By now you have surely heard of Jocko Willink, the former Navy SEAL, TED Talk Speaker, and New York Times bestselling author. Jocko specializes in leadership, tactical warfare, and inspiration, and every time he speaks people listen. Fortunately, he has his own podcast – Jocko Podcast – but with so many episodes now available, which ones are must-listen to episodes?
That’s what this article will aim to do – take on the challenging task of identifying the very best episodes of the Jocko Podcast.
The Jocko Podcast has steadily climbed the ranks to become one of the top podcasts in the world. Jocko, along with his co-host Echo Charles, take on tough topics without sugar coating or a need for political correctness. The message is inspiring because he aims to transform people’s lives by helping with real life problems and difficult situations.
And a fun fact – In 2015, Jocko got the idea of starting a podcast at the suggestion from his friend Joe Rogan, who told him that he definitely needed his own podcast. Jocko got started quickly by reaching out to Echo Charles, a tech specialist and friend he knew from Brazilian jiu-jitsu, asking for help setting up the technical side of the podcast. Echo countered that he’d like to be involved more than just behind the scenes and that he’d like to be the co-host.
For more details on Echo Charles and his relationship with Jocko, check out my article: Who is Echo Charles? Jocko’s Co-Host and BJJ Buddy
Honorable mention:
Unfortunately, the only bad thing about making this list is leaving out so many great podcasts that the Jocko Podcast has produced. I literally try to listen to parts of each podcast, by listening to the clip segments that are uploaded to YouTube along with the full episodes. However, here are some guests that deserve mentioning on the honorable mention list:
Dean Lister, Tulsi Gabbard, Gil Espinoza, Mike Glover, #343 Jocko & Echo, Dakota Meyer, Dean Scott, Roger Hayden, Pat McNamara, John Stryker Meyer, BTF Tony
15) Episode #56 – Dr. Peter Attia
Dr. Peter Attia, also appearing on the Jocko Podcast in episode #392, has quickly become one of the top health experts in the industry. He’s also been on Joe Rogan’s podcast several times.
Episode #56, gets the nod over #392, because of the deep discussions on health, nutrition, and optimizing your lifestyle. Attia also talked about addiction to painkillers, overcoming stress, and a lengthy talk about sleep deprivation (YouTube).
Famously, Jocko is one of the rare individuals that can have intense focus and perform high physically with little sleep. On this podcast Jocko jokes about how he “takes a lot of flak” for not sleeping a lot. Attia, reflects on his own periods of sleep deprivation while on his doctorate residency and makes some good points to Jocko about why he should prioritize sleep a little more.
14) Episode #278 – John Dudley
John Dudley is a world-class archer, bowhunter, and archery instructor. He is the founder of Nock On Archery, has been featured on the Joe Rogan Experience, and has become a good buddy of Jocko, even mentoring him on his archery and hunting skills.
On episode #278, they talked about Dudley’s background going from high school football star to following his passion and progression in archery. Dudley got so good that he won medals representing the U.S. in the Olympics. They also discussed the pros and cons of 3D archery verses target archery and why 3D archery has gotten “stale.”
The relationship between Jocko and Dudley has been a two-way mentorship, with both guys helping each other at their specialties. Dudley mentors Jocko with archery and Jocko has mentors Dudley in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In a hilarious event, Jocko accidentally broke a bone in Dudley’s neck from a choke hold, although the injury was not a serious one.
Also see: The Amazing Life of John Dudley: Nock On Archery & Hunting
13) Episode #290 – Admiral William McRaven
Admiral William McRaven is a retired U.S. Navy officer, reaching the prestigious position of 4-star admiral. He’s also a former U.S. Navy SEAL, graduating from BUD/s class 95, and graduate of the University of Texas in Austin. You may recognize him from his famous graduation commencement speech “Make Your Bed” (YouTube) that he gave at his alma mater.
On episode #290, McRaven told a bunch of awesome stories from days on the sea and “tales of terror.” They also have inspirational discussions about overcoming pain to achieve bravery, the “hero code” and its noble qualities, as well as McRaven’s most important leadership advice he’s ever learned.
McRaven wrote an inspirational book that reflects his “Make Your Bed” speech, available on Amazon:
Make Your Bed by Admiral William McRaven (Amazon)
12) Episode #332 – Dr. Andrew Huberman
Andrew Huberman is an American neuroscientist and founder of the Huberman Labs podcast. He has become quite a reputable doctor in the industry and has seen a meteoric rise in popularity after his repeat appearances on the Joe Rogan podcast. Apparently, his influence has had an impact on Jocko as well, as Huberman’s showing on the Jocko podcast was one of the best episodes.
The biggest takeaway on this episode is how Huberman emphasizes the importance of returning to a baseline dopamine level by not reaching for cheap dopamine hits and how one can use dopamine to their advantage (YouTube).
Jocko seemed to take this to heart as he has mentioned “cheap dopamine” quite a few times on Instagram and other podcasts. This enables one to take ownership of their physiological and psychological (mind and body) being.
11) Episode #34 – Leif Babin
Leif Babin is a former Navy SEAL, one of Jocko’s closest friends, and has been on the Jocko Podcast many times. He is the co-founder of Echelon Front, along with Jocko, a leadership development and consultation company. And they both wrote a few New York Times best-selling books, Extreme Ownership and The Dichotomy of Leadership, transforming their lessons learned on the battlefield into easy to understand concepts for your life.
While all of Babin’s appearances on the Jocko Podcast are outstanding, #34 is my personal favorite and one of the most watched ones. They talked about their experiences getting shot at (YouTube), sometimes hit, but fortunately in their armor. Babin said that after guys would get shot they would opt for bigger and better protective gear. This episode also has discussions about Navy SEAL stories, dealing with anger, cops getting ambushed, and Benghazi.
I’ve read both the books and highly recommend you check out Extreme Ownership and The Dichotomy of Leadership by Leif Babin and Jocko Willink on Amazon:
Extreme Ownership by Leif Bain and Jocko Willink (Amazon)
The Dichotomy of Leadership by Leif Babin and Jocko Willink(Amazon)
10) Episode #334 – Cam Hanes
Cameron Hanes is a backcountry bowhunter, ultra-marathon runner, and founder of the Keep Hammering brand. Being one of the best bowhunters in the world, Hanes has helped mentor Jocko with his archery and outdoor skills. They even went on a hunt together, along with Joe Rogan, John Dudley, and Andy Stumpf.
Hanes’s appearance on the Jocko Podcast was an incredible one, since Jocko, Echo, and him have so much in common. They talked about the general topics of discipline and hard work, but also about people using their past as an excuse and what it takes to be a bowhunter. Hanes had a difficult upbringing with a tough father and growing up poor.
Also see: Who Is Cameron Hanes? A Look at His Amazing Life
9) Episode #115 – Kyle Carpenter
Kyle Carpenter is a former U.S. Marine and Medal of Honor recipient, receiving it from President Obama in 2014 from his bravery and actions fighting in the war in Afghanistan. Carpenter’s body was severely damaged, including losing his right eye, from a Taliban grenade that landed in his post. He used his body to shield the grenade from killing his fellow marine teammate in an act of supreme sacrifice.
On episode #115 of the Jocko Podcast, Carpenter and Jocko talked about living a life worth living for, focusing on small steps to complete a long journey, and not mistaking kindness for weakness. Carpenter’s story is incredibly inspiring and his message is extremely motivational. He will make you appreciate life and become more grateful.
Kyle Carpenter wrote a national best-selling book, You Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For, that is an inspiring memoir of his life. Available on Amazon:
You Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For by Kyle Carpenter (Amazon)
8) Episode #394 – Ryan Holiday
Ryan Holiday, an accomplished author and YouTuber, is best known for being a modern-day advocate for Stoicism, a philosophy characterized by learning to be happy with simplicity, and a focus on being internally content rather than seeking it from outside sources. Jocko himself fits quite well into the category of Stoicism.
On episode #394, Holiday talks about the lessons that can be learned from the Stoics, principles of life, discipline, leadership, and success. This is one of the best episodes for self-improvement and changing your mindset. Holiday has also been on Joe Rogan’s podcast (episode #1836), and written several best-selling books, available on Amazon:
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday
If you’re looking for the best book ever written by the leader of Stoicism, check out Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. I’ve read the book myself and it was life-changing for me:
Marcus Aurelius – Meditations: Adapted for the Contemporary Reader (Amazon)
7) Episode #64 – Andy Stumpf
Andy Stumpf, a former Navy SEAL and purple heart recipient, has been a frequent guest on Jocko’s podcast and even launched his own podcast – Cleared Hot. He’s also been a reoccurring guest on Joe Rogan’s podcast. In addition to podcasting, Stumpf is a public speaker and professional wingman, holding several world-records in skydiving.
Although Stumpf has been a part of so many good episodes of the Jocko Podcast, perhaps #64 is the best one. On the episode, Stumpf talks about being the new guy on the SEALs team, the value and cost of freedom, and other funny stories from Navy SEALs BUD/S training.
Also see: 8 Navy SEALs That Have Been on Joe Rogan’s Podcast
6) Episode #319 – Admiral Thomas “Hulk” Richards
Admiral Thomas Richards is someone Jocko has tremendous amount of respect for. He is a former Navy SEAL and Vietnam veteran, retiring in 1999 after a 30-year Navy career. He is the recipient of Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, after getting wounded in the Vietnam war.
Richards is an absolute legend in the Navy SEAL community. On the podcast, they talk about Navy SEAL training and how it’s changed over the years, and surprisingly, how it has gotten much harder (YouTube clip) from Thomas’s time to Jocko’s time in the SEALs. Richards expressed his deep affection for his teammates, saying “all I thought about was my teammates.”
5) Episode #221 – Jonny Kim
You may not have heard of Jonny Kim, but he is one of the most outstanding individuals in the world. He has reached the pinnacle of three different professions and has remarkable achievements:
- Navy SEAL
- Doctor
- Astronaut
- Naval pilot
- Harvard Graduate
The title of this podcast, Jocko Podcast 221: Jonny Kim. Navy SEAL, Doctor, Astronaut. The Unimaginable Path, reflects how impressively difficult Kim’s achievements are, especially being the son of poor South Korean immigrants and having self-confidence problems growing up.
On episode 221, Kim and Jocko talked about losing teammates on the battlefield in Iraq, what inspired Kim to obtain his impressive achievements, and his drive to serve humanity in a positive way, despite being a “scared little boy” growing up and dealing with an abusive father.
4) Episode #299 – Theo Von
Theo Von is a famous stand-up comedian, host of the This Past Weekend Podcast, and reoccurring guest on the Joe Rogan Experience. Episode #299 of the Jocko Podcast with Theo Von, provided a perfect balance with Von’s sense of humor and Jocko’s seriousness.
The title of this episode was labeled “Sometimes You Need a Little Laugh. Sometimes You Need a Big One.” This is the funniest episode of all-time on Jocko’s podcast, plus you get to see Jocko’s sense of humor on display.
The episode featured Von getting a little more serious talking about life, connecting with people, his higher power, and his recovery from substance abuse. Jocko has also been on Von’s podcast, This Past Weekend in episode #120 (YouTube).
3) Episode #293 – Rickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie is a 9th degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is a member of the Gracie family that founded the revolutionary martial arts practice. Although, he didn’t have as much success competing in the UFC Octagon as his brother Royce Gracie, he is considered the GOAT of BJJ by many MMA fighters, especially in his ability to teach the finer techniques and strategies of BJJ. Jocko is a BJJ black belt himself and owner of Victory MMA & Fitness club in San Diego, California.
Episode #293 was the ultimate podcast for Brazilian jiu-jitsu enthusiasts, as it talked about everything from strategical techniques in BJJ to how the sport translates to success in ordinary life. On this episode, Gracie talks about breathing techniques, how every strength has a corresponding weakness, and his background growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2) Episode #21 – Tim Kennedy
Whether on Joe Rogan’s or Jocko’s podcast, Tim Kennedy always makes a fantastic guest. Kennedy is a U.S. Army Green Beret and former MMA fighter.
Although Kennedy has been featured on the Jocko podcast multiple times, #21 is perhaps the best one. He gives an in-depth insight on the major differences between Green Berets and Navy SEALs, giving a fair assessment on their strengths and weaknesses. He also talks about how to get started in self-defense.
1) Episode #98 – Jordan Peterson
Jordan Peterson, who is also featured on several Joe Rogan Experience podcasts, is a Canadian psychologist, best-selling author, public speaker, and former professor at the University of Toronto.
Peterson’s first appearance (#98) on the Jocko Podcast was a huge hit and exploded the reach of the podcast, becoming on the most watched episodes. He’s also been a reoccurring guest on the podcast, having returned in episodes #112 and #155.
Clips of this podcast have gone viral, especially the one where Peterson and Jocko talk about why men should be dangerous but disciplined. This concept refers to men having the capability to defend themselves and their family through practices like martial arts, for example, yet have extreme awareness and discretion of when to use them appropriately.
“You don’t make men safe by making them weak. In fact, they’re much more dangerous when they are weak because they’ll stab you in the back when they get the chance…You make men safe by making them strong and then making sure that they are disciplined.”
-Jordan Peterson on Jocko Podcast #98
*****
Thanks so much for reading!