Sebastian Junger: War Correspondent & Bestselling Author - Danger Close with Jack Carr

Sebastian Junger is a journalist, war correspondent, Oscar-nominated filmmaker, #1 New York Times bestselling author, and the founder of the nonprofit organization RISC, which is dedicated to training freelance journalists in battlefield medicine and security protocols.
Sebastian has covered conflicts around the globe and is the recipient of both the National Magazine Award and the Peabody Award. His debut film, Restrepo, documents the wartime experience of a platoon in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley and was nominated for an Academy Award.
He is the author of The Perfect Storm, Fire, A Death in Belmont, War, and Tribe. His latest book, Freedom, chronicles his year-long journey walking railroad lines down the east coast of the United States while exploring the tensions between personal freedom and community.
His work has been featured in Harper's Magazine, New York Times Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, Outside, Men's Journal and Vanity Fair, where he served as a contributing editor.
You can follow him on Twitter @sebastianjunger and on Instagram @sebastianjungerofficial. Find out more at www.sebastianju...
On the latest Danger Close, Jack and Sebastian discuss conflict journalism, Afghanistan, the concept of freedom, and a recent near-death experience that has reshaped how Sebastian lives and reflects on life.
Presented by SIG Sauer.
Featured Gear:
Sebastian Junger books:
Freedom
Fire
Tribe
The Perfect Storm
War
A Death in Belmont
Restrepo
Winkler Tomahawks:
RnD Full-Size Axe
RnD Compact Axe
RnD Sub-Compact Axe

[@AKsusan907]

What great interview! Thank you so much!

[@garycoloradosprings3947]

Wow, another awesome interview. There sure are a lot of interesting people out there. I never knew...

[@keithbodnar2695]

Great Podcast!

[@mognut1]

I love these podcasts, thanks Jack

[@bruceb9515]

Restrepo... by Sebastian Junger. Great documentary of the war in Afghanistan. I cried and laughed. It's a must see in my opinion.

[@kathrynludrick4821]

Ditto

[@tygre7]

Because survival is insufficient.

[@rogerd.miller1095]

I have only recently discovered this podcast and it has been a revelation to me. As an old Vietnam LRRP, I have always subscribed to the idea of the "gentleman warrior" for lack of a better term. This week you had both David Kilcullen and Sebastian Junger on your podcast; what an honor. I also appreciate that you were a reader before you were ever an author.. I am going to go back and look at your reading list. I've already ordered your most recent and Kilcullin's most recent. Listening to your discussions this week I am reminded of why our LRRP teams were so effective. They were very small, able to move quickly and were completely autonomous. Thanks for such insightful conversation.

[@sandiasurfers3174]

Sebastians books capture the mindset. I used to get mad seeing how there were POGs getting VA compensation for PTSD and hadn’t seen combat. But when you realize the military world is like being in a tribe where everyone is essential for the unit to function. You are closer with these people than anyone else. You go through the worst hardships of your life with this tribe. Then all of a sudden, it’s over. ETS…DD214… You’re back home and you’re on your own. You realize that the people back home including your best friends do not and won’t ever understand what you went through. The feeling of being alone and not being able to identify with anyone is crushing. Add in relationship problems and divorce like is common. That all can be the cherry on top that breaks a person. Sebastian’s books are all great, but Tribe captures that concept from an anthropological standpoint and it’s spot on. Being in a hunting party or war party traveling through the wilderness or defending homeland is as old as human existence. It’s no wonder it feels so right to us.

[@5trutta]

There is a wealth of Tribe corollaries in the business world, though the risk is not to life but lifestyle

[@bigsamdog1]

1960's Fort Worth, Texas. Combat! was our favorite show, playing army was our favorite game. I became a Fireman and one of my buddies became a Special Operations C-130 Pilot, man, I thought he had the most awesome career. (This comment was made after watching the first few minutes, then I watched the rest.) What a powerful interview, I really have a HIGH RESPECT for both of these men. I will be thinking about the content discussed for some time.

[@garydaly]

Strange but watching Sebastian Junger in this interview is different from the Sebastian Junger on Joe Rogan. Here, on this podcast he seems to me at least to be more sensitive, less hostile (that might be a bit strong), but on Rogan he was kind of less tolerant about the right and here he seems to be more accomodating towards understanding that people on opposing spectrums can easily come together if there is a willingness to talk. Great interview.

[@larryapl]

Audience.

[@rogerd.miller1095]

After your interview with Sebastian I ordered his book Freedom. I finally picked it up last night and could not put it down. It should be required reading for every American.

[@jilllathers9215]

There is that line. The rugged individual....gone with the trappers? I get nervous when blm gets placed in with some other resistance periods. Sold right, the common good is sonumous (can’t spell) with oppression. I love people to the bone. Some social programs and interdependence, for me a given. Help can also cripple. Constant use of crutches....Native friend said “Drop the categories.” Crazy Horse surrendered because he couldn’t live without his people. I can’t wait to buy Freedom and check out Sebastion’s other books. So much to admire and learn from. Thank you Jack.

[@carlosmarquez17]

War is a great book.

[@brianbrusa7462]

Awesome conversation with Sebastian. Will be definitely getting and reading Freedom. Thanks Jack!

[@bsmithhammer]

Just about dropped my coffee when I saw this show up in my feed - two of my favorite current authors. Just ordered "Freedom" as a result. Seems like a perfect follow up to "1776" by David McCullough that I'm finishing right now.

[@jaysnipr107]

Two of my favorite authors together, in the same podcast, Excellent.

[@philipschmidt6367]

Thank You Jack Carr for being a great interviewer. Your choice of guests to interview has been tremendous. Sebastian Junger was stimulating to say the least. Please have him on again.

[@5trutta]

Today is Wednesday. I found an hour, as usual. Another thoughtful and inspiring podcast.

[@kimhoffman4512]

Jack Carr and Shebastion Junger give a good class on citizenship.

[@pablogonzalez8304]

Feels like a "Stand by Me" moment walking by the rail road

[@davidlongoria8317]

Interesting point on the use of superior air power as being an indicator of losing the war.

[@lua504]

Loved Sebastian Jungers books “A Perfect Storm” and “War”. Will definitely look to check this one out.

[@alice5515]

I’d suggest Tribe first. It’s 👌🏼 and on par with Freedom

[@lua504]

@@alice5515 thanks for the advice!!

[@dard4642]

@@alice5515 Tribe changed me

[@brentmack51]

Let me get this straight mr I don't believe said it's a miracle he's alive and fears death. Would rather rot in prison than die to join his Jewish father. That speaks volumes

[@Valorius]

Sebastian is deep thinking, but also deeply self contradictory on many levels. Which is probably an unwavering hallmark of an interesting person. I wish I knew him, there are many beliefs he stated in this interview that I think I could strongly and credibly challenge from a devil's advocate stand point.

[@Valorius]

@JackCarrUSA did you mean the Genie coefficient or the GINI coefficient?

[@joseafmacal1144]

Mr Junger is a great thinker, this interview was very educational to me, thank you for having him on. I like the full size tomahawk, give me a price.

[@Valorius]

As a man- and a veteran- who has been paying attention for over 5 decades now, it surprises me how adventurous young men seek violence and adventure over seas when our own cities are overflowing with both.

[@BenTramer]

From my perspective it seems Mr Carr kind of changed the subject when Mr Junger talked about the impact of war on communities abroad (kids out of school, boredom, people not being able to wash themselves, etc.).

[@ramonmorales3122]

🌻🇺🇲🌻

[@jordanmaximus499]

Sebastian is an amazing guy, love his work and character

[@jo9732]

His comment about the political class being opportunistic is spot on. And these politicians know it. That’s why they have to split us by race and gender and class. Because if we join together they will all hang.

[@jeffbaber9911]

Thanks Jack. Great podcast. I wonder how he can be an atheist after his NDE? Then even quote one of Christ's commandments as a way to live in freedom?

[@michaelnice93]

Junger is onto something very interesting and important, our relationship as a individual to the group- what makes it meaningful and sustaining and what makes it suck. He’s pulling at a thread that I’m also into investigating.

[@ClodiusP]

Jack Carr knocking out the park of late...I listened to the Chris Ryan one and became a fan. This one was awesome. Thank you.

[@dard4642]

Fantastic

[@ramonmorales3122]

🕯️Woo.🕯️

[@mbell7860]

What? This interview is over already? How did that hour last just a few minutes? This could have lasted a couple of hours and still been too fast. Great stuff.

[@alice5515]

So pumped for these two legends to be chatting

[@bobfox6770]

You got more notes than pages :)

[@jamesbridges7750]

"Skin in the Game". We're so screwed at this point I don't think even ceremonial execution of their entire staff and family after two terms would be enough. lol

[@cinesploreblubblub4025]

Ahhh. That is why you chose Montenegro in your last book.

[@deanburney]

Beautiful and ethereal. Teach our children this.

[@jenniferjones2036]

So interesting & enlightening. Thank you.

[@bryanlakin654]

Outstanding podcast.

[@quaaludecowboy692]

Excellent stuff.

[@Tobias1969]

Gold

[@thomsoncarter3121]

Great interview.

[@jimpiepenbrink946]

An extremely thoughtful and insightful podcast. Thank you both!

[@plunger110]

Greetings from Virginia Beach!! Loved your books and your podcast!

[@MoonshotTwo1]

When these 2 men speak you listen. Holy cow. The wisdom!

[@jordanmaximus499]

I truly enjoyed this. Love your podcasts.

[@Apollo240sx]

Drinking game; take a drink every time "freedom", and "respectful" are said during this interview/podcast. 🍺🧉🥃🍷🍻