Writing Darkhorse, Carrying Combat Story, and What Comes Next | AJ Pasciuti & Ryan Fugit

What 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 reflect on the journey from manuscript to publication, the emotional weight of sharing deeply personal stories, and why the mission has always been bigger than a single book. The conversation explores the lessons behind Darkhorse, the Marines and mentors who shaped AJ's life, the realities of publishing a memoir, and the future of Combat Story as a community dedicated to preserving the stories of those who have served while inspiring leadership, resilience, and service beyond the military. Whether you've been with Combat Story since Ryan hosted the show or recently discovered it through AJ, this special episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes conversation about where Combat Story began, how it has evolved, and where it's headed next. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 02:46 The Fear of Publishing a Memoir 04:46 Arnold Schwarzenegger's Endorsement 07:50 Writing a Memoir Without Sounding Like a Narcissist 10:20 Breaking Into Publishing 12:02 Who Is Darkhorse For? 13:50 Fact-Checked by the Director of the Marine Corps Museum 18:35 Cold Calling the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps 20:20 The Weight of Carrying Combat Story 22:10 The Desert Storm Podumentary 25:36 The Darkhorse Ethos 34:14 Reading the Comments After the Big Podcasts 36:10 The Push Behind Darkhorse 38:22 Ryan's New Podcast: Restricted Handling 40:07 Ryan Reveals His Book 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: 📕 Darkhorse: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/book 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/ 🌐 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ Ryan Fugit Ryan Fugit is the founder of Combat Story, a former U.S. Army AH-64 Apache pilot, former CIA Operations Officer, and host of Restricted Handling, where he e