Interview with Dustin Bryan
Dustin, what drives your passion for writing, and how does your personal story inform your work?
My passion for writing comes from a deep desire to connect with others through shared experiences, especially those rooted in hardship and resilience. Growing up in a chaotic and often painful environment, I learned firsthand what it means to struggle, to feel lost, and to fight for something better. Writing allows me to take those experiences and turn them into something meaningful—not just for myself, but for anyone who has ever felt trapped by their past.
My personal story is woven into every page I write. I grew up surrounded by broken families, addiction, and loss, yet I found a way forward. My memoir isn’t just about the pain I endured; it’s about overcoming fear, building resilience, and learning to choose compassion despite everything. I want my work to be a source of hope—proof that no matter where you come from, you can shape a better future.
Your memoir, "From Broken to Blessed," has resonated with many readers. What do you consider your greatest achievement as an author, and how has this book impacted your life?
I’d say my greatest achievement as an author isn’t just publishing From Broken to Blessed, but the impact it has had on others. Hearing from readers who say my story gave them hope, helped them heal, or encouraged them to keep going—that’s the real success. When someone tells me, "Your book made me feel seen," or "I finally believe I can overcome my past," that means more than any sales number ever could.
On a personal level, writing this book has been life-changing. It forced me to confront my past in a way I never had before, but it also allowed me to reclaim my story on my own terms. It’s given me a sense of purpose—knowing that my pain wasn’t for nothing and that it can be used to help others. It’s also deepened my commitment to the work my wife and I do through our church and community outreach. From Broken to Blessed isn’t just my story; it’s a message to anyone who feels stuck in their struggles that there is a way forward.
How do you balance your creative work with your other pursuits, such as charity work and entrepreneurship?
Balancing writing with charity work and entrepreneurship is definitely a challenge, but I’ve learned that when you’re passionate about something, you make the time for it. My writing, business, and charity work aren’t separate—they all come from the same mission: to help people and make a lasting impact.
Structuring my time is key. I treat writing like any other responsibility, setting aside focused hours where I can be creative without distractions. At the same time, running a business and organizing charity efforts require flexibility, so I prioritize what needs my attention most each day. My wife is also an incredible partner in both life and work, and together we keep each other grounded in our goals.
Ultimately, everything I do feeds into my writing. The challenges of entrepreneurship, the stories I hear through charity work, and my own life experiences all shape the messages I put on the page. Instead of seeing these roles as competing, I see them as interconnected—each one strengthening the others.
Your memoir is a powerful exploration of resilience, faith, and redemption. Can you share with us what inspired you to share your story with the world?
The inspiration to share my story came from a deep belief that pain shouldn’t be wasted. For a long time, I thought my past was something to bury, something that only carried shame. But that changed the day I first shared my story during a communion meditation at church. I spoke about my struggles—about fear, resilience, and faith—and the response was overwhelming. People came up to me afterward, sharing their own experiences, telling me how much my words resonated with them. That moment made me realize that my story wasn’t just mine—it had the power to help others.
That experience planted the seed for From Broken to Blessed. I knew I had to put my journey into words so that others—especially those who feel trapped by their past—could see that hope and redemption are possible. Writing this book wasn’t just about telling my story; it was about showing others that their pain doesn’t have to define them. If my words can help even one person believe in a way forward, then sharing my journey was more than worth it.
How do you hope readers will apply the lessons and insights from your book to their own lives, and what impact do you envision your story having on others?
I hope readers walk away from From Broken to Blessed knowing that their past does not define their future. No matter what they’ve been through—whether it’s trauma, loss, addiction, or feeling like they’ll never escape the cycles they were born into—I want them to see that change is possible. My story isn’t just about what I endured; it’s about how I broke free, and I want readers to realize that they have that same power within them.
I hope people apply the lessons of resilience, faith, and self-worth in their own lives. That means recognizing that pain isn’t the end of their story, finding the courage to confront their past, and understanding that healing is a process, not an overnight transformation. Whether it’s taking that first step toward forgiveness, choosing to break a destructive pattern, or simply believing they deserve something better, I want them to feel empowered to move forward.
The impact I envision is bigger than just individual lives—I hope this book creates conversations, brings people together, and helps break the silence around struggles that too many people feel they have to face alone. If even one person finds the strength to keep going because of my story, then it’s done exactly what I hoped it would.
One of the themes you explore in your book is the desire for connection and belonging. Can you elaborate on how this theme has played out in your own life?
The desire for connection and belonging has shaped so much of my life, often in ways I didn’t fully understand until later. Growing up, my sense of belonging was constantly shifting—family instability, loss, and hardship made it hard to feel truly rooted anywhere. I craved connection, but in a world where relationships often felt temporary or broken, I learned to keep my guard up.
For a long time, I believed that survival meant standing alone. But over time, I realized that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. The turning point came when I found true community—first through faith, then through the family I built, and later through the work my wife and I do in our church and charity efforts. That deep need for connection was something I carried for years, but I only truly began to heal when I stopped trying to do it all on my own.
In From Broken to Blessed, I explore how the search for belonging can shape us—for better or worse. Whether it's the people we surround ourselves with, the way we seek acceptance, or even the unhealthy attachments we form when we’re desperate for connection, it all plays a role in our journey. I hope readers see that while loneliness can feel permanent, it doesn’t have to be. There is always a place where we belong—we just have to be willing to find it, and sometimes, to build it ourselves.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book, and how do you want your story to inspire and empower others?
More than anything, I hope readers walk away from From Broken to Blessed knowing that their past does not define them. No matter where they come from, no matter what they’ve endured, they have the power to rewrite their story. I want them to see that pain, trauma, and hardship don’t have to be the end—they can be the foundation for something greater.
I hope my story inspires people to believe in resilience, faith, and the possibility of change. Life doesn’t hand us easy answers, and healing isn’t instant, but every small step forward matters. Whether it’s breaking free from toxic cycles, finding strength in faith, or choosing to rise above circumstances that once felt impossible, I want readers to feel empowered to take control of their own future.
Ultimately, my goal is to offer hope. If my story can help someone feel less alone, push them to take a step toward healing, or remind them that they are worth more than their past, then sharing it was worth it.
What are your long-term goals as an author, and how do you see your writing evolving in the next 5-10 years?
My long-term goal as an author is to continue writing stories that inspire, challenge, and uplift people. From Broken to Blessed is just the beginning—I want to dive deeper into the themes of resilience, faith, and personal transformation, whether through memoirs, self-help books, or even storytelling in different forms.
In the next 5-10 years, I see my writing evolving to reach an even broader audience. I’d love to expand into speaking engagements, workshops, or even faith-based leadership materials that help others apply these lessons to their own lives. I also want to explore more personal stories—not just my own, but those of others who have overcome adversity, shining a light on the strength found in struggle.
At the heart of it all, my goal is to keep writing with purpose. I don’t just want to tell stories; I want to create impact. Whether it’s through books, speaking, or mentorship, I want my words to help people see that no matter how broken their past may be, they can build something beautiful from it.
How do you stay motivated and inspired to continue writing, and what role do your readers play in your creative process?
Staying motivated to write isn’t always easy—especially when you’re digging through painful memories or wrestling with vulnerability on the page. But I remind myself that my story isn’t just mine. It’s one thread in a much larger fabric of people who’ve felt broken, afraid, or forgotten—and who need to know they’re not alone. That truth keeps me going.
My readers play a huge role in my creative process. I write with them in mind—people who have faced real struggles, who’ve been through darkness but are still searching for light. When someone tells me that something I wrote made them feel seen or gave them hope, it fuels me. It’s no longer about just telling a story; it becomes about building connection and offering something healing, even if it’s just a single sentence that resonates.
Can you share with us any upcoming projects or books you're working on, and how they align with your overall mission as an author?
Right now, I’m working on a series of short journals that are connected to From Broken to Blessed. Each journal dives deeper into the themes from the book—resilience, healing, faith, and finding purpose after pain. They’re designed to be reflective tools, helping readers not just absorb the message, but apply it to their own lives in a practical and personal way.
These journals are a natural extension of my mission as an author: to walk alongside people who’ve been through the fire and show them that it’s possible to come out stronger on the other side. I don’t just want to tell my story—I want to create space for others to process their own, and hopefully discover their own path from brokenness to blessing.
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