Meet America’s Simple Man, Doc Dalton: Author, Poet and Radio Host

Doc Dalton is a poet, radio show host, ordained minister, and a friend to many people. He writes about his life experiences and to connect with others about their own good times and hard times. Learn more about him by visiting DocDalton.com.

There are many things we want to talk to you about such as, why you are called, America’s Simple Man, and how you feel poetry saved your life. Also, your new book is being released, and there is a lot to talk about regarding Depression, Suicide and Dark Times. Let's start with describing yourself to our readers.

I have said many times over that if it would be possible, I could be the eccentric love child of Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson if they could have a child. I just think different and act different. The older I get, I find myself disliking phonies more and more. I just want to surround myself with good caring positive people who don't bring drama and craziness in to my world. I just need to be me 100% and for those who don’t like it, who cares, they weren't my friends in the first place.

America's Simple Man is a title that you believe in and seem to be extremely comfortable with.

It's been a long road for me, and it hasn't been the best road at times. Some is my own fault and some isn't. At this stage of my life, what I need more than anything is Common Sense and Simplicity, and that is in every aspect of my life including business and faith. I keep it as simple as possible and do my best not to get caught up in the world of Hype, Drama and Bull S_ _ _, and I teach that as well.

To keep this in order, how about if we talk about depression first and then your poetry?

It's well-known and I don’t hide the fact that I suffer from depression and have been hospitalized a few times, not only being depressed but suicidal as well. It's a terrible thing to have, and at times it becomes dark and scary and feels as if someone pulled the floor out from under you. I have been diagnosed with a disease called Sarcodosis and recently learned that it can add greatly to a person's depression. If you remember comedian Bernie Mac, he died from it. As far as depression goes, people should understand that there is help and they should take that help and not put it off. Waiting one extra day could be one day to late. Get your self-help today.

You been called the Eccentric Poet, and you refer often to your poems as God Poems. How did you start writing, and how do you feel it saved your life?

I was hospitalized for depression, and a doctor came to me and said, I do not want you writing a journal, and he had his reasons. He told me to try my hand at poetry and personally, I thought he was crazier than I was. But I was locked in and couldn't leave, so I said to myself, why not? To my surprise, words just started coming out one after the other, and everything I wrote was somehow connected to God.

Till this day it hasn't stopped, and I write like I talk which is cool for me, but it covers everything from God sending Angels who become your friend to Hey Bartender, a shot of Cuervo and some Jesus to go. I believe poetry saved my life because I express things in my poetry in ways I don't think I could otherwise. It's not about who reads it--it's about me keeping my mind calm and at peace while I am writing it. I have been lucky to be published a few times but even if I wasn't, I would continue to write each and every day. It's my personal therapy.

You have a new book being released at the end of this year with several more to follow in 2018 and 2019. Can you tell us a little about that?

Old Dogs of the Whiskey Pie Trails will be released later this year, and it is a combination of poetry, "my poetry" and short stories that are related to each of those poems. Each poem really does have its own story as why it was written and who might be involved within that story. The book itself is spiritual in nature and so will be every book after that. At this point I am looking to do a total of eight books through 2019 as a series which will be called "Watering the Spirit." All will be published with Joseph Martin Publishing.

Can you tell us something that folks might be surprised at or maybe even close friends and family don't know about you?

What a lot of people do not know is that I am an Ordained Minister and did so as a personal commitment to God. Kind of a thing just between he and I. There were No other reasons involved. I am a giant believer in Prayer and feel Prayer is the most un-selfish act of kindness that someone can do because you are asking God to help someone with No strings attached. I am Ordained with two different organizations and since being so, I have been asked to perform a number of weddings which I have, but I am more than likely the only Pastor that doesn't charge to do this service. I ask the bride and groom to make a donation to a local charity as an additional way to make their special day even more special. I just can't charge for what I call a God Thing. Because of this, some folks even started calling me America's Simple Pastor. It seems to me to fit nicely with the other title, so I consider it a win/win.

Are there any other projects coming up for you in the near future?

I have an Income Team that I will be promoting shortly that is all about common sense and simplicity. It’s showing folks how it does not need to be expensive, difficult, and time consuming. It shows them how great success can be created by following just 3 Simple Steps and teaching those 3 Simple Steps that should take no longer than 1 minute to learn or teach. Also, I have a video series coming up in the end of 2016 early 2017 called, Simply Dalton. It's just me talking about the important things in life and how keeping it simple is what is really important. The Team will be starting this month and the series is being developed as of this writing.

Can you tell our readers where they can learn more about you and maybe tell us the title of your most recent poem?

I am writing two poems at the moment with one being called "Waitin on an Angel to Take Me Home" and the other is called "Feeling Like a Million Bucks While Sitting in the Five and Dime." As far as learning more about me, folks can go to, DocDalton.com and everything is there from information on up-coming books, radio shows I have hosted in the past, gallery and even my Prayer Church called "Open Air Church of Prayer" where there is never a donation or collection because it's all about Prayer. They should stop by and leave a prayer--it's only a few simple lines.

Thanks, Doc!

Meet Rebecca Lombardo, Author

Rebecca Lombardo is 42 years old and has been happily married for 14 years, living in Michigan. She and her husband have no kids but five rescued cats. Rebecca is bipolar, a mental health advocate, a blogger, and now a published author. Learn more about Rebecca and her memoir, It's Not Your Journey, by visiting www.RebeccaLombardo.com or the book's Amazon page. You can also keep up with Rebecca by reading her blog and following her on Facebook and Twitter.

1. What helped you find the impetus to start your blog?

I started writing my blog to help me relieve some of the pain, stress, and guilt from everything I have been through in my life up until now. I didn't even originally plan on publicizing it. I had always wanted to be a writer, but I gave up on that dream a long time ago. When I started to let people read it, I gained confidence from all of the people that were telling me how it good it was. Once I made it public, the response was overwhelming. I starting writing for me. I kept writing for me, and everyone that was learning from it.

2. Over the last two years, what's kept you motivated to continue writing and posting to your blog?

Bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, suicide--all of these issues are widely misunderstood. Once I realized I was reaching people, I knew that I needed to keep going. It was scary because a lot of people didn't know that I had this disorder, and I didn't know what they would say or do. However, the outpouring of support was amazing. It feels incredible to know that you’ve helped someone.

3. What was the process like of shifting from writing a blog to writing a book?

It was difficult. I wanted the book to read like a journal, which is why all of the chapters are dated. I wasn't sure I wanted all of these stories out there for the world to see, but since it had been my dream since childhood, I had to go forward. I can't even count the number of times I had to edit, rewrite, or eliminate chapters. Sometimes it was too overwhelming to be reliving all of these painful experiences over and over. I'm just glad I made it through.

4. How has it helped you to connect with others through your writing?

I think my other responses covered this. :)

5. What would you say to other people who are dealing with bipolar illness, depression, or other illnesses that cab make it hard for them to be able to write and create?

I would say, take it slow. Don't get down on yourself if you don't write a major best seller the first time you sit down to write. There are days when I can't write either. I don't get down on myself because I know that there will be a day when I can. I try to avoid deadlines and such. I hate setting myself up to fail. With the feeling of failure comes tremendous feelings of depression, and that's what we’re all trying to avoid. You may find that you're second guessing yourself, predicting that you won't be able to do it. If you're feeling like that I say, sit down in front of the computer or with a pad and paper and just see what happens. You may be amazed at what happens. Be nice to yourself. It's OK not to be perfect.

Thanks, Rebecca!