191. The Truth About Alzheimer’s: Caregiving, Cognitive Decline, and Compassion with Lisa Skinner
Release Date: 05/20/2025
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...
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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...
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193. Finding Faith on the Side Road: Link Forester on Fatherhood, Loss, and Loving What Matters Most
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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188. Why Coaches Need Mental Health Support Too with Carly Baker
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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 for both caregivers and loved ones alike. From busting myths about memory loss to breaking down the emotional toll of caregiving, she and Chuck dive into the signs, symptoms, and surprising challenges that arise when a loved one begins their journey with dementia.
✅ 6 Key Takeaways from This Episode:
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Dementia is not just memory loss. It affects communication, judgment, reasoning, and the ability to perform daily tasks — all of which caregivers must learn to adapt to.
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Alzheimer’s and related dementias can manifest differently for everyone. There are over 200 types of brain diseases that cause dementia symptoms.
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Caregiving is one of the most emotionally and mentally demanding roles. Lisa compares it to being a detective — constantly assessing and responding to changing needs.
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Long-term memory remains intact longer than short-term memory. This insight can help families connect better with loved ones.
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Caregiver mental health matters. Without support and self-care, caregiver burnout is inevitable and detrimental.
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Understanding the symptoms early can help with diagnosis and planning. Lisa offers tangible signs to look for and ways to prepare with grace.
Whether you're a caregiver, healthcare provider, or simply someone seeking to better understand the mental and emotional layers of Alzheimer’s, this episode offers real tools, wisdom, and hope. Hit play now!
GUEST LINKS:
LINKS:
- www.thecompassionateconnection.com
- www.warriorsunmasked.com
- Join Chuck’s Text Community: 251-418-7966
Episode Minute By Minute:
- 00:00 – Introduction to Lisa Skinner and today’s topic: Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving
- 02:00 – The myths surrounding Alzheimer’s and early signs to recognize
- 05:00 – Why caregiving is one of the hardest jobs in the world
- 07:00 – Beyond memory loss: understanding the full scope of dementia symptoms
- 09:00 – The difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia explained
- 11:00 – Real-life examples of how communication breaks down
- 13:00 – Tips for caregivers managing difficult behavior or confusion
- 15:00 – Lisa’s personal story caring for eight family members with brain disease
- 17:00 – Self-care for caregivers: why it’s not selfish — it’s necessary
- 20:00 – Long-term memory, short-term loss, and what you can expect
- 22:00 – How to offer compassionate support when words no longer work
- 25:00 – The importance of awareness, patience, and education for families