210: Unbroken: Adrienne Caldwell on Surviving Trauma, Finding Peace, and Rewriting Her Story
Release Date: 12/09/2025
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
207: Basking in Grace: Marcia Earhart's Journey Through Grief, Healing, and Divine Strength
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Marcia Earhart, a certified life, grief, and trauma coach, along with being a trained educator and mental health first responder. The deeply personal and emotional interview reveals Marcia's arduous journey through chronic illness, the loss of loved ones including her two sons, and how she found healing and purpose through her faith. Discussing her roles as a mother, wife, and coach, Marcia elaborates on the importance of trust, surrender, and abiding in God's presence. Her ministry, the Sterling Rose Sanctuary, and her book 'Gripping...
info_outline
206. Reclaiming Purpose: Ryan Woodruff's Journey from Military Service to ClearPath for Veterans
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss interviews Ryan Woodruff, the CEO of Clear Path for Veterans. Woodruff shares his journey from enlisting in the military right out of high school to coping with the trauma of combat and transitioning to civilian life. He details how he found a new sense of identity and purpose by joining ClearPath for Veterans. He highlights the challenges veterans face, the importance of community, and the transformative power of the human-animal bond through ClearPath's canine program. The episode sheds light on the multidimensional support provided to...
info_outline
205. A Navy SEAL's Redemption: Dr. Tony Dice on Overcoming Addiction and Helping Others
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, host Chuck Thuss welcomes Dr. Tony Dice, a Navy SEAL veteran, therapist, paramedic, and author, to discuss his incredible life journey. Dr. Dice shares his experiences growing up, his drive to join the military, and his struggles with addiction post-service. He reflects on the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life, his battles with substance abuse, and the key moments that led him to seek help and ultimately achieve sobriety. Dr. Dice elaborates on his holistic change model and his current efforts to support veterans, first responders, and law...
info_outline
204. From Darkness to Redemption: The Journey of Garr Russell
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode, purpose-driven entrepreneur and visionary leader Garr Russell, founder and CEO of Fireside RV Rental, joins the show to share his powerful journey. From experiencing a life-altering moment in his youth, grappling with identity issues, and falling into drugs and crime, Garr recounts his radical transformation through faith. He discusses the pivotal moments that led to his redemption, his steadfast hope, and the role faith played in overcoming personal and entrepreneurial challenges. Garr also shares insights from his books, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God, finding...
info_outline
203. Merging Sports and Mental Health with 'Kicking the Stigma'- Guest Brett Kramer
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Brett Kramer shares her journey of merging her passions for sports and mental health into her role as the Director of 'Kicking the Stigma' with the Indianapolis Colts. Brett discusses her personal experiences with anxiety as a student-athlete at Michigan State, the pressures faced by today's athletes, and the critical importance of addressing mental health in sports. She provides insights into the work being done to reduce stigma, the financial pressures on athletes, and the necessity of asking genuine questions about well-being. This episode is a valuable...
info_outlineIn 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 reminder that no matter what you’ve been through, it’s never too late to rise, heal, and write a new chapter.
Guest Bio
Adrienne Caldwell is the author of the forthcoming memoir Unbroken: Life Outside the Lines — a raw and unflinching account of her journey through trauma, survival, and ultimately, healing. The book sheds light on the darkest corners of the human experience, including untreated mental illness, homelessness, foster care abuse, incest, addiction, and sexual violence, and emerges with a message of fierce resilience and unbreakable hope. More than a chronicle of pain, Unbroken is a story of identity, family, love, and finding your voice when the world refuses to listen. It’s about reclaiming power and choosing purpose over despair.
You’ll hear About
-
The childhood trauma that shaped Adrienne’s early life
-
How repression, addiction, and self-medicating became survival tools
-
The moment that changed her healing journey
-
How writing her book forced her to face decades of buried trauma
-
Finding peace, stability, and purpose after a lifetime of hardship
Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:10 Adrienne’s Mission and Early Life
02:14 Trauma Beginning at Age Five
04:39 Suicide Attempts and a Life-Changing Moment
07:01 Growing Up with Mental Illness in the Home
09:23 Moving Homes, Instability, and Emotional Repression
11:51 Attachment Disorder and Numbing the Pain
13:50 The Psychiatric Ward Epiphany
16:41 Discovering the Truth in Her CPS Files
18:49 Emotional Abuse in Foster Care
20:53 Beginning the Writing and Healing Process
23:36 Overcoming Grief, Loss, and Hardship
26:07 Family Patterns and Lack of Awareness
28:30 Gratitude, Stability, and a New Life
30:53 Living with Purpose and Inspiring Others
33:20 A Message to Anyone Who Feels Hopeless
35:42 Chuck’s Closing Reflections
Chuck’s Challenge
This week, take one honest step toward facing something you’ve been avoiding. Stop the numbing, stop the running, and give yourself permission to feel what needs healing. You don’t have to do it alone — just start with one step.
Connect with Adriene Caldwell
Book: https://www.unbrokencaldwell.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UnbrokenCaldwell
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/UnbrokenCaldwell/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnbrokenCaldwel/
Connect with Chuck
Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/
Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked
Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we’re breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.