I'm Too Busy Episode 72: John Daly

Guest: John Daly

In this deeply moving episode of I’m Too Busy, host Christina Flach sits down with John Daly, a survivor of extremist violence whose life story is as harrowing as it is inspiring. As a Jewish teenager, John was recruited into a neo-Nazi skinhead organization, forced to conceal his identity in order to survive. When his Jewish heritage was discovered, he was brutally attacked and nearly murdered. After later testifying against the group’s leaders and enduring ongoing death threats, John fled to Israel, where he rebuilt his life, earned advanced degrees in Hebrew, and became a global peace builder and motivational speaker. John also shares his remarkable battle with brain cancer, including surviving three awake brain surgeries over a twelve-year span—continuing to speak publicly, educate others, and find joy despite immense physical and emotional challenges.

The conversation reaches a profound moment as John recounts playing jazz on an original Nazi saxophone inside a former concentration camp—performing music by Jewish composer George Gershwin alongside an Arab musician. This powerful act became a symbol of reconciliation, unity, and the transformative power of music across cultural and religious divides.

Together, Christina and John explore extremism, trauma, forgiveness, and the responsibility each individual carries to speak up against intolerance. John’s story is a reminder that silence enables hate—and that real change begins when people choose courage over comfort.

Watch the full episode here