The Fourth Option: Preface

Today on DANGER CLOSE: THE FOURTH OPTION, I’m joined by Ed Calderon, a former Mexican counter-narcotics officer with firsthand experience fighting organized crime on the front lines. We get into the evolution of Mexican cartels from smuggling organizations into paramilitary forces, the rise of CJNG, drones, corruption, tradecraft, operational security, and why the security challenges facing Mexico are inseparable from the future of the United States. This is a companion podcast to my new thriller, THE FOURTH OPTION, talking to those on the front lines, analyzing modern warfare, and taking listeners deeper into the themes that inspired the novel. This podcast series is presented by HUXWRX Safety Co., Staccato 2011, and Bravo Company USA.

Today on DANGER CLOSE: THE FOURTH OPTION, I’m joined by Steve Murphy and Javier Peña — the real DEA agents behind Netflix’s Narcos.Straight from the agents who were there: working undercover in jeans and a polo with a target on their backs, Escobar’s self-built prison, treason charges, and the order that changed everything — “We’re not here to seize dope. We’re here to kill Pablo Escobar.”This is a companion podcast to my new thriller, THE FOURTH OPTION, talking to those on the front lines, analyzing modern warfare, and taking listeners deeper into the themes that inspired the novel.This podcast series is presented by HUXWRX Safety Co., Staccato 2011, and Bravo Company.

Today, Jack is joined by Taylor Kitsch who plays Ben Edwards in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf on Prime Video for the final installment of this Danger Close Dark Wolf podcast series.Jack and Taylor walk through the origin of Ben Edwards in The Terminal List, every episode of Dark Wolf, the moments that defined Ben’s character, and stories from behind the scenes covering what it took to bring Ben's depth and humanity to life on screen.They also get into the motorcycles, Ben's tattoos, the physical toll of the action sequences, Jack's cameos, the opening sequence and music, the significance of including Once an Eagle, and where the series may be headed.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.amazon.com/Terminal-List-Dark-Wolf-Season/dp/B0F7HFJ64C FOLLOW TAYLOR @taylorkitschhttps://www.instagram.com/taylorkitsch/

Get an early start on THE FOURTH OPTION. Listen to Prologue, Part 2, narrated by Ray Porter.The audiobook drops along with the hardcover and eBook on May 12. Pre-order today: https://bit.ly/TheFourthOptionAudioAudio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from THE FOURTH OPTION by Jack Carr and M.P. Woodward, read by Ray Porter. Copyright © 2026 by Tomahawk Creative, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Get an early start on THE FOURTH OPTION. Listen to Prologue, Part 1, narrated by Ray Porter.The audiobook drops along with the hardcover and eBook on May 12. Pre-order today: https://bit.ly/TheFourthOptionAudioAudio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from THE FOURTH OPTION by Jack Carr and M.P. Woodward, read by Ray Porter. Copyright © 2026 by Tomahawk Creative, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Today, Jack is joined by Dar Salim in Dar’s first ever podcast appearance! Dar plays Mohammed “Mo” Farooq in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf on Prime Video.  In this episode, Jack and Dar cover the physicality of the character, the moral grey zone he operates in, and the subtle nuance that makes his decisions resonate with audiences. They explore the relationships that define the story, the scale and authenticity behind the action sequences, and the foundation that grounds the world of Dark Wolf. Dar also shares the remarkable life journey that shaped him as a person and an actor, and what's ahead in True Believer. Watch The Terminal List: Dark Wolf: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/The-Terminal-List-Dark-Wolf/0MYH9XYR9SCGXB57LR8ES71GFL FOLLOW DAR @darsalim1https://www.instagram.com/darsalim1/  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.

Today, Jack is joined by Luke Hemsworth, who plays Jules Landry in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf. In this episode, Luke and Jack discuss what it takes to portray a character who is likable but unsettling at the same time, Luke’s ability to bring Landry's dynamic with Ben, Tal, Eliza, and Raife to life, the tension beneath the surface and the fine line between charm and menace that defines the Jules Landry character. They also cover Luke's first days on set with Taylor Kitsch, the difficult scenes with Tal and how those were handled with care, and the arc building toward Luke’s transformational moment as Landry in True Believer. 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 LUKE @hemsworthlukehttps://www.instagram.com/hemsworthluke/

Get an early start on The Fourth Option. The incomparable Ray Porter – voice of THE TERMINAL LIST series and TARGETED series - is BACK, bringing his talents to the audiobook edition of THE FOURTH OPTION.  The audiobook drops along with the hardcover and eBook on May 12. Pre-order today: https://bit.ly/TheFourthOptionAudio Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from THE FOURTH OPTION by Jack Carr and M.P. Woodward, read by Ray Porter. Copyright © 2026 by Tomahawk Creative, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Today, Jack is joined by Shiraz Tzarfati, who plays Tal Varon in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf. In this episode, Shiraz and Jack talk about discovering Tal’s character from the audition to her first meeting with Ben and Raife to one of the most brutal fight scenes of the season.  They discuss Shiraz’s first days on set, Tal’s place on the team, and the tension between her and Jules Landry. Shiraz also reflects on Tal’s final scene and how the character has changed by the end of the season.

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_shimonhttps://www.instagram.com/ronalee_shimon/