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47. The Gift Of Gratitude: A Conversation with Chuck and Clint

Release Date: 11/23/2021

How Vulnerability Became His Superpower — David Shamszad’s Story

Warriors Unmasked

In this powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck sits down with entrepreneur and author David Shamszad, who opens up about his decade-long battle with untreated bipolar disorder and addiction, and how he rebuilt his life through treatment, community, and self-belief. From facing the darkest moments of mental illness to founding an 8-figure real estate company, David shares the real, raw, and redemptive story of what recovery can look like. You’ll hear how vulnerability became his greatest strength, why he wrote his memoir I Am Someone You Know, and what he wants others facing...

Living On Purpose — Shaun Murphy on Faith, Fatherhood & Finding Strength in the Storm

Warriors Unmasked

In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck sits down with Shaun Murphy, a father, entrepreneur, and man of deep faith, for an open conversation about grief, identity, and rediscovering purpose. After the unexpected loss of his father, Shaun found himself questioning everything—his path, his business, and even his faith. Through that pain, he discovered the power of presence, the importance of slowing down, and a deeper connection to his calling. If you’ve ever faced loss or felt called to pivot into a more intentional life, this conversation will remind you that growth doesn’t...

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...

More Episodes

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked! If you are like us, Thanksgiving and this time of year is about more than just turkey, traveling, and family traditions. It’s a time to reflect on all the things we’re thankful for in this life.

This week in honor of the Holiday we decided to take a different approach to our episode. Instead of introducing you to another incredible guest, we want to invite you to grab your favorite Thanksgiving snack or drink and join us at “the table” for a conversation about gratitude and thankfulness.

Looking back at our past guests there’s a recurring theme that we’ve noticed. No matter how down and out, how much they struggled, or the trauma that our guests had experienced, they were always thankful for where their journey led them. In our opinion, this isn’t a coincidence. Gratefulness is one of the strongest tools you have in your mental toolbox! Listen in as we share our own experience with thankfulness and how taking as little as ten minutes a day to focus on gratitude has changed our lives.

We also want to take a moment today and honor the people who have helped mold us into the men we are today, the gift this show has given us, and the amazing guests we’ve had the honor of talking to. You’ll hear about comparison and the joy it can rob you of, as well as some tips to find thankfulness in any scenario you find yourself in. We know the holidays are not easy for everyone, but our hope is that this episode can give you just a little comfort, companionship, and encouragement to find something you are grateful for in your life.

So hit play, pull up a chair (or an earbud), sit back, and join the conversation.

PS: Creating this show for our listeners, for YOU, is one of the things we are most grateful for.

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

More Of What’s Inside:

Why you should start a gratitude journal
Intentionally taking time to give thanks
Shedding the mask of being “strong”
Being thankful for the small things
The importance of staying away from comparison
Finding thankfulness no matter what
Becoming vulnerable to help serve others
Why kindness is so important
Being grateful for the people in your life
Our gratitude towards YOU
And much more!

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:02 - What we cover today!
1:31 - The power of gratitude
3:20 - How gratitude journaling changed our lives
5:47 - A great way to change perspective
7:28 - The magic of Thanksgiving in the U.S.
9:57 - Finding gratefulness during the holidays
13:20 - How comparison kills gratitude
17:50 - Gratitude’s impact on making tough decisions
20:51 - The people who got us here today
26:13 - Closing thoughts

TOPICS