MrBallen on SEALS, the War in Afghanistan, and Storytelling | The MeatEater Podcast Ep. 924

Steven Rinella talks with MrBallen on: his Navy SEAL experience; the nature of evil; a career pivot into storytelling; aliens; and more.

Find MrBallen's latest graphic novel at book.ballenstudios.com

Presented by Can-Am, the leader in ATVs, SxS, and Utility Vehicles www.can-am.brp.com

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Chapters:
00:00 Christmas Tour News & Smelt Talk
06:07 How John Met the Real Navy SEALs Who Changed His Life
14:32 Inside Navy SEAL Training (BUDS)
20:53 First Deployment to Afghanistan
29:47 The White Knuckle Convoy Ride to the Outpost
36:26 Turning Numb: Adjusting to Life at War
46:08 Walking Into the Sergeant Shah Ambush
57:57 Hit by a Grenade: The Near Death Experience
1:07:06 Medevac and the Long Road Home
1:12:56 What It Means to Be Trained to Kill
1:20:46 Moral Injury, Survivor's Guilt & "Chasing the Dragon"
1:27:36 Leaving the Military and Finding Content Creation
1:34:51 The Backlash From the SEAL Community
1:40:49 The Dyatlov Pass Mystery
1:52:52 Crafting a Story: The Ted Bundy Close Call
1:59:51 MrBallen the Media Company, New Book & Quick Fire Q&A
2:10:46 Wilderness Survival Advice