We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Donald Iannone. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Donald below.
Hi Donald, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
The story behind my mission in writing and teaching is rooted in the values I absorbed growing up along the Ohio River in Martins Ferry and Saint Clairsville, Ohio, where a working-class environment taught me to value hard work, resilience, and the pursuit of advancement through education. These early experiences weren’t just a background but a shaping force, instilling in me a commitment to learn continuously and a drive to share that journey with others. Today, I see my mission as a calling to help others find growth and self-awareness, whether through the 26 books I’ve authored across nonfiction, poetry, and photographic essays or in my teaching roles at institutions like the University of Oklahoma, Cleveland State University, and currently, Transcontinental University in the European Union.
Writing and teaching have allowed me to connect with diverse groups, moving them along their learning paths by inviting them into discussions of economic development, business insights, and broader life themes. This mission also draws heavily from a deep spiritual connection, which was stronger in an organized sense when I was younger but has evolved to a personal understanding of life’s transience and purpose. Spirituality has grounded me in the reality that life is a gift to be used to its fullest potential, something I remind myself of regularly. This belief urges me to cherish each moment and enrich others’ lives by imparting valuable lessons and insights in my books, articles, and classrooms.
Creativity is another cornerstone of my mission. It has been a lifelong companion that opened the doors to poetry, photography, and countless other explorations. Creativity keeps the mind active and open, allowing us to see the world with fresh perspectives and a sense of wonder, which I strive to share with my readers and students. Ultimately, the driving force behind my mission is simple: curiosity. That endless curiosity has guided me to follow paths of knowledge, express ideas, and create spaces where others can grow. My mission is to bring others along on this journey, sharing with them the joy and richness of lifelong learning, creativity, and discovery.
Donald, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Writing and teaching have always been central to my life. With nearly four decades of experience in economic development and public policy, my journey has taken me to over 100 clients across 32 states and internationally. The core of my work has been helping communities, regions, and states develop strategies for growth and assess public policies to make a lasting impact. Throughout my career, I discovered that writing and teaching were my most effective ways to make a difference—both for the clients I advised and the students I mentored in the classroom.
My entry into economic development came unexpectedly while I was working as an environmental planner. I quickly fell in love with the field for its dynamic role in shaping communities and its potential for creating real, lasting change. My interest in public policy grew naturally from my work in economic development, especially as I found myself guiding federal, state, and local agencies toward policies that truly serve their constituents.
Now, I am both a writer and a teacher, two roles that define me more fully than ever. My writing journey began academically, with research published in peer-reviewed journals. While I found success there, I wanted more freedom to express myself creatively, which led me to poetry. I’m now working on my eleventh book of poetry, and I find poetry to be the most liberating creative pursuit I’ve ever undertaken. Writing is a powerful tool, but I also respect the influence of images, which led me to photography and even painting. My photography spans urban and rural landscapes, with a particular interest in street photography, where I capture the moments of everyday life. Photography has been part of my life since I was a young boy, after my father gifted me his used Polaroid camera. This gift planted a seed, and visual storytelling has been part of my journey ever since.
In my early years, I faced a moderate auditory learning disability, which was undiagnosed but led me to develop as a visual learner. Writing and photography became my allies and still serve me well today. Of all the work I’ve done, teaching is what I am most proud of, both in the classroom and in life beyond it. My love of learning has driven me down countless paths, allowing me to experience and view life from diverse perspectives.
If two things define me, they are my willingness to pursue my curiosity wherever it leads and my drive to be productive—to transform what I learn into books, services, and creative works that embody this journey. I’m often asked what advice I’d give to others regarding their careers or life’s work, and my response is simple: everything depends on self-knowledge. The better we know ourselves, the more we can grow and contribute meaningfully to the world. I encourage everyone to challenge themselves constantly to gain a deeper understanding of who they are and the significance of what they do.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Learning and personal growth are at the heart of my creative journey. My goal has always been to understand myself and others more deeply through my thoughts, feelings, and actions. Each new piece I begin—whether an essay, book, or poem—quickly reveals whether it will contribute to that journey. If I sense it won’t deepen my learning or offer something valuable to others, I let it go. I’ve found inspiration in Maya Angelou’s words: “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” This wisdom has stayed with me, reminding me that creative energy is a well that only expands with use.
Some writers see their creative work as reaching a peak, a point where they feel they’ve achieved all they can. But I’ve never seen it that way in my own work. When my nonfiction feels routine, I turn to poetry or photography. If those creative pursuits lose their spark, I seek out meaningful conversations with others, diving into new ideas. And when dialogue no longer fuels me, I return to meditation, sitting quietly to clear my mind. This approach reopens my creativity, allowing space for fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose. My mission is to keep pushing boundaries, using each medium to further my growth and, I hope, to inspire growth in others.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My reputation has evolved across higher education, consulting, and now writing and publishing. In higher education, my experience as a teacher and researcher gave me credibility, particularly in economic development and public policy consulting, where my insights and academic foundation allowed me to offer clients both authority and fresh perspectives. Over time, I became recognized as a thought leader, known for putting forward influential ideas that helped people address real challenges.
I found early on that working independently rather than in large organizations allowed me to make the most impact—an important realization that shaped my reputation as someone who could generate actionable, bold ideas. In writing, I’ve learned that reputation is built through persistence and courage. Writers often challenge conventional views to encourage readers to see things differently. My success in this arena has come from introducing unconventional but valuable insights, as in my recent book America’s Dream at Crossroads, where I argue that the American dream should guide our choice in leadership.
In earlier works, like my books on contemporary spirituality, I introduced new ideas about digital culture’s influence on religion and spirituality. Though some found these perspectives unsettling, others saw them as timely and compelling. Currently, I’m working on a poetry collection, The Civil War Yesterday and Today in Poetry, which examines themes of racism, inequality, and governmental power. Through these works, I’ve built a reputation on courageously addressing complex issues with a forward-thinking vision, aiming to contribute ideas that, in some small way, move society forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.donaldiannone.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iannonedon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donaldiannone
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doniannone/
- Twitter: https://x.com/doniannone
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@diannone
- Other: Poetry Blog: https://poeticalchemist.com/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/don-iannone/
Visual Advantage Photography: https://www.visualadvantagephoto.com/
