We were lucky to catch up with Anthony Dyer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Anthony, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
Someone once told me that empathy is the cornerstone of respect and trust, and that’s always stuck with me. Looking back on my time in the Air Force, I had some incredible leaders, and the common thread among them was empathy. They didn’t just lead from the front—they listened, understood, and saw the world through other people’s lenses.
That idea of perception versus perspective really shaped me. When you can step outside your own view and see a situation through someone else’s eyes, the bias starts to fade, and the real answers start to show up. Flying on the AC-130 Gunship as a Special Missions Aviator drove that lesson home. In the world of Special Operations, you learn to operate in the grey, to think outside the box, and to trust the perspectives of the people around you. In the air, solving problems wasn’t about one person’s perception—it was about combining everyone’s perspectives to find the best path forward.
That mindset—seeing through others’ eyes—carried into Moon Child. Writing it forced me to revisit moments of hardship and humanity, to understand not just my own story, but the people and experiences that shaped it. Empathy became both my compass and my bridge, in life and on the page.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a retired USAF Special Missions Aviator turned writer and storyteller. For over a decade, my life revolved around the hum of the AC-130 Gunship—the darkness, the brotherhood, and the chaos of combat. When I retired, I had to learn how to live in the quiet again. Writing became my bridge between those two worlds—a way to make sense of what I’d seen and to honor those I served with.
My debut book, Moon Child, was born from that process. It’s part memoir, part reflection, and all heart—rooted in my upbringing in the mountains of Western North Carolina and my years in the Air Force. It explores identity, loss, and redemption, and the challenge of finding peace once the missions stop. The most meaningful part has been hearing from readers who say it made them feel seen. That’s when I realized storytelling could heal—not just me, but others too.
That belief inspired Roots and Wings, a creative mission centered on storytelling, connection, and truth. It’s about knowing where you come from while still daring to grow. Through books, speaking, and collaboration, I’m focused on breaking the stigma around mental health, especially in the veteran and first responder communities. I’ve been honored to share that message on several podcasts and always appreciate the chance to keep those conversations honest and human.
Next up, I’m developing a digital platform where veterans, first responders, and others in high-stress service roles can preserve their stories, find healing, and build legacy. Using a simple voice-to-text system, members can speak their experiences, have them transcribed and edited at little to no cost, and see their stories published—so no life of service goes unheard or forgotten.
In the end, that’s what drives me: turning unspoken experiences into connection, resilience, and legacy. Because every mission deserves to be remembered—and every voice deserves a place to land.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Empathy is the foundation. It teaches you to see beyond yourself—to understand before judging. In combat, empathy keeps you human. In writing, it gives your words a heartbeat. Listen more than you speak—that’s where empathy begins.
Adaptability is survival. Life rarely follows the flight plan. The ability to adjust mid-mission—whether in the air or in everyday life—keeps you moving forward. Stay curious. Be willing to evolve.
And humility is the anchor. The moment you think you’ve got it all figured out, life will remind you otherwise. Humility keeps you learning, grounded, and real.
If you can lead with empathy, adapt with grace, and stay humble through it all—you’ll find your way, no matter how rough the skies get.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
They gave me roots and enabled my wings. Growing up in the mountains of Western North Carolina, I didn’t just watch my parents teach values—I watched them live them: grit, loyalty, compassion. My dad showed me how to stand firm when the world pushes back. My mom showed me how to stay human when everything tries to break you.
They gave me the best gift a parent can give their child: they believed in me.
Those lessons carried me through the Air Force, through combat, and through life after the missions ended. They’re the heartbeat of Moon Child. At the end of the day, they didn’t just prepare me to survive—they prepared me to soar.
As Marcus Aurelius said, “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” Every act, every choice, every bit of integrity my parents lived out reverberates far beyond a single lifetime. That’s the legacy they gave me—the echo I carry, the echo I hope to leave.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.traitmarkermedia.com/moonchild
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marco_brolo21?igsh=aXU0eG40dGVhNGVk
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17852iaHJu/
- Twitter: Check out Anthony Dyer (@anthonyp_dyer): https://x.com/anthonyp_dyer?t=hO3GJb7nVgYKW8ohHUk3Tw&s=07
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Child-Special-Missions-Aviator/dp/B0DZMXBHJ4
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