Welcome back to When Words Fail Music Speaks, the podcast that battles depression one chord at a time. In today’s episode, host James “the professional handicapped” Cox sits down with a remarkable guest whose life reads like a soundtrack of survival—Tony Kessel.

Born in North Dakota, raised in a foster home, and now a full‑time National Guard officer, husband, and father of five, Tony has turned his tumultuous journey into a compelling memoir, "It’s All in the Lyrics". Together, James and Tony unpack how music became Tony’s lifeline—from the first Garth Brooks radio hit that soothed an eight‑year‑old in a foster home, to the heavy‑metal anthems that carried him through combat engineer training, to the faith‑driven Christian rock that guided his post‑military healing.

We’ll hear:

• The raw, honest story of Tony’s childhood trauma and how specific lyrics acted as his personal therapist.
• The way his 22‑year military career reshaped his relationship with sound—because sometimes a rifle’s cadence feels like a drumbeat.
• A deep dive into his “Side A – Matters of the Head” and “Side B – Matters of the Heart” concept, the two‑album project he’s crafting to chronicle the mental and emotional battles he’s faced.
• The songs that would make a rescue playlist for his younger self—Garth Brooks’ Unanswered Prayers, The Dance, and 12 Stones’ “Running Out of Pain.”
• A candid confession about the one track he can no longer listen to, the moment it intersected with a suicide attempt, and why sharing that pain matters for listeners battling their own darkness.

Tony’s story is a vivid reminder that when words fail, music speaks—bridging gaps, offering a voice, and building a community where no one has to fight alone. Whether you’re a veteran, a foster‑care survivor, or simply someone looking for a song that can lift you out of the fog, this conversation is a beacon of hope.

Stay tuned, turn up the volume, and let the healing power of music guide you through today’s episode of Woodward’s Music Speaks

Go to:

https://dualistmedia.com for more info!