American Fight Stories with Dabar

Melissa Dabar welcomes Tony and Denise Santucci to American Fight Stories for a deep conversation about faith, community, and perseverance through grief. They share how church and prayer shaped their marriage, how they are raising their granddaughter after their daughter’s death, and how she found healing from anger at God through an FCA camp. Tony recounts losing his three-and-a-half-year-old son...

On American Fight Stories with Melissa Dabar, Jason shares how, after serving a seven-year sentence for armed robbery, he returned to meth, cycled through probation violations, and struggled with gang life, violence, and the trauma of Mississippi prisons like Parchman. He describes losing his children to adoption while incarcerated, spiraling into addiction and suicidal thoughts, and the toll his...

In this episode of American Fight Stories with Dabar, Melissa interviews Chastity Pope, who shares her journey from addiction and denial to 11 years of sobriety. Chastity recounts early struggles with codependency, shame, and coping through prescribed pain pills and Adderall, which escalated into meth use, arrests, losing her home and stability, and years of isolation from her family. Facing felon...

Host Melissa Dabar interviews community member and musician Greg Wilson about his long involvement in prison ministry and the Kairos Ministry in Mississippi. Wilson shares how he felt called to serve inmates, beginning with visits to Parchman and then 12 years leading non-denominational services at the private Tutwiler prison, ministering to inmates from Hawaii and California and seeing many respo...

On American Fight Stories with Dabar, Dabar interviews prosecutor Steven Jubera, who previously handled her aggravated domestic assault case and helped her obtain donated bar review materials while she stayed in a shelter, contributing to her becoming a Mississippi lawyer. Jubera discusses empathizing with victims, defendants, and law enforcement; the “collateral damage” of addiction and crime; an...

Host Melissa Dabar welcomes Cindy Steed to American Fight Stories to share her journey through abuse, devastating loss, addiction, and recovery. Cindy describes leaving an abusive relationship after her son Chad was injured, then losing Chad, her daughter-in-law Elizabeth, and their unborn baby in a fatal interstate accident, which led to depression, cut-off grief counseling, and 14 years of addic...

On American Fight Stories with Dabar, host Dabar interviews Sybil Canon, a longtime admirer from Facebook, about her work and her “fight story.” Cannon shares that she recently became the Veteran Services Officer for Tate County, Mississippi, helping veterans access benefits and explaining the 2022 PACT Act, which presumes certain diagnosed conditions are service-connected for veterans of conflict...

Melissa Dabar interviews assistant district attorney Gordon Shaw, a husband and father, about his path into prosecution in Horn Lake around 2012 and the influence of chief prosecutor Byron Mobley and mentor Judge Gerald Chatham on being tough but fair. Shaw shares his rural Georgia upbringing, love of the outdoors, coaching DeSoto County 4-H archery, and pride in his twin daughters nearing college...

In this episode of American Fight Stories with Debar, Melissa interviews Robert Long, a longtime Mississippi journalist who is now the curator for the DeSoto County Museum and pastors New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Horn Lake while finishing seminary school. Robert shares how storytelling, advocacy, and encouragement shaped his life, including his mother’s influence and his commitment to bein...

Dernetta Newton: Growing Up in Domestic Violence Shelters, Breaking the Cycle & Finding Home On American Fight Stories with Dabar, Melissa interviews Dernetta Newton, a realtor and House of Grace board member, about her childhood experience witnessing her mother’s domestic violence and living in multiple shelters. Dernetta shares moving from Colorado to Arkansas and Oklahoma, learning to survi...

Host Melissa Dabar interviews Johnathon Bigham, administrator and trainer for the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, and volunteer Zach Diaz, a lineman, Marine, and swift water technician. They describe the team’s 34 members, ground searchers, new NASAR trailing-certified canines, and training and technology such as GPS, drones, and Blackwater diving. The centerpiece story recounts...

American Fight Stories with Dabar invites Richard and Anita Parvin on to share their 43-year marriage fight and why marriage is a covenant with God, not just a contract. They recount meeting at a skating rink, building a family, and enduring decades of conflict, repeated forgiveness, and unresolved trauma rooted in Richard’s abusive childhood. In 2021–2022, Anita said she was done, filed for divor...

On American Fight Stories with Dabar, Aubrey Johnson and her husband Shawn share how humor and loyalty have shaped their 13-year marriage, Aubrey’s southern-mama perspective, and her salon “Hey Girl,” where she hears constant community “tea.” Aubrey describes her biggest fights as raising two boys—especially helping her oldest graduate—and battling a public school system that she says let struggli...

From Failing PT Boards to Fighting Breast Cancer: Lindsay Massie’s American Fight Story On today’s epiosde, Melissa talks with Lindsay Massie about resilience, faith, and her breast cancer journey. Massie shares how she earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy but repeatedly failed the PT board exam, struggled with anger toward God, and ultimately found purpose teaching anatomy and physiology at Nor...

On American Fight Stories with Debar, Melissa Debar welcomes Caleb Waddell, an honorary deacon at First Baptist Church in Nesbit and a nursery assistant who loves serving others. Caleb and his mother, Kelly, share how he was born premature and later diagnosed at 13 months with mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (Hurler syndrome), initially described as incurable with a prognosis of dying between ages fi...

On American Fight Stories with Debar, returning guest John Coleman shares recent health struggles (COVID, heart blockage, pneumonia) and how he returned to service through recovery work and Kairos prison ministry at Marshall County Correctional Facility. Coleman explains Kairos as “God’s special timing” and discusses bringing spiritual encouragement to inmates, including forgiveness and self-accep...

On this episode of American Fight Stories with Dabar , host Melissa Dabar welcomes her close friend and fellow advocate, Tiffany Allison . Together, they share an open and heartfelt conversation about Tiffany’s journey—one marked by resilience, reinvention, and the drive to help others. Tiffany reflects on her eight years as a probation officer, including a hilarious story about someone attempting...

On this episode of American Fight Stories with Dabar , host Melissa Dabar sits down with Stacy Dodd , Master Interventionist and founder of Stacy Dodd Interventions LLC . With more than twenty years of experience helping individuals and families navigate addiction, Stacy brings deep insight, compassion, and clarity to the conversation. He explains the true goals of an intervention—guiding someone...

In this uplifting episode of American Fight Stories with Dabar , host Melissa Dabar sits down with John Coleman , a man known for his remarkable spiritual wisdom and deep, steady faith. John shares heartfelt reflections on his walk with God, including the powerful calling he received to minister within prisons. Together, Melissa and John discuss the strength found in prayer, the importance of spir...

In this compelling episode of American Fight Stories with Dabar , host Melissa Dabar sits down with Vietnam veteran David Munsey to hear his powerful story of service, sacrifice, and survival. David shares the harrowing experience of being deployed to Vietnam, the day he was wounded in combat, and the moment he was awarded the Purple Heart . He opens up about his battle with PTSD , how it has impa...

In this powerful episode of American Fight Stories with Dabar , host Melissa Dabar sits down with Andrew Miller , a proud veteran, long-serving Alderman for Hernando, MS (Ward 2) , and Pastor at New Fellowship MB Church . Andrew shares his remarkable journey — from serving in Germany during the Vietnam era to becoming a community leader and spiritual guide. He reflects on what it means for veteran...

In this powerful episode of American Fight Stories with Dabar , host Melissa Dabar sits down with guest Jessica to have an open and compassionate conversation about the red flags of domestic abuse. Together, they explore how to recognize early warning signs, what behaviors might indicate someone needs help, and how to support survivors safely and effectively. In honor of Domestic Violence Awarenes...

On this powerful episode of American Fight Stories with Dabar , host Melissa Dabat sits down with Jasmine Hoskins, a domestic abuse survivor bravely telling her story publicly for the very first time. Born and raised in West Point, Mississippi, Jasmine reflects on her upbringing and the path that led her to meeting—and eventually marrying—her abuser. What began as love turned into a nightmare that...

In this powerful episode of American Fight Stories with Dabar , host Melissa Dabar sits down with Sarita Drake , Executive Director of House of Grace , a nonprofit in Southaven, Mississippi, that provides critical support to survivors of domestic violence across 11 counties. Sarita courageously opens up about her own experience as a survivor and how that journey led her to advocate for others thro...

On this episode of American Fight Stories with Dabar , host Melissa Dabar sits down with Regina Gaines, Shelter Director at House of Grace in Southaven, Mississippi. For three years, Regina has worn many hats—house mom, transporter, cook, and advocate—ensuring survivors of domestic violence have the resources and care they need. She opens up about her own journey as a survivor, offering a powerful...