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UNLOCKED: Atheist in a Foxhole, w/ the Great Sebastian Junger

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Dec 3, 2025

Guest

Sebastian Junger

Join bestselling author and documentary filmmaker Sebastian Junger as he shares insights from his harrowing near-death experience. He discusses how his aortic rupture prompted reflections on mortality, fatherhood, and the risks of life. Junger contrasts the urgency of war with domestic life, explores the emotional aftermath of trauma, and delves into fascinating concepts like quantum consciousness and the patterns in near-death experiences. With his trademark depth, he underscores the importance of community and honest storytelling.

01:53:26

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ANECDOTE

Sudden Near-Death In Truro

Sebastian Junger recounts almost dying from a sudden abdominal arterial rupture while at home with his family.
He describes waking in the ICU, being told he nearly died, and later remembering a dark pit and his dead father appearing.

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ADVICE

Get Rapid Care For New Midlife Pain

Seek prompt medical care for any new unexplained midlife pain because serious conditions can be surprisingly tolerable.
Junger warns that lethal ruptures may present with only modest pain, so don't delay seeing a doctor.

insights

INSIGHT

The Present Is All You Truly Have

Facing random death intensified Junger's focus on the present and what matters now.
He argues we only truly ever have the present moment to live and appreciate.

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Junger's Near-Death Experience

01:26 • 3min

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Immediate Medical Details and Warning Signs

04:12 • 4min

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Family, Fatherhood and Meaning

07:50 • 2min

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Combat, Risk and the Casino Metaphor

09:55 • 4min

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Depression After Trauma

13:25 • 7min

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Conscious During Treatment

20:09 • 2min

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The Black Pit and Seeing His Father

21:48 • 6min

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Emotional Responses from Hosts

27:38 • 3min

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Family History and Father's Background

31:01 • 4min

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From Tree Climber to Bestselling Author

34:55 • 5min

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War Reporting Beginnings

39:42 • 5min

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Reflections on Afghanistan and Nation-Building

44:23 • 10min

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Investigating Near-Death Experiences

54:23 • 12min

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Skepticism Versus the Pattern of NDEs

01:06:35 • 5min

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Quantum Physics and Consciousness

01:11:53 • 5min

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Religion, Story and Explanation

01:17:16 • 10min

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Church Experience and Sacred Feelings

01:26:52 • 3min

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Tribe: Humans Need Cohesive Groups

01:29:50 • 5min

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When Hardship Forges Community

01:34:24 • 12min

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Throughline: Valuing Dangerous Work and Connection

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

Paul A. Schreivogel

Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is a masterclass in suspense and narrative manipulation. The story follows Peyton Farquhar, a Southern planter condemned to hang during the American Civil War. Bierce expertly plays with time, shifting between Farquhar's impending execution, a vivid escape fantasy, and the brutal reality of his death. The story's ambiguous ending leaves the reader questioning the nature of reality and perception. Its innovative structure and psychological depth have cemented its place as a classic of American literature. The story's exploration of time, perception, and the human psyche continues to resonate with readers today.

#513

• Mentioned in 48 episodes

Tribe

On Homecoming and Belonging

Sebastian Junger

In 'Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging', Sebastian Junger delves into the human desire for community and belonging. Drawing from history, psychology, and anthropology, Junger examines why many individuals, including combat veterans, often feel a stronger sense of belonging in tribal or wartime environments than in modern society. He argues that the lack of community in affluent societies can lead to feelings of isolation and depression, while disasters and wars can paradoxically bring people together and foster a sense of unity. The book challenges the notion that modern society is superior to tribal societies, highlighting the benefits of egalitarianism and community found in the latter. Junger also discusses how the absence of these communal bonds can affect veterans returning from war and suggests that societal changes could help reintegrate them and improve overall societal well-being.

#1508

• Mentioned in 22 episodes

The Demon-Haunted World

Carl Sagan

In 'The Demon-Haunted World,' Carl Sagan warns about the dangers of a scientifically illiterate society. He argues that the rise of pseudoscience and superstition threatens our ability to make informed decisions and undermines the foundations of democracy. The book advocates for the use of critical and skeptical thinking, presenting a 'baloney detection kit' to help readers distinguish between scientific evidence and pseudoscientific claims. Sagan discusses various forms of pseudoscience, including UFO sightings, astrology, and faith healing, and emphasizes the importance of science education and literacy in navigating the complexities of the modern world.

#1788

• Mentioned in 20 episodes

Freedom

Barack Obama

#2027

• Mentioned in 18 episodes

In My Time of Dying

Sebastian Junger

Sebastian Junger's "In My Time of Dying" delves into his near-death experience, exploring themes of mortality, consciousness, and the possibility of an afterlife. The book recounts Junger's personal journey of facing his own mortality after a near-fatal aneurysm. He interweaves his personal narrative with extensive research on near-death experiences, examining various scientific and philosophical perspectives. Junger challenges conventional understandings of death and consciousness, prompting readers to contemplate the nature of existence beyond the physical realm. The book concludes with a thoughtful reflection on the profound impact of his experience and the enduring questions it raises.

#1183

• Mentioned in 27 episodes

The perfect storm

Sebastian Junger

The book recounts the story of the Andrea Gail, a fishing boat from Gloucester, Massachusetts, that was lost at sea during the severe 1991 Perfect Storm. Junger details the lives of the crew members, their families, and the rescue efforts during the storm. The narrative combines technical information about fishing and storms with a compassionate and vivid portrayal of the men's experiences. It also includes accounts of other vessels caught in the storm and the rescue operations by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Periodically around these parts the audience demand for unpaywalling certain subscribers-only episodes becomes too clamorous to ignore. So it was with Members Only #286, our gripping conversation with celebrated author Sebastian Junger about his harrowing new book, In My Time of Dying.

“Please consider making this a non-members only episode,” wrote beloved subscriber James G. “Ditto,” seconded Daniel Cavelli. “I wanna send this to many people.” Similar beseechings from random_academic, Jake O’Finkelstein, [Dr.] Jeff Singer, Lara Merkel Ross, and Oren, who added: “I have a friend who barely survived a massive heart attack last month. And I can think of many others who will be inspired by this incredible conversation.”

To our longtime paying customers: We hear you! Please share the episode widely, either as a one-off or a come-on!

To our many brand new paying subscribers, brought here by a generous gift, welcome to this weird & wonderful community, and please enjoy full run of the Comments and Chat. And to those seeing/hearing us for the first time, or just flying in the very back of the plane, here is the type of content that can come with a paid subscription. As our dear old D.C. pal Maura Flynn put it, “You make my support increasingly worthwhile and I encourage everyone who can to contribute on the highest possible level. Great stuff, rock on!”

You know what to do.

•You can always start drinking again

•Enough to make ⅔ of these grown men cry

•Sebastian’s (most recent) near-death experience

•Danger in, insight out

•Momento Mori

•There’s nothing so dangerous as a wounded Apache

•Don’t have an aortic rupture in Truro in July

•ICU humor

•Hi dad

•An existential digression

•Better than the one with Will Farrel

•Ideological Duolingo

•Hot tip from an immigration officer

•Old-time antisemitism

•Bestselling author sleeps with chainsaw

•Sarajevo & the Spanish Civil War

•Men’s Journal and the good old days of war reporting

•The folly of Afghanistan and nation-building on the cheap

•Some things are sacred

•Investigating near death experiences

•Don’t test Santa Claus

•Etymology of a curse

•Atheists, physicists, and consciousness

•God of the gaps

•Yes, we are literally talking about quantum physics

•The science of myth

•The reason for the need the idea of heaven

•Restrepo

•Why we all need a tribe

•Things were better when they were bad

•If you’re not sufficiently terrified, you’re not getting it.

•A tribute to dangerous jobs

•Making meaning in a meaningless universe

•A Bostonian goodbye

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