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What happens when a man who once collected samples from nuclear reactors finds himself writing speeches for the Vice President and facing a deadly leukemia diagnosis with just a 2% survival chance? Chris Skates' life journey reads like fiction but unfolds as a testament to human resilience and unexpected second acts.

From the radioactive tunnels of power plants to the halls of the Kentucky governor's office and eventually the Trump administration, Skates' career path defies conventional wisdom. Though his English teachers recognized his writing talent early, he pursued chemistry for stability—only to have writing persistently find its way back into his life through an emotional tribute to his grandfather that unexpectedly launched his publishing career.

Behind Skates' newest book "Moonshine Over Georgia" lies a forgotten chapter of American history. Far from the romanticized portrayal in shows like The Dukes of Hazzard, moonshine was America's drug of choice for nearly two decades, destroying families and communities. The book reveals his grandfather's crusade as a revenue agent fighting a deadly epidemic that continued long after Prohibition ended, driven by a deeply personal mission after witnessing the devastating impact on children.

Perhaps most remarkable is Skates' battle with the deadliest form of leukemia known to medicine—diagnosed the day before he was scheduled for breakfast at the White House. His doctor's stark assessment: "There is no medical explanation for why you're alive right now." Through brutal chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant that required his son to endure 200 needle insertions, Skates emerged as one of just two people ever cured of this specific cancer.

Throughout our conversation, Skates reveals how seemingly disconnected life events—from childhood writing exercises to chance encounters with political figures—created an extraordinary tapestry of purpose and meaning. His story reminds us that our darkest moments often contain the seeds of our greatest contributions, if we simply refuse to give up.

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