John DeDakis: The Story Behind the Storyteller

John DeDakis: The Story Behind the Storyteller

From Your Next Success by Caroline Sangal, PhD, SHRM-CP

April 28, 2026 · 1h 16m · Season 1 · Episode 66

About this episode

John DeDakis shares his life story, reflecting on his experiences in media, family, and personal challenges.

Send us Fan Mail John DeDakis told other people's stories for 45 years. In this episode, he tells his own. It begins with a curious kid in La Crosse, Wisconsin who knocks on a radio station door during a bike ride and discovers something that will shape his entire life. It winds through the Vietnam era, the White House, 25 years at CNN, a 48+ year marriage, three children, profound loss, and a creative life that kept expanding even through the hardest seasons. John is a man with integrity and...

People in this episode

Host: Caroline Sangal, PhD, SHRM-CP

Guest: John DeDakis

Topics covered

  • storytelling
  • personal journey
  • media career
  • loss and resilience
  • family life

Keywords

  • John DeDakis
  • storytelling
  • CNN
  • Vietnam era
  • personal journey
  • media career
  • loss
  • resilience

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CNN

Places: La Crosse, Wisconsin

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