Ashley Gilbertson: Confronting Conflict and Change Through the Lens of Courage

#74: Join host Suzanne Weller for an unflinching conversation with award-winning photojournalist and writer Ashley Gilbertson, who has spent over two decades documenting conflict, migration, and pivotal moments that shape our world. From the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan to the halls of the US Capitol on January 6th, Ashley brings us face-to-face with uncomfortable truths through his lens.

In this deeply personal conversation, Ashley shares the magic that drew him to photography at 13, the weight of witnessing history, and why he believes documenting difficult stories is more crucial than ever. We explore his groundbreaking work,  his evolution as a storyteller, and what it means to find courage in the darkest places.

Content Warning: This episode discusses war, conflict, domestic terrorism, and loss. Listener discretion is advised.

Finding Your Voice Early:

• Discovering photography through skateboarding at age 13
• How passion becomes purpose

War Correspondence and Personal Cost

• The moment a Marine's death became personal responsibility
• Learning to carry trauma rather than overcome it

January 6th: An Insider's Perspective

• Being among the first 20 people inside the Capitol
• Witnessing Eugene Goodman's heroic stand

Evolving Storytelling

• Finding new angles on familiar stories
• The challenge of visual fatigue in modern media

Migration and Global Issues

• Covering refugee crises across Europe and the US
• The complexity of immigration stories

"There's nothing in the world that beats that magic... trying to find that moment, what Cartier Bresson would have described as the decisive moment."

"You can't cover these places and come home the same. All of this comes with responsibility. There's no way of getting over any of this crap - it's learning how to carry it."

"The harder the work is, the better the work will be. When you get really deep into it and you want to stop, that is exactly the moment that you have to try twice as hard."

"What I saw was an insurrection. And what happened there was an insurrection. There is no question about that... These pictures will stand."

"One man holds them up for long enough to save the Vice President of America, Nancy Pelosi, and senators... That type of courage, that type of heroism, that's what I live for."

About Ashley Gilbertson

Ashley Gilbertson is an Australian photographer and writer based in New York City. Recognized for his critical eye and unique approach to social issues, Ashley Gilbertson is an Australian photographer and writer living in New York City recognized for his critical eye and unique approach to conflict, global migration, climate, social and health issues. 

• See more of Ashley Gilbertson's work at https://theviifoundation.org/profile/gilbertson-ashley/ and follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashgilbertson/?hl=en
• Ashley’s work for of January 6th at the United States Capitol for The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/magazine/trump-coup.html
• Ashley’s books Whisky Tango Foxtrot and Bedrooms of the Fallen

Photograph

• Learn more about VII Foundation at: https://theviifoundation.org/

Connect with The Courage Effect

• Host: Suzanne Weller / Weller Collaboration
• Website: https://wellercollaboration.com/thecourageeffect
• Social Media: https://linktr.ee/suzanneweller

Special thanks to Ashley Gilbertson for his courage, honesty, and friendship.