Fresh Air: Remembering War Correspondent Rod Nordland

Release Date: June 27, 2025

Overview In this poignant episode of Fresh Air, hosted by NPR's Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley, the program pays tribute to the late Rod Nordland, a celebrated war correspondent renowned for his fearless reporting in some of the world’s most volatile conflict zones. The episode delves into Nordland's illustrious career, his battle with glioblastoma, and the profound insights he shared in his memoir, Waiting for the Monsoon.

Introduction The episode opens with an introduction by David Biancooli, setting the stage for remembering Rod Nordland. Biancooli highlights Nordland's extensive career spanning four decades, covering significant events such as the Three Mile Island accident, conflicts in Bosnia, Somalia, Kosovo, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, Congo, and Cambodia. Nordland's dedication and bravery earned him accolades, including a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting on the Three Mile Island incident.

Rod Nordland's Optimism in the Face of Mortality Rod Nordland engages in a heartfelt conversation with Terry Gross, discussing his diagnosis with glioblastoma, a terminal brain tumor. Despite a grim prognosis of 1 to 1.5 years, Nordland survived six additional years through experimental treatments. When asked why he remained optimistic despite the dire prognosis, Nordland attributes his resilience to his inherent optimism. He explains:

"I've always been an optimist and, you know, a very upbeat person. So I think that has been, maybe doctors have even said it to me. It's my greatest strength in fighting this disease." ([03:12])

He further emphasizes the psychological benefits of maintaining hope:

"Those that said they thought they would survive, even though they had a diagnosis that medically had doomed them, had better outcomes than people that just said oh well and sat back and let it do its thing." ([03:38])

Experiences as a War Correspondent Nordland reflects on his time in war zones, contrasting his approach with that of his peers. He advocated for safety, often staying away from the front lines to protect himself and his team. A notable incident recounted by Nordland involves a harrowing experience in Cambodia:

"I was standing shoulder to shoulder with one of these militiamen, and there were bullets whizzing over our heads... one of those bullets hit the guy next to me and blew his brains out, quite literally." ([05:57])

Despite such close encounters with death, Nordland continued his work, driven by a commitment to report the truth while minimizing personal risk. This approach not only preserved his life but also allowed him to return to the field repeatedly, witnessing and documenting the human cost of conflict.

Facing Death as a Patient vs. a Correspondent Terry Gross probes Nordland on the emotional differences between facing death as a war correspondent and as a patient battling cancer. Nordland notes that both roles require immense emotional control and a steady demeanor:

"The first thing you had to be sure to do was to stay calm and not lose control of your emotions and just stay calm no matter what." ([10:53])

However, he distinguishes the two experiences by highlighting the unpredictability of war versus the clinical reality of his illness. In war zones, survival often felt like a "coin toss," whereas with glioblastoma, the prognosis was unequivocally terminal:

"With glioblastoma, there's no coin to us. It's incurable, it's terminal, and it can be treated, but it can't be cured." ([12:15])

Acceptance and Personal Growth Confronting his mortality led Nordland to profound personal growth. He became more reflective, prioritizing meaningful relationships and personal healing over past grievances:

"It made me look back on my life and things that had happened in my life and think about what was most important... I felt a lot of love from them, which was very heartening." ([13:20])

Nordland also discusses the concept of grieving for the life he had envisioned, rather than the imminent death itself, fostering a deeper connection with his loved ones:

"I think it made us even closer than we were already." ([17:03])

Philosophy on Life and Death Nordland explores his philosophical inquiries into the meaning of life, drawing parallels between his journalistic curiosity and his introspective questions as a patient. He shares an insightful exchange inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt and Raymond Carver:

"The purpose of life is to live life to the fullest and to enjoy everything about it." ([14:35])

"I think the meaning of life is, as Raymond Carver said, to feel yourself beloved on this earth." ([14:54])

Relationships and Legacy A significant portion of the conversation centers on Nordland's relationships, particularly with his partner, Lela, a poet and human rights activist. Their bond was tested by his diagnosis, yet their mutual support and shared grief strengthened their connection. They engaged deeply with literature and discussions around death, drawing inspiration from Frank Ostoeski's The Five Invitations:

"It really changed our lives. We read the book out loud to each other and for days on end sometimes." ([17:16])

Nordland emphasizes that repairing and nurturing his relationships was his primary method of preparing for the inevitable:

"I think by repairing my relationships more than anything else and working hard on those..." ([19:17])

Final Reflections As the interview concludes, Nordland reflects on his journey, both as a correspondent who chronicled death and as a patient confronting it personally. His unwavering optimism, dedication to meaningful relationships, and philosophical insights leave a lasting impression on listeners, underscoring a life lived with purpose and resilience.

Conclusion Rod Nordland's legacy as a distinguished war correspondent and his courageous battle with cancer serve as powerful reminders of the human spirit's capacity to endure and find meaning amidst adversity. Fresh Air honors his contributions, capturing his reflections and the wisdom gleaned from a life marked by both professional bravery and personal introspection.

Notable Quotes:

• Rod Nordland [03:12]: "I've always been an optimist and, you know, a very upbeat person. So I think that has been... my greatest strength in fighting this disease."
• Rod Nordland [05:57]: "One of those bullets hit the guy next to me and blew his brains out, quite literally."
• Rod Nordland [10:53]: "The first thing you had to be sure to do was to stay calm and not lose control of your emotions and just stay calm no matter what."
• Rod Nordland [14:54]: "I think the meaning of life is, as Raymond Carver said, to feel yourself beloved on this earth."

Additional Resources Listeners are encouraged to explore Rod Nordland's memoir, Waiting for the Monsoon, for a deeper dive into his experiences and reflections. Subscribe to Fresh Air Plus for bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening at plus.npr.org/freshair.