What does it take to pivot from crisis communications expert to award-winning thriller novelist?

In this episode of Creators at Work, Donald Dunn sits down with John David, author of the breakout thriller The Bystander, named one of the best thrillers of twenty twenty five. Inspired by real-world headlines and the psychology of fear, John shares how a mall shooting incident sparked the premise for his debut novel — and how he transformed that idea into a commercially successful mystery series.

They dive deep into:

• The real-life event that inspired The Bystander

• Writing fiction after a career in journalism and public relations

• Plotter vs pantser writing styles

• The realities of publishing and working with editors

• Why mystery readers expect structure — and how to deliver it

• Building tension through realism instead of fantasy

• How pop culture, sports, and politics influence storytelling

John also shares insights into his upcoming sequel, The Pawn, and the release of the audiobook edition.

If you're an aspiring author, entrepreneur, or creative professional looking to understand the craft and business of storytelling, this episode delivers practical insights and real-world experience from inside the publishing industry.

🔗 Learn more about John David: https://byjohndavid.com

📚 The Bystander available wherever books are sold.

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, leave a review, and share with another creator.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. byjohndavid.com
2. bookshop.org
3. barnesandnoble.com
4. amazon.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

1. Authors After Action
2. Tooley Tuli Publishing
3. Barnes and Noble
4. Amazon
5. bookshop.org

How do you truly heal after sexual assault?

In this powerful episode of Authors After Action, Amy McKiernan shares her deeply personal journey of surviving sexual assault and the ten-year process it took to write her healing-centered book. This conversation explores trauma, PTSD, reclaiming your voice, and the courage it takes to share a vulnerable story publicly.

Amy discusses what healing actually looks like, why recovery isn’t linear, the importance of support systems, and how writing became part of her transformation. The episode also dives into the realities of self-publishing, navigating difficult memories, and why telling your story can help others feel less alone.

If you or someone you love is navigating trauma, this episode offers hope, perspective, and practical insight into the healing process.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. amymckiernan.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

1. BookBaby
2. Draft2Digital

What does skydiving have to do with leadership?

In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories, Donald Dunn sits down with leadership coach and engineering executive Joe to explore how stepping outside your comfort zone transforms the way you lead, think, and grow.

With over 650 skydives and years of experience building high-performance teams in mission-critical environments, Joe shares practical leadership lessons on:

1. How to overcome fear and take calculated risks
2. Why growth mindset beats achievement mindset
3. How to reduce risk without becoming paralyzed
4. The importance of defining your “why” in leadership
5. How young leaders today are reshaping the future
6. Why awareness and perspective matter more than ever

Whether you're a business owner, executive, veteran transitioning to civilian life, or someone feeling stuck in your professional growth, this episode offers actionable insights you can apply immediately.

Leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about courage, clarity, and consistency.

If you’re ready to level up your leadership skills, navigate uncertainty with confidence, and push beyond self-imposed limits, this conversation is for you.

If you like podcasts that help improve peoples lives and filled with story telling, Check out https://barracksmedia.com/network

Links referenced in this episode:

1. wyserwithjoe.com
2. linkedin.com/in/wyserwithjoe
3. instagram.com/wyserwithjoe
4. https://barracksmedia.com
5. https://barracksmedia.com/network