No Street Lights Podcast

Aaron Ash and Tim Brunicardi
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Philosophy
  • Weekly

Hosted by Aaron Ash and Tim Brunicardi, we explore different concepts of the human experience through our personal lives experiences. As veterans with 20 years of experience in Security/Anti-Terrorism, Aaron and Tim have a lot to share. Join us bi-weekly as we drop new episodes. As we continue to grow, we will incorporate more guests moving forward, thank you to all for your support.

  1. 4d ago

    What Does Wood County Need? | Daniel Miller, House District 11 | NSLP 147

    What does West Virginia need to become a happier, healthier, and more connected place to live? This week on No Street Lights, Aaron and Tim welcome Daniel Miller, a behavioral health professional and candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates, District 11, serving parts of Wood County, including Vienna and North Parkersburg. Daniel is also an old high school classmate, making this our first conversation with a political candidate a little different from the usual political interview. We begin with Daniel's experiences working with children and families navigating emotional and behavioral health challenges, and how those experiences influenced his decision to become more involved in public service. We also get into some specific West Virginia policy discussions, including House Bill 2014, AI data centers, environmental protection, local decision-making, and the Hope Scholarship program. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 — Welcome to No Street Lights 00:46 — A New Era for NSLP 01:07 — Our First Political Candidate 02:23 — Meet Daniel Miller: West Virginia District 11 03:43 — Daniel's Work in Behavioral Health 05:27 — Why Work With Children and Families? 07:45 — Giving Back to the Community 10:23 — Daniel's Platform and Priorities 10:32 — Affordability and Basic Needs 12:42 — Public Education and Student Support 14:30 — Jobs and Economic Opportunities 16:00 — Helping Unhoused Neighbors in Wood County 18:18 — Rising Costs, Wages and Food Insecurity 20:17 — What Makes a Good Community Leader? 22:01 — Daniel's Experience in Politics 24:13 — Meeting People Where They Are 25:18 — Finding Common Ground 27:10 — Leaving Home and Seeing Communities Differently 29:51 — Judging Neighborhoods by Their Appearance 31:57 — Housing Improvements and Mental Health 33:20 — Addiction and Harm Reduction 34:12 — House Bill 2014 and AI Data Centers 39:01 — Tim Challenges the Data Center Discussion 40:44 — Balancing Technological Progress and Environmental Concerns 44:32 — Creating Jobs and Protecting West Virginia 45:34 — The Hope Scholarship and Education Funding 48:40 — Accountability and Taxpayer Dollars 49:09 — Appalachian Resilience 51:29 — Daniel's Closing Message 51:41 — Getting Involved Regardless of Political Affiliation 53:43 — What Community Really Means 55:04 — Thank You for Listening 55:29 — Support No Street Lights 58:00 — Be Good to Yourselves and Each Other ABOUT DANIEL MILLER Campaign website: https://www.dsmillerforwv.com/ Campaign Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587163295779 Volunteer information: https://www.dsmillerforwv.com/blank Campaign contributions: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dsmiller4wv Campaign email: dsmiller4wv@gmail.com Daniel Miller is the Democratic candidate for West Virginia House of Delegates District 11 in the November 3, 2026 general election. He works in behavioral health, helping children and families access support and community resources. In this episode, Daniel discusses his priorities concerning affordability, education, jobs, public resources, environmental protection, and community participation. Learn more about Daniel Miller: Campaign website: https://www.dsmillerforwv.com/ Campaign contact: dsmiller4wv@gmail.com Independent candidate profile: https://ballotpedia.org/Daniel_Miller_(West_Virginia) COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED We also discuss ways to help neighbors experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Organizations mentioned include House to Home, The Gathering, Salvation Army, Latrobe Street Mission, and Stone Soup Kitchen. Contact these organizations directly for current volunteer opportunities, donation needs, and available services. WATCH & LISTEN TO NO STREET LIGHTS YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify

  2. Oct 16

    Why Do We Believe What We Believe? | Lawrence Q. Markx | NSLP 146

    Why do we believe what we believe? This week on No Street Lights, Aaron and Tim sit down with author and philosopher Lawrence Q. Markx for a conversation about perspective, faith, atheism, existentialism, morality, parenthood, legacy, critical thinking, and the questions most of us inherit long before we ever think to challenge them. Lawrence is the author of Question: Markx, a collection of philosophical and existential essays built around one central idea: sometimes the point isn't finding the answer. Sometimes the important part is learning how to ask a better question. Throughout the conversation, we explore what happens when you start questioning the beliefs, assumptions, traditions, and worldviews you've carried with you for years. We talk about religion and spirituality, Lawrence's journey from a much harder form of atheism toward simply admitting "I don't know," whether anything actually matters, why kindness may be one of the simplest philosophies worth living by, how adversity can completely reshape your perspective, and why legacy becomes such a strange and powerful question as we get older. Lawrence also shares how divorce, anxiety, fatherhood, writing, philanthropy, and simply living a little longer changed the person he used to be into the person he is today. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, we also discuss Game of Thrones, magnets, Biggie Smalls, cleaning Navy bathrooms, getting old on the internet, and whether having a billion dollars would actually make life easier. Because this is still No Street Lights. The biggest idea we walked away with? Ask questions because you genuinely want to know the answer—not because you've already decided what the answer should be. Share your light. 📚 LAWRENCE Q. MARKX Learn more about Lawrence and Question: Markx: https://www.questionmarkx.me/ Question: Markx is also available through Amazon. Lawrence also discusses his creative work and counterculture apparel during the episode. Check his website and social pages for his latest projects. 🎙️ WATCH & LISTEN TO NO STREET LIGHTS YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast/id1696321025 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/no-street-lights-podcast-5854474 Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/no-street-lights-podcast-619681 ❤️ SUPPORT NO STREET LIGHTS Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NoStreetLights 📱 FOLLOW NO STREET LIGHTS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/No-Street-Lights-Podcast-100094151442311/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nostreetlightspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@no.street.lights 🌐 NO STREET LIGHTS https://www.nostreetlights.org/ No Street Lights is built around honest conversations, lived experience, curiosity, empathy, and the belief that everybody has something worth sharing. Share your light. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER No Street Lights Podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. If you are experiencing an immediate emergency in the United States, call 911. If you are experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988. #Philosophy #CriticalThinking #Existentialism #NoStreetLightsPodcast #QuestionMarkx

  3. Sep 19

    "Thank You for Coming. You May Go Now." | Patient to Provider with Lauren McNeese | NSLP 145

    Lauren McNeese returns to the No Street Lights Podcast for one of our most meaningful conversations to date. After previously sharing her story of surviving addiction, residential treatment, and recovery, Lauren returns to talk about what comes after healing finding purpose. In this episode we explore the Japanese concept of Ikigai, the First Noble Truth of Buddhism, intrusive thoughts, identity, creativity, and the powerful transition from patient to provider as Lauren prepares for a career in nursing. One sentence from this conversation stayed with us: "Thank you for coming. You may go now." Not every thought deserves to become your identity. Sometimes healing is simply acknowledging a thought... and letting it leave. If you've ever struggled with anxiety, trauma, depression, self-worth, or wondered why you're here, we hope this conversation reminds you that your story isn't over. In this episode • Lauren's journey from patient to provider • Discovering your Ikigai (purpose) • The First Noble Truth • PTSD, anxiety & intrusive thoughts • Talking to your younger self • Identity after recovery • Creativity as healing • Honoring the artist within • Learning to let thoughts pass • Finding meaning after surviving • Why preparation creates confidence • "Safety Third" Connect with Lauren McNeese 📖 The Orange Scarf https://www.amazon.com/Orange-Scarf-Testing-Residential-Treatment-ebook/dp/B0FP5VDW6G?dplnkId=c09626c3-7a58-401b-9bd0-69bfc3eff59e&nodl=1 📝 The Orange Scarf Substack https://substack.com/@theorangescarf?r=1iuvmt&utm_medium=ios Featured Essays • Patient to Provider https://theorangescarf.substack.com/p/from-patient-to-provider?r=1iuvmt&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true • My Most Compassionate Self https://theorangescarf.substack.com/p/my-most-compassionate-self?r=1iuvmt&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true • Tell Nurse Kelly I Said Hey https://theorangescarf.substack.com/p/tell-nurse-kelly-i-said-hey?r=1iuvmt&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true • A Prayer, An Amends, and a Word on Forgiveness https://theorangescarf.substack.com/p/a-prayer-an-amends-and-a-word-on?r=1iuvmt&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true • Welcome & Why We're Here https://theorangescarf.substack.com/p/welcome-and-why-were-here?r=1iuvmt&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true • A Bit About My Project https://theorangescarf.substack.com/p/a-bit-about-my-project-for-my-new?r=1iuvmt&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true Previous Conversations with Lauren 🎙️ Lauren McNeese | NSLP 80 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDpvQTukNgs&t=661s 🎙️ Lauren McNeese Returns | NSLP 121 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZCJRhYN0cw&t=7s Support No Street Lights ❤️ Patreon https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights 🔗 All Links https://linktr.ee/nslp If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact emergency services or your local crisis resources. Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back Lauren 02:10 From Patient to Provider 06:45 What Is Ikigai? 12:30 The First Noble Truth 18:10 Trauma Doesn't Define You 24:00 Talking to Your Younger Self 30:00 Honoring the Artist Within 37:15 "Thank You For Coming..." 42:30 Intrusive Thoughts 49:15 Preparing for Nursing 55:00 Safety Third 1:02:00 Final Reflections

  4. Sep 4 ·  Bonus

    share your light with us | No Street Lights Update

    After a difficult year, we wanted to get you all caught up on what we are doing. If you are interested in sharing your light with Aaron and Tim, please reach out to NoStreetLightsPodcast@gmail.com Thank you all, PEACE!

  5. Aug 28

    God Shots, Addiction, and Recovery | Interview with Bridgett Viox | NSLP 144

    One bad decision doesn't define a life, but addiction can make it feel like it does. In Episode 144 of the No Street Lights Podcast, Tim sits down with Bridgett Viox, who shares an extraordinary story of addiction, incarceration, recovery, faith, and redemption. Bridgett opens up about growing up in chaos, experiencing abuse, becoming trapped in crack cocaine addiction, accumulating multiple felony charges, and ultimately reaching the point where she believed death was the only way out. She shares the events that led her to jail, why she believes those moments saved her life, and how nearly 17 years of sobriety have transformed not only her life, but the lives of her children and countless women she's helped since. Today Bridgett dedicates her life to serving others, mentoring women in recovery, and helping survivors of trafficking rebuild their lives through hope, faith, and practical support. Whether you're personally battling addiction, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for a story that proves change is possible, Bridgett's honesty and resilience make this an unforgettable conversation. ➡️ Connect with Bridgett Viox: Email: bridgettviox@gmail.com TikTok: @bridgett.viox ➡️ Support the No Street Lights Podcast and Join the Community: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLights Discord: https://discord.gg/sWRj4MNbYg All Links: https://linktr.ee/nslp Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Meet Bridgett Viox 01:50 The beginning of addiction 03:30 Growing up in chaos 07:10 Religious trauma and abuse 10:15 Alcohol, pills, and crack cocaine 17:45 Wanting to die 20:35 The prayer that changed everything 22:25 Arrest and jail 26:30 Discovering AA 33:30 The first relapse 37:05 Choosing recovery 40:40 "God Shots" 46:15 Rebuilding trust 49:10 Helping trafficked women 53:30 A story she has rarely shared 54:50 Final thoughts #Recovery #Sobriety #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Faith #Redemption #NoStreetLightsPodcast #BridgettViox #AA #Hope

  6. Aug 17

    How Addition Almost Took Everything | Joshua Deen Interview NSLP #74

    One of the most impactful conversations we've ever had deserved to be heard the way it was meant to be.This is a newly remastered release of our conversation with Joshua Deen. We originally published this episode using Riverside's AI editing tools, but the final audio quality didn't reflect the importance of Joshua's story. Rather than let that version stand, we went back, rebuilt the episode from the ground up, and are proud to share it again with significantly improved audio.Joshua Deen, author of Last Call, Stupid, joins us for an honest conversation about addiction, recovery, self-worth, spirituality, and rebuilding a life after alcoholism. His willingness to be vulnerable makes this one of the most powerful discussions we've had on the No Street Lights Podcast.**Josh's video was distorted for some reason. If you see the video flash randomly, its okay. Youre not going crazy. We sadly couldnt fix that (or atleast Tim didnt know how too) so we figure you should be warned here.If you've struggled with addiction, supported someone who has, or simply want to hear a story of resilience and hope, this episode is for you.➡️ Connect with Joshua Deen:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuadeenofficialWebsite: https://www.joshuadeen.comBuy Last Call, Stupid: https://a.co/d/2lYrfe1➡️ Support the No Street Lights Podcast and Join the Community:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NoStreetLightsDiscord: https://discord.gg/sWRj4MNbYgAll Links: https://linktr.ee/nslp#JoshuaDeen #NoStreetLightsPodcast #AddictionRecovery #PersonalGrowth #SoberPunk #Spirituality #SobrietyJourney #SelfLove #sobriety #alcoholculture #recovery #self-awareness #empowerment #personalgrowth #addiction #mentalhealth #communitysupport #LastCallStupid

  7. Aug 7

    We Took the Men's Mental Health Conversation Into Our Community | NSLP 143

    What happens when the conversation leaves the studio and enters the community? For this special episode of No Street Lights Podcast, Aaron and Tim headed to the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg, West Virginia to participate in a live Men's Mental Health Fair and panel discussion. This wasn't our normal setup, we joined other men with their own lived experiences to have an open and honest conversation about men's mental health, anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction and recovery, asking for help, family, military life, and what we wish we could tell our younger selves. But this wasn't organized by us. Local teen's grouped together to put this event together to help spread awareness, and get the public involved in their very own politics. Community members joined the discussion, local resources came together, and young people who helped organize the event spoke about why men's mental health matters to them and why they believe these conversations need to begin earlier. We've spent years on No Street Lights talking about the importance of showing up for one another. This time, we got the opportunity to take that conversation outside of the studio and show up alongside our own community. A huge thank you to the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg, Darlene Murphy, the young people who helped make this event happen, our fellow panelists, everyone who asked questions, and everyone who simply came out and listened. We hope there's something in this conversation that you can carry with you. "Same team." We love you, and you're worthy of that love! PEACE! CHAPTERS 00:00 — No Street Lights Goes Live 01:32 — Why This Men's Mental Health Fair Exists 03:22 — Meet the Panel 04:29 — What Challenges Have You Faced? 10:42 — What Finally Made You Ask for Help? 12:59 — What Would You Tell Your Younger Self? 17:18 — What Would You Tell a Man Struggling Today? 19:11 — One Message We Hope You Leave With 22:27 — Making Mental Health Resources Accessible 23:52 — Why We Need to Reach Boys Earlier 26:08 — Would Earlier Conversations Have Changed Our Lives? 27:27 — After the Panel 💡 ABOUT NO STREET LIGHTS No Street Lights is about honest conversations surrounding the human experience, mental health, personal growth, and the things that connect us. Be your own light. 🎙️ WATCH & LISTEN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoStreetLightsPodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LIaDquk2li94WvC6XaITR Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-street-lights-podcast/id1696321025 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/no-street-lights-podcast-5854474 Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/no-street-lights-podcast-619681 ❤️ SUPPORT NO STREET LIGHTS Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NoStreetLights 📱 FOLLOW NO STREET LIGHTS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/No-Street-Lights-Podcast-100094151442311/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nostreetlightspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@no.street.lights CONTENT NOTE This episode includes discussions surrounding mental health struggles, depression, suicide, childhood trauma, addiction, substance abuse, and alcoholism. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to an appropriate mental health professional, crisis service, or trusted person in your community. You do not have to navigate difficult moments alone. #MensMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #VeteranMentalHealth #MensMentalHealthAwareness #NoStreetLightsPodcast

  8. Jul 3

    Nobody Teaches You How to Help Men | NSLP 142

    Today’s conversation started with one simple question: How do you actually help men with their mental health? We hear people say “men should open up” all the time, but very few people ever talk about what happens after that. In this episode Aaron and Tim explore men’s mental health, isolation, emotional intelligence, therapy, healing, community, and why showing up matters more than simply saying you care. This isn’t about blaming men or women. It’s about trying to understand each other a little better and having conversations that usually get lost between social media clips and headlines. If you’ve ever wondered why so many men feel isolated, misunderstood, or like there’s no roadmap for getting better, we’d love to hear your thoughts. 👇 Join the discussion in the comments. 🎙️ No Street Lights Podcast Every other week, we sit down and have honest conversations about life, mental health, relationships, philosophy, culture, creativity, and everything in between. We don’t claim to have all the answers, we’re just trying to ask better questions. 👍 If you enjoy these conversations, consider subscribing and joining us each week. A special thank you to Dave Hinerman for his continued support of the show and for donating the Sony ZV-E10 that’s helping us continue improving the quality of No Street Lights. If you’re looking for professional AV, networking, or technology solutions, check out Digital Harmony LLC: https://www.digitalharmonyllc.com/ 0:00 Clickbait Intro 😂 0:23 Why We Wanted to Talk About Men’s Mental Health 2:08 Aaron’s Festival Experience & Feeling Unwelcome 4:28 “How Do We Actually Help Men?” 6:19 Is Men’s Mental Health Already Improving? 9:38 Talking vs Actually Showing Up 13:18 Society, Perception & Trust 16:19 What Actually Helped Tim Heal 20:53 The Audio Disaster 😅 21:02 Feeling Inadequate as a Man 23:37 “How Can You Help Men?” 25:27 Why Tim Believes Anyone Can Recover 29:23 Becoming a Healing Facilitator 31:11 Practical Ways to Help Someone 33:01 Where We Agree (And Where We Don’t) 35:18 Be Worthy of Your Titles 38:05 Masculinity, Emotional Intelligence & Compassion 40:04 “Nobody Teaches You How to Speak Man” 42:46 Be Kind First. Ask Questions Later. 46:24 Final Thoughts + Resources + Patreon

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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Hosted by Aaron Ash and Tim Brunicardi, we explore different concepts of the human experience through our personal lives experiences. As veterans with 20 years of experience in Security/Anti-Terrorism, Aaron and Tim have a lot to share. Join us bi-weekly as we drop new episodes. As we continue to grow, we will incorporate more guests moving forward, thank you to all for your support.

Information

  • Creator
    Aaron Ash and Tim Brunicardi
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    157
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Aaron Ash and Tim Brunicardi
  • Show Website
    No Street Lights Podcast