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 SpeaksGo to:https://dualistmedia.com for more info!