On this episode of Spirits and Stories, Donald sits down with author and historian Bill Eschenbaugh, a man whose roots run deep into the soil of American history. Bill wasn’t just raised around Civil War stories—he was raised in them. Growing up in the very Pennsylvania farmhouse built by his great-grandfather, Bill inherited more than land; he inherited legacy.

With ancestors who served in multiple regiments—including one who never returned home from the horrors of Andersonville Prison—Bill brings firsthand family accounts, battlefield insights, and generational memories that textbooks simply can’t capture.

In this powerful conversation, Bill and Donald explore:

• Life on a farm where every field held echoes of the past
• The harrowing realities Union soldiers faced on the march, in the snow, and under fire
• The moral, spiritual, and patriotic motivations of Northern soldiers
• Bill’s deep dive into ancestry research that uncovered centuries of family service
• How his novel Up the Shenandoah brings his family’s Civil War story to life
• The rugged resilience, sacrifice, and everyday humanity of men who answered Lincoln’s call

Bill’s stories remind us that history isn’t something we read—it’s something we inherit. And in this episode, listeners get a rare look at the Civil War through the eyes of a family that lived it, survived it, and carried its lessons forward.

Pull up a chair, pour a drink, and settle in for a journey through courage, hardship, and the unbroken American spirit.

In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories, Donald sits down with Dr. Joseph Rosado — physician, author, cannabis medicine pioneer, and early adopter of AI in healthcare — for one of the most eye-opening conversations of the season. From childhood trauma that led him into medicine, to fighting outdated systems that fail veterans and mental-health patients, Dr. Rosado holds nothing back.

Together, they dive deep into:

• How PTSD unknowingly shaped Dr. Rosado’s path into medicine
• The physician who changed his life and erased his medical trauma
• The harsh truth about the VA system, veteran suicides, and “cocktail” psychiatry
• Why cannabis, ketamine, and emerging psychedelics are saving lives when traditional meds fail
• How AI can transform care — not replace doctors — but empower them
• The future of genetic-based prescribing and precision medicine
• Why we must rethink outdated stigma and start demanding real wellness instead of sick-care

Dr. Rosado shares stories from decades on the front lines of medicine, including cases where AI, cannabis, and ketamine treatment offered hope where the system had given none. This episode challenges assumptions, breaks stigma, and opens the door to a better, smarter, more compassionate future in healthcare.

If you’re a veteran, a patient, a caregiver, or someone curious about the future of medicine, this conversation is a must-listen.

Don’t forget: Don’t let the day kick your ass — kick the day’s ass.

In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories, Donald sits down with Marine Corps veteran and CEO Tony Crescenzo—a man whose life reads like a dozen careers rolled into one. From Beirut deployments and undercover NCIS operations to high-stakes leadership in the tech world, Tony has lived through extreme stress, trauma, and transformation. But the heart of his story is what came after the uniform.

Tony opens up about the decades-long impact of PTSD, the near-constant hyper-vigilance, and the quiet battles veterans carry long after the fighting stops. He shares how he went from rage and sleepless nights to discovering a breakthrough neuro-acoustic technology that rewired his life—ending nightmares, restoring calm, and igniting a mission to help others heal.

Now leading Peak Neuro, Tony is pioneering a non-drug, AI-driven solution designed to help veterans, first responders, elite athletes, and even fighter pilots reclaim their cognitive strength, emotional balance, and sleep.

This episode dives deep into:

• Tony’s wild and inspiring Marine Corps journey
• His undercover role helping to expose corruption inside a reserve unit
• The long-term cost of repeated combat deployments
• How neuro-entrainment is changing the way we treat PTSD and trauma
• Why healing the mind must start before the damage is done
• A vision for a future where every service member is mentally armored before battle

Pour a glass and settle in. This is one of the most eye-opening conversations ever recorded on the show—raw, real, and truly hopeful.