American Fight Stories with Dabar

Melissa Dabar

American Fight Stories with Dabar is a podcast about real people overcoming real battles. Hosted by Melissa Dabar—a Christian, lawyer, and registered nurse—each episode dives into powerful testimonies of survival, resilience, and transformation. Through raw, honest conversations, listeners gain insight, encouragement, and the motivation to keep fighting their own fight. One story at a time, we celebrate the strength of the human spirit.

  1. 1d ago

    Jessica Marin | Hope Enrichment Center

    Jessica Martin began her mental health career in Nebraska in 2004, working with juveniles facing mental health and addiction challenges. After moving to Mississippi in 2016, she continued working with adults involved in the criminal justice system and became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2022. Jessica is passionate about helping people navigate trauma, addiction, attachment wounds, and relationship struggles. Trained in EMDR, she also works to educate others about the connection between trauma, attachment, and addiction. Her own experiences with familial trauma and faith have shaped her understanding of pain, resilience, and healing. Jessica practices at Hope Enrichment Center and helps explore community outreach opportunities to make mental health support more accessible. Outside of work, she enjoys life with her husband of nearly ten years and their rescued dogs and cats. Here is a link to a YouTube video about what EMDR is:  https://youtu.be/Pkfln-ZtWeY?feature=shared Here is the link to Hope Enrichment Center: https://www.hopeenrichmentcenter.com/ This is a good free attachment style quiz: https://www.learneabt.com/eabt-quiz And this is the free ACES quiz:  https://www.acesaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ACE-Questionnaire-for-Adults-Identified-English-rev.7.26.22.pdf Also, if people want to find a therapist, psychologytoday.com is a wonderful resource.  Please email us your questions at dabarcares@dabarlaw.com You can find the American Fight Stories Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

  2. Aug 11

    Tori Williams on Prosecution, Justice Court, and Serving DeSoto County

    Melissa welcomes prosecutor Tori Williams to American Fight Stories, praising her balance of toughness with mercy and her commitment to doing the right thing. Williams describes her third-generation legal family, including her great-grandfather Murray Williams, who went to law school after being hit by a train, and her grandfather’s service as district attorney from 1985–2000. She explains the roles of district attorney, county attorney, and justice court, and shares that she is running for county attorney to prosecute misdemeanors in DeSoto County, currently unopposed, with goals focused on community service and improving organization and filing systems. Williams discusses voting, her experience in felony prosecution, youth court work, domestic violence cases, use of technology like Ring and body cams, available court classes through Justice Network, and the importance of victim coordination. She also shares that her mother died in a car accident when she was three and how she chose to overcome it, then closes with personal details about her marriage and a prayer for the country. Please email us your questions at dabarcares@dabarlaw.com You can find the American Fight Stories Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

  3. Aug 4

    Chaplain Gwendolyn Pitts McClure: Education, Domestic Violence, and Prison Chaplaincy

    In this episode of American Fight Stories with Dabar, Melissa interviews Chaplain Gwendolyn Pitts McClure, a mother of five daughters, retired school attendance enforcement officer of 29 years, and longtime pastor now serving as managing chaplain in a Mississippi correctional facility. She shares why education must be a priority for every child, how her truancy work involved parenting support and hard decisions, and a story of recommending a child be placed with his father, later receiving thanks from the family. Chaplain Gwendolyn Pitts McClure discusses her own experience surviving a domestic violence marriage, her doctoral ministry project on breaking generational cycles of abuse and church silence, and her call to compassionate, focused ministry, including ongoing clinical pastoral education and caring for inmates facing loss. Please email us your questions at dabarcares@dabarlaw.com You can find the American Fight Stories Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

  4. Jul 28

    Neil Colley on Fancy Nancy Foundation, Feeding Kids & Supporting House of Grace

    Melissa Debar hosts Neil Colley on American Fight Stories, highlighting his work as a community connector through The Local Yokel podcast and the Fancy Nancy Foundation, named for his mother “Fancy Nancy” Colley. They discuss how Nancy’s legacy of unconditional love, feeding and clothing children, and encouraging families shaped the foundation’s mission to support vulnerable people by fundraising for other nonprofits. Neil recounts getting involved with Feed My Lambs after a program leader died, rallying friends to donate and launching successful barbecue fundraisers. They also spotlight the House of Grace domestic violence shelter (serving 11 counties) and the foundation’s Jeep giveaway fundraiser, plus other local organizations like DeSoto County Dream Center and Precious in Pink. The episode closes with a prayer for their community, businesses, and America. Please email us your questions at dabarcares@dabarlaw.com You can find the American Fight Stories Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

  5. Jul 21

    Behind the Scenes with Producer Derrick Michaud: Facing Prostate Cancer, Podcasting, Moving South from Maine, and more

    Host Melissa Dabar features her behind-the-scenes producer, Derrick Michaud, discussing how he helps produce and edit American Fight Stories and other local podcasts and supports a growing “podcast family” in Hernando. Derrick shares his path from Maine to Nashville in 2005 to pursue music as a bass player, touring casinos in Tunica, then relocating to DeSoto/Shelby County in 2011 and moving to Hernando about five years ago, drawn by the town square and schools for his daughter. He explains launching his podcast production business online, opening studios in Hernando, and the challenges after losing major clients in early 2023. Derrick also describes being diagnosed with prostate cancer on May 11, completing a biopsy and PET scan with no spread, choosing prostate removal surgery, and urging men to get PSA testing and checkups. Please email us your questions at dabarcares@dabarlaw.com You can find the American Fight Stories Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

  6. Jul 14

    From Paris, Arkansas to Iraq to Ministry: Mike Bowen’s American Fight Story

    In this episode of American Fight Stories with Dabar, the host interviews her son-in-law, Army veteran Mike “Mikey” Bowen, reflecting on their family relationship and his journey from growing up in Paris, Arkansas to enlisting in the Army under family expectation. Mike describes marrying Ashley in 2010 just before reporting to Fort Hood with almost no money, living briefly in the barracks, and the difficult experience of their first child’s birth at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. He shares how deployment to Iraq, losing friends, and returning home early led to PTSD, anxiety, depression, anger, and communication struggles in marriage, and how South Pointe Church helped him move from a “checked-box” faith to a committed relationship with Christ. After his father’s death in October 2023, Mike pursued ministry, enrolling at Central Baptist College in January 2024, and emphasizes faith over titles, humility, and pouring into kids through coaching and prayer. Please email us your questions at dabarcares@dabarlaw.com You can find the American Fight Stories Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

  7. Jul 7

    Tony & Denise Santucci: Grief, Faith, Forgiveness, and Fighting for Family

    Melissa Dabar welcomes Tony and Denise Santucci to American Fight Stories for a deep conversation about faith, community, and perseverance through grief. They share how church and prayer shaped their marriage, how they are raising their granddaughter after their daughter’s death, and how she found healing from anger at God through an FCA camp. Tony recounts losing his three-and-a-half-year-old son to a drunk driver, the depression and PTSD that followed, and how prayer and releasing reminders of the tragedy brought peace. Denise reflects on losing three children and the importance of remembering their lives, offering hugs, and showing love to those who hurt. They discuss serving others through schools, Youth Villages mentoring, and music ministry, emphasizing small victories, gratitude, and Christians supporting one another. Please email us your questions at dabarcares@dabarlaw.com You can find the American Fight Stories Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

  8. Jun 30

    From Prison & Meth to Recovery: Jason Smith’s Fight for Faith, Love, and Family

    On American Fight Stories with Melissa Dabar, Jason shares how, after serving a seven-year sentence for armed robbery, he returned to meth, cycled through probation violations, and struggled with gang life, violence, and the trauma of Mississippi prisons like Parchman. He describes losing his children to adoption while incarcerated, spiraling into addiction and suicidal thoughts, and the toll his actions took on his family. Jason credits drug court, rehab, anonymous recovery programs, and developing a real relationship with God—shifting from self-focused prayers to praying for others—for his sobriety (about two years off hard drugs, 19 months off everything), rebuilding trust, making amends, and reconnecting with his children, including daily contact with his daughters. He discusses accountability, avoiding hypocrisy, and using his story to help others. Please email us your questions at dabarcares@dabarlaw.com You can find the American Fight Stories Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

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About

American Fight Stories with Dabar is a podcast about real people overcoming real battles. Hosted by Melissa Dabar—a Christian, lawyer, and registered nurse—each episode dives into powerful testimonies of survival, resilience, and transformation. Through raw, honest conversations, listeners gain insight, encouragement, and the motivation to keep fighting their own fight. One story at a time, we celebrate the strength of the human spirit.

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