Spirits and Stories With Donald Dunn | Podcast Guru

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I am a retired Army Veteran, and discovered the therapy in podcasting, and helping others. I love talking to people from all walks of life and dig into their stories. I love how much we can learn from each other if we can just take the time to walk in their shoes. This is done by learning their stories and being willing to celebrate their wins. If you enjoy hearing interesting stories and life experiences from a verity of types of people. We speak to everyone from Combat Veterans to experts in the paranormal. So come and join us for the next amazing story.

Recent Episodes

Bloodlines of Valor: A Family’s Civil War Story with Bill Eschenbaugh

DEC 9, 2025

Bloodlines of Valor: A Family’s Civil War Story with Bill Eschenbaugh

<p>On this episode of <i>Spirits and Stories</i>, Donald sits down with author and historian <b>Bill Eschenbaugh</b>, a man whose roots run deep into the soil of American history. Bill wasn’t just raised around Civil War stories—he was raised <i>in them</i>. Growing up in the very Pennsylvania farmhouse built by his great-grandfather, Bill inherited more than land; he inherited legacy.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>In this powerful conversation, Bill and Donald explore:</p> <ul><li>Life on a farm where every field held echoes of the past</li><li>The harrowing realities Union soldiers faced on the march, in the snow, and under fire</li><li>The moral, spiritual, and patriotic motivations of Northern soldiers</li><li>Bill’s deep dive into ancestry research that uncovered centuries of family service</li><li>How his novel <i>Up the Shenandoah</i> brings his family’s Civil War story to life</li><li>The rugged resilience, sacrifice, and everyday humanity of men who answered Lincoln’s call</li></ul> <p>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.</p> <p>Pull up a chair, pour a drink, and settle in for a journey through courage, hardship, and the unbroken American spirit.</p>

59 MIN

AI, Cannabis, and Saving Lives: Dr. Rosado’s Radical Take on Modern Healthcare

DEC 4, 2025

AI, Cannabis, and Saving Lives: Dr. Rosado’s Radical Take on Modern Healthcare

<p>In this powerful episode of <b>Spirits and Stories</b>, 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.</p> <p>Together, they dive deep into:</p> <ul><li>How PTSD unknowingly shaped Dr. Rosado’s path into medicine</li><li>The physician who changed his life and erased his medical trauma</li><li>The harsh truth about the VA system, veteran suicides, and “cocktail” psychiatry</li><li>Why cannabis, ketamine, and emerging psychedelics are saving lives when traditional meds fail</li><li>How AI can transform care — not replace doctors — but empower them</li><li>The future of genetic-based prescribing and precision medicine</li><li>Why we must rethink outdated stigma and start demanding real wellness instead of sick-care</li></ul> <p>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.</p> <p>If you’re a veteran, a patient, a caregiver, or someone curious about the future of medicine, this conversation is a must-listen.</p> <p><b>Don’t forget:</b> <i>Don’t let the day kick your ass — kick the day’s ass.</i></p>

61 MIN

From Battlefield to Brainwaves: Tony Crescenzo on Healing the Invisible Wounds

DEC 2, 2025

From Battlefield to Brainwaves: Tony Crescenzo on Healing the Invisible Wounds

<p>In this powerful episode of <i>Spirits and Stories</i>, Donald sits down with Marine Corps veteran and CEO <b>Tony Crescenzo</b>—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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>This episode dives deep into:</p> <ul><li>Tony’s wild and inspiring Marine Corps journey</li><li>His undercover role helping to expose corruption inside a reserve unit</li><li>The long-term cost of repeated combat deployments</li><li>How neuro-entrainment is changing the way we treat PTSD and trauma</li><li>Why healing the mind must start <i>before</i> the damage is done</li><li>A vision for a future where every service member is mentally armored before battle</li></ul> <p>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.</p>

77 MIN

Fatherhood, Identity, and the Grind of Podcasting: A Conversation with Rory

NOV 27, 2025

Fatherhood, Identity, and the Grind of Podcasting: A Conversation with Rory

<p>In this episode of <i>Spirits and Stories</i>, 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 <b>is not a veteran</b> — 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>This is a grounded, honest conversation about <b>fatherhood, identity, podcasting, and rebuilding confidence</b>, told directly from Rory’s lived experience.</p>

69 MIN

Terror Strikes, Truth Rises: Joseph M. Leonard on Writing, UFOs, and America’s Hidden History

NOV 25, 2025

Terror Strikes, Truth Rises: Joseph M. Leonard on Writing, UFOs, and America’s Hidden History

<p>In this episode of <i>Spirits and Stories</i>, Donald sits down with bestselling author and political commentator <b>Joseph M. Leonard</b> 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 <i>Terror Strikes</i>, and the deep faith themes that run through his work.</p> <p>The conversation dives into <b>terrorism, situational awareness, and the psychology of fear</b>, then shifts into a fascinating discussion on <b>UFOs, interdimensional theories, angels, scripture, and humanity’s place in the universe</b>. 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.</p> <p>From publishing struggles to the secrets of podcasting, from government coverups to spiritual mysteries—this episode blends <b>history, belief, and imagination</b> into one wild ride.</p> <p>If you enjoy deep, meaningful conversations with a mix of storytelling and truth-seeking, this one’s for you.</p>

61 MIN