Episode 426 – From Marine to Playwright Living an Unstoppable Life Story with Tom Barna

What happens when a life of constant movement, war, and personal struggle finally forces you to start over?

In this episode, I sit down with Tom David Barna, whose journey spans growing up in a military family, serving in the Marine Corps, living in a mud hut in Africa, and facing the realities of war and addiction. Tom shares how those experiences shaped his perspective on resilience, identity, and purpose. You will hear how he rebuilt his life after hitting a breaking point, found clarity in solitude, and ultimately discovered a new path as a playwright. This is a powerful conversation about growth, failure, and the importance of setting goals with intention. I believe you will find this both inspiring and deeply human.

Highlights:

00:01:04 – You will learn how growing up moving constantly shaped adaptability and identity00:20:51 – You will discover why choosing the hardest path can change your life00:24:26 – You will hear what living in a remote African village truly teaches you00:37:38 – You will feel the emotional reality of returning home from war00:50:49 – You will learn how hitting rock bottom can lead to real transformation00:59:41 – You will discover why goals need a clear plan to actually work Bottom of Form

About the Guest:

A playwright, retired Marine, former Peace Corps Volunteer, a husband-father, son, converted Catholic, always and forever on some diet, a one-time successful peddler of love and a never satisfied dreamer.

A graduate of Kaiserslautern American High School in Germany. A graduate of New Mexico State University (Who’s Who In American Colleges).

·As a twenty-two year old Peace Corp volunteer, I served in Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) for two years. I lived in an actual mud hut, completely isolated from the outside world (with the exception of a small, short wave radio), and I nearly died from malaria (were it not for a traveling missionary who found me on the dirt floor). Living in an extremely poor third world country is not for the faint of heart or the naïve.

The son of a thirty year military veteran (dad is buried in Arlington National Cemetery), the son of a thirty year military civilian (mom is alive and well at 90 and still reading four book a week) and the brother of a twenty year Marine.

My own military career included assignments in Okinawa, Japan and almost twenty-four months in the middle east (first as a commanding officer in Gulf War I and as a logistics officer in the Afghanistan War immediately after the attack on September 11th.) I had the honor of serving under Jim Mattis, before his stint as war hero of lore and Secretary of Defense. After twenty-two years, I retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

I have written over forty full-length plays (to include several musicals), forty-two short plays, author of multiple published children’s books, co-author of a thirteen part radio series, recipient of numerous artist awards and artist grants. 

I have yet to see one of my plays performed on the Broadway stage; still working on that but just to be clear, I have enthusiastically embraced my own personal insanity as the prerequisite to writing for the stage. I am passionate and crazy—important traits for a writer.

As to that “peddler of love” reference… as unlikely as it seemed, this hardened Marine found himself on yet another career path; as the general manager of numerous national diamond stores (in Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota) and discovering that success was not in the selling of diamonds per se, but by selling love, memories and deep feelings. Trust me, it worked. I once testified before a judge in court how selling love was not an acquired skill, but an affair of the heart.

Now what? Other than my continued passion for writing, I’m not sure, but I’ve at times knowingly and more often than not,  unknowingly trusted God with His plan, so why change now. Yeah, maybe the best is yet to come.

Ways to connect with Tom**:**

My website link: 

www.Minnesotaplaywright.weebly.com

My LinkedIn link:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-david-barna-6115431a/

My National New Play Exchange Tom David Barna page link:

https://newplayexchange.org/users/1245/tom-david-barna

Mankato Free Press link:

[e-mail]

New Mexico State University Alumni Foundation email address:

[e-mail]

About the Host:

Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, inter