Join Sean Martin, executive producer and guitarist for The Quarantined, as he shares his incredible journey of using music as therapy for PTSD and mental health recovery.

In this powerful conversation, Sean opens up about his combat experiences, temporary psychotic breakdown in 2012, and how he discovered that vocal breathing exercises from music school were identical to the anxiety management techniques taught in veteran clinics.

Learn about Sean's unique approach to song writing through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), where he transforms "hot thoughts"

- the core issues identified during therapy - into powerful lyrics. Discover how his red Fender Show master guitar, which accompanied him to Iraq, plays a distinct role in creating layered rhythms versus lead tones in his music.

Sean dives deep into the science behind music's healing properties, explaining how managing brain chemicals like adrenaline, serotonin, dopamine, and cortisol through creative expression helped him overcome trauma.

He shares practical CBT techniques for identifying and processing traumatic thoughts, turning them into songs like "Aversion to Normality" and "Nemesis Friend of Mind."

The discussion covers the challenges of the music industry, dealing with rejection, and maintaining mental health as an artist.

Sean offers valuable insights on: Using music to process the five stages of grief The therapeutic value of long-form storytelling in songs Protecting your mental health from online criticism Finding gratitude and perspective during difficult times Creating boundaries while pursuing artistic passion Whether you're a musician, veteran, or someone interested in mental health and creative expression, this interview offers profound insights into the transformative power of music and the practical applications of therapy techniques in everyday life.

Find The Quarantined at thequarantine.com and on all streaming platforms.

This episode contains discussions of PTSD, therapy, and mental health recovery that may be helpful for anyone navigating their own healing journey.

📚 "108 Ways to Be Happier" - Life's Gems by Ivonne

🌟 Join David Watson as he sits down with Ivonne, author of the transformative book "108 Ways to Be Happier," in this inspiring conversation about finding joy in life's simple moments.

🎧 Key Highlights: • How a personal collection of "life's gems" evolved into a powerful happiness guide • The profound impact of Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" on unlocking creativity • Why 108 isn't just a number—it's a meaningful structure for life-changing habits • Simple daily practices that can transform your mental health: gratitude, meditation, and "me time" • The power of saying YES to new experiences and NO to what drains you • How small, consistent changes create compound happiness • Why eliminating the word "can't" can revolutionize your mindset

💫 Golden Nuggets: "Success is achieving anything you set out to do—even making a cup of tea" "If you're having a grey day, look back on challenges you've overcome for strength" "We're on this planet once. It's not a rehearsal.

You might as well enjoy it" "The good stuff looks for you when you look for the good stuff"

In this episode of The David Watson Podcast, I speak with author Isabelle Ready about her debut historical fiction novel, That You Remember, a powerful story inspired by the real Buffalo Creek disaster.

We explore the human cost of coal mining disasters, the forgotten history of mining communities, and the years of research Isabelle carried out to bring this tragic event to life through fiction.

Isabelle shares how her father’s connection to the coal industry helped spark the book, why the Buffalo Creek disaster still matters today, and how survivor testimony shaped her writing.

We also discuss the Aberfan disaster in Wales, the culture of coal mining in America and the UK, the bond within mining communities, and the emotional legacy left behind after preventable industrial tragedies.

This is a moving conversation about history, memory, community, trauma, resilience, and the role of storytelling in preserving voices that might otherwise be lost.

Topics covered in this episode: Isabelle Ready and her novel That You Remember The Buffalo Creek disaster Historical fiction based on true events Coal mining history in America and the UK The Aberfan disaster Survivor stories and generational trauma Appalachian communities and coal heritage Researching real-life tragedy for fiction Memory, grief, and resilience

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about books, history, forgotten tragedies, human resilience, and the stories that shape communities, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe.

Find Isabelle Ready here: Website: thatyouremember.com

Listen to more episodes of The David Watson Podcast for conversations with authors, thinkers, and fascinating guests from around the world.

Hashtags: #IsabelleReady #ThatYouRemember #BuffaloCreekDisaster #HistoricalFiction #CoalMiningHistory #Aberfan #Appalachia #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #DavidWatsonPodcast

In this episode of The David Watson Podcast, I’m joined by Trisha Gardella, a children’s author with 30 published books and the creator of a beloved picture-book series featuring Mouse, a tiny character with a big message: never give up.

Trisha shares how her passion for America’s national parks became the heart of her stories, why kids’ books must be fun first (with deeper lessons quietly woven in), and how creativity often comes from “listening” to the characters that show up in your imagination.

We also talk about resilience, adapting when life changes direction, and her calm, grounded outlook on mortality after being diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) at 33.

If you love writing, creativity, children’s books, national parks, or conversations that leave you feeling lighter and more hopeful, you’ll enjoy this one.

Guest and links Trisha’s website: https://triciagardella.com/

Topics we cover Writing picture books that children actually want to read How Mouse became a 12+ book national parks series

Protecting national parks and helping kids care about nature Creativity, ideas, and “letting the story lead” Resilience, detours, and finding joy in each phase of life

HCM, mortality, and a surprisingly peaceful mindset Illustration, collaboration, and how Trisha finds artists

Join host David Watson as he sits down with Michelle Tori, author of the powerful historical novel "Fox Creek," for an intimate conversation about writing complex characters, understanding historical perspectives, and mastering the art of point of view in fiction.

In this revealing interview, Michelle shares her unique journey from growing up across Europe to becoming a published author, discussing:

Her unconventional path to becoming a writer through deconstructing acclaimed novels.

The 3 years of intensive research into plantation life and slave narratives

How she approached writing from both slaveholder and enslaved perspectives

The shocking discovery that changed her understanding of historical "good people"

Why understanding point of view is crucial for creating authentic characters

Her method of breaking down scenes like a film director to master storytelling

Michelle also shares invaluable writing advice, including her recommendation of Orson Scott Card's "Characters and Viewpoint" and explains how she learned to write marketable fiction by studying the techniques of successful authors.

Whether you're an aspiring writer, history enthusiast, or simply fascinated by the complexities of human nature, this conversation offers profound insights into how we understand the past and bring it to life through storytelling.

Key Topics Covered:

✓ Historical fiction writing techniques ✓ Point of view mastery for authors ✓ Research methods for historical accuracy ✓ Character development and complexity ✓ The challenge of representing diverse perspectives ✓ Writing lessons from acclaimed authors ✓ Understanding cultural context in history Find Michelle Tori's work: Website: www.metorrey.com Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the NOTIFICATION bell for more author interviews and writing insights! Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Michelle's international upbringing 3:34 - The joy of authentic travel experiences 7:47 - Michelle's early life and return to America 10:50 - Discovering her passion for writing in 5th grade 13:27 - Learning to write through deconstructing novels 15:22 - The critical importance of point of view 17:58 - Christoph Waltz and understanding character perspectives 20:04 - The complexity of writing about slaveholding characters 22:12 - Understanding historical context vs modern judgments 27:17 - What inspired Michelle to write about the Antebellum South 29:01 - The whitewashed plantation tours that sparked her mission 30:16 - The vast spectrum of slave experiences 32:41 - The shocking diary entry that changed everything 38:45 - The degradation of character through ownership 52:01 - Why we can't judge historical figures by today's standards 55:42 - Michelle's advice for aspiring writers on point of view 1:00:46 - Time machine question: Jaguar, Stairway to Heaven, and the future

Family businesses don’t usually fail because of bad numbers.

They fail because of broken trust, unspoken resentment, and the conversations nobody wants to have.

In this episode of The David Watson Podcast, I’m joined by Rene Sonneveld, a Dutch executive coach based in Uruguay and author of The Elephant in the Family Room.

Rene works at the intersection of leadership, governance and human psychology, helping family enterprises tackle the real problem underneath the “business problem”: the invisible capital of trust, identity, communication, role clarity and belonging.

We also explore a powerful parallel from my work in head injury rehabilitation: when life changes in an instant, families often grieve the person who was, struggle with who someone is becoming, and collide over expectations, fear and control.

Rene shares a deeply personal story about his first wife’s brain cancer and the question that haunts families in crisis: if they wake up, who will they be?

If you’re navigating family conflict, succession planning, sibling rivalry, inheritance disputes, or tension inside a family-owned business, this conversation will help you understand what’s really happening, why it’s so hard to fix alone, and how honest communication becomes the load-bearing wall that holds everything up.

Key topics in this episode The “elephant in the family room” and why families walk around it for generations

Why family businesses fail relationally, not financially

The hidden drivers beneath conflict: relevance, respect, safety, fairness, belonging

Why governance structures can look perfect but still collapse

How sibling rivalry and old emotional patterns show up as “strategy debates”

Listening vs hearing: what people are telling you vs what they’re trying to tell you

Why bringing in a neutral facilitator can unlock stuck family systems

How Rene went from governance and banking to coaching families worldwide

Writing as a tool for self-awareness, perspective and better leadership

Find Rene and his book Website: https://www.renesonneveld.com/

Book: The Elephant in the Family Room (available on major retailers including Amazon)

If this episode helped you, please consider: Subscribe for more long-form conversations with authors, coaches, entrepreneurs and creatives Like and share to help the podcast reach more people Comment below: what’s the “elephant” people avoid in families, workplaces, or relationships?