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In this week’s video, Pelton straddles the line between veteran journalist and adventurer.

He shares his unconventional journey into the media spotlight and critiques modern journalism, arguing the traditional definition has become “blurred.” Unlike classic journalists who report with detachment, Pelton is as much the story as the reporter.

Skipping the conventional path of journalism school and internships, he began as a copywriter at 17 and honed his craft through expeditions and raw field experience. His first journalism assignment was documenting the Camel Trophy, which led to work in Soldier of Fortune and eventually books. After 9/11, CNN, National Geographic, and Discovery sent him to Afghanistan, where he delivered the now-famous John Walker Lindh interview. He later worked in Iraq for ABC Investigative and CBS’s 60 Minutes, but quickly abandoned the “embedded” model to pursue unfiltered stories—including mass graves he discovered while crisscrossing Iraq in a red Bentley.

Pelton dismisses the romanticized lone reporter image. In reality, editors and producers often reshape stories to fit pre-decided narratives. He’s particularly critical of “rooftop journalism,” where reporters tethered to the military deliver what he calls “basically PR.” His style demands living with all sides, venturing into conflict zones, and reporting firsthand—even when it challenges his sources. Though often labeled a “Gonzo journalist,” he rejects the term, insisting his focus is truth, not spectacle.

A key theme is the power of narrative and the danger of misinformation. Pelton argues the flood of war coverage since 9/11 created a “collective PTSD” in America, fostering paranoia that politicians and media exploit. Fear once aimed at terrorists is now weaponized against migrants and other groups. In this landscape, storyline trumps fact, and social media amplifies it into a barrage of “bullets” fired between opposing camps.

Journalism, he laments, should strip away hysteria and provide nuance. Instead, it’s driven by clickbait economics. True reporting is expensive—covering a war properly can cost tens of thousands, while shaky phone footage costs nothing. It’s why Pelton calls journalism a “dying profession.”

His closing lesson: “always go out of the bubble.” Firsthand experience, adaptability, and curiosit

Robert Young Pelton is a Canadian-American author, journalist, filmmaker, and adventurer known for his conflict reporting and for venturing alone into some of the world's most dangerous and remote areas to chronicle history-shaping events. His work often involves interviewing military and political figures in war zones and spending time embedded with various groups, including the Taliban, Northern Alliance, CIA operatives, al Qaeda, and Blackwater .
He has been present at numerous conflicts, from Ukraine to the the Battle of Grozny and from Qali Jangi in Afghanistan to the rebel siege of Monrovia in Liberia.
Pelton is the author of several books, most notably the New York Times bestselling guide, "The World's Most Dangerous Places," which provides information for navigating high-risk zones. He has also written "Come Back Alive," a survival guide, and his autobiography, "The Adventurist: My Life in Dangerous Places". His work includes feature stories for National Geographic, Men’s Journal, Foreign Policy and Vice. He has worked as a contributing editor for National Geographic Adventure and has worked for major media networks like Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, CBS's 60 Minutes, ABC Investigative Division, and CNN.
Pelton is also the founder of DPx Gear, a company that designs rugged survival tools and knives based on his field experiences.