Meet Scott Ryder, a former Australian commando, who discusses his memoir Forged in Fire, detailing his 22-year military career and the transition to civilian life. Forged in Fire takes us inside the secretive world of the commandos.
00:00 Introduction 01:18 Nat Newman’s writing tip 09:15 Giveaway: The Blanket Cats by Kiyoshi Shigematsu 11:31 Word of the week: lenitive 12:11 Creative nonfiction 13:44 Interview with Scott Ryder 25:06 Reflecting on military life and writing 26:04 The writing process: Chronology and challenges 27:36 Confronting memories and emotional transparency 29:27 The impact of writing on personal growth 33:13 Transitioning to civilian life 41:57 Fact-checking and authenticity in memoir writing 43:29 Future plans and final thoughts 48:43 Fun fact: Words that only exist in plural form 49:39 Closing remarks
Scott Ryder served for 22 years with the Australian Army, including 16 years as an operator with the 2nd Commando Regiment. He served in East Timor and multiple tours of Afghanistan and Iraq. He holds numerous commendations and a Masters of Business, and he works in veteran charities to improve the life of veterans and their families.
