Dissension: Loyalty, Betrayal & The Cost of Broken Trust with Rodney Phillips

In this compelling episode of the JDS Podcast, host Joshua Agbontaen sits down with author Rodney Phillips to discuss his debut novel, Dissension: A Disagreement That Leads to Discord.What makes Rodney’s story remarkable isn’t just the novel itself—it’s the journey behind it. He began writing Dissension at nineteen years old, placed the manuscript in a filing cabinet, and left it untouched for thirty-seven years. After becoming an empty nester, he revisited the story, completed it, and ultimately saw it published after turning fifty-six.Drawing on themes of loyalty, ambition, betrayal, trust, and human nature, Rodney explores how a single fracture in communication can create consequences far beyond what anyone anticipates.In this episode, we discuss:* The 37-year journey from manuscript to publication* Why some dreams are worth waiting for* The inspiration behind Dissension* Loyalty, betrayal, and moral compromise* How communication breakdowns create conflict* The psychology of trust* Leadership lessons from sports and mentoring* Overcoming self-doubt and unfinished goals* Storytelling as a reflection of real life* The power of perseverance and reinventionThis is a conversation about resilience, second chances, human behavior, and finally pursuing the dream you’ve carried for decades.