“I Can’t Just Sit Back and Watch Anymore” | Astronaut Terry Virts on Courage, Ethics, & Politics (PT. 2)
The Daily Stoic
Daily Stoic | Backyard Ventures
4.6 • 4.7K Ratings
🗓️ 6 September 2025
⏱️ 63 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In today’s Part 2 episode with astronaut and Senate candidate Terry Virts, Ryan and Terry talk about the difference between physical and moral courage, why so many leaders fail the test of honor, and what it truly means to serve your country. They discuss the hard truths about politics in Texas and refusing to stay silent when the stakes are highest.
At 17, Terry Virts joined the Air Force and went on to become an F-16 fighter pilot and test pilot. He has flown combat missions over Iraq, tested the world’s fastest jets and commanded the International Space Station. He’s orbited Earth 3,400 times and has spent 213 days in space total. His military decorations include the NASA Space Flight Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, et al. He retired from NASA in August 2016 and is currently running for U.S. Senate from Texas.
Follow Terry on Instagram @Astro_Terry and you can learn more about his campaign at https://www.terryvirts.com/
📕 Grab signed copies of How to Astronaut: An Insider’s Guide To Leaving Planet Earth by Terry Virts at The Painted Porch: https://www.thepaintedporch.com/
📚 Books mentioned:
The Second Mountain by David Brooks
Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman
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Transcript
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