Tear Gas, Thrillers, and Truth- The Life Lessons of Journalist John DeDakis

Episode Summary

Award-winning journalist and novelist John DeDakis joins A Joyful Rebellion to talk about the craft—and catharsis—of writing. From getting tear-gassed in the middle of an anti-war riot during his college days to serving two decades as a White House correspondent and CNN senior editor, John’s 45-year journalism career shaped both his worldview and his fiction. Now, as the author of six political thrillers and a writing coach, he channels those experiences into stories that explore grief, truth, and the resilience of the human spirit.

In this conversation, host James Walters and John dive into the evolution of media bias, the emotional cost of news work, and how personal loss informed John’s writing. They discuss his process of creating authentic female protagonists, navigating rejection, and using storytelling as a path toward healing. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a lifelong reader, this episode reminds us that sometimes the best way to understand the world—or ourselves—is to write it down.

 

Show Notes and Chapters

• [00:00–02:00] Introduction — Tear gas and the birth of a journalist

• [02:00–07:00] Early reporting days and first paying gig

• [07:00–11:00] White House years, Alfred Hitchcock, and lessons from Reagan’s press room

• [11:00–13:00] Fiction that mirrors reality — when thrillers predict politics

• [13:00–16:00] Journalism, bias, and truth in the age of disinformation

• [16:00–20:00] The turning point — grief, burnout, and leaving CNN

• [20:00–25:00] Writing as healing: turning loss into narrative

• [25:00–29:00] Empathy, emotion, and writing from a female perspective

• [29:00–34:00] The creative partnership with his wife Cindy and how “Enemy’s Domestic” was born

• [34:00–42:00] Writing across differences — empathy, voice, and representation

• [42:00–49:00] Rejection, perseverance, and the evolving publishing world

• [49:00–52:00] Why writer’s conferences matter and finding your people

• [52:00–53:00] John’s advice to anyone with a story to tell: Just write.

Resources

• John DeDakis Official Website: johndedakis.com

• Book: Enemies Domestic (Grand Prize, Santa Clue Award)

• Newsletter/Essays: Letters from the Road by historian Heather Cox Richardson

• Organization: American Forces Radio and Television Network