Warriors Unmasked

Chuck Thuss
  • 4.9 (124)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Warriors Unmasked is a show that will take a deep dive into the life journey of athletes, both professional and amateur, coaches, military personnel as well as first responders and the people next door. You will hear stories of tremendous courage, perseverance and mental illness, while overcoming the odds. Your host and mental health advocate, Chuck Thuss, will incorporate his own personal journey and experience as he speaks with his guests on a very intimate level.

  1. 2d ago

    From the Pile: The Remarkable Life of 9/11 First Responder Michael Dorian with Neil Adams

    When thousands of people were running from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, Michael Dorian made the decision to run toward it. But Michael's story began long before that day. Born into poverty to a teenage mother, Michael grew up in an unstable home and spent much of his early life searching for independence, acceptance, and belonging. As a teenager, that search led him into crime and prostitution and, at just 16 years old, an HIV diagnosis. But a relationship with someone who saw more in Michael helped change the trajectory of his life. He graduated high school, went to college, built a career as a veterinary technician, and began creating a very different future for himself. In this episode, Neil Adams joins Chuck to share the extraordinary life of his close friend and the story behind his book, From the Pile. Neil recounts Michael's decision to put on his scrubs and make his way to Ground Zero on 9/11, where he spent 24 hours on the pile helping firefighters continue their rescue efforts. Years later, Michael was diagnosed with stage four cancer and given two years to live, beginning another fight that would ultimately connect back to his service at Ground Zero. Michael's story is complicated, deeply human, and ultimately one of perseverance. It reminds us that our beginnings do not have to determine where we end up, our mistakes do not have to become our identity, and we may never fully understand what another person has endured simply by looking at them. Guest Bio Neil Adams is the author of From the Pile, the true story of his close friend Michael Dorian and a life shaped by adversity, friendship, service, and resilience. Neil and Michael met in New York City and became close friends. After witnessing Michael navigate relationships, HIV, his service at Ground Zero, cancer, and countless personal challenges, Neil knew his friend's story deserved to be told. Before Michael's death in 2020, he gave Neil his blessing to write it. You'll hear About Michael's difficult childhood and the experiences that shaped his early life The person who helped Michael leave prostitution and begin building a different future Why Michael put on his scrubs and headed toward Ground Zero on September 11th How his service on the pile would affect his life years later Why Neil believes Michael's perseverance and desire to help others deserve to be remembered Chapters 00:00 Introducing Michael Dorian's Story 03:15 How Neil and Michael Became Friends 06:00 Michael's Childhood, HIV Diagnosis, and Early Struggles 10:15 The Person Who Helped Change His Life 18:15 College, Career, and a New Direction 24:30 Michael's Search for Love and Belonging 26:30 Running Toward Ground Zero on 9/11 29:45 Cancer and the Lasting Impact of the Pile 34:00 Michael's Final Years and Finding Love 39:15 From the Pile and Michael's Legacy 47:30 Chuck's Challenge Chuck's Challenge When you meet someone, you rarely know everything they've been through or what they may be carrying right now. So this week, when someone says or does something that feels offensive or hurtful, Chuck challenges us to pause before reacting. Take a breath and remind yourself that this person may be dealing with something you know nothing about. Then give yourself permission to walk away rather than immediately responding. Sometimes compassion begins with simply remembering that there is more to someone's story than what we can see. Connect with Neil Website: https://www.readneiladams.com/about-neil-adams Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

  2. Sep 8

    239: The Stories of 9/11 You May Have Never Heard with Michael Gier

    Nearly 25 years later, there are still stories from September 11th that many Americans have never heard. Award-winning director and producer Michael Gier set out to tell those stories in his documentary, The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph. Rather than focusing solely on the devastation of that day, Michael turns the lens toward the extraordinary courage, compassion, and resilience that emerged in the middle of it. Michael joins host Chuck Thuss to share some of the lesser-known stories featured in the film, from previously homeless men helping injured Wall Street workers to the massive boatlift that evacuated more than 500,000 people from Manhattan. He also recounts the bravery of rescuers who refused to leave fellow first responders buried beneath the rubble, even when their own lives were at risk. But this conversation isn't only about looking back. Chuck and Michael explore what September 11th can still teach us about moving through tragedy, showing up for one another, and making a difference in the lives of the people around us. You may never face a moment that makes history, but you still have the opportunity to be there for someone who needs you. Guest Bio Michael Gier is an award-winning director and producer who has directed and produced hundreds of projects, including TV commercials, internet videos, corporate videos, short films, feature films, and documentaries through Gier Productions, LLC. In 2021, Michael released two award-winning films, Wounded Heroes and Healing the Heroes of 9-11. His latest documentary, The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph, shares powerful and lesser-known stories of courage, heroism, and resilience surrounding September 11th. The film has already received multiple Best Documentary awards at film festivals, which Michael discusses in the episode. You'll hear About Why Michael chose to tell a different side of the 9/11 story Lesser-known acts of courage and compassion that emerged from the tragedy The incredible rescue of more than 500,000 people from Manhattan by boat What survivors and first responders taught Michael about resilience How small acts of service can make an enormous difference in someone's life Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:45 Creating The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11 04:15 Finding Hope and Strength Within Tragedy 08:15 The Unsung Heroes and Stories Most People Never Heard 12:45 Extraordinary Acts of Service on September 11th 16:15 The Boatlift, Flight 93, and Stories of Courage 19:00 What Michael Learned About Heroism 22:15 The Lasting Impact on Survivors and First Responders 26:15 Remembering How America Came Together 29:15 Why Small Acts of Kindness Still Matter 31:15 Where to Watch the Documentary 32:30 What 9/11 Teaches Us About the Human Spirit 35:30 Chuck's Challenge Chuck's Challenge This week, Chuck challenges himself, and all of us, to find one or two ways each day to make a positive impact on someone else's life. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture. Open a door. Help someone who is struggling. Give something you have to someone who needs it. Reach out. Show kindness. The stories in this episode remind us that we may not always realize how much a seemingly small action can mean to someone else. Connect with Michael Film Website: https://heroismandresiliency.com/ 9/11 Legacy Organization: https://the911legacy.org/award-winning-documentary-the-heroism-and-resiliency-of-9-11-from-tragedy-to-triumph-sets-hollywood-and-new-york-premiere-dates/ Michael's Website: https://www.michaelgier.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michael_gier/ Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

  3. Jun 30

    238: When Talk Therapy Isn't Enough, Healing Trauma Through the Body with Erika Shershun

    Sometimes healing doesn't start in your head. It starts in your body. For 17 years, Erika Shershun did everything she was told she was supposed to do. She went to therapy. She named her depression. She worked on her thoughts. But the symptoms kept coming, and underneath them was a survival story her body had never been given the space to release. This conversation dives into what somatic psychotherapy actually is, why the body remembers trauma in ways the mind cannot, and the pivotal moment in a hands-on training when Erika's body finally interrupted years of silence. Erika opens up about surviving an attempted assault while running at dusk, the voice that told her she was not going to die, and the years of shame that came before and after. She also walks through what unhealed trauma looks like in everyday life, why so many survivors blame themselves for what their body did during an assault, and the simple daily practice she gives every client to begin feeling safe in their body again. Through fear, shame, fight responses, and decades of seeking answers, Erika's story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible at any age, that intuition is something to trust, and that the body always knows how to find its way home if you give it the right tools. Guest Bio Erika Shershun, MA, LMFT, is a somatic psychotherapist who specializes in helping trauma survivors reclaim the life they were meant to live. She's the author of the Healing Sexual Trauma Guided Journal: Writing and Somatic Practices to Help You Process, Heal, and Feel Safe, the Healing Sexual Trauma Workbook: Somatic Skills to Help You Feel Safe in Your Body, Create Boundaries & Live with Resilience, and the PESI Sexual Trauma Clinical Training. The workbook is available in Spanish (Tengo Un Trauma Corporal?), Polish, Russian, and Romanian, and the journal is available in Turkish. Her approach is trauma informed, rooted in somatic principles, drawing on neuroscience and integrative modalities such as EMDR, Brainspotting, energy psychology, mindfulness, self-compassion, and parts work. Erika values diversity, offers individual online therapy sessions in California, and provides coaching to clients outside of the state. You'll hear About What somatic psychotherapy is and why the body has to be part of healing How trauma is stored differently than ordinary memory Why 17 years of traditional therapy did not heal Erika's deepest symptoms The moment in a body work training that finally unlocked her healing Surviving an attempted assault and trusting the voice that came through Why so many sexual trauma survivors carry shame for what their body did How unhealed trauma shows up as digestive, autoimmune, and emotional symptoms The daily grounding and orienting practice Erika gives every client Why it is never too late to begin your healing journey Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Meet Erika Shershu 02:00 What Somatic Psychotherapy Really Is 05:00 Why the Body Holds Trauma Differently Than Memory 08:00 17 Years of Therapy and Still Searching 09:30 The Trigger Point Therapy Session That Changed Everything 12:00 Surviving the Assault While Running at Dusk 17:00 The Voice That Told Her She Was Going to Live 21:00 The Shame Most Survivors Carry in Silence 22:30 Finding Somatic Therapy and Beginning to Heal 24:30 How Unhealed Trauma Shows Up in the Body 30:00 Why Self-Medicating Quiets What the Body Is Trying to Say 33:30 Erika's Daily Practices for Safety and Healing 36:30 Where to Find the Workbook and Guided Journal 42:30 Erika's Message for Anyone Still Searching for Hope 45:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one small step toward listening to your body. Maybe that means pausing before you push through another long day. Maybe it means asking what the tight chest, the gut ache, or the restlessness has actually been trying to tell you. Maybe it means downloading the first chapter of Erika's book and sitting with one grounding practice instead of scrolling away from yourself. You don't have to name everything you're carrying. You don't have to fix it all this week. You just have to start by listening. Because as Erika shared, healing doesn't begin when life feels safe again. It begins the moment you give your body permission to be heard. Connect with Erika Website: https://healingsexualtrauma.com/ Therapy Website: https://erikashershuntherapy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikashershun/ Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

  4. Jun 23

    237: Answering the Hard Questions, Rebuilding a Life After Loss with Devin Fish

    Sometimes the thing that almost ended your life becomes the chapter that defines it. By the time Devin Fish was 18, he had moved 16 times, attended seven different schools, and survived a childhood shaped by poverty, bullying, and his parents' struggles with addiction. He thought joining the Army would be the start of something better. Then in July 2017, a Red Cross message forced him to fly home to make the impossible decision of whether to keep his mother on life support. She passed away just days before his birthday. What followed was a slow, quiet spiral into self-hatred, isolation, and online blackmail that brought Devin to the edge of taking his own life. This conversation walks through the moment he self-admitted to the hospital, the two pamphlets he found there that changed everything, and the single question that became the foundation of his recovery. Devin shares how he learned to use one career goal to climb out of suicidal thinking, why writing Answering the Hard Questions in Kuwait forced him to revisit every dark moment on purpose, and how faith eventually rebuilt the parts of him that survival could not. Through grief, generational trauma, silence, and self-doubt, Devin's story is a reminder that the worst chapter of your life does not have to be the end of your book. Guest Bio Devin Fish is a U.S. Army veteran, debut author, and the youngest of two who grew up in Rockford, Illinois. His childhood was marked by instability, bullying, food stamps, and his parents' struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. By 18, he had moved 16 times and attended seven different schools. In 2017, while stationed at Fort Hood, Devin received a Red Cross message telling him his mother was dying. She passed away on July 9th, just days before his birthday. In the years that followed, unresolved grief, financial collapse, and a series of online blackmail scams pushed Devin to the edge, ultimately leading him to self-admit to the hospital with suicidal ideations. Devin served nearly ten years in the Army as a Cavalry Scout and Career Counselor, and in 2021 was awarded the 1st Cavalry Division Retention NCO of the Year. While deployed to Kuwait, he wrote his debut book, Answering the Hard Questions, turning his story into a roadmap for anyone still trying to find their way out. You'll hear About How Devin grew up moving 16 times in 18 years across Rockford, Illinois The day he came home from school and found his apartment surrounded by police Why he stayed silent about his trauma for most of his life Losing his mother and being the one to make the life support decision How online blackmail and isolation brought him to the edge of suicide The two pamphlets in the hospital that helped him rewire how he thought about depression The single question that became the foundation of his recovery How writing his book in Kuwait helped him heal what he had buried for years Why faith became the cornerstone of who he is today Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Meet Devin Fish 02:00 Growing Up in Rockford and 16 Moves in 18 Years 04:30 The Day His Father Was Hospitalized 08:00 Why He Suppressed Everything for Years 10:00 Losing His Mother and the Life Support Decision 13:00 The Blackmail Spiral and Suicidal Thinking 17:00 Thirty Seconds of Courage to Ask for Help 18:00 The Two Pamphlets That Changed His Life 20:00 Using a Single Goal to Climb Out of the Darkness 27:00 Reframing Trauma as a Chapter, Not the Whole Book 28:30 Writing Answering the Hard Questions in Kuwait 33:00 Coming Back to Faith 36:00 Devin's Message for Anyone Still Searching 38:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, ask yourself one hard question. Not a comfortable one. Not the one you already know the answer to. The one you have been avoiding because you are afraid of what it might say back. Maybe it is, "Why am I really staying in this?" Maybe it is, "What am I numbing right now?" Maybe it is the same one Devin asked himself: "Do I want to live, or am I just surviving?" Because as Devin shared, healing did not start when life got easier. It started the moment he stopped lying to himself in silence and answered honestly. Whatever your hard question is this week, do not run from it. Let it be the end of a chapter, not the end of the book. Connect with Devin Get his book: Answering the Hard Questions: Let It Be the End of a Chapter, Not the End of the Book Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

  5. Jun 16

    236: Understanding Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, and Healing with Scott Stolarick

    You are not defined by the hardest thing you have been through, the worst decision you have made, or the darkest season of your life. After more than 33 years as a trauma-informed psychotherapist, Scott Stolarick has sat across from people carrying pain most of the world never sees. From psychiatric hospitals and county jails to private practice, Scott has worked with people who have experienced trauma, people who have caused trauma, and people who are trying to understand why their anxiety, depression, anger, or substance use keeps showing up in their lives. This conversation dives into what it really means to understand the whole person, not just the behaviour, diagnosis, or moment that brought them into the room. Scott shares why trauma is often part of the mental health equation, how depression and anxiety can change the way people experience life, and why compassion matters when we are trying to understand someone's story. He also talks about coping, substance use, social media, connection, skill building, and the importance of asking for help before the weight becomes too heavy to carry alone. Through his wisdom, experience, and deeply human approach, Scott reminds us that every person is made up of many pieces. And when you take a step back, you begin to see the whole picture. Guest Bio Scott is a licensed, trauma-informed psychotherapist with 33 years of experience practicing in the state of Illinois. Throughout his career, he has worked as a clinician, administrator, and clinical supervisor, supporting individuals through trauma, mental health challenges, substance use, and complex life experiences. He also holds Management and Leadership Certifications from the University of Notre Dame and Cornell University. Scott is currently the owner of Mosaic Pathway Counseling in Gurnee, Illinois, where he brings a compassionate, whole-person approach to helping people understand their story, build healthier coping skills, and move toward healing. You'll hear About Why trauma is often part of the mental health equation How depression, anxiety, anger, and substance use can connect to deeper pain Why understanding the whole person matters more than judging one behaviour How self-medication can become a warning sign when it is used to cope Why skill building is an important part of managing mental health How social media and technology can quietly affect connection and wellbeing Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:30 Scott's Career in Trauma-Informed Therapy 04:45 Why Trauma Matters in Mental Health 09:00 Why Hurt People May Hurt Others or Themselves 11:15 Seeing the Human Behind the Behaviour 14:30 Trauma, Social Media, and a More Stressed World 17:30 How Trauma Connects to Mental Health 20:30 Understanding Depression and Anxiety 24:30 Medication, Self-Medication, and Coping 29:45 When Substance Use Becomes a Warning Sign 31:30 Building Healthier Coping Skills 34:00 Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health 37:30 Social Media, AI, and Disconnection 40:30 Learning to Relax Without a Screen 45:45 Reaching Out for Help 48:15 Scott's Message for Anyone Struggling 49:45 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one step back before you judge someone else's story — or your own. Look beyond the behaviour. Look beyond the one mistake, the one hard season, or the one piece that seems easiest to focus on. Ask yourself what else might be part of the picture. And if you are the one struggling, remember this: you are not weak for needing help. You are human. Because as Scott shared, we are all mosaics. We are made up of many pieces, and the whole picture is always bigger than one painful moment. Connect with Scott Website: https://www.mosaicpathwaycounseling.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-stolarick-lcpc-cctp-298734252 Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

  6. Jun 9

    235: From Surviving to Thriving — Healing Chronic Fatigue and Finding Purpose with Miguel Bautista

    Sometimes the thing that breaks you becomes the very thing that gives your life purpose. At 19, Miguel Bautista was driven, active, and always pushing himself to the limit. He was an athlete, a personal trainer, a top performer at work, and the kind of person who believed the answer was always to work harder, push through, and keep going. But over time, his body started sending signals he could no longer ignore. Fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, and strange physical symptoms eventually led him into years of searching for answers. Doctors told him his tests looked normal, but Miguel knew something was deeply wrong. At his lowest point, he was bedridden, living with his grandparents, unable to feed himself, and wondering if life was still worth living. This conversation dives into Miguel's journey through chronic fatigue syndrome, the identity loss that comes when your body no longer lets you live the way you used to, and the turning point that helped him understand the role of the nervous system in his recovery. Miguel shares how finding a purpose bigger than himself kept him alive, why pushing harder is not always the answer, and how he now helps others move from simply surviving to truly thriving. Through pain, illness, grief, and recovery, Miguel's story is a powerful reminder that even when life feels impossible, there is still hope. And sometimes, healing begins when you stop fighting your body and start listening to what it is trying to tell you. Guest Bio Miguel Bautista is the founder of CFS Recovery, a global program helping people recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long COVID, fibromyalgia, and other nervous system-driven conditions. After experiencing severe, unexplained symptoms at 19 that left him bedridden and hospitalized, Miguel began searching for a deeper understanding of what was happening in his body. His own recovery led him to develop a structured approach focused on nervous system regulation, behavioural recalibration, and long-term stability. Today, through CFS Recovery, Miguel and his team have helped thousands of people around the world make meaningful progress, rebuild their capacity, and return to fuller, more independent lives. You'll hear About How Miguel went from athlete and high performer to bedridden with chronic fatigue syndrome Why pushing harder can sometimes make chronic symptoms worse The identity loss that can happen when illness takes away the life you knew How Miguel found a bigger purpose during his darkest season Why nervous system regulation became a key part of his recovery How CFS Recovery was born from Miguel's promise to help others heal Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Miguel's Mission to Help People Recover 03:15 Life Before Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 07:00 Becoming Bedridden and Reaching Rock Bottom 09:00 Understanding the Nervous System Connection 11:15 Finding Purpose in the Darkest Season 17:15 Looking Under the Hood Instead of Chasing Symptoms 23:00 Why Pushing Harder Can Keep You Stuck 30:15 Turning Pain Into Purpose 32:30 How CFS Recovery Was Created 36:15 Miguel's Free Recovery Roadmap Resource 41:45 Miguel's Message for Anyone Who Feels Hopeless 44:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one step toward listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Maybe that means slowing down instead of pushing harder. Maybe it means asking for help. Maybe it means admitting that what you are feeling is not something you have to ignore, hide, or fight through alone. And if you are in a season where life feels heavy, hold on to this: there is still a spark inside of you. Because as Miguel shared, healing is possible. Your story is not over. And one day, you may look back and realize that the pain you survived became the purpose that helped you move forward. Connect with Miguel Website: CFS Recovery  YouTube: CFS Recovery - YouTube  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfsrecovery/ Tiktok: CFS Recovery  LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/miguel-bautista-85a188a9 Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

  7. Jun 2

    234: The Next Best Version of You — Finding Joy After Loss with Stacie Shifflett

    Life will hand you things you never asked for. The question is, who do you become on the other side of it? Stacie Shifflett has walked through unimaginable loss, major life transitions, and seasons that could have easily left her stuck in bitterness, anger, and grief. After losing her son, navigating the end of a 28-year marriage, and now facing a new health challenge that has changed her independence, Stacie has learned something powerful: peace is something you have to protect, practice, and choose. This conversation dives into what it really means to keep moving forward when life knocks you down, how to make peace with things you cannot change, and why healing often begins with taking radical responsibility for your own journey. Stacie shares how emotional triggers can become guideposts, why joy is not something you achieve but something you allow, and how small, intentional steps can help you become the next best version of yourself. Through grief, disruption, anger, and uncertainty, Stacie's story is a reminder that life may change around you, but you still have the power to choose how you show up. Guest Bio Stacie Shifflet is a transformation guide, author, entrepreneur, and the creator of Modern Consciousness®, a clarity-first framework that helps people understand their inner landscape, break behavioural patterns, and intentionally choose what comes next. After building companies, acquiring a $50M software company with no upfront capital, rolling out the first IBM desktops in a major federal agency, and navigating profound personal loss, Stacie rebuilt her life and identity through deep self-inquiry and emotional honesty. Her bestselling book, Treasure Map to Joy™, brings her journey to life through a transformational parable and reflects her practical, courageous approach to turning awareness into real, lasting change. You'll hear About Why making peace with loss is part of moving forward How grief can resurface long after the hardest season has passed Why emotional triggers can become a path toward healing The power of taking radical responsibility for your own journey How small steps help you become the next best version of yourself   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:30 Losing Her Son and Choosing to Move Forward 06:00 Giving Yourself Grace Through Grief 08:30 Making Peace With Loss 14:00 Divorce, Anger, and Starting Over 18:00 Becoming the Next Best Version of Yourself 22:15 Calming Emotional Triggers and Reclaiming Your Power 30:30 Stacie's Book, Treasure Map to Joy 33:15 Facing a New Health Challenge With Grace 39:00 Holding Space for Someone Who Is Struggling 40:30 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one small step toward the next best version of yourself. It doesn't have to be dramatic. It could be choosing not to react to something that usually triggers you. It could be asking for help. It could be letting yourself feel what you've been avoiding. Or it could simply be finding one moment of joy in the middle of a hard day. Because as Stacie shared, peace does not happen by accident. It comes when you choose to protect it, practice it, and take your power back one step at a time.   Connect with Stacie Website: Modern Consciousness Facebook: Modern Consciousness | Sarasota FL Instagram: Modern Consciousness®️ (@modernconsciousness) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacie-shifflett-7b5a8922/ Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

  8. May 26

    233: The Weight of Service — Military Life, Guilt, and Healing Through Storytelling with Derrick Jackson

    Some stories stay with you long after the mission ends. After 21 years in the United States Air Force, Derrick Jackson knows what it means to serve, sacrifice, and carry the emotional weight that comes with military life. From working as a jet engine specialist to becoming a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Derrick's career took him across the world and into situations most people never see. This conversation dives into the discipline, pressure, and emotional cost of service. Derrick opens up about the guilt he carried as a father while being deployed, the weight of sitting across from people on the worst days of their lives, and the challenge of transitioning out of active duty into civilian life. He also shares how writing became an unexpected form of healing. Through his debut novel Shadow One, Derrick turned pieces of his military experience into fiction, creating a story that reflects the pressure, doubt, and humanity behind service. Derrick's journey is a powerful reminder that healing doesn't always happen by forgetting what you've been through. Sometimes, it begins when you finally give it a voice. Guest Bio Derrick Jackson is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, former Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and fiction author. During his 21 years of service, Derrick first worked as a jet engine specialist on aircraft including the F-15 Eagle, C-5 Galaxy, C-141 Stratofortress, and C-17 Globemaster. After 10 years, he was recruited into the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, where he worked in criminal investigations, counterintelligence, protective services, and economic crimes. His assignments took him across the U.S. and overseas, including work supporting Air Force Special Operations Command missions worldwide. In 2014, Derrick retired from the Air Force after more than two decades of service. He is now a fiction author and released his debut novel, Shadow One, as part of the Shadow One series in 2024. You'll hear About Why Derrick joined the Air Force after making a life-changing decision in seconds How military discipline shaped his growth and leadership The emotional cost of serving as a special agent How guilt affected him as a father during deployments Why talking, faith, family, and support helped him release pressure How writing became an unexpected form of therapy after military service Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Meet Derrick Jackson 02:15 Why He Joined the Air Force 04:15 Starting at the Bottom and Learning Discipline 08:00 Climbing the Military Ladder 10:00 Why Your Environment Matters 14:15 The Emotional Cost of Military Service 15:00 Carrying Guilt as a Father 19:00 The Weight of Being a Special Agent 22:30 Finding Support Through Coworkers, Faith, and Family 26:00 How Writing Became Therapy 29:00 Transitioning Out of Active Duty 34:45 The Story Behind the Shadow One Series 40:45 Derrick's Message for Anyone Carrying Heavy Weight 43:15 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one honest step toward releasing something you have been carrying. Maybe it is guilt. Maybe it is stress from your work. Maybe it is a memory you have tried to push down. Maybe it is a weight you convinced yourself you had to carry alone. Find one safe way to let some of it out. Talk to someone you trust. Write it down. Pray about it. Sit with yourself and admit what is really going on. Because as Derrick shared, healing does not happen by burying the weight. It begins when you are willing to recognize it, give it language, and take one step toward support. Connect with Derrick Website: DERRICK M JACKSON  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djakz27  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@djakz  Get his book here: Books - Shadow One: Jackson, Derrick M  Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

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4.9
out of 5
124 Ratings

About

Warriors Unmasked is a show that will take a deep dive into the life journey of athletes, both professional and amateur, coaches, military personnel as well as first responders and the people next door. You will hear stories of tremendous courage, perseverance and mental illness, while overcoming the odds. Your host and mental health advocate, Chuck Thuss, will incorporate his own personal journey and experience as he speaks with his guests on a very intimate level.

Information

  • Creator
    Chuck Thuss
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    238
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Warriors Unmasked

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