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27. Living Proof That Recovery Is Possible with Nicole DePalma-Carson

Release Date: 07/06/2021

217: Jerry Dale on Redemption, Identity, and Finding Peace

Warriors Unmasked

What if the life you worked so hard to build still left you feeling empty? Host Chuck Thuss guides this conversation with Jerry Dale, whose life has spanned the heights of the music industry and the adult entertainment world behind closed doors. Jerry experienced success, access, and influence — and the quiet disconnection that followed when identity became tied to achievement. Together, they explore the internal conflict of living misaligned with your values, the wake-up calls that force you to slow down, and the moment Jerry chose a different path. This episode isn’t about perfection or...

216: Never Out of the Fight — Healing Trauma, Identity, and Addiction After Military Service with Anthony Dyer

Warriors Unmasked

In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Anthony Dyer for an honest, deeply human conversation about military service, accumulated trauma, identity loss, addiction, and the long road to healing. Anthony shares his 21-year career in the United States Air Force, including high-risk missions, elite rescue operations, and the emotional weight that followed him home long after the uniform came off. From the quiet moments that haunt servicemen and women to the stigma around asking for help, Anthony opens up about how suppressed trauma and alcohol nearly cost him everything. What followed was a...

215: Healing Unresolved Trauma and Learning to Accept Yourself with Dr. Brian Alman

Warriors Unmasked

In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Brian Alman for a deeply insightful conversation about trauma, self-acceptance, and what it truly takes to heal unresolved pain. Drawing from decades of clinical work and research, Dr. Alman explains why so many people struggle despite “doing everything right” and how trauma often sits at the root of emotional, physical, and relational challenges. From childhood neglect and adverse experiences to adult stressors like loss, divorce, and identity struggles, this episode offers clarity, hope, and practical tools for anyone who feels stuck. Dr....

214: Surviving the Holocaust, Finding Purpose — The Extraordinary Life of Charles Van Kessler

Warriors Unmasked

In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Charles Van Kessler for a deeply moving conversation about survival, faith, resilience, and purpose. Born in Amsterdam during World War II, Charles survived the horrors of the Holocaust, losing his family, enduring abuse in a state-run orphanage, and spending years alone on the streets as a child. Against all odds, Charles’s life became a story of hope. Through faith, perseverance, and an unshakable belief that his life had meaning, he found his way to America, rebuilt his life, and devoted himself to helping others live healthier, more empowered...

213: Healing Head Trauma, Finding Hope — The Journey of Team USA Bobsledder William Person

Warriors Unmasked

In this episode, Chuck Thuss welcomes former Team USA bobsledder William Person for a raw and deeply revealing conversation about life after elite sport, the hidden toll of repeated head trauma, and the unexpected therapy that helped pull him back from the brink. William spent nine seasons competing at the highest level, enduring extreme G-forces, repeated impacts, and the emotional strain that so many athletes carry in silence. When the symptoms of CTE began to take over his life, William found himself in a dark, isolated spiral — until one piece of information, and one unexpected...

212: Finding Freedom After Addiction — The Inspiring Journey of Mary Beth O’Connor

Warriors Unmasked

In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Mary Beth O’Connor for a candid, eye-opening conversation about survival, healing, and long-term recovery. After surviving a childhood marked by emotional neglect and severe abuse, Mary Beth fell into addiction at just twelve years old — eventually becoming a daily meth user by her teens. But her story didn’t end there. Through determination, trauma therapy, and a recovery path she crafted for herself, Mary Beth rose from years of substance use disorder to graduating from Berkeley Law and ultimately serving as a federal administrative law...

211: From Underground Hacker to Healing: The Remarkable Journey of Ryan Merket

Warriors Unmasked

In this powerful episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Ryan Merket, a former underground hacker turned Silicon Valley tech leader, author, angel investor, and man of deep faith. Ryan’s journey is one of addiction, depression, betrayal, healing, and a spiritual awakening that transformed his entire life. From early bullying and hiding behind a computer screen, to running international piracy groups, to spiraling into addiction, to being pushed out of his own startup, Ryan’s redemption story is raw, inspiring, and filled with hope. Today he works at Microsoft helping founders build...

210: Unbroken: Adrienne Caldwell on Surviving Trauma, Finding Peace, and Rewriting Her Story

Warriors Unmasked

In this inspiring episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Adrienne Caldwell — a survivor, author, and advocate whose journey proves that even the darkest beginnings can lead to a life filled with purpose, peace, and hope. Adrienne opens up about a childhood marked by trauma and instability, but also the powerful turning point that set her on a path toward healing, rebuilding, and reclaiming her voice. Today, she uses her story to help others feel seen, supported, and empowered in their own healing. This conversation is emotional, courageous, and ultimately uplifting — a...

209: Overcoming Adversity: The Inspiring Journey of Navy Seal David Brown

Warriors Unmasked

In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, host Chuck Thuss welcomes former Navy SEAL David Brown. David shares his journey from a challenging upbringing in Wilkesboro, Pennsylvania, to becoming a Navy SEAL despite his small stature and initial skepticism from others. Throughout the conversation, David discusses the lessons learned from persistent bullying, the importance of resilience, and never letting adversity define him. He also delves into his transition from military life to federal law enforcement and personal battles, including a tough period marked by divorce and personal loss. Despite...

208: Courage, Perseverance, and Mental Health: A Veteran’s Tale of Resilience

Warriors Unmasked

In this deeply moving episode of Warriors Unmasked, host Chuck Thuss welcomes Mark Tilsher, a 21-year Air Force veteran and founder of the Military Sherpa movement. Mark shares his transformative journey from a troubled childhood, marked by constant upheaval and exposure to a negative culture, to finding a lifeline in the U.S. Air Force. Despite initial disciplinary struggles, the mentorship of a new supervisor helped him alter his path. Mark candidly discusses his mental health challenges, including a two-year battle with suicidal ideations following his transition to civilian life. He...

More Episodes

Welcome back to Worries Unmasked! Wow, are you in for a power-packed episode today.

As soon as you hit play, we want to introduce you to a woman whose journey is unfortunately all too common in the world today...a story of how childhood sexual abuse led to a young life of self-medication, addiction, lies, and isolation.

However, the story doesn’t end there.

In this episode, get to know our guest Nicole DePalma-Carson! Nicole is a recovering addict, sexual assault survivor, wife, and mother of two boys, and community recovery specialist at Dream Life Recovery.

Hear Nicole’s incredible journey of going from a blur of drugs and drinking anything to numb the pain, to a life of service, gratitude and helping others get free. This episode will leave you with goosebumps from head to toe and the hope you need to get through any dark day on your journey.

If you know someone who has a similar journey to Nicole or anyone who needs to hear this story, please share this episode with them and be sure to check out the links below!

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

More Of What’s Inside:

The results of growing up too fast
Numbing yourself from the good and the bad
Breaking free from the shame
Healing after sexual abuse
What happens when you choose self-forgiveness
Beating the inner voices and self chatter
The time commitment of sobriety
The importance of self-check ins
Getting to know yourself after addiction
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:02 What to expect today
2:12 Conversation starts: Get to know Nicole
12:12 When Nicole had her first son
14:41 The journey of losing yourself
17:48 Why Nicole found it important to forgive
22:08 Winning the battle of your mind
28:47 What withdraws are actually like
31:23 When Nicole knew it was time to make a change
44:21 How to connect with Nicole
48:00 Finding your hobbies

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