Libsyn Directory

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

Release Date: 06/10/2025

219: Giving Pain Purpose — Living With Trauma, Chronic Pain, and Radical Gratitude with Lyndsay Soprano

Warriors Unmasked

Pain has a way of demanding your attention, but it doesn’t get to decide who you become. Lyndsay Soprano’s life has been shaped by layers of trauma, abuse, chronic illness, and a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, one of the most painful conditions known. Yet instead of letting pain define her, Lyndsay made a conscious decision to give it purpose. This episode explores what it means to reclaim your power when your body hurts, your past weighs heavy, and healing feels overwhelming. Through honesty, humor, and radical gratitude, Lyndsay shares how facing trauma head-on, questioning...

218: Surviving the Unthinkable — Leadership, Betrayal, and Resilience with Bart Womack

Warriors Unmasked

What happens when danger comes from where you least expect it? Bart Womack dedicated nearly three decades of his life to serving the United States Army, rising to the highest enlisted ranks and leading soldiers in combat, training, and some of the most sacred roles in military service. But one moment forever changed his understanding of trust, leadership, and survival when he became a firsthand survivor of a deadly insider attack carried out by a fellow American soldier. This episode explores the psychological impact of betrayal, the long road to healing after trauma, and how Bart transformed...

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...

More Episodes

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 thriving career in wellness media, and a reputation as a “moderate” drinker, Dustin was confident he had broken the cycle. But addiction, as he shares candidly, is cunning and quiet. It wasn't until age 48 that he realized alcohol had taken over—and it was time to get out before it was too late.

Today, Dustin is a coach with We Are The AFR, helping others find healing and hope in their own recovery journeys. He dives into the myths of moderation, the truth about high-functioning addiction, and what real healing looks like—especially for men who’ve been taught to hide their pain.

Whether you’ve struggled with addiction or love someone who has, this episode will remind you: healing is always possible, and it's never too late to change your story.

What’s Inside This Powerful Conversation:

High-functioning individuals can still be battling serious addiction behind the scenes.
Breaking generational trauma requires deep honesty, inner work, and support from others.
The illusion of “moderate” drinking can be dangerous; awareness is key.
You don’t need to hit rock bottom to get help—sometimes the soft whispers are enough.
Vulnerability and community are essential parts of healing from addiction.
You can rewrite your legacy—what runs in the family can stop with you.

GUEST LINKS:

LINKS:

www.thecompassionateconnection.com
www.warriorsunmasked.com
Join Chuck’s Text Community: 251-418-7966

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:00 – Welcome to episode 193 with Dustin Dunbar
02:00 – Growing up with generational alcoholism and trauma
05:00 – The promise to never become like his father and grandfather
08:00 – Getting a doctorate in psychology and working in the wellness space
10:45 – Moderate drinking that slowly turned into full addiction
13:30 – The moment he realized alcohol had control over him
15:00 – Getting sober at 48 and rebuilding his life
17:45 – Working with We Are The AFR to help others in recovery
20:00 – The myth of high-functioning addiction and why it’s so dangerous
23:00 – The role of self-worth in addiction and healing
26:00 – Why vulnerability and accountability are non-negotiable
29:00 – The importance of having a safe space to process pain
31:30 – Parenting in sobriety and breaking the cycle for his daughters
34:00 – What recovery looks like today and the gift of presence
37:00 – Dustin’s final encouragement: You’re not broken—you’re brave

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