In this deeply reflective episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with poet, playwright, and soon-to-be author D.C. Copeland. Known for her literary achievements and her fierce voice for mental health and self-expression, D.C. shares a candid and powerful conversation about what it means to truly find yourself—especially in a world that expects conformity at every turn.

From her early days writing poems as a child to becoming a Yale-educated writer mentored by Harold Bloom, D.C. takes us on a journey through creativity, personal awakening, and deep healing. Her upcoming book Societal Dropout is more than a manifesto—it’s a call for reconnection, a return to stillness, and a nudge for all of us to examine what we truly believe, beyond what we've been told.

D.C. and Chuck explore the concept of living in the “third dimension”—a linear, goal-oriented society—and how dropping out of it, even for a few moments each day, can unlock healing, peace, and perspective. Whether you're familiar with meditation or just starting to question the noise around you, this conversation offers tools, insights, and encouragement to pause and listen to your inner voice.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about healing through writing, the connection between mental health and societal structure, and the incredible power of stillness.

What’s Inside…

• Why “dropping out” isn’t giving up—it’s coming home to yourself. D.C. explains how stepping away from society’s expectations can lead to deeper healing and clarity.

• The hidden cost of living in a linear, performance-driven world. Discover how constant striving impacts our mental health and how to break free from the cycle.

• How stillness and meditation transformed D.C.’s understanding of herself. Learn practical ways to slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with your truth.

• What we’re really running from—and why society doesn’t want us to stop. A powerful exploration of discomfort, distraction, and the fear of facing our own thoughts.

• The difference between identity and performance. D.C. shares how letting go of labels helped her heal, and why so many of us feel lost in who we think we’re supposed to be.

• You’re not broken—you’re waking up. Hear D.C.’s perspective on anxiety, trauma, and why your struggles might actually be signals of something beautiful unfolding.

GUEST LINKS:

• https://dccopeland.com

LINKS:

• www.thecompassionateconnection.com
• www.warriorsunmasked.com
• Join Chuck’s Text Community: 251-418-7966

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome to Episode 184: Introducing D.C. Copeland
• 02:18 – D.C.’s childhood love for writing and early poetic success
• 04:33 – Yale, Harold Bloom, and the journey to becoming a writer
• 06:00 – The power of theater and the story behind Societal Dropout
• 08:41 – The linear world vs. nonlinear healing: Understanding dimensions
• 11:00 – Misdiagnosed illness and mental health in modern society
• 13:30 – Why so many are struggling: trauma, anxiety, and societal disconnect
• 16:00 – Are people afraid to find themselves?
• 18:30 – What meditation and stillness revealed to D.C.
• 20:15 – Practical ways to “drop out” and find healing
• 23:30 – Challenging beliefs and choosing your own experience
• 26:00 – Identity, performance, and finding peace in the unknown
• 30:00 – Shakespeare, suicide, and the courage to question
• 32:00 – Meditation, quiet, and the non-linear healing process
• 35:00 – Rest, illness, and listening to the body’s wisdom
• 39:00 – Meditation’s role in D.C.’s recovery and resilience
• 42:00 – The brain on fire: Observing thought, not becoming it
• 45:00 – Teaching stillness to the next generation
• 47:00 – Chuck’s closing reflections and a call to share the episode
• 49:00 – What to say to someone who feels misunderstood
• 52:00 – Say yes to your own experience—whatever it may be