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 https://book.ballenstudios.com/ Presented by Can-Am, the leader in ATVs, SxS, and Utility Vehicles www.can-am.brp.com Connect with Steve and The MeatEater Podcast Network Steve on Instagram and Twitter MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube Connect with Steve and The MeatEater Podcast Network: https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenrinella/?hl=en Check out the gear the MeatEater Crew uses in the field here: https://store.themeateater.com Follow us: Web: https://www.themeateater.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/meateater Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater 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