Combat Story
@combatstory·235K subscribers·938 videos
Writing Darkhorse, Carrying Combat Story, and What Comes Next | AJ Pasciuti & Ryan Fugit
Posted
July 14, 2026
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42:57Now PlayingWhat happens after the writing is done and the book has to face the world?
Nearly two months after the release of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, the microphone changes hands.
Combat Story founder Ryan Fugit returns to interview current host AJ Pasciuti in a candid conversation recorded in New York City just days after the launch of Darkhorse. Together, they discuss the journey from writing the book to navigating launch week, the emotional weight of sharing deeply personal stories, and why the mission has always been bigger than a single book.
They also dive into the lessons behind Darkhorse, the Marines and mentors who shaped AJ's life, what really happens during a major book launch, and the future vision for Combat Story as a community built around service, leadership, and making the next generation better.
Whether you've followed Combat Story since Ryan hosted the show or discovered it through AJ, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at where the podcast has been—and where it's headed next.
CHAPTERS
AJ Pasciuti
AJ Pasciuti is a retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Infantry Weapons Officer (Marine Gunner), author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of the Combat Story Podcast, where veterans share honest, unfiltered stories of service, leadership, and life after combat.
🔗 Find AJ Online:
📕 Book (Darkhorse)
Ryan Fugit
Ryan Fugit is the founder of Combat Story, a former U.S. Army AH-64 Apache pilot, and former CIA Directorate of Operations officer. After creating Combat Story to preserve the stories of combat veterans, Ryan has interviewed hundreds of service members from across the military and intelligence community. He now also hosts Restricted Handling, a podcast covering geopolitics, intelligence, and national security.
🔗 Ryan LinkedIn
🎙️ Restricted Handling
Combat Story is built on real conversations with the men and women who lived it. New episodes every other Sunday.
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