Spirits and Stories With Donald Dunn
by Donald Dunn
Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn is a storytelling podcast centered on real life conversations with people shaped by experience, curiosity, and the search for meaning.Each episode explores the human side of belief, identity, resilience, and personal transformation through honest, unfiltered conversations. Rather than offering easy answers, the show creates space for reflection, curiosity, and deeper understanding of the stories that shape how we live.Spirits and Stories is for listeners drawn to thoughtful storytelling, meaningful conversations, and exploring life at the edge of the seen and unseen.
Episodes
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From Baptist Pastor to FBI SWAT Operator | Inside Counterterrorism, Interrogations & High-Risk Tactics
What does it take to go from preaching sermons to leading high-risk FBI tactical operations? In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories, Donald Dunn sits down with Eric Robinson — former FBI Special Agent, 15-year SWAT operator, and national security investigator — to unpack what really...
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Marine Veteran Creates the World’s First Energized Pain Reliever | From Combat to CEO
What happens when a United States Marine decides pain and fatigue aren’t “just part of getting older”? In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories, host Donald Dunn sits down with Marine veteran and entrepreneur Lee Ettinger — a former Special Operations qualified service member who...
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How Do You Lead a Remote Team Effectively? Practical Leadership Skills That Actually Work - The Real Leadership Brief
How do you successfully lead a remote team without losing connection, culture, or performance? In this episode of The Real Leadership Brief, Donald Dunn sits down with engineering leader Limor Bergman-Gross to break down practical leadership strategies that work in today’s remote and hybrid...
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How to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and Become a Better Leader | Leadership Lessons from Skydiving
What does skydiving have to do with leadership? In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories, Donald Dunn sits down with leadership coach and engineering executive Joe to explore how stepping outside your comfort zone transforms the way you lead, think, and grow. With over 650 skydives and…
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What Is It Really Like to Drive 8,000 Miles Across Africa With Your Family? | Barry Maughan’s Memoir Beneath the African Sun
What does it take to drive nearly eight thousand miles the length of Africa — without GPS, cell phones, or modern safety nets? In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories, Donald Dunn sits down with adventurer, journalist, and memoirist Barry Maughan, who recounts his extraordinary journey…
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Meditation, Spiritual Guides, and Healing Through Creativity | Author & Photographer Charlie Siegel
In this episode of Spirits and Stories, Donald Dunn sits down with author and photographer Charlie Siegel for a deep conversation on meditation, spiritual awareness, creativity, and healing. Raised in a deeply spiritual environment and now helping lead the Wisdom of the Ages Center, Charlie…
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Is there really a “light” people see after death?
Is there really a light people see after death? In this deeply thought-provoking episode of Spirits and Stories, we explore the mysteries surrounding the life and death journey with spiritual teacher Michael Waters. Drawing from extraordinary afterlife experiences, Michael shares his work in...
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Is PTSD a Soul Wound? What Veterans Need to Know About Moral Injury - The Healing Side: Real Stories of Growth, Recovery, and Resilience
Is PTSD a Soul Wound? What Veterans Need to Know About Moral Injury? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Edward Tick joins The Healing Side to explore whether PTSD is more than a diagnosis — and whether it may actually be a soul wound. Drawing on over forty years of experience in holistic...
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What REALLY Causes Addictions, Panic Attacks, and Compulsions?
It’s Not Addiction — It’s Unhealed Trauma | Dr. Robert Bleck What if addictions, panic attacks, and compulsive behaviors aren’t the real problem — but symptoms of something much deeper? In this powerful Dr. Robert Bleck interview, we explore how unhealed trauma silently shapes our lives and what…
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He Policed NYC During the Crack Epidemic — Then Helped Restore Law in War-Torn Countries
What is it really like to police one of the most violent eras in American history — and then bring law and order to countries shattered by war? In this powerful interview, former law enforcement officer and author Mike shares what it was like working the streets of New York City during the height...
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What do New Yorkers really think about Andrew Cuomo, and New York Politics. - History Told Forward: The Stories That Shape Who We Are
What do New Yorkers really think about Andrew Cuomo, politics, and the culture surrounding power and accountability? In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Sara Alessandrini, creator of the documentary miniseries This Is What New Yorkers Say, to unpack the real conversations happening on the...
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How do veterans actually figure out who they are and what they do after the military?
This episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn explores the often-unspoken realities of military service and the transition to civilian life through the story of Paul, a veteran who joined the military for practical reasons rather than idealism. He reflects on the motivations that led him…
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The Evolution of Military Medicine: Insights from a Veteran Corpsman
This podcast episode delves into the intricate narratives of military service, emphasizing the profound impact that such experiences have on personal growth and career trajectories. Our guests, both veterans, share their unique journeys into the military, recounting how motivations often stemmed...
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The Art of Clean Comedy: An Interview with Danny Johnson
Our guest, Danny Johnson, embodies the essence of clean, relatable comedy, having dedicated nearly two decades to the art of making people laugh while maintaining a sincere and genuine approach. Throughout his illustrious career, he has traversed the nation, performing at various venues including...
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Walking Away From “Success” to Write What Matters — The Inner Shift Behind Every Real Book with Nina Amir - Authors After Action: Real Life Stories Behind the Books
What if the thing blocking your book isn’t craft, time, or talent—but identity? In this episode of Authors After Action, bestselling author and transformational coach Nina Amir reveals why most writers fail long before page one—and how inner alignment is the real publishing advantage. Nina shares...
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Trading Fields for Freedom: A Sailor’s Journey from Land to Sea with Alison - Authors After Action: Real Life Stories Behind the Books
In this episode of Authors After Action, 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 Elise Allison—sailor, author, and adventurer—whose personal journey carried her from a New...
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Navigating Life's Path: The Intersection of Comedy and Personal Growth
The primary focus of this podcast episode centers on the transformative power of storytelling and its profound impact on personal growth and confidence-building. We engage in a compelling conversation with Simone Canego, who shares her diverse journey from a background in accounting to her…
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Where Science Meets Spirit: Dreams, Trauma, and the Hidden Power of the Mind with Lincoln Stoller - The Healing Side: Real Stories of Growth, Recovery, and Resilience
In this episode of The Healing Side, we deliver a powerful storytelling podcast experience rooted in real life stories, deep conversations, and the evolving human experience of healing. We sit down with Lincoln Stoller—physicist turned psychotherapist—whose personal journey bridges science…
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How Small Businesses Grow Real Leaders – Rich Ashton on Building People-First Companies - The Real Leadership Brief
What does it really take to build leaders inside a small business—without burning people out or losing your culture? In this episode of The Real Leadership Brief, Donald Dunn sits down with Rich Ashton, a Navy veteran and entrepreneur with more than four decades of experience building, fixing…
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The Haunting Truth: John Zappis Speaks on Paranormal Investigations - Radio Paranormal
In this podcast episode, we engage in a profound conversation with renowned paranormal expert John Zaffis, who shares his extensive experiences and insights into the supernatural realm. Zaffis delves into the complexities of haunted objects, the nuances of paranormal investigations, and the...
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Overcoming Trauma at the Top: Leadership, Healing & Resilience with Megha Parek
In this episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn, we deliver a powerful storytelling podcast experience centered on real life stories, inspiring interviews, and the raw truth of the human experience. We sit down with Megha Parek, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the...
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Wired for More: How DNA, AI, and Neurodivergence Unlock Human Potential with Len May - The Healing Side: Real Stories of Growth, Recovery, and Resilience
In this episode of The Healing Side, we deliver a powerful storytelling podcast experience rooted in real life stories, deep conversations, and the evolving human experience of growth and healing. We sit down with Len May—genetics pioneer, CEO of EndoDNA, and human optimization advocate—whose...
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Finding Clarity Beyond the Noise: A Personal Journey of Awakening with Dean Graves
In this episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn, we bring you a powerful storytelling podcast experience centered on real life stories, inspiring interviews, and the unfolding human experience. We sit down with Dean Graves—author, mental health counselor, and guide in conscious living—to...
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From Idea to Award: Crafting a Thriller and Finding Your Voice with John David - Authors After Action: Real Life Stories Behind the Books
In this episode of Authors After Action, we deliver a storytelling podcast experience built on real life stories, inspiring interviews, and the creative side of the human experience. We sit down with John David—public relations professional, corporate ghostwriter, and award-winning novelist—to...
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From Combat to Creation: A Veteran’s Journey into Dark Fantasy with Richard Spiegel
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 Richard Spiegel, a twenty-one-year Army veteran turned dark fantasy and…
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Healing Beyond Toughness: A Navy SEAL’s Journey from Trauma to Wholeness with Christopher Mayer
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…
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From Service to Song: A Veteran’s Creative Journey with Peter Gunn
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...
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Behind the Tape: The Human Cost of Homicide and Life After the Badge with Justin Bocock
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…
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When Justice Fails: Faith, Survival, and Resilience After Wrongful Conviction with Dr. Scott Geiss
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...
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Inside the Darkest Minds: Alaska’s Most Disturbing Crimes with Doug Pfeiffer
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...
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From Sadr City to the Page: A Tank Commander’s War, Wounds, and Words | Galen D. Peterson
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…
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The Gutter Gospel: From Homelessness, Hell, and Hopelessness to Healing
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…
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Unearthing Family History: The Civil War Legacy of Bill Eschenbaugh
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...
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AI, Cannabis, and Saving Lives: Dr. Rosado’s Radical Take on Modern Healthcare
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…
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From Battlefield to Brainwaves: Tony Crescenzo on Healing the Invisible Wounds
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…
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Fatherhood, Identity, and the Grind of Podcasting: A Conversation with Rory
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...
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Terror Strikes, Truth Rises: Joseph M. Leonard on Writing, UFOs, and America’s Hidden History
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,...
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PTSD, Psychedelics & The Truth About Healing Our Veterans — with Sam Peterson
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....
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Ever wonder what a film producer really does? (Hint: It's not just hanging out on red carpets all day ).
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...
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Sober Curious: How Michelle Houston Built a New Drinking Culture
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...
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From Rock Bottom to Relentless: How Marine Veteran Ried Jones Rebuilt His Life and Found His Mission
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...
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The Troubled Teen Industry: Dr. Corey Gentry Exposes a $30 Billion Scam Preying on Kids
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...
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The Power of Empathy: How Dr. Melissa Robinson-Weinmiller is Redefining Leadership
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,...
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Twilight in York: Ryan Gray's Path to Recovery
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...
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Breaking the Addiction to Power: Evan Jaqua and the Solutions Party
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...
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War, Wounds, and Wisdom: Brian Fleming’s Inspiring Journey
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...
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Battling Darkness & Healing Souls | D. Paul Fleming on Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn
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...
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Unlocking the Mind: Susanna Rose's Journey from Combat to Consciousness
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...
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How Musicians Can Actually Make Money: Marketing Lessons from the Events Industry | Dan Charles
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...
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Extreme Adventures in Alaska with Adrenaline Jen: Snow Kiting and Beyond
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....
About this show
Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn is a storytelling podcast centered on real life conversations with people shaped by experience, curiosity, and the search for meaning.Each episode explores the human side of belief, identity, resilience, and personal transformation through honest, unfiltered conversations. Rather than offering easy answers, the show creates space for reflection, curiosity, and deeper understanding of the stories that shape how we live.Spirits and Stories is for listeners drawn to thoughtful storytelling, meaningful conversations, and exploring life at the edge of the seen and unseen.
Hosted by
Donald Dunn
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