Spirits and Stories With Donald Dunn

In this episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn , we bring you a powerful storytelling podcast experience grounded in real life stories , inspiring interviews , and the depth of the human experience . We sit down with Christopher Mayer, a former U.S. Navy SEAL whose personal journey challenges everything we think we know about toughness, resilience, and healing. Christopher opens up about...

In this episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn , we bring you a powerful storytelling podcast experience rooted in real life stories , inspiring interviews , and the depth of the human experience . We sit down with Peter Gunn—U.S. Air Force veteran, poet, graphic novelist, and musician—whose personal journey bridges military service, near-death experience, and artistic awakening. Peter’s...

In this episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn , we bring you a powerful storytelling podcast experience rooted in real life stories , deep conversations , and the raw truth of the human experience . We sit down with retired homicide detective Justin Bocock to explore what violent crime leaves behind—not just at the scene, but inside the people tasked with uncovering the truth. From crime...

In this episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn , we deliver a powerful storytelling podcast experience built on real life stories , inspiring interviews , and the depth of the human experience . We sit down with Dr. Scott Geiss, a small-town dentist whose life was dismantled by a flawed federal investigation and prosecutorial overreach. Wrongly accused, pressured into a plea, and sentence...

What is normal —and who decides where that line ends? In this gripping conversation, we sit down with Doug Pfeiffer , a retired Anchorage police officer with twenty-five years on the force, to explore the disturbing realities of crime that most people never see. Doug pulls back the curtain on his career investigating some of Alaska’s most twisted cases, from sexual predators and serial killers to...

In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, former U.S. Army tank commander Galen D. Peterson takes us deep into modern warfare, leadership under fire, and the long road home after combat. Galen shares what it was really like leading tanks through Baghdad and Sadr City , facing overwhelming enemy numbers, urban combat, and missions that pushed both men and machines to their breaking point. He op...

Air Force veteran Mike Smith has lived through the depths most people only fear: untreated bipolar disorder, two suicide attempts, homelessness, padded cells, institutionalization, and years of feeling forgotten by the world. But through it all, one thing kept him alive— faith . And one thing brought him clarity— thirty-five years of raw journaling , which now make up his book The Gutter Gospel ....

Bill Eschenbaugh, our esteemed guest today, offers a profound connection to the Civil War, having been raised in the very farmhouse built by his great-grandfather in 1890. This ancestral lineage is enriched by the history of his forebears, including one who fought valiantly with the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Gettysburg, while another tragically perished in the notorious Andersonville prison. Th...

In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories , Donald sits down with Dr. Joseph Rosado — physician, author, cannabis medicine pioneer, and early adopter of AI in healthcare — for one of the most eye-opening conversations of the season. From childhood trauma that led him into medicine, to fighting outdated systems that fail veterans and mental-health patients, Dr. Rosado holds nothing back. Toge...

In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories , Donald sits down with Marine Corps veteran and CEO Tony Crescenzo —a man whose life reads like a dozen careers rolled into one. From Beirut deployments and undercover NCIS operations to high-stakes leadership in the tech world, Tony has lived through extreme stress, trauma, and transformation. But the heart of his story is what came after the unifo...

In this episode of Spirits and Stories , Donald sits down with Rory — a podcaster, coach, and father who has built multiple successful shows while helping men navigate the challenges of being dads. Rory explains that although he is not a veteran — and wished he could have been — he has spent years working closely with veterans and recognizes the identity shift many struggle with when returning to...

In this episode of Spirits and Stories , Donald sits down with bestselling author and political commentator Joseph M. Leonard to explore the winding path that led him from IT professional to international writer, podcaster, and storyteller. Joseph opens up about the dreams that sparked his novels, the real-world history behind Terror Strikes , and the deep faith themes that run through his work. T...

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn , Donald sits down with Sam J. Peterson — former Army EOD technician, combat veteran, and co-founder of Patriot Power Up and Mind Spa Denver — for one of the most important conversations in the veteran community today. Sam J Peterson Sam shares his journey from disarming bombs overseas to nearly losing his life to PTSD...

Ever wonder what a film producer really does? (Hint: It's not just hanging out on red carpets all day). In this episode, host Donald Dunn sits down with award-winning writer, director, and producer Jayson Johnson of Strike Five Films. Jayson pulls back the curtain on the film industry, revealing the reality of his job is more like being a "general manager" and "herding cats" than most people think...

In today’s episode, Donald sits down with Michelle Pualani Houston , the founder of To Be Honest Beverage Co. , a purpose-driven non-alcoholic spirits brand redefining what it means to drink intentionally. After one personal decision to take a break from alcohol turned into a life-changing transformation, Michelle found clarity, confidence, and a deeper sense of purpose—ultimately launching a move...

In this raw and honest episode, Marine veteran Ried Jones opens up about the path that led him from a troubled childhood, to the Marine Corps, to losing everything after an other-than-honorable discharge. What followed was a spiral of drinking, fighting, trauma, depression, and loss—including the death of his father—before a single life-changing moment forced him to start over. Ried breaks down ho...

Most parents have no idea there’s a multi-billion-dollar industry quietly profiting from vulnerable kids — and too often, it’s built on manipulation, control, and trauma. In this powerful interview, Dr. Corey Gentry shares his story from survivor to activist . As a teenager, he was placed in a “treatment program” that forced isolation, stripped education, and left deep psychological scars. Years l...

In this episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Weinmiller — TEDx speaker, EQ coach, and author of The Empathic Leader — joins us to discuss why empathy is the true superpower of effective leadership. After a decades-long music career cut short by toxic leadership, Melissa turned pain into purpose — dedicating her life to transforming how leaders connect, inspire, and...

In this episode of "Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn," we delve into one of the most compelling stories of resilience and recovery we've ever featured. Meet Ryan Gray, a University of North Carolina Asheville graduate with a degree in literature, who is now dedicated to a career in behavioral health as a peer support specialist. Despite battling severe schizophrenia, depression, ADHD, and anxi...

In this episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn , Donald sits down with Evan Jaqua , founder of the Solutions Party , for a refreshingly honest and idea-driven conversation about the future of democracy. From his global experiences in technology, aviation, and international business, Evan shares how his travels across Japan, China, South America, and the U.S. shaped his vision for a system...

 In this powerful episode of "Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn," we dive into the inspiring story of Brian Fleming, a combat-wounded war veteran, author, and resilience trainer. Brian shares his harrowing experiences in Afghanistan, including surviving a suicide bombing and his journey of recovery and healing. We explore his transition from soldier to speaker and founder of "Use Your Story," w...

In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn , Navy veteran and Native American holy man D. Paul Fleming shares his life journey from serving his country to cleansing haunted spaces and helping others overcome unseen forces. Known as a Heioka — both healer and seer — D. Paul reveals how trauma, faith, and spiritual energy intertwine. From battling demons to bringing peace to ve...

 In this enlightening episode of "Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn," host Donald Dunn welcomes Susanna Rose, a former Marine Corps officer who served two combat tours in Afghanistan. Susanna shares her transformative journey from military service to becoming an energy priestess and embodied consciousness guide. Listen as Susanna discusses her spiritual awakening, the power of plant medicine, a...

In this episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn , we sit down with Dan Charles , founder of Coderity , a marketing agency built specifically for the events industry. Dan began his journey in the music world—first as an audio engineer and event producer, scaling from small bar gigs to arena shows with thousands of people. After years of trial, failure, and success, he cracked the code to co...

In this exhilarating episode of "Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn," we dive into the extraordinary life of Jen Milton, also known as Adrenaline Jen. An Australian kite surfing and snow kiting champion, Jen captivates audiences worldwide with her dynamic storytelling and profound insights. Spending three months each year in Alaska, she passionately promotes extreme sports, coaching others to ex...