On this episode of Spirits and Stories, Donald sits down with author and historian Bill Eschenbaugh, a man whose roots run deep into the soil of American history. Bill wasn’t just raised around Civil War stories—he was raised in them. Growing up in the very Pennsylvania farmhouse built by his great-grandfather, Bill inherited more than land; he inherited legacy.

With ancestors who served in multiple regiments—including one who never returned home from the horrors of Andersonville Prison—Bill brings firsthand family accounts, battlefield insights, and generational memories that textbooks simply can’t capture.

In this powerful conversation, Bill and Donald explore:

• Life on a farm where every field held echoes of the past
• The harrowing realities Union soldiers faced on the march, in the snow, and under fire
• The moral, spiritual, and patriotic motivations of Northern soldiers
• Bill’s deep dive into ancestry research that uncovered centuries of family service
• How his novel Up the Shenandoah brings his family’s Civil War story to life
• The rugged resilience, sacrifice, and everyday humanity of men who answered Lincoln’s call

Bill’s stories remind us that history isn’t something we read—it’s something we inherit. And in this episode, listeners get a rare look at the Civil War through the eyes of a family that lived it, survived it, and carried its lessons forward.

Pull up a chair, pour a drink, and settle in for a journey through courage, hardship, and the unbroken American spirit.

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 From childhood trauma that led him into medicine, to fighting outdated systems that fail veterans and mental-health patients, Dr.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.

Together, they dive deep into:

• How PTSD unknowingly shaped Dr. Rosado’s path into medicine
• The physician who changed his life and erased his medical trauma
• The harsh truth about the VA system, veteran suicides, and “cocktail” psychiatry
• Why cannabis, ketamine, and emerging psychedelics are saving lives when traditional meds fail
• How AI can transform care — not replace doctors — but empower them
• The future of genetic-based prescribing and precision medicine
• Why we must rethink outdated stigma and start demanding real wellness instead of sick-care

Dr. Rosado shares stories from decades on the front lines of medicine, including cases where AI, cannabis, and ketamine treatment offered hope where the system had given none. This episode challenges assumptions, breaks stigma, and opens the door to a better, smarter, more compassionate future in healthcare.

If you’re a veteran, a patient, a caregiver, or someone curious about the future of medicine, this conversation is a must-listen.

Don’t forget: Don’t let the day kick your ass — kick the day’s ass.

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 uniform.

Tony opens up about the decades-long impact of PTSD, the near-constant hyper-vigilance, and the quiet battles veterans carry long after the fighting stops. He shares how he went from rage and sleepless nights to discovering a breakthrough neuro-acoustic technology that rewired his life—ending nightmares, restoring calm, and igniting a mission to help others heal.

Now leading Peak Neuro, Tony is pioneering a non-drug, AI-driven solution designed to help veterans, first responders, elite athletes, and even fighter pilots reclaim their cognitive strength, emotional balance, and sleep.

This episode dives deep into:

• Tony’s wild and inspiring Marine Corps journey
• His undercover role helping to expose corruption inside a reserve unit
• The long-term cost of repeated combat deployments
• How neuro-entrainment is changing the way we treat PTSD and trauma
• Why healing the mind must start before the damage is done
• A vision for a future where every service member is mentally armored before battle

Pour a glass and settle in. This is one of the most eye-opening conversations ever recorded on the show—raw, real, and truly hopeful.

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 civilian life.

Rory opens up about the difficulties fathers face when transitioning from structured roles into the unpredictable world of parenting. He shares how his own experiences shaped his coaching approach, why he stays in his lane by focusing on fatherhood rather than military issues, and how he supports men who feel lost or overwhelmed.

The conversation also dives into the reality of podcasting: the workload, the lack of shortcuts, the constant editing and promotion, and the moment Rory realized his shows had grown into a true business. He breaks down how each of his podcasts came to life — including his speaking-focused show that gives new speakers a chance to practice their talks on camera.

Throughout the episode, Donald and Rory talk about personal growth, overcoming hesitation, handling negativity online, and using creative projects as a form of therapy and purpose.

This is a grounded, honest conversation about fatherhood, identity, podcasting, and rebuilding confidence, told directly from Rory’s lived experience.

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.

The conversation dives into terrorism, situational awareness, and the psychology of fear, then shifts into a fascinating discussion on UFOs, interdimensional theories, angels, scripture, and humanity’s place in the universe. Joseph also shares his take on America’s fading civics education, the danger of hubris, the power of free will, and why social media both helps and hurts modern creators.

From publishing struggles to the secrets of podcasting, from government coverups to spiritual mysteries—this episode blends history, belief, and imagination into one wild ride.

If you enjoy deep, meaningful conversations with a mix of storytelling and truth-seeking, this one’s for you.

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 back home. That personal battle pushed him into a mission to transform how we treat depression, trauma, and brain injuries in veterans and first responders. He breaks down the truth about current mental-health treatment, why traditional medications fail so many of us, and how innovative therapies like ketamine, TMS, hyperbaric oxygen, and even MDMA-assisted breakthroughs are reshaping recovery.

Together, Donald and Sam dig deep into:

• The reality of blast exposure and trauma in EOD
• Why so many antidepressants don’t address the real root causes
• How the system unintentionally punishes service members who ask for help
• What the military could have done — and still can do — to prevent PTSD
• Sam’s six-week treatment protocol that’s producing life-changing outcomes
• The mission to collect data, reform policy, and save the warfighter
• Why stigma, fear, and outdated guidelines still hold back progress

This episode is raw, honest, and packed with insight every veteran, spouse, leader, and policymaker needs to hear. If you’ve ever felt like traditional help didn’t work… or you know someone who is struggling… this conversation might change a life.

To learn more about Sam’s work:

👉 MindSpaDenver.com

👉 Connect with Sam on LinkedIn (Sam J. Peterson)

If this helped you, share it with someone who needs it.

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.

Jayson shares his incredible journey, from a mentorship with the legendary Francis Ford Coppola to getting repeatedly rejected as an actor. He and Don discuss why breaking into the film industry is just as brutal as the music business, detailing the "Hollywood dance" and how many talented people get left "dying on the vine" because they won't "sell their soul".

This episode is packed with real-world advice for any aspiring indie filmmaker. You'll learn:

• Why submitting to film festivals is "like gambling" (and why getting into 90 of them doesn't guarantee a Netflix deal).
• The key differences that make screenwriting much harder than writing a book.
• How Jayson uses AI as a tool to summarize scripts.
• Jayson's hilarious story about faking it on his first Bollywood set... and using YouTube to figure out his job

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 movement within the sober curious community.

Michelle opens up about her early relationship with drinking, the mental health struggles that pushed her toward change, and how her journey evolved into a mission of creating sophisticated, functional, zero-proof spirits infused with hemp-derived CBD. Together with her husband, she’s helping reshape social drinking culture—making space for inclusion, presence, and mindful choices without sacrificing flavor or experience.

We cover:

• Why non-alcoholic options matter more than ever
• The cultural pressures behind drinking and how to unlearn them
• CBD, functional beverages, and what they actually do
• Navigating relationships, identity, and social life without alcohol
• The creation of TBH Bev, and what true intentional drinking looks like
• The future of bars, nightlife, and wellness-centered socializing

If you’ve ever explored cutting back, gotten curious about the sober movement, or wanted better alternatives that don’t involve hangovers, this episode will open your mind—and maybe even change how you see drinking altogether.

Connect with To Be Honest Beverage Co.:

Website & socials: @tobehonestbev