#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! Sponsors: Vuori Clothing high-quality performance apparel: https://vuoriclothing.com/tim (20% off your first purchase) Helix Sleep premium mattresses: https://helixsleep.com/tim (20% off all mattress orders and two free pillows) Momentous high-quality supplements: https://livemomentous.com/tim (code TIM for 20% off) 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. * For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast. For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsors Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday. For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts. Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books. 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