#744: Jocko Willink and Sebastian Junger

This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features segments from episode #107 "The Scariest Navy SEAL Imaginable… And What He Taught Me" and episode #161 "Lessons from War, Tribal Societies, and a Non-Fiction Life (Sebastian Junger)."

Please enjoy!

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Timestamps:

[00:00] Start

[06:27] Notes about this supercombo format.

[07:30] Enter Jocko Willink.

[07:59] What separates good leaders from mediocre or bad leaders?

[10:01] Identifying good leadership candidates.

[11:46] Teaching the skill of detachment.

[16:58] Jocko’s grueling workout that made platoons “tap out.”

[18:46] Jocko’s morning rituals.

[20:57] People Jocko associates with success.

[23:12] Recommended reading.

[26:57] How does discipline equal freedom?

[31:50] Enter Sebastian Junger.

[32:21] Thomas Paine and Stoic philosophy.

[34:25] The “chainsaw story” and its impact on Sebastian’s writing career.

[38:27] Athleticism and long distance running.

[39:00] Developing a writing style.

[40:46] Sebastian’s attraction to journalism.

[46:22] Sebastian’s writing style and the importance of structure.

[55:51] Commencement speech advice for high school graduates.

[59:09] Sebastian’s inspiration to visit war-torn countries.

[1:01:14] Explanation of “skin walkers.”

[1:05:00] Striving for political correctness in gender.

[1:11:43] The Iroquois’ peace process and its relevance to modern politics.

[1:19:15] Psychiatric effects of war.

[1:22:07] Bringing primitive, war-time cohesion into modern society.

[1:27:28] PTSD, the C-Train, and returning to New York City after war.

[1:32:24] The lonely nature of society.

[1:36:24] PTSD prevalence in elite special forces units vs. support units.

[1:41:30] How to “support the troops.”

[1:47:47] How a Viking helmet started — and stopped — a barfight in Spain.

[1:53:16] Developing male closeness while decreasing violence.

[1:59:05] Veterans becoming victims in society after returning from war.

[2:03:27] Photography/videography habits and Sebastian’s start as a war reporter.

[2:07:45] Tim Hetherington’s story and Sebastian’s decision to stop war reporting.

[2:11:02] Sebastian’s future writing plans.

[2:12:04] One thing anyone can do for a military veteran.

[2:16:14] Who comes to mind when Sebastian hears the word “successful?”

[2:16:46] Defining courage.

[2:16:52] Most gifted books.

[2:17:46] What close friends say Sebastian is exceptionally good at.

[2:18:09] Combining three writers to create the ultimate writer.

[2:18:47] Advice to Sebastian’s younger self.

[2:20:07] Recent purchase with the most positive impact on Sebastian’s life.

[2:22:16] Something Sebastian believes, despite being unable to prove it.

[2:22:23] Disliked habits and common practices of journalists.

[2:23:39] Advice from Sebastian’s 70-year-old self to his current self.

[2:24:48] Knowing when to write a book.

[2:26:53] Sebastian’s billboard.

[2:28:22] Final requests for the audience and parting thoughts.

*

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