film. Skip the cable news and partisan spin and get your weekly dose of independent vigilance. Every episode is the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 51% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. And delivers the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. Previous Sebastian Junger appearances: Episode 116 - May 27, 2021 Episode 207 - January 6, 2023 Episode 250 - November 9, 2023 -Learn more about Independent Veterans of America and reach out if you’re interested in running in 2025 or 2026. - WATCH video of Paul and Sebastian’s conversation on our YouTube channel. - Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra exclusive content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. -Check the