Libsyn Directory

45. Fighting The Stigma with Compassionate Education with Michelle E. Dickinson

Release Date: 11/09/2021

195. From Rock Bottom to “Make It Great”: Ian Fee’s Journey of Sobriety, Self-Worth, and Second Chances

Warriors Unmasked

What happens when you’ve burned every bridge, lost your family, and can barely look at yourself in the mirror… but you still wake up knowing there has to be more? In this honest and powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Ian—author of Wild Ride to Sobriety and founder of Make It Great—to explore what it truly takes to go from self-destruction to self-respect. Ian opens up about his early start with alcohol, the choices that cost him everything, and the moment he decided he was done being the villain in his own life story. With unflinching vulnerability, Ian...

194. Breaking the Cycle: Dustin Dunbar on Healing Addiction, Generational Trauma, and Choosing a New Legacy

Warriors Unmasked

What do you do when the very thing you swore you’d never become… becomes your reality? In this gripping and deeply honest episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes psychologist, coach, and former TV personality Dustin Dunbar for a raw conversation about the grip of generational addiction, the illusions of control, and the power of finally choosing freedom. Dustin shares his childhood story growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father and grandfather—and how he set out on a mission to never repeat their mistakes. For years, he seemed to succeed. With a doctorate in psychology, a...

193. Finding Faith on the Side Road: Link Forester on Fatherhood, Loss, and Loving What Matters Most

Warriors Unmasked

What if the unexpected turns in life weren’t detours—but the actual path to everything that matters? In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with financial advisor, husband, father, and author Link Forester to talk about the moments that redefined his life. From becoming a father while still in college, to taking a leap of faith and leaving a stable career, to enduring every parent’s worst nightmare—the loss of a child—Link’s story is one of resilience grounded in faith, family, and a healthy dose of humor. Link shares how he and his wife Carla...

192. From Chaos to Clarity: Dr. Lisa Nezneski’s Path to Healing, Resilience, and Mindful Living

Warriors Unmasked

What happens when your entire life crumbles in a matter of months? When the people you trust betray you, your health gives way, and you're left staring into a future you never expected? For Dr. Lisa Nezneski, that wasn’t a hypothetical—it was her reality. In this powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Lisa—pharmacist, poet, mindfulness teacher, and shamanic healer—to explore her extraordinary journey from heartbreak and upheaval to deep healing and transformation. Lisa opens up about the moment she learned her wages were being garnished, how that shock...

191. The Truth About Alzheimer’s: Caregiving, Cognitive Decline, and Compassion with Lisa Skinner

Warriors Unmasked

In this deeply educational and heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Lisa Skinner — a behavioral expert in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. With decades of experience as a community counselor, senior care director, and author of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s: Its Secret Faces, Lisa brings powerful insight to one of the most complex and misunderstood diseases of our time. As someone who has helped thousands of families — and cared for eight of her own family members with dementia — Lisa offers compassionate, practical advice...

190. The Power of Intention and Human Performance with Dr. Toper Taylor

Warriors Unmasked

In this thought-provoking episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Dr. Toper Taylor—a seasoned executive, media innovator, and now, intention researcher—on a mission to explore the scientific potential of human thought. With a career rooted in global brand building and entertainment leadership, Dr. Taylor now turns his curiosity toward how our minds shape reality and how intention can impact human performance, mental health, and our overall experience of life. Chuck and Dr. Taylor dive deep into what intention truly is—beyond casual goals—and how it exists as energy that can...

189. Healing from Infidelity: A Conversation with Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem

Warriors Unmasked

In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem—founder of The Infidelity Counseling Center and creator of Systematic Affair Recovery Therapy (SART™)—to explore why infidelity happens, how it impacts both partners, and practical steps couples can take to heal and prevent future betrayal. Through candid anecdotes and evidence-based insights, Dr. Alsaleem walks listeners through the emotional aftermath of an affair, emphasizing the importance of empathy, self-reflection, and structured therapy. He delves into the nuances of rebuilding trust,...

188. Why Coaches Need Mental Health Support Too with Carly Baker

Warriors Unmasked

In this important and timely episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Carly Baker, head coach of the Women's Rugby program at Endicott College and Assistant Director of the Graduate Sport Leadership Program. Carly brings a powerful and honest voice to a topic that often goes overlooked—the mental health and wellbeing of coaches. As a former multi-sport athlete turned professor and coach, Carly shares a unique, dual perspective. She opens up about the pressure to win, the relentless expectations placed on coaches, and the emotional toll it can take behind the scenes—even in...

187. How Somatic Stillness Can Heal the Mind with Will Johnson

Warriors Unmasked

In this deeply moving episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes author, teacher, and embodiment pioneer Will Johnson—founder of the Institute for Embodiment Training and author of Breathing Through the Whole Body. Will shares his groundbreaking approach to meditation, one that breaks from rigid posture and invites the full sensation of the body and breath into the practice of stillness. Together, Chuck and Will explore how awakening to the body can help quiet the mind, heal anxiety, and bring us into greater alignment with our truest selves. Will explains the importance of...

186. Adrenaline Dominance: The Root Cause of So Many Health Issues with Dr. Michael Platt

Warriors Unmasked

In this jaw-dropping episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with internationally known wellness physician Dr. Michael Platt, author of Adrenaline Dominance. What starts as a conversation about adrenaline quickly becomes a transformative discussion that challenges everything we’ve been told about modern medicine, mental health, and the real causes behind conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and even weight gain. Dr. Platt explains how adrenaline dominance is an often-ignored root cause behind many chronic health and emotional issues—and how simple, natural...

More Episodes

If you think mental illness or disorders are just affecting a small group of people…here is a stat to put things into perspective. 42% of the global workforce has experienced a decline in their mental health since the beginning of the pandemic.

42% isn’t a number to shake a stick at…

It begs the question, why is there still such a strong stigma around topics regarding mental health? With more people than ever experiencing it now, we have an amazing opportunity to enter into compassionate conversation and end the stigma once and for all.

Our guest today is working towards this goal with fierce passion. Michelle E. Dickinson is a Wellbeing Strategist and passionate mental health advocate. She sees herself as the bridge that helps people get comfortable with their mental health. Allowing them to reach out and get the support they need before a crisis hits. Michelle takes us on a journey through her childhood from growing up with a mom who had severe bipolar disorder to shedding her anger and learning to heal with compassion and understanding.

It wasn’t until she was diagnosed with depression that Michelle really dove into therapy. There she would learn through extensive self-discovery and patience that her childhood was more than distant memories. You’ll hear how Michelle has shaped her life for the better, not in spite of her mom’s abuse, but by using it as motivation to create psychological resilience and mental health strategies that cultivate cultures of compassion. Listen in as we discuss the importance of bringing this into the workplace and how leaders can set an example and create a safe place for their employees.

If you are struggling with your mental health, chances are you aren’t the only one. This episode will leave you feeling empowered to take a step out and have that brave conversation. It may just change the course of your life for good.

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

For more resources or to get in touch with Michelle, check out the links below!

More Of What’s Inside:

Growing up with a mentally ill parent
Finding support outside of home
The journey of forgiving her mom
Changing the perspective on Bipolar Disorder
Repeating patterns based on your childhood
Being diagnosed with depression
The power of your relationship with your parents
Educating the corporate space on mental illness
How you can support the people you lead
Normalizing conversation on mental illness
Setting the tone as a leader
Using self-awareness to root out bias
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

Website: https://www.careforyourpeople.com/
Website: https://www.michelleedickinson.com/
Website: https://breakingintomylife.com/
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn6Yaq3AqLUebGmfZoRdB4Q
Instagram: @michelledickinson71
Twitter: @mdickinson13
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.dickinson.146?ref=bookmarks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-e-dickinson-7882013
Free Book Exerpt: http://breakingintomylife.com/excerpt
Website: http://www.mantherapy.org/

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:02 - What we cover today!
1:38 - Introducing Michelle E. Dickinson
6:23 - Navigating a difficult home life
11:45 - The road to forgiveness and healing
16:15 - Gravitating towards familiar people
20:51 - Pushing through pain to find healing
24:13 - How Michelle shaped her life today
27:35 - Where to find Michelle
30:42 - Breaking through stigma in corporations
36:12 - Building trust as a leader
40:33 - The effect society has had on men
45:32 - Michelle’s advice for you
47:26 - Closing thoughts

TOPICS