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“I Had 90 Minutes To Live” | Sebastian Junger’s Near-Death Experience (PT. 2)

Nov 29, 2025

Guest

Sebastian Junger

In a gripping conversation, bestselling author and filmmaker Sebastian Junger shares his life-altering near-death experience. He discusses how the ordeal redefined his understanding of time, fear, and community. Junger emphasizes the significance of gratitude, connection, and civic duty, arguing that true meaning comes from social bonds rather than material success. He also reflects on parenting and stresses the importance of savoring everyday moments, while critiquing modern parenting trends. His insights offer profound wisdom on what truly matters in life.

44:56

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ADVICE

Choose Present Moments Over Distractions

If a choice might be one of your last, pick the thing you want to spend your final minutes doing.
Sebastian Junger emphasizes choosing connection over distractions like social media.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Narrow Escape From A Ruptured Aneurysm

Sebastian Junger describes suddenly collapsing in a remote off-grid cabin with a ruptured aneurysm and losing blood fast.
He reached the hospital within about ten minutes of cardiac arrest and credits choosing to stay with his wife for saving his life.

insights

INSIGHT

Connection Is The Core Human Purpose

Human beings exist to be connected; community affiliation is central to meaning and survival.
Modern priorities often pull people away from the very relationships that provide the deepest value.

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Why Sebastian Gives Blood and Civic Duties

03:03 • 3min

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The Near-Death Moment: Choosing to Stay

05:43 • 1min

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Gratitude and Finding Beauty in the Mundane

Losing Time: The 90 Minutes and Medical Rescue

12:40 • 2min

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Connection Is Our Purpose

14:20 • 4min

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Civic Obligation Versus Individual Freedom

18:41 • 7min

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Catastrophes Recreate Community

26:10 • 4min

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Leadership, Sacrifice, and Underdog Success

30:30 • 1min

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Parenting: Control Your Response, Not Behavior

31:44 • 2min

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Meaningful Causes Need Willing Followers

33:46 • 4min

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Why People Avoid Moral Risk in Politics

37:38 • 2min

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Creating Meaning Through Standards and Guilds

39:12 • 4min

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What Would You Die For and Owe Your Community

42:58 • 1min

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Rejecting Parent-Child Separation and Gear Industry

44:12 • 6min

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Family Rituals and the Fleeting Nature of Childhood

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Fire

Sebastian Junger

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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.

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Jack Weatherford

In 'Indian Givers', Jack Weatherford highlights the profound impact of Native American cultures on the modern world. The book covers contributions such as the influence on democratic institutions, the introduction of new foods like potatoes and tomatoes, and advancements in medicine. Weatherford also discusses how these contributions have often been overlooked despite their transformative effects on global society.

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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.

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Bob Woodward

In this book, Bob Woodward provides an intimate and sweeping account of one of the most tumultuous periods in presidential politics and American history. The narrative centers on President Joe Biden’s approach to managing the war in Ukraine and the Middle East conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as Donald Trump’s efforts to regain political power. Woodward reveals the complexity and consequences of wartime back-channel diplomacy and decision-making, highlighting efforts to deter the use of nuclear weapons and prevent a rapid slide into World War III.

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Justice in an Unjust World

Ryan Holiday

In 'Right Thing, Right Now', Ryan Holiday argues for the necessity of doing what’s right, even when it isn’t easy. He draws on stories of historical figures such as Marcus Aurelius, Florence Nightingale, Jimmy Carter, Gandhi, and Frederick Douglass to illustrate the importance of justice, kindness, honesty, integrity, and loyalty. The book emphasizes that justice is not an abstract concept but a daily practice that shapes one’s character and impacts those around us. Holiday challenges readers to develop their own moral code and uphold it consistently, providing concrete steps and exercises to help incorporate these values into their lives.

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Freedom

Barack Obama

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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.

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 Sebastian Junger's first episode on The Daily Stoic Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kApbOu6bXt0

🎟️ Come see Ryan Holiday LIVE: https://www.dailystoiclive.com/

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