Mystery author Dustin Dunbar joins me today to chat about his new thriller, Her Holiness.
Bio:
Dustin Dunbar grew up poor in Midwest America with an abusive, alcohol-addicted father and grandfather, and vowed never to be like them. Devouring psychology books and researching addiction in his twenties, he earned a doctorate in psychology and believed at that time that he had broken his family’s chains. In 2009, he was handpicked by Ryan Seacrest for LA Shrink and Endemol Productions Dallas Life Coach, where he was the “Shrink” and “Life Coach” on those pilots. After drinking moderately, responsibly, and socially for twenty years, he, too, became addicted to alcohol. He overcame his addiction at the age of forty-eight and has since been helping others overcome theirs as a coach at AlcoholFreeRevolution.org, which is a non-profit online community.
Dunbar is also deeply committed to championing equal rights for women, a passion rooted in his upbringing in a household filled with strong, loving women. Drawing inspiration from their resilience, he has been blessed to craft powerful narratives illuminating women’s journeys striving for equality in a world that often seeks to silence them. In his latest work, Her Holiness, a mystery thriller about the first female pope, he explores the complexities of societal tradition and inequality, shedding light on the struggles, triumphs, and unwavering spirit of women who dare to raise their voices.
Welcome, Dustin. Please tell us about your current release.
Young Kate Murphy—adopted by a loving Irish couple against the picturesque backdrop of ancient Rome—is tormented by nightmarish visions that defy comprehension. One fateful day, in her mother’s cherished Catholic Church, a compassionate priest lays his hands upon Kate’s brow, invoking a blessing that unleashes a torrent of mystical imagery. The priest is thrown into turmoil as he witnesses chilling visions of an old man hanging upside-down on a cross. News of the powerful girl spreads like wildfire, igniting the fears of an extreme sect entrenched in the Vatican.
Simultaneously, thousands of miles away in Brazil, the cunning Edhir Souza is assembling an army of evangelical warriors, intent on dismantling the Catholic Church’s stronghold and siphoning its wealth and influence for himself.
As Kate matures, her visions intensify, propelling her toward an archaeological treasure that has eluded the world for centuries. With the Church, Souza, and a watchful world scrutinizing her every move, Kate’s newfound fame and visions become her double-edged sword. She yearns to advocate for women’s equality within the Church, but challenging deep-seated tradition and the deadly shadows of power may come at a harrowing cost.
What inspired you to write this book?
My grandmother, who was like second mother to me, taught 63 years of Sunday school and showed me what true spirituality is. It has nothing to do with being male or female and everything to do with actions.
As an adult, in 2012, I was living in Italy, and I stumbled upon a newspaper with a shocking headline: the Archbishop of Milan was on his deathbed and admonishing the Catholic Church and the pope for being 200 years behind the times. That moment sparked an intriguing thought—I envisioned the first female pope. Inspired, I began scribbling notes in my notebook, laying the foundation for a story that would change my life.
Fast forward to 2016, when I signed a contract with a prestigious literary agency, Folio Lit, based in New York City. Industry insiders were astounded, commenting that Folio Lit only takes on novels they know will sell. I was thrilled at the thought of becoming a published author! However, despite the initial excitement, my book didn’t sell, and the feedback suggested that I needed to make it more commercially viable. Undeterred, I dove back into my work, refining my manuscript and breathing new life into my vision. Now, I’m thrilled to share that my novel, Her Holiness, is set for release this summer! Over the past 13 years, I haven’t spoken much about this journey, but I can genuinely say I have never felt as excited about anything, aside from the joy of bringing my two daughters into the world. This project is a culmination of years of passion and perseverance, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it!
What exciting project are you working on next?
Along with empowering women and helping with the rise of the divine feminine, I am also venturing into the political arena with a bold ambition: to become the first Independent President of the United States since George Washington. I believe it’s imperative that we shift our focus away from internal divisions and instead confront the pressing challenges posed by global powers like China and Russia. These nations are strategically exploiting our discord, and it’s vital that we unite to counter that threat.
With determination and passion, I am committed to fostering positive change, advocating for equality, and inspiring a collaborative spirit among all Americans. The journey ahead is filled with challenges, and it is a privilege to get to take them on. America needs unity, clarity, and bold leadership—and I’m ready to step up.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
While I don’t see myself as a professional writer, I identify more with the spirit of a storyteller in the vein of Mark Twain. My mother, who taught English Literature for forty years, made every effort to instill in me a sense of grammar and the importance of editing, but I thrive on creativity, and know that editing is not my strong suit. When I discovered that I could seek external help with editing, I embraced the opportunity and launched my storytelling journey.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I write when I have a story inside of me that needs to get out. Which is often, but my regular workday is running my health insurance agency and personal real estate investments that I have across the country.
I am deeply passionate about physical, mental, and spiritual fitness! There’s an exhilarating energy I find in hot yoga, where I push my limits and find inner balance. My F45 gym workouts challenge me in ways that are both intense and rewarding, keeping both my body and mind sharp. Surfing is another passion that ignites my spirit—there’s nothing quite like riding the waves and feeling that rush of perfect connection with nature. I also love the precision and strategy of golf, where every swing is an opportunity for growth and mindfulness. Additionally, I enjoy game bird hunting with pointer dogs; it’s a blend of skill, patience, and appreciation for the outdoors that fills my heart with joy.
Books are my constant companions. I am voraciously drawn to those that explore world issues, psychology, and spirituality—each page offering new insights that enrich my understanding of life. Daily meditation is an essential part of my routine, providing me the clarity and focus needed to navigate life’s challenges. I maintain a healthy diet because nourishing my body fuels my passions, enabling me to live authentically. Holotropic breathwork about once a month allows me to access parts of my psyche that can’t be reached under normal conditions. And I reluctantly plunge into ice-cold water a few times a week to invigorate and strengthen my resilience. Every aspect of my wellness journey excites me, as it allows me to grow, discover, and thrive in all facets of life!
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Oh my gosh! I have so many that it is impossible to list them all and that is why I love my editors so much! I have to focus way too much on its or it’s!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
In addition to being a sports star, I made a heartfelt vow to stay away from alcohol. It was a challenging, generational chain breaking road that has blossomed into a powerful reality. I was driven by a deep desire to help others understand the devastating impact drinking alcohol can have on every aspect of life. I now lead the Alcohol Free Revolution, passionately dedicated to raising awareness and inspiring change.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Absolutely! First, spirituality has nothing to do with genitalia. Second, alcohol is scientifically known and is the exact same substance as ethanol, a toxic and addictive car fuel that we should avoid putting into our miraculous bodies and minds.
Finally, as Americans, we are brothers and sisters in a large family. While we may have our differences, we must stop squabbling with one another and focus on the real issues facing our nation. We cannot let countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea to continue to attack us while we fund their aggressive wars against us and our allies.
We need to unite as a global family and set firm boundaries with these countries before their regimes find ways to defeat us. The Chinese Communist Party leaders have already waged biological warfare with COVID-19, resulting in over a million American deaths, and fentanyl overdoses, also created and funded by the Chinese government, have claimed another quarter of a million American lives since 2018. Meanwhile, Putin attacks our allies and relentlessly attacks us with cyber warfare and spreads disinformation, making us fight against one another instead of him.
Einstein says, “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old then you don’t understand it yourself.” To illustrate Chinese Communist regime to kids: imagine that you are a family of ten living in a house by a lake, and on the other side of the lake is a neighbor with a family of twenty. The large family’s children make fun toys for you to buy at low prices. But their parents made a deadly virus that killed one of your brothers and the parents also made fake pills that caused one of your sisters to die. These same parents then took all of their kids’ money that you gave them for their hard work and they are using it to build big bombs that are aimed at your house and all of your other friends’ houses.
So, I ask you kids, should we keep buying from this family’s parents? Should we continue to allow them into our home, or is it time to set clear, healthy boundaries and go to our other friends and make the toys with them?