Tom Durkin reflects on his friendship with Jim Foley and recalls how they met during their first week of college at Marquette University, connecting quickly through their mutual love of adventure and seeking new experiences. Durkin discusses Foley’s genuine interest in helping others, particularly those facing challenges and adversity, and speaks on the void he feels since Jim was killed.

Tom Durkin is the Program Director for the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation. His primary focus involves cultivating existing relationships with Foundation partners, including non-profits, universities, and media organizations. He also maintains, updates, and develops the James W. Foley Journalist Safety Curricula with Marquette University's Diederich College of Communication, Foley Foundation board members, and other safety experts. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences at Marquette University, where he and Jim first met.
From the 2016 Kunhardt Films Documentary “Jim: The James Foley Story”, offers an in-depth look at the life and work of American journalist James Foley, who was killed by ISIS terrorists in 2014. Friends and family sit down to discuss Foley's life and his time in captivity.

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Chapter Markers:
00:00 - Opening
00:11 - Meeting Jim for the first time at Marquette University
02:43 - Jim fitting in with all different types of groups
04:10 - Jim in Phoenix
06:41 - Jim’s transition from fiction writing to journalism
13:32 - Jim teaches at Cook County Jail bootcamp
17:59 - Jim tries to figure out what he wants to do with his life
19:52 - Jim’s connection with his faith
22:25 - Jim’s transience
32:03 - Jim gets into journalism
33:28 - Friendship with Jim
35:39 - Parents’ influence on Jim
36:33 - Jim’s loyalty
38:39 - Jim’s failures
45:24 - Seeing Jim get emotional
46:22 - Jim travels to Libya to report from the frontlines
51:12 - Learning about Jim’s first capture
54:28 - The party after
57:50 - Thoughts on Jim returning to Syria
59:10 - Thoughts on Jim settling down
01:00:26 - John Cantlie
01:01:43 - Learning about Jim’s second capture
01:06:33 - Learning Jim had been killed
01:09:21 - Grieving process
01:11:08 - Jim and his journalism
01:12:29 - Memorial for Jim
01:14:59 - Learning more about Jim
01:17:12 - Jim’s legacy

Tom Durkin, Friend of Jim
Interviewed By: Brian Oakes
Interview Date: August 14, 2015

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