WarGuy

#1 — I Walked Into a U.S. Base at 16…Then Everything Changed

WarGuy: From Afghanistan to America (My Story + Why This Podcast Exists) In the first episode of WarGuy, Ahmad Shah Mohibi (WarGuy)—introduces the purpose of this podcast and the story behind the name. This isn’t a political show. Shah already speaks publicly when needed, but WarGuy is different: it’s personal. He talks about growing up in Afghanistan through war and instability, losing family members, and carrying that reality into every decision he’s made since. He also introduces his memoir, WarGuy, written over years in pieces—notes, notebooks, and drafts—until it became a full record of his life. He explains why he made the book widely accessible: the goal isn’t profit. It’s impact, truth, and giving people a real window into what war looks like from someone who lived it. From there, Shah walks through the moments that shaped his life: how 9/11 changed the world and changed his path, what the war looked like from the ground, returning to Kabul and discovering “opportunity” for the first time, learning English and computers, and using internet cafés as a gateway to the world. He shares how working to afford his first computer—and learning by breaking it and fixing it—became the beginning of a new life. He then tells the origin story of Rise to Peace, founded in December 2016, and how it grew into a global network—training hundreds of fellows and interns, producing research and publications, convening dialogues, and pushing practical solutions that work both at the policy level and at the community level. The core belief is simple: peace requires people having real options—education, basic resources, and a future that isn’t controlled by fear. This episode is a foundation: who WarGuy is, where he came from, what he’s built, and why risk and opportunity decide more than most people want to admit. Chapters / Timeline 00:00 Introduction to War Guy Podcast 02:27 The Journey from Afghanistan to the U.S. 04:51 Rise to Peace: Mission and Vision 07:42 The Impact of 9/11 on My Life 09:49 Challenges of Building Institutions in Afghanistan 11:47 Opportunities and Risks in Life 14:29 The Role of Education and Technology 16:58 The Importance of Community and Local Impact 19:56 Rise to Peace: Achievements and Growth 22:31 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations Host: Ahmad Shah Mohibi (WarGuy) Website: ahmadshahmohibi.com [http://ahmadshahmohibi.com] Memoir: WarGuy (Amazon / Apple / Google and more)