JACK CARR MEDIA
Today, Jack is joined by Rona-Lee Shimon, who plays Eliza in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.
In this episode, Rona-Lee and Jack talk about discovering Eliza’s character from the audition to the motorcycle and book market sequences, to some of her most pivotal moments in the series. They discuss the training behind the role, how Rona-Lee’s background as a ballet dancer shaped her approach to action, and the leadership and emotional depth Eliza brings to the team.
They also break down Eliza’s dynamic with Ben, her mentorship of Tal, standout scenes from the season, along with the betrayal, vulnerability, and loss that define her arc. Rona-Lee also reflects on her path into acting, her work on Fauda, and how becoming a mother deepened her connection to the character.
FOLLOW RONA-LEE @ronalee_shimon
https://www.instagram.com/ronalee_shimon/
Today, Jack is joined by Tom Hopper who brings Raife Hastings to life in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.
In this episode, Tom and Jack talk about the weight of bringing fan favorite character Raife Hastings to the screen. Tom shares how he found the role through test reads, chemistry reads with Taylor Kitsch and Chris Pratt, and a deep dive into the books that made him even more fired up to step into Raife’s world.
They reflect on favorite moments from Dark Wolf, including Raife’s first scenes, the evolving dynamic between Reece, Ben, and Raife, and the authenticity that came from training, conversations with SEAL advisors, and a cast and crew committed to getting it right. They also discuss the tone shift in Episode 2 as the series moves from the battlefield in the Middle East to the world of espionage in Europe, the emotional cost of Raife’s arc, and how Dark Wolf helps set the stage for what comes next in The Terminal List Season 2: True Believer.
Along the way, they touch on standout performances across the cast, lines and themes that carried through the season, and Tom’s experience joining a production that felt more like family.
FOLLOW TOM @tom.hopperhops
Today, Jack is joined by Robert Wisdom, who plays Jed Haverford in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.
In this episode, Robert and Jack talk about Jed’s role in Dark Wolf, from Robert’s first impressions reading the scripts to the opening scene that helped define the character. They discuss what drew Robert to the role, why he wanted the performance to come from the gut, and how Jed can smile, charm, and recruit while still feeling like the most dangerous man in the room.
They also get into the twists behind the story, how the series leaves breadcrumbs for what is coming, and the tension between mentor, mastermind, and operator working in the shadows of the CIA. Along the way, they discuss the boat scene, the rooftop recruiting scene in Budapest, the final moments of the season, and the impact of filming in Washington, D.C., including in front of the CIA Memorial Wall.
Robert also reflects on the moral conflict of playing Jed and on how actors can elevate material beyond the page. He also shares his early path into acting, from college track and deferred law school to theater, NPR, and the career turns that set him on this road.
This is a companion podcast to The Terminal List: Dark Wolf on Prime Video, taking listeners deeper into the story, characters, and creative process behind the series.
Watch The Terminal List: Dark Wolf: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/The-Terminal-List-Dark-Wolf/0MYH9XYR9SCGXB57LR8ES71GFL
Today, Jack is joined by Chris Pratt, who stars as James Reece in The Terminal List.
In this episode, Chris and Jack talk Dark Wolf, True Believer, and the moments shaping what comes next in The Terminal List universe. They reflect on favorite scenes from Dark Wolf, the scale and authenticity of the production, and how the series moves from the battlefield into the gray world of intelligence and global spycraft.
They also explore the differences between James Reece, Ben Edwards, and Raife Hastings, touching on loyalty, family, pain, discipline, and purpose. Along the way, they discuss Once an Eagle, on-set improvisation, filming in South Africa, the strength of an international cast, and the influences of The Punisher, Mack Bolan, Bond, and Zero Dark Thirty.
Chris shares what it was like stepping back into the role of James Reece, what drew him to the character in the first place, and where the story could go next.
This is a companion podcast to The Terminal List: Dark Wolf on Prime Video, taking listeners deeper into the story, characters, and creative process behind the series.
Watch The Terminal List: Dark Wolf:
https://www.primevideo.com/detail/The-Terminal-List-Dark-Wolf/0MYH9XYR9SCGXB57LR8ES71GFL
FOLLOW CHRIS @prattprattpratt
https://www.instagram.com/prattprattpratt/
Today, Jack is joined by The Terminal List: Dark Wolf producers Taylor Kitsch, Jared Shaw, and David DiGilio.
Taylor stars as Ben Edwards, Jared Shaw plays Ernest “Boozer” Vickers, and David DiGilio serves as co-creator, showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Together, they break down how Dark Wolf made it to the screen, the delays that shaped the production, and what it took to bring this story to life.
In this conversation, they discuss the origin of the series, the first episodes, the psychology behind the characters, and the weight carried in key scenes. They also talk about the camaraderie on set and why this production felt different from most.
This is a companion podcast to The Terminal List: Dark Wolf on Prime Video, taking listeners deeper into the story, the performances, and the creative process behind Ben Edwards’ descent into the gray.
Watch The Terminal List: Dark Wolf:
https://www.primevideo.com/detail/The-Terminal-List-Dark-Wolf/0MYH9XYR9SCGXB57LR8ES71GFL
Howlers Ridge: Founded by Taylor Kitsch, Howlers Ridge is a nature-based healing center in Bozeman, Montana. The nonprofit supports healing, resilience, and personal growth through immersive retreats, educational programs, and grants to mission-aligned nonprofit partners. Learn more: https://www.howlersridge.org/
FOLLOW TAYLOR @taylorkitsch
https://www.instagram.com/taylorkitsch/?hl=en
FOLLOW DAVID @digiliofilms
https://www.instagram.com/digiliofilms/?hl=en
The Jack Carr Book Club December 2025 Selection is THE TIN MEN by Nelson DeMille and Alex DeMille.
In THE TIN MEN, New York Times bestselling author Alex DeMille joins his father, the legendary Nelson DeMille, to deliver the final Nelson DeMille novel—delivering a high-stakes, cutting-edge thriller that drops readers into the future of warfare—where the lines between soldier, machine, and judgment begin to blur.
At a top-secret Army facility deep in the Mojave Desert, Army CID Special Agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor are sent to investigate the shocking murder of Major Roger Ames, the chief scientist behind experimental war games involving platoons of Army Rangers and fleets of lethal autonomous weapons. What begins as a single suspicious death quickly spirals into a deadly maze of hidden agendas, isolation-driven paranoia, and next-generation military technology operating without clear limits.
Cut off by desert heat, secrecy, and an increasingly unstable command structure, Brodie and Taylor must navigate a world where everyone is a suspect—and where AI, robotics, and human ambition collide in ways that may change warfare forever.
Alex DeMille is a novelist and filmmaker whose work has been recognized at festivals worldwide. His previous novels THE DESERTER and BLOOD LINES, cowritten with Nelson DeMille, were instant New York Times bestsellers. A graduate of Yale (BA) and UCLA (MFA Film Directing), he lives in Brooklyn with his family.
This episode explores the inspiration behind THE TIN MEN, the research into modern and emerging military technologies, the father-son collaboration that shaped the novel, and the moral dilemmas at the heart of a world where machines can kill—but can’t be held accountable.
FOLLOW ALEX
Instagram - @alexDeMille
Facebook - @alexdemilleauthor
X - @alexdemille
Website - https://alexdemille.com/
FOLLOW JACK
Instagram - @JackCarrUSA
X - @JackCarrUSA
Facebook - @JackCarr
YouTube - @JackCarrUSA
SPONSORS
CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/
Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3:
https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/ and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA
THE SIGs of Jack Carr:
Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc
Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear
In this episode, Jack sits down for a look back at 2025 — the books, conversations, milestones, and behind-the-scenes work that defined the last twelve months.
From the premiere of DARK WOLF and the launch of CRY HAVOC, to standout podcast guests, book club moments, this episode pulls back the curtain on a landmark year for the Jack Carr brand.
Jack also shares what’s coming in 2026, including:
Major updates in the Terminal List universe
A new novel in a new series
Upcoming Danger Close themes and guests
New brand partnerships and projects
Ongoing work in TV, film, and publishing
What listeners and readers can expect in the months ahead
A personal, candid wrap-up — a preview of a massive year to come — and a highlight from this last year’s podcasts.
FOLLOW JACK
Instagram: @JackCarrUSA
X: @JackCarrUSA
Facebook: @JackCarr
YouTube: @JackCarrUSA
SPONSORS
CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/
Bravo Company Manufacturing - https://bravocompanyusa.com/ and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA
THE SIGs of Jack Carr:
Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc
Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear
Over the past year, the Jack Carr Book Club and the Danger Close Podcast brought together bestselling authors and literary legends to share hard-earned lessons from the page.
In this special Writing Advice episode, we’ve gathered the most insightful, actionable, and inspiring moments from those interviews. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a reader fascinated by the craft, or someone looking to better understand the creative trenches, this episode delivers a master class in storytelling.
Highlights Include:
How the pros develop character, tension, and authenticity
Building a daily writing routine (even when life gets chaotic)
Lessons on editing, perseverance, doubt, and creative discipline
What it takes to write stories that matter
A year’s worth of writing wisdom — distilled into one episode.
Guests and Referenced Episodes:
Dan Brown - THE SECRET OF SECRETS: https://youtu.be/LD03tfIcsaM
Dan Brown - THE SECRET OF SECRETS: WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE: https://www.officialjackcarr.com/the-secret-of-secrets/
David Morrell - A Master Class with David Morrell: The Art of the Thriller: https://youtu.be/CGue_lskxoY
Mike Rowe - The State of the Union: https://youtu.be/JhdgAI2oAXc
David Baldacci - STRANGERS IN TIME: https://youtu.be/MeYBU-o_3oo
David McCloskey - Secrets, Spies, and The Persian: Inside the Mind of CIA Veteran David McCloskey: https://youtu.be/TTPKPfsuUXo
Alex Berenson - From Baghdad to Bestsellers: A Conversation with Alex Berenson: https://youtu.be/6ofIOD5vu98
Daniel Silva - AN INSIDE JOB: https://youtu.be/8pbqTOGn71g
Ryan Pote - Blood and Treasure: https://youtu.be/RtbqCiweB7E
FOLLOW JACK
Instagram: @JackCarrUSA
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Facebook: @JackCarr
YouTube: @JackCarrUSA
SPONSORS
CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/
Bravo Company Manufacturing - https://bravocompanyusa.com/ and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA
THE SIGs of Jack Carr:
Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc
Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear
Throughout 2025, Danger Close featured some of the most powerful, emotional, and historically significant conversations in the show’s history — none more impactful than the interviews with the men of MACV-SOG, men who inspired the #1 New York Times bestselling novel, Cry Havoc.
Formed during the Vietnam War, the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group was one of the most clandestine and highly trained units ever assembled. These warriors operated in the shadows, conducted missions that remained classified for decades, and carried the weight of those experiences long after coming home.
This special Best Of episode brings together the most memorable insights, stories, and reflections from this year’s interviews with SOG veterans — a tribute to the legacy, sacrifice, and courage of those who stepped forward when their nation needed them most.
Featured Moments Include:
Firsthand recollections of running recon across the fence
Leadership forged in the most dangerous missions of the war
The emotional cost of secrecy, sacrifice, and survival
Lessons for today’s warriors, citizens, and future generations
Referenced Episodes and Videos:
Jim Shorten: MACV-SOG Vietnam War Veteran: https://youtu.be/IuTDDAvAHQY
Top Secret Combat in Laos: https://youtu.be/SWYKhm_AWOs
John Stryker Meyer: MACV-SOG Vietnam War Veteran: https://youtu.be/h3FdEgm-fzU
MACV-SOG: The Secret War: https://youtu.be/pCGbykibF4I
Part 2: MACV-SOG: The Secret War: https://youtu.be/hhdBsDliUus
Surrender Not An Option: https://youtu.be/IJywCS9voxE
FOLLOW JACK
Instagram: @JackCarrUSA
X: @JackCarrUSA
Facebook: @JackCarr
YouTube: @JackCarrUSA
SPONSORS
CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/
Bravo Company Manufacturing - https://bravocompanyusa.com/ and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA
THE SIGs of Jack Carr:
Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc
Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear
The Jack Carr Book Club November 2025 Selection: EXIT STRATEGY by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child & Andrew Child.
Jack Reacher will make three stops today. Not all of them were planned.
In EXIT STRATEGY, the blockbuster new Jack Reacher thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling authors Lee Child and Andrew Child, Reacher once again finds himself in the crosshairs of a mystery that only he can unravel. A suspicious brush in a Baltimore coffee shop. A forgotten coat in a store. And a handwritten note tucked into his pocket—a desperate plea for help that sets him on a collision course with danger, deception, and “the best villain yet” (USA Today).
Lee Child is the author of twenty-five New York Times bestselling Jack Reacher novels, with sixteen reaching the #1 position, along with the #1 bestselling short story collection No Middle Name.
Andrew Child, who also writes as Andrew Grant, is the author of RUN, FALSE POSITIVE, FALSE FRIEND, FALSE WITNESS, INVISIBLE, and TOO CLOSE TO HOME.
This month’s conversation explores the evolution of Jack Reacher, the craft behind maintaining one of the world’s most iconic heroes, and how Lee and Andrew continue to push the Reacher universe forward with fresh energy and a deep respect for the character’s legacy. We dig into their collaborative process, the precision behind Reacher’s moral compass, and what readers can expect as the series continues to evolve.
FOLLOW LEE
Instagram - @jackreacherbooks
Facebook - @JackReacherOfficial
X - @LeeChildReacher
Website - https://www.jackreacher.com/us/
FOLLOW ANDREW
Facebook - @andrewgrantauthor
X - @andrew_grant
Website - https://andrewgrantbooks.com/
FOLLOW JACK
Instagram - @JackCarrUSA
X - @JackCarrUSA
Facebook - @JackCarr
YouTube - @JackCarrUSA
SPONSORS
CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/
Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3:
https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/ and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA
THE SIGs of Jack Carr:
Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc
Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear
Today’s guest is David McCloskey — former CIA analyst, bestselling author, and co-host of the hit podcast The Rest is Classified.
Before becoming a novelist, David served at the Central Intelligence Agency where he wrote for the President’s Daily Brief, testified before Congressional oversight committees, and briefed senior White House officials, ambassadors, and military leaders. He spent years stationed across the Middle East during the Arab Spring and later worked in the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center focused on the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.
David’s acclaimed thrillers — DAMASCUS STATION, MOSCOW X, THE SEVENTH FLOOR, and THE PERSIAN — have established him as one of the most authentic new voices in modern espionage fiction. Damascus Station was a finalist for the 2022 International Thriller Writer’s Award for Best First Novel and is currently in development for television. His latest release, The Persian, takes readers deep into a shadow war in Iran and follows a dentist living in Sweden who builds an international front to conceal a covert operation.
In this episode, Jack and David discuss the inspiration behind The Persian, the real-world dynamics of the intelligence community, and the meticulous craft of writing espionage fiction rooted in truth. They talk about the creation of The Rest is Classified — a top-charting podcast exploring untold spy stories, manhunts, and historical intrigue.
David also shares insights into the writing process, balancing podcasting with novel deadlines, the surprising bureaucracy of the intelligence world — past and present — and a humorous story of running into Ben Affleck at Langley during research for Argo.
His new novel, THE PERSIAN, is available now.
FOLLOW DAVID
Instagram: @mccloskeybooks
Facebook: @mccloskeybooks
Website: https://www.davidmccloskeybooks.com/
FOLLOW JACK
Instagram: @JackCarrUSA
X: @JackCarrUSA
Facebook: @JackCarr
YouTube: @JackCarrUSA
SPONSORS
CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/
Bravo Company Manufacturing - https://bravocompanyusa.com/ and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA
THE SIGs of Jack Carr:
Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc
Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear